The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-20


stage-His sympathies Were Aroused
and He Agreed to Risk $4,000 on a
Theatrical Experiment-ThIs Calls for
Other Sums and He is BIed Uumerci-
fulIy-He Alleges a BlackmaiL
New York, June 1s.-After the sensa-
tional charges of blackmaii made yes
terday by Lawyer Richard w. Morri-
son Of Chicago interest was at white
heat today in the suit OF David Belas-
ooe against n. K. Fairbanks. In ad-
dition 1t was known that Mr.. Fairbank
the defendant, would be called TO the
stand in his own behalf as soon as ex-
Judge Dittenhoefer. who is Belasco's
counsel, had finished the cross-examin-
alton of Morrison, which was short,
and did not bring out anything new.
NIX. Fairbank was called to the stand
and examined by Mr.. Dening.
~How did you become acquainted
with Mrs. Carter" asked Mr.. Demfng.
Through her divorce suit" replied
Mr. Fairbank "Mr. Writ Dexter,
friend Of mine, VINO was Mrs, Carriers
counsel, asked me TO go TO see her at
the Southern hotel. Chicago, in 1888,
and Mr. Dexter introduced US"
The witness said he had called later
on Mrs. Carter at the Hotel Richelieu
and he identified cards that he left
there.
asked Mr.. Dentng.
I'm June, $780, at the Brunswick Ho-
tel, New York" replfed te witness.
70 ma fold
me he wanted to speak TO me about
Mrs. Carter. I arranged a meeting at
E. K. Willard's Office IN the morning.
We met there and he spoke of the fact
that he had been training Mrs. Carter
and declared she had not enough mon
ey to go on. He understood / was TO
pay for the enterprise.
Il said had agreed to put her on
the stage by arranging to guarantee
T. G. Gilmore against loss up to $4,000
If he would take chargesof the affair.
Sc did not get on with Mr.. Gilmore.
I told Belasco I had already advanced
81, 900 and that Mrs. Garter had request
de me TO give her the remaining IS, O0O'
Then the witness said, he explained to
eBlasco how Mrs Carter had used I'D
$1,000 Of the $1,000 and then wanted
$1,000 more to engage E. D. Price as man
ager.
81 told Belasco did not feel disposed
20 go any further. / said: Mrs Car
ter has a big enterprise on her hands,
but I am not inclined to father it.
am inclined 10 aid you
''To this Belasco said: You Will be
sure to get this money back If you adj
vance it
Then" continued Mr.. Fairbank. ct
said: DIN your assurance that I Will
be paid back I will lend you so. 0O0'
Mr. BelascO thanked me and went
away"
Then he told OF his second interview
with Beiasco, which occurred, he said
in the Christmas holidays of 1890, at Mr..
Herrick's Office in Chicago.
II was in an angry mood" Fairbank
said, when entered the office. Mrs.
Carter and Belasco were there, and I
said: DO you or either OF you make
any claim that 1 am under any obliga-
tons to advance money!
20, no, Mr.. Fairbank we do not both
replied" Fairbank said. Then he said
he enumerated all the different moneys
he had paid TO them up 10 that time.
Il told Belasco how had originally
guaranteed T. G. Gilmore $4,000 and
gave him $1,000, which ne said ne had
expended; how I gave Mrs. Carter s.
600 and subsequently $1,000 10 perfect ar
engagements with Price; $4,000 ito Be
iasco himself. which he promised on
his honor to pay back; $4,000 to have the
curtain raised on The Ugly Ducking.'
company at the Broadway theater; and
$4,000 10 get out Of New York.
81 gave the last sum-" Fairbank in
terjected, because l was threatened /
with thirty or forty law suits, and I |
thought it cheaper 10 pay $4,000 than |
defend thirty or forty SUITS
Don't mind him, he is so excitable'' |
Mrs. Carter said when he had left !
continued: she begged |
me to help her, as had done 50 much |
and finally, later on, 1 decided |
pany to get to Chicago. The amount |
advanced was 81 ,0O0''
Did you ever engage Belasco to !
train Mrs. Carter and promise 10 pay
him?" asked Mr. De4ning.
Never" replied the witness.
How long have you lived In Chi
cago?"
Forty years"
And you know Mrs. Carter?'
Eyes. I was on friendly terms with
Mrs. Carter
And 1 understood you TO say that
before Mrs. Carter was divorced, and |
while the divorce was pending. Mr. Dex
ter asked you 10 interest yourself in
Mrs. Carriers favor?"
Yes SIR
And that was before the divorce was
sranted?"
Yes sir"
And that was the first time you had
an interview with hero
The first interview. but We had met
before socially
You knew her then. before that in
1erview?"
"She attended a dancing party and dan
ed in the same set with me-"
Where did you next see Mrs. Car
er?"
AT the Hotel Richeiieu'
And that was before the divorce
vas graEted?''
1T was
Did You see her after that?"
Il did, 1 said: Mrs. Carter, 1 have
allied 10 see you about settling your
ivorce suit"
Il object" said ex-Judse Diptenhoe-
err
At one OF those interviews. Mr.. Fair
anks said, the matter Of her going on /
he stage WIS soken OF. He told her
hat he would see @. E. Gilmore. the
hesferical manager.
DID you think she would make a
pod actress" counsel Queried.
1 did F'alrbank answered.
Ihen You encouraged her?" counsel
aid.
don think 50" Fairbank said
a hesitatng manner. Y had. no sn-
crest in her
/ don't say YOU had any Interest .n
~. said counsel. I want ). distinct