LOUISE WHITE ASSERTS ROYAL DESCENT, ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK

Copyright(c) 2002 by Margaret Logan-Behrns

http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm
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SOURCE: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS -VOL.XXXIV -NO.145 - September 27, 1897 
SAYS SHE'S QUEEN 

An American Young Woman Lays Claim to the Throne of Sweden 

ASSERTS ROYAL DESCENT 

Miss White of Oklahoma Says Her Lineal Ancestor Was Gustavus Adolphus and She Will Try to Oust
the Present Dynasty

America contains a greater number of titled people of various grades of nobility than would be
required to populate a good-sized monarchy.  The lineal descendants of scores of noble families
of Europe have lost their identity in our genuinely cosmopolitan population. A bright American
woman has just begun a remarkable suit based upon a relationship of this nature which seems to
establish the fact that she is the present rightful queen of Sweden. This remarkable claimant
is Miss Louise White, whose family is well known in both society and in business to Indian
Territory, says the Boston Globe. Miss White has been traveling abroad for the past two years
in search of evidence to be used in pressing her claim. She is at present living in a suite of
rooms in the Continental Hotel in Stockholm. Her case is familiar to the United States Minister
at Stockholm, Maj. Ferguson, and has been discussed in the Swedish newspapers. In preparing her
case Miss White has accumulated an immense amount of documentary evidence. The legal papers,
such as they are, have not yet been made public, but the nature of the proof which will be
presented has already been freely discussed.

MORAL AND LEGAL CLAIMS

It may be said that in such a claim as this, involving as it does such immense and far-reaching
issues, there is a moral and legal claim to such a title. The right of the present King of
Sweden to the throne has often been questioned. The same condition of affairs exists today in
England and in practically every monarchy in the world, The first and basal claim Miss White
has made as to the illegality of the present king's position is therefore by no means new, and
in this claim at least she has many followers. This plucky little American woman is fighting
her battle alone. During a two years' trip abroad she has traveled without any companion and,
except, for the lawyers and counsel she has employed from time to time, she has depended
entirely upon her own resources. Miss White is both young and attractive. Her brothers in this
country are engaged in the piano manufacturing business. The family is wealthy and Miss White
has had the benefits which good education and good breeding ensure. Miss White has jut passed
her 32d year. She is intelligent, well bred and good looking. She has spent several years in
travelling in Europe, and has been well received in many fashionable circles. The greater part
of her present trip abroad has been spent in Italy. Miss White took up her residence in
Stockholm about three months ago.

DESCENDED FROM GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS

Miss White claims to be the lineal descendant of the great and popular king of Sweden, Gustavus
Adolphus.  It is, of course, a matter of history that the present king of Sweden, Oscar II,
cannot claim this distinction.  The regular succession to the throne was broken, as all the
world knows, in the year 1809. The present ruler of Sweden is descended from the Bernadotte
family, which ascended the throne in the year mentioned. The various papers and documents which
Miss White has collected, and which she says will be put in evidence at the proper time,
establish her relationship, it is claimed, to the older rulers of the country. The last of this
American woman's ancestors to occupy the throne of Sweden was King Gustavus IV, who ruled from
1792 to 1809.  Gustavus began to occupy his royal authority in 1796. His reign was remarkable
for the obstinacy with which he clung to his own ideas, no matter how they might conflict with
the obvious interests of his country. His troubles commenced in 1803, when, in order to vent a
bitter spite against Bonaparte, he tried to induce the Germans to act with him in support of
the Bourbons. This policy led directly to his downfall. He soon quarreled openly with France,
and even when Russia and Prussia offered to mediate between him and the French Emperor he
refused to come to terms.  The consequence was that he lost a large tract of valuable
territory. He next fought with Russia and Denmark, and finally picked a quarrel with England,
which had been his strongest ally. The swedish people were so enraged with his policy that in
1809 he was dethroned and at the time the claims of his descendants to the crown were
repudiated. But the family has still many followers in Sweden who remain loyal to the ancient
family. There are many families of noblemen in Sweden at the present time who boast of much
longer family trees than the king. In other words, the king has not by any mean the bluest
blood in his own realm.   And there are those in Sweden today who look forward to a time when
the older succession may be re-established.  It is this royal family which Miss White so
confidently claims are her ancestors.