The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-01
BISHOPS Ex-WIEE
Methodism Shocked by Rumor
Concerning Mrs. Hurst.
Reported That She Will Sing in
Opera.
SEPARATED in 1899.
She is Under Thirty, the Bishop
Nearly 20.
Mrs. Hurst AstOnished Parisians
With Her Entertainments.

Washington, Dec. 1.-Prominent dig
nitaries and members of the Methodist
Episcopal church in this and other cities
are deeply troubled over the persistent
reports from Paris that Mrs. Ella Root
Hurst intends to go on the operatic
stage. Their distress is owing to the
fact that Mrs. Hurst was formerly the
wife of John Fletcher Hurst, Bishop of
Maryland and chancellor of the Aneri-
can university
Ella Agnes Root was the daughter of
Francis H Root, of Buffalo. He was a.
millionaire and one of the strong pillars
Of the church. Bishop Hurst fathered
the scheme for the American univer-
sity, intending to make it the leading
educational institution Of his denomina-
ton. Mr.. Root and his wife, Mrs. Ellen
Joy Root, contributed literally to the
project, and the bishop and the Roots
became intimate This was in 1892. The
bishops first wife, by whom ne had
three sons and a daughter, had been
dead a year. He was then fifty-eight
years of age. Miss Root was less than
twenty. The bishop told Mr.. and Mrs
Root that he would like to marry her.
He felt sure, he said, that she was fitted
fer great work in the church
Her parents We're so much pleased wi h
the idea of having the bishop for a SON
in-law that they hardly consulted their
daughter. Invitations for the wedding
had been issued when Mr. Root became
ILL., 1t was found that he could not re-
cover and at his earnest solicitation the
bishop was telegraphed for and the we'd
ding was celebrated by his bedside
Mrs. Root built a magnificent home
for the Hursts in this city at the corner
Of NaSSa chusetts avenue and Seven
tenth streets. Mrs Hurst has a culti-
waited soprano voice and is fond OF
music AS wife of one of the highest
officials of the Methodist church and the
protector of the great national univer-
sity of that faith, she was debarred
from indulging in her love of music be-
yond what could be heard at sacred
concerts, at divine service and in her
home Many of her friends assert that
this was the principal cause of her
unhappiness. She had lived here
fer nearly four years when she aston
ished the social and religious world by
asking legal separation from the
bishop, the control of her fortune and
the custody of her only child, a boy now
five years old. All these things were
granted. the bishop max
ing no objection to any part. This was
in Tune. 1899. The Massachusetts avenue
house was rented. and Mrs. Hurst,s
dover and other holdings in the bishops
name were made over to her brother,
who acted as her representative. Her
notl1er died before the separation. The
bishop in addition to his salary, has a
good income from the sale OF books ne
has written
Mrs. Hurst, whose property is various |
" estimated at from $1,000,000 to $1,000
OOO has been living in splend1d style IN /
Paris since she left the bishop, and has |
surprised even that lavish city by the |
brIlliancy of her entertainments A few
weeks ago she gave a musicale at her |
home in which the most noted muslca1
people of the continent figured she had |
the leading Soprano of the Opera Com
ique Mile Garden; the famous cellist,
Nj. BERTH and NJ. Clement, the tenor,
from the Grand opera house MRS.
Hurst appeared herself among these
and astonished the Par1-
sian world by the purity and strength OF |
her voice Several such entertainments
have been given under her auspices.