The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-26
LAURA BIGGAR'S STORY
Pathetic Trend seldom Heard in the
Criminal Courts

Criminal Courts.
New York. Dec. 25.-Laura Biggar has
been found not guilty of the charge of
Ct nspiracy with DR.. c. c. Hendrick and
Samuel Stanton to defraud the estate of
the late Henry NJ Bennett, millionaire
by falsely setting up a claim of marriage
and the birth of a posthumous child.
The coming back into the life of the
woman at this critical turn of James
Willis Mcconnell, the actor, who was her
first husband, To syear in her behalf gave
a color of pathos to the hearing seldom
seen in criminal courts The fun story of
this strange romance of the stage is told
below:
You said goodby; the parting words We're
spoken:
/ leave you-perhaps tbs better so.
/ gave you back each tender little token,
And far across the seas. then. | may go.
@. can it be from love you have released
me-
And that my love has always been in
vain?
All. when your love has conquered pride
and anger,
l know that you win call me back again.
That was the song pretty little Laura
Rigga- sang in the Grand Orera house
ir New York. and it won the heart of
James Willis Mcconnell, then a leading
nan.
They first met one Sunday afternoon
for rehearsal in the drama Called
Back" when the famous book of that
name had been dramatized. The song
Call Me Back Again was interpolated
for effect Laura BiEgar. playing the
leading Juvenile role sang the song with
a very plaintive, sweet, refined and gentle
voice
THAT song has been ringing in my ears
way across the continent while l was
coming here to testify in behalf of my
former wife" said the actor. 4 can
lear it now. just as l heard il. night at
ter night in every town in America, from
San Francisco to Maine. when little
Laura came out on the stage and sang
H.
At that time Laura Biegar was just
l. years old Against her mothers
wishes she had gone on the stage. She
had a sweet voice. plenty Of emotion.
and was beautiful Nothing was needed
more in such roles as hers.
The song. call Ne Back Again be-
came one OF the most popular ballads
that ever swept over the country. and
Laura Biggars rendition Of it was en-
chanting.
Mcconnell surrendered completely, and
made love to Laura Biggar. She was
mere child ard her mother would not
consent TO a marriage.
Next season both young people went
With a stock company on the road Nc
Cornell was stin making love 10 the lead
iue juvenile of the play. her mother was
persistertly refusing to let her daughter
marry. the daughter herself was hesitat-
ing between love for the actor and devo-
tson To her mothe-.
The mother was not with the company
when Laura Biggar and Mcconnell were
il Winnipeg playing a weeks engage
ment She had been called home.
You must marry re. you must. said
Mcconnell in a whisper as he held the
yu,,ng girl in his arms or the STAGE one
night. You VIII marry me this very night.
yes tonight
Laura Bigga- telegrapked % her mother
tc ask permission. but received no an
swer. The next day no answer came
Yes / kill marry you. Willis, tonight.
4 nv mother does not answer. she said.
They both waited eagerly No tele-
gram came and the actor ordered we'd
6ing supper for that night after the show
Tor the entire company. Impaiientiy he
and Laura Bigsar went through their
roles. They went 10 an Episcopal min
ister. and waking him from his sleep.
were married Just before they were
about 70 - made man and wife Laura
1rl--ar -va-faf - hack ont
its too late row. said Mcconnell
I've ordered the supper The Others
laughed
well. Nac. said 3iiSs Agnes May
rars. leading woman. IL she doesn't mar
r. You. i vill : ais Joke caused Laura
70 frally yield. and she Was married 10
Mcconnell THAI same uight-it vas in
rSSs by the Rev. ~. Fatinc - Winae-
reg.
After The rrrarEiage they p,a.ed the SEA
son out in IN. west and remained n san
Francisco
While her husband VS. acting 81; the
Atcazar thester II san Fraaclsco. Brady
sirarna;ize6 She ard with thiS con-
pany Mcconnell came eastward neiag