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35

[[newspaper clipping]] FATAL EFFECTS OF GRIEF AND SHAME

A HUSBAND CRUSHED BY THE SHOCK OF A WIFE'S DISGRACEFUL DEATH.

A pathetic story of life, glimpses of which were brought to light at the time of the death of Mrs. Anna Curtis from malpractice on March 17, was disclosed by the death in this city on Thursday of Tyler Curtis, the husband of the unfortunate woman. Mr Curtis' life was eventful. Until a few years ago he was a very wealthy and prominent citizen of San Franciso, and the head of one of the largest firms in that city. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Public Works and President of a flourishing life insurance company. About four years ago, being then a widower of little more than 40 years of age, he married his second wife, who came to such an untimely end. Shortly after his marriage he became afflicted with amaurosis, a disease of the optic nerve, which took away his sight almost entirely. He was obliged to give up his business, which he transferred to his partners, all of whom were relatives by his first marriage, taking only a small portion of the payment in cash and taking for the remainder the notes of his partners to the amount of about $100,000. To help his eyesight and also to enable his wife, who was a fine soprano singer, to cultivate her voice, Mr. Curtis went with her and his two children to Europe in 1871. In the fall of 1873 the party returned, the husband and father having his sight partially restored. While abroad he had received remittances from his former partners and one was due him at the time of his arrival here. Instead of the remittance, however, he received a note from them in which they justified the stopping of futher remittances on the ground that he had misused some funds which he had had in trust for a member of their family. Mr. Curtis then consulted Charles M. Whitney, a lawyer of this city, and desired him to go to San Francisco and collect the notes which he held. The lawyer, however, strenuously urged him to go in person. Against his own wishes, as he was not willing to leave his wife and children alone in the city, Mr. Curtis, on Dec. 11, 1873, went to San Francisco. His wife and his two daughters by a former marriage——one 17, the other 13 years of age——remained here. Letters frequently passed between the husband and wife, all expressing unaltered affection. One of these letters, dated March 9, 1875, was received by the husband a short time after he had heard of his wife´s sad death. He had sent his wife remittances of money, all of which were collected here.

While remaining in this city Mrs Curtis became one of the members of the choir of the Church of the Atonement. Her relations with Benjamin Gregory, the church organist, became too intimate, it is stated, and he was at her bedside during her last moments, when she was dying from malpractice. On the day of her death Mr. Curtis received a telegraphic dispatch in San Francisco informing him of his wife´s death, and asking him what disposition should be made of the body. He hurriedly telegraphed to have the body placed in a receiving vault until his arrival. While packing up his effects preparatory to leaving San Francisco he got an evening newspaper in which he read with grieved amazement the story of his wife´s shame. Dazed and heart-broken he took the train for this city, where he arrived on April 8. The sudden shock to his feelings was too much for him to bear, and he sank rapidly, dying on Thursday last from grief and prostration under the blow which he had received. [[/clipping]]

having been one in Boston which he liked very much but I had nothing of that kind. Went up to the Academy by agreement to select the drawings in the Antique school for prizes. No one there but J. G. Brown and myself, who had to take the responsibility of deciding, rather more of a responsibility than I cared to assume. It augurs no very great interest in Academy affairs when the Council are so indifferent to so important an occasion. The students might justly complain when only two out of the whole Council decide. A postal card from Lucy from Chicago announced her safe arrival there and a letter from her via Rondout gives an account of her arrival at Omaha and an adventure there which however resulted to her advantage. She came near being left while arranging for her tickets, her children at the last moment were put off and the train moved out of the depot but they were all tumbled aboard again to find their luggage left behind, met a return train, came back to Omaha, staid over night and started next day with a saving of a hundred dollars on her baggage. Every one very attentive to her. Her letters from Mr. Huntington Vice Pres. of the road and from Pullman securing every attention from officials, and the chivalry of American men and women supplying it outside. Her letter in the best of spirits —— Dined with Hall and Gifford at Philippes (spel wrong) Called at the Beardmans, Fred and Alice gone to the theatre.

Tuesday May 11. Went home on Saturday by Wallkill Valley R.R. Sunday was a lovely warm day - all the doors and windows open. Wished for plenty of money to do many things at home to adorn our lovely place. Came down Monday bringing Sara with me. Attended Council meeting. Am more and more impressed with the perilous condition of the Academy and the absolute necessity of putting off all selfishness for the good of the Art. Dread the Annual Meeting on Wednesday as there is such a diversity of policy and no unity of action. Too 

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