New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-08
Leading Actress in PIayWright'S
1.-THE Deep Purple" and Other
Dramas Named as the
Correspondent.
TAUGHT HER ART OF STAGE
Decree to Wife, with $4,000
a Year Alimony, Bares Re-
markable Contract to
Make Young Woman
Rich and Famous.


divorce by Justice Weeks to Mrs. Rella
Abel Armstrong from Paul Armstrong,
! the playwright. the name Of the CO.
respondent is revealed for the first time.
She is Miss Catherine Calvert. leading
woman in THE Deep Purple" "A Ro-
nance Of the Underworld" and The
Escape" all written by Armstrong.
! Mrs. Armstrong; suit was tried be-
| fore ]. Hampden Dougherty. as ref
, cree. for which reason the testimony
/ was sealed and even the name Of the
| correspondent was kept secret. The
| referee found the defendant guilty Of
improper conduct with Miss Calvert,
I and his action was confirmed by Jus
| tice Weeks.
Armstrong and Miss Calvert each
made vigorous defence of the charges,
but Mr. Dougherty decided that they
were guilty of misconduct on the
steamer c. w. Morse on a trip to AL
bany, at the Yates House in Syracuse
and in Armstrong; apartment in West
9th street.
The referee recommended the pay
ment of $1,000 a year almony TO Mrs
Armstrong. and this the court also ap-
proved. Justice Goff recently signed
an order directing Armstrong 10 pay
about Sl.J0 in arrears of alimony
awarded pending the outcome Of the
suit. He was then said to be in Cali
fornia Miss Calvert is advertised TO
appear at an early date in this city in
one Of Armstrong; plays. Her right
name is Cassidy.
After listening 10 the testimony Of
several witnesses produced by the de-
fendant and correspondent 10 disprove
the charges made by Mrs. Armstrong
the referee expressed regret that he
was compelled TO uphold the charges
made by the wife Mr.. Dougherty. in
his report 10 the court said.
"A deplorable aspect Of this case is
that It involves young woman appar-
emily at the outset Of a professional
career. But the conclusions have
drawn are virtually forced by the tes-
timony and documentary evidence.
Hero and Benefactor.
The contrary conclusion that these
intimate relations were innocent, that
Mr. Armstrong was a sort Of hero and
benefactor who had given Miss Calvert
her start in the theatrical world. the
evidence does not Justify me in reach
ing"
Mrs. Armstrong; allegations concern
ing her husband and the actress COW
cred the period from January. 1911. un-
III the filing Of the suit. She made fur
ther allegations in regard to or hus-
bands conduct with other women
whose names were not mentioned.
The principal witness against the
playwright was Raoul Ancnelli. who
was discharged as chauffeur for Mr..
Armstrong. on the complaint OF Miss
Calvert. The referee said he was much
Impressed with the chauffeur's testi-
mony.
The Armstrong; were married IN lH'3
in London They have three daugh-
ters. the Oldest Of whom is thirteen
wears old. The divorce decree gives
the custody OF the children TO their
mother
Armstrong is forty-three years old
and Miss Calvert is twenty-five. she
has been on the stage approximately
four years. first appearing In brown
of Harvard" She played in vaudevlile
for time, and then appeared IN ARM
strong's play. The Deep Purple.
Her first meeting with the playwright
uas in 1909 at Maxine Elliotts inca
ire Miss Calvert, when before the ref
erec said Armstrong advised her that
she was too young to play and shouId
return TO her home in Baltimore ana
remain there until he found good part
Cor her when he would send for her.
He later gave her the part in Inc
moan Purple" which she played 800
times in New York.
Becomes Her Teacher.
Near the close Of The Deep Purple
,reagement. Miss Calvert said, she en-
tered into an oral agreement with MI.
Armstrong at her apartment IN the
Great Northern Hotel. She quoted him
as saying:
Miss Calvert. l have Watched your
,york IN The Deep Purple, and | thinK
Nth nroner training and teaching you
bove the making of very successiui
actress But you have much TO learn
you let me teach you the things you
dor,t knov. If you will let me teach
-, bov 10 walk, how to gesticulate,
ho,, 70 improve your mind, II you VIII
.oa tho hooks | want you TO read, II
yo, will rIay only in the plays want
Won "a play in. and only the parts
want YOU to play: If you Will DO exactly
what | want you TO do for three years
: u,u o,,arantee you $4,000 for the first
vear "a 900 the second year and $4,000
IN three years. But you must 90 as
saw for three years
Mis- Calvert was asked on the stand
,.ha, she replied to the proposition
She said: ..,.,.,
",rhat was the biggest opportunity OF
,,,o and II made me very happy,
and I said, yes. ~
The referee pointed out that MISS