Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-01
AS III FROM A GRAVE.
A Supposed Victim Of the Brooklyn
Theater Fire Comes to Life.

From the New York Star
For twelve long years Actor Atkins Lawrence
has been mourning the death Of his younger
brother, Walter, who now, ~ IL risen from the
dead, is discovered TO be living and ENJOYING q
good share of the bounties Of this world It
was when Atkins Lawrence was flling an
engagement in Among the Pines" last week
in the Boston grand opera house that he first
learned that his long-lost brother was alive and
well and doing hourishing business in Brock
ton, Mass.
Among the Pines'''ha been extensively adj
vertised IN Boston before the companys arri-
val Mr.. Lawrence, who preceded the COM
pany by several days, arrived in that city q
week ago last Thursday, and while stopping at
his hotel was visited by middle-aged lady.
who introduced herself as 'your brother Wall
ter's mother-in-law." But madam" said At
kins. in surprise, my poor brother Walter
persisted in the terrible Brooklyn fire ON the
night of December 5. 1876. His remains were
taken from the ruins on that fatal night and
buried with the unknown dead, il being impos-
sible to identify the body"
"Are you certain" inquired the lady, "that
your brother was burnedY'
Mr.. Lawrence informed his visitor that O
ring, which he identified one belonging 10
his brother, had been raked up in the ruins Of
the burned theater, and that had been re-
garded as conclusive evidence. The lady then
said that they had been mistaken, for Walter
LawSence was still alive and doing we'll In
proR OF what she advanced she exhibited
three photographs, which the actor took aud
examined carefully. One was likeness OF
Walter Lawrence another that of his wife, and
the third that of their little laughter
bright. pretty little girl.
There was no longer any doubt, and the lady
was warmly welcomed. She explained that
Walter Lawrence had married her daughter
some ten years ago and they were living in
he Ia
who had married her daughter. and whose
picture he held in his hand, was undoubtedly
his brother. His face a strongly marked
ONE, and so characteristic that il might be
recognized even in the child. The lady said
that Lawrence had settled in Brockton and en-
barked in the hotel business; he was steady,
industrious and saving, and prospered. be 10
now one of the prominent men Of the place.
Atkins was all amazement. He said il was
wonderful and most romantic story. They
had all been mourning his brother as dead.
and here he turns out 10 be alive and happy.
He informed the lady that in 1876 his brother
Walter had been keeping the Lawrence hotel
and restaurant on the Bowery, Just north OF
the present site Of the Peoples Theater. He
had been in business there for q number OF
years, but things had not gone well with him.
He was deeply In debt at that time and on most
unfortunate terms with his wife.
On the night Of December s, 1876, he left hfs
home, saying that he was going 20 the Brook
Claxton appeared there that night, supported
by the late Charles Il. Thorne, Harry Murdoch,
Burrows and many members Of Mr.. A. M. Pal
mer's Union Square theater company. The
house was burned down before the play was
finished, and over 800 persons perished In the
flames. Walter did not return, and his rela-
tives naturally supposed that he had perished
in the fire. His body was not identified among
the charred remains, 80 he was counted one OF
the unknown dead. He had apparently taken
advantage of the fire 20 hide his wheresboutA,
knowing that IL he did not return home he
would be believed 10 be dead Walter Law
renee rid himself Of his debts and wife. Atkins
said that Walter probably felt justified In lesv-
ing the latter. He assured Waiters Presens
mother-in-law that his former wife had mar
ried again when she did mot hear from Walter
in five years.
sThe only reason Walter could have bad ID
not divulging the name of his relatives" Az
kins said, was that he was afraid We would
tell his wife,"
Atkins became satisiied that his brother had
been found, and he autographed the good news
to his mother. II will be shared BY nve other
brothers-Dewitt, Nathan, Edgar, Charlie and
Bert. Atkins win meet his long-lost broeAer
when "Among the Pines" gets 20 Drockton =
the latter part Of this week.