St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-01
SKETCH OF THEODORE RICH.
A Noble Man Ruined by n FaithIess
Woman.

Mr.. George l.. Van HOesen. the general
manager of the Reserve Fund Life assOcia-
ton in ST. Paul, and who has an Office at
As Davidson block, formerly lived in Al
bany and was intimately acquainted with
Mr.. Rich. In a conversation with the
GLOBE yesterday Mr.. Van Hoesen said:
Il was shocked this morning when 1 saw
Mr.. Rich's remains in the mOrgue on ac-
count of the untidy appearance of the man.
When L knew Theodore Rich he was noted
for being over fastidious in his dress and
the remarkable neatness of his appearance.
He was a fine-looking man. and always a
thorough gentleman in manner and con-
duct. He was
GENTLEMAN OF FINE SOCIAL STANDING
and good deal of political prominence in
New York state. At one time he was a
member of the state legislature and repre-
sented one of the districts in New York
city. He held an important position in the
office of secretary of state during Gov. Til
denis administration. 1t was during his of
ficial career in Albany that saw the most
of him, as l was living there at the time
and was thrown with him great deal. He
was a man of fine social qualities, genial in
his nature, warm-hearted and generous to a
fault, and was popular with everybody. lie
was also man of cultivation and refined
sensibiliJies. He was the soul OF honor,
and man who would feel most keenly any
disgrace that would attach to his name. He
came TO Albany soon after his marriage
with Fanny Smith-whom also knew. At
that time Rich and his beautiful young wife
were apparently as happy as two mortals
could be. She was woman Of rare beauty
and
MOST CAPTIVATING MANNERS.
''She was well educated, had quick INTEL
lect, full Of vivacity and as bright as a sun
beam. She was just the sort of a woman
to captivate man, and poor Rich loved her
with all the ardor of his impetuous nature.
The breath of scandal had tainted her name
before Rich married her, but he believed in
her and lavished on her all the love of his
generous heart 1t came about in time that
Fanny exhibited disposition to fiirt and TO
make herself the subject of public gossip.
Rich grew jealous of her but
NEVER CEASED TO LOVE HER.
she has talked to me confidentiaIly of his
wife's indiscretiOns, yet his own heart never
faltered in its loyalty to her. Her conduct
| grieved him, but did not lessen his affection
for his wife. He was a man of such sensi-
tive nature that he could not live under the
disgrace of his wife's desertion, nor could ne
| give her up"
"What 60 you know of Mrs. Rich's ante
cedents?" asked the GLOBE.
81 know that she was the daughter of
Judge Henry Smith Of Albany, one of the
leading lawyers of the state Her mother
was a Miss Gardner of an old and most eX-
cellent family. Judge Smith was a high
liver and had the reputation of being some
thing OF libertine. His wealth and posi-
ton at the bar and his genial nature made
him favorite in society. Notwithstanding
his vices. He lived fast life and his
daughter seemed to inherit his disposition.
Fanny has been previously married, but was
divorced. She has an elder sister, Kate,
living in Brooklyn, who is also on the fas,
order. Another sister, Mrs. Pearson, lives
in Cobleskill and is a modest, retiring
woman with most excellent reputation. i
know very little
ABOUT GALE,
except that he has a wife and family, and
his position in this trouble would justify the
opinion that he is q worthless character
Why Fanny would leave man like Rich to
take UP with man like Gale is a mystery
TO those who know the antecedents of ali
the parties. Fanny had good property left
her by her father She was his favorite
child, notwithstanding he knew all about
her rapid life. happened at Judge Smiths
house one evening when there was a chill
dren's party. Fanny was at home and
took the lead in entertaining the little
folks and making them happy. Her father
remarked to me at the time that Fanny had
the happiest faculty of adapting herself tc
the entertainment % children of any
woman he ever knew. That was charac-