_Melbourne, May 20th_
Referring to your inquiry of the 10th ultimo respecting one Kenton
Milbourne said to be an actor formerly of this place, we beg to report
as follows:
You are in error in supposing that Kenton Milbourne formerly acted in
Australia, and sailed for America last year. Mr. Milbourne is at
present appearing as ---- in ----. The company is now touring the
province of New South Wales. Mr. Milbourne has never been to America.
We enclose one of his published pictures which you will see at a glance
is not that of the same man whose picture you sent us.
Mr. Milbourne is an actor of character parts, fairly well known in the
profession here, though not of wide public reputation. His personal
character is of the best. His real name is John Whittlesey, and he
comes of respectable parents in moderate circumstances, still living in
the town of Perth, Western Australia.
As to the photograph you enclosed, we are informed by a friend of Mr.
Milbourne's that this is undoubtedly Evan Whittlesey, younger brother
of John and the black sheep of the family, who went to America ten
years ago, after having been implicated in the robbery of Morton's
Bank, Melbourne. No proceedings were ever taken against him.
From the same informant we learn that no one in Australia has heard of
Evan Whittlesey since he went away, except possibly his brother who is
reticent on the subject, suggesting that what information he has of his
brother is not perhaps creditable.
At this writing we are unable to furnish any information regarding Evan
Whittlesey's early life beyond what is contained in the general
statement that he was "wild," that is to say, a trial to his parents
and his respectable brother--whose stage name he appears to have
borrowed for his American activities. If you desire us to go to the
expense of a thorough investigation of Evan Whittlesey's past, please
authorise by cable.
Trusting to be favoured with your future commands, etc.