St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-06
HIS SECRET BURIED.
The Strange Romance of Francis
BartOn'S Life,

- II
BartOn'S Life.
Philadelphia Record.
The death of Francis Barton, who was
buried from his late residence, No. 1920
Chestnut street, last Saturday, recalls
one of the strangest romances which the
annals of Philadelphia social life dis
closes. Those who were active in soci-
ETY. twenty-five years ago may recall the
circumstances attending the case, re-
sulting, as they did, in the death of
broken-hearted girl, the ostracism of a
former leader in society, and the mys-
terry surrounding 1t all, which has never
been cleared up. The secret was buried
with the dead man last Saturday.
Francis Barton was son of DIR. Rhea
Barton, who formerly lived OIL Chestnut
street on the spot where the Keystone
Bank building now stands. Mrs Charles
Willing whose daughter, Mrs. AvaWill-
ing, recently married John Jacob Astor,
is also daughter of DR.. Barton. TWEEN
ty-tive years ago Francis Barton. then a
widower of about fifty and leader in
society, met and WOOed Miss Fisher, of
New York, a niece of Admiral Turner.
After brief courtshlp the day of the
wedding was fixed. Invitations had
been issued, presents had poured in
from hundreds OF friends.and all seemed
merry as the marriage bell. But the
marriage never took place.
A prominent Philadelphia who
knew Mr.. Barton at the time was seated
in the Union league yesterday after
noon ana recalled the strange story.
'Everything had been fixed for the
Wedding" he said. "Alr. Barton and
the gentleman who was to have acted as
best man were OH their way to New
York. The ceremony was fixed for the
following day Barton's companion
noticed that he appeared to be preoccu-
pied. Suddenly he turned in his seat
and said: i am going TO 90 a very
strange thing What is it?" inquired
his friend. Why replied Barton, L
am not going to marry that woman
His friend looked at him in amaze
ment, and asked for an explanation.
This Barton refused to give. The gen
tleman expressed great indignation az
such proceeding, and finally retired to
another car. The next day. that fixed
for the wedding, Barton sailed for Eu-
rope. So far as | know. the reasons for
his strange conduct have never been as
certained."
Shortly before the marriage was to
have taken place Mr.. Barton built
handsome residence at 1920 Chestnut
street III which to domicile his bride
For twenty years the house remained
closed. Not a soul was seen to enrer or
leave it. During all this time Mr.. Bar
ton was living in Europe. The feeling
against him was very bitter. not only in
New Yotk, but among his former friends
in Philadelphia. This feeling received
an additional impetus when. shortly
after having been deserted by the man
in whom she trusted so implicitly, Miss
Fisher died of broken heart.
About five years ago Mr.. Barton re
turned. 1t was noticed that the old
house on Chestnut street, which, with
each additional year, had gained an adj
dItional appearance of decay and wealth
er-Stain, was once more open. A French
chef was installed in the kitchen, an
English butler in the pantry and page
at the front door, i'll addition to large
retinue of other servants. But, al
though surrounded by all the luXuries
that wealth could command, the propri-
etor of this magnificent establishment
was far from happy. 1t was noticed
that his only visitors were his sister,
Mrs. Willing, and two maiden sisters.
When he walked he spoke to but few
people, and but few people spoke to
him, although many wondered VINO the
silent and stern-faced man was.
During the summer months he main
tanned at establishment at Red Bank, \.
j., and it was there that he died. Last
Saturday morning an undertaker's
wagon stopped at the door of the Chest
nut street house, and caSllet was car
ried into the house. The wagon disap-
peared, land hearSe and few carriages
took their place along the curb. Rev.
Dr.. Ritter Officiated, and in less than
two hours from the time the remains
entered that strange house for the last
time those solemn words: Dust to
dust, ashes to ashes," had been pro-
nOunced, and they had been consigned
to their last resting place, with the Sc
cret that for all those years had been
guarded so jealousy.
Mr.. Barton leaves an estate variously
estimated at between 100000 and
S1,000.000. He leaves a daughter, Mrs.
Pendleton, who is his only child.