The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-04-03
WHERE is THE BODY?
Mystery Surrounds Death Of Actor
Who Married an Eau
Claire Girl.

Eau Claire, Wis, March 3O.-[Spe-
cial. March 5, 1898, Mrs. Lillian
Harle-James of this city received tele-
gram from Brooklyn, n. Y, that her has
band, Frederic James, had died sudden
ly and that his body was being shipped
to Eau Claire for interment.
Did the body arrive in Eau Claire? If
it did, what became of it? Who received
the benefits of the life insurance policies
carried by the deceased? are questions
that have been asked again and again in
the family Of the widow Mrs Fred
Harle, mother of Mrs. James, is conduct
ing an investigation, and has hopes of
clearing up the mystery.
Miss Lillian Harle was a rosy-faceG
young lady in the summer of 1897. She
was barely out of school, and like most
schoolgirls of her age, had romantic ideas.
She met and was wooed by Fred Jones,
son of the late Sheriff H. NJ. Jones of
this city. The young couple were deeply
in love, and were clandestinely married.
Their honeymoon was of short duration.
1t was nipped in the bud by their pa
rents, who had the marriage set aside in
the courts
The young bride was gifted with nat
ural histrionic ability and determined to
seek fame and fortune behind the foot
an operate company and went on the
road, touring principally the large cities
Of the East.
Again she met her fate. He was
Frederic James, a popular young bari
tone singer, aged %, who was filing an
engagement with the Especial Delivery"
a musical farce comedy company, then
playing important Eastern theaters Mr..
James stage name was Robert Price. 1t
was a case of love at first sight. They
were married on the Goth day Of Decem-
Der, 1897, in Brooklyn.
Success on the Stage.
Mr.. and Mrs. James lived and trav-
eled together in the East delighting audi
ences wherever they went with their
sweet songs and pleasing presence. En-
gagements were easily Obtainable, and
they were in demand by theatrical
managers.
Early in the spring of 1898 Mrs. James
came to Eau Claire on visit to her
mother, father and family
The husband was solicitous as to his
wife's safety and happiness. He wrote
constantly. While she was en- route West
she received kilograms from him.
On March 5, 1898, Mrs. James received
the following postal card from her hus-
band:
Dear Dollie; am very sick with my
chest, but sick or not will leave for home
today positively. l have been in bed day
and q half. With love to you and kisses.
Still the same, BOB. F..
Word Of her husbands death was the
next news Mrs. James received She
was Frustrated by the ill-tidings.
q. Swift, an intimate friend of her hus-
band, and also an actor, sent word of the
death from Boston. His letter is as fol-
lows:
Boston March 8, 1S98-Mrs. Frederic
James.-Dear Madam: Frederic James "a
quested me before his death on Saturday
last in Brooklyn, to communicate with you
settle all matters with you; his two trunks
and handbook have been sent by express to
you. Yours very truly, q. SWIFT.
The New York Clipper, theatrical
publication, contained the following obit-
uary in its issue of March II, 1898:
Frederic James, a baritone singer and
actor, died March 5. in Brooklyn, y. Y,
from pneumonia. The deceased, who was
twenty-eight years of age, was a native of
London, Eng. He had been connected with
the Special Delivery and Ethel Tucker
companies. His wife survives him. The re-
mains will be sent to his home in Eau
Claire, Wis.
Messages were received by the be-
reaved widow that the body was being
shipped and would arrive in Eau Claire
on or about March or 8, via the Omaha
road.
What Became of the Body?
The deceased was member of Aldine
lodge, *. of p, of Chicago. Local mem
bers of the Pythian order and Under
taker Alex Dean were at the depot to
receive the remains. Mr.. Dean was then
working for Undertaken A. V. Mayhem,
who had been engaged to look after the
remains. They say the body did not ar
rive.
A man who lives in the Sixth ward,
whose name is not given for publica ton,
and who bears good reputation for
veracity, says he was at the depot and
saw the body taken from the train
Baggagemaster Michael Griffin at the
Omaha says he has no recollection of the
body being received. Sanford Cromwell,
local manager of the American and Ma
tlonal Express companies, says he is sure
the body did not arrive by express
The last will and testament of the late
Frederic James was drawn up by himself
in Cincinnati on February %, and leaves
everything to his wife, Lillian Harle-
James
The insurance and money the widow
IS entitled to from all sources exceeds
$4,000. She has never received a cent
Mrs. James Marries Again.
About year ago Mrs James was mar
ried for the third time. She chose for
her husband DR.. Asigal Pickin, formerly
of this city. DIR. Pickin conducted med
icated and electrical bath establishment
at Menomonie.
The family think that the body of the
actor was stolen while en- route to this
city by cOnspirators who secured the in
surance money They will investigate
matters. 1t is limited that some interest
ing developments may materialize.
FIRE CHIEF DISAPPEARS.