Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-12-30
A TRUE STORY.
S25O,OOO Squandercd by n Young Man I'm
Two Years.

We see no reason in printing fiction
when such stories us the following from
the New York. Sun is such a picture of
common occurrences in New York and
other great cities: Efrr 40
Henry Buttle, who was arrested on
Thursday night tor passing forged check
for S25 on Robert Kessler, butcher, at
26S Seventh avenue, was fully committed
yesterday by Justice Cox. The career of
Buttle, who is twenty-three years of age,
is almost an unparalleled one.
When but ten years old, his fatLer, a
prominent and wealthy merchant, died,
leaving Henry, who was his only child.
heir to an estate valued at S250,000 His
father appointed a brother executor of the
estate. Henry came in possession of his
property when of age, and shortly after
made the acquaintance of daughter of
Colonel Clinton, of Mississippi, to whom,
after short acquaintance, he was married,
He engaged an elegant suit of rooms at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel for himself and bride,
securing the services of a French maid for
his wife. The first five months of his
marriage he purchased from Bishop d
Rein, jewellers under the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, SD, 900 worth of diamonds, which
he presented to his wife. He also pur-
chased fast horses and fine equipages and
with his beautiful young wife by his side,
with his liveried cOachmen and outsiders,
no turnout on the avenue eXcelled that of
young Buttle.
1t is estimated that the first year of his
married life he expended on himself and
wife not less than $50, 900. On the MEM
orable Black Friday he lost in gold specu-
lations S75, ,000.. Anxious to make good
his losses be continued his speculations in
gold, stocks, and bonds, until the last
vestige of his inheritance had disappeared.
He then dispoaed of his horses and car
carriages. .s..
They were followed by the diamonds
which be had purchased for his wife.
These he sold 10 Bishop & Rein, from
whom he purchased them, for about one
fourth the price he had paid. The pro-
ceedS of these sales was lost in stock spec
ulation within three days. These reverses
he kept from his wife until the unfortunate
ventures and their suppression from his
wife had nearly driven him mad. He
made two attempts to commit suicide, and
became perfectly reckless. About four
months ago he forged check for a large
amount, signing the name of his uncle,
and passing the check on Vernon Broth
erS & Co., 65 and 81 Duane street.
The matter was amicably arranged by
the intercession of the uncle, and Buttle
escaped prosecution. He next, with his
wife, went to board at the Gilsey House,
becoming largely indebted to Breslin 4
Gardner, the proprietors, he paid them
with a forged check. Before the last
named forgery was discovered, he was ar
rested for the forgery on Kessler. His
wife, who up to last night had remained in
happy ignorance other husbands conduct,
become frantic with grief when the news
was communicated to her. The friends of
the family are using every possible en-
deavor to settle Buttle's difficulties and
hush the matter, up. His wife's wardrobe,
which was worth from $1,000 to $4,000 it
was expected would be found in her trunks.
The trunks were nearly empty, and in her
pockets were found large num-
Der of pawn tickets.