Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-10-09
WILLIAM WARREN.
Touching Tribute to the Memory of One
of tn. Dld Time Comedians.

Touching Tribute to the Memory of One
~ the Ohd Time Comedians.
From The Autobiography Of Joseph
Jefferson" in The Century, we quote
as follows james Wallack, Charles
Mathews. Fechter. Walter Montgom.
cry. Peter Richings tdear ne, ! ann the
only one left y and many Others. Such
Jokes. old and new; such "reminiscences.
foreign and domestic; tales of the
Drury Lane. legends of the Theatre
Franchise, and romances of the Old
Bowery: then the discussion as to
whether the actors Of the past were
better than those Of the present-all OF
the old actors insisting OF It that they
were, and all the young ones insisting
on ]; that they were not.
Again ! recall Warren as one of the
bright features Of a memorable feast
Mrs James 7. Fields at one end of the
table and her husband at the other.
Beside William Warren sat DIR. Oliver
Wendell Holmes. while Mr.. Longfellow
sat facing myself. the youngest man
Of those assembled. and greatly pleased
to be one Of such a group. Here was
table talk indeed-a feast of wit as well
a Of viands, As I think now of that
interesting day | seem to listen to the
brilliancy Of Fields. the wisdom Of
Longfellow and the wit OF Holmes.
Then Warren modestly Joins in the
conversation, planning his words to the
theme under d~iscussion-so adroitly,
too. that no joke is suspected until the
climax. This is indeed the very art and
perfection OF an anecdote.
Time rolled on and we met quite
often, always in the summer. To sit
and talk with Warren under the trees
was ever a treat to me. He had known
me when | was but a boy. and now he
knew me rs a grandfather. No lack
Of retrospect and "reminiscences with
such acquaintances.
Then came the fiftieth anniversary
of his debut. was aot there to see ii.
but ] know VI il as though the scene
had passed before me. Thousands
6ocked to witness il. Gray haired men
who had been taken to see him when
they were boys hurried TO bid for
places thar they might do him honor.
There was a loving cup from those who
cherished him; flowers from a whole
city. a token Of affection from his old
comrades ! saw him shortly after
this and there was a shade Of sadness
In his face He seemed to feel that all
was over !. laurel wreath will cheer
its wearer when il is bestowed on one
who is in the zenith of bis victory. but
it weighs heavily upon a retired head.
William Warren bore up bravely
under the burden of seclusion; but
time and the loss Of that more than
magnetism which is imbibed by an
actor from the warm appreciation Of
his audience. ard which had stimulat-
ed him for So many years. gradually
told upon his health, and then his
bright mind faded and he passed away.
Boston's best sons and daughters were
present to witness the ceremonies that
attended upon his final rest. Those
who had lived and wept with him in
his art showed, by their presence and
unsurpassed emotion. how they were
saddened by SO great a loss.
Relatives and friends. who stood In
groups about the grave. we're over.
come with sorrow. John Gilbert stood
gazing into the grave with streaming
eyes and a dazed look. He felt that
the time was fast approaching when he
would join his comrade."