The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-09
From the Evansville Indiana Journal,
A Dramatic Death.

We have lately seen going the rounds of
tho news papers, an accoun;,l lin the maIn cor
rect, of deporable tragedy that occurred on
the boards of the Nashville theatre some fit
teen yenrs Iago The editor of this paper,
was on the stnge personnting the "Frinrs,'
when The deporable accident occurred, and.
as we observe one or two slight errors IN the
account MS now published, we deem it prop
err TO mike the correction.
A number of young men, with one or Two
exceptions Printers, engaged in the different
offices in Nashville, formed themselves into
Il Thespian Corps, and rented The tIIentre with
all its scenery, and commenced giving dra
matte representations. They had performed
two or three weeks,when MIR J. }, McIiaugh-
lima young genlemun ftoInIlopkinsyilIe.k KY,
of fine personal appearance, great dramatic
talent and energy of character, presented
himself to the managing committee for n sit
uation. His cffer was accepted.nnd infer as-
sislIng in the representation of the drama of
"Roh Roy" "Bcrtram,o or the Castle of ST. Al
dobriund," was announced, and he to perform
the part Of Bertrnn.
The day the piece was to he performed,
McLa ughlin visited the steamboat landing to
bid good bye 10 friend who was leaving for
the East, aud was accidentally taken Oft by
the boat and carried some twenty miles down
the river, WllGH tie WIS pun ol suuIC
to walk all the way back to the city, where
he arrived about sunset, completely eXhaus-
ted, and looking wild and excited to an unu-
sual degree. His associates,t to whom lie had
endeured hinsclfhy his frank, manly deport-
ment, offered TO postpone the play TO some
other evening, but he, TO whom the manage
ment had been given, strongly insisted that
there should he no disappointment apd re-
marked with n forced smile upon his coun-
tenance, that if the others were ready lac was,
and he would "play Bertram MS il never had
been played OH those boartls." lie kept his
word. ..-.r a.. ...-..-. -.....t =.
Evening came, and the iheatre was lighted,
and the house was soon filed by the beauty
and fashion ofthe city. The play had pros
crossed nearly to the close aud had gwen
general satisfaction, not only 10 the audience
hut 10 the performers themselves. 1t is true
Nc Laughlin appeared greatly excited during
the play, aud when not on the stage lie sought
some corner apart from the others, but no
notice was taken of this, and he was suffered
to commune with himself alone, IN the end
ing of the play Bertram stabs himself ana
dies, and Mclaughlin not having provided
himself with n weapon for the ocGasinn, nc
cepted Spanish dirk from gentleman VINO
had been admitted behind the scenes AS
the tragedy wore TO its denoument his ex-
,hn nn,v ,yn nnon him with n mower that
mo.e n strong ;,rnression of reality u,,on the
heorors a,,J linda ,hp,n shuddcr NJ he pro-
nomrnod ,h, f,IIo,,;ng occomnonied Ly the
nlunTe Of the dagger 1hot brought him 10 his
death: ar ID i.I HHa .-.r.-...s
ber,ra'n mas o,'' o''e ~" CT, vi, I:..,rl
Una ne IS mere lo ,'" '"" 70 ~,
1t was at this moment tina, lie plunged the
weapon to his heart i was doubtless 0c, ,ho