The New York herald., 1876-11-04
OBlTU AIRY.

WILLIAM wHEATLEY, Acton AND MASAGER.
The death OF the above named well known aud much
esteemed gentleman announced in the city yester
day forenoon. The news produced feeling OF deep
regret not only among the members OF the profession
OF which he was q talented and useu! ornament, but
III q wide circle OF private society, he having been
during very many years steadiast resident OF New
York. de was a dramatic scholar OF and eie
Rance and his reputation In this respec, the i'm
mediate jewel OF hts soul" As an actor Mr.. Wheatley
ranked very high in the Glars OF characters in which
he performed embracing leading tragedy comedy and
meodrana,ic parts. Ho a careful ssuden, and
very original In his conception OF characters AZ
manager he presented nothing bu, first class talent
and his lberality in mounting plays and operas has
been very universally remarked and commended by
the pubic
Mr wheatley expired at residence 10 this city at
the hour Of two O'Clock yesterday morning. He was in
the sixteth year OF his age. having been born New
York the 5th OF December, in the year 1915, and
maae his nrst appearance on the stage At the Park
Theatre when ho was ten years old, during tho en-.
ragemeut Of Macready. Macrcady was much pleased
with the boys performance OF Albert, in 'William
Tell and prevailed ON his parents TO let him accom-
pany hlm tour through tho States professional VI
Aitcr this tour he returned to New York. where he
played in TON Thumb" gotten up expressly for HIM
at the Park Theatre In lS42, when twentysix years
old, ho Joined the company at the Walnut Street
Theatre Philadelphia, appearing as Dorecourt in .The
Bellies strasagem." In ls43 ne retired from the
stage and visited Nicaragua raising the Grst American
flag al Virgin Bay. Enable TO kesp away from the
tnea,re however, he returned TO IL IN 1853 managing
the Arch street Theatre. Philadelphia, In company
with Mr. Jonn Drew. Alter 1855 Mr.. whea,iey re-
mained sole manager up to 1858, when Mr..
J. S. Clarke joined him. In 1851 both
those gentlemen withdrew from the manage
ment, and after Mr. Whcatiey became
sole manager OF the Continental Theatre, Philade-
pha His fortunes never became bright until he be.
lessee of Niblos Garden, which be did in April
1862 He continued here until 1868, and during those
six became possessed OF all Of the fortune that he
made Tho immense success oil 'The Black
Crook contributed TO this After retiring from Nibo's
Garden Mr.. Wheatey was Tor many ycars,at Coney
Island, passing his lie IN retirement and only
sioually going among hts old friends in the city.
lew years ago his wilc ded and this unhappy event
had OF course some effect IN making lie seem less
bright and enjoyable 10 him than before. One Of the
most artistic periods Of his while no
managing the Arch street Theatre. under the do
minion oil Mrs. John Drew. Here many OF tho old
comedies were produced and reproduced and the char
ac,ers were dclneaed by very able company, among
whom might DO counted Mrs. Drew, Mrs. Bowers, Miss
kmma Taylor (sincc dead) Nr. Dolman (snce reircd)
Mr. John $. Clarke and Mr. Wheailey himself Finan-
cial came 10 him late in lite, but having ac-
quired money he was too prudent to squander 1t