The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-09
THE MIGHTY FALLEN.
Mental and Physical Collapse OF John Nc
CullOuSh, the Great Tragedian-AlI En-
gasements Cancelled and the Company
Disbanded.

Mental and Physical Collapse of John Nc
CulIOuSh, the Great Tragedian-AlI En-
gasements Cancelled and the Company
Disbanded.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, October L
Hundreds wended tn ir way to Nc Wick.
er's Theater last night for the purp Sc oi
witnessing J, hu McCulloGgh's imperson-
stion of the Gladiator, only to find the
doors licked and the theater in darkness.
Yesterday afternoon hessrs. Brooks,
McCullough's marrg T, and Prce, his
prees ag Mt, waited upon Mt. McVicker
FOR the purpose of suggesting that the
engagement be cancelled. They found
the veteran manager in the same frame
of mind and in a few moments it was
decided to cancel all oates snd
send The company to New
York. Notices were accordingly
sent at once to the theaters interested
and to the rinters, newspapers and bill
posters. All this was done without con-
suit,tion with Mccullough, and it was
decided not to br ak the news too sud-
d My TO him. An hour or two iat t,
Mr.. keene, the tragedian who had been
tskeE into the Contid nee of MeSsrS.
Br okS aud Pr ce, net Mr.. McCul ouSh
on the corner of State and MOer0e
streets standing in the shade under q
big umbrella and seemingly having no
purpose in view. There was no rain
nor sign of any. The couple greeted
each other cordially. Mccullough said
he was goi 9 to rehearsal; that he had
made terrible break she night before:
that he was Internally ervouS, and that
everybody was bounding him.
''They say Pm dying man." he said
bitterly. Bah! why don't they let me
alOne?"
Mr.. Keene tired to soothe him, and
locking arm the two p &C ,ded toward
the theatre When the bui ding was
reached McCul ough turned back, in
sisting that they were going the wrong
way
You're going toward the dives" said
Keen.
Yes" rep ied Mccullough, bitterly
'1t seems me that dive Is lust where
l ought to make for"
Fin l.y wa p,r-uaded to enter the
t eater, and the rehearsal commenced. 1t
was soon sen tn the act r was totally
un, gal t, the lie OF the Gi distor.
Then Richeli, u was trie :, with the same
result. At this point MIR. McVicker came
on the stage md with Mr.. Brooks deli
cate.y announced to Mr.. Mccullough the
deter ,ination which had been arrived ut.
To their surprise he heaved sigh, and
said he was not we'll enough to play, and
that nobody concerned should lose cent
he could prevent it. They went to the
hotel, and MIR. Mccullough allowed him.
self 10 be pu: to bed. Many of his frienas
say that those who saw him on the
Stage Monday nigh had the last look
at John McCul ough as an actor. Mr..
keene says that to have cont nued the
seas would have been to threaten his
sanity and his life. 1t is admitted by
IN attending physic ans and u ew in
timate irieadls, a though the latter only
breath il in u whisper, that h is suffer-
ing from paresis. : progressiv: paraly-
SIS, (the same sflli 'tiOn which has over
taken MIR. 5 ORGY, ot tn Chicago TImeS,)
and that the possibilities of successful
Treatment are rende cd III more difficult
by b Self-wil and his determination 20
follow indulgen es which can only az
lravst. the Complaint.