Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-26
MCULLOUGH'S BREAKDOWN.
His Last Appearance on the Stage
HauucfnatiOns and AimIess Wan
derinos

HaiIucfnations and AimIess w an
behring's.
John McCdllough's last appearance
on the stage was in McVicker's Thea
ire, Chicago, on the night of Sept. 80,
1884. He was playing the title role
in "The Gladiator. Although he had
been failing rapidly for several weeks
before, it was not until this night that
it became evident that he could no
longer bear up under his mental
and physical infrmities. It was Ia
mentable exhibition and it was neces-
sary to prompt him throughout the
play. Several times he turned to the
prompter and asked in an audible
voice: "What did you say?" At an
other time he turned abruptly on a
fellow actor and said angrily: That's
not your speech" Many of the audi
tors left the theatre in disgust, under
the impression that the great tragedl-
an was drunk. At the conclusion of
the last act Mr.. Mccullough walked
to the footlights aud made pathetic
speech IN which he thanked the audi~
for their forbearance and assured them
that ne was sick and not drunk
On the following day his manager,
Mr.. Brooks, called on Mr.. McVicker
and suggested the ACCESSIBILITY of can
ceiling the engagement. This met the
latter's views and that night the the
atere was closed. After a consulta~
ton with several of the actors friends
Mr.. Brooks cancelled all dates for the
season. This was aone without the
knowledge OF the actor and there was
some anxiety felt as to how he would
receive the news. That afternoon he
rehearsed with the company as usual
and after the rehearsal he was told
what had been done. He received the
news calmly and, with a deep drawn
sigh, said:
"Well, I guess 1t is for the best. I
need a rest for few weeks" During
the next twenty -four hours he remain
ed quietly In his room at The Leland
House and seemed to improve per-
ceptibly.
On October I'd his mental condition
became alarming. He flew into violent
fits Of rage and it was found necessary
to confne him to his room, under the
guard Of several PinkertoA detectives.
The detectives did all IN their power
to amuse their charge and distract Him
from the determination to fulfill his
engagement at Detroit. Opiates were
administered at times, but late in the
afternoon he rose from his bed and
said that he was going out. His at
PENDANTS tried in vain to dissuade him
from leaving ana when one of them
took himtby the arm to detain him
he picked up heavy cane and felled
the officer to the floor by a powerful
blow on the head. The other officers
sprang on him then and after des-
pernte struggle succacded in overs
powering him.
After this outburst be became more
calm and two days later went to st.
a consultation of his friends was held
and it was decided that he should go to
Hot Springs, Arkansas In October he
was visited by his friend, DR.. James
Keller, of the resort, who tried to in
duce him to go to the Springs, but he
refused. On October s be went to
New York, and two days later was
lounging around the lobby Of the st.
j ames Hotel looking well and az
parently as rational as ever. For sew
eral months after this he wandered
around the country, for the most part
alone. He visited st. Louis, Chicago
and Philadelphia several times, and
constantly talked of his intention of
getting his company together again
and fulfilling his remaining engage
ments.