The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-08
A DOCTORS BIG BILL.
He Sues Laura Biggar for s2ss, $50 for
Professional Services.

Pittsburg, Pa, Aug. 8.-Dr. c. C.
Hendricks Of Atlantic City, N. j., has
entered suit in the county court here
against Mrs. Laura Biggar Bennett,
widow of H. NJ. Bennett, a former the
atrical manager of Brooklyn and Pitts
burg. claiming $299,9S0 for profession
al services. DR.. Hendricks alleges that
he attended Mrs. Bennett in his pri-
vate sanitarium in New Jersey for two
years, and that he was only paid $40
during that time.
Laura Biggar in her youth was a
rare beauty, natural blonde of COM
handing build and queenly form. She
halls from the west, where she was
discovered by William A. Brady.
Under his direction she made her
debut playing a leading role in After
Dark" In this company she married
an actor named Richardson, but later
they were divorced. It is this man
who is reputed to be the father of Miss
Biggar's son Willis.
Her most sensational role was when
she esSayed the character OF Iris, the
model in the famous disrobing scene
in THE Clemenceau Case For moons
she was the rage of the gayer portion
of New York theatergoers. Laura Big
gar was possessed of some talent and
ability. This, coupled with great mag
netism and beauty, decided Charles H.
Hoyt to cast her as the vivacious wild
ow in "A Trip to Chinatown" She
made great hit in this part and tour
ed the country Burt Haverly, a well
known minstrel, was playing the part
of O'Day in this company, and they
were married.
Miss Biggar first met Henry. M. Ben
nett at the Duquesne theater, in Pitts
burg. 1t was a trifie more than five
years ago that fate merged the life
lines of the aged millionaire and the
dashing actress.
He was fascinated by her manifold
graces and paid her marked atten-
ton, so much so that he aroused the
jealousy and finally the aTfmosity or
Haverly. The minstrel sued the old
man for alienation of his Wife's affec-
tons. The case was settled out OF
court, and it was rumored that there
had been payment Of 100000 to
Haverly. Later Miss BIggar and Ha-
verify were divorced. BY a curious CO
incidence, about the time that the
actress was following the body of her
benefactor to its tomb in Asbury park,
n. J., Haverly married Nine. Bowling,
theatrical costumer, of this city
After her separation. and divorce
from Haverly. Laura Biggar retired
from the stage and never has evinced
desire to return TO her former
dence with Mr.. Bennett as his com
panfon and latterly as his nurse She
lived with him during the winter in
either OF his city homes in New York
or Philadelphia and in the summer at
the Windsor stock farm, at Farming
dale, n. J., a charming estate of more
than 500 acres, where Mr. Bennett in
dulged his hobby of breeding and rae
ing horses on his private race course.
Some months before his death an
abscess on his left side developed gan
creme and Mr.. Bennett was forced to
submit to an operation. From that
time he failed. Miss Biggar nursed
him devotedly, many times not leav-
ing his bedside for seventy-two hours
at stretch. When he died she was a
nervous and physical wreck. During
his last days he told many that all
had deserted him save Laura BieRar.
and repeatedly stated she was to have
a large share of his fortune. One to
whom he told this was Peter Nc
Nulty, who substantiated Miss Big
gar's contest so well that she was
awarded the share as directed in the
will