The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-31
The Death OF Mrs. Charles Mathews, sr.-
Interesting "Reminiscences o, til. Eminen,
ActOr--A Ghost m the Case,

AClOf~i GHo6t III tHc 4n5t.
The London Era, OF the 10th or October com M {.
ing upon tue death OF Mrs. Charles Mathews-the
mother OF the now living comedian, and widow or
the eminent actor VINO departed this life thirty
four years ago-te'ls the strange story as to the
courtship aud marriage OF tho deceased lady.
The dist VIZ OF air. Charles AatheRs, ST. was
Miss Strong the daughter Of a hyscian al Exeter.
In 1901 she exhibited symptoms OF a decline. Oae
evening towards the close or her brief life Mrs.
Jackson Tor whom she had some tine before
conceived warm regard, would visit her on
the following day. When the young actress
arrived Mrs. Mathews propped up in bed, MAIN
tained lively conversation I'LL her husband came
in who was deghted to md her nns able to SIT mp
and talk her Trend. She told HIM her present
cheerfuness was the result Of considerations which
had induced her TO arrange the interview. Avowlng
her conviction that no human skill could proong her
lie she adverted to her affection Tor Miss Jackson,
and TO That young lady's unprotected state; and
then, taxing her hand aud that OF Mr.. Mathews and
pressing bota 10 her own feverlsh lips IN Q solemn
manner, conJured them TO take compassion on her
anxiety ana pledge themselves TO become man and
Vile alter her death. Their agitation was extreme.
Dir. Mathews reproyed his wife WITH some I'M
petuoslty Tor placing him in such dilemma and
Miss jackson, throwing herself upon her knees,
besought the pardon OF the dying woman for her
refusal 70 comply, representing the lmpossibly OF
her Glanclng herself TO a man for wnom she enter
tanned no warmer feeling tnan that OF friendship.
she then Guittea the chamber, followed Dg Dir. Mat
News, who lmpored her not 20 harbor suspicion
that ne mad been aware Of MS wlIe'5 Intention
which he attributed TO something like dclirlum
produced by her feverlsh state. in the May follow
ing MIS- Mathews illness terminated IN DEATH For
some time after that event natural degree or dls
tance was observed between the WidoWer ana Miss
Jackson. By degrees however, the mutual GOODNESS
wore of and u feellng OF regard was growing up
between them, when Circumstance occurred stiii
more remarkable than the dyiag wonan's appeal.
Mr.. Matthew'S account OF his Impressions was az
foIlows:-"He had gone TO rest after very late
nights performance at tho theatre, finding himself
too fatgued to sit up TIL his usual hour read, but
after he was in bed he dlscovered-as Will happen
when persons attempt TO sleep before their
bity. lie had no light, nor the means OF getting
one, all the family being IN bed, but the nght was
not absolutely dark-it was only too dark for the
purpose OF reading; indeed, every object was
visible SIN he endeayored 10 go TO sleep,
but his eyes refused 10 close, and IN this state
of restlessness he renamed, when suddenly a
slight rustling, as II OF hasty approach OF some
thing induced mm TO turn his head to tnat side OF
the bed whence the noise seemed to proceed, and
there he clearly beneld the figure or his late wife, IN
her habit she lived, who, smiling sweetlY upon
him. put forth her hand as II to lake MIS- she ben
forward. This was all ne cOuld relate, for in SHRINK
ing from the contact with the figure he beheld he
threw himself out OF bed upon the floor, where, the
fall having alarmed the house, his landlord found
him In nt On has recovery ne related the cause Of
the accident, and the whole or the following day he
Remained extremely III and was unable to quit hi
room.u The remarkable fact is that at the exac
hour at which MIR. Matthews was thus aneeted
vision OF the same kind occurred TO- Mis-
jackson. "The same sloepless efect,n sh'
says. 1.-THE same cause of terror had occa
stoned me 10 seize the belrope In order K
summon the people of the house, winch giving way
ct the moment fell with It IN my hand upon III,
ground. My Impressions Of this visitation, rs Ter
sisted 1t was, were exactly similar to those Of MI
Matthews. The parties with whom we resided q
the time perfect strangers TO each other, ant
living widely apart and they recounted severally &c
those about them the extraordinary dream-for sucl
II will be called, although my entire belief WI
never BIO shaken that was as perfectly awake as a
TINS moment These persons repeated the story Y
many before they were requested TO meet and com
pare accounts. There could, consequently be NJ
doubt Oh the facts, and the circumstance became
knew us.n
Aner such sympathy between the widow ant
tne friend OF the departed wife 1t was not sur
lhn
On the 2th Of March, 1908 Mas Jackson became the
wife OF Mr.. Matthews.