The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-03
stephen Girard's Marriage, and the HOrri-
BILE Discovery He Made.

A correspondent says: Having several
hours of leisure while in Philadelphia, upon
the occasion referred to, in company with a
resident of the place ] drove out to that
renowned philanthropic memorial, and sf-
ter inspecting the eight white grant build
ings on the ample grounds instituted an
inquiry among old PniIadelphians to ascer-
tain, II possible, the motives which prompt
ed Girsrd in founding the institution, and
the cause OF bis enmity toward all Churches.
The story, as l obtained it from unquestion-
ably correct sources, is as follows: Girard
was formerly devout Catholic, whose con-
tributions to the Church at times were al
most princely. He did not marry until
many years of old bsehelorhood had tinged
his HAIR with gray, and but for a strange
meeting would doubtless have remained a
celibate. Being the largest shipowner in
the world, his business led him to nearly all
parts of the globe, and his name was famil-
lar in every merchant port. On public
occasion when large body of merchants
welcomed him home after 3 long cruise, the
festivities of the reception turned from
speech-making to a grand ball, at which
Girard saw and was introduced to the
daughter of prominent gentleman in
Philadelphia, and this meeting. which had
many singular features about it not neces-
sary to be related, eliminated in marriage.
1t is said by all those with whom convers-
ed on the subject that Girard's young wife
was exquisitly beautiful and a lady OF rare
polish and education. His treatment of her,
instead of being austere, as "Gath" declares,
was,that of proud lover, ever anxious to
excite her favors by bestowal OF elegant
gifts and a constant exhibition of loving
tenderness. One year after his marriage
business cllled Girard to South America,
where he remained nearly eighteen
months, and upon mis- re-
turn he was greeted afectionately by his
young wife, but her caresses were poison TO
his lips, for there were unmistakable evil
dences readily apparent that she was shout
to become mother. l could add nothing
to the facts of this sad story by dwelling
upon t scene which followed. Girards
reprosch was succeeded by a frank confess
sion from MS wife, who named their favorite
pastor as her guilty companion. 1 am not
prepared to say Of what denomination Mrs
Girard was a member, but my impression
now is that Girard had some time previously
withdrawn from the Catholic Church for
some just reason, and that both he and his wife
had united with some Protestant sect.
OHdtu COUlU uOs IRlNc uls Vile, allu
she, being a keenly sensitive woman, was so
conscience-stricken by her great CRIME that
two months after the revelation she became
insane and was carried to mad-house.
Here she languished tor nearly two years,
when death delivered her of her malsdy.
The Church of which she was a D,ember
took charge of her remains and gave them
burial commensurate with the great wealth
of her husband. A bill for the funeral ex-
penses was afterwords presented to Girard,
but he peremptorily refused payment, and
the matter was about to go into the courts.
Discovering the attitude in which such le-
gal contest would place him, Girard paid
the bill under protest, and then, feeling IS
though the Church had stabbed him twice,
he withdrew from active life and, realizing
SIS 100000 from mis- shipping interests, he
concluded to spend 100000 of that sum
in founding college, which he intended
should be perpetual reprosch to all
Churches and the followers thereof. His
respect for society and mis- relations pre-
vented him from exposing the secret which
crushed his life, aud thus speculation has
been left to write the history of his domestic
sorrows.