The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-11
THE DEAD CAMILLE.
Her Secret Marriage with Henry
Herbert Byrne.
WHY THEY SEPARATED.
Pursued by the Shadow of an Err
ring Sisters Sin.
FUNERAL PREPARATIONS

FUN b 4 AL PRE r A A lions
Various articles have appeared In the daily papers
purportng be scraps OF the lie history OF Matilda
Heron and from time TO time accounts Of her eccep-
trcites have been published unt!l insane or not 10
sane" was the question whenever her name was
brought before the public To great many the fact OIL
Miss Heron's first marriage to Henry Herbert
Byrnc, OF California unknown, and on the occasion
Of his death the OF the and the theories
advanced explain their separation startling
many Of her friends they foreign TO their
innate Of her character
lengthy article appeared In the HERALD some-
time ago, taken from San Francisco paper. wherein
the date OF the marriage OF Henry Byrne and
Matilda Heron stated, surmises given as TO the
OF their separation, the announcement made OF
Mr. Byrne's death, tho amount Of property be ieil,
and that Miss Heron was on her way to California tc
his will bequeathng bulk OF his fortune
Edward Carpenter" As far tie fact and date Of
Mr.. Byrne and Miss Heron's marriage the article
in question truthful one that portion throw
ing suspicion Miss Heron's purity Of character ~
cause Of their separation and exhibiting pretended
knowledge to her movements after bis death,
originated in tho prolific mind OF some penny a.iiner
anxious 10 spin out u sensational column thaD
preserve the good name Of woman.
SEPARATION.
The true cause of the separation between Mr. Byrns
and Matilda Heron is published for the arst time.
Miss Heron made her debut in San Francisco Deccm.
Der 20, 1864. and, making wonderful success. lame
and wealth rapidly acquired Among the host Of
friends her talents gathered around her none were
more assiduous in their attentions than Henry
Byrne, and their friendship having developed
into deep affection u earnest wish
OF his that she should leave her profession and
become his wife. This Miss Heron did not do
then, already arrangements had been completed for
her brother escort her abroad and she desired TO
her marriage until after her return and the fuln
ment OF two theatrical engagements she had made
one In Pittsburg and in New York city. AT last,
moved by his frequent solicitations she consented
a secret marriage and became Mr. Byrne's wife, both
determining not reveal their relation each other
until her return and the completion Of
tracts 20 play in the two cities above mentioned
An APPEcTIoNArE FAREWELL
With loving words and bright hopes Tor the future
they parted, the vile, accompanied her niece and
brother 10 go IN one OF her fathers vessels 70 Europe
the husband, with ond expectancy, TO await Der
the realization OF all his dreams OF happiness
Miss Heron had been absent some time when
large number Of prominent gentlemen OF California
met q social dinner, Mr. Byrne making OF
party. The conversation turning upon women, men,
tion made Of Miss Heron's remarkable abilities.
when some one sneeriugy alluded TO her beng an
actress Al this Mr. Byrne requested 'that Miss Heron
be spoken Of with more respect. he would answer
for her oeing lady," One OF the party satircay
Marked ..Probably she is as much Of lady as the
original Of this" taxing daguerreotype from his
pocket and handing II to hts nelghbor the table,
who IN turn, passed It to another. Every one upon
seeing it exclaimed, 'Miss neron'' Mr. Byrne, upon
looking At IT, SAID, 'My cod where did you get this :"
.'Gen.lemen" replied the Of the picture ihat
not Miss Heron, but picture OF her sister, called
SIN in New York, known as the House Of Mirrors.
The effect OF this statement upon sir Byrne may be
ne Ssns an psouS ma
Mr. Byrncs excuse tor not writing about this affair
Miss Heron, and he long kept broodng the matter
Her silence the subject he IS said TO have considered
wiliul deception on her part. and gradually his
mind became biased against her Upon her
return to this country he met her Pitts
burg, and be at once preached the subject
that seemed OF such importance TO him. 'reproaching
her Tor bringing u upon his and deceiviug
him." How could he take ner to California and
acknowledge her his wife when her sisters position
sad and those SHOWING Miss Herons high spirit aud
integrity OF purpose VIII not wonder al The reply she
made him
Seventeen years ago (she sad) remember, as
chlid seeing young widowed sister an inmate Of my
fathers house; then she disappeared, my brother
followed was absent or three days. returned,
bringing her little girl Of two years back with him.
mothers name mentioned In the family.
have heard that remarkably rescm6led. IN form and
face, that sister, but since childhood have never seen
her WHAT temptations and trials caused her tall 10
know; but wherever she Is my prayers Will follow
her. AS Ter my not showing you this biotted page
IN our family history did think OF
with AFFAIRS; but now, thank Heaven our
rage secret You return 10 the friends
whose noble occupation IL the bandying about OF .
name. ashamed OF mine, but will cling TO u,
and from henceforth Will be welded 10 my profession.
Alter reflection changed Mr. Byrnes OF the 50 b.
ject He followed MISS Heron 10 New FORK, urged her
TO forgive his injustice aud return with him to San
the entreaties or her brother (whom he
had enlisted bis cause), did 10 change her
decision. Ambition took the place OF love- and made
her heart DUMB 70 all his pleadlngs Finding there
was no hope he finally consented to separation,
though neither OF them ever Obtained a divorce
On being asked recently why she did not reiute the
aspersons made upon her character. by publishing the
true facts connected with the separation OF Mr. Byrns
and herself MISS Heron said-''l cannot do u. The
sister who the unfortunate cause OF our trouble
could not cling TO evil; bitterly repeuant, she
changed her course Of life last married gentle
man position wealth, after making him
Quainted with the errors Of her past. Now she -
aged and her days are spent in dong good 70 Others
! II wrote a vindcaton Of myself the public would
expect names and particulars regarding her, which
would tend to wound and humiate deeply; there
fore Will bear IL Tor my SISTERS sake " Thought her
hearers then, Matilda Heron, your insanity does not
reach your heart or such resolve Is the result OF
mama Cod grant moro persons in the world may turn
The funds With which she was enabled to 60 to Cali
! grand oenent rendered her by generous dramatic
/ friends IN New York. rhe benefit splendid sue
but man who managed TO got possession OF the
money swinded Miss Heron out OF all except a lew
hundred dollars
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL TO-DAY.
In itie parlor Of the house No. lJ2 East Twenty
| NTH street the remains OF poor Matilda Heron lay
Yesterday, awaiting The hour when, alter the last
rites OF the church performed over them, they Will
be consigned to their final resting place. The well
known features calm and peaceful look ;
norai trbnies we're strewn around In proiusion--
tokens Of affection IRON many Trend and
admirer, and there was seemingly endless
succession OF visitors who wished 10 take
a last look the dead Camille. Over four hundred
called house o Mr. Herbert yesterday to the
body and the immediate trends OF the deceased
length compelled 10 refuse all except memoers OF the
! theatrical profession.
Miss Keron's friends, however, were by means
confined 10 ner profession. There were many nora
| offerings from persons humble circumstances
whom her generosty had berc ndcd during ner life
| time wreath OF pure Gala lines from one y
beautiful cross from another, broken column from
third, testified to the gratitude OF some