The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-14
MAX STRAK0SClI ARRESTED.
SUED BY MARY CLEMENTINE s.yEDLEY
FOR BREdCIf or PROMISE.
The Fair Chicago Singer who Came 20 New
York q" Receive Musical Education
How Shc Snys She vvns Treated and Cmn ON.


York q" Receive Musical Education
How She says she was Treated and Cast 0n
Mr.. Max Strakosch walked away from his
house. at l6 West Fourteenth street Yesterday
morning. shortly after II o'clock. His profit
able opera season with Kellogg and his ap-
pronchine voyage to Europe had put him in tho
best of humor with himself and all the world.
Ho twirled his cane iaunty. hummej the
"Conspirators' Chorus" from Madame An
got with a grace which charmed the bystand-
ers. and was turning his steps in the direction
OF the elevated railroad. when he almost ran
against gentleman coming from the opposite
direction. Proiuse apologies followed.
AhV said the stranger. who proved to be
Deputy Sheriff McGonigle. Mr.. Strakosch.
see. ] am sorry to say-I have a warrant for
your arrest"
Mel" Mr.. Strakosch exclaimed in surprise.
Arrest mel What for may ask?"
Mr.. McGonigle smiled again. more blsndly
than before. and produced formidable legal
document from his inside coat pockets. saying:
For breach OF promise Of marriage. Dam
nges. $4,000. Order OF arrest granted by Judge
Donohue Bail required in two suretes Of
$4,000 each-or Ludlow street Jail"
The great inpressario looked appeainely
around and thep at his watch and said II il
now twenty minutes past H. Suppose we take
cab and settle this thing before lunch"
The two got into the cab and ratified down to
tho Sherif's office. when message from Mr.
Strakosch procured two satisfactory bondsmen
in no time. This done, tho party adjourned for
lunch. while the ffidavits. documents &c, went
on file in the SherifIs Office.
Miss Mary Clementine Smedley late OF Chi
cago and more recently OF New York. is the fair
plaintiff. She IL - years of age. Of preposscss-
ing appearance. and has long had musical
tastes and inclinations. She is a communicant
n good standing of Bishop Cheney's Reformed
panies the complaint, recites that on or about
the Goth OF September 1875. in the city Of
New York. Mr. strakoseh solemnly prom
np to the time OF his MIR. strakosch ~ marriase
| that on or about October. 1877, Mr. Strakos' n
| falsely and wickedly. and in violation OF his
compact, was married at Oakland; California,
defendant. Strakosch. sought to take advantage
| OF the plaintiffs ingenuousuess that find
ing his persuasions failed, hr sought 10 convince
the plainiin that she Could never succeed ms an
artist. or be great and successful singer until
she would discard her motssty and virtue and
practically become his mistress. To these in
| iquitous demands the plaintiff refused to COM
ply. and was steadfast in repelling his advances
whereupon defendant grew cold and negligent
toward her. and subsequently, on or about the
goth OF August. 1875. refused TO marry her.
alleging rs n reason for such refusal that he
was jew. and that his religion would not per-
NIT him TO intermarry with n Christian.
Miss Smedley further alleges that prior TO the
engagement and while he was paying atten-
tions to her. Strakosch undertook to give her u
musical education. and expressed the opinion
that she had large vocal capabilities. and that
or about Aug %. 1875. he told her that he
wished 10 talk to her Of her future prospects in
life, and could not do so uninterruptedly in the
parlor the Everett House. .wnere he lived nor in
her boarding house; that he asked her. thore
fore. To- 60 TO ,hc house OF family whom he
wits3st ss b, pIs'Ss6i with him 10 5pssn m
Thirteenth street. near Fifth avenue. whore he
again renewed his advances. She repulsed him
Indignantly and demanded TO be taken home,
whereupon she was reeased and conducted
to her residence. Strakosch subsequently,
expressed eS4 great regret ;iyo Tor his conduit
granted. She also declares that Strakosch
persuaded her, 10 leave home and friends and
come TO New York. representing that such
course was necessary III order that she might
pursue her musical studies and be nenr him;
and that mis- refusal TO marry her caused her ~
suffer from nervous prostration. For many
months she was under the physicians care.
during which time she suffered great mental
Mr. George c. Moses. Miss smedley's lawyer.
was found at his office 1877 Broadway. He said:
out his whole course with Miss Smedley. His
violation of his plighted faith and his
girl nearly wild. For months She lay
SO sick that her life was despaired OF. and We
| all thought she would die. She came OF highly
respectable parentage. and her character md
conduct are in every way unassailablc. Her
relatives and friends in Chicago. where she
spectability. Her sister Miss Matte Smedey.
lives in Saginaw, Mich. where she is in some
She has been cognlzant of all these facts. and
will be- a witness, Miss Smedloys physician in
Chicago will testify TO her physical and mental
condition at the time Of her Abandonment by
| Strukosch. What makes the latters ease worse
ms MARRYING tnis Long isl9nd lazy. Miss
| sal to ultil his promise OF marriage to Miss
| Smedley because She is one"
" Have you any letters bearing out the alleged
| promise OF marriage"
-" do not care. tospeak Of that at present.
| We have letters Of Mr.. Strakosch's. and what
they are he will see on the trial"
From another source il was learned that Miss
Smedley depends more on heN)wn oath and on
| the defendant. Most OF the communications
from the latter are written IN very guarded
manner. At times. when the writer waXrd
warm and aifectionate. he would frequently run
his yen hrogS4 Gertal9 H6 Hhrpnsesd nsad ho ,oo
retained as Mr.. Strak kosch's lawyer He said
| yesterday that the whole Rtlnir was Il black
| mailing plot "of tho deepest dye" as lAey
would be- able to prove to the satisfaction OF the
| Court. The whole case was founded on per-
| jury and fraud so plain and manifest that
| twelve honest men could not hesitate in pro-
lady comes to Mir. Strakosch at his hotel
in Chicago comes g. MN - mind d. ne
| she is poor: that she wants a musical odu-
7 cation. but cannot afford 10 pay for Il. and stop
ny step tnllStS MS byllphlltS III lltl nflHll III
| her voice Is good and he can bring her out un-
| der favorable auspices. II will be- thousands of
| dollars in his pocket. He tells her that II she
| wants 10 study under the best trnehers she will
| have To- come to New York. She comes. gets
| HIM to introduce hertO a respectable boarding
| house. to furnish her with instructors. To
| lend her money 10 pay her bills, Just
a. he Inns done 10 other ladies. in the hope mat
| she would develop into a great artlste and be
| tho means nf his making thousands of dollars.
| After months OF tuition. her teachers report
that she is unfit for the stage. and she returns
home. She has no money TO pay her travelling
| expenses and other bills. At her solicita-
| tion, Mr., Strakosch's purse is again open
| for her needs. When he again visits
| Chicago she calls on him with ker old story.
| She is poor. She is struggling TO obtain liy-
| ing. He gives her II check for $50, Mt the same
| time telling her that he is now married and has
| a wife and family. and cannot continue these
| charitable advances, Then follows scene She
| charges him with all sorts of things OF which he
| has never been guilty. and ends by bring
in New York. Just before his departure
| for Europe. in order to humiliate him.
| as much as possible, and set public opinion, If
| possible, against him. From all my knowledge
| Of the facts and my long and int imate acquant-
| ance OF Mr. Strnkosch-l have been his lawyer
| for the last ten ypars-l can assure you that 4
| bigger blackmaiing suit was never started.
| This talk about the house at Thirteenth street
| is false to tho bottom. Mr. Strakosch assures
| me sOlamny that beyond the lactS IN regard TO