Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-02-15
A HIGH ROLLER,
Death of Francis Il. Hayes, a
Legal Resident of Vermont.

His Lavish Experimentation trim onioI
COmpIications---BeR by the Hunt
Brothers of Observation-Disclosures Pas
sion for Flowers.
Francis b. Hayes, a millionaire, who died
at Dover, Eng, Saturday, was Vermonter
in one sense, his legal residence being at
Ascutneyville, in Windsor county. He was
"a years old, and inherited his fortune
from his father, Francis b. Hayes, a
Massachusetts lawyer and railroad man,
who died in 1884. Young Hayes had a
half million available for Immediate use,
and he at once started for Europe to be-
gin his career as high roller
He had luxuriantly furnished apart
ments on Mt. Vernon street, Boston, and
in Lexington he owned two beautiful
mansions, one an old homestead and the
other new and pretentious home, built
in recent years. He spent money with a
lavish hPnd and attracted people of note
around his table. Actors, actresses, novel
lists and newspaper writers were his favor
ties, and those on his list were given many
a rollicking feast.
Hayes finally married Miss Nina K.
Hunt of Weathersheld, this state. She
was of an old and prominent family, which
has Brattleboro connections. Young
Hayes established his home at Ascutney-
vile, and named his handsome villa ANY
Port" He lived very quietly during his
courtship and people who had known of
his riotous career in Boston and abroad
supposed he had "settled down" The
wedding was grand affair. 1t was not
very long afterward that Hayes began his
designations once more, and pretty soon
the relations of husband and wife became
enstranged While they were keeping
house in Weathersfield in June, 1888, a
son was born. This event did not seem to
cement their relations, and soon after Mrs.
Hayes brought a suit for separate mainten-
ance, which attracted wide attention.
Hayes said very unpleasant things about
his wife at the hearing, and one summer
midnight Clyde and Jarvis Hunt, brothers
of Mrs Hayes, went to Ascutneyville,
about five miles from their home. The
Hunts found Hayes at his villa and at.
tackled him with horsewhips. Hayes drew
a revolver and fired. The Hunts escaped,
leaving their hayward brother-in-law on a
lounge, covered with wounds. This affair
was one OF the society scandals of the year
The Hunt brothers were arrested and ar
raigned for assault. Mrs. Hayes won her
suit and liberal allowance was settled on
her for her own and her child's support.
After his marital troubles Hayes hurried
over to Europe again and once more
plunged into the life of Paris and London.
He became enamored of Natalie Bland
alias Desmond, and SO strong became his
infatuaton that he brought her to this
country and settled her in his magnificent
Lexington home. They lived quietly, and
Natalie became anxious to 90 into society.
This they did for short time, until the
good people of Lexington found out the re-
lations of the couple, and then complete
ostracism drove them out of the stad Rev
olutiona"y town. Although he entered a
voluntary trusteeship several years ago, il
is believed by those who knew him best
that Hayes had run the limit, and the resi-
due OF the immense fortune, which will sc
to his child, will not be large
One of Iaves's hobbies was rare flowers
and two years ago he went to Japan with
his gardner in search of them. lie spent
thousands of dollars in their culture, and
his conservatories were among the finest in
the country. He always had large exhibits
of his flowers at the Massachusetts hort
cultural exhibitions, and carried away
many first prizes. He was very liberia
anu gave away tiOuSdHuS VI hblidi
worth of flowers TO the churches at Christ
mas and Easter.
The Hayes estate at Lexington is one OF
the finest in the country. 1t contains 50C
acres, made extremely beautiful through
landscape gardening The people OF that
| town have reason to remember Mr.. Haye:
for his many acts of lavish generosity in
their behalf. Four years ago at Christmas
/ he invited all the children of the town
rich and poor Alike-tO Christmas tree at
| the mansion house. over 800 children at
| tended. Mr., Hayes gave to each chile
seven or eight fine presents, and after thu
| exercises were over the whole gatherin!
sat down to a feast in the big hall. 1t wa
/ his Oft time expressed desire to bequeatl
| his Lexington estate to the Massachusett
/ horticultural society, in which he had takel
a great interest for years.