The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-04
MIR. BELASCO'S STORY
HE SAYS N. X. FAIRBANK WAS MRS.
LESLIE CARTER,s CANCEL.
Testimony of the PLAINTIFF I'm the Suit
to Recover 100000 from the
Chicago Millionaire.

NEW YORK, June 3--David Belasco was
a witness in the Supreme Court to-day in
his suit TO recover $4,000 from N K
Fairbank for services rendered In fitting
Mrs. Leslie Carter for the stage. Belasco,
after describing the arduous nature of the
work Of coaching novices and even actors
OF experience and reputation. testified that
he first met Fairbank in the autumn of
1889, In the apartments OF Mrs. Carter in
this city. This also was the plaintiff wit
nesss first meeting with Mrs. Carter. The
meeting was at Fairbanks request. and
had for it's purpose. Beiasco testified, the
discussion Of the question of making a
dramatic star OF Mrs. Carter. According to
the witness. he told Fairbank that the
cot OF that undertaking would be $4,000
to $4,000 which was no more than was
paid for preparing Mary Anderson for her
career. To this information the defendant
responded. placing his hand on the PLAINTIFF s
shoulder:
"My boy, you have been very frank and
would frighten any other man. but have
plenty of money. lost 100000 in one
day and made 1t back the next"
Belasco further testified that he objected
to dealing with hackers who withheld their
names from the public. to which Fairbank
replied that 1t was for weighty business rea-
sons that he did not wish to be known as
the financial sponsor for Mrs. Carter. Ne
gotiations progressed SO far that Belasco
retired from his other business engagements
to devote his entire time to the development
asked the Witness severa times nof * cdms aa
to him at his hotel, as witness, being a
theatrical man, his coming was likely to
was eecss enangs Of Of =, for
which Fairbank paid. On one occasion, ac-
cording TO Belasco's testimony. Fairbank
said to him:
"Belasco, what is this / hear of your
leaving Mrs Carter after she makes her
debut? l can't spare. you; 1 want you to
To this Belasco says he replied: "Good-
ness me. can't do that; 1 don't want TO
go on tour and become a theatrical man.
agsr. as have have ,,a wife.and ssown-up daugh-
Fairbank asked how much BSasco made
a year. and when he was tod that It was
between 1900 and $4,000. he said: Go
much" Witness said he finally agreed to
60, on a tour and informed Fairbank 1t would
which Fairbank replied. Consider Mr.. Allen
bank and draw on him for money"
The witness asked TO be excused from
relating other conversation which took place
Fairbank as much as possible. Belasco tes-
tiied that he received from Fairbanks rep
a
which was required TO be paid 10 the man
ager of the theater at which The Ugly
Duckling' had its first performance. Nov. 10
1890. with Mrs. Carter as the leading actress,
before the curtain could be raised. Belasco
said he met Fairbank coupe of nights
after Mrs. Carter's appearance and was
congratulated, and, as Beiasco expressed 1t,
he virtually hugged me-" Mr.. Be,asco
told of money being advanced by Mr.. VIII
lard for Mr.. Fa.rbapk during the latter's
absence. He said he was in Chicago in
February. 1891. and told Mr.. Allen of Mrs.
Cartey.s success there and urged that the
tour be closed. bit Mr.. Allen asked him TO
continue the tour, as he would have to see
Fairtnnk about the matter.
Several kilograms from Manager Price to
Mr.. Allen asking for money and telling of
poor business were introduced. Mr. Besasco
said that he received no part of the money,
but IL went TO Mr.. Price. He told OF a
conference with Mr.. Morrison in Kansas
CITY March IA. 1891. when he, as proprietor
and Price. as manager, signed n receipt for
s.. $50 as payment for AL salaries due actors
and actresses and expenses OF the tour.
He said that he told Morrison at that time
that he had claim against Mr.. Fairbank
and did not want 10 release that claim. Nor
rison assured him. so he says, that he
merely receipted for the purposes embodied
in the receipt. The case was adjourned un-
ill Tomorrow.