The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-05
BETTINA PADELFORD.
RUMORED THAT SHE IS NOW IN
An INSANE Asylum.
The Daughter Of General Ordway, Who
Once Lived In MISUNDERSTANDING
OF Her Strange Career.

A New York special IN the st. Paul
Pioneer Press, of August I'd. says 1t was
reported on the Rialto the day before
that Bettipa Gerard was taken 10 that
city for trt atment that morning from
st. Paul by one Of the actors In Lifts
stock company. At Bloomingdale asy-
lum they said they had no such patient,
and have never heard Of her.
Bet-ina Gerard is the daughter Of Gen.
eral Ordway. Of the army. AS a girl she
was well Known in Richmond society. as
her father lived in this city.
Last winter Bettina Gerard was lead
Ing lady, Supporting j. W. Gilmour. She
left The company last spring on account
Of III health. \ surgical operation was
performed, which was regarded as only
a temporary alienation. ON her recov-
cry she played a brief engagement at
the Casino with Dixie. She left the
Casino to go to st. Paul. Only last
week Miss Gerard signed a contract with
Managers Lift & Davis 70 star In their
new play In Old Kentucky during
the coming season. She Is be-
tween twenty-five and thirty years Of
age, very pretty and possessed of unmis-
taxable dramatic talent. Miss Gerard's
history Is eventful and racy. During the
past two months Bet;ina Gerard has APP
peared alternate weeks at the Grand
opera House In this city. She was the
rough soubrette' Of the Lit stock COM
Dany. Her last appearance here was on
Saturday night when she played Peach
blossom in Under the Gaslisht." and
sang plain Molly, Oh" from the river
dock. During her engagement with the
company Miss Gerard has appeared as
TOpsy I'm Uncle Toms Cabin" Raitch
In 'Pique." Grace Brandon I'm My Part
ner." Mile. Tai glars IN Monte Christie"
and ~Peachblossom IN Under the Gas
light" In addition 10 her dramatic tall
ent Miss Gerard was also an excellent
singer. having devoted nearly three years
TO operate work. She introduced songs
In most Of the plays which added much
10 her popularity.
Miss Gerard's history began in earnest
about five years ago.. She was a belle
IN Washington when she met George Pa
delford, a well-to-do Georgian. Miss
Ordway, for tina was her name then,
was beautiful and accomplished. Mr..
Padelford married her and took her TO
Europe. After travelling over the con-
tinent Mr.. and Mrs. Padelford sOjOurned
for a while I'm Vienna. II was there
that Mrs. Padelford was presented TO
the Emperor Francis Joseph. During
the following summer Mrs. Padel-
ford spent a few weeks AT White
Sulphur Springs. W. Va. She was the
life Of the fashionable hotel. One day
while enjoying a bottle Of champagne with
a Virginian and n Washington admirer.
Mrs. Padelford remarked that a peculiar
and charming custom prevailed i'm Vi
emma. II consisted I'm q~uaffing champagne
from the slipper Of a bride The Wash
ington gentleman said that no one could
induce hime 10 drink wine from a lady's
slipper. The Virginian remarked that il
depended upon whom the woman hap
pened to be. The Washington gentleman
thereupon bet the Nirginian a sum Of
money that he would not do such a thing.
The bet was taken. and no sooner taken
than Mrs. PadelfOrd whipped off her slip
per. poured some wine In It and handed
IL 10 the Virginian. The gallant gentle
man raised the slipper to his lips. took
a sip and pocketel the bet. Mr.. Padel-
ford heard about n. 4 divorce followed,
and Mrs. Padelford went upon the stage.
IL IS claimed hat she retained her hus-
bands name until he paid her 10 drop
II, but she Indignantly denies this.
one Of her first ventures was with the
Kings Fool" Opera Company. Season
before last Miss Gerard was the second
soprano of the Duff opera Company.
which played I'm Minneapolis for three
nights i'm May. 1892. Miss Gerard sang
companion roles with the prlma donna.
Helen Betram. in "a Trip TO Africa"
Queens Mate" and "PaOla." she was
reputed 10 be the wife OF jack Raj
fael. the baritone Of the Duff company.
Her behavior during the past two
months. while not exactly unusual for
an actress. was such as 10 cause some
comment among members Of the COM
pany. She was vivacious, but Eighty,
and was known 10 threaten hat she was
going TO faint away while on the stage.
Miss Gerard left for New York Sunday
10 begin rehearsing her part I'm "Oid Ken
lucky" I'm which Mr.. Litt had engaged
her 10 star the coming season.