New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-08

OBITUARY.
WILLIAM PLEATER DAvIDGE.

WILLIAM ILEAIJ4h DAF
telegram received at the Madison Square Theatre
early yesterday morning announced the sudden death
of william Pleater Davldge, tho veteran comedian
Mr. Davdge left this city last Friday night with the
Madison SQUARE Theatre Company to play his original
parts in tho pieces be presented on the western tour
At IL last night, when within short distance ibis
side Of Cheyenne, w. T., Mr.. Davidge was selzed Win
a congestive attack and passed away painlessy' Inc
body left in charge of d. @. Rhodes, manager OF
the Cheyenne Opera House, and viii be embainied ana
sent to the dead actors homo in Brooklyn.
william p Davldge was born at Ludgae Hill, Lon
don England, on April II, 1914 and was consequently
in his seventy fifth year. As youth he evlnccd
strong taste for amateur theatricals and when ABOUT
twenty made his first professional appearance at
Drury Lane Theatre In the small part or James ln
The Mller's Maid His first important venture was
made at Nottingham in 1886, Adam Wnterton IN
@The Iron Chest" For the next fourteen years he
played in England, principally at Manchester, where
he was a groat fayorIte In 1850 he came TO this
country and made his debut at the Cd Broadway
Theatre, then under the management OF Marshall as
Str Peter Teazle. During the next FIVE years he was
in the support Of most Of the principal stars, nciud-
Ing Forrest, c. " Brooke. Julia Dean. Charlotte Cusn-
man and Lola Montez. In 1861 Mr. Davidge became
member OF wallacks, and after season or two there
Joined Mrs John Woods forces at the Olympic where
among other parts no played Powhatan In John
Broug ham's Pocahontas."
When Florence brought Caster from London. he
selected DavIdge for Eccles. and many good judges
think that his performance not surpassed even
by that of George Honey the original impersonator,
who afterward came here. In 1869 Mr.. Davidge
went to DAILY, at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, and re-
NAMED there eight years. He appeared in a great
many prominent parts, but will perhaps be best re-
membered during this portion of his career by his
Ragmoney JIM in Pique" For several years after
leaving the Fifth Avenue he travelled with Fanny
Davenport and later with Margaret Mather During
the last three seasons he has been at the Madison
Square Theatre but the parts for which be was cast
were scarcely commensurate with bis abilities. Nearly
two years ago Mr.. Davldge had successful benefit to
commemorate the completion of his fftieth upon
the stage. HIS last great success was as DICK Dead
eye In the first production of Pinafore' in this city.
In Shakespearean comedy Mr.. Davldge was ex-
tremely happy, and his Tombstone was exceptionally
clever He also particularly proud of his Jem
Bags, in "The Wandering MINSTREL part which
Robson first made famous. Mr. Davidge was man
Of considerable culture and welded at times an able
pen. His Defence OF the STAGE" written in reply to
an attack made by DR.. Theodore Cuyler and his
Footlight Flashes are well known. Augustin DAILY
once announced comedy by him. and the old acton
lived I'm hopes of inducing A. NJ Palmer to bring 1t
ont For the last thirty years MI Dayidge lived In
BROOKLYN, where he was widely known and generally
respected His house No. 1872 Paciicst. was bought
with the proceeds of lucky investment in lottery.
Mr. Davidge leaves a widow, two sons, one OF whom
william. Is worhlly following IN MS lathe e
probable that the funeral can take place before Mon
dav He was Of the original member, OF tm'
American Dramatic Fund. and was aI"aNs lOre1loss
in his desire advance and defend the Interests Oh
his