The sun., 1898-01-02
No HUSBAND, No DIAMONDS
Laura Biggar Loses Her Gems
and Leaves Her Husband.
SHE REFUSED TO APPEAR.
Disappoints u Wilmington Audience
Because She Could Not Get
Money Due. Gone to
New York.

lIp Why hSSl' iISbl
separated from her husband. left her
company and lost $40 worth OF dia-
monds.
Laura was with W. $. Buttcrfeld' +
company aying "a Railroad Ticket "
and she claims that it was her money
that started the show.
Because she was not paid that which
she claims is due her she refused to 60
on the stage at the Grand Opera Eousc
last night.
Laura is native Of Wilmington, and
here in the presence Of her townspeoplc
she chose the scene of her action.
At the beginning of this season W. $.
Buttertield started from New York with
his present company playing "a Rail
road Ticket" Laura Biggar was the
star aud her husband, Burt Iiaverly, was
leading man. The company reached
Wilmington last night according to
schedule, and preparations were made to
show at the Grand Opera House at 8
O'Clock.
At 7.45 Miss Biggar appeared before
manager Butterfeld and demanded re-
turn Of money loaned by her to him, at
the time the company started: She said
that she must have $40 which she ad-
vanced in diamonds or she would not ap-
pear on the stage.
Manager Butterfeld and Jesse X. Bay
lis, manager Of the Opera House, held a
consultation.
In fifteen minutes it would be o'clock
and the curtain was supposed to rise at
that time. The star of the company re-
fused to 60 on the stage unless paid a
certain sum of money. The manager OF
the company did not have that necessary
sum and things looked very gloomy.
Fin, lily Manager Baylis went to Miss
Biggar and told her that if she would 60
on and do her part. he would see that
the money was paid her after the pcrfor-
nance. Miss Biggar agreed to that and
the difficulty was apparently settled.
Burt llaverly the husband of Miss Big
gar here stepped up and demanded that
II his wife was paid her money, he must
have IA certain sum which was due him
or he would refuse to play.
That placed the matter in an entirely
different light, as there was not enough
money with which to pay BOTH and so
another consultation was held. II was
decided to 60 on with the play and leave
Miss Biggar out.
Mr.. Butterlield stepped before the cur,
tain and announced that owing to a f.
nancial difficulty Miss Riggar had seen
fit to take advantage OF her townspeoplc
by refusing to appear. The part would
he taken by Miss Vaughn, who is Miss
Biggar's understudy. Those who wished
their money back could get it at the box
office, while those who were willing to
remain and wait for Il short time until
some arrangement could be made
might do So.
The mentioS OF Naughn's name was
greeted with hearty approval and that
very clever young lady can never hope
to have more cordial reception.
The house was hers.
The result was very gratifying TO Mr.
Butcriicd and Mr.. Bayis.
Only twenty persons out Of Il large
house left, thus demonstrating their
opinion Of the matter. At 8 O'Clock the
curtain went up and the performance
was given with Miss Vaughn filling the
leading role very acceptably.
Miss Biggar left the Opera House dur
ing the first act and went Immediately
to her room at the Clayton House.
When seen there last night she said
'The climax is reached. have left
my husband and the whole company
and will not return. am glad that
such is the fact
Miss Biggar stated that the value of
the diamonds is not all that she mas in
the company. She said that her money
started the company, and her money
kept the company going. She claims
that they have made money during the
season and that she was being played
for 4 sucker by Butterfield.
In looking over his books, last night,
she claims that she saw where Butter
field had good balance on hand, and
SO she decided to make a stand right
then and there for her money.
She will not return to her husband,
Burt Haverly, and says she is glad the
affair happened.
Miss Blggar goes to New York today
where she will have two new plays read
to her, will make a selection and start
on the road at once.
W. S. Butteriield, manager of the
company says that the only money
which1 Miss Biggar has invested in his
company is $40 which she got by
pawning her diamonds
N Mr.. Butterfeld says that the company
has had an unsuccessful season and he
has not the money with which to
placate Miss Biggar. He considers that
she served him quite n mean trick, says
her contract is broken and she cannot
return to the company.
Burt Haverly, however, will continue
with manager Butterfield. He sided
!. with Mr.. Buttcriield in the difficulty but
said he must have his money if his wife
received hers.
The following card was given out for
publication by the management:
''rhe undersigned wish to thank the
audience who remained during last
nights performance at the Grand Opera
House. They appreciate the fact that
the audience oy their action saved them
quite good deal of annoyance and con-
fusion, as satisfactory arrangements could
not have been made with those leaving
the house owing to the distribution Of