Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-11-20
LAST ACT IN LIES TRAGEDY.
Sudden Death Of the rragedian John Nc
Cullough

John Mccullough, the actor, died at his resi-
dence In Philadelphia on the afternoon oil
Nov y Mr. McCullough's death, although
not entirely unexpected, occurred quite sud
denly, and was due, as DR. Hugo Engel his
physician, says TO IAN affection Of the brain
caused by blood poisoning DR. Engei as
serts that Mccullough was not insane, ana
that IL was a mistake 10 have placed him In
Boomingdale asylum where he was confined
for a number Of weeks.
His falling mental powers were first noticed
in the early part Of January, 1854, and In April
of that wear he made n lamentabe failure OF
"Othelo" in Washington, After that his all
ment manifested itself al various times In the
loss Of memory; the prompter AT times being
obliged 10 follow him about the stage. In the
summer Of 1854 he spent some time In Carls-
bad Germany, and returning 10 this country
I'm August, he played five nights engage
ment in Milwaukee. Thence he went 10
Chicago where he appeared on the stage Tor
the last time I'm his life on Sept. y, 1871, In
the character of Spartacus In The Gladiator.
His condition that night was so bad that the
curtain was rung down at the end al the
second act From that time he has gradually
grown worse until the date of his death occa-
sionally mending slightly. but at all times MS
condition was considered hopeless by MS
friends He was brought 10 Philadelphia sun
day night Oct p. Just two weeks before he died,
and taken 10 the residence of his family
At that time he recognized no one, not even his
wife and his two sons, and had no control oil
his muscles except a little over those oi Ms
right arm. He rcgained the use of his limb
slowly, aud in few days wa able TO raise
himself 10 sitting posture. lie continue
In about this condition until death.
/ Mr. Mccullough was born In county Antrim,
ireland I'm 1871, and came 10 this country when
kerry Young. His parents settled in Philadelphia
and he was apprentlced at chairmaking or
willow work He went into the theatrical pro
tcssion about 1855. At first he held some
humble position about the local theaters until
Edwin Forrest was attracted To him and made
him a kind Of attaChe of his person. For several
months Forrest employed him as dresser"
In 1851 John was put on the stage In a small
part and displayed such talent that Forrest
had great hopes Of his protege. When Forrest
went on h:s grand farewell tour 10 lsoo he
book Mccullough with him and instructed him
en much Of his own great art. He soon after
promoted Mccullough to superintend parts,
hnd when they went 10 California In 1850 Me
CullOugh went as Forests leading man. That
engagement was the end OF Forests career.
Mccullough, having made friends in San
Francisco, concludes 10 remain there. Me
Cullough remained in san Francisco playing
In stock companies until In 1865 William {.
Ralston and a party Of rich friends resolved 10
II
famous California theatre in October, 1869
Mccullough and Lawrence Barrett opened ii
with great eclat as lcsSces and managers. 1t
was the er.t theatre ever built west OfChicago.
barrett Withdrew soon after. Mccullough re-
manned rs manager for seven years of the
finest stock company ever organized there.
The stars Of to-day were there in stock at
one time or another. Barrett, John T. Ray
mand, Williamson, Tom keene Harry Ed
ward, Mark Gordon. Ellie Wilton. W. NJ
Mo- tft1I. 4 t.fl 4V. nd
were magniicently supported. Adelaide
Nelson took In Sls, 600 in one week. IL was
heyday prosperity for John Mccullough. But
he spent money faster than he could make IT,
but bis love of art was growing.
He had developed into TWO or three charac-
aers IN tragcdy-Nirginius Spartacus, Jack
Cade-all of great Forrest roles were his by
right of inheritance, He had much of For
rests wardrobe, all Of his properties and the
great actors good viii. lie had FORESTS
library, his concordances, his studies, his
bOtes and everything that gave n key 10 the
Ereat tragediau's artistic impulses. His
Friends determined he should 90 east He
Eent in ls1i and his career since then is we'll
known 10 all Americans. John Mccullough
ever led free and open life and he contracted
daily hab Is from which he afterwards suffer
ed. He was always "A high liver; his associates
were of the same class. lie, with Ralston.
Wakelee, Colt aud .scOrcs OF others, who had
thousands "A year 10 spend in fOllies lived lives
OF hilarious bachelordom,
In spite Of his extravaganza Mccullough a
cumulated money and is believed 10 be worth
from SO, 600 10 100000. His wife is in Phila-
delpha His son, now grown 10 manhood,
will inherit all his fathers property That IS
fixed by testamenary provisions. There are
plenty Of women who may claim 10 have post
mortem Interests in the profits of McCullough's
great career, but 1t Is asserted by friends that
all is guarded against In the interests Of the
family he has always recognized.