The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-09
TRAGIC FATE OF AN ACTOR.
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Drowning-PersonaI sketch 0fvhe Deceased.
The fears entertained by the friends of Nj.
James w. lingard, the actor, who so suddenly
disappeared on Wednesday evening, have been
realized, and there now remains no doubt but
that he committed suicide. On Thursday morn
lug the remains of a man, then unknown, were
found in the dock foot of Bank street, North
liver, and removed to the Morgue. After
searching through the city for the missing gen.
tleman without effect, Mr.. Edward L. Murphy,
of No. 134 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 as that of Mr.. Lingard. The face and
body OF deceased were greatly swollen, but the
features were not much distorted.
Mr.. James w. Lingard was native OF Eng
land, and came to the United States in 1S4S, aud
for the past twenty-five years was known as one
of the most prominent actors and managers in
the Union. Before he made his appearance in
America he had resolved upon the career of an
actor. His education had been thorough, aud
his own physical and mental character tics
were such as to command the public applause.
He first played before a New York audience in
1S4S, during the famous engagement of Ma
cready at the Astor Place Opera House, when
that distinguished actor YVES mobbed by band
of rioters.
His chief impersonation at that time was
Malcolm" in Macbeth. After a brief sojourn
in America, Mr.. Lingard returned to England,
where he married, in lS40, the wife he has just
widowed. He soon returned to the United
States, and repaired to Philadelphia, where he
was engaged with Mr.. Fredericks as prOmpter
at the Chestnut Street Theatre. In 1852 Mr..
Lingard again came to New York, and then dis
played the highest order of histrioEic talent in
his remarkable
IMPERsoNATIoN OF ''UNCLE TOM"
in Uncle Toms Cabin. At this time CS5D
the National Theatre was one of the leading
playhouses in the city, and Mr.. Lingard kept the
character running for 36S consecutive nights,
before crowded houses, that demonstrated the
popular appreciation by every tribute that can
be paid to a master of the stage Here began
his great success; and during this personal
triumph Mr.. Lingerd repeatedly manifested those
generous and noble traits of character which
secured him many friends, who stood by him
duringall his unfortunate troubles. In his hour
of plenty he remembered those in their hour of
need. His purse was always open, and his heart
went out in sympathy toward the poor and
struggling of his uncertain profession. After
his engagement at the National Theatre he also
played for a short time in Gto, The 4rmorer Of
Tyre,I representing the part of "Kisal Ludin."
Mr.. Lngard afterwards took
THE OLD BowERY THEATRE
with George /. Fox, and on September 5, 1861,
inaugurated the New Bowery Theatre, which
was built for hi m and Mr.. Fox by Mr.. James r.
Whiting. With his new enterprise Mr.. Lingard
was very successful and accumulated money
rapidly. He was excellent business man,
possessed of abundant discretion, good sound
common sense and having been an actor him
self, proved able to manage the New Bowery
1866, the New Bowery was totally destroyed by
fire, Mr. Lingard losing over $780, 900 by the dis
astrous contlagration. Though he did not own
the theatre, he had large amounts invested in
costumes and histrionic paraphernala, by the
loss of which he was ruined. His wardrobe was
extensive and superb, and some of the wealthiest
managers in the city would borrow costumes
from him, which he always lent willingly.
THE LAST PIECE PERFORMED
at the New Bowery under his management was
GrifiHt GGunt, as dramatized by Augustin DAILY.
Suddenly prostrated by the destruction of a
very profitable business. Mr. Lingard severely
felt his misfortune; hut his exalted character,
his true, manly, and noble attributes had made
friends who did not forsake him with the frowns
of fortune. A large sum was rendered him,
and, thougb against the advice of some of his
best frieEzE he leased the Theatre Comique,
but soon failed in the enter
prise. He now tried keeping a
hotel and opened the Lingard House, in
Broadway, near Eighth street, and here, too he
failed. At other times he was engaged in busi-
ness in Seventh avenue but it does not appear
that latterly his efforts were attended with any
pecuniary success. His last appearance pre-
| vious to suicide was at the Old Bowery, on July
| l, when he played at the benefit of Oliver Doud
Byron.
The personal characteristics OF Mr.. Lingard
are dwelt upon by his friends as second to none
that can distinguish a straightforward, honor.
able, and outspoken man OF the worldly T.
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