The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-21
THE BRIDE OF A NIGHT.
M1TILDA HERON,S SECRET CALIFOR.
FORNIA MARRIAGE.
A California Lawyer infatuated with
Brilliant Actress-A Secret marriage
and q Brief Honeymoon-The SePara-
tfon-Contesttng her First Husbands
VIII.

and n Rrief Honeymoon-The Separa.
tion-Contesting her First Husband'i
VIII.
TFrom the San Francisco Chronicle, March ~
The announcement that the last will and
testament of the lamented Henry Herbert
Byrne. which was yesterday filed in the Pre-.
bate Court, Is to be contested, will, douotless,
create general surprise, even among tnose
tclerably familiar with his history. Tbe legal
proceedings in the case will ineVltaoiy MAKE
nate and painful passage in Mr.. Byrnes lie,
which has hitherto been kept carefully con.
csa!ed; but there is, of course, now no good
reason for longer Withholding the facts which
we would otherwise, in Difference to the
wishes of the friends Of the deceased. have
gladly allo we'd to remain buried Win tne
secrets of the dead past.
Mr.. Byrne was secretly married In this city
on the 10th of June, 1854, TO the celebrated
ac'ress, Matilda Agnes Heron, who Is now en-
route to San Francisco, for the purpose OF con-
testing the will as the legal wife OF the deceas'
to conceal the naesdlttdnce, however painfui
the revelation may be. At the time OF this
marriage Miss Heron was In
TIE ZENITH OF HER FAME,
ard was regarded as one of the most talented
and fascinating actresses on the American
stage, Her Camille was one of the best rep
resentations of the emotional school. Sae
made her first appearance IN this city IN looo
at the old American Theatre on Sansome
street, and met with the most ofiillaat toor sur-
cess. She at once became an Immense laVor-
ite, and the newspapers OF this city, and al
every place in the State, where she appeared,
teemed with the most extravagant praise OF
her hisiriOnic powers. Moreover, her talent
had secured recognition In other ways. She
was an accomplished elocutionist, a writer OF
no mean ability, authoress OF several piaSe'
8 woman Of generous Impulses, Intense feei-
ing and fascinating address-elements Of char
acser which drew to her side
MEN OF GENIUS AND HIGH STANDING.
George Wilkes, .of the New York Spirit OF
the Times. was then in San Francisco, and he
contributed to the press here the most natter-
ing criticisms OF her performances. Among
her visitors were such men as Judge Freelon,
Edward Carpenter, Alexander Camp1en, Jr.;
and other men of talent and position, ana
wine suppers and private reunions followed
fast aud followed laster," until her LIE here
became one unceasing round OF success ana
adulaIion. In all her host OF worshtppers
none were more thoroughly infatuated than
ARMAMENT of San Francisco, and he was 80
earnest and assidious Ia his attentions that ne
econ won the field, and the proud actress
yielded to his suit.
THE SECRET MARRIAGE.
! In the latter part Of May 1t was decided that
she should return to New York, fill an engage
,,mebr In that city. and Mr.. Byrne was to fol-
low her at Its conclusion and bring her back,
when she would retire from the stage forever.
lovers decided to consummate their nuptuals
at once; but, on account of the engagement
she had yet to fill as an actress, Mr.. Byrne de-
sired to have the ceremony performed as
secretly as possible, and not made public until
he should bring her back from New York at
the close Of her engagement and retiracy
from the stage. Accordingly on the llth OF
June they were privately married by the Rev.
John Maginnis, pastor of the old st; Patrlck's
Church, on Mission street, between Third and
Fourth streets, the district then known as the
Happy Valley, the only witnesses being Miss
Jane Swain and Mary Sannott.
BRIEF HONEYMOON.
:. : The HONEYMOON lasted but FIVE brief days,
and on the 10Th OF June the romantic pair
bade each other fond adieu, and the PRIDE
sailed for Panama on the Sonora, to fulhl Inc
engagement that was to be her farewell to the
stage, the young husband remaining behind
to attend to his business and to arrange his
affairs, that he could join the object OF his
idolatry at the time agreed upon. Turning
his whole attention now on his business
affairs, he soon arranged matters TO his salts.
faction, and within short time sailed for
New York. buoyant with the good hopes and
high expectations love alone can inspire. He
remained with her but a single night, and
then their earthly life-paths diverged forever.
It is only known Of this parting that informa-
tion affecting the young wlfe's conduct during
her absence was now given him, and that tt
must have been Of such character tnat tne
sensitive nature could not overlook. With
heart weighed down with the agony OF
THE WRETCHED TERMINATION
of his beautiful dreams, the disappointed man
returned to San Francisco and sought "sur-
cease of sorrow" In the concentration OF his
energies in the field of usefulness In which ne
occupied so Important part down to tne Gay
of his death. How fearful the effect OF THIS
cruel blow on the heart Of Harry Byrne can
only be conceived by those who understood
the keenness of his sensibilities, ana the al
most morbid sensltiveness OF his refined nature
on points of moral obligation. The name of
Matilda Heron, and the subject OF bis unfor-
tuuate alliance with her, was ever afterward
forbidden subject In his presence, and he
never alluded to the matter, even 10 his bosom
friends.
ROMANTIC FRIENDSHIP.
The will itself bears on It's face an evidence
of the romantic element in Mr.. Byrne's Ha-
lure, It Is said that when he first came to
this State, in company with Edward B: Car
penter the young men made mutual pledge
that whichever OF them should die first should
leave will beqneathing to the survivor the
bulk of his property. Mr.. Byrne remembered
his pledge, aud In his will bequealhed almost
bis entire property to Mr.. Carpenter.
THE WILL TO BE CONTESTED.
Miss Heron left New York on Saturday last,
and is on her way here, 1t is reported, to con-
test the will, and will arrive here IN lew
days. If she Is legally Mr.. Byrne's widow she
is entitled, under the laws of this State, TO
cne-half of the property acquired since the
date OF the marriage. If she proves his mar
riage, and that no divorce was obtained, she
of course subjects herself to prosecution on
charge OF bigamy, she having married Q man
named Stoepel subsequently. and went by MS
name. The entire estate Of Mr.. Byrne Is val
ued at over 100000, on portion of which
there is mortgage Of $50, 900.
MATILDA HERoN's SECOND MARRIAGE.
Some years ago-although 1t is not known
that she was ever divorced from mr. Byrne-
the marriage Of Miss Heron with man
named Stoepel was publicly announced, and
she assumed his name. In January, 1865, she
sreyisited San Francisco, registering her name
as Matilda Heron Stoepe. She played Camille
at Maguires Opera House on the evening OF
February 7, but had greatly lost her powers OF
attraction, and her performance was failure.
In June, 1865, she was reported TO nave ln-
herited fortune Of $75, 900 from 6rotner
who died In Philadelphia. The star OF Matilda
Heron seemed to fall from the nign nrma,