The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-25
CATHERINE SINCLAIR.

Old San Franriscans we'll remember the
beautiful Catherine Sinclair. There was a
time when she was the idol Of the festive
youths Of the city; when her parlor was a
fairy bower Of roses, and her appearance on
the stage was a signal for OutburSts of ap-
plause. She was not only beautiful she
was sprightly. gay, witty and winning.
She was EngIish-the daughter Of a
singer, and was 20 years old when she mar
ried Forrest, then at the zenith of his fame
The marriage lasted twelve years, which
was long period, considering the YiYacity
Of the vile and the moroSe character OF the
husband. Forrest was great actor in such
parts as Lear and Othello. But in private
life he was tyrannical. After undergoing
untold torment from jealousy. he separated
from his wife. and sued for a divorce. The
suit became the cause celebre OF the day.
Forrest had retained the leader of the New
York bar, John Van Buren,, known in sOci-
ETY. as Prince John. because, while his father
was President, he visited London, and
danced with Queen Victoria. John was a
speaker after the fashion of Depew; witty,
brilliant full Of jest and anecdote; as law
yer he was light timber, but he had a knack
Of capturing jurymen, and he generally won
MS eases Opposed to him, and represent
ing Mrs. Forrest, was Charles 0'COnOr, who
brought to bear on his cases very heavy
artillery indeed. He was a man of learn
ing; knew law through and through; was
oyerpOweriDg in logic, and matchleSS in in
dustry. Ii was said that in his great cases
he never pat a witness on the stand until he
had acquainted himself with his career so
thoroughly that he was competent TO write
his biography. The duel between the two
great lawyers ended as might have been ex-
pected. Mrs. Forrest won her case, got her
divorce, and with it an allowance which en-
ablrd her to live comfortably.
That was nearly forty years ago. After
the trial Mrs. Forrest, who resumed her
maiden name Of Sinclair, went to live on
Staten Island with her sister, Mrs. Ledley.
Her troubles were not over. For several
years Forrest continued to fight for the lost
cause in court after court, and when his last
resource was exhausted, much of Mrs. SIN
clair's allowance had gone for lawyers
fees. While the case was pending, it was
freely stated that O'Conor had taken it up
from love Of justice and sympathy for
beauty in distress. But it turned out after
ward that he had charged his usual fee, and
that much Of FORESTS money had found its
way into his bank account. Then the sis
ter, Mrs. L.dIey. on whom Mrs. Sinclair
had lavished the affection Of her warm
heart, whom she woTshiped like lover. and
petted like a child, died, leaving Catherine
almost alone. She lived on for twenty
years. and enjoyed the friendship and init
macy of the best people in her neighbor-
hood; constantly engaged in works of char
ity, and always ready to advise young
women who were starting in life. To the
last her memory was prodigious. And as
her active career had covered a period of
half a century, she was perfect encyclo-
pedia of past biography. There was hardly
any one wnom she had not met and known.
Her loss deprives her circle Of a genial,
kindly old woman, whose romantic story is
fast fading out Of mems memories.