The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-07


Sugar meant money, and the name of
Havemeyer meant sugar-by consequence
the word HavemeSer spelled money as
clearly as do the words dollars and cents,
or the older words, pounds, shillings and
pence.
But grim death has seen ft, time and
again, to lift veil from the secrecy, the
reserve, the proud hauteur of this rich
family. 1t became apparent at length
that even Havemeyer millions could melt
and vanish.
In 1892. young Henry Havemeyer burst
upon the world of fashion and pleasure
in Paris, and bewildered and dazzled it
with display. Even Paris. blase. tired
overdone Paris, accustomed to Eastern
potentates and rajahs. and shahs and
ameers with bushel basketfuls OF dia-
monds and rubies, and carloads OF silks
and satins. was astounded at the young,
rich American.
In those days the young. rich American
had not become stale and wearisome. as
now. Paris is run upon the principle that
the rich young chump must have a field
for his chumpishness to revel, and Paris
| is the field.
1t is near enough to Monaco. and in 1892
| there were Carlsbad and Baden-B Baden
and other places of like renown. Young
| Havemeyer cut a dash everywhere-his
| larious OF all. Then came the climax.
| Young Henry became i'll. so far as re-
| port was to be trusted. he had appendi-
| citis-then more exclusive and aristo-
| cratic malady than of late. In any event,
| exclusive and aristocratic though he was,
| the young mans much belabored system
\ swiftly succumbed.
After his death came the sensation.
| Young Henry Havemeyer, rated a mill
| lionaire, was almost pauper. OF his
| magnificent patrimony but few
| thousands of dollars were left. 4 ne heat
| OF his Paris life bad burnt up the rest.
People wondered and shook their heads.
| But he was dead-and dead men are
| quickly forgotten.
| Here I'm America, meanwhile the
| Havemeyer business flourished and the
| estates grew apace. Aside from the bust
| ness establishments, the residence do
| mains soon ran up into the thousands of
| acres Magnificent dwellings reared their
| heads everywhere upon the Havemeyer
| lands-children We're born. grew TO matu-
| rity. married. Then the black serpent
| entered the family
| SHOCKED BY DIVORCE SCANDAL
Society had grown to know the Have
| meyers by this time. and To relish their
fetes. their grand entertainments. their
| splendid country seats. IL was shocked,
Il
| o. Havemeyer divorced his wife.
| Mrs. Havemeyer had been Miss Elder
| daughter OF Mr.. Havemeyer's fathers
| business partner. She had been known for
| her beauty, her culture and refinement.
| and her acquaintances at home and
abroad were legion. She at once went
| into retirement, and in retirement she re-
malned until her death. n few years ago.
| Meanwhile her husband married his d.
| vorced wife's niece, and prospered I'm
business and became the head of the
| great sugar trust.
| About two years ago Charles f. Have
meyer died at his country seat at Roslvn,
| l.. l., from the effect OF n pistol shot
| wound In the head, but whether his death
was suicide or accidental has never been
| clearly learned
lie was alone in the library OF his house
| when the shot was fired. and he was
| found seated I'm his chair dead. The
| discharged revolver lay by his side There
| was talk Of his having accidentally dis
charged II while cleaning a.; there was
n hurried inquest a verdict of accidental
death-and oblivion
| The mystery. however. hung over the
| house and cast n shadow over the family
and the world accepted the explanations
because II had no particular right to any
| other. or. I'm tact. any AT all. The matter
| quickly dropped and "Carlcy" HaVemeyer
| was almost forgotten.
| Mrs. Havcmeyer. widow OF this victim
| married shortly after her husbands death
New York society man. Fred Beach.
who had been an intimate friend OF her
| husband.
Next 20 supply his quota OF mystery
20 the family record was Thomas J.Havc-
| meyer. He had lived a bachelor life of
| elegance and was man about town" in
| the New York acceptation Of tho term.
lie was. IN fact. a familiar figure az Del
| mopico's and Shcrrvs. a club man and
| bon vivant and rather envied OF his fell
low mortals who had less money and
| more care.
Fancy the astonishment OF his family.
4 friends and acQuaintances when IL turned