The Hawaiian gazette., 1878-12-25
A Celebrated Case Recalled.
DEATH OF THE PRINCIPAL FIGURE OF THE /
NOUS BALKAN MYSTERY.

DEATH OF THE PRINCIPAL FIGURE OF THE FA-
NOUS BALKAN MYSTERY.
Mrs. Bravo, who became so notorious in the
BALKAN mystery, and who was suspected of poi
soring her husband Mr.. Charles Bravo. in June,
1876, is dead. Mrs. Bravo was an English wo-
man by birth, very beautiful and intelligent. She
met, in 1865, at Hamburg. when only girl of
nineteen, Captain Ricardo. a gentleman of great
wealth. who was captivated by her charms, and
appeared the happiest of men when she consen-
ted to marry him. Ten years after the husband
fancied he had been deceived, and instituted pro-
ceediugs for divorce. Before the case came
up for trial he died suddenly as was supposed of
heart disease. The young widow, who was now
rich, married IN the early part of 1876 Mr.. Bravo,
a rising barrister. He became Jealous of his
wife, and shortly afterwards died suddenly and
in mysterious manner. An inquest was held,
1t was shown that his Death was occasioned by
poison, but the jury decided that they could not
say by whom or under what circumstances the
poison bad been administered. The barIister
was buried, but his friends were dissatisfied and
brought the matter before the home secretary
The result was that the coroner was directed TO
show cause why there should not be fresh in.
quiry. The attorney general did not hesitate to
say in open court that Mr., Bravo had been muir
dered. The husband had admitted that he had
taken laudanum. Anthony was found in his
body after death.
A coachman was brought forward to prove
that he bought two ounces of anthony at one
time. The cOachman. however, was in the SER
vice of Dr. Gully when he bought the poison.
and DR.. Gully had kept up liaison with Mrs,
Bravo for several years. Mr.. Bravo had CON-
planned of seepless nights, so had his wife. DR..
Gully recommended thirty drops of laurel water.
The laurel water was sent TO the house by DR..
Gully's orders. and kept in Mrs. Bravo's room.
Mrs Bravo s first husband left her 100000. Still,
at the trial. the crown provided her with the
services OF Sir Henry James, who was paid fee
of $500 day. The bottle of laurel water out OF
which Mr.. Bravo on his death bed said he had
drank to induce sleep could not be found. 1t
was further proved that Mrs. Bravo had been
the mistress of DR.. Gully The difference in
their ages was thrty-seven years, Dr. Gully
being sixty-seven years old.
Mrs Cox. an intimate friend of Mrs. Bravo
subsequently, admitted that she had thrown away
the contents of the bottle of laurel water. Dr.
Gully never explained why be had sent the bot
tie TO the house. lu addition TO Sir Henry
James, Mrs. Bravo paid the expenses of counsel
for herself and Mrs. Cox, amounting to $500 a
day. The total cost of the trial to Mrs Bravo
was estimated at over $4,000 No anthony
after all was found in the bottle of laurel water,
which turned up at the last moment before the
close of the trial. The London papers published
very fully all the sensational features OF the case
The inquiry was ended on August 10. 1876, after
having occupied two months. Dr. Gully was on
the witness stand for two days. The jury we're
locked out for torty-eight hours, and returned
verdist of wilful murder, but added that there
was not sufficient evidence to fix it upon any
person or persons.
The general opinion of the lawyers was that
there was no evidence that Charles Bravo had
ever taken anthony or ever possessed any. 1t
was admitted that he had married under dis
creditabe circumstances and lived unhappily
with his wife, being man of violent, impulsive
temperament. A great deal of dissatisfaction
was expressed at the way in which the case was
conducted, much censnre having been heaped
upon the recorder. After the inquiry was over
Mrs. Bravo is said to have left the country, and
has lived in obscurity ever since. DIR. Gully's
practice was ruined, and little has been heard OF
him, although it is believed he still survives
Mrs. Bravo was in her thirty-third year when she
died.