Page 165 - 87-BOOK1

After returning home from the U.S. Army and the border, Graves studied medicine at Harvard and was the valedictorian of the Class of 1871. His
life took an interesting and dark turn after he began treating Josephine Barnaby of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1887. When her wealthy husband died in 1889, Graves and an attorney helped her challenge his will which left her a stipend of $2,500 a year despite his estate worth being worth over $1.7 million dollars. The bulk of his wealth had been left to their daughters. In settling the matter, they agreed to give her $105,000. Graves soon gained power of attorney from Barnaby and his own annual stipend of $2,500 and had a bequest of $50,000 assigned to him in her will. Barnaby and Graves argued when he opposed her purchase of a cabin in the Adirondacks from a man that she was apparently having an affair with. He threatened to have her placed under a guardian ship. In Denver in April
1891, she received a bottle of whiskey with a note “Wish you a happy New Year. Please accept this fine old whiskey from your friends in the woods.” The note implied the bottle had come from her lover in the Adirondacks. When she shared the bottle with a friend, the latter became sick and thought it was bad, but Barnaby continued to drink. She soon became very ill and died five days later on April 19, 1891. An investigation revealed that the whiskey had been laced with arsenic and had been sent from Boston where Graves had been at the time. He was charged with her murder and found guilty. The investigation, jury, and witnesses were paid by Barnaby’s wealthy son-in-law. Graves protested his innocence and won an appeal in the upper court but then committed suicide by poisoning himself rather than face being retried.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus of the period retailer applied silver and gold remaining, crisp engraving, and minor overall handling
and storage wear. The grips are also extremely fine and have attractive natural aged patina and grain, crisp carving, some minor age cracks on
the butt, and a distinct inscription with strong enamel. The case is fine overall, and the replacement accessories are generally very good with mild age and storage related wear. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredible Colt Model 1860 Army revolver from a turning point in both Mexican
and American history presented by two men directly involved in war efforts to unite their respective nations and brought together by the U.S. government’s support for the Mexican Republic at the end of the American Civil War.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
163