The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-18
MRS ". n. POWELL DEED.
The Owner OF the Theatre Died at O'clock
Yesterday Morning.

Mrs. Elizabeth Powell. better known per
hsps as Mrs. William r. Powell, died yes
terdsy morning at 3 o'clock in her apart.
ments at the Richmond Theatre.
Elizabeth Cation on July 20. 1919, first
saw the light of day at Annapolis. Md. She
| was born TO n couple whose lineage was
noble, being a lineal descendant of the
| CAROLS. of Maryland one OF whom attached
| his signature TO the Declaration OF lnde-
pendencs. The child was d great-grand-
! daughter of Polly Carroll. who is well
known 10 antiquarans and historians as
being one of the most beautiful Of Colonial
/ danes. With the loving care or parents
and with surroundings that were in all re-
spects refined, II not expensive. the daugh-
ter grew and received the education that a
young lady Of her class and condition de-
manded. There was promise by the maid
pTecocity of a woman brilliant and attrac-
tive and as each year passed the beauty OF
the woman filled the form and features Of
the girl. The woman. rs such, soon at
traoted very general attention and was Of
ten remarked upon "a being tue most beau
tlful woman in Maryland.
Soon after reaching wOmsnhood Miss
Cation was married. becoming the wife Of
Captain McGil. an officer in the United
States naval service. The marriage Was
made by the parents of the couple and 1t
was but year before it proved 10 DO an
unhappy one. There were frequent quar-
rels. and at last, when the Captain was Ill,
he charged his fair wife with poisoning him.
There WAS scene. the bride left the house
and trial in an equity court resulted. The
vows once so happily plighted were broken
and the wife with her baby left for her pa
ternal home. IL was year afterwards
when the child died md it now sleeps be-
meath the dust of MARYLAND
CAME TO THIS CITY.
Some months afterwards Mrs McGill
came to this city at the instigation of SAM
uel Myers. He was a toDaoconist of this
city. owning about four hundred slaves.
and conducted business on south Seventh
street Just near the canals bank. His resi-
dence yellow succeed affair after the
style of those days. occupied a position on
the ground now occupied by the power
house OF the Richmond Railway and
Electric Company. Myers. besides his
factory. owned the house now occupied by
Louis Euker ..at the northeast corner of
Seventh and Broad streets the old Mar
shall Theatre on the opposite corner and
the house adjoining. which Is now Gunner
maDns. Myers soon after Mrs. NcGllls
arrival installed her in his residence and
there they lived in apparent happiness for
many years. There 1t was. perhaps. that
Mrs. hcGill was most admired. She possess
ed superb figure. with lovely brown eyes
and dark hair, and, always wearing beauti-
tul tOiettes, she was commented upon by
all as she rode or otherwise trayersed the
streets of Richmond.
Just about this time and while the Thea
tire was at its zenith as place of attraction.
being still owned by Myers, his brother be-
came involved in some trouble Will a man
named HOyt, and the latter was killed by
Myers at the Exchange during the progress
of the quarrel.
A .well-knOwn society woman was inter-
ested IN some way in the affair.
STOOD By HIM.
Myers was arrested and bis brother stood
by him 20 the end. The cost Of court pro-
ceedings became aheavy and constant strain
upon the Myers estate. and il was not long |
before Samuel Myers realized that the !
financial crash was but numbered by hours. |
lie accordingly decided to Mrs. McGill the /
Theatre. "Euker's corner" and the "Zim- |
norman" place. and awaited the denOue- :
ment His brother in the meantime. IL is |
believed, was declared not guilty. The /
crash came. anda few months later both the
Myers left the city. Samuel returned. how
ever. but possessed nothing and he Was
shortly stricken with paralysis. His friends
purchased country place for him Just out
,
.he remainder of his days.
In the meanwhile Mrs. McGips sister a
woman totally different from the beautiful
brunette. came TO Richmond. and shortly af-
rewards married Arthur Leary. who was
IA official OF the Richmond Frederic ks burg |
md Potomac railroad. Mrs. McGill. own
ny the Theatre, began at once TO put il upon
paying basis and competent managers
we're engaged to conduct the then famed
II II. I
gorld-renowned actors as Macready. |
Forrest, Booth Hamilton. Joseph JEFF
erson. Edwin Adams. George Boniface,
md John Sleeper Clarke. 10 was the hey
lay for the old MARSHALL, and Mrs. McGill
ayishly entertained her fayortes in her
,alatial apartments. where Euker's place
low Is. In her salons in those days could !
rave been met the stage celebrities of the
lines. aud Richmond was looked upOn as
he very Rialto of those who trod the
,Oards. Many play that has since been
cted in all the theatres of the country and
nany an actor OF actress who has since
made fame and fortune were to be seen at
be old Marshall Theatre. and the most
brilliant stock companies there gathered.
!. book could be written on the plays and
layers
The old Marshall Theatre was burned on
anuary 2. 1862. at o'clock in the morning.
I !
ssidents Of Richmond that IL was set on
re, but the truth or facts IN tho case have
ever been known. Suffice Is it o say that
was q total loss, and lust al that time the
umbling of war was heard in Rich
,ond. No more inOppOrtune time
ould have been chosen. but Mrs.
lcGill set resolutely 10 work with ipten-
ons Of rebuilding. The whole insurance
. the building was never paid. but she was
etermined that the Richmond public o
lould have a place Of amusement and Mr..
ohm +. Regnaut was the contractor. 10
az q hazardous and expensive. undertaking,
n most Of the parapharnalla had TO he
btained from abroad, and several costly
isgnments we're taken by the enemy while :
ITEM pting 20 cross the blockade. :
The Theatre was built by honest labor as D
now shows, and was reopened IN 1868 with
As You Like It," The cast was "a splendid y
De. although stock company actors and
stresses were then difficult 20 engage. as e
ley preferred living in the Northern cities
the discomforts and Inconvenience Of
e South.
A INV MANAGER. ii
1t was during this time that D'Orsay Og- a
IN came 10 Richmond from the South and / ;
as engaged by Mrs. McGill as her mana i
II. Mrs McGill subsequently adopted -
lillian Ogden. a relative Of D'Orsay The
tier involved the new theatre into fnan-
Al difficulties and placed a heavy mort
lge on 1t ut one time. 5lrs. AcGill r
rs then being coufted BY 81. Paul, y
o French consul at that time for
and she went to New York
IT'D him. There they were to 90 to Cuba, =.
It just before leaving he died and she re- 9