Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-05-26
Died of Grief and Shame.

IA paGuot1C SbOIy VI IllO \odyo UIO IN.
Y. Tribune), glimpses of which were
brought to light at the time Of the death
of Mrs. Anna Curtis from malpractice
on March II, was disclosed by the death
in this city on Thursday, of Tyler Cur
It's, husband of the unfortunate woman.
Mr.. Curtis life was eventful. Until a
few years ago he was very wealthy
and prominent citizen of San Francisco,
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 fourishing life insurance
company. About four years ago, be-
ing then 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, disease
of the optic nerve, which took
away his sight almost entirely.
He was obliged to give up his bust
ness, which he transferred to his part
ners, all of whom were relatives by his
first marriage, taking only small por-
ton of the payment in cash, and taking
for the remainder the not.s of his part
ners to the amount of about 500, 900.
To help his eyesight, and also to enable
his wife, who was 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 note from them, in which
they justified the stopping of further
remittances on the ground that
he had misused some funds which
he had had in trust for Ia mem
Der of their family. Mr. Curtis
then consulted Charles M. Whitney, q
lawyer of the 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.
II, 1873, went to San Francisco. His
wife and his two daughters by former
marriage-one II, the other Ii years Of
age, remained here. Letters frequently
passed between husband and wife, all
expressing unaltered affection. One of
these letters, dated March 9, 1875, was
received by the husband 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 Atone
ment. Her relations with BENJAMIN
Gregory, the church organist, became
too intimate, it is stated, and he was at
her bedside during the last moments,
when she was dying from malpractice
On the day of her death Mr.. Curtis re-
ceived Geographic dispatch in San
Francisco informing him of his wife's
death, and asking him what dis
position should be made of the body.
Hurriedly telegraphed to have the body
placed in a receiving vault until his ar
rival. 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 s. The
sudden shock to his feelings was too much
for him to bear, and he sank rapidly,
dying on Thursday last from grief aud
prostration under the blow which he
had received.