The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-05-05
3 WIVES WILLING
TO GIVE UP ACTOR
Stage Lassies Voice Opin-
ions of Harry. the Joint
Stock Husband.
SET A TRAP FOR HIM
Unrehearsed Playlet Is
Given at Grand Central
and in Court.
SAYS HE MEANT WELL
WANTED to Make Their Lives
Clean Prisoner Explains,
Pleading Guilty.
SAYS HE MEANT WELL

"A. Newton, an actor, expressed tnelI
opinion yesterday OF their joint stock
husband after Newton IN Tonbs Court
had pleaded guilty to bigany and con-
fessed ne had married all three OF
them, but under extenuating clrcum-
stances"
Said wife No. l, Mrs. Florence Ma
deria Newton: Harry was an at
tractive boy when married him in
Monticello. H., ten years ago, but he
was very weak. I lived with him six
weeks--that was enough All want
now is for some one to take him OFF
my hands,
Said No. 2, Mrs. Glenn Argoe New
ton: "He is a moral leper gave the
ten best years of my life TO that man
I gave him my love and would have
done anything for him, but he is either
weak minded or vicious and in either
case should be put away where he
cannot harm other women"
No. g. Mrs. Iva Edmondson Newton.
said: II still love Harry dearly. but I
don't think I could ever 70 back to him
I married him and lived with him until
three weeks ago, but even IL he gels
out Of this trouble will not marry him
again.
The young man had nothing to say.
From his cell in the Tombs. where he
was renanded in default OF 49, bail
hA III
but I am tired out will see you u
morrow"
just Like stage Play.
Newton arrived at the Grand Central
Terminal yesterday morning. having
FASTENED from Boston in response to a
summons from his third wife. Miss Ed
mcndson. All OF the wives use their
stage names. She and Miss Argoe. the
second wife, greeted him as he left the
train shed. Miss Edmondson threw her
arms around his neck. This was a sig
nal for Warrant officer John Devine 70
tap Newton on the shoulder and place
him under arrest.
Turning to Miss ArSoe. Newton said:
"Oh. honey. how could you do it?" And
then to Miss Edmondson: Little girl.
how could you be such a traitor"
The thrice married actors downfall
was the result Of a chance meeting be-
tween Miss Argoe and Miss MADEIRA in
. theatrical managers Office last sum-
ner. On comparing notes the wives dis
covered common husband. While they
were preparing a case against him the
third wife appeared.
Mics To.
Huron, Mich, who ran away with him
In September, 1919. and was married
after a courtship OF fve days, exactly
Ave days after Newton had deserted his
second wife. He made Miss Edmondson
swear not TO tell anyone that they were
married.
las lover. Harry was a fast worker"
Miss Edmondson remarked ruefuily in
her apartment at the Hotel Grenoble,
Seventh avenue and Fffty-sixth street
Miss Madeira, the drst wife. lives at
1890 Broadway. She has played leading
parts In numerous road plays. including
up In Mable's Room and Fair and
Warmer" After the two other wives
get their marriages annulled Miss Ma
deria will seek a divorce
Marriage Certificate burned.
Miss Argoe lie living at the jefferson
Hotel. Thirty-cighth street and Sixth
avenue. She IL appearing at present In
a vaudeville sketch at the Aibeuiarle
Theatre. in Brooklyn. with Arthur De-
voy and company. Between acts last
night she told her experiences with
Newton.
II met him in 1911" she said, les.
than two months after he had married
Miss MADEIRA. but OF course | aid not
Rochester. ~. Y, on September and
for several years we acted In the same
companies He was 80 interesting. 20
unusual. such a magnetic type that no
one could resist him.
Il had my marriage certificate In a
trunk. but the trunk was lost and be-
lieve now that Harry got rid OF 1t to de-
stroy the certificate. We were married
again in September, 1918. IN New York.
Then Harry got the flu' and after that
he seemed changed.
His acting fell or and finally he lost
his Job. Shortly after that he married
Miss Edmonson. He wrote 10 me for
money. and Gent him $50, which I have
since found out he used on his third
honeymoon"
Newton Is 36 years old. but appears
much younger and plays Juvenile roles
He IL tall AMI slender with large blue
eyes and dark hair. His wives describe
him as an actor Of rs well a. on the
stage Mics Edmonson and Mise Madeira
are blonde Miss Argoc IS n brunette.
"To Make Their Lives CIesn.-
In court yesterday Newton made a
dramatic appeal 70 Magistrate Rosen-
blatt.
Your Honor" he said. II plead guilty.
but there were exteuunting cIrcun,.
stances. 7 married these girls 10 make
their lives clean"
Magistrate Rosenblatt asked him what
he meant.
This little girl" ne indicated Mis-,
Tdmondson. she took me home 10 meet
her folks. and wanted 10 do tho right
thing, so married her 7 married Glenn
tMiss Argoe) during the war. thought
IL should 20 and get KILLED there would
be widows mite For her"
Newton was served with papera IN
double annulment proceedings before
leaving the court room When Assistant
District Attorney sabbatlno asked FOR
bail TO be fxed AZ $4,000 tho prisoner
/ said:
Let hi mrave, your Honor l can't
raise any bail. no matter how small
II is"
He was held TO await action OF tho
Grand Jury.