The New York herald., 1879-08-06
CHARLES FIGHTER dead.
The Great Actors Last Hours at His
Pennsylvania Farm.
MEDICAL SKILL BAFFLED.
Sketch of His Life-Brilliant Pro-
fessional Career.
icy rK1KGRApa TO THE HERALD.l


PHILADELPHIA. August 8, 1870.
A private despatch to a member of the theatrical
profession in this city brought the first of the
death, at early hour this morning. OF Charles
Fechter the great actor. whose wonderful success in
dramatic and melo-dramatic parts placed him In the
very highest rank as q dramatic artist. subse-
quent message from HERALD correspondent at
Quakertown confirmed the news OF this sad loss to
the STAGE aud gave few particulars. Mr. Fechters
death occurred at his farm at six O'Clock this morn
ing. The great actor had been in precarious state
of health since last spring. and long ago as year
more he had often disappointed his audiences
through sudden illness. But the present
news. while it will starte the public
will not surprise many of his friends. who are
aware that for several weeks past he had been
hnod to his house, suffering intense agony from
painful and almost hopeless disease. Mr.. Fechter
had been under homeopathic treatment. and was
said to be suffering from . complication of diseases
Of the liver and digestive organs. Within few days
he grew rapidly worse. and yesterday the actors
wife-formerly Miss Lizzie Price-telegraphed to
this city for Professor William H. Pancoast and
Professor Gross. The latter was at Cape May and
Professor Pancoast could not conveniently leave
town; but the sorrow stricken lady sent repeated
imploring messages, and afterward special mes
senger. so that Professor Pancoast and DR.. ]. V.
Shoemaker finally took the train late yesterday AFTER
noon.
MEDICAL SKILL UNAvAIIING.
Mr.. Fechter's farm is ut the village of Richland
Centre. Bucks county, three miles from Quakertown
which is the North Pennsylvania Railroad, about
two hours ride from this city. Fechter bought the
place in July 1873 and in the intervals Of his pro-
fessional duties he has lived there almost since
There ifty-seven in the farm, and tho ac-
tors residence is very modest plain and small
house. like hundreds OF others in Pennsylvania.
When the Philadelphia physicians reached Mr.
Fechters bedside they found the patients body dis
tended like drum with gases from the stomach.
His digestive organs completely impaired
and he suffering from what Dr. Pancoast
described as tympantic distention of the abdomen.
An opening was made. and Mr.. Fechter some
what relieved. but DIR. Pancoast has just told me
that the man was dying when they arrived and that
nothing would have saved him. Even had they been
called earlier they could probably have nothing
more than prolong his life little. DIR. Pancoast
thinks from what he saw that the stomach and
digestive organs had ceased to act, and that the
heart also affected. result Of this. Mr..
Fechter fingered in great suffering through the
night, and died at six o'clock this morning.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Mrs. Fechter has sister living in this city, Mrs.
Susie Price. formerly well known ballet dancer.
O.
213O Cherry street. Mrs. Price has received q
despatch announcing that the body of the dead actor
is to be brought to this city and to her house
morrow. There will probably be some appro-
pirate action by the members of the dramatic
profession who in town, for in spite of
the eccentricties and irriability of temper which
Mr.. Fechter had to degree. admiration for his
genius and marvellous and unapproached power as
deineator OF fervid character. will inspire his
brethren to pay deserving respect to his memery.
Mr.. FEcHrER's HABITS.
Recent publications in certain newspapers have
fostered the belief that Mr.. Fechter drinking
The Philadelphia Times publicly made this
charge. among others. last winter. and the actor
promptly sued the publisher for libel. Your CORE
spondent to-day asked of the two eminent Phia-
delphia physicians who attended him in his last
hours what he thought of this accusation, knowing
that medical man would be likely to know
If habitual intoxication had contributed to cause
his death. The medical gentleman asked If Mr..
Fechter had ever been addicted to drink. The
correspondent replied that years ago there
belief to that effect among members OF the dra-
matte profession. "Well." the physician answered
in substance there nothing to indicate such q
condition. / do not believe that he has been drink
ing man of late. We had great difficulty in getting
him to swallow any stimulsnts to keep up his
until nearly the last and suffered very much. I
don't believe his illness brought by the use
of liquor"
AT THE DEATHBED
A private despatch this evening says that Mr..
Fechter suffered very much until toward
the last. when he gradually sunk into
stupor. He was conscious until the
end. When the great actor breathed his
last Mrs. Fechter prostrated with grief at his
bedside. The physicians and nurse were the only
other persons present. Mrs. Fechters sister, Mrs.
Susan Price, of Philadelphia, had been with her sis
ter last week in attendance the dying tragedian.
but she returned to Philadelphis the latter part
OF the week.
REMOVAL BODY
The widow will accompany to Philadelphia to-
morrow the remains of her husband. They will
reach the city about noon and then be taken at once
to Mrs. Susan Prices residence.
MAN.
Mr.. Fechter was supposed by many to be q wealthy
man. He received the highest terms given to any
actor the stage. and few years ago played
for less than $500 night. He did uate great
deal Of money. but he did not know how to keep IT,
and he died poor man, IL is said. The farm on
which he lived Is q small one, and not valuable.
TO BURIED ON FRIDAY.