The Indianapolis journal., 1894-01-08
LILLIAN'S SAD LOSS
Blow to the Comic Opera Queen in
''Billy" SanfOrd's Relapse.
Career of a Well-KnOwn Club Man Who
Was for Years Devoted to the
FavOrite Prima Donna.

NEW YORK, Jan. THE dispatch an
nouncing that William Cochran Sanford had
been seized with violent insanity and had
been removed from his home in Amster-
dam, y. Y, to a private retreat, created
sensation in club and social circles in THIS
city, where Mr.. Sanford was we'll known
and deservedly popular. Had such report
been published two months ago 1T would
have caused little surprise, at least, 10
number of the afflicted mans friends, for 1t
was then known that he was sadly afflicted
with mental disorder, and that he had to be
constantly guarded at the Plaza Hotel,
WI ere, with his father, mother and brother,
ex-Ccngressman. John Sanford, he was iv-
ipg. When asked for a diagnosis OF Mr.
Sanford's condition, DR.. Gray refused to
comply. He said, however, that Mr. SAN
ford was not suffering from paresis While
under his care. DR.. Gray also said that ne
thought it unwlse to place any patient
troubled with mental disorder in an asylum.
While the news of Billy Sanfords affiic-
ton caused general sorrow in his set, tnere
was one in this city to whom the blow tnat
had been dealt him is said to have fallen
with almost prostrating effect: That one is
Lillian Russell. The friendship that mas
existed between Miss Russell and Mr.. San
ford for the past six or seven years was
one of which both were proud.
The fair singer, 1t was said yesterday on
the best of authority, found In the young,
handsome and athletic business man ner
ideal. While he, in turn, was proud OF the
beautiful and accomplished aruSt 1hey
took no pains to conceal TINS liking IoI
each other, and il has often been remarked
that no handsomer pair were ever seen on
the boulevards or in the drives OF the park
than Lillian Russell and William Sanford
While Mr.. Sanford made his nome at the
Holland House, Miss Russell was frequent
ly his guest at the dinner hour in the dining
room, and later, when he moved to the
Plaza Hotel, the handsome couple frequent
ly won the admiration of the guests there
seen in public that when, about two months
ago. Miss Russell was granted a decree or
absolute divorce from Edward solomon. the
composer of "Billee Taylor" it was said
that the prima donna would shortly resume
marital obligations by becoming the wife
of the wealthy young carpet manufactures
A Recorder reporter was told yesterday
that there was more truth In this report
than the public had any idea OF. 1t was
said that Miss Russell was first made
aware OF Mr.. Sanford'S illness almost
simultaneously with the securing OF her
decree from Solomon, and that her grlet
was as deep as ii was sincere. 1t is SAID
to have even threatened to cancel her en-
gagement at the Casino in consequence.
Mr. Sanford, who is thirty-sx years old
and was the manager of the New YORK
house OF Stephen Sanford & Sons, carpet
manufacturers, at No. S69 broadway, Is a
partner in business which is said to be the
largest of it's kind in the United states.
He was always regarded as a remarkably
acute business man, and possessed the full
confidence of his father. While he lived
Splenddly and entertained a great deal, IL
was said of him yesterday that 1t was his
boast that his living eXpences nexer ex-
ceeded his salary as manager OF the New
York house, which was $4,000 a year.