The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-10
An Actors Tragedy.

Mr.. Arthur e. Miller, the well.known
theatrical agent, was in the city last
night, and as he was in the lll-fatod
Newhall House, and intimately acQuaiu-
ted with Gilbert, the actor, q reporter
had a talk with him about the tragedy.
The story of Mr.. and Mrs. Gilbert's
married life, rs henarratcd it, is a touch
ing one, made more SO from the remarka.
bic devotion they displayed for each
other. II have known Gilbert long
and intimately" Nj. Miller said, "and
If were to live u thousand years T
would never forget the occurrence of
TINT dreadful night in connection with
him. He was formely minstrel mau,
and was with Stanly's Allied Shows. He
had only been a. member of tho Minnie
Palmer Troupe few weeks but III that
time had fully mastered his purt, and
wos remarkably clever actor. His
wife was not on tho stage, as many sup
pose, but lived with hGr parents Mt
Blood Station, N. York. Gilbert had
met her couple or years before, and
had been her swcetheartfor long time,
they having been engaged several
months, although he never breathed a
word Of it to any ono. The week be-
fore the fire tho company was playing
i'll Chicago, and by strange coincidence
she happened to be visiting some OF hor
relations there at the same time. 1t
was during that week that tho young
couple agreed to be married quietly.
and it was arranged that She should ac-
company the troupe to milwaukee,, ro-
main during tho week and then rel urn
to her homo, until they could be once
more united. The day before they left
for milwaukee, tho marriage took place,
and he never mentioned it until after
the ceremony, when he told the rest of
the company. The night of the fire
tho Palmer company, played Mt tho
Grand Opera House, and during tue
performance I walked carclcssly into
the theatre and took seat in the dress
circle. @''....
II naturally looked all around, and
soon observed a lady sitting several
rows across from me whose appearance
was at once attracted by. There was
no one sitting close beside her, SO L
could got good look at her face ana
figure, and l rarely ever saw II more
beautiful woman.
''She was dressed in black silk, and
her round, well-mude features wore sha-
ded by Droadrimmed scarlet hat with
long feather which drooped down low
over her shoulder. Her hair which
peeped out Oh either side Of it was
black rs Jet, and when she partially
turLed her face saw that her eyes were
Of the same beautiful color. In few
moments Gilbert came on the stage,
and she Immediately y was all attention.
She leaned forward, and resting her ell
bow Oh the scat in front of her, placed
her hand against her neck, and remain
cd in tint position until ho made his
exit, her eyes following his every mo-
tion.
'As soon as the curtain fell on the
act walked behind the scenes ard met
Gilbert standing near the entrance. AS
soon rs the curtain rose he took mo
around to the second wing and said
L want to show you somcthing.' He
led me close to the edge, 80 we could
look out npon the audience, and, point
ing to the beautiful woman I had so
much admired, said That is her--my
wife,
"She had been watching closely, rs
if to catch II glimps of him, and soon
her eye rested OH the spot where we
stood, and could see that he was rec
ognized by the slight nod which he
gave his head. Whenever ho was off
the stage he took his stand there and
watched her almost continually. When
tho curtain fell Oh the closeing sceno
we walked out together, and she WA
waiting for him ut the door.
"They talked for some time in the Of
hco with sever al friends, dwelling par
tlcnIarJy Oh the splendid time they
would have III Europe, rs no intended
to accompany Miss Palmer. About
ii 80 o'clock they entered their room
in the hotel, and ut 430 o'clock she
was lying dead i'll the Morgue.
cher body was found, bruised and
crushed, Oh the pavement, while he
was partially in the gutter, half sub
merged in ice and water, crushed, burnt
and nearly frozen. l. watched by his
bedside for several days, and he gave
no signs Of returning consciousness,
except for moment tho day after. His
mother came up to see HIM, and when
she leaned over tho bed he raised him
self Oh his elbow with groan of pain
and threw his left arm around her neck.
On the fourth day after the fire he was
conscious for n short while, and the
first words that passed his lips was m
inquiry for his wife. He was assured
that she was safe, and with satisfied
pir he fell asleep.
''He has improved considerably since
then, but has not yet heard that his
wife is dead. When tho news il broken
to him, and it will be done gently by
his mother, the critical moment will
have arriyed, and if he survives the
shock ho will recover. Although he is
a man OF strong will-power, l confident.
ly believe that his mind will be com.
pletely ltst whom the full sense of his
dissolution breaks upon him. have
thought over that scene in the theatre
thousand times since, and twill never
pass from my mind"
Covering Arr ears.