The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-10
M(ll!}ls9 Eagle
STORIES OF BARRETT.
OPINIONS OF THE DEAD ACTORS
NEIGHBORS IN WALPOLE.
Where He Used to Recuperate and Where
He Found His Charming Wife-How He
Was Regarded by His Simple Friends
Near His Country Home.

He Found His Charming Wife-How He
Was Regarded by His Simple Friends
Near His Country Home.
Away up in the hills of Norfolk coun-
ty, nestled among the woods, about a
mile and a half from the town of
Walpole, there stands what is now
known as the Cobb Farm, but at one
time this was the home Of the la
mented tragedian, Lawrence Barrett,
and rs such it is known for miles around
The old settlers delight in pointing it
out to visitors. These same people also
love to speak of the good old times when
Mr. Barrett came home.
They all speak of the tragedian as
''Mr." Barrett.
In an interview with one aged resi-
dent of the locality much of the late
actors career was learned.
"Why, yes; every one in these parts
remembers the young actor, and also his
charming wife. 1t used to be quite a
time when he returned after long tour,
and it was along the shady lanes and in
pretty hooks in the woods that he sought
rest and quiet for his overworked BRAIN
''But tell you it did not take him
long to recuperate. He would have
hardly been here week before he
would be wandering off inte The woods,
book in hand, to study. Come, and l
will show you one of his favorite spots
where have known Mr.. Barrett to stay
for hours, rehearsing his part, with
nothing but the birds and squirrels for
his auditors, so far as he knew. But
many is the time that few Of US neigh
bors have stolen down TO within earshot
Of the actor and listened to his words. 1t
was great treat for US ALL"
BARRETT IN LOVE.
In answer to the inquiry as to how
Mr.. Barrett came to reside among them
the old gentleman gave quite chuckle,
and with his face wreathed in smiles,
said:
why, bless your heart, he fell in love
with one of our pretty girls. say one,
because we have always had many in this
district. She was a Mary Mayer, who
lived with her uncle, John NJ. Mayer,
who then resided at the old homestead.
"You see, Mary was bright, intelli-
gent girl, who had been given an excel
lent education by her father, Philip
Mayer. He kept co.fectioner's store
OF fremont street, Boston, and al
though Mary lived out here with her
uncle she frequently visited her parents
and there became acquainted with n
Barrett. They formed a FRIENDSHIP
which soon ripened into love, and mar
riage was the result.
''After their marriage they made the
farm their home. 1t was here their
charming daughters were reared and
educated, and tell you 'papa's' home
coming every summer was quite time
for the people of the North End. We
had grand times, and no one appeared
to enjoy them more than did the young
and at that time rising actor.
HE lived among US many years, and
every one in those days had kind word
for Mr.. Barrett; he was respected by all
who came contact with him. He was
generous to a fault, and many are the
people who have lived throughout the
year on the bounty he bestowed during
his short sojourn in the summer months.
remember that during one of his visits
he offered to erect house for a worthy
man and his family and pay the whole
bill.
SIT was his many acts of charity that
made him beloved by the people up here.
We had stirring times in those days. Mr..
Barrett and his friends used to make
things lively, and his genial, generous
disposition was in measure infectious,
and had tendency to make every one
pleasant.