The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-07-20
HIS LAST PERFORMANCE
Joseph Haworth's Description Of a
Sad Scene In Mcvicker's Thea
ter-The Audience Thought
Mccullough Was Drunk.
YAXHEN Joseph Hawarth, the bril-
wv liant young actor playing "Paul
K~auyar.v was I'm Omaha re-


Kauvar," was in Omaha re-
Gently he told quite an interesting story
to a Bee reporter about the last perform
ance and last rehearsal of John McCul-
Tough.
Both took place at Mcvicker's theater,
Chicago, In September, 1884. Next to
John Lane, who always assumed the
principal opposite parts to those played
by Mccullough, Haworth was the leading
man.
For several weeks prior to the opening
OF their Chicago engagement the men,
bers of the company had noticed signs of
weakening intellect in Mr.. Mccullough,
but none Of them were courageous
enough to say anything about it either In
his presence or where their suspicious
might reach his ears.
Nothing aroused Mr.. McCullough's
anRer so quickly as to nave people talk
disparagingly about his health. Not until
the very last moment, when his voice
failed him completely, could he be in
duced to heed the appeal of friends or be
convinced hat his memory vas not per-
feet.
II was on Monday night, September 30,
and he was playing 1.-THE Gladiator" Mr..
Haworth relates below what occurred. He
also depicted the facial expression and
complete collapse of the great actor as he
appeared at the end of the last rehearsal
the next day. A look of pitiful anguish
came into his face, he burst out crying
like a child in terrible agony, his head
fell over on his breast and he sank limp
into a chair.
"Mr. Mccullough arrived at the theater
quite late,' said Haworth, "looking
strangely dazed. He was dressed at a
-
his Ina public performance.
oud act. where the brothers, Sp~artacus
other aud embrace. The governor-we
always called him that-gave me the cue.
~ rushed TO him and threw my arms
about his neck. He did not respond. /
raised my head to see what was up. The
tears were in his dear old eyes, and he
was trembling like a leaf from head To
foot. In accents broken with deep emo
tons, he grasped me 10y the arms and
cried: For Gods sake, Joe, give me the
line.'
al did so md we finished the scene.
Where we were accustomed to receive five
and six calls there were but two. The
governor turned to me as we walked of
the tage, and said. "They are treating us
gloriously tonight
'The next act came. / was working q
scene preparatory to the cruciflxion of
a
the giadiators. Inc success OF tnis par
ticular situation as you know depends
largely upon Spartic9s. Mcoullough could
not remember q word OF nus part ana 10
help matters along | not only spoke my
own lines but his too. He looked at me
in q helpless sort OF a way Tor several Sec
onds, n then exclaimed, loud enough to
pe hearu All oVer the mousse My poy'
YOU are speakIng my nhes.- ii :,
Inc audience laughed ana nisseu. l
kent on with my speech, grew historical
anu SAN upon the MOOR az ms Iee,.
'Grasping neaulohg AT nir, ne shouted'
swear Tor TINS TO make home howl II
line tears were roiihg down ms
never knew.
the next ADDRESS 10 MN was tnis'
.General. you were best go 10 your tent.
You are uiint Tor pattie. Inc audience
applauded and laughed and Missed again,
thinking IL was "A rare treat to see Amer
ica's greatest Roman, as they supposed,
intoxicated.
Then the END was near. where Gas.
slus slabs Spartacus, Met niiough ana not
make any pretentions OF faiiing untli
prompted by Lane, who was playing oas-
sils.
AT the closing speech. set forth your
sails, we shall he in Ihrace anon.' the
tears were falling ike ram drops. and the
curtain went down never to rise again on
John Mccullough. ~
Mi Lane assisted him To his feet. The
applause and laughter in front were bois.
ferrous. He went before the curtain and
said: Ladies' and gentlemen, you are the
be~st-mannered audience ever saw. III
You had suffered tonight as have you
would not have lone this. Good night
These were his last words IN public
At the end of this performance MIR:
Brooks, our acting manager, informed
the company that the season was closed.
IL was "a fearful crowd of professionals
| That loft tha thantnr TINT niuht GrnInS