The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1904-10-10

One 81 the most pitiable eases Of
deatltution aud distress that has
ever come 10 light IN Seattle r. that
81 an AGED actress. who has been
lying sick Ia her bed az No as
Seventh avenue, without substantial
food for five days. and afflicted
with an extreme nervousness that
makes a terror for her Of every
shadow In the dark little hall bed
room the unpaid rent Of which
has been her dread and worry for
a week past In addition 10 Illness
and lack Of food.
Nv private life the distressed wO-
man il Mrs Z. White. wife Of a
union Pacific railroad official. who
died some years aF0. On the stage.
during her career 81 80 years. she
vas the beautiful and brilliant Zoe
Clayton. whose impuiGive. wardm-
heartednesa has relieved the dis
tress Of many stranded members OF
her profession and whose ready
purse during her prosperity was al
ways open for charity.
Only a little more than two years
rEo Miss Gayrton. who " now 80
years 81 age. MAS at the head of
her own theatrical troupe. which
she had led for u years. Previous
o. taking cut her own company she
was q shining light In the New
York aud Philadelphia theaters. and
ehe made a Number Of western
tours
II was not many years ago since
AiIas Clayton gave brilliantly sue
cessftIl performances in Seattle and
MAS banqueted BY admirers here.
With Miss Clayton. sharing her
distress and doing his piiiable best
n alleviate It Is the aged friend Of
her deceased husband. William J.
Marshall. who Was formerly a sue
eesgful theatrical manager. lie Is
20 years OF age. frall and w. and
has been struggling TO relieve the
distress Of himself and Miss Gay
ton by selling lamp-Wlcks
The story OF how the two came 70
be reduced TO their present state OF
poverty and dire need Is long one.
when Miss Gayton retired from the
stage twn years ago she started one
dramatic school In Oakland and an
other In Sacramento. She was CON-
fortably situated financially and
prepared 20 enjoy the remaining
years Of her life In peace and quiet.
but misfortune came to her and
with 10 came illness. nervous pros
tration and brain fever
Her physician ordered a change
OF climate and she started for Port
land. Here she met Marshall. who
was making a scant living selling
his lamp wieks. The two renewed
their old friendship. Then sickness
overlook Miss Clayton and her
phyAician advised her to cross the
river TO Vancouver Accompanied
By Marshall she went 10 Vancouver
and. seeking health In the open
air. she and Marshall Travelled on
foot from Vancouver 20 Tacoma.
At Tacoma they were reduced 10
restitution and sought aid OF theat-
rical managers. who assisted them
10 get 10 Seattle. Since arriving IN
Seattle some three weeks ago the
aged couple have had stormy times.
being for days az a time without
food and each suffering i'll health.
Both resent bitterly the thought OF
accepting charity. but finally Miss
Clayton became so in that on the
advice of Dr. Ludlow. she was sent
20 the wayshie Emergency hospital
where she remained five days and
recovered her health.
But when she returned to the lit
tie dark suite OF housekeeping
rooms where the two lived. she
found Marshall sick on his cot in
the kitchen. with the cupboard bare
of food and the rent due. For sew
eral days the two managed to sub
sist hut were at last compelled TO
appeal TO charity. Lacking money
20 telegraph themselves, they APP
pcaled TO the Associated charities To
send a message 10 the Actors Fund
In New York. 90 which Miss Gay
ton has contributed several hun
dred dollars In her days OF pros
pority. asking for temporary as
slstanee and transportation To the
east. where both have friends.
Through some misunderstanding
or mistake. the organization APP
pealed not 60 the Actors Fund. but
to a charitable home, to which Miss
Clayton would not be eligible, as
mono under 80 years of age are ae-
copied
Meanwhile a single dollars worth
OF provisions. furnished by the rs
ISOLATED Charities, was left for the
old folks to suhsist upon. and Miss
GnytOn was informed that her re-
quest had gone forward by mail
The case was brought 20 the at
tention OF The Star this morning
and upon investigation the dire
distress OF Miss Clayton and her
aged protector was discovered,
Manager J. +. Howe of the Seat
tie theater. had contributed some
money and paid for medicines for
the two, but otherwise they had
had no assistance. and when The
star reporter called at the address
given, Marshall had gone 10 the
Associated Charities TO ask for a
dollar to pay on the rent which
falls due tonight. while Miss Gay
ton remained al home, without food
or prospect OF food.
She was crying dlsmally when
she opened the door. and told her
story. sobblng and rocking back
aud forth In an old rocking chair
In the bare kitchen.
A sack of coal. she said, had
been left az their door one day last
week. but only aftor II had re-
manned thoro oil night did she dare
TO use lt, fearing Il belonged 90
someone else. She would not have
dared oven then. she said. had not
Marshall been shivcrinE In his cot
nnd ornaufnu with rhpunnnffrf5, and