The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-11-20
FLORENCE IS DEAD
The Genial Actor Succumbs
r to His Illness.
he PASSES AWAY PEACEFULLY.
Encouraging Reports Had Caused His
Friends 10 Hops lie Would Recover

friends 10 hope lie would Recover
Sketch OF the Great Come dian's Career
His Debut In New YorR-The Great
Success of MIR. Florence aud His wife
in the "NIighty Dollar" His Associa-
tion win Joseph Jafrarscn-Hi Plans
for the Future.
PHiLADELpntA, Nov. 20. Actor will
lam j. Florence died at his apartments
in the Continental Hotel at $3.50 las t
evening. His death was surprise to
those in attendance upon him rs all in
dications during the afternoon and even
ing pointed to a steady improvement.
Those present when the famous actor
passed away were Mr. Florencs's sister
in-law, Mrs Barney Williams, of Brook
lyn, his sister, Mrs. Norman Wizard, OF
Washington, and DR.. Patrick DonnellRn.
DR.. 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.
Mr.. Floren ce's brother, Police Inspector
Conlin, left for New York at six 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 intimatiou the
watchers had OF his death was that he
had ceased to breathe.
Mr.. Florence's death was primarily
due to double pneumonia. The imme-
diRte cause was heart failure. He had
taken severe cold about two wee ks
ago and while he did not neglect t 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
became alarming on Tuesday, aud on
Tuesday night he suffered intense
agony. It was then thought best to no
tify his brother, 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 husbands 3
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,
s't sketch Of His Career.
1t was at Albany n Y, in 1881, that
William j. Florence first saw light. His
riuht name was Conlin. His earliest
propensities were for the stage and he
Joined the Murdoch Dramatic Associl-
tion when quite young. He made his
debut as Peter in Kotzebue's romantic
play of "The Stranger" in the Richmond
Hill Theatre, In New York, December 6,
1S49. Early in the next year he ap-
peared at Niblos Garden under tn G
management of Brougham & Chippen-
dale He next played MacduH to Ed
Booths Macbeth at Providence, r. l.
He attemp pied Irish comedy with great
success at Binghams Lyceum Theatre
New York.
In 1856 he sailed for Europe with his
wife, and in the Drury Lane Theatre, il
London, they played a nine weeks en-
Eagement. Mrs. Florence, who is a sis
ter to Mrs. Barney WilliRms, was knowI
as Mrs. Joseph Little. Her maiden
name was Malvina Pray. She was re
markably successful, and three weeks
ago Florence signed contract wi Il
Frank l.. Goodwin to tour the count +.
with her
A little moro than two years ago Mr.
and Mrs. Florence announced their re
tirement from tle stage at joint stars
Mr. Florence concluded then what hat
been long talked of, the Jefferson
Florence combination, and on oct. 10
1889, they made their joint appearan @
at the New York Star Theatre i
"Ihe Rivals" jefferson taking Bo
Acres, Florence Sir Lucius O' Trigger
and Mrs. John Drew realizing Mrs. Mala
prop. This was the last season Florenc
was to remain with this organi zation.
Mr. Florence was most successful a
the Hon. Bardwell Sloat in ''The Might
Dollar" as Bob Briefly in "The Ticke
of Leave Man. and as Obenreiser 1
'No Thoroughfare.
Police Inspector Conlin of New Y orl
IS a brother 10 Mr.. Florence. Mr.. Flol
ence leaves five brothers and sister,
His stepdaughter, Josephine Shepard
m ade her debut with Lolita at DAILY
Theatre six years ago. She is now ma
ried.
Mr.. Florence was beloved and respect
ed. He was author of the "FlorenI
Fables, brochure Of stories, and hi
been engaged writing another boo
called "a Game of Poker" AS storl
teller Mr. Florence probably had n
equal. He was of a lovable nature an
won for friends all whom he met.