The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-30
A STRANGE CASE.
The Sudden Death of Mrs. ]. B.
Barnaby at Denver.
Some Details of the Life and Career Of q
Wealthy Merchant of Providence,
R,I-His Will Contested.

One week ago on Sunday brief dispatch
from Denver, Colo, announced the sudden
death of Mrs. Barnaby, a veal thy lady. who
was recently from California. A few days
later sensational dispatch was sent from
Providence, r. l., to the effect that her
death was accompanied by suspicious cir
cumstances aud the latest news received
was on Monday, when the following was
sent over the wires:
PROVIDENCE R H., April 27:-Henry B.
Winship financial head OF Barnaby & Co., in
speaking OF Mrs. Barnaby's death In Denver by
poison said: " There was murder. In my jndg.
ment the motive OF gain inspired 1t. The crime
lies between people whom could count on the
fingers OF my hand. We Will spend every dollar
in our hands TO punish the dastardly perpetra-
tors OF that crime"
This serious matter was given yesterday
to CALL reporter to be looked up, as he
had heard something of the Barnaby family
from some old residents of Providence. He
first called upon gentleman who had been
in business there for many years, and from
him gained the following history of the de-
| ceased and her late husband;
About the year 1860 j. B. Barnaby came
to Providence and began business in a small
way by selling clothing. He had small re-
sources, and but little was known of his
earlier history. 1t was generally supposed
that he was of English birth and training.
goods, however. and soon began to enlarge
! his store and to establish sound basis of
credits. When the war began he saw his OPP
portunity and struck out boldly by taking
! army contracts and dealing in ShOddy goods
| on great scale.
LITERALLY COINED MONEY.
| He literally coined money and soon had
the largest store of its kind in Rhode Island.
| He leased large lot on the corner OF Dor
| rance and Westminster streets from the
| DOrrance estate and built an Immense store.
He soon branched out and in few years car
| ried on extensive stores in Boston, Worces-
ter and two other large cities, thus max
| ing him the ruling spirit in five wholesale
stores. About twenty years ago he was
married to daughter of Joseph Reynolds,
| prominent merchant of Providence. She
| was native Of that city, and had grown up
amid surroundings of luxury and the society
| OF the first families OF Rhode Island.
| Two daughters was born to them. The
oldest was married few years ago to
merchant named Conrad, while the youngest
| is nowein Europe studying. Mr.. Barnaby
built splendid mansion on the corner Of
| Broadway and Sutton streets and kept 1t
| in lavish style. He made but one attempt
| TO attain social prominence, which resulted
| so dlsastrously that he accepted the situa-
ton aud contented himself with keeping
stable of first-class animals, and by taking
trips to Europe and to all parts of the
country His house was prepared for a
reception of the first quality, and cards OF
| invitation were sent to the most exclusive
residents of the east side of Providence,
which corresponds TO our Mob Hill
BUT THE GUESTS CAME NOT.
The cards were received but the guests
came not to the feast and the matter was
| never referred to by either party. Then
time rolled on and Mr.. Barnaby devoted
his energies to Increasing his store Of
| worldly goods and to enjoying his ample
wealth. Mr.. Barnaby had been an invalid
for some years and in spite of the efforts Of
the most skilful physicians of the country
and Europe his case was pronounced hope
| less. About eighteen months ago he was
seized with apopleXy that proved fatal in
few hours. When his will was opened 1t
created no small degree oIexcitement 10 the
| family.
The widow was barely remembered and
one daughter felt so muchlaggreved that she
left the house and for months refused to
hold any intercourse with the other Inem-
bers. The widow took prompt measures to
obtain a fair share OF the estate and with
wise discrimination she engaged three OF
the best attorneys of the local and Boston
bar TO contest the will. The other daugh-
ter also took part in the contest and all
we're prepared to make spirited hight
through ali the courts. Finally the trouble
ceased by means OF compromise, which
resulted in the allowances OF the widow aud
daughters being largely increased aud the
large fraternity was able to make good
showing at their bankers.
RETAINED IN THE FAMILY.
The immense stores were kept in the
family by being incorporated, and the FAM
lily retained large interests as stockholders.
The financial management was intrusted
to HenIy b. Winsnip, an old and trusted
employe of Mr.. Barnaby for many years,
and well-known gentleman of Providence,
K. l.. iu speaking of the affair yesterday
said he was not the man to make any charge
so serious as that in the telegram above
qnOed, unless he was prepared to prove ii
and to sift the thing to the end.
He is the trusted agent of Mrs. Barnaby,
and felt warranted no doubt in employing
every means to ferret out the mystery. If
foul means were used TO shorten the days
of the wealthy woman, Mr.. Wlnship is just
the man to expose them and the culprit to