Two tidbits on Walter D Douglas

[Richard A. Krebes]

Here's two tibits on Mr. Walter D. Douglas, of Deephaven, Minnesota:

1. His wife at the time of his death in the Titanic disater, Malhala Douglas, was actually his second wife.
When Walter's first wife died, he then married Malhala, who was his childhood sweetheart.

2. The Douglas mansion in Deephaven, "Walden", was named by Walter in honor of one of his sons.

These tidbits need double-checking to make sure they're correct, but I know a T. buff in Excelsior, Minnesota who (thank you God!) can probably help me out on this.
Anyway, just thought I'd share these two tibits, and if anybody here has any input on them, please do feel free to let me know about it.

Richard K.

 

[Steve Arnold]

Richard --

Yes, indeed, Mahala was Walter Douglas's second wife. I am a very distant relative of the first Mrs. Douglas. It is my understanding, however, that Walter Douglas was childless.

Being a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I will remind you that the Douglas's had only recently moved to Minnesota, and were both Cedar Rapids natives. Walter had not long before the sinking retired from a highly successful business partnership with his brother. The Douglases are buried in Cedar Rapids.

 

[Mike Herbold]

Richard and Steve:
Mahala Douglas lived for quite awhile in a beautiful Spanish style house in Pasadena, California, which is about a half hour from my house. The informant listed on her death certificate was Edward Bruce Douglas of San Francisco. Her obituary says that Edward was her son.

Edward Bruce Douglas was born November 6, 1887 and died on February 6, 1946. He was a sculptor, and on his death certificate his father is listed as Walter Douglas but his mother's maiden name is listed as Lulu Camp.

Have you seen the Brucemore website?
http://www.brucemore.com
There it says that Titanic victim Walter Douglas was widowed at the age of 37. He was born on April 21, 1861, so, doing the math, apparently the first Mrs. Douglas died shortly after Edward Douglas' birth. Since Edward was so young at his birthmother's death, Mahala Douglas was probably always considered to be his mother.

We'll have to compare notes. I'd love to find out more about the Minnesota part of the Douglas family history.
[email protected]

 

[Phillip Gowan]

Richard, Steve, and Mike,
Walter Douglas had first been married to a Miss Camp and had two sons, Edward (mentioned above by Mike), and George Camp Douglas. Edward was the favored (and more responsible younger son). George Camp Douglas was born in early 1886 and in his younger days was a vexation to his father and Walter even made a provision in his will stating that Mahala would have discretion in determining if George's irresponsibility had moderated before receiving "his fortune." George apparently remained fairly reckless though. He died on May 23, 1925 at the age of 39.

Walter and his first wife's brother, Edward Camp, continued in a business relationship, jointly owning land in Minnesota and in Ontario until Walter was lost on Titanic. I'll hunt up my copy of Walter Douglas's will and post the part about his son George Camp.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Phillip Gowan]

Walter Douglas wrote his will on January 5, 1912-a lengthy document (11 pages) and Mahala wrote an "assent" to the will on the same day, declaring that she agreed and assented with all terms of it. The will was offered for probate on May 6, 1912 stating that Walter died seized and possessed of an estate of probable value in excess of $1,000,000. His legacies to Mahala, his son Edward Bruce Douglas, and various other relatives and friends is succinct and straightforward. However, the items dealing with his older son George Camp Douglas are more involved. Sample:

SECTION XIV, item (c):

To duly transfer, convey, assign and deliver unto my said son George, absolutely, one-third of all the property, real, personal and mixed belonging to said trust (equal and similar, as nearly as may be, to the one-third thereof which is to be distributed under the provisions of the next preceding paragraph) at the time, in the manner and upon the conditions following, viz: One-half thereof at the time fixed in the next preceding paragraph, if for the two years then last past, (duration of illness, if any, being deducted) he shall have been engaged in business, or shall have been employed, and shall have received from such business or employment an annual income of not less than twenty-five hundred dollars and if it shall then be the opinion of my said wife and of said Trustees, or of a majority of them, that he has become so confirmed in good habits and has displayed such business capacity that he may safely and with advantage to himself be placed in control of a considerable fortune, but not otherwise, and if such distribution be then made all payments to my said son George under the Second sub-division of paragraph (a) of this Section shall thereupon forever cease;---"

There were no such restrictions placed on Edward's legacy.

 

[Richard A. Krebes]

To all:

A big, heartfelt, THANK YOU for your feedback on Walter D.

Richard K.

 

[Ben Holme]

Hi Everyone
recently visitd a fascinating web-site about them called "Cedar Rapids-The Douglas connection" or something to that effect. It was very interesting and featured photos of the couple along with a ton of info. about wirelesses posted from the ship etc. I'm only sorry I can't remember the exact name of the site, but you could find it on keyword.

 

[Mike Herbold]

Steve Arnold:
You mentioned once about a book you bought at Brucemore about the Douglas family. Was it "When We Went First Class" by Ellen Douglas Williamson or was it another one?

 

[Mark Bray]

"When We Went First Class" is a very good book. I got it autographed by a good friend and relative of Mahala. Everyone should have a copy in their T Collection.

Regards,

Mark Bray

 

[Steve Arnold]

Yes, Mike, that was it. I've been planning to get it for you, but I haven't been back to Brucemore for several months. It's an interesting book, though not one I'd rely on 100% as a scholarly resource.

Sorry I took so long in replying, I hadn't been in for a few days.

 

[Mike Herbold]

Thanks, Steve:
I bought it not knowing that was the Brucemore book. If you already bought a copy for me I'll still take it off your hands, because I'd like to give a copy to the people who live in Mahala's Pasadena home. It's a really enjoyable book. Let me know what I owe you. [email protected]