The Washington times., 1910-03-05
Alexander Wirth, Once Fa-
nous Singer, Imprisoned
for Theft.
LOST HIS VOICE
AND GOES TO WORK
Enamored of Society Girl, He
LootS Store-AdmitS
Crime.

CHICAGO, III, March 5.-His dreams
OF fame shattered. Alexander Wirth,
former grand opera singer and graduate
OF the naval school at Kiel, Germany,
has been placed behind the bars az the
house OF correction, a common thief.
He had been caught stealing goods
from a downtown department store,
where he had been forced through pow
erty 10 seek employment as a window
trimmer. Upon his plea OF guilty Judge
Kersten sentenced him 10 one years
Imprisonment.
He could have heen sentenced to the
penitcntiary. but his pathetic story Of
his struggles In America TO re-eStahliSh
a name that he had lost, won the sym
pathy Of the Judge and Assistant State
Attorney Benedict j. Short.
Girl Causes Downfall.
\ Eirl-a society dCbutante living on
the lake shore-was The beginning Of
Wirths downfall. He met her and fell
in love with her. He. could not meet
her on the social plane in which she
Travelled or his small plttance Of SI2
week salary. Then ne stole.
The remarkable story Of the once
great singers fan was one of the most
pathetic that was ever told before the
bar I'm the criminal court Standing he-
fore the court. SEame-faced and broken
hearted, the man, once the friend Of
German royalty, whose name was a by
wcrd In many German homes, openly
admitted his guilt He made no plea for
pi,y. lie opened his soul TO the court
and held hack nothing, save one thing
. rHa HH N. .asF4
Il came from a wealthy family" the
singer told judge Kersten. Il was pat-
ted and MY every wish was satishad
Then 7 went To- the naval school M KieI
There 1 met royalty and Tie best OF
German society. I aSpired TO he an ad-
miTdl. but my ambition was short lived
graduated. but shortly afteTward suC-
fcred an accident.
Goes Into Opera.
81 sang well. so people said. SO 7 de-
Cidcd 10 enter upon a grand opera ca
rcer- 7 shaved and studied and aHaIE
won. In the pIayhouScS of Berlin and
Vienna I stooC before the critics and
was greeted with laundering applause.
But my triumph was not for long. Az
ter a few years nv voice began 10 fail.
] noticed it one night while I was sing
iu=
NV sorrow ONpYcamp me I blcaD 20
dissipatn. I forgot tine life my mother
lad taught me The life Of Injury . had
lived all my life tended ro Ma lrar, mo
guess.
zone day I realized my mistake.
saw how frolishIv I had acted and de-
cided the best nlace 10 prove nv merits
was in America drffted ava. from
Germany. and finally came 90 Chicago
7 gave up drinking. resolving ro he AS
nv school aud country asked me 10 no
NJ money soon gave out The glitter
luE vision I had dreamed Of the new
world began 20 fade as poverty pincHed
me. ! went % work as q window trim
in'r then at a salary Of So r. week [
worked day and Uight and SUNDAYS
Life was a bitter struggle.
Then the girl came into my life.
How and when I met her 7 can't ten
because she must he shielded. The
longing 10 live as in the past overcamr
mo, The thought Of my former social
and professional triumpbs nearly drove
ne mad asked for an increase Of
salary Al the store II was promised,
Hl' never came. Then l commenced 10
steal
Forced to Steal
90. "a
Id" 10 S'eal u" I'VE on ihe same
pane WIN TINS heauiful and cultured
girl. 7 loved her dearly. and sE.. loved
mo We rr-rd +, -,--rt- -,,, .s,,-,... - .r..,
1sl,. ~ rf,t.t - = -, .-,. '''
,aN' Al "'-il' anu "oIid Tell her or