New-York tribune., 1879-12-31
RU.HOR or TIE COUNTS DEATH.
GEORGE THE COUNT JoANNEs REPORTED TO HAVE
PASSED AwAY-sOME FEATURES OF HIS CAREER.

GEORGE THE COUNT JoANNrs REPORTED TO HAVE
PASSED AwAY-sOME FEATURES OF HIS CAREER.
A rumor was in circulation at a late hour last
NIGHT that the Count JOannes was dead
He has not been in the city much
of late. and reported to be living
in New Jersey. An effort was made to ascertain
the truth of the matter, but no one
was found at the former haunts of the
Count in this city who could state with any APP
proacb to certainty whether he was still in the land
of the living or not.
The Count Joannes has long been one OF the
ouaintest figures in New-York life. and was
far more widely known for his eccentrici-
ties than he would have been for
his talents if he had been a really great
LAWYER He was OF Welsh descent and received good
education. His career erratic. For many
years he was the stage, and at one time en-
joyed good reputation as an actor, both
in England and this country. During
another part of his life he occupi ed
himself with historical studies. and Lang
man & Co., of London. published his
'OrIginal History of Ancient America lie claimed
that he received the title of Count Joannes for
merit as a historian. but found few believers.
The later years of his life spent by the Count
in the attendance upon courts of this city and his
active participation in cases was not infre-
ouent, but he had himself for a client IN
the majority of his suits. Among the
well-kuown actions brought by were suits
for alleged libel against persons who had
his proceedings against Mr. Sothern, who
he alleged had wrought hin, him great
damage Gy what h%.c,f he conceived sotharIe to
part of the Crushed 1rogodidr. But, his
Irrigation brought him ttle or no profit, though
n that way ministered to his nordinate
;clf-conceit. The Count had allah
sorbng passion for oSohS notorie'y ,-vina at any
attract attention at celebrated trials or on
other occasions where he could make himself
prominent At the Beecher trial, for instance, be
a suggestion to Mr.. Evarts, and even
attempted to give Judge Neison some advice.
aTtsd r9S%dfn the the respectful % % Consolidation % 0"c Of
intelligent audiences as an actor, his ap-
pearances before, the foStlights in recent
years only excited dersion. The memory, OF these
performances, over which large assemblies made
boisterous merriment is too fresh 10 make re-
capltuatiOn of details necessary 1t may be said
from the stage the Count appeared, in
Apd, 1875; at the New;York Academy Of Of
played repeatedly at the old Lyceum Theatre now
iIavery's the Olympic. and other places of amuSe
ment in this city ANA made short tnrns in this
State New England, and other parts OF the country
While the novelty lasted his audiences were large
and his receipts were considerable. but the number
OF his hearers soon dwindled
scholarly sioop. His face was long and
showed his age, although he evidently
tried TO repair the ravages of years By
colorinQ his heavy mustache. That he
wore a wig was painfully apparent.
4 carefully arranged lock fell over
his brow and the hair was worn long
on his coat collar. The Count prided
himself upon his marked resemblance
TO ex-governor Hoffman. When he
first saw Mr.. Sothern as The Crushed
Iraoeaian Count Joannes was nothing. he said. be-
side the ex Governor He turned TO the latter and
| exclaimed, Heavens. Hoffman, Is that you or or
| our third r
| The Count was not neat in his dress. and was
| an excellent specimen of the shabby -genteel man.
| He wore a heavy felt hat and black broadcoth
clothes always very bright III spots. For cravat he
generally used red ribbon, To which attached
his ORDER He often carried, easily In one
| hand, pair of nged black kid gloves.
while the other was thrus; into his bosom.
His attitudes were always studied, and tragic. lie
was never fstyolons. and resented the
| to trihe wittchis dignity.