The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-08-21
sutc,dc o. n CantasrEcc- somewhat Of
a Mystery.

Few of on: theatre-going people but will
remember the beautiful Amelia Garcia,
who. for three or four succ. ssive seasons,
won unbourded applause on the stage OF
our principal theatres. Young, lovely. and
accomplished, the wonderful charm of her
voice was augmented by great personal at
fractions. Gay, fascinating, and brilliant,
she won admirers by the score, and ut one
time-in the height Of her theatrical fame
was tho most sought after and the acknow-
lodged beauty Of her profession.
That such woman should have suddenly
died without her Gclth being made known
is surprising. Non VIII the public surprise
be esScned when the fact Is made known
that she died a suicide.
Her death occurred about two weeks
since, on Jackson street, near the corner OF
Annunciation, where she lad resided for
over wear past.
1t will be remembered that about two
years since she quit the stage and retired TO
enamorcd OF a gentleman in this city. and
for his sake abandoned whatever of fame
and prospect of advancement she had in
her profession. She occasionally appeared
on the street, always radiant, always beau
titul, and whenever she came into the thea
tres or public places Of amusement she was
the exposure of all eyes. She enjoyed this
public manifestation of admiration, and
sustained it regaily. Had she nevc0 been a
/ famous singer, Garcia would soil have been
admired for. her splendid beauty.
| But it began to be whispered about that
/ her life was not happy. Society had its OBJ
servances that could not be neglected, and
| the poor singer, with all her beauty, could
not retain an allegiance which society de-
! mandcd to be broken.
The conviction came upon her slowly,
| but it came at last. TO one of her pas
| sionatc nature there was nothing left for
her but to die. 1t would be wrong, if it
were possible, to lift the veil from those
last hours Of her life. Convinced that the
happiness she had battered so much to Sc
cherries future spreading dark before her,
she reSorted to that Lethean cup. the
poison Of the suicide, in which to drown
the senses of her misery and the JoylesS
life Of deserted and abandoned woman.
1t is said hat the morning (some two
weeks Sinco) the final separation took
,rlacc-whca Der friend saiG goodbye for
the last time-Garcia ordered her servant
10 20 90 the drug store and fetch her some
liudlnum. The servant, susDecting her
design, refused to 90. The command, re-
ppAted still more impcratirely, was diSrc-
rardcl, and the servant with tears and en-
treuticS bcsought her to refrain from her
wicked intentions.
/ hld no effect, however, and she went
herself for the poison. On what preteXt
she nbtainci it is not known; but she did
get il. aEd having taken it, died from its
effects.
The residents in the neiShborhood SLY
that about the time the poison must have
commenced its fatal work she went and
seated herself ut the piano, and for more
than an hour played and sang. Her rich,
thrilling voice, rising 10 its full compass,
.cyclcd in the sweetest music they had ever
heard. Strains OF passionate sorrow min
rlru with the sorrowful cadence OF func-
real dirgc as the dying cantatricc sung her
lie away.
Amelia Garcia was about twentv-:hree
years O. age, and native ofthe West Indies.
Her Gather was Il Spanish Creole, and her
mother Il JeweSs. u native OF Germany.
Her parents came to New York when she
was quite young, and she commenced her
professional career in that city. She sang
one season ut tue Academy Of Music in this
ritv, and one or two engagements at other
theatres. She lett the stage, however, i'll
1869. and has not since appeared, profess
sinnaly, in public.
Such, in brief, was the career of one OF
the sweetest singers and most beautiful
women Of the age. Whether her life was
good or evil it bchOoveS not now to say. Ii
she WAS reckless, frivolous, and gay. she
had, at least, y passionate and loving ma
,ure, and died Il su;cide.--N. 0. Picdyune,
Aug 18Th,