A WASHINGTON SENSATION. Suicide of a Society Girl With a Romantic History.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 280, 11 July 1888, Page 3

A WASHINGTON SENSATION. Suicide of a Society Girl With a Romantic History.

TiiL high society of Washington was shocked on Apiil ISfch upon learning of the suicide of one of the most beautiful and wealthy young ladies in its ciielc. She was the daughter of C. J. Hillyer, who was once a well-known resident of jMevada and California. He accumulated on the Pacific coast and in Washington a large fortune, estimated at $1,000,000, in the practice of law, and dealing in real estate. His only daughter, Miss Bessie Hillyer, was betrothed last summer to W. L. Trcnholm, the son of the Controller of the Cimoncy, and was to have been mariicd last December to him. A few days before the marriage was to ha\e taken place, without any intimation being given to her family or to the yyon«u n« man to whom she wa<* engaged, eloped with a bank clerk named orustic0 rustic Bulkley, and wa-j mariied in Baltimore. The same day the couple returned to this city, the bride goiuy to the home of her lather on Massachusetts Avenue, and the young man al*o returned to the homo of his lather, who ib a prominent physician of Washington. Judge Hillyer was greatly chagrined at the conduct at his daugh er. It is said that he proceeded immediately to the Control lei of the Currency and with tears in his eyes informed him that his daughter had eloped and married young Bulkley. Of course, this was a great shock to soo'ety, which had been anticipating a gay wedding. Judge Hillyer engaged Senator Stewart, an old friend, to bring an action to annul the marriage, but his daughter would not consent to this proceeding, and when she and younc Bulkley were bi ought together she said she preferred rather to live with him than to go home. Her father then cowsen ted lo the mairiage. The divoice proceedings were suspended and the young couple began their married life at the Windsor Hotel. Tilings moved along smoothly with them for icn days, when the lady suddenly left her husband and returned to her lather's house. Since then they luno not lived together, and it is, said divorce proceedings would be instituted .soon to dissohe the maiiiage. Young Bulkley moved in society quite freely atter this episode, and his wife was also seen at teas and receptions and parties. One day, however, she took a large dose of laudanum with the intention to take her lite. Medical aid was summoned Immediately and measures were taken to counteract the effects of the poison. The stomach pump was brought into use, and her condition so much improved that it was hoped that she would recover. Her system, however, had recened a fatal shock, and she died at night at 10 o'clock. The physicians and friends of the family refuse to give any views of the affair to the public.