The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-23
TRAGEDY AT CHICAGO.
A Wealthy Young Married Man Kills His
Former Mistress and Himself.

CHICAGO, Jan. 22-Charles A. Cloves a
wealthy young married man, shot and killed
Blanche Grey,i in at disreputable house at No. AL
South Clark street. this morning, and then killed
himself. Clowes's father died at Springfield about
a year ago and left MIN a fortune estimated at
$100 000 For several years he has spent much
time in Chicago and made many acquaintance.
spending money freely. He was very hand
some man. of strong build. fine eyes and rich
dark hair. His mother now lives in Hyde Park,
and with her is Clowcs's young wife. whom he
married only three months ago. The girl whom
he shot had been an inmate of the house two
years. She was very pretty, with wealth of
black hair and large, lustrous eyes,
She had petite form, and dressed in good
taste. She is described as having been quiet
and temperate. At the house it was said that
abe had been Clowes's mistress for six years
He associated with her in Peoria and Springfield,
and brought her to Chicago. 1t is stated that
the direct cause of the shooting was the girls
upbraiding him for his marriage. The wife
whom Cloves married short time ago is said
to be most estimable lady. and the shame and
horror of the occurrence utterly Frustrated her,
and fears are entertained for her life.
There is little doubt as to the cause of the
tragedy. Cloves had lived with Blanche for
nearly six years. About three months ago he
was married in New York. and since then he
and his mistress have had frequent quarrels.
The girl was known only under the name of
Blanche Grey, and very little is known of her
previous history. She has lived at No. AL
Clark street for about two years. during which
time she was often absent for several weeks with
Cloves. who had brought her to Chicago from
Springfield, Ill.
A reporter called at Clowess late home at 8
o'clock this morning, where he awakened the
young wife, or rather widow, of Cloves pc
tite, dark-haired woman, with handsome feat
ures, but whose face disclosed anxiety and pain.
The reporter only informed ner that her husband
had had some difficulty with a woman. Soon
afterwards Mrs. Cloves, accompanied by her un-
cle middle aged gentleman, drove to the Cen
trail police station. where the exact facts were
learned. Entering the carriage they were driv-
en- quickly away.
AS showing the relations existing between
Cloves and his mistress, it is cited that in her
room lifesize portraits of the woman and Cloves
hung upon one of the walls, and upon the table
and dressing case stood bits of costly bric-a brac
which he had given her at various times. In the
ears of the corpse on the bed were magnif-
cent ear rings. and the fingers were loaded
with rings studded with gems-all of them pres
ents from the man who had just sent both Of
their souls into eternity. The woman of the
house had scarcely realized what had happened
before lieutenant with a squad of police, ar
rived with two patrol wagons. The room was
cleared, and the bodies placed on stretchers and
carried out past the groups of woe stricken
women who stood in the hallway. The remains
of Cloves and his mistress were taken to the
morgue, where they will remain till after the
inquest Immediately after Clowes's body Was
removed hack arrived at the house. containing
| five young men, friends of Cloves. They were
| in the Drum saloon" when they were notified
of the affair--a resort which had been frequent
ed by Cloves and men of his class
Mrs. Cloves is a beautiful young woman of
nineteen. and is highly educated Her maiden
name was Nellie Kilsey and she was born in
Theresa, N. Y. She married her husband on
March 3, last. in New York city, and was de-
votedly attached to him.
When the coroner's jury went to Clowes's
late residence to view the body, they
found the wife supporting his body
on her breast her arms tightly clasped about it.
She was finally induced to leave the remains so
she could give her testimony. which very
brief. The only point of interest in it was that
she met her husband in New York. while they
were both stopping at hotel. He was sick.
and she nursed him. 1t was in this manner
that they became acquainted. The jury found
that Cloves killed his mistress and then himself