Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-11-27

The Great Actor Passes Quietly Away
The Event Somewhat Su lden but Not
Unexpected-The Story of His Rise from
an Humble Position to Elninence in the
Dramatic Profession.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9.--John II. Nc
Cullougf, the actor, died at 1905 o'clock
yesterday afternoon at his residence, 261
East Thompson street. He passed away
Without a struggle, and did not even utter
a groan His Improvement the past few
days had been SO marked that his death
clused considerable surprise. His
physician had given his family and
friends reason. to hope for his final recov-
cry and that he would return to the stage.
DIR. Engel says death was due to '.an affec-
ton of the BRAIN caused by blood poison
tectly sane and that he should not have
been placed in the Bloomingdale Insane
Asylum.
Mr.. Mccullough was born in Ireland in 1887,
and was, therefore, iorty-eight years ole. He
came to this country when very young, and
his parents settled i'll Philadelphia. He was
lpnrcnticcd or worked at the trade of chair
making or w~iilow-work; In 1855 he obtained
! employment in an humble capacity at one of
The theuters. and while here attracted the atten-
ZION of Edwin Forrest, who gave him IL position
as dresser Finally. in 1857, John was given
a small acting pu:t, and displayed such talent
that Forrest at once began to instruct him in
the dramatic art. Soon after he promoted Nc
Cullough to supporting parts, and as the young
mans talent developed FORESTS interest in
him increased. When the two enttoCalifornia
in 1856 John Mccullough went as Mr.. Forrest
leading man. That engagement was the end
of Forests career, and Mr.. Mccullough, huv-
ing made friends III San Francisco, concluded
to remain there. In lSGS William G. Kaston
and other rich friends resolved to
set him up in n theuter. They built the
since famous California Thenter, and in Octo-
Der, 1863, Mr.. Mccullough and Lawrence Bar
rctt opened It with great eclut as lessees and
managers. 1t was the first thcater ever built
west ct Chicago. Its name exists to-day. Mr..
Burnett withdrew soon, and for more than
seven years Mir. Mccullough renamed us
manager.
When the panic came in 1873, and after
Raiston had committed suicide, Mccullough
left the management of the thea:er. and en-
tered upon Il Starring tour. He was received
with great favor, and played i'll this country
until 1851, when he wcnt.tO Europe, where he
was kindly received and remained two years.
Returning to this country i'll 1881, he took part
in the great dramatic festival ut Cincinnati.
His tailins mental powers were first up.
year he failed altogether in "otthelio" in
Washington. His ailmcnt manifested itself
thencctorth in the loss of memory. AT times
stage. He went to Carlsbad last summer
and returned in August. He played IL
five nights engagement in Milwaukee and
from there went 10 Chicago. His last appear.
Ance on the stage was in that city. On the
night Of September ~. 1884, while performing
MS Spartacus in The Glaaiutor, his cond ton
was SO bad thut the curtain was dropped at
the end of the second act. He was painful.
~ incohercnt and wandering, and his ut,
tempts to collect himself were most pitiful
The next day it was agreed by Mr.. McCul
engagement should cease and the company
disband. This was done, and McCulloughs
stage career was ended. The story OF his
six months or more, his incarceration nj
Bloomingdule Insane Asylum and his relnov,l
to Philadelphia, are fresh i'll the minds OF all