The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-07-21
TWO WOMEN CLAIM
ARTHUR irwin LIVED
AS their HUSBAND
New York and Boston Fur
nish Rivals Ignorant of
Each Others Existence
ONCE MARRIED In HUB
Son, 81, and Two Daughters
There and Another Son,
"a, in This City.
DOUBLE LIFE p YEARS
Both Women Declare He Was
Devoted Observation-Disclosures
Regarding Suicide.
DOUBLE LIFE p YEARS

The suici lie Of Arthur Irwin, veteran
baseball player and manager, revealed
yesterday an amazing story of double
life extending over more than a quar-
ter Of century when two women
one in New York and one in Boston
told THE NEW York HERALD they were
his widows.
The New York widow lives at 565
West 1920 street She has a son, F.
Harold Irwin, "a years old and mar
ried, who lives at ell West 1S6th
street. The former Yankee" scout,
she said, was devoted husband and
father. The Boston widow has son,
two daughters and nine grandchildren.
She also said that Irwin was a model
husband. Neither wife. according to
declarations. knew of the existence of
the other until yesterday.
Ten days ago Twins physician told
him the disease from which he was
suffering was incurable--that he had
only a few days to live. His New
York wife said he told her he was
obliged to go to Boston on business
and ito say good-by to his friends"
He was last seen alive when he re-
tired to sstateroom on the steam
ship Calvin Austin of the Metropoli-
tan Line last Friday night
New York Widows Statement.
Mrs. Irwin Of New York and her
son first heard OF the Boston family from
a reporter for. THE NEW YORK HERALD.
II cannot believe It," she said. "Since
we were married. twenty-seven years
ago in Philadelphia. Arthur has been
devoted to me. He seldom vac away
from home more than a day or two al
time. and then only when he was
scouting for bal! players"
The Boston widow was seen at her
daughters cottage on the beach near
Boston. She said:
II never suspected my husband. even
when years ago members Of my family
tried to tell me there was something
wrong In his life---that there probably
was another woman. Now / can no
longer refuse to doubt It." =
The Boston widow is Twins first wife.
They were married. she said, in 1888.
and their son. Arthur Herbert Irwin. is
thirty-seven years old. Alice and Edna
Irwin. both Of whom are married and
Rave children, complete the Boston
family.
IT feel confident and happy in the
belief that although there was this other
woman In New York." Mrs. Irwin con-
tInued, ',he was on his way to me when
he died-that he wanted to die in my
arms"
The New York widow, however. felt
equally confident last night that her
husband had intended to return to New
York TO die after attending to his Boston
business. His last words at the steam
chip pier. Harold Irwin said, were m
structions to tell his mother to come to
New York from Hartford, Conn. and
meet him Sunday in the New York
apartment
Division Of His Property.
"He gave me his watch" the son said.
Father knew he could only live for
day or two. SO before he left he divided
everything he owned between my mother
and me. and he only took $50 with him
on the boat"
'TIe always suffered most at night.
the New York Mrs. Irwin said. Il am
sure he must have had an attack and
jumped off the ship while he was out
of his head with pain
A despatch from Boston said that the
theory held by Twins friends was that
Irwin feared exposure of his double
life and killed himself to avoid disgrace.
Some Of them believe, however. that he
was carrying large sum OF money and
might have been robbed and thrown
overheard This explanation Is not
borne out by the statement OF his son.
Irwin's last baseball Job was manager
of the Hartford club OF the Eastern
League. He became Ill last May and
was in the Hartford Hospital for three
weeks. His New York wife and son
were with him throughout his Illness
and. according to her account, she had
lived with him continuously for the last
few years.
1t was said that the Boston wife vir-
tualIy had been deserted and had been
LIVING with her married daughters. IT.
win had two brothers. One II John
Irwin, manager OF the New Weymouth
Hotel at Nantaslxet Beach, Mass. and
tho other. Richard Irwin. Is connected
with brokerage firm in New York.
James II. Clarkin, owner OF the Hart
ford club. was in New London yester-
day. He said that the report OF Twins
double life was revelation to him, and
the only family he knew about was the
Boston family.