New-York tribune., 1905-01-09
BETTINA GIRARD DEAD.
Once Society Belle, Later Actress,
She Ends UiId Career.

Bettina Girard the well konwn actress, who
was member of one of the best known fami-
lies in Washington died in Roosevelt Hospital
yesterday. Her maiden name was Bettna Ord
way, and her relatives claimed the body and had
it sent 10 Washington.
The woman entered the hospital Saturday
morning under the name of Elizabeth Witter
She was living at No. PCS West Forty y-fourth-st
with friends
The woman was very weak from the fast life
she had led for 50 many years. and vas in no
condition 20 withstand acute pneumonia. 1t
ended her life at early hour yesterday.
Mrs Writer'S husband with her at the
time, and did all he could for the actress 1t
was by his direction that the body sent 10
washington. SO 1t could be buried there.
II was said the Ordway family was repre-
sth'ed at the hospital when the body was given
10 an undertaker's care to be removed to Wash
ingtor.
Elizabeth S. Ordway better known as Bettina
olrard' was the daughter OF General Albert Ord
way commander of the militia of the District OF
Columola and agent for the Hotchkiss Arms
'ipahy at Washington, one Of the best known
ana oes' liked men of the national capital. Born
.'o 'ne most distinguished and influential
'ie'y OF washington, his daughter. before she
was twenty-five years old. had shocked two con-
ilhents and made herself an outcast
She mad been married seven times and on
various occasions within the last seven years
mad been patient in the hospitals of this city
sunerlns from alcoholism and the use of drugs.
From convent at Georgetown she was sent
to Mrs. Burrs finishing school, in Washington.
She was splendid musician, a competent lin
guist, beautiful OF face and figure could ride
with the best, and excelled in all outdoor sports.
Following her debut in society she became an
acknowledged belle in Washington and at the
springs OF Virginia. Men of all ranks in society.
pald her court. Various stories have been told
of her wild pranks. but the climax came when
she made a young French diplomat drink Il
bumper of champagne out of her slipper at
dinner. Soon after that she met Arthur Padel-
ford, the only son of one of BaltmOre's wealth
lest men. They were married at St. Johns
Church, Washington. and went abroad for their
wedding trip.
After they had been in Europe for a year.
daughter born to them in Vienna. Soon
afterward Mr.. Padelford left Vienna and re-
turned to this country. His wife remained
abroad. Soon her name connected with that
of Carl Streitman, of Vienna. Mr.. Padeford OBJ
tanned a divorce. Mrs. Padeford then deter
mined to go on the stage under the name of
Bettina Padelford She Immediately achieved
success an actress with Henry F. Dixey.
Mr.. Padelford attempted to settle with her
for a sum of money so she would not his
name. By this time she had married a man
named Girard, and used this as her stage name,
it being said al the time that $4,000 was paid
TO her for not using the Padelford name. After
her separation from Gfrard she married Jack
Rafael, a tenor.
Within few months she became the wife of
Harrison ]. Wolfe. William B. Beach her
next husband. Then she figured correspond
ent in the divorce suit of Mrs. Philip Schuyler.
She adopted the name of Schuyler 1t at
this time that General Ordway. who had never
entirely cut her off. offered her an annuity Of
81 900 a year if she would leave the country.
She accepted and went to London with Schuyler.
where she broke down physically. She after
ward Joined opera chorus. She was soon IN
the United States again. She committed
to a sanatorium for liquor and drug habits. In
the latter part Of 1897 she patient at
Bellevue Hospital. and while there was visited
by her mother. Mrs. Ordway. and her own
daughter, who had always lived with Mrs.
Ordway.
Soon after that she married Witter. She seemed
to have reformed The couple spent some time
in an Adirondack lodge.
General Ordway died November 20 1897, at
the Hoffman House. 1t was said that his last
sickness was the result of the anguish ana
anxiety from which he suffered as the result
of the oscar pades of his daughter She had prac-
ticallv been in retirement since that time, with
the execution of the times when she was reported
as beinE a pa tient In various hospitals in this
city.