Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-12-27
A ONCE FAMOUS WOMAN
Some Idea Given OF the Extreme Pow
erty to Which Anna Dickinson
Has Been Reduced.
whitelow Reid, Editor OF tho New York
Tribune, tho Main Cause OF Her Con.
dition-LOve TO Hatred Turned.

Special Correspondence OF the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 The rise and
fall OF Anna Dickinson has attracted the
attention of the intellectual world. The
news of her extreme poverty coming
from the obscurlty OF the hamlet Of West
Plttston, Pa, where she is living with her
aged mother, is startling wnen compared
to the picture OF fame and ailluence which
this noted woman presented not many
years ago. Many Persons will receive
with surprise and doubt the story of
actual privation to which she is reduced.
The public cannot conceive how woman
of such brilliant attachments, who
has made an instantaneous and uni
vergal success in the lecture field,
could be brought to want
for the necessities of life. More surprise
will be felt however, when the circum-
stances attending her reverses are known
Learning that q man OF national reputa-
ton was the prime cause OF all Miss
Dickinson's troubles, your correspondent
called last night on an old schoolmate of
hers, and WAS given this story. The lady
In question Is a woman well-known in
Washington and New York, and has
identified herself with public life for some
years The intimacy between her and
Miss Dickinson has lasted throughout
their lives, and they are to-day In
constant communication. The lady said
az have known Anna Dickinson from
childhood and | know the inside history
of the couriship--I might say p, resolution
II Mr.. Whitelaw Reid, editor OF the
New York Tribune, and also know thai
TO this persecution Miss Dickins II owes
largely the misfortunes which have over
whelmed her in the last few years, Mr..
Reid first met Miss Dickinson at her home
in Pennsylvania, when he was quite a
young man His visits were frequent and
the cuurtship lasted through number of
years, until finally proposal OF marriage
was made. HE attentions were not well re-
ceived. Miss Dickinson valued his friend
ship but did not love him and, therefore,
would not marry him. Not satisfied with
a fiat refusal, MIR. Reid pursued her and
at every opportunity renewed his offer of
marriage. Miss Dickinson finally became
20 much troubled that she finally refused
to see him. He insisted upon an audi
ence, which being granted he told iss
Dickinson that II sne did not marry him
he would blast her public career, saying
al have loved you and | can hate you as
welln Miss ID ckinson called TO his
mind the fact of their early friendship but
did not allude to the circumstance of her
having been instrumental In introducing
MIN to journalistic life She told him
she desired their friendship to continue,
hut that her first answer was her last, and
that she would not marry hi Repeat
ing his threat TO make every public Effort
on her part failure, Mr. Reid left the
house
Having made such marked success on
the lecture platform, Miss Dickinson In
an evil moment concluded t. enter the
dram attic field. Arrangements were made
through one Jesse Wentworth, leading
theatrical manager OF Boston, 10 make
her debut ia that city. Mr.. Reid saw his
opportunity and did not fail TO WELD the
power which his position as the editor OF
a leading new York daily gave him. he
sent for William Winter, the well known
dramatic critic, and told him ne de-
sired him to go to Boston AID
kill the performance. No option
was left Mr.. Winter ID the exercise OF his
own Judgment. The instructions OF Mr..
| Reid were executed with such faithful
\ ness that the results we're more tnan
gratifying even TO his venom. II was 10
| this way her Boston failure, yet fresh In
| the minds OF many, was accomplished
The next stroke Of duplicity was xecuted
| by Wentworth, who 1t was afterwards
learned was warm friend Of Mr.. Reid.
1 He started Miss Dickinson on q tour
through the country with . troupe, the
msiority OF whom had never trod the
| stage before. With this troupe she ap'
peared IN Detroit Wentworth, probably
through fear and shame, did not accom-
pany her, but sent one Of his chosen emf
saries. The mere announcement II
the public press that MISS Dickinson
would sppear was sufficient TO crowd this
house. The agent sent by Wentworth
sect success stamped in the crowded
house, and following the Instructions
given him to make the tour iiilure
forced quarrel upon Miss Dickinson
and created such disturbance ana de
layed the performance 80 long that lh'
bulk OF the audience left in disgust. IN
press next morning announced that MIS-
Dickinson's dismal failure occurred herr
last night This was virtually IN
uItlmatum OF her dramatic downfall
"A ah NafNt