The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-07
MABEL LEONARD's FATHER.
Mrs. Messam. Leonard II osers-santiey and tho
Child Actress

John Messam, Of Scrub Oak, village five
miles from Peekskil was the first witness
sworn yesterday before Referee Sinclair OF the
Supreme Court. He Is the father Of Hannah
Mcssam. known to the public as Mabel Leonard.
AS he passed in front OF Mabcl's mother to the
witnesses chair she cast down her eyes. They
did not recognize each other. He is a short.
small-fcatured man. with stiff, coarse hair
brushed straight upward from his forehead.
He was comfortably dressed In appearance he
was intelligent, but irritable, Tho counsel for
Mrs Rogers objected TO his evidence on the
ground that her marriage with him and the
consequent allegation Of bigamy could not af-
Mrs Rogcrs was arraienea. Mabel was IS" not mai in
court Inc referee was uncertain about the
law, ana the two opposing lawyers went to
Judge DonOhues private room. The Judge
said that il would be better TO take the evidence
because If 1t could be shown that the children's
father was not living, the Court might possibly
wink at the mothers contempt in taking Mabel
from its Keeping. An exception was taken.
Mcssam il about 40 years old. He testified
that he had been whcewright Tor twenty-six
years. and was at present the owner of n wagon
shop and the patch OF ground on which i stood
in Scrub Oak He WIS married in London. in
the parish OF Cleikenwell. to the woman he saw
in court. Mrs. Rogers.
Yes. that is true" said Mrs. Rogers in an
audible whisper and with conlirmatory mo-
ton Of her head.
Two children, Hannah and Thomas. were
the little boy whom he saw in court. and who
was known rs George Leonard. There is an
undoubted facial resemblance. between futher
ana son. Hannah. the witness sal he had seen
yesterday afternoon. She was tire girl called
Mabel. No effort Ia deny this was mgde 10y Mrs.
lived with his wife Tor four years. He would
not swear that i was not six years. hut he
thought II WIS only four. She wont on the stage
at Niblg's and used to keep irregular hours.
He used b. 20 to the theatre To accompany her
home. but she would cudc him. ne said. and
H.. VI ...fakf Inn "a
lie Thought that he WIS well able to take care Of
til. children A. to Mabel, he did not feel him.
| self competent 10 take charge Of her education
| unirr me CIR unstances, ana desired To- take
| advice from the Court He had not had any
| conversation with the mother since he left her
In reply To Mrs Rogcrs's counsel. he said tina,
| he had been arrested for being intoxicated once
| within the last three years,
| Counsel said that the records would show
| that he was sent to Blackwcls Island IN June
1871; six months after he got back, Mcssam
| him. She was standing at the window Of Il
| room in house oppgsitc Macy's store. Mr.,
| any tidngs from Mabel since he left his wife.
| And you didn't sock for any, did your
| Well, no; not toamount to anything. / was
| waiting Tor something tp turn up in the nature
Of the present Proceedings"
| john J.. Griffin. clerk and collector Of tho So
| cioty for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Children
testified that Mrs. Rogers once came 10 tho Of.
| ice. and when he told her that she was accused
| Of having too many husbands Al" replied that
| TINS was owing 10 her circumstances and the na-
| turr If her business.
:, I. Fellows Jenkins testified that he had seer
| Mrs. Rogers ~ Mabel Saptlcy ON the stage a.
| the PurSiun Varieties thrHtr'. and also in IA,
wine room down stairs. she appeared IN mode
artist exhibitions and san.; IMPROPER songs.
! :, IN, case WIS ADJOURNED uhtl - O'CLOCK
! Monday uitInNou. After the adjournment
M..ssain and MIR. Rogers conyer-al guiet, Co.
grthcr in "a low voice. Mr l.og, r- stood hoei q
her at the time. The tSo mon did tI' look al
! c,' other or exchange words. 1ilnnl 40
meeting with her iat.or on Friday aitrri. 1oi
Il- -f g. fffIf I. f..f