The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-24
BENJAMIN P0RTER'S BODY.
BROUGET From TEY.IS .iND RECEIVED
HERE BY EELLOW ACTORS.
Further Particulars OF the Brutal Murder
The Desperate Points his smoking Pistols
at Miss Ellen CummIns a rer Killing Porter.


Nearly hundred theatrical men met in
Clarendon Hall yesterday afternoon relative to
the murdered actor Benjamin c. Porter. John
p. Smith presided. Though the attendance
was large. the absence Of stars was noticeable.
and it was II stock actors meeting. Prepara-
tions for the funeral and means to defray tho
expenses were discussed. II was resolved that
one OF the subscription blanks that had been
prepared for distribution be put TO mme-
date use. and If the amount thus raised
should be more than sufficient to defray the fu-
neral expenses and supply the immediate de-
mands Of the Porter family. the rest was to 20
to the fund for the maintenance oil Mr.. Porters
wife. mother. and niece luwas decided TO form
permanent organization for securing and dis
posing Of this fund. to consist OF the managers
OF the New York city theatres with Mr.. Walack
as President and John 7. Smith a. Nicr-Presi-
dent. This board Is to appoint such sub-com-
mitecs as 1t deems necessary to perform the
work. and managers of theatres In other cities
are to be brought into the organization by being
put on these sub-committees.
The Chairman read a letter from Manager
Palmer Of tho Union Square. enclosing his
check for $50. A despatch from Il. +. Stevens
of Chicago said that he wished to be put down
for S2j the money 10 be used In necessary iu
the prosecution OF the murderer. Welsh Ed
wards Of the Theatre COmiquc said that he had
been authorized to offer the use Of that theatre
and the services OF Harrigan and Hart. or their
company. for benefit. representative Of
| Manager Harkins Of the Fifth Avenue made
similar offer. The subject Of benefit perform
ance was discussed. One speaker said that it
would be the better plan to confne the
efforts OF the profession to subscrip-
tions. Benefit entertainments were seldom
81 ftl No.
when charitable institutions were in need their
managers had no hesitation in calling upon the
! profession for aid. and such performances rs
rule had been very remunerative: hence he was
! In favor Of appealing to the public and to the
churches TO see what charity they would give
| proof Of for murdered actor. Mr.. Nathan. the
/ circus manager. was in favor OF subscriptions.
| He argued tnat 1t was late in the season. and
/ that many actors who would gladly give their
services for benefit were bound hy engage
| ments ana must soon qut the city. Instead Of
] having benefits in all the theatres In one day.
| he thought It would be- moro adyunt tgeous 10
| give only two or three performances in the
! leading theatres, Some one objected 10 appeal
ing 10 the public. which continually asks why
| actors always want money. and why they die
! poor This remark brought Harry Watkins to
| his feet again.
% l do not care" he said. to what profession
| this man belonged ter when a man died AS
| Porter did not in mis- bed or from disease, ana
| poor. not because he squaudercd his earnings.
but because all he could get was applied To- the
! support Of his aged mother. his wife aud his
| tamily-when a man under these circumstances
| Is shot down by an assassin. say We ought 10
! have no hesitation in appealing to the public
ANY man who has a mother cannot refuse TO
/ give all h. is able to
That elected burst Of applause.
| 1t was proposed 10 rent the Academy Of Music
! FOR an afternoon and evening performance TO
which each theatre in the city should contribute
talent. Mr. Watkins said be knew the man
ayers OF the Academy would not ask any rent
| for that purpose. II was finally decided TO leave
the question Of benefits To tho Board Of Managers.
Meanwhile the subseription papers will be
circulated through the country, Just rs the
meeting had voted to adjourn and sign the sub
seription paper prepared Tor those. present.
! Tony Pastor entered. and WIS greeted with ap-
He Treasarer. Andrew j. Dam and iaid down
| The Chairman gave a si6 note. as did @i.S
! Frank Sanger, Richardson foos. and Mr.. and
/ Mrs. Mordaunt while Morris simmonds F. ".
| Holland. J. w. shannon Vim. Levck Jos
/ Wheelock Mr. and Mrs Carhart. Tom Jefferson.
