CARTER, Mrs. Leslie (Mrs. William Louis Payne) :
Actress, was born in Louisville, Ky., her maiden name being Caroline Louise Dudley. On her father's death the family removed to Ohio, where Miss Dudley, still in her teens, met Leslie Carter, a wealthy Chicago lawyer, to whom she was married at Dayton May 26, 1880. On May 22, 1889, Mr. Carter obtained a divorce. Mrs. Carter then decided to seek a stage career. It was not until she met David Belsaco that she found a manager who saw in her the possibilities of an undeveloped talent. Under his tutelage she studied and worked untiringly and unceasingly until November 10, 1890, when she made her debut in New York in "The Ugly Duckling," by Paul Potter, Mr. Belasco giving her the principal part. More training and hard work on the part of teacher and pupil followed, and better results came with the production, the following year, of "Miss Helyett," a comedy with music, by Audran. Mrs. Carter played the part of a demure Quaker maiden in this for two years, improving constantly, and all the time being under Mr. Belasco's personal training. In March, 1893, Mrs. Carter left the stage and dropped out of the public eye until 1895. These two years had been spent in further study. In October of that year she appeared as a star in "The Heart of Maryland," written especially to display her talents by Mr. Belasco. In this she achieved the success she and Mr. Belasco had worked so long and hard for. She played Maryland Calvert in this country for three seasons, until April 9, 1898, when Mr. Belasco took the play to the Adelphi Theatre, London. There Mrs. Carter appeared as Maryland Calvert one hundred and forty-five times. This was followed by an even greater success, "Zaza," written by Mr. Belasco from the French play by Simon and Berton, which Rejane produced at the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris. After its initial production in Washington December 26, 1898, Mrs. Carter was hailed by some critics as the American Bernhardt. In April, 1900, she appeared with great success in "Zaza" at the Garrick Theatre, London. "Zaza " was followed by "Madame Du Barry," written by Mr. Belasco which was produced first at the New National Theatre, Washington, D. C., December 12, 1901, and opened in New York at the Criterion Theatre on December 25. The success of this was even more phenomenal than that of "Zaza," Mrs. Carter showing perhaps even more talent as an emotional actress than she had in the former play. From that time until 1905 Mrs. Carter alternated in playing "Zaza " and "Madame Du Barry" to crowded houses all over the country. In 1905 she appeared in " Adrea," by Mr. Belasco and John Luther Long, at the Belasco Theatre. New York. This was withdrawn in the spring of 1906. Mrs. Carter made a starring arrangement with Charles B. Dillingham for the season of 1906-7, but that manager, unable to secure a suitable play for her use she went out under her own management on spring tour in May, 1907. Mrs. Carter continued under her own management the season of 1907-8, appearing in repertoire, her season opening at Schenectady, N. Y., November 11, 1907.