St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-10-09
A DYING ACTOR.
Charlie Harris at Deaths Gates
Chicago EOyer GOSSip

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Charlie Harris at Deaths Gates
Chicago Foyer Gossip.
Special Correspondence to the Globe.
CHICAGO, Oct. Tin all probability,
by the time this letter is read, Charles
l.. Harris, of Mr.. Palmer's home stock
company that is now appearing at the
Columbia theater, will be dead. Mr..
Harris created and made famous the
part Of Squire Tucker. the country JUS
tice in MIR. Thomas paly of Alabama"
He is known as one of the greatest
character actors on the stage. Mr..
Harris has been aillng for some time,
and, although making the trip with MIR.
Palmer's company to San Francisco
during the past summer, he was
obliged to take to his bed in Denver
and was unable to play. He was
brought to Chicago about week ago
and taken to st. Luke's hospital, where
he has grown continually worse ever
since. His disease is dropsy of the
heart. and the physicians say that blood
poisoning may set in and end his life at
any time. and have given up all hopes
of his recovery. Daring his illness at
the hospital here hosts of friends among
the most prominent people in the pro-
fession have called upon him daily.
filled his room with flowers and given
him every attention. A strange coin
cldence in connection with the actors
sickness is the statement made last
evening by those in charge and the Off
Gals of st. Luke's converting them to
the belief that theater folks are not the
barbarians many idealists and enemies
of the stage would make believe.
Never before in the history of the hos
pltal has an actor or member OF the
theatrical profession been allowed
within the precincts of the hospital,
perhaps OH account of the fact of the
prejudice of the well-meaning but mis-
guided officials and trustees against
members of the theatrical profession.
Several of the attendants last evening,
in speaking of MIR. Harris presence
among them, said that never before in
the history of that place mad an invalid
been given the attention, the kindness
and the careful watchfulneSS by so
many individuals. kilograms have
poured in from all sides from San Fran
cisco to far-otf Maine volunteering aid,
money and assistance in every avail
able form. Mr.. Palmer telegraphed
implicit instructions that no expense
should be spared in giving Mr.. Harris
every possible attention no matter
what the cost might be. Manager AL
Hayman telegraphed the same instruc-
tiOns.
Among some of the daily visitors at
the bedside of the dying actor have been
the members of every theatrical organ
iZaton now playing in the city, and w.
ii. Crane, the famous comedian, on see
ing MIR. Harris helpless condition, broke
down and cried like child. A strange
request, showing that the simplest
things are Outlines the most soothing to
a weary, dying man, was made by Mr..
Harris last evening. Fritz Morris.
when about to leave his bedside for two
or three hours, and after having sug-
gested every form of comfort to the
great character actor, and being told
that nothing could be done to please
him that had not been looked after,
was, as he was going out. called back by
Harris in feeble voice. who said,
Fritz"
"Yes, Charley"
"There is just one thing L want to
hear again before die"
"What is it, Charley?"
"Tell Percy Denton, of Haverly's
MINISTRIES, to come down and sing for
NE "Sally in Our Alley" and | want to
hear Emery Hall once more play OH his
banjo"
Mr.. Denton went down and sang this
simple little ballad. The dying actors
eyes filled with tears, the song perhaps
reminding him of some little boyisf
love of years ago. Then Emery Hall
played Oh the banjo, and a dozen or
more famous actors and actresses, as
the sun was Just casting its last red
glow on the horizon beyond the house
tops, sang to the accompaniment.
Nearer My God to Thee" A strange
and touching picture, wildly Illustrat-
ing again that the world is akin.
alabama" with its great cast, has
been great drawing card the past week
at the Columbia. Mr.. Crane has done
we'll with The American Minister"
and cali Bahia" will apparently go on
forever. Next week MIR. Mansfield will
present 1.-The Scarlet Letter" at the
Grand, and greater actor i'll his par
ticular line does not exist. Manager AL
Hayman telegraphs that Mr.. Drew aud
1.-The Masked Ball'' have proved Won
derfully successful at Palmer's. That
was neat little speech that Mr.. Drew
made OIL the opening night at Palmer's,
in which he thanked Mr.. DAILY and said
that that worthy manager had made him
all that he was. During the worlds fair
period Chicago will haye the greatest list
of theatrical attractions ever offered
simultaneously before any public, or
probably ever again.
By the way. any one who has not paid
visit 70 the worlds fair grounds CAN
not form the slightest conception of its
immensely and the grandeur Of the
building. Tue most elaborate workings
most surpaSses human belief. Amer
leans are remarkable people, and the
worlds fair exhibit will dazzle the eyes
of even the skeptical visitors from de-
cayfng, musty old Europe.
CHARLES ASTOR PARKER.