New-York tribune., 1868-02-24
ORTTUARY
OBITUARY.
MARY CANNON.

1 n
pected has at last occurred Mary Cannon died In this
city Saturday afternoon the 22d inst, at abont
o'clock In losing her the American stage loses the best
comic actress Of this generation Her professional career
extended over period of about 80 years She was born
In this city the 5th Of October 1922 and she went upon
the stage when she but little child In 1854 girl OF
six yearsshe played at the Old Bowery Theater in such
pieces as "The Planter and His Dog" and Jack
Robinson" Julio and Henry the little parts she
then acted In 1886 she at the Franklin Theater,
IN Chathan-st., where she played, for the first
time, Louisa, in "The Golden Farmer" and such
parts Fiorio, in "The Hunter OF the Alps.'
One OF her special accomplishments at this
time that Of dancing; and we'll imagine with
what grace and spirit she executed Juvenile saiers
hornppe On the llth Of November 1897. she made her
first appearance at the National Theater in Churchst
under the cement Of Mr. j. W. Wallack In Garricks
play OF Gullver in Lilput" The character that che
personated Lady Himnop. The National Theater 1t
will be remembered afterward burned and thea
Mr. Walack took his company to Nlblo's; but he met
with there, and aftcrward he went to
England. temporarily abandoning theatrical enterprise
in this country On the Ith Of July. 1slO Miss Cannon
played La petite Celeste in Tho Actress OF AL Work."
at the Park Theaer For years after this time she
acted at Southern theaters-n Philadelphia, Baltimore,
and Charleston In nseptember lSS, at Mtchels Olympic
Theater in this city he location between Howard and
Grand-st, the east side Of Broadway Miss Cannon
made her first appearance as Sarah Blunt In the familiar
farce OF Poor PiHcOddy" Afterward she played
Leander in Hero and Leander;" Hnete in the Mid
night Watch; Teses; EsmerGIda, in comic version OF
Victor Hugos "Hunchbaek Of Notre Dame" Ariel in
burlesaue OF "The Tempest" and great variety OF
similar parts In 1919 she became the wife OF Mr. George
W. Stephenson young lawyer. They had two children,
both of whom died In infancy. Their married life was
but brief Mr. Stephenson died, OF consumption, within
q few years OF their marriage, at Dobbss Ferry leaving
his wife in poverty This Of course necessitated her
fha vhic made wa hell A
Montreal, under the management Of Mr. Charles NJ.
Walcot, the onco celebrated, and always respected
comedian. About this tlme-n ls52-Mr. ]. w. Wal
lack returning from England established his theater
at the OF Broomest. and Broadway The season
Of 1855 opened the 18th OF September Miss Cannon
among the newly engaged members OF the company
She made her first appearance here the 18th OF Octo
ber as MADAME IDenho1, lady in difieulties" The
personaton made comic hit and from that time TO this
Miss Cannon has remained chief favoritc the best
comedy company In the United States There are few
goers whom her career from that time onward
s not perfectly familiar. She has played many parts
md she has always played them TO leave distinct
and abiding impressions in the sympathetic mind Some
dea OF the versatility of her talent may be gathered from
IN enumeration Of the characters in which she was con-
spicuously excellent Widow lGTesn, in " The Love
chase :" Madame Au6ray. in +" The Romance of Poor
Young Mani" Peg0y Popiin, in e knights Of the
Round Table :" Gertrude, IN THE Little Trpasure'-of
which she was the original at walacks Theater Hester
IN To Marry or Not to Marry !" Lydia Ldngttsh In
The Rivals Sophia FreelOre, in "The Road to Euin
Miss Irte, In Glove for Love-" Fanny Mhrkhdm, In
The Country Squire" Gertrude In ,T Tho Loan OF
Lover" Miss Hardcdsae, in "she StOops to Conquer;
Rose. in Love and Money" Katherine Kloper, In
Catching Governor" OF which, believe, she was
he original IN this country and Rosa Leigh in Lester
Wallack's Rosedale," OF which she was the first
these presentations live distinctly In
he memories Of those who saw and studied the acting
" Miss Cannon. She gifted with very subtle
md unerrng powers OF perception for the comic phases
II character and fe Her temperament exceedingly
weet and gentle. Her odd ways were very character
site and winning AS what the French call an tngenw
and We have no word that literally describes this person
llty), she was simply perfect. Her good hnmor was
,oundiess She enjoyed life while il passed. as well as
he could and she sroye make everybody else enjoy
t. The stage lighted up at her coming and she seldom
allied to leave her audience in state OF hearty merr
nent There was q sentiment OF human goodness, too,
all that she did as artist which touched every heart
Personally she OF the kndest, most unseirsn
md most affectonae OF women. Her whole private me
passed in doing good Others and her whole public
lie In contributing TO the amusement OF everybody We
NOW not whether TO estimate her most highly as
, UNIQUE and charming character, or as gifted
artist thing, at any rate certain-that she nos
not left her equal in the line of parts that she played
upon either the English or the American stage Aef loss
very sad one walacks Theater will scarcely seem
tsen without hef bho Was Mmh9o my Va '~N9 |
Those who remarked her late performances have OF
course noticed gradual decline in her wonted elasticity
II spirits She had long known that the end was ap-
the black curtain about 70 fall
On the first night Mr. Lester waacks present series
II performances when appeared in The Captain OF
he Watch" sho deplored her inability to act
With energy and said that she dying The
ast part she played was Nary Eetiey In ours"
IN the 25th OF January last and" when she
aid aside her stage dresses that night she said that she
hod never use them again Her last hours were hours
u insensbty but while her mind remained she evinced
perfect tranquility and resignation, and gave the most
mpe directions for the settlement Of all matters OF th
ife pertaining TO She has passed away In the
rhine OF her years and in the funess OF her fame and
he is happy in leaving that will often be thought
{ with SIGH and that will never be mentioned without
smile.