The Mann Act & Frank Lloyd Wright

    I am sure you never thought you would hear so much about the Mann Act as you have the last few weeks since Governor Spitzer's trysts were unveiled, but did you know that Frank Lloyd Wright was charged with interstate trafficking of a woman in 1915? The Mann Act was passed in 1910. Frank knew about the law and tried to avoid being caught violating it but his housekeeper Nellie Breen turned him in when he brought Miriam Noel from Chicago to Spring Green. This was a year after his wife, Mamah Bortwick Cheney, family and workmen had been murdered at Taliesin, so I think it is fairly obvious housekeeper Nellie didn't like what FLW was up to and tried to punish him. Frank and Miriam were arrested for violating the Mann Act but avoided being charged. Source: Secrest, Meryle: Frank Lloyd Wright A Biography p. 243-245.

     Thanks to my friend and fellow Roycroft fanatic Linda for reminding me of this historic and yet oh so timely gossip item. Of course charismatic men throughout history are known for their dalliances. Our own Elbert Hubbard was the object of much gossip himself having a "love child" with Alice Moore while married to his first wife Bertha. You can read more about this affair in the book by Charles Hamilton, As Bees in Honey Drown, selling for $16.95 at the Roycroft Copper Shop, 31 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY.

- Sue

Comments

[LINDA ULRICH-HAGNER]

MAMAH WAS ALSO A GIRL FRIEND. FRANK WAS A BUSY GUY AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. I THINK THAT FRANK WAS CHARGED TWICE WITH THE MANN ACT. ALSO ONCE WITH MAMAH WHEN HE TOOK OFF WITH HER TO EUROPE. FROM YOUR FELLOW FANATIC--LINDA

[Don Meade]

In talking to Janet Utts she mentioned that they are told at Graycliff that Wright stayed at the Inn, and that this is recorded in the guest books stored at the Hubbard Museum. We have never found anything, but a more consintrated search may be in order.