The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-02-14
- BOHEMIAN M T, "WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY ID, 1889
THE BRIDE OF A NIGHT.

| THE BRIDE OF A NIGHT.
Incidents which Preceded the
Death of Mrs. ]. Gilbert.
! From the COurier-JOurndl.
All of the terrible details Of the Mil
waukee fire are still fresh in the minds
of thousands of people all over the coun-
try, and there are many which remain
vet to be narrated. Among the deaths
none created more sorrow than that Of
Mrs. John Gilbert, the bride Of day,
who, while enjoying her honeymoon,
was launched into eternity. The real
way in which she met her death is not
yet known. but as her body was found
lying in the street, with her husbands
close beside it, the most plausible theory
is that when they found they were sur
rounded by flames on all sides, and
every retreat cut of, Gilbert in fit Of
desperation picked his wife up in his
arms and leaped from the third-story
window to death.
I Mr.. Arthur E. Miller, the well-known
theatrical agent, was in the city last
night, and as he was in the ill-fated New
hall House and intimately acquainted
with Gilbert, q Courier-J Journal reporter
Md : talk with him about the tragedy.
The story Of Mr.. and Mrs. Gilbert's mar
ried life, as he narrated it, is touching
one, made more so from the remarkable
devotion they displayed for each other.
Il have known Gilbert long and intim-
ately," Mr.. Miller faid, "and if were to
live thousand years 1 would never for
get the occurrences ofthat dreadful night
in connection with him. He was for
merly a minstrel man, and was with
Stanley's allied shows. He had only
been . member of the Minnie Palmer
troupe few weeks, but in that time had
fully mastered his part, and was re-
markable clever actor. His wife was not
on the stage, as many suppose, but lived
with her parents at Blood Station, New
York. Gilbert had met her couple of
years before and had been her sweet
heart for long time, they having been
engaged several months, although he
never breathed a word of it to any one.
The week before the fire the company
was playing in Chicago, and by strange
coincidence she happened to be visiting
some of her relations there at the same
time. 1t was during that week that the
young couple agreed to be married quiet
ly, and it was arranged that she should
accompany the troupe to Milwaukee, re-
main during the week and than 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 ceremony, when he told the rest Of
the company. The night Of the fire the
Palmer company played at the Grand
Opera House, and during the perform
ance walked csrelessly into the theatre
and took seat in the dress circle.
Il naturally looked all around, and
soon observed lady sitting several rows
across from me, whose appearance l was
at once attracted by. There was no one
setting close behind her, SO could get
good luck at her face and figure, and ]
rarely ever saw more beautiful woman.
and her round, We11-made features were
shaded by broad-rimmed scarlet hat,
with long feather which dropped down
low over her shoulder. Her hair, which
peeped out on either side of it, was black
as jet, and when she partially turned her
face I saw that her eyes were OF the
same beautiful color. In few moments
Gilbert came on the stage, and she inn
mediately was all attention. She leaned
forward, and resting her elbow on the
seat in front of her, placed her hand
against her neck, and remained in that
position until he made his exit, her eyes
| following his every motion.
"!As soon as the curtain fell on the act
| l walked behind the scenes, and met
Gilbert standing near the entrance. As
soon as the curtain rose he took ME
around to the second wing and said: /
want to show you something He led
me close to the edge, 80 we could look
out upon the audience, and pointing to
the beautiful woman had SO much ad-
mired, said: That is her, my wife
"She had been watching closely as II
to catch a glimpse of him, and soon her
eye rested on the spot where we stood,
and could see that he was recognized
by the slight nod which he gave his
head. Whenever he was off the stage
he took his stand there and watched her
almost continually. When the curtain
fell on the closing scene, we walked out
together, and she was waiting for him al
the door.
"They talked for some time in the Of
!, fee with several friends, dwelling partic
ularly on the splendid time they would
have in Europe, as he intended to &C
company Miss Palmer. About ll:3o
o'clock they entered their room in the
hotel, and at 4:3O O'Clock she was lying
dead in the morgue.
"Her body was found, bruised ano
crushed, on the pavement, while he was
partially in the gutter, half submerged
in ice and water, crushed. burnt ant
nearl; frozen. watched by his bedside
T for several days, and he gave no signs o
returning consciousness except for mo
ment the day after. His mother cam
up to see him, and when she leaned owe
, the bed he raised himself on his elbow
with groan Of pain and threw his let
arm around her neck. On the fourtf
day after the fire he was corscious for
, short while, and the first words tina
, passed his lips was an inquiry for his wife
He was assured that she was safe, an
? with a satisfied air he fell asleep
, "He has improved considerably sine
3 then, but has not vet heard that his wifi
f is dead. When the news is broken t
| him, and it will be done gently by hi
/ mother, the critical moment will hav
r arrived. and if he survives the shock h