The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-08
OBITUARY.
MATILDA AGNES HERON.


Matilda Agnes Heron, the well known American &C
tress O'Clock last evening al her
No l32 East Twenty-af street Her death was cam
and peaceful one and she passed from this world soon
after blessing only child, Bou, who knoll soeoins
ut her bedside With the little daughter OF Miss Heron
there were present the moment Miss Rose Nay MI
j. II. Aiger AMI Mr.. Robert Hys!op Mme' heron haa
been in for ave months. her complaint being in~a'u
hemorrhagc The friends OF he deceased lady state
that she was until an hour before her deatn
and frequently exclaimed, "0a, I'm SO happy" her
last woros were OF herseii:-"Poos Tiiie' you nave
never done wrong TO any one"
Matilda Agnes Heron was born In Libby Vale Lon
aouderry. Ireland, IN the year 1880, and came tc the
Uniteo States while YET child In her rir!hood she
manifested decided talent the dramatic stage, and
Alter studying TOR some time under the direction OF
Mr. Peter Richngs. made her debut February ~,
1851 at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia AM
btous at the very outset OF her career, Misc Heron
selected the character OF Blanca, In Milmans play Of
"razo." Her success was moderate one, and she
continued 10 perform tho Philadelphia stage during
the ensuing years In 1883 she proceeded 10 Call
foruia IN company with her agent, Mr. George W.
Lewis who died on the passage which IN those
times was a long and tedious Arriving
at city of San Francisco entirely alone ana un'
known, Miss Heron soon iQund fr.ehas ana was aole
make her appearance IN her iavorite character OF
Rauca, at the Old American Theatre, on Sahsome
street. Mr.. Lewis Baker playing Fazio she achieved
great success and at once became an n nense a'or
tie This was probably the happiest period Of her
evcntfui lie. Young. ambitious OF lame, ana her
talents warmly appreciated, Miss Heron enjoyed her
TRIUMPH TO the utmost Among ncr many admirers
Henry A. Byrue, a rising young lawyer was the most
prominent. and they were subsequently cianoesuhey
In February. 1854, Miss Heron made her appearance
Mt the Metropolitan Theatre, San rancsco, unaef Tue
management OF Miss Catherine \. sinclair tthep wile
OF the late Edwin FORREST fne character assumed
that night Juliet ana her actng vas described oy
tho local critics as graceful intense and true 70 lie
During this engagement she played Lady Macbeth,
rarihena Blanca, and other tragic Characters Az Oh
the impersonatons oeing Warmly SEE o mo nv,
established her lame on the PacIhc coast as ~ aid
subsequently in the East and south On conHiuuins
th,s engagement Miss Heron visited stock
ton Sacramento, aud Marysv'le and then rested Tor
few weeks
return to New York. ill an engagement and return u
san Francisco 10 return 10 the stage fending
the OF the she accepted AN engage
ment Tor u nights ut the Metropolitan and played
10 crowded houses On the llth OF June Miss Heron
was privately married 10 Mr. Byrne by Kew John Ma
guinness. pastor Of ST Patrck's church, on MISSION
street. days after the bride sailed Tor the East
ON board the Sonora Sho never saw hcr hus-
band again. Contrary To expectation, MISS Heron WAS
unsuccessful IN getting an engagement ~ tns clty, anu
uIy heurtsore over domestic troubles sue
renewed her California trumphs, and the fame OF her
aching reached New YORK For Two years she contin-
ucd play the Western and Southern theatres ~
Camille and Medea In January 1857 she appeared
nj Waack's old theatre, then situated In broadway,
Broomc street, undcr the management OIL william
stuart, The play Camille, and III the cast were
several names since well known 70 admirers OF the
stage Edward A. Sothcrn the LORD Dun
dreary OF tho pressn. day. played Iy a Ar%sai
laid the fou ndation Of his future fame and fortune
Colin Stuart played Gusave, aud Jonn Dyott the part
east was that OF Charlotte Thompson as Nichette
Miss Thompson. up to that time, vas only known as
iucncc III his day, and she then began The artistic
career tfiut has sirce become SO orlliiant
Miss Herons debut In New York was . notable
event. and her was instantaneous and thrilling
Her acting was revelation, and the play was per.
every night several months to crowded au-
dienccs. Then she appeared as Mcdea, Mr.. Sothern
supporting her as jason This engagement was very
profitable one both for the artist and her manager In
September: 1857. she reappeared nt Wallacks IN the
play Of "Fiammiha, " being supported ny MRS john
hocy Dolly Davenport, Mary Cannon, and other we'll
known members OF the Wallack company
In December, 1867, Mss Heron married Robert
Stocpe leader OF Wailacks orchestra, aud after an
extended through the States visited England She
ia the play OF New Years. Eve" but the engage
ment not successful and Mrs Stoepei returned 10
America separating at the same timc from her nus
band, being ever after known rs Nine. Heron. From
she began fail in health, and only rarely
appeared the stage. Devotedly attached to her
daughter, she found employment 10 educating
her child ior tho dramatic profession, and also
superintended the studies OF many debutantes. The
most prominent among these was Miss Agnes Ethel
Among her later appearances Nine. Heron played Lady
Macbeth at Booths Theatre December 20 anu ~ 1874
having among her auditors on the trst night King
Kalakaua. The following April she played Medca for
the benefit Of little Bjou Heron. Her very last APP
prarance tho Park Theatre, July l. 1885, IN the
third act OF 'sCumie," being supported by Cyril
Searle as Armand, +. }. Mack as Duva, James Hav.
land (Algerl as Gustave, and Rose May as Nichette
Matilda Heron was an actress OF puch emotional
power, and by the force Of her genius and originality
created u school OF dramatic art As woman she
fond and LOVING, aud made many dear friends
during career devoted mother to her child, she
became very religious during the later years OF her
lie. though times In somewhat slraitened cir
cumsuances she never lost Der courage and seldom
lou nd dsheartened at the difficulties or trials encoun
tered in her path Besides her daughter Byou, Nine
Heron leaves other relation IN America, Mrs. Anas.
tasia DAVIS who is her cousin and resides In Phlla
cclphia.
The funeral of the deceased actress will take place
OH sunday next the Little Church Around the Cor
according TO her dying request. The datc Is liked
enable members OF the profession TO attend the