Daily Republican., 1882-06-01
GEORGE COMFY.
A Fund for His Widow and Or.
nAAnV.

A Fund for His widow and Or.
pAans.
Miss Clara Louise kellogg arrived in
New York on Tuesday, and Immediately
began with Miss Emma Abbott to ex-
ert herself to raise fund tor the benefit
of the family of George Comfy. the basso
whose tragic death by drowning was
recently reported. 1t is needless tc
say that when Miss Kellogg exerts her.
self there is substantial result. Miss
Abbott had already raised considera
BILE sum of subs oriptions, and the two
ladies by personal solicitation increased
the amount to over $500, and felt that
they had made very fair beginning.
Miss Kellogg told her story herself
more Interestingly than the reporter
can hope to repeat it. Comfy, she said,
was printer in Philadelphia when
she found him. singing in church,
and at once secured his services for her
own support on the stage. He played
his first as we'll AZ his last engagement
with her, and from the time he began
he was never without an engagement
for single season. She spoke in the
highest terms of him, praising him for
his uprightness, devotion to his family
and professional duties, and saying
that he was especially fond Of reading
good, sound literature. The night be.
fore his death she had a long talk with
him, in which he spoke atfectionately
of his two little sons, saying that he
could not hope to do more tor them
than to give them an education. "They
will have to earn their own living" he
said, "but I am going to send them
through college," He had been read -.
ing some book from which he learned
the pecuniary expenses of college ed
ucation.
The next day, as is known, he accom-
panied party to the lake where he
met his death, together with Reitzel,
the lad who was drowned with him.
They two, alone, yentured out rowing,
though tie water was rough and the
lake is known as specially dangerous
body of water. No one, however, at
tempted to dissuade them from going,
though one OF the party after stepping
into the boat stepped out again, retu.
sing to 60. The boat they hired was a
round bottom skitf without ballast,
though she usually carried ballast, and
the boatman has teen criticised severe
ly for letting her 60 out without any.
Comfy was an athlete and a specially
good oarsmen and swimmer, having
saved a number Of lives by his skill in
swimming and being accustomed to
swim for half dozen miles on stretch.
He was over confident, and instead of
rowing in the direction pointed out as
the best he went straight out toward
the middle of the lake. 1t is supposed
that he lost his lite in trying to save
his companion.
His wife and two children were left
penniless, she being an invalid. From
the fact that be had neglected to send
her any money out Of the last install
ment of his salary which he received,
it is thought that he had the money on
his person when he was drowned He
had always been regular about sending
money before, and his unfortunate de-
lay this time is not understood. The
necessities of the case, therefore, were
extreme, and the two ladies who have
taken the matter up are working in
no idle cause. AS was said, they have
already succeeded in raising a consid-
erable sum, despite the fact that yes
terday was a day on which it was
difficult to find anybody. The list yes
terday was as follows:
Subscriptions received for the benefit
of the widow and children of Georgia..
Comfy: Clara Louise kellogg, 500;
Emma Abbott, $1OO; Albert Weber,
500; Chickering g. Sons, 500; Haines
Brothers, $lOO; Steinway b Sons, 500;
Norman f. Cross, $50; l. Campanini,
$50; John G. Freund, $50; Pond & Son,
$50; Staff Music and Drama, %.
In addition to the money which will
be raised in this way the ladies pro-
pose to give benefit performance next
week; at which very considerable
sum will doubtless be raised. 1t was
hoped that the Academy or Music,
New York City, might be had for the
occasion, but when Miss Kellogg ap
piled for it she was refused.
Not only was the free use of it denied
but she was told that no reduction
could be made from the regular price
Of $3.50 charged for its use. CHECKER
ing and Steinway Hall have both beer
protfered, but as it is intended to give
some opera scenes the use Of theatre
i'll probably be necessary, and on
will doubtless be obtained free Of ex
pense.
Among the artists who tave volun
teered already are Miss Kellogg, Mis-
Abbott, Miss Gary, Mrs. Seguin, Mime
Hauck, Brignoli and Tagliapietra
Campanini expressed his regret at no
being able to be present, as he sails 70
Europe to- day. The list of volunteer
as we'll as the subscription list vii
both doubtless be much longsr to.da.