Ruth Maycliffe grew up in Winfield and became a Broadway star
Born Fern Krehbiel near Winfield, she made her Broadway debut in Clyde Fitch's Girls in 1908.
By Garrett Pruitt
Fern Krehbiel was born near Winfield on Dec. 19, 1888. Broadway knew her as Ruth Maycliffe.
She grew up in Winfield and Coffeyville. Her mother, Luella Krehbiel, was a Socialist Party organizer who traveled the country giving speeches. At 16, Fern moved with her to Kansas City, went to drama school and acted with the Woodward Stock Company.
In 1907 she went to New York and got a part in Clyde Fitch’s “Miss McCobb, Manicuriste.” Fitch was taken enough with her to write a character for her into his next play, “Girls.” Her debut in it in 1908 made her one of the most popular young actresses on Broadway.
She made national headlines again for reportedly marrying a prince in 1913 and a count in 1919. She died in 1981.