The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-27
PHILADELPHIA STAGE NEWS.

Death Busy with Veteran Actors-La
Grippe DissbIes NInny Professionals.
Occasional Correspondence OF THE MoRN ING CALL
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19.-Death has snatched
from lie TWO veterans of the American stage
tins week-Edmon Sheppard Conner ana Samue!
II. urdoch. 10th died on TUESDAY morning
tile former al Rutherford, y. j., and The latter in
this city. Conner was in bis eighty third year
and MuIdock was aged 10 years. Conner was i
native OF this ely aud his parents intended that
lie should pursue the trade of a tailor. He was
actually Appended to local cutter OF CLOTH
but lie had no liking for The work. At the
age OF 20 he became stage-struck and
was promised that If he sold as many
as two hundred tickets for Miss Emery's
benefit at The Walnut-stTeet Theater he would
be allowed to appear. He succeeded III selling the
tickets and made his debut as Young NOryal on
March %, 1929, creating good IMPRESSION, and
shortly after played MODtmOTenc! Ia The ElOO
Note" AT ihe Atch-sreet Tneater He then
Went to Cincinnati, aud thence to New Orleans
where lie hTSt met John Gilbeft, who had Just
arrived from Boston. In the winter OF 1880 he
went 10 NatcleZ.w where he remained two seasons
From there he went TO Baltimore, where he
joined Tom Walters COMPANY, and thence 10
Richmond, PLAYING IN The same company with
tie elder Booth and Louisa Law, who Is now
Mrs. John Dew, tile mother VI John and
George Drew.
In april 1888. he Joined the Bowery company
In New York. After leaving the Bowery lie went
TO lie Wanui-sIreet 1heater, where he remained
four years displaying his versatility, appearing
IN tragedy, genieel comedy and meIUdrama. Sub
Southern States, playing Macbeth, King Lear.
Rcheiieu and Claude MelnOtte. he produced
Richeleu In nearly ali The Western and southern
tncateIs about The same time Edwin Forrest per
formed il in the Eastern cities. On March t.
1850, he inauguratcd his management of the
Arch-stTeet heater with a magnificent produce
ton of g The School for Scandal" In which he
appeared as Charles Surface Ia IS5354 he
held the managerial reius of the Albany
Theater He was twice married-firSt to Mrs
A. NJ. SOrber, his COUSIN, widow OF DR.. Sorber of
New York, ana on DecemDr 90, 18+7, TO
Miss Charlotte Mary Sanford Barnes, daughter
of The celebrated comedian. John Barnes, aud
herself a distinguished actress and authorizes.
In their travels Mr.. ana Mrs. Connor visited Cal
ifornla. meeting win pronounced success,
especially III "Eichelieu.' This distinguished
woman died in New York on April II, 1868,
ana thereafter Mr.. COnnor appeared OH the stage
only al intervals. lie was warmly greeted on
his temperance at Tue Museum in November
1874, IN his iavoiite part OF Rtchelieu, ana
a few nights later at the Walnutst;eet Iheater,
which was packed to see the veteran. He re
visited England III 1873, playing "Filstaff' with
success Inc hltieth anniversary OF his first ap-
pearabce On the stage was celebrated IN
September, 1879, by rendering him a com
pllmentaiy benefit at The Wamui-stteet The
ater. They tell a story in ConnOr's life as
an actor That may seem amusing 10 The reading
public, bnt which must have been a very serious
matter TO Common IL Is said that on one occa
Sion when the elder Booth was playing "Richdrd
III" al The Nanut-stre-t 1heaier he became so
excited IN his combat with Conner, WHO
playing Richmond, that he drove Conner back Of
the Stage 10 The entrance and then chased him
up Ninth street.
SAMUEL X. MURDOCH
Was brother Of James T.. Murdoch, the cele-
braied dramatic reader and elocuionist. In his
time lie hid been "A book binder. soldier. physi.
clan, merchant, farmer. miner aud actor. AS a
read -r he attained prominence almost equal TO
that of his brother James. The deceased was
buried on Thursday afternoon in Central Laurel
Hin Cemetery
SICKNESS PREVALENT.
OF late there has been considerable Illness In
the ranks OF the profession. La grippe Is preva
lent here and Is doing no little damage TO the
amusement business. Last week Modjeska was
compelled TO cancel interior towns aud come TO
tins city for medical treatment. Ii was said she
had contracted severe cold, but | think 1t was
la grippe that had seized her. Helen Barry, the
English actress. was also a victim TO the disease
for few days. Charlie Reed has been laid up
IN New York for TWO weeks aud consequently
''Hoss and HOss" has been produced without
him in this city, Mark Sullivan temporarily
taking his place.
SARAH BERNHARDT
Is here al tbs Chestuut-street Opera House, and
considering the prices charged the management
cannot enter any complaints about the business
done. Her last engagement III New York was a