The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-31
Is MARY ANDERSON MAD?
SAID TO BE IN AN ENGLISH ASYLUM.
The Beautiful American Actress Thought to
BE Suffering From Paresis-She VIII
Probably Never BE Seen the
Stage Again-Her Mind Gone.

NEW YORK, July pa weekly paper, de-
voted to stage and society gossip, to-day pub
lished the following about Mary Anderson:
''There is a most natural desire on the part of
Mary Anderson's friends to disguise the seri-
Gus nature of her mental trouble, and the con-
Trajectory reports that have been flying about
for several months have only fomented the
public curiosity while leaving it entirely in the
dark as to the actual truth of the case.
Il am nevertheless reliably informed that the
handsome Kentucky girl is at this moment in
private mad-house across the sea and that there
is little reason to hope that she viii ever be
seen again on the stage, her trouble being, after
all, paresis of the most dangerous type.
''The sudden collapse of Miss Anderson's
mental power has not been so great surprise
to those who knew her best as the general pub
lie might suppose Contrary to common belief.
the actress has always been of most sensitive
and highly wrought nature. She has, it Is true,
successfully held herself free from sentimental
companionship with men, but at no time has
she been the cold, impregnable girl that popu-
lar opinion made of her.
Moreover, being a devout catholic, she also
undertook to lavish a share of the nervous
energy which controlled her upon religious
duties. This only tended to excite her still
more, and altogether there is little wonder that
her life was passed in state of such unnatural
agitation and excess as no woman could with
stand. Her constant companion during the last
four years has been Mrs. Lawrence Barrett, who
was compelled to neglect her own family IN
order to attend Mary IN her travels.
''The present sad plight in which the actress
finds herself was predicted by several of her
associates as long as three years ago, and is,
see no reason to doubt no more than the
natural result of an unnatural response to most
natural yearnings.
"Many of Miss Anderson's friends do not be-
heve the story, while not a few are inclined to
credit it. There has been a great deal of specu-
lation in dramatic circles as TO the real cause of
Miss AndersOn's trouble, which was supposed
to be of a temporary nature at first The re-
cent canceling of her next seasons dates, how
ever, and the substitution of other attractions
for the Anderson company have led many peo-
pie to believe that the trouble was far more
serious than Henry E. Abbey thought it advlsa-
bic to admit.
Mr.. Abbey is expected back from Europe
next Sunday. He has visited Miss Anderson,
and, if he will, he can tell whether her mental
condition is as bad as reported.
Edward Mitchell, a theatrical manager who
arrived from London several days ago, said to-
day: Il have heard a great deal about Mary
Anderson in London. Her condition is talked
about in the clubs and everywhere. She is not
in a private asylum, but people think that she
is losing her head. While her physical condi-
ton is excellent her memory is gone. She can
not remember things that happen from day to
day. If asked where she slept on the preceding
night she would hesitate
"Mr. Matthews, Mr. Abbey's representative
was greatly perpexed when he read the state
ment that Miss Anderson is in a mad-house. L
cannot believe it. he said. 1 was in Miss An
derson's company so constantly while she was
over here that / must refuse 10 credit these re-
ports. ! believe that Miss Anderson was over
worked, and that is all. She can afford to take
holiday, and is doing so.
" She was very much worried when she closed
her season because she believed that Abbey
would lose lot of money on her account"