The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-12
HOWELL OSBORN'S CAREER.
He Is Dead and the Fair Fay Is Alive
and Getting Fatter.

New York Herald.
Thirty-six years of age. Howell Osborn
had attracted more public attention prob
ably than any man of his years. With plenty
of money, he Squandered it with a lavish
hand, burlesque and comic opera actresses
being especially recipients of his favors.
Charles J. Osborn, his father. accumulated
fortune as the favorte broker of Jay
Gould, and at his death he left in trust
half a million dollars, the income of which
was to go to Howell.
The young mans mother died in March,
1891. and also left large sums of which
Howell could draw the income. In ner will,
which made John w. Sterling and the Cen
trail Trust Company her executors, 1t was
stated that they could give him 100000 if
1t was necessary for his welfare They
never considered it necessary but gave
him the income together with that of $780,
003, which he received on the condition that
he should not contest the probate Of the
will, as well as the income of one-half of
the residue of the estate.
A curious clause of the will related to
Howell's disposition of the principals of
these trusts. 1t stated that he could be-
queath them ito such of his descendants
as may be- the issue between him and a
wife, who, prior to such marriage, had
not at any time acted. sung or danced
hire on dramatic stage or other place of
amusement entertainment" Should he
die without such issue his share of the es-
tate, the will provided was to so toward
the establishment of the Miriam A. Osborn
Memorial Home Association. or If that was
not incorporated, to Miss Henrietta Olive
Trowbrldge, his niece.
This provision was generally interpreted
as intended to prevent his marriage to
Fay TempletOn, who, of the many women
of the stage whom he HAD met was the
favorite. Before his fathers death Howell
had become acquainted with Alice Burvile,
an English actress, who made her appear
ance here in "Bllee Taylor" 1t was re-
ported that he had married her and it is
said his father had to give Alice $4,000 to
leave Howell.
He went into Wall street after his father
died. but his experience was very disas-
rous, and he contracted so many debts
that many suits were the result. To satisfy
the claim of William l.. Strow, who sued
him for $50 Geo. said to be borrowed money,
Howell's seat in the Stock Exchange was
sold Because of the uncertainties of his
creditors here he compelled to reside
in Paris and with him of late years
Fay Templeton. the divorced wife of min
strel Billy" West.
The couple had many quarrels all based
on Howers attention to other actresses.
At one time it was reported that he was
to n1arry Lillian Russell. A few years ago
he called on Nina Harrington, who is now
AS he entered her house. at No 60 West
Twenty-fifth street. he heard the voice of
a well-known piano dealer in her apart
ments. He created a big row and few
davs afterward. he sailed for Europe Nina
following him the week afterward
.. When Fay Templeton was PLAYING in
street Theater. some years ago. having left
Osborn in Paris after a quarrel. he sent
$4,000 worth of diamonds to her in the care
Of his valet. Henry Heriscny Henry tried
to smuggle them into the country aud was
arrested. Fay afterward secured the dia-
monds. she said they belonged to her.
and when hard luck had overtaken her she
was forced TO pawn them.
Osborn was at the Grand Hotel, in this
city, in the latter part of 1893 and Fay
was there with him, and they We're regis
tered as Mr. and Mrs. Howell Osborn. At
that time they both admitted that they
had been married some time previously, not
withstanding the prohibitorv clause in his
mothers Will. Some time before his Osborn
had wounded his finger with fork while
eating oysters in Paris, and blood poisoning
had resulted. He was seriously ill and il
was feared that his must be ampu-
tated, but he recovered and came to this
city
Whether not his widow will take any
action to secure his estate, if she has not
already been well provided for is not
Known.