The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08

and was carried off the stage in an uncon-
scious condition and never regatned con-
seriousness. She died at p. m. to-day OF
commissions caused by acute Bright's
disease. Miss Mathers parents live in De-
troit. The company will go to New York
that city instead of Detroit, as expected.
Margaret Mather had just been booked
to appear at the Grand Opera House. in this
city, next week. This, actresses life is an
other story of the possibilities of American
civilization. She started as a newsgirl in
Detroit and rose to the top of the dramatic
profession. She was born Margaret Finlay-
son, in Detroit on Oct. 81 1862. Her mother,
whose name was Mather was born in Eng
land seventy-eight years ago. She married
a man named Finlayson- In 1860 they found
a home in Detroit. The family was very
poor, and the girl sold papers on the street.
Somebody told the mother one day that
Maggie had a pretty face and could make
a living on the stage. An ambitious youth
of the Michigan metropolis put up the nee
essary cash, and the Finlayson girl went to
New York to study for the drama In a
few months Margaret Mather made her de-
but before an audience of a New England
town, but the Detroit angels money van
ished quickly, and the new stars first at
tempt ended disastrously.'
At the age of seventeen she read from
Shakespeare in the presence of J. NJ. HILL
tho theatrical manager who was of the
opinion that she had unusual ability. IhI-
Ger his advice and with his assistance she
received thorough training, and on Aug. Is
1882 made her debut as Juliet at McVicKer's
Theater, Chicago. Her success was phe-
nomenal, so far as the leading newspaper
critics might be trusted to determine it, for
they declared that she was the best Juliet
in the history of the American stage. She
played Juliet for nearly ten years. Later on
she played Leah THE. Honeymoon, AS
You Like It," Lady of Lyons" and Mac
beth.' scoring great successes.
On. Feb. is, 1887, she married Emil I1aber-
korn, the leader of the orchestra in her
company. 1t was a secret marriage, and
three weeks later, when she was asked
about it, she denied that she was married
After little, however, the truth was es-
tablshed In 1892 she began suit for di-
vorce on the ground of desertion. The de-
cree was granted by Chicago judge July
z, 1892. The husband died in Pittsburg IN
1894 Very soon after securing her divorce
from Haberkorn the young actress married
Gustav Pabst, and her career on the stage
ended for the time being with the year 1892
for some time, and had followed her COM
pany devotedly, it being reported that he
was backing her enterprise.
She pretended that her retirement from
the stage was rendered necessary by ill
health, but 1t was believed that this was
one of the conditions of the marriage. Her
life with Gustav Pabst was a very lively
one. She made all sorts of trouble in the
Pabst family. The elimination come on
Oct. 2 1895, when she assaulted her hus-
band with a cowhide. There was to- be a
concert in the Pabst Theater on the night
following the horse-Whipping, at which Mr..
Goodrich. who had married Pabsts sister,
and who had q reputation as a singer, was
scheduled for baritone solo. He insisted
that Mrs Pabst must not sit with the fam
lily box party. Mrs. Pabst decided that If
she couldn't go there would be no box party
at al-She would ScandaliZe the family in a
positive and unmistakabe way. The as
sault was made publicly, she accusing her
husband COWar0iCe reSenttnG the
insults of his family. Then 1.-THE father de
clared that there could be but one result
the young woman must go away and the
husband must get Divorce he didn't care
for the expense, but this programme must
be carried out. 1t has been said that Mar
garet Mather-Pabst was unhappy In Mil
waukee because the best society would not
receive her. But the late Eugene Field, who
knew the family and understood the feel
ings of Milwaukee, society, said publicly
that this was not true; society courted her
and she Snubbed society Mr.. Field gave
this illustration: only last week a leader
in Milwaukee fashionable society called on
Mrs Mather-Pahst. IT happened that Mrs.
Pabst was watering flowers in the front
yard and the caller passed her as she went
from her carriage 10 the front door; the
servant brought the callers card through Il
side door to Mrs. Pabst. The latter handed
the card back and said. Tell her to excuse
me- and calmly went on watering the
flowers"
When Pabst secured his divorce it was
given out that Margaret Mather got $l0o 00o,
but her friends always said it was $25 900.
However she had been able to lay away for
a rainy day. and soon returned to the stage
with her great production of "Cymbeline"
in New York in 1896 That cost her a great
portion of her divorce money. The produc-
ton was artistic success but it had not
been a financial success. and Miss Mather
frequently put on Romeo and Juliet"
Speaking of Margaret Mather, when she
was winning laurels as Juliet few years
Shakespeare; Margaret Mather feels him.
Put Miss Mather into Il human part and 1T
will forthwith begin to throb with human
passion. Her illusion of death Is perfect.
She is there on her face inert disheveled !;
and as love lies bleeding, the pity of II
wrings the observers heart strangely. 1t is
painted. In the last act her distress was
beyond all articulation. There on her
knees she stared into vacancy as If her
comprehend ii all. If one desires to see
what the modern painters can do when
given carte blanche by a manager whose
taste is equal to his capital, he must see
that alcove window, with the warm interior
on one side and the dreamy Italian light
on the other and Juliet there in the focus
of the picture, as one might, put q great
pearl between rubies and sapphtres.
Mather Once ~ Hotel Dishwasher.
DETROIT, Mich, April 7.--Margaret
Mather as she was known on the stage,
was Margaret FinIayson, and she was born
IN 1862. Her father, John Finlayson, is still
living in Detroit Margaret passed her
childhood among squalid surroundings not
in any way tending to divert her attention
toward the stage. After she left home, u
half-grown girl, she engaged as dishwasher
in the Russell House Having IL chance
some time later to join a barns forming
troup, she availed herself of it, with the
result that in 1880, while in New York, she
attracted the attention of Manager James
Hill, who persuaded her TO take a course
in "a training school. After two years of
study on the part of Juliet she made her
debut in that character at McVicker's The
alter. Chicago, in 1882. Miss Mather's latest
venture was magnificent production OF
"Cymbeline.' under the mana cement of
Bert c. Whitney, of Detroit. Last November
Mayor Maybury was surprised to receive
"a visit a his office from John Finlayson.
f. tier of Margaret Mather, the actress but
what surprised him most was the fact that
Ma Finlayson came as Il suppiicant for
~ destitute and had to throw himself upon
the mercy of the public. When it was sug-
gested that his daughter might help him
he said he did not wish any assistance from
her. The mayor gave him a letter to the
poor commissioner. Finayson's poverty is
caused by business reverses and i'll health.
j. j. Hartman.
NEW YORK, April ~ NJ Hartman.
a broker in this city and Savannah, Ga,
died suddenly while dressing at his sisters
home, in this city, to-day.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.