Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-17
TO-Day's Audit List.
SUITS AGAINST THEATERS.

| Manager Henderson Says They Are 9
| Regular Feature of the Business, and
Tells of Some Peculiar Cases-A Costly
Change OF Boarding Place.
/ Manager David Henderson, of the Du
quesne Theater, was in a philosopher
| mood when approached by a DIsPATCH
representative yesterday afternoon. "Whai
about nv latest lawsuit" he said. II have
long ago become resigned to lawsuits of 6
character such as you refer to as part and
parcel of the business. see by the paper.
that Helen Baker has instituted a suit
against me claiming $4,000 damages and
telling story of how she came into the
theater, got located in seat. was dragged
out by an usher, brutally beaten and sent
away in patrol wagon to the police station.
Now the facts in the case as investigation
proves are that she attempted to force her
way by the doorkeeper without ticket and
he, of course, objected. Then she gave
battle, was turned over to the house police
man, who in turn handed her over to the
policeman on the beat, and she was sent to
the police station. Some man deposited
the forfeit for her appearance, but she failed
to show up at the hearing and the money
was forfeited
While Manager Henderson was talking
Assistant Superintendent of Police O'Mara
happened along. He said: 81 was very
much surprised, Mr.. Henderson, when I
heard who that party was that had sued you
for damages"
Many Other Peculiar Suits.
MIR Henderson remarked to the veteran
detective: eff you had conducted theater
for number of years you would not be
surprised at anything certain lawyers would
do. As an instance not long ago a colored
gentleman came to the theater and there
was some mistake as to the location of his
seat. He grew indignant. and went to po-
lice headquarters to complain. He was
sent back to the theater, an explanation
followed, and the distinguished gentleman
went away perfectly satisfied. promising to
return with his lady the next Thursday
evening. A newspaper reporter, thinking
the whole affair was an amusing item,
printed the story. One of these contingent
tee lawyers perused the article, am told,
and it was not long until the colored man
had instituted a suit for damages.
"a scrub woman in my Chicago Opera
House put her foot through a step by acci-
dent. She injured herself little, and as 1
happened to be passing at the time 1 di-
rected that she be sent home and cared for
and that her salary be paid until she recov-
cred. A few weeks later 1 asked about
her, found she was sick in bed and still
drawing her salary. l sent frst-class sur
geon to visit her, and he reported the
woman was we'll enough to work, and,
while she was in bed, she was only sham
ming. He pay was stopped, and immedi-
ately shyster lawyer instituted a suit for
900 damages The mother of we'll
known actress, while on the stage
of the theater, had piece of
batting fall on her. She was
somewhat injured but I don't think very
seriously; however, agreed to pay her ex-
penses while sick. Her manager and daugh-
ter, the star to whom I refer, as well as her
self, signed document releasing me from
all responsibility.
A Change of Location.
aWhen it was decided l was to foot the
bill, she Immediately moved to a most ex-
pensive hotel, engaged an entire suite of
rooms, had doctors whose fees were the
highest, had florists who sent flowers in car
riage loads, confectionerS who sent bonbons
by the ton and when I finally received the
bill it footed up exactly So, 100. This was
several years ago. The other day when I
was in New York 1 was served with
summons for suit of $4,000 DAM
ages instituted by the same lady.
One dancer grew jealous of another and
one dav l received note from her
informing me that one of my employees had
stepped upon her foot and so injured it
that she could not appear for several days.
1 made inquiry and found that no one had
stepped on her foot about the theater. 1
sent physician to examine her and he re-
ported the only injury that he could find
was that her big toe had been afflicted and
that was hurt of long standing. Of course
the lady was notified that if she did not ap-
pear her salary would stop
''That was we're the contingent fee
lawyer stepped in again and once more a
suit for damages was promised. I could
go on and give you score of instances of the
same sort, but the story grows monotonous
in its sameness; but you see that there are
hundreds of people who look upon theaters
and theater managers as legitimate prey,
and so it is as season follows season Just as
as 1 book up my attractions, ex-
ha 11sucI oron Of l..