The Late Hon Evelyn A. Denison

by Anon

The Late Hon Evelyn A. Denison—A curious and pathetic account of this unfortunate young man, who died at the premature age of 23, at Denver, appears in a local newspaper. He was a younger son of the late Lord Londesborough, a member of the Cunningham family, but who, by reason of a legacy, assumed the name of Denison. His father died at an early age and his mother, who comes of a Staffordshire family, being the daughter of the late Hon. Charles Olando Bridgeman, a brother of the second Earl of Bradford, subsequently married Lord Otho Fitzgerald, a brother of the Duke of Leinster. In 1878, Evelyn Denison quarrelled with his father-in-law, and ran away from England and landed in Belgium. In the latter country he was reduced to such straits that be was obliged to pawn his dress suit. After remaining in Belgium several months be shipped as a cabin-boy in a German vessel and went to Philadelphia, where he landed almost penniless. Indeed, his available wealth is said to have hardly amounted to a sixpence. He looked about for work, and accepted employment at picking strawberries. Alter going to Denver he met with many reverses, at one time being employed in driving an express waggon. He received enough money during his last trip home, however, to enable him to invest in real estate and in sheep farming. He had previously to this worked at one time as a sheep-herder and had also had an ambition to become the owner of a sheep-ranch, having some time worked on one near Greeley. He subsequently studied law in the office of Judge Wells, but failing health compelled him to relinquish all work, and he died of consumption on the 17th of January. The funeral took place on the 22nd of that month. The friends of the deceased, including prominent people of English, American, Welsh, Scotch, and other nationalities, assembled at the undertaking rooms, No. 374 Lawrence-street. The remains were laid in a mahogany casket, with full glass top and hinged lid. The casket was adorned with gold and oxidised trimmings. The inscription on the coffin lid was "Evelyn Albert Denison, aged 23 years." The inscription was engraved in plain old English lettering. The casket was decorated with several elaborate and beautiful flower offerings. At the centre was placed a large and beautiful wreath. A handsome floral cross was placed at the head and a lovely floral anchor at the feet. On the coffin was also laid the Union Jack draped in crape. The Albion Club attended in a body, each member wearing crape upon his arm. The procession left the undertaking rooms in twenty-two closed carriages and proceeded to St John's Cathedral, where services were conducted by Dean Hart. Although no relatives were present, many eyes were wet with tears of sympathy. The features of the deceased though pale and emaciated by disease, wore a tranquil and natural expression. After the services at the cathedral the remains were deposited in a stone vault at Riverside.