The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-21
KkNIUCK US MODERN CIRCE.
Her DrRmntic e.. rrer, Sire,vn with Hulacd
Men, Found ut Las; "a Tragic Ending.

AsSE " ~. recf, Sircwu WIN hutnc0
Men, Found ut Last n Tragic Ending.
Il wonder how many noople in the dra matte
profession there are to-day who remember
Serena Swift Of Louisville? ?" said n veteran
actor. Not many. I guess. hadn't thought
OF her for years myself. until tho other day.
and wouldn't have thought Of her then il I
hadn't read in a Western paper the death no.
tice OF a man who for the past twenty-five
years hal good Season to have constant md
vivid recollection OF her. Some OF the old boys
may. perhaps. recall her better MS
Emma Fitch. but when I was playing
in the Louisville Theatre IN the early
years OF tho war she was known as Serena
Swift. That was her stnge name. and her
proper name. too. her Christian name being
Selma and Swift being her second husbands
name. She wasn't much Of an actress. but
she was one OF the most beautiful women l
ever saw. And what q career she had!
This woman was the daughter OF one OF
the best known and most highly respected
citizens Of Louisville. and Mt tine age Of twenty.
JUST before the war. she became the wife OF the
son OF q wealthy resident OF the same plnce.
She was highly educated. and was looked
upon AS ono OF the ornaments Of Louisville
society. She and Ler husband lived. to
all appearances. in the greatest harpi-
ness. and when. after q wooded life Of
only two years. sho LETT him and returned
to her parents. tho high-strung kentucky
town never had n greater sensation. No rem
son was over known for her separation from
her husband. and q year or so afterward a di-
yorce from him was grated her by IN In.
daiized society still iurther. and sroke s'h her
s sois = H hS4It ssy wI m,taFryiPS ha sr;HITSoomn. but d.,
Went 'funrther stii i after " tIme. ann "f, Vent s ns
the stage In her native city. Hor parents we'd
put a short time after she married. swi /. and
She left hor husband. whom she had tired of
sna inriaa: n sM,,t h sn,I l;ts I Il tnt tG Gar Ws1 a..
io IN tho SECOND q third year Of the war. Ma;
Provost Marshal OF tho Huntsville district. He
E Ia h at that \ W, ttm ana z t tMu sb nnd n"nasqTe9 @,issr.
one hiatt 1T in 10 l s%s H. al" atsep "SsI? 'h eeF !hSat1s
i s"s'S with ill., the Wat se a'nhiIf"ff' but fe w isIl %s ssrsp in
nI"y. psMfr rss Swift Y , m;es.ln G.v her SftSr the
Tic Majors ioSyee.' for '%u N. H won. t tS' lIy rSc with
hIm, ana tSok the name q Emma Fitch. The
and begged her husband to return to heg and
Them; but he cast her of. She returned to
insane. and died I IN n mndLia Seeaino hope'ess'S
Major Fitch fe!l completely in tho tolls Of
lis ruin 'aIe' Wss utte ee'rf Hs w Sna f IN I. trT To m4ains
his position. aud then his descent was rapid.
~ InlstreSss career, SetmSd 10 keep tho
war they wero keeping u notorious resort in
They continued together for two
years In that place, and then the woman dis
Harry swift, WAS never heard OF again. Emma
under which name she became n"tori.
Gus. remained IL yoar or so in Louisville after
that rnining numerous iooi,eh young and old
In spite OF tho life she had led for several
years. this rarid young woman retained t.: u
tulTa Sha wng knnNyn Tram all
yille 70 New orlrens. and so.whtn she boar led
the teamhoat Stonewnll at ~. Louis one day
known youn. man. cashier and confidential
Of u leading ST. Louis business. who
stood high in ~rerute; and had only three
families Of the city, the officers Of the Ront
amt many OF tho passengers were astounded.
The pair secured n stateroom and wero
' 'sss evening" ng @0rS Then ant tho s stonswaIl % 9,s,0f *
and hall an hour later one OF the most
appalling disasters in tho history Of Missis-
!OO passengers on board the boat. There were
ZOO bales OF hay among the freight, a large
luantity OF kerosene oil: and several head of
YRS who were on board got to 1usrrelling over
game Of cards, which they were playing sur
entitiously. by the light Of a candle. using a
n an instant the hav was In names. The
,9pd control; The boa, was within tw"nIies
at once into panic, The pil1t ran the boat
N a bar. and she stuck fast. The fre forced
on board to inmp into the water.
Dom and hurried to the deck. They were
9th undeI the Influence Of wine. The woman
omenta at the advancing flames. with q face
- rSss. Shs was never sssA agsiS1 The