Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-20
FLORENCE IS DEAD
The Genial Actor Succumbs
to His Illness.
HE PASSES AWAY PEACEFULLY.
Encouraging Reports Had Caused His
Friends to Hope He Would Recover


His Debut in New York-The Great
Success of Mr. Florence and His Wife
in the "Mighty Dollar''-His Associa-
tion With Joseph Jsffers"n-His Plans
for the Future.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20-Actor Will
lam J. Florence died at his apart ments
in the Continental Hotel at $50 last
evening. His death was q surprise to
those in attendance upon him as all in
dications during the afternoon and even
ing pointed to a steady improvement
Those present when the famous actor
passed away were Mr.. Florence's sister
in-law, Mrs Barney Williams, of.Brook-
lyn, his sister, Mrs. Norman Wizard, of
Washington, and DR.. Patrick Donnellan.
Dir. Pancoast, who had charge of the
case, left the hotel about o'clock, Sc
cure in the thought that his patient
was doing as we'll as could be expected.
MIR. Florences brother, Police Inspector
Conlin, left for New York at six o'clock
with the same impression.
Mr.. Florence was very weak in the
afternoon and towards evening he slept
most of the time. Death came very
peacefully. The patient made no sound
whatever, and the first intimation the
watchers nau OIL MS uedbu was Gudt uS
had ceased to breathe.
Mr.. Florence's death was primarily
due to double pneumonia The imme
diate cause was heart failure He had
taken a severe cold about two weeks
ago, and while he did not neglect it he
failed to give it the attention that the
gravity of the case demanded. The cold
settled in both lungs, and within a week
pneumonia developed. His condition
hac al n
Tuesday night he suffered intense
agony. 1t was then thought best to no
tify his br other, Inspector Conlin. A
slight change for the better was noticed
yesterday, and by night this was SO
marked. that hope was revived. The
favorable symptoms continued all
through the day.
Mrs. Florence, who is in London, and
who had arranged to sail for home on
Sa turday, having been merely appraised
of Mr.. Florence's illness, was cabled
last night the fact of her husband
death. kilograms announcing the death
were also sent to all of Mr.. Florence's
friends.
No arrangements will be made for
the funeral before tomorrow.
sketch of His Career.
1t was at Albany N. Y, in 1881, that
William ]. Florence first saw light. His
propen stiles were for the stage, and he
Joined the Murdoch Dramatic Associa-
tion when quite young. He made his
debut as Peter in KotZebue's romantic
play of 1.-THE Stranger" in the Richmond
Hill Theatre, in New York, December 6,
| 1S49. Early in the next year he ap-
peared at Niblo's Garden under tn e
management of Brougham g. Chippen-
| dale. He next played Macduff to Ed win
al
He attempted Irish comedy with great
success at Bingham's Lyceum Theatre,
| New York.
In 1856 he sailed for Europe with his
wife, and in the Drury Lane Theatre, in
London, they played nine weeks On.
gagement. Mrs. Florence, who is sis
ter to Mrs. Barney Williams, was known
as Mrs. Joseph Little. Her maiden
| name was Malvina Pray. She was re-
| markedly successful, and three weeks
ago Florence signed a contract wi til
| Frank l.. Goodwin to tour the count ry
with her.
little more than two years ago Mr..
aud Mrs. Florence announced their re-
tirement from ne stage as joint stars.
Mr.. Florence concluded then what had
been long talked of, the Jefferson
Florence combination, and ON Oct IS,
1889, they made their joint appearance
at the New York Star Theatre il
"Ihe Rivals" jefferson taking BOZ
Acres, Florence Sir Lucius O'Trigger,
and Mrs. John Drew realizing Mrs. Mala
prop. This was the last season Florence
was to remain with this organi cation.
Mr.. Florence was most successful as
the Hon. Bardwell Sloat in 1.-THE Mighty
Dollar" as Bob Briefly in ''The Ticket
of Leave Man, and as Obenreiser il
"No Thoroughbred
Police Inspector Conlin of New York
is brother to Mr.. Florence Mr.. Flor
ence leaves five brothers and sisters
His stepdaughter, Josephine Shepard
m ade her debut with Lolita at Daly'l
Theatre six years ago. She is now mar
ried.
Mr. Florence was beloved and respect
! ed. He was author of the "Florenc
Fables, - brochure of stories, and ha
been engaged writing another bool
called "a Game of Poker" AS a story
teller Mr.. Florence probably had nc
equal. He was of a lovable nature and
won for friends all whom he met.
The nead Eaatar Strattnn