The San Francisco call., 1903-12-10
ACTOR FOLK
AIR TROUBLES
Mrs. Maude Amber Wilkerson
Makes a Charge of Infidelity
Against Frivolous Spouse
CHORUS GIRL TAKES STAND
Tells Tale of Lovemaking of
Defendant and Myrtle Rose
dale, a Dashing Soubrette

The trials and tribulations in the
married life of Ira Puerl Wilkerson and
his wife, Maude Amber Wilkerson,
came up for their first official airing
in Superior Judge Murasky's court
yesterday morning. The footlight fa-
vorite charges her spouse with inf1del-
ity and, according to the testimony of
Mrs. Ovita Halves. a chorus girl, Will
kerson was in the habit of making vio-
lent love to Myrtle Rosedale while on
the road with the Fiddle Dee Dee"
company.
The entire day was taken UP in ex-
amining Miss Amber and the chorus
girl The former was on the stand but
few minutes during the morning ses-
sion and had little to say. The chorus
girl was given a chance to talk freely
when her turn rolled around, but she
proved about the most forgetful sort
| of person that ever evaded the court
room.
Maude acted as chaperon for a
bunch of fair ones from the O'Farrell-
street playhouse. They were all
adorned with their swagger apparel
and wore picture hats for the finishing
effect They seemed to have grudge
against Wilkerson, and when not busy
craning their necks to catch bits of
spicy testimony, they varied the mo-
notony by shooting needle-like glances
at the defendant, who sat a few feet
away
Miss Amber was the first witness
called, and she said what was required
of her cheerfully. She stated that she
married Wilkerson in Kansas City
| in December. 1890. They lived for
a time in New York and various
places and came to this city in
| 1901. Miss Amber did not seem to
know much about the infidelity of her
husband, but she left all that to Mrs.
Hawes, who was quite familiar with
the inside details of what happened on
the road.
The chorus girl got along very nicely
while being directly examined by At
torney William Humphries, but as soon
as Lawyer Newbrough began a cross
examination, her mind suddenly took
a wandering turn and it never ceased
to wander for a moment while she was
| on the stand. She did not remember
any streets further west than Powell
and when dates were brought UP the
poor girl was really mystihed.
RECEIVES A LETTER.
She testified to having received the
| following letter and sent the answer to
| Miss Amber:
FRISCO, 11-2o. 1902
want to ask You something. and want you
to tell me the truth. Did you see my husband d
kiss Birdie Starrett? You can rest assured II
| isopardized in any way. Mr.. de Forrest says
you said IL one time when she tainted. and that
! you, with some OF the other girls, said ii was
perfectly disgusting. Wire me your reply at
my & ps'''s' iO''S % y MAUD AMBER
! Please tell the truth.
Witness testified to having sent the
following reply to Miss Amber:
Nov. 2s 1902
/ Miss Amber-Dear Madame:
/ / never long Berthe Starret was with
our company, saw Mr.. Wilkerson treat her 9TH
/ erwise than as any man of his age would treat
child Of her age who was away from home
! for the first time IN her life.
/ Mr. dc Forrest is mistaken when he says
saw your husband kiss BERTHE l did not.
/ lie has always been perfect gentleman and
has been friendly with all the girls and has
/ never treated any Of US but as ladies. Yours
| sincerely, OVITA LEATHE.
The witness testified that she was
married but a short time ago and that
her former name was Ovite Leathe.
She stated that she sent the letter to
Miss Amber before she was aware of
the infidelity of Wilkerson. She learn
ed of this later, while the Fiddle Dee
Dee" company was on the road in the
Northwest.
49,