Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-06
PINES FOR FREEDOM.
BETTINA GTRARD SEEKS HER RE
LEASE FROM A sANATORIUM.
OBTAINED WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS.
She Says Her Incarceration Was
brought About by Misrepresenta-
ton of Facts-Anxious to Appear
Before the Footlights Again.
Baltimore SUM

Elizabeth S. Ordway, better known t.
the public as Bettina Girard, says the
New York Herald, has tired Of her con-
fnement in ST. Savlour's Sanatorium, at
Inwood on the Hudson, and says that her
Incarceration there was brought about
through n Misrepresentation Of facts, and
that her commitment to the institution
for one year was unwarranted, and not
justified by the circumstances inasmuch
as she did not have an opportunity to be
heard in her own behalf.
Though her counsel, a. H. Hummel, she
obtained from Judge McAdam, in the Su-
preme Court yesterday, a writ of habeas
corpus, directed TO the superioress Of the
sanatorium, TO produce her in court On
Tuesday next and show cause why che
should not be released.
Bettina Girard is daughter of the late
General Albert Ordway, who died last Ne
vember shortly after his arrival in this
city from Europe There was reconcilia-
ton Of the father mother, and daughter
a few days before the veteran died.
In her younger days Bettna Girard was
later gained reputation as an actress.
She wss the first wife OF Arthur Padel-
obtained a divorce from her
no IT'S ago. He died in 1896, having
again. IL was recently held by
courts Of Philadelphia that Bettina
ards daughter by Mr.. Padelford
\. ..Ose name is Valera, is entitled to q
share I'm his estate.
In her petition TO the court, which was
presented by Mr.. Hummel, Bettina Girard
states that she is unlawfuly restrained Of
her liberty at the sanatOrium. She says
that she was a patient in Bellevue in May
last suffering from a severe attack OF
nervous prostration. She asked her bro
Their, Goodwin Ordway for aid and assist
ance, so that she could go to some coun-
try place where she could recuperate her
health He requested her TO commit her
self voluntarily as an inmate of the sana-
forum, but she refused to do that.
About a month later she again urged her
brother TO send her to the country, and he
told her that it would be better Tor her TO
go to the sanatorium; that he would pay
her board there and as soon as she re-
gained her health she could leave the
place and resume her career as an ac-
tress. Under these circumstances she
went to the sanatorlum, but upon her ar
rival there she was confronted with a
commitment, issued by Judge Slower, OF
the Supreme Court, committing her to the
institution for one year.
She declares that she is not an inebriate
nor is she incapable of conducting her
self and her affairs properly, and that she
Is not dangerous to herself or others by
reason Of habits OF periodical intoxica-
ton, as alleged in the papers upon which
she was confined in the institution. She
states that she has never been arrested
for intoxication, and that she has now
opportunities TO secure engagements for
the coming theatrical season.
She declares that she was deprived OF |
her constitutional right OF being con-
fronted with her accusers, that she did |
not have an opportunity to establish her |
innocence of the charge Of inebriety al |
the time the commitment was issued, and |
that she was not brought before the |
Judge or Informed OF any charge that |
was made against her. She, therefore. |
asks for her discharge from the institu-
ton on the ground that her commitment |
for one year was unlawful.