The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-25
TROUBLES OF AN ACTOR
Il. j. RADCLIFFE INDICTED FOR AN
ASSAULT ON HIS WIFE.
Matinee Masher who Married the
Daughter of Peter De Lacey, New
YOrIx's Millionaire HOrseman.

CHICAGO June 24-Edward j. Ratclife,
the actor who was arrested yesterday on a
dispatch from New York charging hlm
with committing a serious assault on MS
wife on June y, was arraigned in court to-
day for preliminary examination, but the
case was continued till June 30. Ratclihe
was indicted by the grand jury at New
York to-day on the charge of assault In
the second degree. 1t was reported, now
ever, that his wife was in a dying con-
dition. He still maintains his innocence,
and says his arrest was due to the malice
of his father-in-law, Peter De Lacey, the
rich horseman
Ratcliffe has been for ten years leading
man in various Frohman stock companies
and more or less of a matinee idol He was
arrested yesterday at the Auditorium Ho-
tel. He was planning to join number OF
rich men of this city in a yachting trip UP
the lakes before the end of the week. He
had been in Chicago nearly ten days hav-
ing left New York on Monday, June Ii,
two days after his quarrel with his wife,
which occurred at their fiat, l69 West
Eighteenth street, on Saturday, June H.
Mrs. Radcliffe is-if she still lives-the
daughter of Peter De Lacey, the millionaire
horseman, who lives in a stately mansion
at 10 West Seventy-first street, New York.
She married Radcliffe when only sixteen
years old. She was just out of a fashion
able boarding school and the marriage was
bitterly opposed by De Lacey. Unable TO
secure the consent of the father, Ratcllffe
and the girl ran away. The actor is said TO
have mistreated her, and ner father mas
taken her part and several unsuccessful
efforts have been made to separate the TWO.
The assault on June u is not the first which
Radcliffe made upon his wife, if rumors
that have crept around in theatrical circles
are to be believed One story told yester-
day by a brother actor was that he was
thrown out of the leading hotel at Larch-
mont. n. ", three years ago Tor most
brutally beating Mrs. Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe has been living like a prince of
| the land since his arrival here He was a
guest at a wine supper given on Tuesday
at the Washington Park Club His asso-
ciates have been wealthy young men about
pocket just $l20 and a heavy gold watch
and chain, with pendant gold whistle and
his profession. He is known as a matinee
masher," and is said to pride himself on
his powers of fascination. While under ar
rest, driving from the hotel to the police
station he was unable to resist the tempta-
ton to ogle and smile at every pretty wom-
an he passed.
produced letter which he claimed proves
that he made no assault upon his wife, and
that she is now well and hearty. 1t is, ac-
cording to his reading from the janitor OF
the building where his fiat was located, and
is dated June 16 The letter, as read says
Mrs. Radcliffe had had all her things packed
up and removed to her fathers home. and
the remaining property stored in the base
ment.
"A woman who is able to pack up trunks
and things cannot be very badly hurt -
Radcliffe explained He denounced his in
generation as an outrage, laying all the
blame upon his father-in-law, who, he said
had been persistently knocking him ever
since his marriage to Miss DE Lacey. Il
and my wife had a quarrel on the Saturday
before / left" he said, lust like ANYBODY
else, but l did not strike her. She is in
delicate health but | did not kick her.
The trouble he explained" is that ]
have beat the old man three or four times
and he does not like to be beaten He
would not consent to our marrige, and ]
took the girl anyhow Then he tried to
separate us, and got her to sue for separ-
ate maintenance. / carried her off from
courtroom He got her to return to his
home several times when l was absent but
she has always come back in spite of all he
said. He is mean fighter"
De Lacey is worth nearly 81, 600, COO He
made national reputation by his fight
against the poolrooms in New York
Ratcliffe was last in. Chicago as the lead
ing man in Frohman's Two Little Va
grants. He has played In "The Fatal
Card, The Sporting Duchess and other
popular dramas, usually taking the part of
the villain. He was born in Bath England
coming to the United States ten years ago
He was educated in the Hyde Park Uni
versity at London.
Ratcliffe spent the night in the county
jail, as he was unable to secure bondsmen
He was allowed to wait in the captains
office at Harrison-street police station for
friends who would, he declared, give se-
bondsmen had appeared and he was taken
to the Jail.