The times., 1897-03-29
BROWN LED A DOUBLE LIFE
The TIVE Marriages of Well
Known Young Man.
Madee Dean, the Actress, Wants
Damages From Him Strange
Answer to Her Suit.

Frank w. Brown. one OF the best known
young men in this city, has been made
"a defendant to two lawsuits in New York,
which disclose the fact that Brown has
been living Il double life, having two
wives. Brown was, until about year
ago, a prominent broker on street. He
was full OF business and enterprise, and at
the same time fond of cluhlifc and JheHtri
Gals. About seven years ago he was
married to Miss Susan Daw son, whose
father lives at lT52 street northwest.
She was a handsome girl and he fine
looking young fellow, and everyone said
it was a good match. They had one
child, a boy, who is now four years old.
soon alter the DirCn uT TINS child Brown
became more than ever devoted to the
theater aud the chorus girls. He was fire.
quentiy seen in the company of the latter,
escorting them from the theater after the
performance.
II was while HoyU's "A Trip 70 China
town was being played in this city that
he saw a yivaGious young woman whose
stage name is Madgc Dean. She played the
part of Willie grow. sentimental youth
formed her acquaintance. He was in her
company as much as possible. ana She says
was lavish with his preseats and atten-
tions She further says tnat after their
friendship had continued for a time she
consented TO marry him, he representing
himself to be unmarried, and that on
August ., S94. they went to Whining
ton, Del, and. were married.
Brown in son4e fashion managed to de
Ceive his wife successfully and to devote
great deal Of time tD the actress. Hewas
devoted to her, and she says that she re
ceived from him diamonds worth at least
$40 900, and during the two years they
were together he contributed about $40 600
to her support She had everything that
she wanted
This lasted until early in 1896 when the
broker failed in business with heavy liabil-
tiles After this lac was unable to keep up
successfully his dual life and two homes
and he neglected the actress, and finally
left this country and went to China in the
interest or a syndicate He is in China now.
Madgc Dean says that it was not until
after Brown left the country that she
learned that he had wife and child living,
and that as soon as made aware of the
fact she consulted her lawyers, Howe &
Hummell OF New York. She next brought
suit against Brown in the New York su-
preme court to have her marriage an
nulled on the ground that it was con-
tracted while he had another wife living,
and in a second suit she sizes to recover
S25,o0O damages for his deceit in marrying
her The suit for annulment has been
,l1crl nv, tho CpUrf calendar for DriI q
Answers to these suits have been filed by
LAWYER Maurice Never, attorney for Mr..
Brown. which contain a novel defense.
Mr. Brown asserts that he was ''incompe-
tent to enter into lawful marriage be-
cause of a defect of intellectual power and
want of legal competency, on account OF
intoxication' At the time of marriage,
he says, he was suffering from inds-
tinctness of ideas, and confusion of
thought He also alleges that Miss Dean
knew that he was already married, as she
was well acquainted with his lawful wife.
He makes q general denial that she has
sustained any damages to her peace Of
mind through any fault OF his
When Mr.. Dawson, father of Mrs. Brown,
was seen at his home, No 1852 street
northwest, yesterday, he declined to say
anything aboutth two suits OF the actress
further than that he did not believe the
second marriage took place and that the
suits were simply brought for matchmaking
purposes. He said that Mrs. Brown is out
of the city, visiting friends, ana that he
did not believe that she had ever heard
of Browns relations with Miss Dean.
Thomas Dawson, of No. 1924 r street
northwest, an uncle OF Mrs. Brown, de-
clined to discuss the subject at all. A
friend of the family said that if the second
marriage did take place, he believed Mrs.
Brown would bring a suit for divorce.