The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-12-16
TELEGRAPHIC TICKS.
News of Interest From DOmes'
tic and Foreign Sources.
W. J. Florence, the Actor, Dies
Suddenly at philadelphia.

William ]. Florence. the actor, after being
critically Ill for a week died at $3.50 o'clock
at night in his room at the Continental
Hotel, Philadelphia. Penn. He passed a very
restless night, and gradually grew worse all
day, but it was not until S o'clock that
evening that the doctors saw that the pneu-
monia would kill him. He was very weak,
as little or no nourishment could be given
him, and when his lungs began to I'LL the
physicians could do absolutely nothing. He
sank rapidly, and when hc died It was
without a struggle. -,
The first intimation the watchers had Of
death was that he had ceased to breathe.
Proprietor Kingsley, Of the Continental
Hotel took temporary charge OF the
body. His wife is in Europe.
A week before his death, after having
played bis part of Ezekiel Homespun in the
"Heir.at-Law" with the Jeferson-Florence
combination at the Arch Street Theatre, he
gavea supper at the Continental Hotel in
honor Of Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall. Soon after the
close of the festivities he was taken Ill and
physicians called in. he had congestion of
the lungs, and after danger from that had
practically ceased the patient was too weak
orally, death being attributed to heart fall
ure.
IL was at Albany N. Y. in 1881, that
William J. Florence first saw light. His
right name was Conlin. His earliest pro,
p%snsities, were for the the STAG and I he 3olHea
S %asn q ss Peter s9one in R Rs SnSs 70
mantle play of THE Stranger at the Rich
mond Hill Theater, in New York City,
December 6, 1S49. he, next played Macduf
to Edwin Booths Macbeth. He attempted
Irish comedy with great success.
In 1856 he sailed for Europe with his wife,
and in the Drury Lane Theater, in London,
they played a nine weeks engagement MRS.
Florence, who is a sister to Mrs, barney
Williams, was known as Mrs. Joseph Llttel.
Her maiden name was Malvina Pray. .
A little more than two years ago MIR. and
Mrs, Florence announced their retirement
from the stage as joint stars. MIR. Florence
concluded then what had been long talked OF,
the Jefferson Florence combination, and on
October Is, 1850, they made their joint
appearance at the New York Star Thea
ter in "The Rivals" jefferson taking Bob
Acres, Florence Sir Lucius O'Trigger and
Mrs. John Drew realizing Mrs. Malaprop.
This was the last season Florence was 70 re-
main in this organization.
MIR. Florence was most successful as the
Hon. Bardwell Sloat in "rhe Mighty Dol
lar" as Bob Briefly in "The Ticket Of Leave
Mani and as Obenreiser in n Thorough
fare"
Police Inspector Conlin, Of New York City,
Isl brother to Mr.. Florence. Mr.. Florence
leaves five brothers and sisters. He was
author of the Florence Fables" a brochure
of stories. As a story teller Mr.. Florence
probably had no equal. BE was OF lovable
nature and won for friends all whom he met.
To be Senator From Maryland.
Governor jackson, of Maryland, orally
rendered to ex-Representative Charles d.
Gibson, in Washington, his appointment to be
United States Senator from Maryland, until
the legislature fills the vacancy caused by
the death of Senator Ephraim z. Wilson.
Colonel Gibson accepted the offer and his
formal appointment is expected IN due
course.
Mr.. Gibson at once withdrew from the
contest for the ~clerkship, and he will be
sworn in as a Senator at the opening OF the
Lid Congress. His service will date back
to March 4. of this year, and he will simply
hold Office until a successor Is elected. Gov.
ernor jackson is q candidate for the seat
formerly held by Mr.. Wilson. . It is pre-
sumed that the new Senator will try to enter
the House of Representatives again from the
Eastern Shore District. Hell has been chosen
three times from the First Maryland Dis
trict.
The new Senator is a man Of agreeable
and attractive manners, and Of great per.
sonal popularity; and his appointment will
be we'll received, where he has been a pleas
ant and conspicuous'agure in social and pub
lie life. Mr.. Gibson lives in Easton, Md, Is
alawyer by profession, and before entering
Congress held many important local Offices