Telegram-herald., 1891-11-22
HIS MEMORY WILL LIYI
The Final Curtain Rung on Flor
encs, the GENIAL. Forever.
REVIEW OF HIS BRILLIANT CAREER
Tai. ws.kss onsr1ags Ia shs Local Ths-
alrss-Pswsrs 10 be Dsxk-~AAssss
aaa n Aaa-seAatI<s az smfsh's-
General stage Sss.


The announcement Of ths death of
w. J. kla.encs Aas caused profound
sorros, not opiy IA the ranks or tAs
professon of walsh he vas al nonorsd
snd Distinguished member, but hosts
OF men devoted 10 the various pursuits
aad accomplishment Of life VII yield
with sad reluctance 20 the fearful fact
tGAt BILLY" Florence Is no more. Some
times the good Ehas Is sung alter men
when they have lifted the vel and
passed from the light OF the mortal Iato
the darkness OF the immortal. 10
strained. The good that lived With
Florence. the generosity that abounded
in MS life. the mAgnanimity thai
reiened IN his heart, the bensvoisncs
which lighted his soul and the gensas
which gave him relown and exalted
hum in toe world are now the subject OF
funeral chant and obituary reverence
and praise. Grea. men wiki God be-
stowed gsfts have existed and have
trlumphed. The halo OF genius sur
rounaed their transltory passlng-and
the world paid them nomage-and they
went beyond without experiencing the
uniting of heart and heart, which
creates social following. A revelation
in material things, the discovery OF .
valuable fact and the promotion OF
theory psfpetuates them IN the ages
Itisnot the hours IN which this merry
PLAYER abode his time IN the seek and
buskln that will keep Ms memory IN
bloom. IL ia rather the sunshine which
his presence reflected on Thousands OF
personal friends. These are deep
mournegs now. To know Florence was
to De MS trend, ard once his friend al
ways MS friend. Few men had larger
or more devoted personal following.
He commanded these kindly but strong
associations, not because ne was an
actor, but because he was man.
HIS career, rudic and private, has
been most WORTHY AID exemplary, and
one which every player must regard
with pride. His lie seemed TO be an
Interrupted Joy. Impossible almost
will II be To reconcile ms WHO, his con-
sort of over thirty years, whose heart
i wltherng IN anguish in . foreign
lard avsy across the broad sea. Within
tue pe 81 few hours thousands OF dear
frie nds have, doubtls s., N thinking OF
hm, realized more imp.e'siv,l y than
ever the sad ami true ihws rdness OF the
hue in the sollloquy: "Where be his
iIbes now, ms flashes If merriment that
were wont TO set the table In . roar?'
Ominous echo. he il dead.
William Jermyn Florence was born
In Albany, " Y. July, 20. 1881. AT an
early age ne had to face those strug-
g.es anu endure those t.lals which 50
many prominent and successful men
had to contend with IN ooyhood's days.
Before the age Of fifteen he was en-
L. ~ IN
Work. IL WAS at this time that his
fancy began to direct him to the stage.
The vehicle which landed him into
regular employment upon the metro
politan stage WAS an amateur dramatic
club. He made his debut IN Richmond,
Va. IN December, l54s. He made hil
frat appearance n New York al Nlblo's
ia the spring Of 1850. This brought the
Young actor, who was great observer,
In contact with such renowned
PLAYERS as FARM Wzllack. Charlotte
Cushuan, the elder Booth, Barton,
Broughanl and Placide. He continued
In New York for many years and
played many parts. ali with success.
In 1853 he married Miss Malvina Pray.
They continued TO act for many years,
and no more happy or popular couple
ever graced the stage than Mr.. and
Mrs. W. j. Florence. lie made p-o-
fessional visit TO London and the
provinces winch was attended with suc-
cess. He purcG ased in London the
Ticket OF Leave Man," AMI produced
Il st the Winter Garden sneater, New
York, in 1868; where il run for l25
nights. This was followed by several
other productions ali Of which en-
HANGED the sctoss popularity aud es-
tAblIshed ms hold upon the theater
soers. The play IN which he was most
fAvorabiy known throughout America
was Mighty Dollar" in which he
created Bardwell Siote IN 1873. Mr..
and Mrs. Flor, nee toured IN this COM
edy fer several seasons. Ii Was 9
quaint and delightful distinct Ameri-
can Characterization and the one IN which
Mr.. Florence will De moot generally e.
membered sgnce 1850. hrs seasons
were OF BRET duration aud confined
principally TO the Eastern cities. since
1Ss9, ne had been associated with
Joseph Jefferson. Az the time OF hi
death DE bad IN view for next season Z
tour with his wife IN a new comedy
Mr.. Fler nee mignt have had honor'
thrust upon him from varlots direc'
tons had ne So desired. He was one
Of the most popular men in New York
and very frsqus n ly his Jealous friends
sndeavored 10 persuade him TO sccep'
political I'll t. bat ne invariably RI fused.
"A - q