The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-07-18
A BELLIES SAD DOWNFALL.
She GIVES WAY TO CRAVING roR
LIQUOR.
Surrounded by Luxury and the IDOL
of N Young and Affcctionatc Hus-
banda SorrOvfuI story.

A jury of inquisition at Baltimore re-
Gently decided Mrs. Gertrude f. Grove
to be insane, and she was removed to
Spring Grove Insane asylum for medical
treatment. Commenting on this, a letter
from Baltimore says: Probably but a
lew OF the friends and acquaintance of
Miss Gertrude Henderson, of Chicago
atterward the wife of Eugene B. Grove
OF this city, recognize the downfall of
the above named belle in the brief ar
ticle quoted above. The story is a very
sad one. Miss Hendersons parents died
when she was quite young, leaving her
in charge of her aunt, married sister of
Mr.. Henderson, the wife of prominent
grain merchant, residing in Wabash
avenue, between Twenty fifth and Tween
ty-sixth streets, Chicago. Gertrude was
reared with great care and tenderness.
and her debut in society was made in the
latter city during the Masonic celebra-
ton about seven years ago. Among the
visitors to Chicago on the above occa-
sion was Eugene B. Grove, wealthy
young flour merchant of Baltimore.
Young Grove met Miss Henderson at a
social gathering, given in honor of lady
from Kentucky, who was visiting a we'll
known society lady, residing in Michi-
gan avenue, Chicago. From almost
the moment of the first meeting
of young Grove and Miss Henderson
both appeared to fall desperately in love
with each other. After Groves return to
Baltimore a correspondence began, and
few months later Grove announced to his
friends his engagement to Miss Hender-
son. Shortly afterward Miss Henderson
paid a visit to this city, accompanied by
her aunt. She was cordially received in
the highest social circles, and soon be-
came general favorite. She was highly
educated, spoke several languages, pos
sessed rich soprano voice, and was a
skillful pianist.
Germans parties and other festivities
were given in her honor, and upon every
occasion she was accompanied by her
affianced husband, young Grove. Not
withstanding the fact that her matri-
monial engagement was generally known.
she had many suitors. Her treatment of
them was ladylike, and when their atten-
lions became too ardent, she would
modestly take off her engagement ring,
hand it to her admirer, and remark:
Mr.. -, this will explain to you bet
ter than words why l cannot hear further
from you on the present subject. Please
let us be good friends, but remember l
am the promised bride of another"
At the closing reception given by
Governor and Mrs. Groome at the State
house, Annapolis, Miss Henderson was
the acknowledged belle, and was consd-
cred not only the most beautiful but the
most elegantly dressed lady there.
few evenings prior to her announced
intention to return to Chicago Miss Hen
derson was q guest at fashionable
gathering on Mount Vernon place. At
supper she INDUCED too freely in cham
payne, and when the guests began to
leave the banquet room to return to the
parlor, Miss Henderson was discovered
to be unable to stand upon her feet.
She was removed to a room on an upper
floor, and restoratives given her without
any perceptible effect, and rs a conse-
quence she was forced to remain at the
residence of the hostess all night. All
sorts of excuses were made for her non
appearance in the parlor. vet the truth
was known to many. When Miss Hen
dcrsOn awoke the next morning. and
realized what had transpired, she was
inconsolabe. 1t was several hours be-
fore she ceased weeping then she SOL
EMMY declared never to touch another
glass of liquor of any kind under any
circumstances She little knew how
hard 1t would be to keep her resolution,
as the sequel will prove
After the above episode, Miss Hender-
son did not appear again at a social
gathering here, but left rather hurriedly
for home. In November, 1879, she was
married to Eugene Grove In this CITY,
and the newly married couple entered
shortly after upon the responsibilities of
housekeepers in a handsome dwelling on
Madison avenue, near Hoffman street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Grove did not remain
in Baltimore but few months, and then
went abroad. They returned from Eu-
rope about year ago. 1t was tn no.
tlced that young Grove was growing very
Respondent. and that his young and
pretty wife was seldom seen outside her
house. The truth was not to be kent
long from the gossiping neighbors, and
the rumor prevailed that Mrs. Grove was
slave to liquor, and that the taste had
been acquired during her designations
here in 1878. Her husband had noticed
her terrible cravings for wine, and his
visit abroad was for the purpose of avoid
ing publicity. Mrs. Grove was often
seen at the window of her bedroom with
her hair disheveled, her eyes bloodshot
and her appearance indicating the terri
BILE inroads made upon her personal APP
pearance by the excessive indulgence in
liquor. All efforts to keep it from her
were unavailing. She would frequently
go to the front door of her dwelling,
call in small boy passing by, give him
an article of clothing belonging to her
husband, with instructions to sell it. buy
wine, and bring it to her. One dav she
became so enraged at the refusal of a
neighbours son to do her bidding that
she struck him a violent blow over the
head with heavy cane severely injuring
the lad
During all this time the young hus-
band had stood nobly by her, but her
conduct became 80 outrageous that it
was found necessary to Mace her in an