Jas. II. Meade Barton mn and =. Merrill
| Many others gave lesser amounts 4 letter
| with s25 was received from james W. Collier.
! The total amount raised was $3.50.
Upon returning 20 order Manager Barton
| Hi OF the California Theatre. san Francisco.
presented prrambles and resolutions. Tn "
| were tribute Of respect and affection for the
| dead actor. and ot sympathy to his family. and
were adopted as the sense q the meeting.
| OF the money should be- used IN the prosecution
| Of Currie the murderer. As Barrymore. who
| was seriously wounded bv Currie nj the time
| Porter was killed was an Engiishman and has
not been uaturali2ed. Mr.. Nathan was in favor
OF calling upon the British consul t. u.s., his IN
| nuence in having the murderer punished; but
| this proposition was not iavorably received.
! some of the actors held that it was win
| the case OF Porter that they We're vitally
! concerned and he was an American.
| Moreover 1t would be reflection on
| Americans 10 appeal 10 a foreign representa-
! tive here 70 secure the pun shment Of tho
| murderer. From the reports In the newspapers
| Mr., Hill SAID he was convinced that the citizens
! OF Marshall had rendered all the assistance
| they could 10 the unfortunate actors. and would
! do everything In their power 10 secure justice.
| He therefore offered resolution recognizing
| the sympathy and assistance Of the people Of
| Marshall and expressing the belief that they
would do everything in their bower 70 bring
| passed and ordered to be forwarded To the
| newspapers Of Marshall. The belief was ex-
! rs actor. would. upon his recovery. aid the
! District Attorney IN prosecuting the 'ase. and.
| If It was necessary for any Of the troupe to rc-
] turn there % appear as witnesses, the question
| of their expenses could casily be- disposed Of nt
the proper time. Welsh Edwards sa that he
! would gladly pay his own expenses 90 Texas -
| be a witness 0f the hnnging. and, il n.ecssary,
would add 23G pounds of his own to the
| weighted end of the rope
despatch was delivered 10 Frank Sanger
| who turned 1t over TO the chairman. 1t reAd rs
HARRlsBurG. Pa March 23 3o'clock p VI
Meet me At Jersey oi'y At 10 toni-ht Have clec OF
Tho Chair appointed J. ". Shnnnon. George
! Fnrren. Chas. +. Furnish. Francis rlnn,niil.
| Charles Foster, 7. \. Brown. aud Frank Sanger
! takers rooms. Many others volunteered 10 20.
| II was decided that the funeral services should
ltht nlhft W IL 'ltk i'ii NJ itlllfr INV illullE
| in the Church OF the TRANSPORTATION. known ms
| the Little Church Around the Corner. Admis-
! sion will be- by ticket only, The Committee On
/ Tickets Is I. Allstpn Brown. VIM. L"viok Nor
/ ris Simmonds. und james Mralr. Tickets will
| bee sent 10 the manager of each tlratr' io he
| distributed among III" companies The follow
! ing gentlemen volunteer 'd their services 10 act
! Us ushors Geo. &. Davenport. Charles Foster.
| John sheridan, Ell. Holland. owen Fawcctt VI
! Chamberlain, Harry Dutield, Frank Lamb. and
! John A. Brown.
4 lolter was read from porters mother. ex-
| pressing thanks for all that WIS being dona
! toward preparation for the funeral and the caro-
| OF herself and family. she requested tine com
radcS of her son to take charge of the body und
the effects that Murdock was bringing on with
| 1t, except his papnrs aud po'ketnoo6. wh IA she
wished they would hand 10 Jerry Liant. tAHt he
might bring them 10 hor II Wn~ suggested that
| the family was iu need Of money 10 prepare tor
the funeral and a resolution authorizing tine
treasurer to give Mrs. Porter what she needed
| from the amount already paid In WAS passed.
! The Chairman reported that he hal secured a
lot in Greenwood Cemetery in which tho inter-
ment could be made, the decd 10 bee given to Mrs.
Porter. The final action - the meeting was tho
appointment of Barton Hin and Thomas r..
Morris a COMMITTEES To wait upon the leading ace
tresses Of the city theatres AM urge ulon them
the proprirty Of calling n meeting of the ladies
OF the profession Tor the purpose oi raising
money from their lady friends who are not OF
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