Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28

NJ ISIS LEWIS popularity had caused her to
be made an honorary member of the
national Fencibles and at her funeral, which
occurred on October 2, members Of that or.
ganization served as pailbearers.
Bettina Gerard, whom the writer saw m
vaudeville at the Academy of Music, in 1900.
was also well known Washington girl, having
been the daughter Of Brig. Gen. Albert ordway,
appointed the first commander Of the District
OF Columbia militia, April 10. 1887 Her stage
career was slightly different from that of Miss
Lewis Indeed, temperamentally, they were
decidedly different, although it would seem
that both were born for the stage Miss Ord.
way first saw the light of day I'm Richmond.
va. In one respect, at least. it q quite likely
that Betty held the record for Washington
actresses. and that was for the number af
times she had entered into wedlock.
Without looking the matter I'D, It seems that
she at least equaled the record for marriages
hung up by Nat Goodwin and De Wolf HOMER.
and In much shorter space Of time, for sl,o
had taken unto herself seven husbands by tina
time she was IS years old-n the age given
when she married for the last time was correct
Miss Ordway's first husband was Arthur
Padelford OF Baltimore. Their honeymoon In
cluded trip abroad, and within three montbs
the bridegroom was suing for divorce After
becoming free. single and disengaged, she made
her debut at the Columbia Theater Chicago
on January Z, 1889, In o Sh0rt-liyed ouera
entitled The Kings Fool" and from this time
ON she adopted the stage name of "Bettina
Gerard" Her second husband was Jack Rafael
tenor singer, soon to be followed In order
by Harrison J. Wolfe, william G. Beach. PhiIip
Schuyler. Frank Turner and Francis @. Witter.
whose wife she was at the time of her death
which took place in Roosevelt Hospital. New
York, on January 8. 1905. the cause being
pneumonia.
WHILE living in Washington in her girl
hood days, Miss Ordway was a great
social favorite. She was handsome smoke
several languages was natural musician. had
beautiful soprano voice and was endowed
with gay nature. We are told that her VIM
tiers were spent in White SULPHUR Springs
where she reigned like the bellies of the early
nfties," and that 1t was upon one OF these
occasions that young attache Of the French
legation, after listening to the compliments
showered on Miss Ordway, asked her how he
could become as famous as she, and as quick
as q flash she replied: 81 will show YOU"
There was whisk Of drapery," it is said.
"and In moment his instructress stood an
her chair. holding aloft her slipper and pouring
champagne into It, Drink toast to fanel'
she said. The young man took the slipper
from her, turned to his associates and drank
the toast while the hall Of the old hotel rang
With cheers"
In addition to its use as q theater, the Acad-
envy Of Music was for many years popular for
graduating exerices and any number Of mem
and women today fondly look back over q
period Of nearly two score Of years to the
time when they were handed a sheepskin On
this stage by some noted or distinguished man.
To-day 1t stands as reminder of the past,
since 1t has not been used for legitimate the
DfO0uCt1OnG n nj nlnor nf nd
the chances are that it win never. again be-
usaA