The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-06
EMMA ABBOTrIS DEAD.
The Famous Singer Joins the
Choir of Heaven.
CONSCIOUS TILL THE CALL CAME
Death Found Her Prepared for the
Long Journcy-It Was the Anniver-
sary OF Her Husbands End.

SALT LAKE CRY, Jan. 5.-tSpecial.I T.
Emma Abbott, the great American prfma
donna, died at the Hotel Templeton In
this city at TAO this morning OF pneu-
monia. She was taken i'll on "Wednesday
night, but insisted upon going upon the
stage and singing her part in "Ernani'
notwithstanding the fact that her phy-
sicians advised her not to. On New II ear >
day she was taken alarmingly i'll, and a
conference of physicians was ordered.
From that time she has grown worse until
this morning, when she died.
The scene at the deathbed was pa
thetic one. The great singer was con-
scious almost to the last moment, despite
the fact that opiates had been admins
tered. Her last words on earth were,
am not afraid to die"
There were present at the bedside, Alice
Ellerton, Miss Nellie Franklin, Miss Yer
non. Mr.. Pruette, Mr. and Mrs. Michel
ena and Miss Lizzie Annandale, OF the
company, Manager Pratt and wife ana Dr.
Pinkerton.
The body was embalmed and enclosed In
handsome casket, and will go from mere
to Denver, thence to Chicago, and thence
to Gloucester, Mass, where her husband Is
buried, her will providing for the DISPOSE
ton of her remains.
Miss Abbott confidently expected to die,
and told her physician on New Years day
that her next song would be sung III
heaven. Since that date she has failed
rapidly, and. although her manager has
telegraphed all over the country that she
was going to get well, she never wavered IN
her belief of her ultimate death. Two weeks
ago she telegraphed to the Albany hotel,
at Denver, for the room in which her hus-
band died. A singular coincidence con-
nected with the affair is that she died ON
the anniversary of her husbands death.
A shortburial service was held this after
noon at the hotel by Rev. DR.. McNeice,
of the Presbyterian church. The body lett
for the East at 10 o'clock tonight.
Emma Abbott was born in Peoria, H., in 1851,
and at an early age gave evidence OF possessing
phenomenal musical talent. While girl she
first in country Lighthouses, and then as her
Her Her family family were unable to give
her the musical education for which she longed,
and which she knew was necessary to enable
her to win a place among the great singers OF
the world, but she struggled and saved fer years
vocalists of the day encouraged her efforts, and
at lenghth one friend assisted her with
means to visit Europe and study under the
great teachers there. Her success on her return
was a grand one and she went from one triumph
to another, gaining fame and fortune steadily.
In English opera she found her most attractive
field, and every city of importance in the
United States has seen her frequently,
and always with pleasure. The friend
who aided her in early years, q
young druggist named Eugene j. Wetherell, was
not forgotten, and when her position as one OF
the greatest song favorites of America was won
she became his wife. Mr.. Wetherell died two
years ago, and his death was the greatest loss
the brave, ruehearted woman ever knew. En-
ma Abbott will be remembered, not as Americas
creates singer, but as a remarkably gifted one,
whose perseverance, patient industy and ster-
ling honesty of purpose and deed won the re-
speet and admiration of all who knew her.
During her career as the star of her own En-
glish opera company she amassed an immense
fortune, estimated at not less than $4,000, 900.
She was the owner of property in many cities,
possessing valuable lots in Portland, Ore, and
some important holdings in Seattle. She was
said to be worth $4,000,000
Her second and last appearance in Seattle was
at the opera-h house November "a, 25 and Is when
she sang in "Ernani," 'Rose of Castillo .'Bo-
hemian Girl' and ''Masque Ball." A part of the
proceeds of the matinee on the 18th was pre-
sented to the Womans Home
Emma Abbott appeared in "Ernani" at Salt
Lake, Monday night, and the Tribune said the
next morning: "Miss Abbott was suffering
from hoarseness, and was evidently ILL She
Is very, very plucky woman, and sung through
through her part without missing note, though
it was evident it was costing her an effort"