Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-12
SHE P|NED TO SEE
SULZER AS ROMEO
Girl Suing Governor Says, in
One of 100 Letters, He's
Great Actor.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, July r.
Miss Mignon Hopkins, who on July
brought $4,000 suit for breach of
promise against Governor William
Sulzer, of New York, and whose Sc
clusion since then has been a mystery
OF national interest, was found yes
terday in her home at 902 Spruce
street, this city The woman who
claims to have been the youthful
sweetheart of the man now holding
first power and position in the EN-
pire State, is still strikingly beautiful,
a woman of keen and cultured mind,
but of fragile sensibllity, VINO wept
as she read the letters which she
wrote to William Sulzer and which
will confront him as evidence There
are perhaps a hundred letters-let-
ters that he returned to her after
the parting of the ways.
Miss Hopkins, whose statement was
made In the presence of her attorney.
Theodore Cuyler Patterson, told the
story of her romance as follows:
Il met Mr.. Sulzer In 1901" she said
I'VE were introduced by Mr. Brinton
Miner a friend of mine and law
school classmate Of his 1t was "a
casual. natural meeting loved him
almost from that day. | thought him
| the finest and noblest man alive.
believe he loved me.
Every friend we had knew that
the Congressman was engaged to
marry me. Many have come forward
and volunteered TO testify to this fact.
Every letter that he wrote to me
while he was out of town told of his
love and devotion Some of these let
| tiers will be shown at the trial.
I'VE went out frequently together
when he was in the city. | trusted
him utterly. But in 1898 while he was
stopping at the Stevens Hotel, q
Broadway. and when | had met him
there for dinner at his invitation the
! first trouble came. He suddenly
offended me in a manner which aston
lshed and dismayed me.
I'm my fright | cried for aid and
several guests of the hotel came. MIR.
Sulzer sent them away. He told them
that was his wife. We shall have
| some of these guests as witnesses to
prove in court the truth of my state
ment.
But the quarrel passed over and
in the Intervening years until 1908,
although / suffered many misgivings
we were the closest of comrades. We
met at places in Staten Island and
elsewhere. He was my promised hus-
band and I loved him dearly. l was
very proud of him. ] wrote 10 him
| continually,y as he did to me when
he was away.
"The break came in 1908. One day
the news was brought to me that he
! had married Miss Clara Rodelheim, q
trained nurse, of Philadelphia II was
on January &. Shocked. dismayed and
broken hearted, consulted lawyer
John j. Adams. and he communicated
with Mr.. Sulzer. Mr.. Sulzer hired a
lawyer too After great deal OF
controversy and trouble, and because
his wife was ill. consented to return
his gifts and letters, and he agreed to
return mine. 1t was agreed that he
should pay me $4,000. and on this
understanding L allowed him to go his
way and | went mine. OF the sum
promised he has paid me only small
fraction, $4,000. In occasional remit
| tanoes. have given him receipts for
the payments received, nothing else.
when | saw that he did not seem
to intend to keep his agreement / de-
termned to make him. Against the
protests of my sisters. Gladys and
Bessie, who hold excellent positions
here, decided to bring suit, No other
influence moved me.
II wish to state at the very begin
ming" she said. that Mr.. Suffers
statement that my suit is an attempt
at blackmail and was instigated by
| his political enemies is an infamous
| lie. He knew perfectly well that he
was lying when he made that state
ment.
THE stories printed broadcast by
the press agents of the Governor to
the effect that I formerly belonged to
a so-called Bedford avenue gang in
Brooklyn composed of people who
have figured in scandals and muir
ders and other crimes are as wicked
and malicious as they are untrue.
have never belonged to a set, or a
gang or a crowd of any kind in my
life.
One of Miss HopSins's letters 10
Mr.. Sulzer, dated October II, 1902, was
as follows:
Dearest One: 1t is now 10 p. M
In the distance two blocks up the
crowds are shouting. the bands are
playing and rockets are ascending.
All in honor of the Honorable Bird S.
Coler. How you like that word Hon
orable,' William. dear. That is be-
cause you are so honorable yourself.
II read tonight that you seconded
Mr.. Coer's nomination very fervent-
ly and passionately.' You are great
actor, William. only wish that you
would play Romeo once. You do not
fancy that role, though, do you? Is
it because there is a Juliet in the
picture? How / wish that | could
put my arms around you tonight and
kiss you again tenderly. But crying
doesn't bring one any nearer. Take
good care of yourself, darling, and
write TO me soon again. "MIGNON."