The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-02-08
A MYSTERY.
The Death of Minnie Beales
Reade.
Late Developments in this
Peculiar Case.

Phillip Reade, son OF Henry Reade a
wealthy and prominent citizen of Lowell,
Mass, and nephew of General B. F But
Ter, is West Point graduate, and was
serving as Lieutenant at Fort Dodge when
he became acquainted with Miss Beals, the
latter being at that time % years old and
living with her parents in Topeka, Kan.
Three years after they were married. Min
ME was pursuing her musical studies with
ali the arder of an enthusiast under the in
struction of noted teachers in Boston, and
at her home in Topeka, where her genius
and gentleness won the generous common
dation of the judicious, and the hearts of
all. After her marriage she determined
upon completing her musical education
abroad, and in May, 1872, Mrs. Reade set
sail for Europe, with the goodspeed of a
host of friends.
SHE NEVER RETURNED.
The four remaining years of her life were
years of thorough and devoted study, and
all the energies of her mind were bent to
the task of commanding success. All of
her letters disclose singleness of purpose
to attain the pinnacle of distinction in her
profession, and all else was subordinated
to that end. At length it seemed that her
exalted aspirations and the highest antici-
pations of her friends were to be fully real
lied. She conquered success in the musi-
cal cities of the old continent, and her pub
lie efforts were written of, in the critical
journals of Florence and Milan, in terms
of glowing praise. Professor Gill, her
musical instructor in Milan, spoke enthu-
siastically of his pupil, and Carl Rosa, on
a professional visit to the conservatory,
spoke highly of her voice and culture.
In July, 1875, she signed four years
engagement with the leading impressario
of Italy to sing in opera in leading charac-
tiers in the principal cities of Europe. She
performed in Auber's opera of The Prodi-
gal Son" in the largest opera house in
Florence, and she sang for
TWO MONTHS IN CoNsTANTINoPLE
with great success. The Eastern question
becoming very threatening, the troupe re-
turned to Milan.
A Milan paper contains the following
notice of her:
The journals Of Constantinople, the 7'ar-
Qatie, the Reuue at Tera, and the Leuant
Herald are in unison in celebrating the
success of this fine young prima donna so
prano in the Ottoman capital. In Linda"
especially, she was above all praise, inter
preting in a manner unrivaled, the diff
cult part of Linda. The Marina" aroused
a real enthusiasm, with interminable APP
plause, boquets, and gifts.
Mrs. Reade went from Milan to Paris to
perfect herself in the French language
she was a good Latin scholar when she
left home hence she acquired the Italian
language with case.
In the city of Paris according to the best
evidence precurable, she was attacked
with diptheria, or Roman fever, and died.
Lieutenant Greeley, who conducted the in
quiry at paris, asserts it, F. P. Baker, of
Topeka, in an editorial letter from the
same city, relates an interview with the
nurse who attended Mrs. Reade in her last
illness, and stated this nurse identified
of the deceased, which he re-
ceived of DIR. Beals before he left home.
Miss Keep, of New York, class mate of
mourns her death in a long and
letter. Grace Greenwood,
writes Mrs Beales that Minnie is dead,
and requests the materials for her biogra-
ply. Minister Washburne interviewed
in Chicago by DR. Beals, is most emphatic
and positive that the proofs of Mrs. Reades
death are incontestible. Search instituted
by General Butler through the attaches of
legation, ending in establishing the fact
that
MRS. READE Is DEAD.
We are satisfied, from this mass of cor
in the possession of DR.. Beals, !
which we have been permitted to examine,
that no effort has been spared and no
doubtful point left untouched to demon
strate beyond peradventure that this gift |
ed lady is no more. From those letters it
is evident that the resources of the War
Department and the Department of State |
have been drawn upon freely to establish |
the fact of her demise, and that all that |
wealth and influence can do is done.
The correspondence is much too volumi- |
nous for cur space, and would test the ca |
pacity ofths average daily, but the tenor
Of the whole may be drawn from the fol- |!
lowing letter from our Minister to France:
UNITED STATES LEGATION, Paris, April |
5, 1S7S.-Dr. M. B. Beals-Dear Sir: II
have your letter of the 18th nit. inquiring |
ror the facts in regard to the death of Mrs /
Reade
The lady died year before came to
Paris, and | know nothing personally of |
the facts. / am informed by the Consul /
General that all the papers, effects, ETC.,
If Mrs. Reid were duly delivered to the |
officer who appeared as the representative
md friend of Lieutenant Reade. 1 can
sdd nothing to the information sent you t
by Mr.. EIitt, the Secretary of Legation, I
C1SI you " 1ISutCLfsIs 1tduc, WHO Is
July informed en- the subject.
Whatever you may have heard to the t
contrary, and weatever may be the fact
.bout the indentification of the body taken
o America aud there is no doubt that Mrs. [
Reade died at Paris at the date referred
o. am, very respectfully your obedient
ervant, EDWARD f. MOVES
IF MINNIE BEALs READE Is ALIVE,
which we do not for moment believe, she
las outwitted the War and State Depart
nent of the United States and the detect
We force of France; a feat which her con-
picuous position in the musical world and
u society, together with the lapse of time,
would surely render impossible. Lieuten-
mt Reade, at the expiration of two years
rom the time of her death, married again;
nd Minnie Beals Reade lives only in the
,athetic yearnings of fond mothers heart
n memory. and in the pic lures of her SEN
tive and scholarly face.
A crayen portrait of this child of song
angs on the wall of her parents home,
he first glance at which gives the impress
ion that the possessor of such face has 8
will of her own. 1t is the face of the pale
nd the persistent student but it grows
weet and even beaming upon acquain-
ance, and the full firm lips seem to be no
trangers to smile.
The chin is round and full, and the face