#1248, Edward LANGTRY

Edward's grandfather George, was Belfast's biggest shipowner and Edward possessed the luxurious yacht 'Red Gauntlet'. Lillie later admitted that she fell in love with 'Red Gauntlet' not Edward: "To become the mistress of the yacht, I married the owner..." They were wed in 1874 but lived apart for many years and Edward's life became more and more difficult. On 18th October the Dundee Courier published this item:

"SAD DEATH OF MR LANGTRY."

"Mr Edward Langtry, husband of Mrs Langtry, died at Chester Asylum on Friday night. Mr Langtry was admitted to the institution last Monday week upon a certificate given by the Crewe Magistrate. It appears that when crossing in the steamboat from Liverpool to Belfast Mr Langtry fell from the gangway and badly injured his head and nose. On reaching Belfast he was taken to the Royal Hospital, where he remained for a few days. He then returned by boat to Liverpool, and thence to Crewe, where he wandered out of the train and was twice found in a dazed condition in a position of great danger on the rails. Subsequently he was again found in a delirious condition in a cab yard, and had then only a few coppers in his possession. He was removed to Chester Asylum, and, though it was believed he was suffering from concussion of the brain, his friends fully expected he would remain there only a few days. On Wednesday last, however, his condition gave cause for alarm, and it is supposed that inflammation of the brain had set in". Mr Langtry died two days later and was buried in the Overleigh Cemetery in Chester.