 In late November 1873 it was reported Markham had eloped with Randolph M. McMahon, a former Southern Civil War officer with a reported rank ranging anywhere from Colonel to Major General.A few days earlier Markham failed to appear for that night's performance of "The Black Crook" at Niblo's Theatre.It was later discovered the couple had skipped town to avoid detectives searching for McMahon over an extravagant unpaid hotel bill.