The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-05
A SAD SPECTACLE.

WILLIAM c. GILMAN, THE PARDoNED FoRGER,
DURING THE cEREMoN1Es-THE MorHERIEss
BOYS IN CHURCH.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]
NORWICH, Conn. Dec. f. 1879.
William C. Gilman and mis- sister arrived at their
Norwichtown residence this noon. where they
found Mr. Charles Perkins. of Hartford. prominent
lawyer. and his wife. and Fred P. Perkins of
Boston. of the Saturday Magazine. brothers of
the deceased Mrs. Gilman. her sister. Mrs.
Edward Everett Hale Professor D. c. Gilman of
Johns Hopkins University. and Mrs. DIR. J.
ThompsoA. brother and sister of Gilman; Rev. H.
W. Bsecher and wife Whose niece Mrs. Gilman was)
aad Mrs. Hurry, an intimate friend of hers from
New York Rev. Dr. G. II. Houghton, Of the Church
Of the Transnguration. i'll New York. her former
pastor. and Mr.. William G. Lane. of New York. her
brother-in-law, and his wife. Gilman dressed
with scrupulous neatness in black broadcloth. with
a heavy weed his hat He appeared too much
crushed with to give any signs of grief and
during the day did not exhibit the least emotion.
His prison life has not changed his appearance and
he is erect. his hair black and his face
fair and smooth ever. Notwithstanding
contrary reports. At two O'Clock the Rev.
MI. Beecher conducted . betof service at the
house, and his remarks wers q suoh nature as to
leave but few dry eyes. The co1n. elegant black
broadcloth covered casket lined with white tufted
satin and mounted with silver trimmings, bore O
massive plate with
CATHERINE P. GILMAN
engraved thereon in English text. 1t opened
peared lifelike and flushed. though she were
sleeping. The casket literally loaded down with
and beautiful flowers. and the bearers the
eight young men who composed the Sunday school
class OF the late Bessie c. Gilman and who performed
the same last sad rites at her funeral two weeks
was received by the Rev. DR.. Houghton aud the Rev.
DIR. Jewett. the rector of the church. and during o
solemn chant the body was borne into the audience
room. DR.. Houghton conducted the brief Episco-
pal service. during which William C. Gilman sat
with bowed head. with his two bright-eyed little
sons on either side Of him. The floral display in
the church consisted of enormous urn in front
of the altar filled with roses and lilies sprinkled
with sprays of box tree and ivy. large black vel
vet covered cross draped with luxuriant ivy vine
stood in the rear Of the desk. The church was but
family, public notice of the obsequies not being
given that the crowds Of curious sightseers should
of the hour of the funeral the church would have
been crowded great is the interest here in this
most melancholy affair." At the close of the funeral
and inferred within stones cast of the recently
opened grave Of Mrs. William b. Riddle. Rector
Jewett conducted the rites at the grave.
GILMAN AT HIS wIFE's CRAVE
Mr. Beecher and wife. DR.. Houghton and Mrs.
Hurry returned to New York on the afternoon
raiu and the remainder of the mourners repaired to
the Gilman mansion at Norwichtown. Yantlc Gene
terry was thronged with an eager: idle crowd Of
townspeople, all anxious to catch sight Of Gilman.
He bore their scrutiny without finching and calmly
embraced DR.. Houghton and the departing friends
vous to leaving. His future arrangements for him
self and his handsome and intelligent children
have, Of course not been made feeling
of sympathy seems to be generally extended
to him from tho people here because of the shadow
lately cast upon his household in the death Of
the least doubt that Mrs. w. G. Gilman died of
broken heart. Soon after her husbands incarcera-
ton at Auburn she became Of uasound mind and
treated until she partially recovered by DR..
Gallaudet. at the insane asylum ct Hart
side. Her daughter Bessie Colt. who died
two weeks since. had been OF feeble health during
the past summer. and this probably depressed the
when the daughter ut length died Of rheumatism Of
the heart Mrs. Gilman was out Of her mind to such
dead replied that "she was only sleeping and would
awake III the morning. After the burial Of
tives and visited her husband and also Governor
Robinson. At tho second repulse by the Governor.
after applying for her husbands pardon. she re.
passed three hours in sleep. Her nervous forces
were exhausted she was unable to. take
physical condition the turning point of life found
her wreck Offering resistance to the progress of
disease. particularly all hope of her husbands
pardon. which had buoyed her up for so long
time, had to be given up She is described as having
been LADY Of rare nsslsOtu powers though
husbands confinement the principal portion
Of her time was devoted to taking care
of her children. The two remaining boys bear
testimony this. In the funeral service to-day in
following the Episcopal forms both Of them knelt
by the side of their father, forming sight which
moved many in the church to tears. They are not
old enough to realize the great loss they have
tanned, and seem delighted to have their long-ab-
sented parent again with them.
HUMANE CREDITORS.
While Gilman was in business in New York he had
the management of the entire property of his several
sisters here, some 1000, aud when his forgeries
came to light this sum also missing. Knowing
that the sisters would be reduced to want by
the loss the principal creditors of the brother made
up purse equalling the amount belonging to the
girls and forwarded It to them, and it is upon this
that they have since lived. William c. Gilman,
the father OF the forger. enterprsing
native of this city. He died some twenty
five years ago. He extensive mill owner and
was president Of the old Thames Manufacturing
Company when that institution went under. He
was thorough gentleman and educated his son to .
complete business knowledge and to refined but not
luxurious tastes.
BRIEF REASONS WHY THE GOVERNOR PARDoNED