The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-09
TRAGIC FATE OF AN ACTOR.
James W. Lingard, the Ex-Thostrioal Manager,
Destroys Himself by Drowning Recovery
Of the Body-Ths Causes Leading TO
the Fatal Deed-Hiu Domestic Re-
lations-Personal Sketch OF
the Deceased.

The fears entertained by the friends OF Mr.. James
w. Llngard the actor. who 80 suddenly disappeared
on Wednesday evening. have been realized, and
there now remains no doubt but that he committed
suicide, a. intimated In yesterdays HERALD. On
Thursday morning the remains of man, then I'M
known, were found In the dock foot OF Bank street.
North river, and removed to the Morgue. After
searching through the city for the missing gentle.
man without effect. MIR. Edward L. Murphy OF 1874
Bowery, particular friend of the actor yesterday
morning called at the Morgue. and there, much TO
his surprise and horror identified the body found at
the foot OF Bank street that OF Mr. Lngard. The
face and body OF deceased were greatly swollen,
but the features were not mucn distorted. The
fact Of
FINDING THE BODY
soon became publicly known, ana subsequently
friends called on Coroner Flynn and asked permits
sion to remove the remains from the Molgie to tie
undertaker's establishment OF Mr. Stolts. 237 Bow
cry, which was granted. Doubtless the principal
cause which prompted deceased to destroy himself
was domestic trouble OF an aggravated character
he having quarrelled with hts wife, who proclaimed
that she had love or respect for him. and expressed
wish not to him again at their house. Mr.. Lin
gard, however, had charming daughter, about
seventeen years OF age, to whom he was devotealy
attached. On Tuesday she expressed wish thar he
would
TAKE HER TO THE THEATRE
that evening, aud he did so. ON their return Mr.
Lingard proposed meeting his daughter down town
the next day. but at the hour appointed she did not
come, and falling to make her appearance, Mr.. Lin
gard and his friend Edward l.. Murphy, OF No. 1874
Bowery, towards night "wednesday went TO the
house OF Mrs. L., No. 20 Second street, where the
latter received them In very cool and Indifferent
manner. During an interview which ensued be-
tween
DECEASED AND HIS WIFE
loud, angry and obscene language was INDUCED In,
and at length Mrs. Lingard became so enraged that
she raised her fists and made q pass at him, and
might have inflicted some violence upon hun but for
the prompt interference OF Mr.. Murphy. who
This unfortunate domestic scene, before hts
be5s friend, tended TO increase Mr. Lingard's
he lett the house with the fa deter3Inaton
OF never returning TO II again. Procuring some note
paper Mr.. Lngard returned to the house OF Mr..
Murphy and there wrote
THREE BRIEF LETTERS,
one to MS wife, another TO Mr.. Clute Of 2o2 Broad.
way. and third 70 Mr.. Garland, OF East Four
teenth street. with whom he lodged, In oil OF which,
perhaps, he expressed the determination OF ending
Garland deceased is said 70 have expressed the wish
that In case his body should unfortunately be found
puce e With aI nSt e Tesn ~ en-
to the residence Of his brother, ~ second avenue,
from which the funeral WIN be attended on Sunday.
Some years ago. while Mr.. Llngard was absent in
Europe, his wife collected moneys due him, with
which she purchased her present residence, leaving
has since been paid OF and the property Is now I'M
encountered. Mr. Lngard was about forty five years
OF age. some years ago he was associated with
George L. Fox in the management OF the New
Bowery theatre.
The Career Of james w. Iiugard.
Mr.. James W. Lingard was native OF England
and came to the United States In 1885, and for the
past twenty-five years was known one Of the most
prominent actors and managers In the Union. Be-
fore he made his appearance In America he had re-
solved upon the career Of an actor. His education
had been thorough, and his own physical and mental
characteristics such as to command the public
| applause. He first played before New York audi.
ence In 1s4s, during the famous engagement OF Ma
cready at the Astor Place Opera House, when that
distinguished actor mobbed by band or rioters.
His chief hnpersona,lon at that time was Malcolm
| in Macbeth. After brief soIourn In America Mr..
Lngard returned to England, where he married, In
lsl9 the wife he has just widowed He soon returned
| to the United States, ana repaired TO Philadelphia,
| where he was engaged with Mr.. Fredericks as
| prompter at the Chestnut Street Theater. In 1862
| Mr.. Lingard again came to New YORK, and then dis
played the highest order OF hIstrionc talent Ia his
| remarkable
| INTERROGATION OF UNCLE rom
| in "Unce Toms Cabin" Al tins time Qs54) the Ma
tlona tn atre was one or the leading playhOuses ia
| ming ior 1898 consecutive nights before crowded
| houses, that demonstrated the popular appreciation
Dy every tftDutc tnat DC 10 master or
| stage. Here began MIS- great success; and during
this personal triumph Mr. Lngard repeatedly mani
tested those generous ana noble traits OF character
| which secured him many friends, who stood by him
during all his unfortunate troubles. In his hour OF
plenty he remembered those I'm their hour Of need
Went s out in sympathy toward the poor and
| struggling OF his uncertain profession. After
p pis oT s"rt time in o the Armorer
representing the part OF kisal Ladm. Mr.. Llngard
r,rv n, =, pnmvuv Arms
inaugurased tho New Bowery theatre, which was
with hts new enterprise MI. Lngard was very sue
cessfu and accumulated money rapidly. He was an
Of s
an actor himself proved able to manage tho New
Bowery 80 that Y returned large revenues On Decem-
Der H. 1885, the New Bowery was totally destroyed by
fire. Mr. Lngard losing over $780, by the disastrous
confiagraton. Though he did not own the theatre
he had large amounts invested In costumes and his.
| triOnic para phernaa, by the loss OF which he was
ruined. HIS wardrobe was extensive and superb
| and some OF the wearhiest managers In the city
| would borrow costumes from him, which he always
| lent Willingly.
| at the New BOwery under his management was
! "Griflth Gaunt,r as dramatized by Augustin DAILY.
Suddenly Frustrated BY the destruction Of very
| misfortune; but his exalted character, his true
manly and noble attributes had made friends who
large sum was rendered him. and, though
against the advice Of some Of his best
friends, he leased the Theatre comiqne, but
soon failed 10 the enterprise. He now tried
keeping hotel and opened the Lingard House. In
Broadway, near Eighth street, and here 100, he
failed. At other times he was engaged IN business
IN seventh avenue, but IL does not appear that lat
terIy hts efforts were attended with any peeunary
success. His last appearance previous TO suicide
was at the Old BOwery, on July l, whcn he played
at the benefit OF oliver DOud Byron.
The personal characteristics or Mr.. Lingard are
dwelt upon by his friends second TO none tnat
can Distinguish straightforward, honorable and
outspoKen man OF the world
HIS GREAT FAULT,
they say, was his generosity--his mnnn-
cence. Money had no value with him and
while fautess provider for his family ne
remembered those who suffered by no fault
OF their own. He had no evil or vicious
traits His nature was simple and destitute OF cold
formaty artncc. He was therefore genial as a
companion, and made friends His popularity was
unbounded and said gentleman last evening, "IIe
had but two enemies In this WIDE world and they
shall be naneless." When mis- death became known
yesterday
MES sPoKg or HTS VIRTUES