New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-29
OBITUARY.
BEN DE BAR.


News comes from St. Louis Of the death OF
Ben De Bar the welknown actor and manager. 1t was
Unexpected The deceased had Of late, been SERB
ously i'll with disease Of brain Il should sOoth the
natural OF mourning friendship to think that ne
did nger long in his misery Upon the stage OF the
East Mr. DE Bar comparatively unknown-although
thirty years he acted in New-York, in MtcheiPs
famous company. His career for the most part, how
ever run upon the stage Of Western and soutnwes
tern cities. 10 a chiefly remarkable for It's
industrious length. Mr. De Bar managed various thea
tiers for many years he active and dligent all
along the line Of the Mississippi River from St. Louis TO
New-Orleans. He devoted close attention to
the accumulation Of wealth and in this pacific and
credtabe but entirely unusual pursuit. be was ener
gec shrewd and very successful list or the theatres
that managed and OF the incidental peregnations
that he made, would doubtless illustrate his many
virtues as a man OF business; but it might, at the
same time, prove of kindred prolixity with the
celebrated catalogue Of the ships IN the Had. We
are not aware that Mr.. De Bar accustomed
to perform actions Of uncommon Importance, LOOKING
toward the Advancement Of dramatic art for its own
sake. He simply. in the Western country pioneer
OF theatrical management and he managed In sensi
be practical matterof-fact looking steadily TO
peeuniary profit We do record this reproach IL
may be mentioned though as reason why Mr. DE Bars
career does present much scope for an enthu
sIastic renewal All men not alike good neigh
Dor" saws the sapient DoeDerry but men who devote
their lives to the gathering Of property do certainly ae
qure similarity which well-nigh battles the attempt at
characterization. Mr.. DE Bar manager than
an actor Yet nc actedacted much-and he found many
voices 10 say that he acted we'll or late it was
his pleasure-rather more his think, than that
OF the public-to illustrate the character OF FdisGD
He did not act the part in New-York, but he
came as far as Brooklyn, and his performance Is
remembered. Mr.. De Bar was an Engiishman, OF
large person, and rubicund In aspect, and MS
carriage his method Of speech and his singular
expressions were invested with BurtOn-like humor
thatcOmmended him personal popularity He was both
kindly and drol and in acts OF practical goodness
towards the suffering members OF mis- own profession he
liberal AS a citizen he was pubicsprlted, and,
accordingly, in ST. Louis, which his home, he was
properly esteemed. Viewed actor, his art lives
In recollection as Of the mechanical order to which,
In all periods OF its history, the stage has been
most accustomed. lie not man OF gen
ius-whch, OF course, was no fault-and ne
did nothing that could be celebrated as much
out Of the usual course Of theatrical achievement
strong voice a strong physique, an Indiarubber mobili
ty Of face Of character good animal spirits and
abundant stage experience were his chief qualifications.
The reader will often upon glimpses Of this de-
parted gentleman in old Sol Smiths Theatrical Recol
lections" His life-wheh we may expect to find well
and thoroughly written in the Western press-would
fully told be epitome OF the history OF the stage in
the West for whole OF the last generation IL hap
l
stood at the gateways of the drama in that
region; aud so his name has been made IA
miliar word, and his presence familiar image He
has passed away at the Of sxty-four, leaving
widow and children and large fortune. He was COM
panionabe comrade, and strangers looked upon
him with o feeling Of amusement His death again re-
minds us OF the rapid lapse Of the older period of the
stage and the preponderauce Of names fashions
and atmosphere. There but little left OF the Old
school-to which MI De Bar, without being brilliant
type OF its merits, nevertheless belonged.
incidents OF HIS LIFE.
Probably no actor hats been closely identified with
the West as has Ben De Bar. He was born in Bath.
England. His father expert in banking matters, was
employed by Bank OF England To investigate certain
matters in ireland when .his young. Taking
fancy the country he remained there and consequent
y the boy received bis education in Ireland. His nurse
| was the famous Molly McGinnis, the woman who beat
the drum al the battle of Vinegar Hill He first went
/ upon the stage when twelve years Of age ballet
boy, and was a pupil of the celebrated Du
crow When Ducrow first produced The Grccian
Statues" De Bar selected from number
OF Others on account OF his compact and welbut figure
to represent the statues He the first one 10 intro
duce The Grecan Statues" in this country. He came
20 New-York when about eighteen years Of and was
/ engaged by CaudweI, the builder Of the sa Charles
Theatre IN w-Oreans lie Afterwards travelled over
the United a star, company with his Wife,
known as Miss Hattie Yaie. During his travelling tour
/ he became Wcl-kuo"n rs bHupdu)' tht drunken cor
D0rll ia The Dumb Girl o. Genoa De Bar was thc
original Hose In Glance 40 New-YOrk" His success
this Ted HIM to rake the pay 70 Europe, but his ven
I ture was not profitable.
Wien Ludden smith sold the 81. Charles Theatre
/ in New-Orleans, NJ Re Bar purchased 10. About two
years aferwatd he bought the Pine street Theatre IN
the same city. 1871 he purchased the Grand Opera
House Louis. In 1873 ne managed the Theatre Royal
i'm Montreal ana the Memphis Theatre. At one time he
! was manager Of the National Theatre m this city,
| and I'm 1871 was acting manager OF the Old Bow
cry. During his acting manager o.
| the Brwery Theatre, actor known as Black
] I4.I- an rN
fans To make disturbance in the theatre, whereupOu
De Bar challenged any person 10 the house 10 ngnt hm
and cowpd his insuters -46 and lS+7, hr De Bar
was stage manager OF Alirchels Olympic, which then
eDgaarnent was played az the California Theatre.
F1lslqT Ii his Intention To retire from the stage
after this season. and with his wife aud children. taae up
ms residence m "A ntryseat which he Thought " pur
chasing During the five years ne has lost by the
| Door theatrical business, nearly Sl20,OOO