The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-12
Obituary.

xB. CHARLES 8. T. BURKE, AUTHOR AND COMEDIAN.
i CHARLES s. 7. BURKE died at the Florence Hotel in
this city Friday night aged thirty years. He fell
victim to that terrible destroyer which cuts of 80
many Of the brightest and the best Of our countrymen
consumption His mother, eminent vocalist and 40
xsss died of the disease and had been gradually
king Mr. Burke for ten years previous to his DEATH
n the death Of Charles Burke the American stage has
Lost one of its brightest ornaments his family, much
loved relatives and his friends win lament the loss of
generous; warm hearted, high minded gentleman. He
was born in the city Of Philadelphia the 9th March,
1874 His mother died in $780, leaving him to the care
Of stepather Mr. Joseph Jefferson the actor artist
and manager. Thus Mr.. Burke was brought up In the
society Of the most prominent theatrical hmies in the
United states-the Jefersons and the Warrens MI
Burke began at the beginning" and when only three
years Of age he represented Coras child (Pzarro) on
the stage Of the Chestnut street theatre Philadelphia
He afterwards played at the old National theatre in this
city, and at the Bowery At early age he visited tn
Southern and Western cities, and made good profes
sional stand, at Returning his native city, he
WAS immediately engaged BY Mr. Burton for the Arch
street theatre He made his first shit' In buresque
Of "Gizelle," we think At this time, in the. same
theatre were tho three best comedians In the United
States-Mr Burton, Mr. Burke and Mr. JOS. Jefferson
Mr. Burkes style not 80 rich and unctuous that
sf Mr.. Burton; he had not the physical power to go
through the amount of labor which that great artist
Performs he had not the age and the stage experience
Of his manager but he still favoraby compared
with him. Mr.. Burke's style was eminently quiet and
artistic He made his impressions upon his audiences
some artists paint picturesby succession of beautiful
little touches forming grand and harmonious whole.
He was not an actor Of points-ic did not play
one scene beautifully and another badly but
he acted the whole part well. In this respect and
in that Of originality Of conception the best critics
thought him unexcelled, and, with the exception Of
Burton unapproached He played all the legitimate low
comedy parts--Frenchmen, Yankees, (he most natural
We have seen and what called eccentric parts He
clever artist, good singer, could execute clever
violin SOLO and has written many pleasant ballads and
several plays.
After his Philadelphia he came to New York,
(season Of 1s4s-9,) and was stage manager for Mr..
Chanfrau when that gentleman directed the Chatham
theatre Many Of readers will remember him Mt that
time and also ut Burton's theatre where no played
short engagement to the OF 1S50-'51
S1ncc that time frequently his health would allow
he has rlayed star engagements In various cities and
town. throughout the United States He WAS for time
starr manager OF the Chestnut street theatre Phnde
pbis His last engagement in New York was in August
q 1889 when he aied the Bowery theatre during two
weeks. He then went 10 Baltimore % manager Of tn