The daily gazette., 1878-11-30
The Death of Robert Heller,
Particulars Of the Mdgicidn's Last H.
ness-A Notable Career.

The Philadelphia Times furnishes the
following particulars of the sudden I'LL
ness and death of Robert Heller, who
died at the Continental Hotel, Philadel-
phia, Thursday morning, few minutes
after ~ o'clock
"Mr. Heller came to this city on Sat
urday last, from New York, to fill win
tei's engagement at Concert Hall. His
last engagement, previous to coming to
Philadelphia, was in Washington, two
weeks ago. There he contracted a cold,
and, when his engagement was conclu-
ded, he went to New York for a weeks
rest, preparatory to opening in Philadel-
phia. On Monday night he gave his first
performance here. He got through the
first part all right, but Immediately after
ward was taken suddenly i'll. The audi
ence waited. Mr.. Heller presently ap-
peared, looking very pale. He stated
that a sudden sickness had intertered in
a measure with his plans that evening,
but he would endeavor to 90 on with the
performance. His sister, who assisted
him, had also taken sick, he announced,
but would endeavor to help him through
with the programme. The play went on.
Heller did his best to delight his audi.
ence, and succeeded Before the part
came to a close, however, his illness in
creased, as was plainly apparent to the
audience by his looks. The performance
closed.
"Heller, accompanied by his sister, re-
turned to the Continental Hotel. Next
morning CTuesday) he still felt unwell,
and sent for DIR. +. III. Getchell, who
says that upon his arrival he found him
suffering from a slight congestion Of the
lungs. While he did not think the case
dangerous, he urged Heller to keep him
self as quiet as possible, and advised him
not to keep his engagement for Tuesday
night, as he thought he would not be able
TO play. Heller could not think of dis
appointing the audience, and refused to
hear to the advice. He felt no fear of
anything dangerous. The doctor pre-
scribed for him and left. He visited him
again several times during the day, re-
pcating his advice not to play on Tues
day night. 1t was o'clock in the after
noon before he got Heller finally per-
suaded. At that hour he consented to
allow certificate be drawn at his dicta-
tion, and signed by the doctor, to be Civ
en- to the press, to the effect that he could
not play that night. He would not al
low the certificate to cover longer period
than that one night, though the doctor
urged it upon him strongly. He expected
to be out of bed on Wednesday. The
doctor had made him take his bed the
moment he saw him Tuesday morning.
"wednesday morning he was about
the same, and still sanguine of being
able to play that night. DIR. Getchell
dissuaded him from attempting it. The
doctor did not apprehend anything dam
gerous till 7 o'clock Wednesday evening.
At that hour the patient was seized with
fit of vomiting, which Frustrated him
greatly. He began to sink rapidly. DIR.
Getchell sent for DR.. La Costa, and the
two physicians held consultation. The
outcome of it was an agreement on the
part of both that Heller's condition was
critical. Still they did not expect he
would die during the night. To insure
care in the case of need DIR. Getchell de-
cided to remain with him all night. DR..
Da Costa then left. Miss Heller, the
sister, DIR. Getchell and female attend
ant were all that remained with him.
The fits of vomiting were renewed fre-
quently, and each time the patient was
Frustrated more and more. lie suffered
greatly duflng these spells and did not
want to be talked to. AT quarter to II
it was believed he would recover. Five
minutes after IL Heller was seized with
another fit of vomiting. He said word
or two about the pain it caused him. In
five minutes afterwards he was corpse.
He passed away so suddenly his sister
could not realize it for some time after
ward. The doctor, the sister and the
female attendant were with him TO the
last. Heller had an engagement to dine
with Dion Boucicault at Strawberry
Mansion next Sunday. Nothing could
have been more unexpected than MS
death. 1t is said that the cause OF death
was aneurism of the heart.
"Robert Palmer Heller, or Robert raj
mer. which was his real name, was born
in Canterbury, England, in 1888. lie
was As years old. lie first appeared as
coniurer in Rochester, England. lnstru-