The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-26
BARNEY WILLIAMs DEAD.


Career before the FOOtlights.
Bernard Flaherty, better known as Bar
ney Williams, the Irish comedian, died ycstcr-
day OF paralysis, In his home at Al East Thirty
eighth street. lie was born IN Cork on the 10Th
Of June, lS24. HIS father was a sergeant In the
British army and after his death Airs. Fiahor-
" and her two sons aud three daughters
cmisrdted to New York. Bernard was then
six years Of age. Mira. Fllherty's sons
began very early In life TO earn their
own living. BERNARD ran errinds for washlny-
ton Market dealers, and subsequently bee me
an errand boy in the office of the COtuior di,i
Enquirer when Col. James Watson Webb waa
editor OF that journal. In 1876 he ran errands
for the management OF the Franklin Theatre
and In time became an usher at s. week. Dur.
ing his employment In the theatre he learned a
number Of negro songs and dances. and in
thcm he soon exhibited himself In saloons
and finally in Vauxhall arden in the IIowcry
As he approached manhood he PLAYED utility
In both the Franklin and the Chatham Theatres,
under tho me Of u rney Williams, and was
intrusted with small Irish characters In these
he showed ability, and was at length allowc d TO
play PIT R0OBcW the leading character n tho
farce Of TIE "Onuibus" From that TINA ne
took good position IA the profession, aud IN
March, ISIS, he an cared ~ the old Nation 4
Heroic struggle OF no"
Ia August, 1915, Barney williams returned TO
this citV and became manager OF Nauxhnli Cnr.
den, aud while he Was manager there Dan liry-
ant made his debut as boy negro dancer. Not
nndiug ultinnaa slcsc.s IN NaixhaIl f;nrdcn
Barney drif'cd hack % the chatham Theatre,
wrcrc Mis- Maria Kathleen PRAY was IN the bal.
lci. She was soon married ~ Charles Mcstayer,
Chatham, and became popuiur a.
I ncy dancer and second suUorette. In
Jtu' r-un was tbs low coriefiau. His tlrst wife,
NJ rrir Lockycr. whom he first know ~ "A vounl
hNl c'fl of the ~ very Theatre, WAS de1d. aud
he began TO Haulrs tho pretty Mr.. Mcftaycs.
Barney WAS also iWuros srl hy her, but butn we're
too shy to offer themselves, and neithor
Know tho Others fechn-s Que evening
doc asked B,ruey, as they were blessing
i9r the stage, to make Mrs. Mestayer an oircr on
his behalf. Barney was STAGGERED, bat he
heroicallV resolved to abide bv tue lad, decis-
ion. lie iIlliieI las t'si, between the first aLi
second acts of tae first piece, saying, MIR.
his heart and hJnl." IL am sorry"
id The US her face cloudcd.N tn MINGLED re-
gret At the necessity Of rendering jefferson
u"naupy ana tn seeming Indifference Of Is ar.
ney. respect aud lmtrg Mr.. JeiI rson. bu. |
can never become uis Wife," 81 Then will Won
have me- eagerly inquired barney. 81 Will
said she, hrich:cuil. up as h rncy seized her
hand. "A clerlym IA was sent for. and the cou-
acts.
Two years later Mr. and Mrs Carney Williams
detcrnitusd on starring. a. a4 Am Irt.bu1an AMI
she a. both an Irish ana n Yankee girl. Some
uieces Wrfc ui cucd up ia watch they appeared
In the Chatham. and at length the, started On a
tour
About this time William J. Conlln who was
playing secnud oi4 men in the New York
th."ttc' aa WIZ am j. florence, inarnod Mrs. Lit
tell. formerly Miss Malyina PRAY, \ fancy dancer
~ the Bruadwsy Theatre and younger sister II
Mis-. Williams. They alsl dcCtIeu on starring
~ characters Ike those Of the Williamsc-. "a 4
Barney CHARGED that Florence piavcd his pieces
alter ahering tue names and some OF the Lam
SuiGn. - irneNs IRE rose TO such a h-i-nt "a C
he alta kcd Florence one dlv Ia iiroaiwat. AMI
the Two brothers-in law end TWO sisters were for
several ye,rs cstrauged.
In September, 1851. barney and his wife APP
peafed successfully IN the Metropolitan In san
Francesca, ana tue Fiureuces hegan to travel
througn toe Jnon with less marked fortune.
In June. 1851 tue NiliiIuses appeared in the
Aieiphi IN london, afterward made a tour
OF Europe, returning to America In 1879. and
starring ia Nioio's Garden before large houses.
ihe coupe travelled for several wears, and,
way Theatre, wnich mad been Wallack's
Theatre. al Broadway aud Bruome street
unsatisfactory extcrience. Then he starred
with his wife. spending his summers either
az Kathleen Villa, his country seat. IN hath.
Long Island, or travelling IN Europe for his
health, when thirteen years ago became del
icate through dyspepsia.
Six years ago. symptoms OF paralysis began to
show themselN IS, ana In 1873. Birney woke one
morning and could not open hts left eve.
An irritation Of the spinal nerycs at the
trouble, aud though medical science re-
comuclled to cease acting. through rel ,p,e.
His s.. engagement {. NcN YORK as In Bluth
Theatre Two Years Ig', ON the An OF March last
pi1yint in tne Is Iston Theatre on the dth. but an
aiincN vi We rJ-Dneumona end congestion nf
tAe Arcr ON the rissagc forbacr, AMI he WIS
brought home the next dav. He Law for several
wcrf- Ncr 80, ana frequently dchrious, but II
lrug.n lie recovered So a as To 20 out.
Three weeks auO, Harvey Wa seized with
cer' oral meningitis. His nina WAS aisorierrd
and he became violent. Four men were con-
stanul on Cue watch TO res rain him On ihur--
do last he was ATTACKED WITH pariiy-
ST., aud then ho became Tranquil AMI
unconscious. Tue nerves Il the throat were
antstcd, ami he was nOurishoI with liquids.
Hesterd y morning At tour ne WIS asain AZ
tacsed. though slightly, but at nine another AMI
more serious paraytic 1t seized him, ana he
died AZ half past one IA tue afternoon lie
leaves one chiid, daughter, Marie kathleen,
aged thirteen. lie IS 10 ce Uuned IA Greenwood
Cemetery.
The property left by MIR. Williams Is valued by
his lawyers 40 ahou; SSj0'ooJ. Besides Kathleen
VIA aud ~ )unds anu MS mansion IN TINS city,
lie owned three houses in ihirty-eighth street.
between DrOloway aad SIKH avenue. several
lots near tue Central Park In the neichDorhood
OF tlghtieth street, and a considerable personal
estate. lis deeds are all In his original
name Of Bernard FiahertY llis brother -
cane me,nuer Of the New Orleans press. anI
died IN that city sOuc years ago. Barney Wit
Iamss mother survives, and mas long lived with
MN. Bridget, one OF his sisters, ~ the widow
OF the late Mauus Kelly. Another sister, Clara,
married Mr.. Gsorge B-ylns of this city, and the
third, Elizabeth, ID stu single.