Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-01-18


was first seen as Phoebe in Billie Tay-
lor By this time Miss Russell had gain
| ed the sobriquet of the queen Of the
| dudes" and there was general con
sternation among the young men about
town when one morning in June 1883,
they read in the papers that their IA
vorite-the fair Lillian-had sailed
away for Europe with Teddy" Solo
mon. the composer Of Billee Taylor and
other operas. She returned here the
next spring, and Mr.. Braham secured a
divorce from her. -Four days later
she and Teddy who had returned
with her and was as devoted as ever,
went over to Hoboken and were mar
ried. That was May 10, 1854.
Mr.. Solomon and Miss Russell lived
together until September 1. 1856, and
then she learned that her husband
had another wife living in London,
Miss Lille Gray, whom he had mar
ried in 1870. On making that discov-
cry Miss Russell left Mr.. Solomon and
the latter returned to England. where
he was arrested on Il charge of big
amy, but was discharged because there
was no proof of his American mar
riage.
Miss Russell made no effort to have
the Solomon marriage annulled until
last September, when proceedings were
begun, which ended on November is
by Judge McAdam granting her plea
and allowing her to resume her maiden
name. Miss Russell has one child. q
little girl, eight or nine years CO,
whom she is educating il a convent.
SlgnOr Perugini, whose real name
IS John ChattertOn, is a native of this
city. He has been on the stage about
tWeny years, and has sung in opera in
laly, where he studied, in Paris and
III London, as well as here. He was
with the McCaul Opera company for
several seasons, while it was at the
Casino. He sang in grand opera with
Patti at the Metropolitan opera house
couple Of seasons ago, and last sea-
son he sang the part of CHRISTOPHER
the road, but left the company when
1t came to this city. He joined Miss
RuSselIS company about four weeks
ago, replacing Perry Averil in the ten
or role.
Lillian has made the hit of her life.
Neither her smiles, her voice, her
beauty her Solomon nor her Sandow
has ever attracted the shekels that her
Perugini brings in. Every night since
the Casino love comedy was advertised
the house has been filled to the doors.
At Saturdays matinee it was worse.
MatlneeS, as rule, in New York only
draw about half to two-thirds of a
house, but Saturday afternoon at the
Casino it was different At l o'clock
the boXottice was damned, and a long
line was passing by the ticket window
At 100 there were two lines and at
o'clock the crowd reached out into
the street and around the corner.
Strangest of all they were women.
Young, old gay and sober-they were
all on hand. Most Of them bought
simple admission tickets, and when
the show opened they were standing
six deep in the foyer and crowding
down the aisles What were they
there for? Why, to see Perugini, the
man who could inspire the fair Lii
liam with a fresh passion. They lean
ed forward, they craned their necks,
they riyeted their eyes on the barry
tone, and their signing was like the
wind in the forest, what a lovely
man." 80 passionate" such Il lover"
while Lillian and Perugini make love,
on and off the stage, and smile as the
good dollars roll in.