Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-28

was supposed to have committed sui
eide at Newington, n. H., was in
reality murdered by Roy, has brought
to light the young woman's eventfu!
life story. Her career, which began
at Portsmouth, n. H., included SER
les Of adventures in New York and
New England and reached its height
in Paris where she lived for several
years. 1t was in 1889 that she started
from Portsmouth, announcing that she
intended to make name for hersel.
on the stage. Nothing more was heard
from her in her home city until three
years later. She had developed into a
strikingly beautiful woman during her
absence and her beauty and manner
of dressing created a sensation when
she returned to Portsmouth. Among
her admirers was q young lieutenant
at the Portsmouth navy yard. For
some season the attention Of the navy
department was called to the attach
ment and inquiry was begun with the
result that the lieutenant left the ser
vice Immediately after this the young
woman took the stage name Gladys
Hodgdon and appeared in numerous
productions as a dancer with Loie Full
Ter While playing in Worcester. Mass,
she became acquainted with William
Murray. a Boston millinery salesman
and little later they were married at
Newburyport Mass. For a while they
lived at a Boston hotel as Mr.. and
Mrs Southern. Early in 1894 they cs-
tablished themselves in Watertown.
After few months residence in
1
parted and the young woman in Sc
TENDER. 1894 resumed her position as
the occupant of a home in Ports
mouth.
In the two years prior to the advent
in Haverhill of Gladys Hodgdon, two
women, Winnie Lewis and Miss Nor
ton. conducted 4 profitable cigar store
Upon Gladys Hodgdon's appearance
they sold the cigar business to one
George A. Barnes of Boston," and
became part of Gladys Hodgdons
household. In October, 1894. William
c. Southern brought suit against
George A. Barnes for alternating the al
fections of his wife and Deputy Sheriff
Raymond attached the cigar store for
$50 900.
There was no trial While the case
was on the supreme court docket in E,s
sex county, Mr.. Barnes" Instituted
criminal proceedings against Gladys
Hodgdcu. The name of the complain
ant was James A. Williams" other
wise George a. Barnes of Boston" and
the defendant was described Miss
Gladys L. Southern. a!ias tlHdGdon,
alias Murray alias Carkins." The o.
Tense alleged was blackmail Shn
pleaded rot guilty and the hearing Wa
deferred until December ..
The marriage with Murray is said t.
have been annulled in 1895 after which
the young woman resumed her life on
the stage. returning from time to time
to her old home in Portsmouth.
Then. for the first time in her career.
the scene changed to Europe. She
first appeared In the Latin quarter of
Paris end took up the study of vocal
music under Madame Marchesi. Her
home for the first few months was a
cheap room, but later she removed to
modest boarding house. Her luck
appeared to have changed at this time.
Her toilettes. which in the past had
been the most simple kind. became
exquisite and she exhibited many dia-
monds. When in the past she had
gone on foot to receive her music les
sons. she now rode in fine carriage
behind pair of horses But the
music lessons did not continue beyond
that point They were discontinued by
Madame Marchesi.
In the following year Paris SAW lit
tie of the beautiful American. but at
the end of that time she appcarcd at
an exclusive function ratronized large
ly by Americans. She was chaperon-
I'd by Mrs. Barrett, an authorcss, who
wrote under the name "Sappho." Dur
ing that whole season the Young wO-
man remained with Mrs Barrett and
Mrs. Barrett accompanied her TO many
receptions given by prominent Ameri-
cans In the year following her re,a-
tons with Mrs. Barrett We're severed
and she came out as the Drotcgc Of q
woman known as Baroness Won Oren-
dorf and claimed to be the widow of a
German diplomat. With the baroness
she rented a house in Rue Harelin
and Miss Gala became known as a
Dung woman of unlimited wealth
'''N Ao"SC as SorSepuSly furnished |
nd was the score of many brilliant |
auctions in which many wealthy |
americans took part. 1t was az a din |
or IN the Rue Hamelin house that her
''cial career in the French capita1
tme 10 sudden close. All the best
aown Americans in Paris ard also
''any DISTINGUISHED Parisians were
resent. Little negroes from the Nou-
Fdu cirque danced a cakewalk. which |
rs then the rage. Glacia sang a duet |
IN puverney of the Orera Comioue
>e was girlishly dressed in white
Dotted tulle and carried white flow
s.
Later in the evening one of the mon
fests. linking arms with Miss Gala
Id holding loving cup in his hands |
Vung around the horseshoe table
ssing Miss Gala and all the women
tests. IN spite Of some protests. Just
lore the guests went away. the
Jung hostess gave an exhibition caka
INK. The dinner was the end of her
e'ai career, but she continued +,
,Fe nne horses and to reoa:,.a ,,,art,5
'ention from a host of admirers
ner acquairtances was ,be
o0an OF Prussia, then on his last