Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04
FANCHON WANTS A DIVORCE.
Maggie Mitchell Charges Her Husband
with lnfidelity.

From the New York Sun, March 8.
To the theatrical world, and, indeed, to the
public at large, there oan hardly be Q greater
surprise than will be called forth by this an
nouncement that Maggie Mitchell, one of the
oldest, wealthiest. and most respected Of Amer
lean actresses, has entered a suit for absolute
divorce from her husband, Henry 7. Paddock,
the well-known real-estate broker Of 1877 Broad
way. Their mutual disaffection has virtually
separated them for over . year. Her friends
say that she charges her husband with inf
deity, and that Syracuse woman, now mar
ried. but who was single and resident Of
Toledo at the time of the alleged offense, is
made the correspondent
There has been a determined effort to sup
press the developments in the affair. with what
success may be judged from the fact that, as
early as October last Miss Mitchell filed the
papers in her first suit against her husband in
the chancery court at Trenton, N. ]. Suisse
quently, however, all proceedings were aban-
doned. This is said to be due to the discovery
that Miss Mitchell had lived with her husband
subsequent to the date of the offense set forth
IN her petition. Later investigation tends to
show that she is yet determined to secure a
legal separation from him, and has already en-
tered. or Is at once to enter, a second suit
The troublesome relations are said to have
occurred about five years ago in Toledo. Mr..
Paddock was then travelling with his wife as
her manager. His friends assert that he will
bitterly contest the case putting in claim for
business adviser. It is very likely the affair
will prove one Of the most notable divorce suits
ever known among stage people. Miss Mitch
ellis wealth is variously estimated at from
$500 900 to $500, 900. Until their separation her
husband looked after all her property. and
there may be other complications growing out
OF that fact. They were married at the home
Of relative in Troy. this state, on October Is.
1868, while Miss Mitchell was playing in that
city.
mo suit has been entered as vet" Miss
Mitchell said on Wednesday last, in answer to
query as to the truth Of rumors that she had
already begun new proceedings in the jersey
courts. 81 consulted few days ago with my
lawyer. who is also my husbands legal adviser,
as to my probable course in the matter. am
to have final interview with Mr.. Paddock
either tonight or Thursday forenoon, to see il
some compromise cannot be effected. do not
wish the trouble and worry involved in an ap-
peal to the courts. Besides, utterly.dislike
the idea OF publicity being given to the least
thing that concerns my private life. Through
out the long course of my professional career
have always studiously avoided interviewers,
and have never said anything relative to my
personal or. may say, home affairs"
Yes failing to reach such understanding
with Mr.. Paddock a. I expect and hope for"
she disconsOlately continued, II will OF course,
be compelled Immediately to resort to legal
measures. Pecuniary considerations alone. 90
far as l know. stand in the way Of settlement"
she guardediy said. in answer to . query as to
why the arbitration had been unsuccessful. II
have frequently made fair and liberal PROPOSE
tions, but Mr.. Paddock 10 DESTROYS of obtain
ing an amount which I consider much more
than is equitable. am resolved not to pay it.
l also understand that he puts forth a counter
claim for compensation for managerial services
Afforded me for a number of seasons. Mr..
Paddock, you know, directed my tours . good
while ago."
It is understood that the amount which Mr..
Paddock stands ont for 10 e25, 900. Miss Mitch
ellis friends say that this sum may seem small.
but it is more than she ought to pay. They
charge that her husbands habits have been
expensive. and that he has during the past few
years wasted fully 100000 of her property.
Hence her firm resolve not to pay him a sum
which she considers exorbitant.
On Friday il was learned from Trustworthy
sources that Miss Mitchell had failed to effect
an amicable settlement with Mr.. Paddock, and
that she had instructed her lawyers to renew
the divorce proceedings. Questioned as to the
truth OF this later on the same day, she refused
to deny or affirm the statement, though her
non-committal manner indicated that action
OF some kind had already been taken At this
second interview Miss Mitchell had az an ad-
wiser Mr.. Charles Abbott, the leading actor in
her company, tall and handsome man, COM
bative in his manners. His statement that
he was her manager was denied by the
theater people, who asserted that another
gentleman was intrusted with those duties
When asked II there was any reason why
Mr.. Abbott should assume the guardian
ship Of Miss Mitchelrs private affairs, the at
taches wore knowing look and begged to be
excused from answering. MI. Abbott seemed
very much distressed lest Miss Mitchell should
say too much, as he put it. He is South
Boston, Mass. boy, and a married man, his
wife being Nellie Taylor, an actress. His right
name is Charles Mace. and he does not seem to
Mftchelrs support. One Of them said that Mr..
Abbott's name had been unpleasantly brought
into the affair by Mr.. Psddock's friends, and
that it WASH. the first case Of the kind in which
he had figured The estrangement between
John A. Stevens and his first wife was men,
toned a. the case in point.
The Coming British Minister.
Lsbouchere's London Letter