The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-12-20


A Philadelphia paper gives the fol-
lowing account of the illness and death
OF the great magician and pianist, Rob
ert Heller: His true name was Palmer,
he having assumed the name of Heller
when he entered the business that has
since made his name a household word.
He was the son Of an English clergy
man, and came to this country about 20
years ago as the "advance agent" for
Tom Taylor's play OF sour American
Cousin tie first settled in Wash
ington. He came to this city on Sstur-
day, Nov. Esd, from New York, to ill a
winters engagement 1T Concert Hall.
His last engagement previous to COM
ing 10 Philadelphia was in Washington,
two weeks ago. There he contracted a
cold. and. when his engagement con-
ciuded, he went to New York for 4
weeks rest, preparatory to opening in
Philadelphia On Monday night he
gave his trst performance here. He
got through the Grst part all right, but
immediately afterward was taken sud-
denly III. The audience waited. Mr..
Heller presently appeared, looking very
sale. He stated that sudden sickness
had inteTfered in q measure with his
plans that evening, but he would en-
desvor TO 60 on with the performance.
His sister, who assisted him, had also
been taken sick, he announced, but
would endeavor to help him through
With the programme The play
went on. Heller did his best
70 delight his audience, and
succeeded. Before the part came
TO close, however, his illness increas-
ed, a. was plainly apparent to the audi
ence by his looks. The performance
closed. Next morning Tuesday, at 8
o'clock. he still felt unweIl. and sent for
Or. y. III. Getchell. DR.. Getchell says
TINT upon his arrival he found niln suf-
fering from slight congestion Of the
lungs. While he did not think his case
dangerous, he urged Hellefto keep him
self 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
disappointing the audience, and refused
TO hear 60 the advice. He felt no fear
d any thing dangerous. The Doctor
prescribed for him and left. He advised
him again several times during the day,
repeating his advice for him not to play
on Tuesday night. Ii was O'Clock in
the afternoon before he got Heller final
AZ persuaded. At that hour he consent
ed to allow certificate To be drawn at
his dictation, and signed by the Doctor,
to be given to the press, 70 the effect
that he could not play that night. He
would not allow the certificate to cover
. longer period than that one night,
though the Doctor urged it upon him
strongly. He expected to be cut Of bed
On Wednesday. Yesterday morning he
was about the same, and still sanguine
Of being able to play last night. DR..
Gctchel dissuaded MIN from attempt
ing Il. The Doctor did not appre-
bend any thing dangerous till z
o'clock last evening. At that
hour the patient was seized with fit
of vomiting, which Frustrated him
greatly. He began to sink rapidly. DIR.
Gctchell sent for DIR. Da Costa, and the
two physicians had . consultation at s
O'Clock. The outcome Of IL was an
agreement on the part Of both that
Hel1er's condition was critical. Still,
they did not expect that he would die
during the night To insure care in
case q need, DR.. Getchcll decided to
remain with him ali night. DR.. Da
Costa then left. Miss Heller, the sister.
DR.. Getchell, and . female attendant
were all that remained with him. The
fl Of vomiting were renewal frequent
". and each time the patient was pros
xsted more and more. He suffered
greatly during these spells, and did not
want 70 b. talked to. At III AS the Con-
dnental people believed he would 70
cover and it was 80 .noised about the
house. Al II .O5 Heller was seized with
another AZ Of vomiting. He said
Mnrd Or fsrn ahnnf fha main Il ....<.l