Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-24
The BRIDE Of A hight,
An Eye Witness and Friend Relates
Some of the Touching Incidents
which Preceded the
Knocking Death OF Mrs. John
Gilbert at Milwaukee-Her
Husbands sad Condition.
C~ourisr-Jou-nsL a.

Milwaukee IRE are still fresh in the
minds OF thousands OF people AL lover
the country, and there are many which
remain yet to be narrated. Among
the deaths none created more sorrow
than that Of Mrs. John Gilbert, the
bride OF a day, who, while enjoying her
honeymoon, was launched into eter-
nifty. The real way in which she met
her death 10 not yet known, but as her
body was found lying il the street,
with her husbands close beside it, the
most plausible theory is that when
they found thev were surrounded BY
flames on all sides, and every retreat
cut of, Gilbert, in a fit of desperation,
picked his wife up in his arms aud
leapsd from the third-story window to
death.
Mr.. Arthur E. Miller, the we'll
known theatrical agent was in the city
last night, and as be was in the i'll.
fated Newhall House and intimately
acquainted With Gilbert, a Courier
Journal reporter had a talk with hin
about the tragedy. The story of Mr..
and Mrs. Gilbert's married lie, as he
narrated it, is a touching one, made
more so from the remarkable devotion
they displayed for each other.
Il have known Gilbert aud init
mately," Mr.. Miller said, "and if |
we're to live a thousand years | would
never forget the occurrences OF that
night in connection with him. He
vas formerly a minstrel man, aud with
SANKEY'S allied shows. He had only
been a member Of the Minnie Palmer
troupe a few weeks, but in that time
had fully mastered his part, and was a
remarkably clever actor. His vile
was not on the stage, as many suppose,
but lived with her parents at Blood
Station, New York. Gilbert had met
her a couple OF years before and had
been her sweetheart for a long time,
they having been engaged several
months, although he never breathed
a word Of it to any one. The week be
fore the fire the company was playing
in Chicago, and by a strange coinci-
dence she happened to be visiting
some of her relations there a. the
same time. 1t was during that week
that the young couple agreed to be
married quietly, and it was arranged
that she should accompany the troupe
to MilWaukee,remai during the week
and then return to her home, until
they could be once more united. The
DAY before they left for Milwaukee
the marriage took place, and he never
mentioned it until after the cere-
mony, when he told the rest of the
company. The night Of the FIRE the
Palmer company played at the Grand
0perahouse, and during the perform
ance l walked earelessly into the
theater and took a seat 10 the dress
circle.
IL naturally looked all around, and
soon observed a lady sitting several
rows across from me, whose appear.
ance | was at Once attracted by.
There was no one setting close beside
her, SO | could get a good look at her
lace and figure, and | rarely eYer saw
a more beautiful woman.
SHE WAS DRESSED IN BLACK SILK
and her round, well made feature.
we're shaded by a broad trimmed scar.
let hat, with a long feather which
dropped down low over her shoulder.
Her hair which peeped out on either
side Of it, was black as jet, and wher
she partially turned her face | saw
that her eyes were Of the same beau
tiful color. In a few moments Gilbert
came on the stage, and she immedi.
ately was al attention. She leaned
forward. aud resting her elbow on the
seat in front Of her. placed her haLd
against her neck, and remained in that
position until he made his exit, hel
eyes following his every motion.
AS soOn as the curtain fell on the
act | walked behind the scenes, anC
met Gilbert standing neal the en-
trance. AS soon as the curtain rost
be took me around 10 the second VIM
and said: / want to show you some
thing He led me close to the edge
so we could look out upon the audi
ence, and pointing to the beautiiuI
woman | had SO much admired, said
That is her, my wife,
"She had been watching closely a,
ie TO catch a glimpse oil him, and soor
her eye rested on the spot where W,
stood, and | could see that be wa
recognized BY the slight nod which b.
gave his head Whenever he was Of
the stage he took his stand there anC
watched her almost continually. Wher
the curtain fell on the closing scene
we walked out together, and She wa
waiting tor him at the door.
They talked for some time 10 tn
Office with several friends, DWELLING
particularly on the splendid time the,
would have in Europe. as he INTENDED
to accompany Miss Palmer. Abou
ll:30 o'clock they entered their roou
in the hotel, and at 400 o'clock Sd,
was lying dead in the morgue.
"Her body was found, bruised aut
crushed, on the pavement, while h
was partially 10 the gutter, half sub
merged in ice and water. crushed
burnt and nearly frozen. l watched
by his bedside for several DAYS. an,
he gave no signs Of returning con
seriousness except for q moment tn
day after. His mother came up to Sc,
him, and when she leaned over III,
bed he raised himself on his elbow
with a groan Of pain and threw hiI
left arm around her neck. On III,
fourth day after the FIRE he was con
scious for a short while, and the first
words that passed his lips was al
inquiry for his wife. He was assured
that she was sac, and with a satisfied
air he fell asleep.
He has improved considerable,
since then, but has not yet heard tina
his wife is dead. When the news /
broken to him, and il will he don.
gently by his mother, the critical mo
ment will have arrived, and If he sur
, wives the shock he will recover. All
though he is a mar Of strong will
power, | confidently believe that hi
mind will be completely lost, when IN
full sense Of his d~esolation break
upon him. / have thought over tia
scene In the theater a thousand time