The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-02
ONCE MORE In COURT.
Mckee Rankin Wont Pay His
Wife AlimOny.
He Says He Is Poorer Than the Poorest
Church Mouse and Is Acting 0nly to
Keep the Pot a-Boiling.

Arthur Mckee Rankin, the actor, was a
sleepy mortal yesterday morning when he
appeared before Judge CARRIER to wink at
the motion In behalf of his wife in the d.
vorce case to pay her $50 monthly alimony
and $500 counsel fees. Mrs. Rankin is we'll
known on the stage as Kitty Blanchard, and
is now resident of New York.
j. ID. Redaing opened proceedings by read
ing an affidavit Of his declaring that Mrs.
Rankin has had TO sell all her property aud
go TO boarding; that she is abs outely with
out money and not in the best Of health,
and moreover has on her hands the support
of their daughter, Phyllis. AS the contents
of the document was only known to the
attorney by hearsay, the court paid but little
attention to 1t.
Mr.. Crittenden Thornton then called his
client 10 the stand. but the objections made
by Mr.. Reddng were so well founded that
Mr.. Rankin did not have much more to do
than to suck the oxidized-siver handle OF
his umbrella or to twist his mustache fiercely
at the ends. Ii was sought to establish that
by deed Of May Is. 1856. he had granted the
Island of Boisblanc in the Detroit River 10
a third person, who had in turn decided 1t TO
bis wife, the laws of Canada prohibiting
such direct transfer by husband to wife
This island, mortgaged for 1000, was sold
by her in May, 1885, for $4,000 cash, besides
which he knew Of her having received
$500.
Mr. Redding obj cted to all this, because
the certificate of transfer was not properly
authenticated; and finding himself stumped
Mr. Thornton begged for a continuance.
This was objected 10. and then he pleaded
that lie desired to show that Mrs. Rankin
had received from her husband in the days
of his comparative prosperity S65.0O0 since
May, 1883, and surely there must be some
thing left of this. Ii 1t had been squan-
dered then she had brought on herself her
1t at sxn b h a
even stripped himself of bis jewelry and or
naments. Moreover. it was claimed that
ste could not be without money. for she had
been receiving $500 weekly under an en-
gagement since December. 1891. but petu-
lantly cancelled that engagement on learn
ing of the commencement OF the divorce
proceedings.
Mr.. Rankin, Of course. pleaded that he
was poorer than the traditional church
| mouse He had debts amounting TO So, 600.
His engagement at the Alcazar Theater had
netted him S2i9S, but not cent OF 1t Is
left. 1t had all been paid out for debts, in
GLIDING debt of honor. His engagement at
Morosco's is for 5000 a week for two weeks.
He had Cancelled one engagement on ac-
count of this divorce case. and could not
rely on anything but snap" engagements.
go ON, Mr.. Thornton, and you Will have
him starving In the chair" interrupted Mr..
Redding.
| All this eventually led up to the question
| whether Mrs. Rankin is an actress of note,
| abundantly able TO support herself. Mr..
| Rankin insisted she was. When she last
| appeared she received salary of $500 a
week. and there could be no question that If
/ she desired an engagement she could have
| one continuously for 500 per week at the
had engaged her for next season. but be did
| not know what her salary would be.
"You think, then. she's better man than
you are?" asked the court and Mr.. Rankin
| smiled in assent
what is the age Of Mrs. Rankin ?" asked
Mr.. Redding:.
''She is AS
.What sort OF a character did she take
| W hen You played The Danites' togetber?"
"a leading character-that of boy"
do you mean to say that woman Of 45
| is as valuable in such character as one
THAT depends upon her ability. Mrs.
John Drew is ~ years OF age, and she
| draws more money now than she ever did
before in her life. 1t is not question OF
| age, but one Of talent and ability.
'Mrs Rankin would not play that char
| acter In The Danites,' for the play will no
| longer draw, except at cheap houses, and
| she would not deign to appear at them as
am compelled to do just now to keep the
| pot n boiling"
Mr.. Rankin maintained also that his
| daughter. who had been with him in his
| company and drawing salary, had been re-
| called by her mother, so that this additional
expense was of madam's own choosing.
| After all, the court decided that Mrs
Rankin appeared TO be well able to support
| herself. and 1T was not apparent that RAN
kin could support her now. IL it were
shown that she is in actual need he would
| reimburse her after the trial on the 18th
| and so being the motion for alimony wa:
denied without prejudice. 1t would take
| that much time to obtain the proofs OF au
Identification of the documents for use OF
the trial.