The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-20
| NEVER KNEW HER
Is All Composer LeOncavaIIo
Finds to Say
'0F POOR ALICE MOFFAT
Who Took Her Young Life for
Hopeless Love of Him.
OF POOR ALICE MoFFAT

I votion showed feet of clay. She was rich
beautiful and talented. She died by her
own hand in a foreign land kneeling be-
fore a photograph of LeoncavalIo. the
| composer of 81 Pagiiacci." whom she
loved in vain. The news came to America
in lire by cable from Geneva, switzer-
land, only n few days ago.
Behind this brief announcement lies a
sad life romance. Alice Moffat was born
IN Philadelphia in the summer OF 1875, so
that she was but twenty-four when she
died. Her grandfather, Adam .Moffat was
prospector. who left England in the
early fifties to seek his fortune in
America. He met and became intimate
with Charles n. Creede
lifelong partnership was formed by
these two men, and a bond was entered
into by them by which each swore to d.
vide equally any future riches that might
fan to their lot.
Had not this compact been entered into
Miss Moffat would probably be alive to-
day. 1t was the division of the sIols, as
agreed upon, that was in reality instru-
mental in bringing about the death of the
81 aiiAuiu5lllSE VI the GlOer mOuat.
IL Charles Crede had repudiated the
agreement Miss Moffat would never have
met the temptation that resulted in her
suicide.
Adam Moffat toiled for years among the
mountains. Dame fortune refused her
smiles to him. He was cured OF the gold
fever and came east to Philadelphia. He
established himself there, married and liv-
ed for years in west Philadelphia.
His favorite son was Edward, who af-
forwards married and was the father Of
Alice D. Moffat.
The senior Moffat often wondered what
had become of his old-time partner. and
often spoke of the binding contract he
had entered into with Charles Crede.
The younger Moffat died somewhat tsud-
denly in 1879. leaving behind him his wife
and young daughter, who was two years
old. Like his father Edward Moffat died
IN comparatively poor circumstances.
Meanwhile Crede had struck a rich vein
In Colorado. He became the bonanza
king" known the world over.
Remembering his agreement OF early
life with Moffat, he coused inquiry to be
made of his old partner. He located the
IA hily in Philadelphia. He wrote to the
widow OF the son OF his friend and offered
to provide for her and adopt young Alice
as his own.
The childless millionaire had found I'M
told millions in the Colorado camp which
still bears his name.
The girls mother could not bear IN
part with her daughter, although repeat
edly urged to do so by Crede, who after
wards adopted a littel girl to fill the place
intended for Alice, and at the time of
Credc's death year or so ago ths alopt-
Ell girl was one Of the family.
Screly disappointed, Crede was too hon
orable to go back on his word, and min
Ing stock and cash to the extent of $780,
600 were turned over TO the daughter-in-
law OF his old friend, to be held in trust
for the laters granddaughter.
Alice's mother died a few years later
The young girl who had been left in re-
duced circumstances was the possessor OF
an income of nearly 5000 a year.
Backed by the income from the drifts
OF the "Big Bonanza" Alice spe edt:y he
summer resorts as Miss Moneybags.
She had all she desired in the way Of
Injuries of life, and naturally becoming
used to these she reached out into the
future for more
She conceived desire TO become an &C.
tress. The stage fascinated her. In this
respect she had many advantages.
Wealthy, beautiful and iA:3lted, the pros
poets were hattering.
She underwear; 4 course Of vocal train
Ing at the San Francisco Conservatory Of
Music and considered herself fit TO appear
before the footlights. She made an appli-
cation for position with i good opera
company, but was rejected.
This only stimulated her to further ef
forts. She returned to her studies with
renewed vigor. determined to reach the
goa! she aimed at
Finally she succeeded in getting an en-
gasement TO fill a minor part in an ANA
teur society production ut the Burbank
theater in Los Angeles. Cal
She was successful. but her appetite
once whetted by public applause couId
only be appeased by legitimate engage
ment with good company. With this
end in view she came east and sought a5-
mission in Pearl Eytiuge's School OF Ora
matte art in New York. This was in 1920.
when she Was but fifteen years old.
She was, however. persuaded 10 post
rone her intentions for year or so until
her powers should have chlnce to deyel-
on more fully. For two years she remain
Cd fn 40
wooed would not respond Mss Money
bags was well kohwn figure in a Certain
circle. She had many prominent friends.
The stage, however was too fascinating
Tor her. The failures only spurred her on
to s;i,l further efforts She longed 70 he
4 great actress. To accomplish this she
was willing 10 devote all her time, energy
and money.
Becoming disheartened with her efforts
in America she departed from New York
accompanied by a maid. She had won
derful wardrobe and was the possessor
OF many valuable jewels. The America,
colony at Paris, where she took up her
ab9de, received her with open arms. and
she was vel received in many other cir
Giles which she visited.
The notorious ex-king Milan al one
time paid her marked attention she r.
pulsed him. She sought art. not royal IA
vors.
At spectacular performance at the
! FNOiies Bergeres. In Paris. she appeared
/ FOR two nights as Mile Firefiy," ana was
! only induced 10 discontinue after several
appeals from her friends who assured her
that she was running her reputation TO
such an exten; that reputable dramatic