The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-03
TWO FAMOUS ACTORS.
John McCullOughs OnditiOn-DistreSsing
Scenes at His Hotel in Chicago.

CHICAGO, Oct. 2.-The statement is published
here that John Mccullough the tragedan, has
not been informed that all his engagement have
been cancelled. After rehearsal on Tuesday
afternoon he was shown letter from Mr..
McVicker in which his illness and consequent
inability to do himself justice were specified as
reasons for closing the house The actor was
lying down at the time but rose, dressed him
self, and, in company with his manager, went
to Mr.. McVicker's residence. Mr.. McVicker
succeeded, apparently, in convincing him that
the action he mad taken was best, and the
tragedian returned to his hotel and accepted the
situation. He supposed, however, that per-
fornances would be resumed at Detroit thenext
place on the route, and nothing was said to dis
abuse his mind of his error. Careful watch
was kept upon him all night and all day Esrly
yesterday he read what the newspapers had to
say about him, and in the afternoon
he went to the fremont House and told Miss
Tracy that he intended to go to Detroit at once.
She persuaded him to wait until evening.
Shortly before o'clock he ordered his carriage
sent to the depot and proceeded to the theatre
himself. His friends withheld his baggage and
two of Pinkerton'S men followed him. They
found him walking up and down the platform
with Miss Tracy, and in an apparently calm
state of mind. BY little strategy Mr. Brooks,
his manager, induced him to enter his carriage,
and he was driven back to the hotel where he
arrived very excited and angry. He struggled
desperately, and struck Brooks with his cane.
Adother scene followed in inducing him to re
tire to his room. Miss Tracy followed him to
the hotel, crying convulsively, but she succeeded
in calming the actor and bringing him to realize
that he was not in a condition to fill any engage
ment for some time to come. just what McCul-
Tough now intends to do could not be learned
William Connor, MeCullough's manager and
Mr. Thompson, a friend of the actor, are both
now in New York. and have been telegraphed to
come and confer with the tragedian's friends here
relative to taking some action in regard to his
future. Mr.. Mccullough evinces a slight i'm
provement to-day. He slept soundly for two or
three hours something he has not done for two
or three days. Notwithstanding this ia
vorable feature, he has been quite
violent two or three times to-day
He is in fact, practically prisoner in his ROOM
under surveillance of Pinkerton detectives, who
use every available ruse to amuse him and dis
tract him from his persistent determination to
go to Detroit, which would have been the
next point in his tour, and physical force is
only employed when absolutely necessary He
was allowed to ride out and dine with friend
to-day. Opiates have been administered from
time to time, and tonight ne is quiet, and
his friends hope for good results from
his nights rest. Mr.. Conner is ex-
pected to reach here from New York
tomorrow, ana III is anticipated ne VIII De aDle
to persuade Mccullough to return with him to
New York, or to some place where he can have
chance Of recovery and give up his idea of go
ing on with his season.
The actors friends kept secret until tonight
what transpired in his room last night
after he had been forcibly taken to it He
became quiet after a time and sat down to a
game of cards with one of the detectives firing
of this, he wanted to leave the room Persua-
sion failing, the detective barred his way, when
he flew into rage, seized a cane and felled the
officer to the floor, knocking him senseless and
cutting cash several inches long in his head
Others then rushed in and overpowered him.