The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-03
IN FEAR OF ABDUCTION.
A Detective to Protect Alice Pierce
From Her Husband.

Gordon Fletcher Hewitt. of London,
Eng. may come here this week, but he
will not get his child wife, known TO the
stage as Alice Pierce. ''impersonator of
I actors great and small That is. If steps
| taken by the management of Chases New
| Grand can protect her from her husband,
who twice before has attempted to claim
his bride. Today Miss Pierce. accompa
MED by her mother. will arrive in the
city. to appear this afternoon and tonight
at the Grand Opera House with the La
fayette Company.
Hewitt and Miss Pierce, according to
the former. were married secretly last
summer in London because OF alleged OBJ
lection to the match by the mother of the
| young impersonator. Shortly thereafter
they parted. Both came to America and
Miss Pierce was soon lured by the CLAM
or of the stage. She was playing an en-
gagement last Wednesday night in Al
bany y. Y, at Proctor's Theatre. Mr..
Hewitt was there and after the perform
ance. it is stated, he tried to abduct her
In the hurry and darkened playhouse,
however, he grabbed Mae Stebbins in
stead for which he was lodged in jail on
a charge of kidnapping. Matters were ex-
planned satisfactorily the day following,
however, and Hewitt regained his liberty.
despatch received last night by Mr..
Chase forecasts the coming of Miss Pierce
to this city. tells of a second attempt to
abduct her. and asks protection for the
young woman. as follows:
Alice Pierce Kidnapped. Springfield. Mass. /
a. m. today. Rescued again. b. there in I" -
ing. Kindly give her poli.e protect.
>..r p j. CASEY. Chief Police
affa hn
this despatch in applying to the police
for protection. Sergeant Carter was seen
at headquarters by Mr. Osgood, represent
ing the Grand Opera House. and the mat
ter thoroughly explained. Major Sylves-
ter will today be acquainted with the facts
in the case, and a request for detail OF
two policemen to protect Miss Pierce Will
likely follow Mr.. Chase last night was
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of securing
the services of private detectives to guard
Miss Pierce, should her husband put in
an appearance in this city.
AS is we'll known, Miss Pierce is enc
of the leading attractions of the Great
Lafayette Show. booked for weeks en-
gagement at Chase's Grand. She is young
exceedingly pretty. and unusually enter
tanning in manner. She is reported to be
not adverse to returning to her husband
but her mother, it is said, exerts re-
should be understood that there is no de-
sire on the part Of theatrical managers,
here or elsewhere, to sever her matri-
monial ties. but her engagement mere
this week is anticipated as an event OF
more than usual Importance.
A recent interview credited TO MI
Hewitt perhaps may throw some light on
the domestic controversy. which involves
Miss Pierce. Among other things, he says:
Mrs. Pierce never liked me. l can't
ina CINE why except that she feared to
lose her only support II Alice became
mine. She would not give her consent to
the marriage, so we eloped. 1t has been
printed that Alice was led to the cere-
mony under the influence of drug. This
is not so. The wedding took place in
church, well-known clergyman oti-
ciated and there were witnesses. This
proves my statement"
Hewitt took from the pocket OF his
frock coat marriage certificate dated
London, June 2, bearing, besides an OIL
cial seal, the signatures of minister. OF
three men subscribing as witnesses, and
OF Hewitt and Alice Pierce as the con-
tracing parties. 1t was severe and I'M
posing looking document.
Alice sent for me to come and take her
away at Albany" Hewitt continued. Il