South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-30
ARTIST NOW LIVES
A HAPPIER LIFE
Don AIphOnSe ZeIaya, Talented
Gentleman at 0rpheum The
alter, Has Lived Exciting Life
Since in America.

Occupying the star position on the
vaudeville bill at the Orpheum is a
musician. soldier artist and son of the
deposed president OF Nicaragua. Don
Alphone Zelaya is a talented gentle
man and one of the most important
figures that has ever prayed the local
vaudeville theater. He has been in
this country for over II years, speaks
English fluently and has a wide ac-
quaintance among the diplomats of
Washington as well as in the higher
musical circles. The story of his life
is an interesting narrative Of love
intrigue, war, kidnapping, elopement
and disturbance. In fact there isn't
an element of fiction that this young
man hasn't been mixed up in during
his life, and yet he fits into his pres
ent occupation as easily as ne did in
all the stirring scenes of his early life.
His father, Jose Zelaya, was for Is
years president of Nicaragua
which little republic he ruled with an
iron hand. Almost the first thing Al
phone can remember is revolution
cOmic-Opera war ii is called by those
who haven't been mixed up in it, but
mighty serious business for the men
who are struggling for their lives and
everything else that is dear to them.
Meets Miss Lee.
Although the young man or the
militant president preferred music
and the arts TO squelching revolutions,
he was always willing to do his part
When about is years old he was sent
TO the United States TO take military
course at West Point. but finally
wound up in the diplomatic service in
Washington where he was made much
of for q time in social circles.
Then he met Marguerite Lee.
daughter of Sidney Smith Lee, a niece
Of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and a grand
daughter OF Robert L. Lee. Although
the young lady was but II years old
and the boy less than 20, their friend
ship grew at such a terrific pace that
the diplomatic dispatches 10 Mica
ragua contained warning paragraphs.
Pres't Zelaya, quick TO act from
long practice in keeping his office, at
once ordered his son 10 come home.
But the young man replied that he
liked the diplomatic life fine and was
thinking Of staying a while. The
father insisted and when the boy re-
NAMED obdurate, actually kidnapped
him-an event which was chrOnicled
in every newspaper in the country
and had him carried to Nicaragua by
force.
But young Zelaya soon broke loose.
returned TO Washington, married Miss
Lee-but they didn't live happily ever
3IleF. 1feSI Zeldla, mucn lECenSeQ
at the action of his son, disinherited
him. cut off his allowance, and told
him 10 hustle for himself and his
bride.
Alphone Zelaya then turned 10 his
music as a livelihood and was soon
I successful in securing profitable con-
cert engagements. PTes't Zelaya. In
spite OF his seeming hard -heartedness
/ instructed his minister at Washington
/ TO keep an eve on the boy and wher
/ II was learned that he was succeeding
/ as a public entertainer the paternal
/ blessing was not long in Forthcoming
and Alphonse and his bride sailed fol
South America
Things Begin TO Happen.
Not long after they returned to the
shelter OF the home roof the big revo'
lution broke out. the United state:
/ took a hand in the matter and things
began 20 happen fast
The Zelaya family escaped. the
/ president went to Europe and Al
| phonse and his bride came TO the
United States where the musician
took up his public engagements again
he has played over some OF the big
gest circuits in the country. and !.
only flling in on this time before play
Ing 20 weeks or the Pacific coast
/ From here he goes 10 Oklahoma City
his next jump being 10 Seattle. Wash
Mrs. Zelaya. and their bright LITTLE
son accompany the father and as hi