The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-20
FLORENCE rs DEAD.
The Great Comedian Carried
Off by Pneumonia.
JACK DEMPSEY RECOVERING.
The Commander Of the warshfp Palos
Gone-A Pioneer Republican
Called to His Reward.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. Ie.-william J. Florence,
the actor, died at the Continental hotel this
evening st $780, Ii was great surprise 10 those
Ia attendance, as he had today apparently been
Improving Only his sister-In-law, Mrs. Barney
Williams OF Brooklyn; his sister, Mrs Norman
Wizard, of Washington City, and DR.. Donnelly
were with him when the end came. Toward
evening he had been sleeping, and the frat In
olcation the watchers had of death was that
he had ceased TO breathe. Mrs Williams and
Mrs. wizard are Frustrated. As ali his male
relatives had returned TO New York today. be-
heving him to be on the road to recovery, Pro-
prietor Kingsley OF the hotel, took temporary
charge Of affairs Mrs. Florence will leave Eng
land for New York saturday. Until she can be
heard from no definite funeral arrangements
wlll be made. 1t is thought he will be inferred
in Brooklyn.
The fatal illness began last Saturday night.
He had been complaining during the week, but
performed regularly. On Saturday evening,
alter the performance, he gave a supper at the
hotel in honor OF Mr. and Mrs Kendall After
the festivities he was taken i'll, and the physi-
clans found he was suffering from severe at
tack of pneumonia, both lungs being affected.
The lobby was filed tonight with theatrical
people discussing the sad event A message of
sympathy was sent TO Mrs. Florence by the
Clover Club on the occasion of its monthly din
ner tonight. Fiorence's name originally was
Conlan, but after he adopted the stage name of
Florence he legalized it by an act OF the legisla
ture
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Nov. 19-Joseph Jeffer-
son. who Played here this evening, was greatly
shocked when informed of the death of his
friend Florence He remained up Until late
hour debating dispatches and relating remin-
lscences of the late actor.
William Jermyn Florence was born in Al
bany, n. Y, July 20, 1881. He became men,
Der of the Murdoch Dramatic Association in
New York city, and soon gained distinction as a
versatile comic actor His first appearance was
IL Richmond on December 8, lS4g as Peter in
the play OF The Stranger" Subsequently he
played Macduif to Booths Macbeth III provi-
dence, successfully acquitting himself. He
then played Irish Characters at Brougham's
lyceum IN New York city. He met and be-
came engaged 10 Mrs. Mavina Littell formerly
"a Miss Pray, who was a danseuse at Wallack's,
anu on New \ ears day, 1888, they were married.
On the 9Th OF the following June the couple APP
ieared as the Irish Boy" and the yankee
Glrl at the National theater in New YORK city,
lhey went 70 England in 1876, and played in
Dfury Lane theater. London, TO crowded houses
Tor nlty nights. After this successful debut on
foreign soil they made professional tour OF
greatest hits as Bardwell Slote in "The Mighty
dollar, and as Captain Cutie in "Dombey and
son. Mrs. Florence won fame in the character
OF Mrs. General GilhOry. Mrs. Florence is a SIS
ter TO Mrs. Barney Williams Florence was on a
toCr with Jefferson, playing in 1.-THE Rivals"
ana "A Pair OF Jacks" He was too have ap.
peared in the latter play ut the Ash Street
a week run OF 'fhe Rivals when he was at
tackled by his fatal Illness. Florence and Jeffer-
son were 10 have played in Seattle during jan
uary.l