The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-11-26
A FAMOUS ACTOR GONE.
Death In Philadeiphia OF william J..
Florence. the Noted Com dian.

Death In Philadelphia OF william j.
Florence. the Noted Comedian.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. o0.-William j.
Florence. the :.ctor, died at the Conti-
mental hotel, this city, at o'clock
Thursday evening. Death came as a
startling surprise to those in attend
ance upon the sick man for the reason
that his condition had been considered
as improving during the afternoon and
early evening.
Death Came Peacefully.
lie had been apparently getting bet
ter, and the physicians had no idea
that the end was SO near. DIR. Pam
coast, who had charge of the case. had
left the hotel about o'clock, secure
in the idea that his patient was doing
as we'll as could be expected His
death came SO peacefully that it may
be said that he slept away. lie made
no utterance whatever, and the first
intimation the watchers had of his
death was that he ceased to breathe.
Mrs. Florence in England.
As all of Mr.. Florencc's male rela-
tives had gone to their homes in New
York and Brooklyn, Proprietor Kings
ley of the Continental hotel took
temporary charge of the affairs.
kilograms were sent in all directions
notifying relatives and friends that the
end had come. An undertaken was
summoned and by midnight the work
of embalming the body had be-
gun. Mrs. Florence will leave
England for New York on Sat
urday. Until she can be heard
from no definite funeral arrangements
will be made The general belief is
that the dead actor will be inferred in
Brooklyn. as most of his relatives live
there. Interment viii probably not
take place until Mrs. Florence's arrival
on Friday or Saturday of next week.
Had Been III Five Days.
Mr.. Florence's fatal illness began
last Saturday night He had been COM
planning during the week. but had per-
formed regularly. On Saturday even
ing, after playing his part of
Ezekiel Homespun in the Heir at
Law" with the Jefferson-Florence CON-
bination at the Arch Street theater, he
gave supper at the Continental hotel
in honor Of Mr.. and Mrs Kendall. Soon
after the close of the festivities he
was taken ill, and DIR. Pancoast, who
was called in, announced that he
was suffering from severe attack
of pneumonia, both lungs being affect
ed. DIR. Dacosta, the eminent ply
sician. assisted DR.. Pancoast. and in
addition DIR. Patrick Donnellan, an old
friend of MIR. Florence, was called in.
Tho lot hn lob II
most constantly.
William j. Coniin. better known as William
Jermyan Florence. was born on July Is, 1881,
in Albany n. Y. When quite young he ap-
peared in amateur performances in New York
city where he was member Of the Murdoch
Dramatic association. On December 8, 1874,
he made his first appearance on the
stage as . professional At the Richmond the
ater as Peter In The Stranger" He remained
at the Richmond theater during . season
Of four months and then returned to New
York and acted III Niblo's garden then un-
der the management OF Messrs. Chippen-
dale and Brougham. During the engagement
Of the elder Booth at Providence. r. l.. hi
played Macdur to the great tragedans Ma..
! beth. After his return 10 New York he made
his appearance at Brougham's Lyceum.
where he. for the first time, i'm
personated Irish characters At the
conclusion OF season at the Broad
way theater in 1859 he entered into q star en-
gagement at the National theater. About that
time, January l. 1853. Mr.. Florence married
Miss Malvina Pray. He assumed the role OF
the Irish boy with decided success, while his
wife acted the Yankee girl. During q
season in June and July, ls53 Mr..
Florence appeared in Writing on the
Wall" Eva, the Irish Princess" The
Siciian Bride" .DNeill the Great" .SThe
Drnnkard's Doom and other pieces. After .
successful tour in England the Florences re-
turced TO this country where their work since
has Teen part OF the history Of the American
stage
Hisgreatest success here was achieved in The
Mighty Dollar" Since 1889 Mr. Florence has
been associated with Joseph Jefferson their
principal productions being The Rivals" and
The Heir nj Law