Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-01-18
SCHUMANN-HE|NK
TO SEEK DIVORCE
Famous Opera Singer to Part
from Young Husband for
Children Sake.

st. Louis, Jan. 15.-When Mrs. Will.
lam Rapp. known to the music loving
public of two continents as Nine. Schu-
mann Heink, files her suit for divorce,
as she will soon, she will have demon
strated In real life the theme or the
only comic opera in which she ever
appeared in America. Loves Lottery.
Mme. Schumann- Heink and her hus-
band. william Rapp. Jr., IL years her
Junior separated some time ago but
neither until last night acknowledged
there was an estrangement.
The great contralto in her apart
ments at the Planters hotel after ap.
pcaring in two concerts on saturday,
where II was noticed she was in bet
ter voice than on any former appear
ance in st. Louis. admitted the separa-
ton. and said the divorce petition
would be filed soon. but where she
could not say. The marriage OF the
sional and a dozen years younger than
she was not happy one. With as
much feeling and expression as she
over put in any of the songs that have
made her famous she spoke OF the
mesalliancc. and said she had endur-
ed it as long as she could, and while
she dreaded having the name Of Schu-
mannIleink in the divorce courts
there was no other alternative.
u have no word to say against Mr.
Rapp,' said the diva. "He is cultured
and refined. but II Is hest that he should
go his way and ] go mine. He Is in New
York, where he has ar office; and I, | am
on the road, singing.
There were no ugly puarres nor any
scandal. Please say that. for both Of us
| It was Just for the best that have acted
, as I have.
, 1T Is my children that caused the sep.
aration He could not understand, and
should not blame him too harshly for It
I He has no children of his own while
have eight. and some of them are grown
CHOSE HER CHILDREN.
"N hen it came to a question whether II
81 onld be my children or my husband, tc
whom have been married SIX years,
chung to my children. And what goof
woman would not? They are my life, and
Z love them with every breath that
I draw.
III is my children that have been my
! Inspiration In life. 1t was they who gay,
! me the ambition to achieve what I hav,
achieved. ! have given my life for them
I and | never have regretted it, and | Il.
rot regret it now.
When was in my native land an,
so poor and the first Of my eight chi
dren came. wanted to do all coul'
, for it. and when the others came l fe
tina, ought to d. more work for them
decided above all things to become +;
Great sirr'r, great artistic. that nigh
give to them things that had been denie,
them.
And I worked so hard and dena,
myself SO many things to achieve m
ambition. II was to work for them an
to build them a home that I came &
have been here 7 have come 20 love c
we'll Put what made me come was !,
win money and n home for them
~ had succeeded before hecam,
the wife Of Mr. Ramp. and ny estat
IN New Jersey is a beautiful place an.
7 am happy when I am surrounded b.
my children. Then I have anothc
home IN California. and am happ'
there: and TO matter where ! am.
want my children 10 know that thei
mother will always take them to he
arms"
Nine Schumann- EIeink wac born Il
Bohemia on June L. 1861, and was tn