New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-28
MANAGER LOCKE HITS BACK.
HE BRINGS TWO SUITS FOR 10000
THB CHARGES AGAINST THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL
OPERA COMPANY DISMISSED.

THE CHARGES AGAINST THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL
OPERA COMPANY DISMISSED.
far TELEGRAPH THE tribunal
WARRINGTON, Feb. n. Yesterday Manager
Locke, Of the National Opera Company, was ar
rested at the instance Of Eloi sylvia and Mrs
Bertha Ericsson, charged with having Issued
checks on o bank in which he had no de-
posits at the time tho check WAS drawn. 10
day MIR. Locke was acquitted before the Police
Court, and hit back by suing the two above
mentioned singers for 10000 DAMAGES. because,
as he saws IN his complaint, defendants falsely
and malicIously and without any reason
able excuse, appeared before justice
of the peace and made complaint
charging the plaintiff tMr. Locker with having OBJ
tanned money under false pretences and passing
upon them fraudulent or bogus check"
The trial IN the police court. which ended in MIR.
Locke's discharge, was brief. but it attracted an
unusual crowd. In the small courtroom there
were crowded sopranos, tcnors. bartones. boiiet
dancers, and other adjuncts of frst-cltss opera
company. Eoi Sylvia stepped to the witness stand
will the tragic ar which no assumes in =" Tam
hauser," and in broken English stated his side OF
the case.
Il refused TO sing on Monday night" he said, "un-
less Mr. Locke gave me money. He gave me n check
NorfO k and one In Washington. took the cheek
10 the bank on Thursday and the gentleman SAID
there was no deposit there; tod hun there were
OF her checks. bit he only laughed"
How much W IRE yon TO get for each perform
ance 7" the judge asked.
-Four hundred and fifty dollars"
"Do you mean 10 say exclaimed the Judge.
fer having recovered from The aston shment
which the tenOTs statement had thrown MIN into,
L" that you were to get $3.50 for each perform
ancef"
Yes, sir" said Sylvia.
Glow much does Mr. Locke owe you 7" in
qured The Judge.
hundred and SEVEN y-hye dollars"
On cross-examnLIIon he admitted that when he
accepted the cnecks he knew that the funds we're not
IN the bank. but said that Mr.. Locke PROMISED
that the ulOaey should be there by Wednesday,
A c'erk IN The bank testified that on Wednesday
Mr.. Locke had balance III the bank Of hfty-hve
cents.
The Judge dismissed the case because Of the fact
that Sylvia knew there were no funds when the
check vas Issue and therefore was not deceived
as 10 value OF the check.
Mr. Person. husb1nd of the soprano was the
next TO state his He SAID that III Norfolk ho
had been "lven bogus check for 500 as agent
for his wife. Bertha PIerson bat soon as he
MADE that sra emcnt the Judge dismissed the case
the ground that the action should nave been
brought in Norfolk.
The counsel for the creditors announced ut the
close Of the trial that the matter was not settled
by any means. They say tina: sylvia and PIerson
are not ac'ing for their own sakes IN the
liter bat hat on Monday Mr.. sylvia offered to
give Mr. Locke n receipt not only for the 5000 but
for the $500 for which ho was III ar
rears. If he E. Ocke) would pay the ballet girls.
Ii appears that on Saturday, as counsel lot MT.
Locke says. the unfortunate manager paid the
memoirs of the ballet 81 each just seven cents on
the dol ar. and this Only irJm the fear OIL being
mObbed.