The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-04
A SAD FATE.

Death OF Emma Verne, the Former wife of
Charles l. Davis, calvin Joslin," In a
Leadville Almshouse,
Emma Verne, the divorced wife of Charles
l. Davis, the actor, died in Leadville last
Friday morning in the most abjeot poverty.
Her life of recent years has been a succession
OF strange vicissitudes. Not very long ago,
under the stage name of Cora Cushman, che
was one of the greatest favorites on the variety
boards She was young, pretty in face aud
figure, and possessed just enough vocal ability
to make her stage appearance success She
appeared at most of the leading Eastern vaude-
vile theators, and never waited for engage.
ments, rs managers thrust them upon her.
While enjoying this heydsy of professional
popularity she met and immediately
fell in love with Charles L Davis, then
second or third rate variety performer, but
Charlie, the man who made Alvin Joslin end
his own fortune. Shortly after her first meet
ing with Davis, Miss Cushmsn married him,
AID they travelled the circuits together as Mr..
and Mrs @. l. Davis About this time rev
star burst upon the theatrical armament, and a
theater- going public: Denman Thompson Gre
ated Uncle Joshua Whitcomb, aud the people
went wild over the eccentricities of the New
England farmer. The usual army of imitators
sprang up, aud among them Charles L Davis.
He possessed in = certain degree the qualitca-
tons necessary to fair Interpretation OF
Thompson's creation, aud he manufactured a
play entitled Alvin Josl.n, in which he scted
the title role, a to.erable counterpart
Of Uncle Josh. He procured a oheap
company, started on the road, and in shor,
time became wealthy. As his worldly store
decreased, until at length he AID his wife sepa-
rated by mutual consent He cl.imed that she
had fallen into dissoute habits aud injured him
both financially aud socially; and she claimed
that he cruelty ill-treated her. About three
years ago he procured divorce and she drfted
Westward: She appeared in Leadville as a
serio-comic vocalist about two years ago, under
the professional name of Emma Verne, and at
the expiration of her engagement returned to
Denver. Last fall she revisited Lead
vile and appeared at the Globe theaer,
but was discharged for drunkenness,
and then driftel to . dance hall,
where she acted as bartender. Two months
ago ner paramour, proprietor of the dancing
house, sent her 10 the Sisters' hospital, where
she was treated for intlammatory rheumatism
and alcoholism Under the kind care of the
Sisters the poor unfortunate rapidly recovered
health and strength aud three weeks ago she
was discharged from tho hospital, with an
dissipation Of any kind if she wished to save
her life. Instead Of obeyiug the Injunction,
however, she fell into her old habits and was
cast of BY the man who had sent her to the hos
pitaL She became On object of charity to her
friends, but they supplied her with everything
she misunderstanding liquors. they had q
premonition that her tenure Of life was limited
On Thursday night she visited police head
quarters and stated her intention Of going to
the poor house. She asked for 8 carriage, but
was told that she could ride to the almshouse
in wagon belonging TO that institution. She
refused 30 do this. as she thought it was the
nmall pox wagon that was referred to. At last
she took some jewelry and asked for the loau Of
some money GU it Receiving this she procured
3 carriage aud drove to the almshouse, where
she went to bed and q few hours after passed
away to that bourne from whence no traveller
returns. Passed away, alone and frlendless in
q strange land, while the man she once called
husband il left behind in worldly af1uence, re-
spected aud esteemed among the men aud
women Of his profession. he has already been
informed OF the terrible end Of her whom he
once prom sed to protect aud cherish, but it IL
tho opinion of those who knew tho man that the
Information will not grieve him.