The herald., 1896-10-25
ROSE COGHLAN N TROUBLE
The Charming Carmen Sheds
Real Tears in Court
SWEARS SHE HASN'T A CENT
She Tells How She Lost Her Former
Fortune
Bought and Produced Plays Which
Proved Dismal Failures-She
Lost Everything.

Rose Coghlan, charming as ever, had
| hard time of 1t yesterday. For two
hours she was obliged to sit in a witness
chair and be badgered by lawyers who
wanted to know why she did noS pay her
! debts and what had become of the val
liable property she owned not long ago.
| Miss Coghlan does not like lawyers, es-
| pecially when they are opposed to her
! in supplementary proceedings. The con-
! sequence was that she had most un-
| pleasant morning, and when it was all
over vented her feelings in a goor cry.
Mrs. Sullivan, for that is her real
name, and it was under that title that
the suit was brought, was obliged to
undergo the ordeal, because otherwise
she was in danger of going to jail. Once
or twice before she had been summon
ed to appear and explain why she did not
pay the judgments against her. Each
time she disregarded the orders of the
court This made the lawyers almost
as angry at Miss Coghlan as she was at
them. and they secured an order citing
her to show why she should not be sent
to jail for contempt. The move proved
effective.
The actress looked far from happy
when she walked into the chambers OF
Justice Fitzsimmons Of the city court.
With her was A. H. Kaffenburgh, rep
resenting Howe & Hummel her attor-
neys. She marched resolutely across
the room to the farthest corner. There
she sat down, and with her back to
every one stared out of the window.
The back was very pretty one, by the
way, and served to display a fashionable
gown of imported material The skirt
was of gray cloth, severely plain in cut,
but with lots Of material in it. The
jacket was of blue, and fitted her form
without a wrinkle. 1t was covered with
enough frogs and braid to have satisfied
General McAlpin. Over this was seal
skin cape, edged with astrakhan. The
hat was also imported. 1t was of blue
felt, with broad brim and half covered
with huge bows Of gray and blue silk.
At the back, where the brim was turned
UP, there was a big yellow bow and a
cocks feather surmounted the whole
contrivance.
LOST HER CUE IN COURT.
There were several other unfortu
mates waiting to undergo the same ex-
perience as the actress, and she stood
up in line to be sworn. Half dozen
times she raised her hand to take the
OATH and as many times found that she
came, she was not ready, and Mr.. KAT
fenburgh had to catch her arm and push
1t up in the air. After this was over an
adjournment was taken to the office
of Marshall B. Clarke, at No. 96 Broad
way. who represented the judgment
creditor
The suit was that of Herbert E. Boyn-
ton assignee of Smith, Sons & Co., jew
ellers, in Detroit. A ring had been pur-
chased from them three years ago for
Miss Coghlan. It's price was $500 and of
this $3.50 was paid. The firm had sued
for the balance and secured judgment,
with costs, making $440.29 in all.
Miss Coghlan readily admitted that
the ring had been bought, but said that
her husband was the one who orde~<d
1t, and that, anyhow, she lost 1t long
ago. Then the lawyers asked her about
her income. She said she had none aside
from the money sent her by her hus-
band, who Is playing in San Francisco.
She swore she had no engagement now
or in prospect, and the only money she
had earned was $1,000 for three weeks
performance of Carmen in San Fran
cisco last July. OF this sum she only re-
ceived a part, Manager j. M. Stockwell
still owing her some $780,
do you own the play Garment" the
lawyers asked.
mo. Nor Miss Nethersole, either"
snapped the actress
Haven't you power Of attorney to
draw money from a bank in this city?"
Yes; but the money is my mothers,
and whatever draw for her is spent for
her and spent upon her."
IS OBLIGED TO SUPPORT HER
MOTHER
Her mother, she explained, is sup
ported by herself, with occasional con-
tributions from her brother and sister
Then she told a tale of hard luck that
softened even the hearts Of the lawyers.
Five years ago, she said, she had own
ed $4,000 worth of jewelry and house
and lot in this city. The house had be en-