Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-17
LOUISE HAWTHORNE.
discovery That the Actress Who
Was Killed Recently i'm Chicago
by a Fail from a Hotel window
Was Formerly of Louisville.
Courier Journal, l6th.l

lcll lIOul blc SlAbu wi NluuON VI
the fremont House. The account
was subsequently reprinted in the
Oourier-Journal, as a matter Of
news, and those who read it then
will be surprised to learn the victim
of this horrible death was none
other thal Mrs. Louisa Dodge, a
former resident of this city. She
will be remembered by those of our
citizens who visited the perform
ances of the Masonic Dramatic
Club for the artistic manner in
which she essayed the characters of
d" Rachael Haywood in the Rent
Day, " Marion in the Pride of the
Market and Elizabeth in the
Golden Farmer.
The Chicago press, at the time of
the fatal accident, gave the ma ne of
the deceased as Louise Hawthorne
(Mrs. George W. Morton), and it
was not until recently that her real
name was made known to reporter
OF the Courier-Journa by a person
who met her in Chicago.
Mrs. Dodge came to this city in
the spring Of 1870, accompanied by
her husband, Mr.. Delos Dodge, who
represented himself as an insurance
agent from Philadelphia. They
boarded with a Mrs. Harris, on the
southeast corner Of Sixth and Wal
nut streets, and the lady, by hel
attractive manners and many &C.
complishments, soon drew around
her a large circle of staunch friends
Shortly after their arrival here al
accident occurred, which was thu
means of introducing his wife t.
public notice.
While skating in Glovel's RIM
one evening, the gentleman fel
heavily on the floor, braking boil
of his legs, and dislocated one 0
hisarms. Having but scanty mean.
at her diposal, Mrs. Dodge appealed
to the Masonic fraternity for pc
cuniary assistance, Aid was fur
nished her by the Blue Lodges anC
knights Templar, Mr.. Dodge being
a member Of both lodges. Abou
this time the Masonic club was or
ganized, and the want of a lady t,
assume the leading roles was great,
felt. Mrs. Dodge hearing one dal
that the directors wished to pro
duce Jerrold's Rent Day, but wer,
at a loss how to dispose of the par
Of "Rachel," modesty asserted tina
she had had some experience il
Thespian societies, and that she fel
confident she could give a satiSfac
tory rendition of the character
The directors accepted the propose
and Mrs. Dodge was cast for til
part. The histrionic talent dis
played by the lady on her debu
astonished and pleased all present
and many knowing ones hinte.
that she had been on the stage be
fore. In the series of entertain
ments given by the Masonic ORA
matte Club, Mrs. Dodge acquitte
herself with great credit, and whe
, the organization disbanded he
name and achievements were o
the lips of every one.
Mr.. Dodge having recovero
c from the effects of his inquire.
c went South, leaving his wife herr
She remained at Mrs. Harris SON
weeks, and then took up her res
dence on the south side of Jefie.
son, between Tenth and Eleyent
streets. About two months afte
ward she left the city, accompanie
by Mr.. Geo. W. Morton, an operate
of the Western Union Telegram
Company, Where Mrs. Dodl
went is not known, but as the nan
t of Louise Hawthorne, a year afte
4 ward, appeared in the stock cor
pany Of the Varieties Theate
: New Orleans, it is to. be suppose
that she abandoned the name
Z Dodge, and with the nom de the,
tire of Hawthorne" sought I
b wipe away the past record Of he
alleged guilt. Having a naturi
talent for the stage, she was NJ
long in bringing herself into motto
New Orleans recognized her abilit
and encouraged the gifted actre.
with unconcealed praise. The SCI
r son of'72 she visited this city with
travelling company headed by Fran
d Mayo, who gave for the first tin
e here his now famous Davy Crockett
7 She was the "Ehnor Vaughn
i, the drama, and although those b
1t fore the curtain did not recogni;
4 their old fayorite of the amatel
y club, they were free to confess tn.
she was q fine actress. For reason
Is best known to herself, she did n,
2, renew the acquaintance of Il
t friends she had made here, and h,
presence in tho city was not know
d Mrs, Dodge remained in New 0
IS leans two seasons winning fgel
IS l%aurels, and at the time of h
. death was one Of the most popul
members of the Hooley's Theat
y. oInolr anpnnnnu