New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-09
SUDDEN DEATH OF An ACTOR
CHARLES B. BISHOP STRICKEN AT THE
LYCEUM THEATRE.
HE HAD JUST LEFT THE STAGE AND WAS Ex.
PECTED TO RETURN IN FEW MINUTES
THE AUDIENCE DISMISSED-A
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.

SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
A deep gloom was cast the actors and audience
at the Lyceum Theatre last night by the sudden death
OF OF the most prominent members of the company
Charles B. Bishop, who died in one Of the dressing
rooms during the performance of the comedy
" Lord Chumley.n Mr. Bishop, who had ap
peared with much success in the part OF
Adam ButterwOrth, had been aling slightly
during the last few days but made light Of HIS indspo-
sitlOn, regarding It nothing more serious than a
slight attack of neuralgia gaStritlS On his appear
ance at the theatre last night he complained
of feeling rather worse, and remarked that he had
had serious doubts about leaving his home lie
seemed cheerful, however and on being jokngly raed
by a member of the company on his failure TO cure
himself when he had cured so many Others (Mr Bishop
having been graduated as a physclan), replied: ."
doctor cannot be his own PATENT
lie dressed and went for his part, and It was
remarked that he was acting better than ever After
his exit toward the close of the first act just before
the famous scene between Lady Adeline Barker and
LoId Chumley Mr. Bishop walking down the stairs
to his dressing room where he suddenly reeed and
fell against the stair rail- Recovering himself with
great effort he managed to staggcr into the dress
ng-IOOm Of Tuly Masha which IS nearest the stairs,
and fell the SOFA apparently in dead faint Mrs.
Bishop, who was in the theatre, Miss Kitty
Wilson, and other members Of the company to his
assistance and used every to restore him. but
theatre, were summoned, and on their arrival an
nounccd that Mr. Bishop dead On hearing the news
Mrs Bishop completely
In the meantime the play had been brought
to dead stop by the failure Of
Mr.. Bishop to respond to his cue
he being supposed TO discover Chumley on his knees
to Lady Adeline. Mr. Sothern was apprised of the
condition of affairs and going to the front of the
stage begged the indulgence of the audience for a
fow minutes until Mr.. Bishop should recover The drop
curtain was lowered. In few minutes Mr.. SOthern
appeared In front Of the curtain, and announced that
Mr.. Bishop was dead. Tho news created profound
impression among the audience, but there was nc
excitement, and the people quietly dispersed The
money paid for admission was offered to all by the
management but nearly every one declined it.
Mr.. Bishops body lay at the theatre until IL O'Clock,
when 1t was conveyed to his home at the Chelsea
Flats. His part in " Lord Chumley" will be played
by #. C. Valentine, who has been understanding 1t
for time benefit matinee for Mis-. Bishop Is
to be given at the theatre next Wednesday.
Mr. Bishop was born in Massachusetts in 1883
and made his first appearance on The stage at Baltt
about thirty years ago under the management
of John T. Ford Quickly winning popular favor.
he became first the low comedian of the company
and during his term of service supported nearly all
the leading of those days, including the elder
Booth, Edwin Forrest, Murdjck, Julia
Deane Hayne and Charlotte Cushman.
On the outbreak Of the he Joined the Confederate
Army, ultimately retiring through i'll health After
the war he starred for some time in piece called
War Clouds" and thcn supported the famous Chap
man sisters in a long tour. lie then went to San
Francisco and remained at the California Theatre fol
some years as first low comedian supporting George
| Rignold and serving under John Mccullough.
Later he transferred his services to Baldwin's
| Theatre and I'm the intervals of acting took up the
study of medicine, being graduated first in his clas:
| at the University of California He has at one
| time or another treated hundreds of actors.
On leaving Baldwin's he East and appeared a.
| the Widow Bedott under Haverlys manag cement.
subsequently he was successfully connected with the
Mckee Rankin syndicate in California, playing the
part of the Judge in " The Dantes' and later he
appeared in this city with Nat Goodwin in Turnel
Up" and Little Jack sheppard" His last engagement
WIS with Mr.. SOthern Fourteen years ago he was
stage manager and first low comedian at the Chicago
Theatre, succeeding William II. Crane
The best of his achieved with the
part of Pistol in Henry "" during George Rignolds
engagement The one financial venture of his career.
a tour with piece called Strictly Business" writ.
ten BY Archibald Gunther. proved failure. About
thrc, years ago he his only son and It IS said
that he nevcr recovered from the shock
death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart.