Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-22
CAREER CUT SHORT.
DEATH OF eNTERPRIslNG MANAGER
PATRICK HARRIS.
IN. of the Most Successful Theatrical
Men In the United States Gone
How lie Built Himself Up.
baltimore Herald

baltimore Herald
Patrick Harris. the well-known theatri-
cal manager and proprietor of the Acade-
nv of Music Of Baltimore, died suddenly
ON Wednesday morning of apoplexy at his
SIMMER residence at Bay Shore. on Long
leland. The announcement of his death
uas received about o'clock in the morn
inc by his associate manager. Tunis F..
Dean.
Shortly afterward Grape was hung on the
massive doors of the Academy, and num-
bers of passers-by stopped to learn the
cod ;nteiligence. A few hours later the
entire building was draped in black
MIR. Uarris's health had been impaired
ever since the first Of the year. On New
Years night he was seized with violent
commissions. brought on by an attack of
acute indigestion. He grew worse, and ms
illness assumed q more serious nature.
Drs. Alan p. Smith, +. L. Miles, IL. +. =.
Wilson, and A. c. Pohl. assisted by Two
trained nurses from the Bellevue Hospital
New York, were IN constant attehdahce
from the time of his sickness to tie lst oil
March. He gradually grew better. and at
the advice of his physicians he sailed Tor
Europe on May sth, accompanied 10y ms
family. He visited Carlsbad, where, under
the treatment of some Of the most emil
nent of European physicians, he began 90
steadily recover.
Messrs. Dean and B1tton received the
most encouraging letters from his brother'
Mr.. p. +. Eagan. of ST. Paul. who accom-
panied him, and several photographs taken
while abroad. and they waited anXlousiy
for his return. He arrived in New YORK on
o. 1lf Il OF ply for lIg conn
trv home on Long Island. He was SEEM
inclv in the best of health, which was q
great source of pleasure 20 his family ana
numbers of friends: so that the sud
denness of his death makes the shoch the
more painful.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Harris was born in Ontario, Canada
of IRISH parentage, and was torty-tour years
of age. When quite youth the family
moved TO st. Paul. whore Mr. Harris at
tended school taught 10y tho Rev: father
Murray. Ia 1858 his family received great
shock by the death of the father, ana one
by one the members Of the household sepa-
rated and he was thrown upon the world 70
fight the battles of life alone.
About that time he became acquainted
with n travelling theatrical company, and
ont of his scant earnings he loaned the
manager small sum. which was ms hrsl
investment and interest IN theatrical mat
tiers.
At the AGE of twenty-five he was made
MANAGER Of the Olympic Theatre in New
Orleans bv the owner. Colonel Ames., MI.
Harris remained at TINS post until inc
death of Colonel Ames when he removed
10 Pittsburgh. where he took charge OF q
theatre and inaugurated the new system
of cheap prices while retaining hrst
10 ne also tine tIT4f
man in this country 10 start the now Ia
nous dime museums" which he con-
tinued until he saw a field for the popular
price theatres. which far exceeded the
museum business.
Mr.. Harris's first venture in this city was
about nine wears ago. when ne opener q
museum on Baltimore street near N0rth;
! He prospered there. and atterward secured
I the Masonic Temple on north Chhrle'
| street. which proved, under bis manage
ment. veritable gold-mine. At the ter
minaton of the lease of this enterprise he
secured the Academy of Music, and his sue
| cess with this house is well known 10 the
public. and during his management thou-
| sands OF BalsimOreans have visited and en-
| loved the attractions of his house. NJ
| Roard of Directors of the Academy were ~
! once delighted with the success Mr.. Harris
made of the theatre, which heretofore nae
| beena dismal failure, and offered MN al lh'
| end Of his first lease new lease covering Z
number of years. which was promptly ac'
/ cepted. Mr.. Harris also owns ana manages
popular theatres IN Pittsburgh, Louisyllle
| WASHINGTON, Cincinnati, and ~. Ihul
The Academy III this city was conslderet
the finest and one of his most prohtaDie
go he accordingly. as became resident o
| this city. decided to live where his Des
| attraction was located.
TIE YOUNGEST MANAGER.
He was ably assisted in the managemen
here by Messrs. Iunis Z. Dean and Il. l.
Rritton. whom ne took into partnership a
the first of the year, and who have man
aged his complete circuit since, owing u
his i'll health. The business will now con
| tinue as before under the frm-name o
| Harris. Britton N Dean. The receipt
from the various houses last season
| amounted to S7j0,00O, and the amour
paid for salaries reached nearly ~lOQ,OOO
| MIR. Harris was the youngest OF the pest
| known theatrical managers OF the DAY
and was probably the most successiu
| from financial point of view. lie was
| staunch friend OF young men, ana AWAY
| employed them IN his theatre. MT. barn
| was very domestic In his tastes, ana wa
| perfectly devoted TO his family. Inc los
| of his little boy two years ago was sever
|
and three children-GOrdon Don. age'
seventeen wears: Howard Douglass, age
three years. aud Ada Margaret aged 81.
months. He leaves his family in comforta
bic circumstances. for he was probably Ia
| wealthlest manager In the United states
A number OF kilograms OF sympathy
from all parts of the country poured mt
the Academy yesterday, and many letter
of coincidence from some of the mos
prominent citizens of the city were ais
received, attesting to the grief for the de
| ceased. >.
The western circuit of the firm, including
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, ST. Paul, ant
Louisville. had all opened for the regula
season, but they will remain closed unit
after the funeral, an order TO that efiec
having been sent out from the Acaden
YESTERDAY. Mr. Harris has lot IN Green
mount cemetery, where handsome monu
ment marks the grave of his boy Leland