The Helena independent., 1889-03-17
WOMEN OF NOTE.
Maggie Mitchelrs Divorce Suit Re-
wives a Story Of Romance in
Her Early Life.
A Washington Correspondents Glow
ing Tribute to Mrs. Cleveland
Upon Her Retirement.
ouida's Description of club wonsn-A
New IieAuty at the white
House.

New York Herald: The latest news
about Maggie Mitchell Is surprising. IL
came from Chicago yesterday, and to say
that II created astonishment Is 70 put IL
mildly. II was 10 the effect that the lively
little Fanchon had already figured In the
divorce courts, and that her present suit
against her husband, Henry ]. Paddock, is
her second venture In that line.
The story went ON TO say that somewhere
in the "fifties" Miss Mitchell fell suddenly
In love with q hs dsome young stranger
while playing an engagement In Rich
mond, Va. She was then young and was
accompanied by her mother. IL was be-
fore she had found "Fanchon," and she
was playing little one and two act pieces
like "Nan" and the Little Treasure"
She eloped. the despatch says, with the
gay Lothario after the performance ON Q
Saturday night, got married and returned
IL was stated that her change OF heart
was due 10 her mothers influence, and
that she gave up the newly made husband
at her bidding. The young man grew mel
ancholy, went TO the mines, and was never
heard OF afterwards The affair was kept
close secret, and many years afterwar DIS
Judge Robert Wilson obtained a divor CO
for Miss Mitchell In Chicago court The
case was handled SO dexter0usly that IL
never got into the newspapers, and even
members Of the family were kept in the
dark. The people In the theatre in Rich.
mond, however, knew all about II, and
whispered of IL so that II got 10 the ears OF
j. ii. McVtcker and his manager, Louis Is.
Sharpe.
All the professional people In town were
talking of these reports yesterday and the
lady's many friends here were puzzled by
them. Many old actors and managers did
not believe the rumors and said the stories
had grown out OF the infatuation OF "Billy'
Wilkeeon.
About the time Miss Mitchell Is said to
have made the romantic marriage BILLY
Wilkeson was running big hotel next
door 10 the Holiday Street theater In Baltl-
more. He was very rich and very well
liked. He fell desperately In love with
Maggie Mitchell. sold out his hotel and
followed her for years. The lady was OBJ
but he persisted In travelling from place To
place with her, and could not be content
out of her sight. He bought tickets for
every performance and sat In front ad-
miring her and feasting his eyes. He
spent his fortune IN that way. and finally.
some twenty-one years ago, saw Maggie
Mitchell become the wife of Henry j. Pad
dock.
Maggie Mitchell Is now In her fifty-eighth
year, 1t is said. but she looks as young as
she did twenty years ago and is AZ
sprightly and agile on the stage as ever.
She is producing new plays right along
and is as great an attraction as OF old.
The husband In prospective, that the peo-
pie give her, Is an attractive young lead
ing man, but 1t Is hardly likely the gossips
can be right In that respect, as Miss Mitch
ell Is devoted to her children.
Henry J. Paddock was his wife's man.
ager from the time OF their marriage up TO
two years ago. lie then resigned from the
conduct OF her affairs and set up as q real
estate dealer at No. 1877 Broadway. He
He said that he knew nothing OF his wife's
affairs and did not wish TO say anything
about them. Charles I. Mitchell, her
brother, theatrical manager, said that he
had never heard of the marriage reported
from Chicago. Paddock was the first and
only husband he had ever known his sister
TO have, and he was sorry that trouble had
emma hef Waqn than.