The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-29
MRS. TOMASI'S SUIT
HELEN BERTRAM, THE PRIMA DON
Ma, FILES SUIT FOR DIVORCE.
Papers I'm Marion County Superior
COurt-TheatricaI Gossip I'm Con-
nection with the Case.

Yesterday, in Room 2. Superior Court.
action for divorce was begun by Mrs. Lulu
May Tomasi against her husband. Signor
Achille Tomasi- Mrs. Tomasi is famous as
an opera singer and is known on the stage
as Helen Bertram- Before she won fame
as a prima donna she lived in Indianapolis.
and yet claims this city as her own. Here
she was Lulu Burt, the daugh-
ter Of a commission merchant,
who removed TO Paris, H.. after she
began a stage career. Mrs. Tomasi has been
separated from her husband since March.
1892, and has made her home in New York.
For some time she has been in correspond
ence with attorney Leon Bailey regarding
her divorce, INC yesterday morning, with
her nurse and infant child. she arrived in
indianapolis. Yesterday afternoon, in COM
pany with her attorney, Mrs. Tomasi went
to the Office of the county clerk and signed
the affidavit necessary in the case. The suit
was filed in Room 2. and will be called In
September. Signor Tomasi, the husband,
was in 1888 the swarthy director of the
Emma Abbott orchestra, while Mss Ber-
tram was singing one of the leading parts.
In the city of Milwaukee the couple were
married and lived together until 1892, when
they found life with each other to be no
longer congenial. In 1890 a daughter was
born to Mrs. Tomasi, and after the separa-
ton the mother took charge Of the child.
The chief allegation OF her complaint is
failure to provide. The defendant Is charged
with Indifference to his family ties and an
utter disregard for the comfort Of his wife
and child.
Mrs. Tomasi explains that her husband
is a native of Italy, and says that he
- to&oc f~r rr0facc;nnol
purposes only; tina he is al alien and has
never avowed his intention of becoming
a citizen of the United States. She further
believes that his intention is to return to
his native land. She alleges that although
Tomasi is possessed of considerable means
and is capable of earning a large salary
fer his services, he has from the COM
mencement OF his marriage relations with
her up to the present time failed 10 make
any provisions for his family; also that
during her married life she has been COM
PEELED to support herself and child. She
further charges that until June, 1881, she
was compelled by her husband to regular
ly turn over to him all OF her surplus
earnings, which he applied TO his own use.
AS a last paragraph Of the complaint
Mrs. Tomasi AYERS that because or her
husbands Indifference the rowing char
acter OF his engagements and the immoral
influences with which he is wont to sur
round himself, he is unfit to have the care
Of the delicate girl babe, which needs
the constant and tender protection of a
mothers love, and from whom she has
never been separated from the hour OF her
birth. The court is p%etitioned to grant the
plaintiff the decree of divorce and the
custody of the child, Rosina.
Mrs. Tomasi Is a pretty, dark-eyed wom-
an, of about twenty-eight years of age. She
came TO Indianapolis from Paris, ILL.,, with
her parents are ts,s when ysa but She g child aSInc aad . hy Sei
cided talent for music, and in 1887 gradu-
ated from the College of Music at Cincin-
professional career of Miss Burt. or Helen
Bertram,' began with the Emma Abbott
Opera Company. which she Joined in this
city. Within the last five years she has
been singing the leading soprano roles with
some Of the best opera companies. Last
year she was with the Duff Opera Com
pany, and the preceding season she spent
in New York with the the opera Glover"
She has also been identified with the Con-
ried opera Company, and with the enter
prises of both DeWolf Hopper and Digby
Ben
Mrs. Tomasi has not altogether escaped
the annoyance of theatrical gossip, and a
With that of E. j.. Henley. a New York
professional. Henley's wife sued him for
divorce, and it was currently reported that
the Indianapolis singer was to be named as
correspondent. Henley, in an interview. de-
| MED the truth of the rumor, and was great
Y lygoi INDIGNANT gn dnnn that Mrs M,si The Tomas rasa sb n y
after his wife secured a divorce he theatre
| cal press published the statement that
TOmaSi was ABOUT 10 apply 1or q divorce
from his wife, and IL was also said that Z.
]. Henley would figure as the correspondent
Attorney Leon Bailey last night denied
that his fair client had ever been the de-
PENDANT in a suit for divorce. He said that
If such was a fact she and her New York
attorney had religiously kept 1t to them
selves. Mrs. Tomasi would not be seen,
and her attorney stated that she was ex-
ceedingly sensitive to newspaper para
| graphs concerning herself. Yesterday even
| ing she was busily engaged at the Grand
| Hotel in caring for her infant daughter.
| who is suffering severely from the effects
| of vaccination. She left at midnight for ST.
| Louis, where she has a ten weeks ngage
ment at the Terrace Park Theater in a
repertory of opera, including Glover"
Dorotny. ca Sa.aiie Saxt saason ,rs a. T Tnt
| mast will sing the leading role in De Koven
e. Smiths new opera
80, Two other Divorce Suits.