St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-26
He welded HIS COOK.
Death of New York Millionaire Who
Belonged to a Fast Set.
CAST OFF BY HIS RELATIVES.
Securing DispensatiOn by Telegr aph,
He Weds an Irish Bride During
His Wife's Absence.

NEW YORK, May 25.-At his home at
East Neck, l.. l., Robert G. Townsend,
well-knewn millionaire and member
of the Union club, of this city, died
early yesterday morning. He was
son of Robert G. Townsend, who was,
many years ago, prominent society
man of this city, and from whom he in
herited fortune of over S1,000,000. Mr..
Townsend was only forty-one years of
age, and although he was brilliant
man and college eradicate, with an es-
tabliShed position in society and
enjoying all the advantages which
great wealth confers, he had
thrown his life away, and
brought discredit upon Instantly by a
course of reckless dissipation and eX-
travagance which illustrates anew what
curse money is to the weak. Mr..
Townsend had travelled extensively i'll
Europe, where he resided for some
years. Before returning to New York
he Joined a fast set among the younger
clubmen and INDUCED in all the dissipa
tiOns of the metropolis. His relatives,
who move in the best society of the city,
and to whom Mr.. Townsend's life was
pain and reproach, did everything in
their power to make him a reputable
citizen. He was finally induced to leave
New York, and one day some years
ago he turned up at East Neck, l.. l.,
as the purchaser of the farm and man
sion OF William Clark, which he decided
to henceforth make his permanent resi-
dence. With him came a lady who was
introduced as Mrs. Townsend. She is
described as having been refined and
well-bred and devoted to her reputed
but disSOlute husband.
When they took Mr.. Clark's house
they kept in their employ as a domestic
Irish girl, who had but recently come to
this country from Ireland and been en-
gagged in Mr.. Clark's household as cook.
This girl soon began to obtain a certain
influence with and power over Mr..
townsend, who, unknown to the so
called Mrs. Townsend, devoted much
attention to her. She was short in stat
ure. with blush eyes and auburn hair,
and devoted Catholic.
Affairs came to crisis on Christmas
day, when Mr.. Townsend'S reputed wife
left East Neck to pay holiday visit
to some friends in the city. Mr.. Towns
end remained on the farm with Miss
Murphy as the only other occupant of
the house. A couple of fast trotters
were hitched up, and the two drove to
to the residence of Rev. Father Crowley,
of st. Patrick'S Roman Catholic church,
and asked to be married. The priest
refused to marry them, Mr.. Townsend
being Protestant, and not desiring to
overcome the UNCONVENTIONAL barrier
by formally joining the Catholic
church through the sacrament of
baptism. The bishop of the diocese
was then appealed to for a dispensation,
and this was granted by telegraph.
That same evening they were form
ally joined in the bonds of matrimOny
by Father Crowley, the ceremony being
legal aud correct i'll every particular.
When the first Mrs. Townsend returned
there was lively scene at the house,
but the newly-made bride held the fort
and her rival departed in discontinue
for permanent residence in New York.
Mr.. Townsend stated that she never
had been his wife. 1t was several
months before the facts became public.
Mr.. TOwnsend'S relatives had cast him
off long before, but evinced some sur
prise at hearing of his strange conduct.
They were at first disposed to question
the validity of the marriage.
All who have since been acquainted
with the life of this singular couple
agree in stating that Mr.. Townsend'S
marriage undoubtedly prolonged his
life. His Irish bride used her influence
over him for his own welfare and in
duced him to largely change his habits
of life and forSake the haunts and aSSo-
Citations that were dragging him down.
1t has been rumOred since his death that
he had but lately embraced the Catholic
faith.
There is much speculation as to the
contents of his will, and in case that it
should be found that he had left his for
tune to his wife, it is belived that the
probate of that document will be con-
tested by his blood relations.
Mr.. TOwnsend's death was caused by
dropsy of the heart. The funeral is eX-
pected to take place tomorrow. Yes
terday his widow was the only woman
at the Townsend mansion.