Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-04
BEHIND THE SCENES.
The Injured InnOcents Of the Oates
Troupe Fire Out an Offend
ing Sister.
A Chorus Singer SummariIy Dismissed
for Her Frank Talk with a
Reporter.

of the matinee atthe Olympic Theater
yesterday there was a scene in one OF
the dressing-roOms which for a time
created consider excitement among
the members of the Oates Opera Com
pany. The cause of the trouble was
an article which appeared in the
Times Journal of yesterday morning,
wherein the results of an interview
with Miss Inez A. Sexton, n of the
members of the chorus, were given.
In the interview Miss Sexton gave a
brief outline other remarkable career,
and followed it up with a statement
which Mrs. Oates construed as an at
tack upon the moral character of her
self and the other lady members Of
the company. The statement was in
effect that Miss Sexton thought it
strange hal she, who hadalways lived
a pure life and was blessed with mu-
steal talent of a high order, could not
advance rapidly in her profession,
while others, whose moral character
was under a cloud, succeeded in every
thing and became public fayorites.
Miss Sexton afterWard stated that she
intended this to apply to the stage at
large, and not to any particular com
pany. But Mrs. Oates feat that her
honor was i%mpugned, and thence the
course she adopted.
Miss Sexton was in her dressing
room preparing for the matinee, when
she was startled by hearing a strange
noise in the green-room, followed by
the voice Of Mrs. Oates, raised to a
sharp tone, saying: Where is that
thing? let me get at her. Where is
she? Ill give it to her !" and before
Miss Sexton could comprehend Tue
nature of the disturbance, the door of
her room was pushed open, and in
stepped Mrs. Oates, her eyes flashing
fire, and her pale features indicating
that she was in a terrible rage. Eye
ing the chorus singer for a moment, as
if undecided whether to annihilate her
at once, or to tear her in pieces at her
leisure, she opened upon her a per-
feet torrent of the choicest express
sions at her command. Miss Sexton
~endeavored TO explain that she in
tended no reflection upon any mem
Der of the company, but Mrs. Oates
would except no excuse Her moral
character, she asserted, has been as
sailed together with that of all the
lady members of the compuny, aud
she wanted revenge. ooh" said she,
trembling with rage, IF | was not a
lady | would knock you down and tear
your eyes out. You claim to be the
only virtuous woman in the company
Oh, you horrid thing!''
AT this point Ada Dow came tc
Mrs Oates assistance, and the couple
was soon reinforced by two or three
other members of the company, who
poured out upon the head of the un-
fortunate chorus singer a food of
ABUSE AND THREATS
Of violence. Mrs. Oates apparently
having freed her mind, gave place tC
Miss Dow, with the remark, slap hel
face, Ada, the nasty thing. If your
a woman, you'll give her a good beat
ing for what she has said about all o.
us.
Miss Sexton said nothing, but was
evidently much terrified at the threat
ening manner of her visitors and tried
to look as fierce as possible.
Don't roll your big eyes up at me-
said Mrs. Oates. And don't YOU
dare to step your foot upon that stage
to-day"
With this remark she left the room
and was soon followed by her friends
Miss Sexton, left alone, began to dress
herself for the street, while she gave
way to her emotions in tears, She wa.
about to leave her room when q boy
handed her an envelope, in which wal
the following note and $47;
Miss SEXTON - Enclosed please
find your salary to date. Your ser
vices are no longer required, in conse
quence of the very ungenerous way il
which you have treated your sistel
professionals in your interview in tn,
Times this morning.
r. Il. j. MILES,
Manager Oates Opera Company
"St. Louis, March l."
Miss Sexton then left the theate
and went to her room at the DIV
Street Hotel. where she was callet
upon by a Tines Journal reporter
} who had been informed Of the troubl,
at the theater. She said that Mrs
) Oates had told her that if she sal,
anything more to a reporter
4 SHE WOULD Housewife HER
and have her put into prison. Sh,
was very much overcome by he
trouble, and amid her tears and sob.
J told US of the unjust. treatment sh,
had received at the hands of Mrs
: Oates. She seemed utterly broker
down at being thrown out of employ
mcnt in the height of the season. ShI
attributed the trouble to jealousy
which eliminated upon the publica
= ton Of the interview in question, say
: ing hat she had been purposely ken
in the chorus, when she had beer
promised a better position, becaus,
her voice was superior to that of an,
other female member of the company
About six o'clock last evening sh,
called on j. OGrady, the attorney. 4
secure his services in bringing a sui
. against Mr.. Miles for the recovery q
her salary for the balance of the sea
y sou: She was under contract for Tn,
entire season, commencing in Septem
Der last and ending in Nav. an,
5 claimed that the contract had BEEF
broken by Mr.. Miles without ius
cause. She proposed to attach IN,
. property Of tho company To secur,
her claim, but it was found impossible
at that late hour to get out the naners
J and as the company leaves TO-DAY e..
Cincinnati, whatever legal preceeding
she proposes to take will occur in M,
= future.
( About 8 o'clock last evening Mis-,