THEATRICAL SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 310, 7 January 1908, Page 4

THEATRICAL SCANDAL.

An astounding sensation has been caused in the theatrical world of America by the disappearance of Mr. lfavmond Hitchcock, a well-known actor, who has vanished from New York, in circumstances that lead his friends to fear that he has either been murdered or has committed suicide. The whole story is a very peculiar one. Kecently Mr. Hitchcock, who for the past three months has been drawing all the town to see him as a comedian in the musical comedy, "A Yankee Tourist," at the Astor Theatre, was suddenly arrested on a number of serious charges, following a prosecution he had instigated against two men for blackmail. The allegations against Mr. Hitchcock were that he had been concerned in the abduction of several girls, and though he indignantly denied the charges he was ordered to take his trial before the State court 011 six separate counts. Subsequently an applicajion for bail was made on his behalf, and, being well-known, lie was released on substantial recognisances. Two days after, however, it was intimated to the police that Mr. Hitchcock was missing. Inquiries were at once made at his home, but his wife declared that she was entirely in the dark as to his whereabouts, and that hlic feared he had been murdered. Several friends of his were questioned, and among them the general impression seemed to be thai Mr. Hitchcock, unhinged by the terrible, and, he declared, unjugt charges hangin" over him, had committed isuicide. At the Astor Theatre it was stated that he had cancelled his engagement on the ple.i that he was going to Europe. This cancellation had. however, been made before his arrest on the charge preferred against him as a xequel to the blackmailing case. In regard to the latter, on October 24th. Mr. Hitchcock caused the arrest of two met] in his dressing-room on a charge of demanding money with menaces. Some tine liefore a 'young man called and demanded .£2OO as compensation for in- ' juries Buffered, as he alleged, by his sister at Mr. Hitchcock's hands, if the money was not forthcoming an exposure in the press was threatened. Mr. Hitch cock temporised, promised to find the money, and laid a trap for October 24th. On the night of that date two detectives were concealed in the dressing-room, and at the appointed time sprang out, and secured their man, a "bar-tender" named Vocke, to whom money had been handed over by the actor. They also secured another man who was waiting, and who was suppmed to be a journalist, lint who tump! fWf ll( ' 11 flerk. Then came the proceedings for blackmail, and subsequent arrest of Mr. Hitchcock, and now bis mysterious disappearance.