The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-27
DEITH OF HENRY PLICIDE.

Henry Placide, the well-known comedian,
who made his first appearance on the Charleston
boards more than sixty years since, died at Baby
lon, L. L., on Sunday last. We take the following
sketch of his life and professional career from the
New York Times of Monday:
Henry Placidc, comedian, died at Babylon, /.
l., Yesterday. He was born in Charleston, ). T.,
September 8, 1899. His father and mother were
both performers, the former the manager oil
company of actors who travelled through the
South giving dramatic entertainments The ear
liest authentic record Of Mr. Placide's appearance
on the stage exists in play BILL (now hanging i'll
the parlor of the deceased actor,l oil inc CnafieS
ton company, dated Friday evening, October II,
1905 in which Master II. Placide appears in two
pieces, viz: AS David in the "Blind Bargain and
as Florio iii Rosalvl in the "Hunter OF the Alps"
pearance in New York was as Zekiel Home
spun, in the "Heir-at.Law," and as Dr. Du-
bloncGur in the .afterpiece of the ~ Bud
get OF Bundsrs." at, at taS me- oa iarS Ssa inca,
period Of twenty years, lie was the constant
favorite of the New York public. In 1910 Mr.
stephen Price. Simpsons partner in the manage
ments unfinished that lie made with popular per-
formers on the other side of the water. Placlde,
at simpsons request, crossed The Atlahtic III llle
ship Gladiator, to re-engaGe the performers, anu
the consequence was the appearance at the Park
OF Brahanl, the famous tenor singer; tyrone
Power, Fanny Ellsler, Mr.. and Mr.. Woods, Buck.
stone and other foreign actors OF the h9hest
merit. During this visit to the Old World ne uid
not play in England or elsewhere. He re-
turned in August Of the same year. This
period may be called the brightest days OF
the "Old Park The 1ar'lamed stock com
palH was in its perfection then, and being
assisted By such actors as we have spoken VI
above, with Dowton, Hackctt, Mrs. FilZwllllan,
Burton, the Scgutn operate COMPANY, ~ tue Mar-
tyn operate Company, Forrest, Charlolte CusE-
man, Browne, Barnes, ". II. Williams and others
OF great celebrity besides, 1t might surely nave
contested the palm with any theatre whatever
An unfortunate event in the beginning ol tue lol,
lowing year cast q gloom over the theatrical
world, from which 1t has never entlrely recover
ed This was the sailing OF the Inflated steamer
President, on which poor Power emoarSea, , ana hs
second trip to England. The President sailed
from New York on the 10th of March, and was
never more heard Of. The circumstances that LED
Pacide to give up his trip Dy TINS steamer appear
so curious that they are worth relating. He was
not going out to fulfil an immediate engage
ment, bat, on the contrary, he might remain lule
in London for some months before there woulu
he an opportunity for him TO appear III tue ilNor
lite parts with Power. But among the passengers
on the vessel were to he many particular friends
as well as Power, and he hoped TO make the voy-
rancements to go, said he, when Forrest came to
INV room and persuaded me not to go. He thor
oughly hated England and Englishmen, anu
among the latter reckoned Power. "Why 30 out
try where you will not be-where you will not
even have fair chance? AS an American, the
critics will show you no mercy" &C.; &c. told
him might as well go there as stay here; /! had
given up my engagement at the Park and conld en-
ploy my leisure time in Europe very pleasantly In
looking at the curiosiies OF the Old Nerld "fes,"
he replied, "and spend all your money before you
get an engagement why not make e, some me money
/ replied that had no prospect OF playing here
times were dull-no theatrical prospect before
me. To this he said that he was just from RICH
mond, where he had had very successful en-
gagement. "They will be glad TO have you there.
know,n he continued, "and II You will say the
word, i will write to the manager at once, and
no doubt he will make nattering terms WIN
youn Seeing Ihestated he said. "Come, Will
write a letter to him myself" and without more
words he sat down, wrote the letter and carried
it or with him. In q few days he brought Inc
very polite answer from the manager, asking
terms, &C., and as had secretly determined 10
90 to England in the President, come what
would, and wished to cut short FORESTS irlendly
opportunities, Lspamed terms Tar beyond any
thing had everSxeceived or expected TO receive.
Forrest was not surprised at 1t, although my
modest rrice was "halr the house." and advised
me to sit down ut once and write the manager 10
that effect. tried to put on the Writing, put IL
was Of no use. Forrest insisted that SHOULD ao
1t at once, and for fear that should not mail tie
letter after had written it, actually carried 1t
himself to the New York Postoilce, then in the
little Rotunda in the park. The letter went, tile
answer came back, and my terms were accepteu
So the steamer sailed without me- Power salu ne
was sorry to lose my company, but congratulated
me on my good luck On the hrst OF May follow
Ing took passage by the Great Western to JOIN
him in London. Upon arriving at Liverpool the
first thing we asked the pilot was, "Have
YOU heard OF the President?' "No!" was
ihe answer. That was the last Of poor or
Power. Placide played star engagement III
london. where he was subject to some few not
unIriendly criticisms as Forrest had predicted,
and even the comparisons made to his dlsadvaE-
tagc were with giants OF the stage; MS SIR peter
was compared with that OF Farren, and his Touch-
stone with that Of Fawcett. On his return 10
New York, Placide reappeared at the Park IN ser
tember, aud continued to play there until lS4S;
He there terminated long career OF unequ2Hed
popularity at this lme-honored edifce. anu re.
tired for time to his quiet country residence at
Babylon, L. /. Since then, he has played IN the
various cities in the Union, his last engagement
being at the Winter Garden in 1865. where lie
played Corporal Cartouche with undininished
spirit in his Goth year.