Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-22
The PORDS.
An Unfounded Story About
Mrs. Ford.
Mother, Daughter and Son Well
Known Here.
Mrs. Ford Has Not Levanted, But Is
Here.
An Evening Papers Story Proves to Be
Unfounded-Three People Try
ing to Make Living
Honestly.

A story was published yesterday in
an evening paper in which terious
charge was made against lady who has
been giving Evolutionary rectals in
this city for several months. 1t was
alleged in the article that the lady re-
ferred to had "duped" number of local
society women, had "buncoed" them to
the extent OF large amount of money
and had disappeared with theatrical
company last Sunday.
The yarn seemed we'll founded, and
appeared on presumably good authority
Yet it now seems that serious inius-
tice has been done an estimable woman
who is struggling hard to maintain her
existence.
The elocutionist alluded to is Mrs. F.
7. Ford of Boston, who with her son and
daughter came here about six months
ago. The three have tried hard
to establish themselves here, Mrs.
Ford by giving readings, and
her son, who is an accomplished
violinist, by playing in orchestras when
ever an opportunity offered. Mrs. Ford
was on the stage generation ago, and
was on the support of some of the fore
most American actors, among them Ed
win Forrest and John Mccullough. She
was married in Boston to her husband,
who was an orchestral director of prom
inence. The death of Mr.. Ford, who
left his family very little property, COM
PEELED the widow to use her elocutlon-
ary ability in order to make living.
Her readings in Boston were quite sue
cessful, and she has highly compliment
tary credentials from prominent society
people of the Hub.
Failing health caused Mrs. Ford to
come here. She has proven a success in
society, and her readings have been
highly successful and have been very
favorably commented upon in the pa
pers. The recitals given here were at
the residences of Mrs. Severance, Mrs.
Van Nuys, Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Mullen,
Mrs. Clarke and a number of other
ladies of equal social prominence.
Mrs. Ford did leave town on Sunday,
but not with the intention of defraud-
ing anybody or even to remain away.
She has been friend of Maude Granger
for twenty years, and when that emo
tional actress net her old acquaintance
and colleague here, she persuaded Mrs.
Ford to accompany the company to
Santa Barbara. This invitation was ac-
cepted by Mrs. Ford, and the elocution-
ist returned yesterday to be shocked by
this disgraceful Interpretation which
had been given to her absence. The
plausibility of the story had been en-
HANGED by the fact that Mrs. Ford and
her daughter both left the Virginia
house, on Olive street, last Sunday, and
moved to the Crocker house, No. 212
South Broadway.
Mrs. Ford was seen yesterday after
noon, and stated that che had indeed
borrowed considerable money here, but
only because she could not help herself.
She also acknowledged that she has
borrowed from the First National bank,
her note being endorsed by Mrs. Sever
ance. The note has been renewed twice
and does not fall due until March 9th.
Mrs. Ford said that no one has directly
shown any uneasiness about the matter,
and that che intends in time to meet
all her obligations. Mics Ford is
beautiful and accomplished young wo-
man, who has made many friends here,
and Fred Ford is well-known as violin
virtuoso who has become very popular
in the city. He played second violin in
the Goulash club quartette with such
artists as Romandy, Meyer and An
gelotti.