The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-20
LAnorcnERnPIoEoN pIyoRcr.
Something Abpnt tue Parties and Their
IIlainrH.

The legal revelations recently made In
America through Richmond correspond
EMS Justify the publication Of u few items
that are within my knowledge in reference
to the extraordinary divorce suit which
MIS-. Laboucherr, otherwise Mrs. Pigeon,
has Instituted In America. Miss Henrietta
Hodson, rs girl, was q member Of the
stock company u the old Theatre Royal at
Bristol. She played chiefly in burlesque,
and was the clGvVrest Aladdin In II. j.
Bytons piece remember to have seen.
Miss Marie Wilton (AlB. Bancroitl was
the original, believe on its production ut
the Strand Theatre, London. Miss Hold.
son Is the daughter Of professional parents
Of the highest responsibility, and during
her association with the Bristol company
she must have seen the first efforts Of the
Terrys, the Reynolds, aud Mls. Ken.
dali then Aiadge RObertson), who
all began their artistic career
In the famous Western city.
Miss HodSon was pdie, pretty, ex.
ceedingly garceful as dancer, and sang
Durletque dilties with much taste aud
charm OfinAnner. 1t Is known that she
might have made most advantageous
match had she desired 10 marry, but the
DristoliAn idea was that she preferred the
stage and independence. The city was,
therefore, not n little surprised when she
elected 10 accept the matrimonial proposals
OF u Mr.. Pigeon, q lawyer aud widower
with several children. Indeed, her more
faithful admirers were scandAllZed ut the
lAdy's want OF taste. By.Rnd.by there wCi
rumOrs Of something even moro worse
than "incompatibility OF temperament"
disturbing the relationships OF the newly
married couple. 1t was said that Mr..
Pigeon had actually beaten that pretty
little wife Of his" A woman Of spirit, AlS. |
Pigeon (who had on her marriage retired
from the stage) determined TO resume her
professional engagements, and she went to |
London. Some people said this step was en-.
dered necessary on financial grounds. Az
ter short residence in London MS. Pig.
cons name became associated with that OF
Mr.. LabouChere, rich banker and gen.
tleman OF distinguished family connections.
An application for divorce WINS made by
Mrs. Pigeon, II was resisted by her hus-
band, aud did not succeed; but It was un-
derst0od that formal agreement OF separa'
ton was made between the disconnected
wife and husband, whereby the latter re.
ceived the solatIum OF an annual allowance.
Alrs. Pigeon lived with Mr.. Labonchere,
and those who knew her story sympathiZed
with her and justified her conduct, She
became gradually known Us Mrs. Labou.
chere, and two or three years ago II was
reported that Pigeon had died and his
widow had indeed become Mrs. LHbou.
chcre In the full acceptance Of the law.
According TO the statement made At
Richmond the marriage WIS true, though
il Is not certain whether, according to the
strict letter OF the law, the parties have not
bigamy. The question as to
Miss Hodson's real position was considered
10 be set at rest n year or two since by her
appearance In u trining law suit in local
.outt. The question a. Issue was one con.
:trning the responsibility Of Mrs. l.Ibou.
,here for small debt contracted through a
certain Laundry Company Limited"
which she had started somewhat after the
New York Dress Association Company,
but il was generally thought that the Incl.
lent was merely arranged for the purpose
II making known that Miss lIOdson was In {
'eRlily Mr.. LabOuchere's wife. She was
.alled into tho witness box and sworn
Is Henrietta Labouchere. The cir.
,umstancc was very much comment.
vi upon in general society, and
he lad Y received cards from one or two {
antilles which had not previously recog.
lized her. At Bristol, however, hap. {
pen to know that the death oil Pigeon I
vas questioned, and now It seems that the
ady herself is in doubt upon this point {
md suggests that possibly the man has
committed some crime, on account Of which
ne has disappeared from England. He was
lever a pIepOsscssing gentleman either in
appearance or manners. Above the aver.
lge height, he had red hair and whiSkers. /
lis position was that Of third or fourth
ate solicitor, and he held commission in
he Bristol Volunteer Corps. His father
Sas an old practitioner in the local police /
md county courts, and was much respect.
ID. The news Of Mrs. LlboucherGs pro. {
'eedings at Richmond will fall 'like a
in professional society, and the
Inference will be thst to be u companion /
o Mira Laugtry was not the chief cause Of
Ter visit TO the United States.