Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-14

She never saw her husband again.
Contrary to expectation, Miss
Heron was unsuccessful in getting
an engagement in this city, and
sorrowfully and heart-sore over
domestic troubles she proceeded to
the West. In the character of "Ca-
mile" she renewed her California
triumphs, and the fame of her act
ing reached New York. For two
years she continued to play IN the
Western and Southern theatres in
Camille and Media. In January,
1857, she appeared at Wallack's
old theater, then situated in Broad
way, near Broome street, under the
management of William Stuart.
The play was Camille, and in the
cast were several names well known
to the admirers of the stage. Ed
ward A. Sothern (the Lord Dun
dreary Of the present day. played
Armand" and on the success he
then achieved laid the foundation
Of his future fame and fortune.
Colin Stuart played "Gustave,"
and John Dyott the part Of "Duval," l"
Armand's father. A notable name
in the cast was that of Charlotte
Thompson as "Nichette." Miss
Thompson, up to that time, was
only known as the daughter of Ly-
sander Thompson, an actor of prom.
lnonce in his day, and she then be-
gan the artistic career that has
since become so brilliant.
Miss Heron's debut in New York
was a notable event, and her sue
cess was instantaneous and thrill
ing. Her acting was a revelation,
and the play was performed every
night for several months to crowded
audiences. Then she appeared as
Medea," Sothern supporting her
as "Jason," This engagement was a
very profitable one, both for the
artist and her manager. In Sep
tember, 1857, she reappeared at
Wallack's, in the play; Of Fam
nina, being supported by Mrs.
John Hoey, Dolly Davenport, Mary
Cannon, and other well-known
members of the Wallack company.
In December, 1857, Miss Heron
married Robert Stoepel, leader of
Wallack's orchestra, and after an
extended tour through the States
visited England. She appeared at
the Lyceum, April 1, 1861, as Gro
sale Lee" in the play of New
Years Eve, but the engagement
was not successful, and Mrs. Stoepel
returned to America, separating at
the same time from her husband,
being ever after known as Nine
Heron. From that time she began
to fail in health, and only rarely
appeared on the stage. Devotedly
attached to her daughter, she found
employment in educating her child
for the dramatic profession, and
also superintended the studies of
many debutantes. The most prom
inent among these was Miss Agnes
Ethel. Among her later appear.
ances Nine Heron played Lady
Macbeth at Booths Theater, De-
cember 25 and 26, 1874, having
among her auditors on the first
night King Kalakaua. The follow
ing April she played Medea for the
benefit of little Bijou Heron. Her
very last appearance was at the
Park Theater, July I, 1876, in the
third act of Camille, being suppdrt-
ed by Cyril Searle as " Armand"
+. j. Mack as "Duyal," James
Haviland (Alliger) as "Gustaye,'
anu nose may as Nlcnette.
Matilda Heron was an actress of
much emotional power, and by the
force of her genius and originality
created a new school of dramatic
art. AS a woman she was fond and
loving, and made many dear friends
during her career. A devoted
mother to her child, she became
very religious during the later years
of her life. Though at times in
somewhat straitened circumstances
she never lost her courage, and was
seldom found disheartened at the
difficulties or trials encountered in
her path, Besides her daughter
Bijou, Nine Heron leaves one other
relation in America, Mrs. Anastasla
Davis, who is her cousin, and re-
sides in Philadelphia,
The funeral Of the deceased ao-
tress took place on Sunday at the
Little Church Around the Corner,
according to her dying request.