The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-03-06
Mrs. Mabel Johnson Took Grain Of
Morphine Sunday Evening in an
Effort to End Her Life.
PATHETIC STORY OF AN ACTRESS
Mrs. Johnson was Well known on sta &c
as May Vaughn, But Rope lied Troubles
Had Driven Her to Desp ration.

In little room six nv ten feet, IN
the Quar1es f1t OH Exchange street,
Mrs. Mabel Johnson, known to the
mimic world OF the stage as Msy
Vaughn, and at one time one OF the
stellar lights Of tie dramatic profess
sion, attempted to commit suicide Sun
day evening by taking a large dose Of
poison supposed to have been NOR
phine. The prompt arrival of physi-
clans aud the vigorous use of a stom-
ach pump managed to save the wom-
ans life and this morning she was
able to sit up in one of the rooms of
her low1y home and converse with re-
porters in regard to the last effort to
take her life.
Mrs. Johnson had resided in Kenosha
for some time and had been living
very quietly with her former husband,
Carl Johnson. A few months ago the
couple were divorced and since that
time Mrs. Johnson has been living
she seemed to be in great mental
trouble and suffered intensely. During
the afternoon she managed to secure a
dozen one-eight grain tablets of NOR
phine and took nine of the tablets. A
short time afterward she announced to
the people about the house what she
had done and a doctor was hurriedly
called. When DR.. Jorgensen reached
the house Mrs. Johnson was in an un-
conscious condition and it appeared
that the drug had done its work and
the woman was past all aid. Other
physicians were summoned and for
three hours they worked to save the
life of the,woman. Finally the poison
was rem owed from the stomach, and
although Mrs. Johnson was left in
very weakened condition, she will
&. reeovefs
The fife of Mabel Johnson has been
a most pathetic one-a life crowded
with triumphs and defeat-and the
friends who see her today recognize
little of the bri1liance which a few
years ago made her leader among
players in the West. Mrs. Johnson
was early in life sent to a convent to
receive her education and when she
was thirteen years of age she left the
convent and went to work 90 the
stage. She was handsome girl and
her ability as an actress soon gave her
high place on the stage. For seven
years she was member of a company
which played in the leading Western
cities and her trip through the far
West was az veritable triumph. But
she tired Of the monotonous life of the
road and returned toSChicago, where
she assumed the name of inlay
? Vaughn" and went into the vaudeville
business. A clever actress, a good
singer and beautiful woman, she had
no trouble to find, engagements and
for some time she appeared at the
leading theatres in Chicago. She won
back all her old prestige on the stage
and was prosperous and. contented.
During her long stay IN Chicago she
was married to "B1ack Jack" the ia
NOUS Chicago gambler, but a short
time later she was forced to seek di-
vorce and returned to the theatre to
earn living. For several years she
made the rounds Off the outlying thea
tres and was always a drawing card.
Six years ago she was married to Carl
Johnson and after her marriage she
remained for a year before the foot
lights, when she gave up the stage
and came to Kenosha to make her
home. Mrs. Johnson and her husband
lived happily together until family
troubles came between them and the
matter ended in the divorce courts.
The nervous strain of these troubles
was so great that Mrs. Johnson has
not been herself since and her friends
have feared that she would make an
effort to take her own life. In speak
ing of the matter the lady offered no
excuse for her actions, but complained
of the fact that she was not allowed to
die.
Mrs. Johnson:is;stillla comedy woma n
of twenty-seven, but her continued
family troubles have chiseled mark
of care upon her face and taken the
old life from her actions. With all
her troubles she bears splendid name
and her friends are loyal in their sup
port Of her and are giving her every
care.
NOTICE.