St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-11
A MARYLAND TRAGEDY.
The Story of John 7. Fink and His
LicentiOus Sons.

BALTIMORE, NJ. D., Sept. 9.-No novel of
lola has for its basis events more Ibertine
IN some particulars, no story of Hawthorne
is founded on circum stance more tragic in
other particulars than the death of John T.
Fink, wealthy inventor OF patent process
for manufacturing lubricating oils, which
occurred last night. Years ago he amassed
fortune by shrewd investments in oil, and
when his Oldest son, John, became Of age
the large and profitable business OF the father
was turned over to the son. The latter was
popular and polished person, surrounded
by everything calculated to make life enjoy
able. His business necessitated his travel
ing much of the time. Unknown to his
family young Fink had formed the acquaint-
ance Of Jessie Ashby, reported to be the
handsomest demi monde on the Atlantic
coast. She is said to be descendent of the
aristocratic family of Ashleys of the Caro-
Hnas. With this woman as a companion
young Fink travelled over the United States
and more recently through Europe, where
they visited together every place worth see
ing. Everywhere they appeared they created
decided sensation, she by her great beauty
and costly jewels and he by his lavish ex-
penditure OF money. Upon their return to
America they spent the past winter in Den
yer, Colorado. Scarcely a fortnight has
elapsed since their return to this city.
1t is only recently that the aged father
learned Of his sons alliance with the Ashby
woman. Greatly shocked, the father and
mother undertook to induce their son to give
up the woman. He promised to do so, but
did not. Persuasion and threats were used,
and finally he was offered a large sum of
money to accede to his parents request.
Hearing that young Fink and Jessie Ashby
were about to leave the city together on
Wednesday last, William, a younger brother,
was dispatched to the railroad depot to inter
cept them. Upon Williams arrival at the
depot he found Miss Ashby in waiting alone.
Her charms instantly infatuated him. In
stead of returning home, William and the
former companion of his brother took the
first train which came along, which was an
express train for Harrisburg. The younger
Fink took with him several hundred dollars,
and it is said Miss Ashby had SO, 600 in her
possession, money which had been given her
from time to time by John Fink. Soon
after reaching Harrisburg William
Fink and the Ashby woman were married.
This escapade Of their favorite child caused
the fond parents great anguish. The elder
son was terribly angered at his brother sac
ton. In his excitement he threatened to
kill both his brother and his wife.
On Saturday the newly married couple re-
turned to Baltimore. In the evening word
was brought to the father that John Fink
and some wild companions had driven few
miles out of the city. Ordering his own car
riage, the father and mother drove hurriedly
after them. and met them at Halstead's road
house, three miles beyond the city limits on
the Pimlico road.
AS the aged couple drew up alongside the
house Mrs. Fink thought she saw by the i'm
perfect light of the room the form of her son
seated in an open carriage with several fe-
male companions. Trembling with emotion
she said to her husband, ''John, there he is"
Her words elected no respone Surprised
at her husbands silence she turned her face
to his. 1t was just in time to witness the
last faint gasp and her ears caught a chok-
ing sound in his throat. The reins had
dropped from his hands, and with a stony
glare in his eyes his head sank slowly on her
shoulder. An instant thereafter he was a
corpse. The frantic, agonized cries Of the
wife brought the hotel proprietor and guests
to the carriage. Among them was her son.
A doctor was summoned, but it was too late
The physician stated that his death resulted
from heart disease, supcrin duced by excite
ment The remains were brought to this
city, followed by the grief stricken widow and
son. Deceased was native of Lancaster, Pa
He was sixty-one years old, and leaves a
widow and nine children, all grown.