Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-16
EMMA SUIT.
Her Husband Institutes Legal
Proceedings Against a Rich
Citizen of Denver, Col,
Laying His Damages
al 100000.

Eugene L. Wetheflll, the HUSBAND
Of Miss Emma Abbott, the fayorite
prima donna, who Is now fulfilling an
engagement at the Chestnut Street
Operahouse, has taken the initiatory
through his attorneys, Dupning,
Edsill, Hart Il Fowler, of New York,
towards bringing a suit for $lC0,0O0
damages against John Evans, al
wealthy resident Of Denver, Col, for
the ~scandalous use Of his (Mr. Weth
erills) wife's name on the occasion Of
her appearance in that city in Sep
TENDER last. The circumstances Of
the affair are of a somewhat complica-
ted character, but, so far as can be
learned, are substantially as follows:
Some time since Evans brought suit
against Rothacker and Field, propri-
etors OF the Denver Tribune, for defa-
nation of character caused by the
publication Of certain articles reflect
ing upon his honestly and integrity,
The institution of the suit was fol-
lowed by various attacks upon Evans
through the columns of the paper.
On the occasion Of Miss Abbott's en-
gagement in Denver in the early part
of September, the subjoined paragraph
appeared in the Tribune:
Deacon John Evans will be at tho
opera TO night front row parQuet, with
a double barrelled marine glass. BE
wouldn't miss the bed chamber scene
in Fra Diayolo' for the profits Of a
dozen libel suits, the sly red rooster y
On the following day another arli-
Gle Of a similar character appeared
with the additional information that
Deacon John Evans was seen at the
opera on the preceding night Intensely
interested in the bod-chamber scene.
Evans thereupon instituted pro-
ceedings against Rothacker and Field
for criminal libel, and the grand jury
Of Denver found true bills of indict-
ment against them. The first bill
does not mention Miss Abbotts name.
but merely alludes to her as a singer
The second bill, however, gives her
name, and adds that in impersonatiDg
a character in the bed chamber scene
Of the opera Of Fra Diavolo,' she did
%'indecently disrobo herself Rotback-
er and Field we're required to give
bonds in the sun nt $20O0 each, the
bondsmen being U. S. Senators Hill
and Teller, Ex-Governor Koutt and
OK Governor TUDOR"
After leaving Denver Mr.. Weth-
Grill was informed By some of his
friends in Colorado of the scandalous
use of his wife's name, and was urged
by them to institute legal proceedings
against the responsible persons. He
Immediately wrote to Denver request.
ing copies Of the indictment, which he
received a few days since.
NOTHING MMoDEsT.
81 regret this thing very much,
remarked Mr.. Wetherill last evening
20 a Press reporter, ION account Of
my wife. Those who have ever seen
her play in Fra Diavolo' know full
we'll that there is nothing immodest OF
even suggestive in her acting or ap-
pearance. | have consulted with
Cunning, Edsill, Hart Il Fowler, 0.
New York, my lawyers, and the result
is that ] shall bring suit for Sl00,0Ct
damages against Evans for the defam-
atory use Of my wife's name. We in.
tend to bring him on to New York tt
see the whole thing through. The
whole matter is the outcome of a libeI
suit brought byl1vans against the pro,
prietors Of the Denver Tribune for Tho
publication Of an ar ticle accusing
Evans of having robbed people out o.
large sums Of money by means OF q
railroad scheme, After the suit was
entered the proprietor of the Tribune
took occasion to assail Evans through
its columns, and when my wife ap.
peared in Denver, two paragraphs ap.
peared, involving the name of Evans
in an indicate way. Personally,
don't believe that Evsus was at tho
opera. He is very wealthy-worth
probably two or three million dollars
and is a protested Christian. | in.
tend TO sue Evans, because, as tho
prosecuting witness against the Den.
yer Tribune, be made a statement
which furnishes the basis Of the two
indictments; therefore be alone is re.
spopsible for the language and namoi
used in them. Although i%nnocently
involved in this scandalOus affair, M
wife has suffered more than any 0nt
else. and | intend 10 make Evans pay
for it."
MISS ABBOTT DISTRESSED.
ooh my" exclaimed Miss Abbot
with a deep sigh, upon being told las
evening by the reporter that the mat
ter was going the rounds Of the press
"0hl just think Of it." she continued
sinking down on a sofa in the parlol
the Continental Hotel, with large tear
drops trickling down her checks
will / never have any peace2 Thi
is scandalous." Hero the little SINCE
evinced deep omoti on and sought Il
wipe away the tears which were flow
ing thick and fast 1T seems to mi
! hat / am destined TO be forever in no
water. There is nothing suggestive
in the bed-chambcr scene in Fra Dia
J yolo.' suppose it could be made SO
T but ] have always avoided anything o
, the kind. When / retire in tina.
, scene | wear the very same dress tina
| wear all through the opera, the onl,
difference being that / remove thu
head-dress and the little silk over,
) skirt, which leaves me in a white
dress with elbow sleeves and Gu
square at the neck. 1t is literal!
, impossible to detect anything immod
est or suggestive in that costume
From infancy my record has been O.
, such a character that | would not OBJ.
/ sect to its publication in every news.
paper in the world. Yet, with all
) that, my name is brought up in thii
scandalous connection. Oil it is toe
much to bear. | heard, Of this matter
when | was in Denver, but supposed
that it would end right there where il
startad. Init instead IL ia poinp al