San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-15
DIED AUGUST I, 1SSS.

William PIeater Davidge, a finished
and popular actor, of the old line of
comedians, died suddenly, on August
I, at Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory,
on his way to San Francisco. He was
on his way, as a member of the Madi-
son Square Theatre company, of New
York, to fill an engagement at Bald
wins theatre, that city.
The actor was born near Ludgate
Hill, London, April i, 1914. The
stage was the delight Of his bOyhOOd,
and at sixteen he sustained the minor
part of James in The NIiller's Maid,n
at the Drury Lane theatre. His first
regular appearance as a professional
was at Nottingham, June 20, 1886,
when he assumed the role of Adam
WintertOn in The Iron Chest On
September %, in the same year, he
appeared at the Queens theatre in
London, where he at once sprang into
favor through the excellence of his
performance of the part of Baron Oak
field in 1.-The Haunted Tower Later
on Mr.. Davidge became connected
with the Victoria and other leading
theatres in London. and he also travel
ed extensively through the provinces
and in Scotland and Ireland He was
married September 30, 1872, to Eliza
beth Clark, and settled in Manches-
ter, where he remained until 1850,
when he sailed for this country.
His first appearance in America was
at the old Broadway Theatre, New
York, on August Is, 1850, as Sir Peter
Teazle. Later on he appeared as Cali
ban in "The Tempest AS stock
actor he supported the famous stars of
that time, including Edwin Forrest,
Gustavus V. Brooke, Julia Dean,
Nine, Celeste and Lola Montez. He
also added to his reputation by play
ing the leading comedy parts in all
the old stock plays. Mr.. Davidge re-
manned at the old Broadway Theatre,
New York, until 1855, when he went
to the Cleveland Athen@um, and after
that he visited many cities. He
was also engaged at various theatres
in New York during the next few
years, and was one of famous "star
of F. B. Conway. Mr.. Davidge was a
company at the Olympic theatre in
loO)-t, anu JOlueu aug usGlh LAZY D
Fifth Avenue theatre company in
1869, remaining with Mr.. DAILY
through all the latter's managerial
vicsitudes up to 1877. He joined Mr..
DAILY again in 1879. and from 1880 TO
| 1885 he was under engagement with
J. NJ. Hill. In November, 1855, Mr.
DavIdge joined the Madison Square
theatre company, of which he re-
manned a member up to the time of
| his death.
He was one of the best of the old
line of comedians, and his work in
| Shaksperian and old English COM
edies was always of rare excellence.
! He was never a star, but sustained
leading comedy roles in many cOmpa-
MES and in many cities. This
eminent comedian was indeed an
actor Of many parts having
assumed more than one thousand
one hundred characters during his
more than half century of profess
siOnal life. He was genial in COM
partnership and his friends were
| legion. A notable testimonial per-
fOrmance was rendered Mr.. Davidge
at the Academy Of Music, New York,
on April q, 1886, on the occasion of
| his seventy-third birthday, which
was also intended to commemorate
the fiftieth anniversary. Of his career
on the stage.
Mr.. Davidge made a number of con-
! tributiOns to literature. His " Foot