Alice Dickason
details
Unknown Unknown po0296p.jpg PO-0296 B&W 1700-0296-0000 po0296p Tintype 4x4 Historic Photographs 1870s Reproduction requires permission. Digital images property of SHM Library & ArchivesDescription
Alice Edith Dickason (b. 1854 - d. 1907) was born in California in 1854 or 1855, the daughter of I.Q. Dickason, born in Virginia in 1822 or 1823 and Elizabeth Dickason, born in Kentucky in 1836 or 1837. At the time of the 1870 US Census, Alice was living in Prescott, Arizona.
Alice's father was the US Marshall for Arizona and defaulting revenue officer in Prescott, Arizona, who left the country after his crime was exposed. Her mother remarried and the new couple conducted themselves in a notorious manner. Alice's mother then shot a man through a door keyhole whom she claimed was spying on her privacy. She did not serve time for the incident.
Alice became infamous during the Blythe estate contest. Thomas Henry Blythe was an eccentric millionaire in California who died in 1883 without a will. Alice claimed that she was his wife and the benificiary of his estate. Another petition was filed by Florence Blythe Hinckley who claimed she was Thomas Blythe's daugher. The case was debated in court in San Francisco for years. The San Francisco court determined that Florence was the legal heir, but Alice appealed. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled that Florence was Thomas Blythe's daughter and legal heir.
Alice Dickason lived in obscurity following the case. She was arrested several times for petty offenses.
Alice died in squalor on July 18, 1907 in San Francisco and was buried in Potter's field.
Sources: US Census 1870; Arizona Journal-Miner April 6, 1872; Arizona Weekly Enterprise August 3, 1899;The Mercury News "Days Gone By: Exploring the Boalt-Blythe Connection Resurrects a Landmark Legal Case August 23, 2010; The San Francisco Call July 18, 1907.
Purchase
To purchase this image please click on the NOTIFY US button and we will contact you with details
The process for online purchase of usage rights to this digital image is under development. To order this image, CLICK HERE to send an email request for details. Refer to the ‘Usage Terms & Conditions’ page for specific information. A signed “Permission for Use” contract must be completed and returned. Written permission from Sharlot Hall Museum is required to publish, display, or reproduce in any form whatsoever, including all types of electronic media including, but not limited to online sources, websites, Facebook Twitter, or eBooks. Digital files of images, text, sound or audio/visual recordings, or moving images remain the property of Sharlot Hall Museum, and may not be copied, modified, redistributed, resold nor deposited with another institution. Sharlot Hall Museum reserves the right to refuse reproduction of any of its materials, and to impose such conditions as it may deem appropriate. For certain scenarios, the price for personal usage of the digital content is minimal; CLICK HERE to download the specific form for personal usage. For additional information, contact the Museum Library & Archives at 928-445-3122 ext. 14 or email: orderdesk@sharlot.org.