New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-06
AN ARTIST IN TROUBLE.
CITY MARSHAL IN POSSESSION OF THE
EFFECTS OF HARPER PENNlNG-
TON THE PORTRAIT PAINTER

Fashionable folk who visit the old Studio Build
ing In West feminist, nowadays TO see Harper
Pennington the portrait painter, do not ma that
artist In the luxuriously appointed studio whch ne
had occupied until recently since June 1871 Ihey
find instead that Mr. Pennington has gone that a
cItv marshal has taken possession OF his effects
while the story Of his departure Is told In part by
the legal papers tackled on the door, which any
passerby may read
The papers recite. in an action brought III the
First District Municipal Court by Harry W. Douty.
representing John Taylor Johnston, the owner OF
the Studio Building. that r. II. Harper pennington
leased Room No 2s on the second floor or the ouild-
ing on June s. 1891 az an annual rental Of $50.
payable monthly in advance, and that he has failed
10 pay the rent from February 10 October. lS7
amounting TO 1912 co. Mr. Douty said In an afiidavit
that from June 1891 TO May. 1888. Mr.. Pennington
had resided and had his studio in the building
and that early In May last Mr. Pennington left
the premises. without notice TO the plaintiff. who
was entitled 10 receive the rents. Mr.. Douty made
many inquiries to ascertain the whereabouts OF the
artist and finally learned that he had left the
State and was living at Gainesville. Nd. where ne
had taken his family. Mr.. Douty frequently called
at the studio. but Mr. Pennington did not return.
and on November 10 the defendant was compelled
70 vacate the premises and his effects were re-
moved.
Mr. Douty also alleges that OR November an at
tachment was issued by Justice Scott the appli-
cation OF Park & Tilford. against the property OF
the defendant on the ground OF nOn-residence.
Stanley W. Dexter Of Whitehead, Dexter, Osborn
& Gillespie No. II Broadway, who appear for Mr..
Douty, told Tribune reporter yesterday that MI
Pennington really owed about $1,000 for rent, but
as it was cheaper and more advantageous to bring
suit in the Municipal Court and as suit could not
be brought there for over $500 an action begun
for less than that amount and judgment obtained,
as there was no defence. There was every DISPOSE
ton TO be lenlen artists In the old Studio Build
ing Mr.. Dexter said, and no action was begun
against Mr.. Pennington until Park Tilford got
an attachment against his property for s6l3 81 for
groceries. Mr.. Dexter believed the rent would be
and meanwhile the artists pictures are IN the
hands Of the marshal of the Municipal Court q
Trarord said that his client could not pay at pres
ent but would do soon He could not or would
not say whether not Mr.. Pennington was in
with him through third person yesterday
Harper Pennington has had the reputation as a
clientele among women Of fashion He comes OF
a well known and prosperous Southern FAMILY, ana
Academy. Then he went abroad and studied with
Whistler and Ger0me. Al the portrait shows
held at the National Academy OF Design n, ne was
roll Miss Beatrix Jones, Mrs. Llncklaen and the
children of William Rhineander Stewart. He has
nitaries Of the Catholic Church He has lived
part Of each year at Newport.
friend Of Mr.. Pennington said YESTERDAY that
proba bly, that he had been led into hvlng be-
yond his means through trying to keep up with the
where. Moreover. II was understood that some
OF his wealthy patrons had not been so prompt as
they might have been In paying for their portraits
This friend saw Mr. Pennington In New-York rev
DAYS ago and ne did not seem to be particularly
tSongbt I1opIS he temporary He did not know
Mr.. Penningtons present city address