The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-10-04
A MIND DISEASED.
Total Physical and Mental COL
lapse Of John Mccullough.
The Noted Tragedlan Makes n Pitiable
Failure In Chicago-His Engagements
Cancelled and His Company
Disbands.
THE CURTAIN RuNG DOWN.


CHICAGO, Sept 80. - In the play of
.Spartacus' at McNicker's Monday night
Mr.. Mccullough appeared to be in dazed
condition, forget his lines and acted rs
though afflicted with a mental nalady. The
audience jeered and laughed at intervals,
but at the close recalled the tragedian, who,
however, was in no condition to make a fit
ting explanation of the causes leading to his
tragic collapse.
CHICAGO, Oct. lit was quite apparent
to the management and to many of the
patrons of McVicker's Theater on Monday
night that the Mccullough engagement
would have to be brought to a close. Mr..
McCullough's conditixl was such that to in
sst upon continuance of the season, or
even upon another performance, would be
alike unjust to the public and to the
tragedian. With much reluctance, there
fore, and good deal of sorrow as well, Mr..
Brooks, McCullough's manager, and Mr..
Price, his agent waited upon Mr.. McVicker
early yesterday morning to negotiate for
canceling the engagement They found
the veteran manager in precisely the same
frame of mind. Mr.. McVicker counseled
immediate announcement that Mccullough
would not again appear. "To hesitate about
it," he said, sis only longer to trite with
the public. Mr.. Mccullough is unfit to
act, and the sooner that is accepted the bet
ter it will be for all concerned" So in a
few minutes it was determined to close
both the engagement and the season, cancel
all dates and send the company to New
York The box office was closed, the
printing called in, the bill boards at the
theater turned face to the wall and notice
sent to the newspapers.
A large proportion of those who held tick
cts learned from the papers yesterday that
the performances were suspended, and that
their money would be returned upon pre-
sentation of their tickets. All through the
afternoon and evening the gentleman in
charge of the office was kept busy redeem
ing tickets. Still, some who had
tickets and many who had not,
learned that there would be no perform
ance only when they arrived at the theater
in the evening. Each one inquired at the
ticket window what the matter
was, and, upon being told there would
be no performance, asked why. All
the information which was vouchsafed those
inQuiring was that owing to the sickness of
Mr.. Mccullough all of the engagements had
been cancelled After that it was necessary
to tell the inquirer that there would be no
performance the next night, nor, indeed,
any night this week. For some time the
entrance to the theater was occupied by
those lingering to hear the particulars of
Mr. McCullOugh's misfortune, and to eX-
press their opinion as to the causes and the
chances of recovery Many believe that it
will be the great tragedians last appear
ance on the stage, and that those who saw
him Monday night in the Gladiator had
the last look at John Mccullough as an
actor.
Mr.. Joseph Brooks, John McCullough's
manager, said his chief was very much sur
prised and not a little chagrined when told
that all his engagements was Cancelled He
strongly demurred af first, declaring that he
could still do himself justice and work would
improve him, as it did before. He was final
ly persuaded however, that rest was essen
tal and yielded to the opinions of his friends
and agreed to accept their fiat for a time at
least Mr. BrsOks says the plans for Mr.
Mccullough are not yet matured and the
next forty-eight hours may bring about a
change in the arrangements heretofore con-
sidered. The company will remain here a
few days but will be taken care of, what
ever may be finally decided upon as the best
course TO pursue.
NEW YORK, Oct. l.-Mr. Dickson, part
ner of McCullough's manager, said he was
not at all surprised. as he felt certain the
actor could not 90 through the season when
he left New York. Mr.. Dickson says he
will fill McCullOugh'S dates with Nine
Ristori.