Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-19
FANNY KENBLE DEAD.
TsE OLD TRAGIC STARS PHILADELPHIA
WEDDING.
Her Thrilling Romanos-The Aristotratie Residents
Of Germantown Wers Above the "rea'eSi
Actress Of Her Day-How She
Opposed Slavery.


Charles Kemble, famous English actor
and niece of Mrs SddonS. She was
horn In Newman street, London, Nov
ember %. 1909. She had been i'll bat a
short time. He condition was not re-
garded as serious, and her death was
entirely uneXpected. She died az the
residence Of her SOn-in-law, the Hon.
and Rev. Canon James Wentworth
Leigh, No. Sc Gloucester place, the
remains will be inferred in kenSal
Green Cemetery. where the body OF Mr..
Kemble, her father, is buried.
Fannv's mother was Of French line
ace, the daughter Of Captain Decamp,
an officer in one Of the Revolutionary
armies that were sent 70 invade Repuo-
Hcan Switzerland.
In 1929, Fanny, the great actress to
be (then but a mere girl, was called
upon 60 recoup her falling fathers for
tune, 20 prepare TO appear as Juliet at
the Convent Garden Theatre, London.
She had recited the part with excellent
effect 20 her mother at home. But
rehearsal ia the theatre was desirable,
20 see whether her voice was strong
enough TO fiji the building. She was at
once seized with the spirit Of the scene.
In the dim twilight Of the empty-thea-
tire the power Of giving utterance TO
pathetic passion found ample scope.
Her voice resOupded through the vast
dome, and, completely carried away oy
the inspiration Of the play, she acted
Juliet as she never acted 10 again with
no visible Romeo, and no audience %
thwart the imagination. Thus began q
career in which Fanny kemble achieved
the highest fame.
"Venlce Preserved was revived De-
cember 9 in that year for the purpose Of
introducing her as Belvidera. She sus-
tained the parts of the Grecian daugh-
ter, Mrs. Beverly, POrts, Isabella,
Lady Townley, Galista, Bianaca, Bea-
trice, Constance, Lady Teazle, Queen
Catherine, Louis OF Savoy in 'FranciS
L" Lady Macbeth and Julia in the
"Hunchback."
The three years during which she re-
trieved the fortunes of her family were
marked by the production Of Francis
L" tragedy written by herself at i.
PLAYED AND WAS MARRIED II PHILA-
DELPHIA.
In 1892, Fanny Bemble went to
America with her father on profess
sional visit, and acted with great sue
cess in all the leading cities or the
United States. Her iumphaat Ameri-
can career was soon terminated, how
ever, bg her marriage in Philadelphia TO
Pierc6Butler. From the time OF her
aWNal in Philadelphia up to her mar
-fiage she had been reigning stage IA
yorite there. On the night or OctO-
Der -, 1892, just as the terrible ScOurge
OF cholera was beginning TO die away,
and people were able to think Of amuSe-
ments, Fanny Kemble, accompanying
her father, made her debut at the old
Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia.
The Performance was Miiman's tragedy
OF ''Fazlo," in which Fanny kemble
took the part Of Dianca. The next
night she PLAYED Juliet, and the house
was crowded with the fashion and beau
~ of the city. Her personal appear
lnce was especially pleasing al this
line.
On June +, 1884, Miss Eemble became
The wife of Pierce Butler, who had
followed her from city % city pressing
his suit. The ceremony was performed
In old Christ Church, on Second street.
Fanny kemDle was g most exemplary as
well as a brilliant girl st the time OF her
marriage, and she seems 20 have tried
hard TO be a true and loving wife. Many
things cOnspired 70 mar whatever com
patlbility existed between husband and
wife The old Butler place near Ger
uantown, where she went, she, no
loubt, supposed would be like an Eng
ish country seat, bat found 10 very
much OF rural farm house, where the
eeighboring farmers wives thought
themselves as good as anybody, sand
Bome Of them a good deal better than
sn actress. She was a great hOrSewO-
man, aud there are many old residents
of Germantown who remember often
seeing her superb figure mounted on q
handsome gray.
SHE CUT HER CALLERS SEVERELY.
An incident of Mrs. Buffers charac-
teristic hauteur is reflected in her re-
mark TO a prominent Philadelphia liter
AIRY man. who called one day 10 see her
on business. She was in one OF her
gracious moods that day, and talked SO
brilliantly and genially that her visitor
was thoroughly fascinated When he
rose TO leave be remarked that that was
the first time that he had ever had the
pleasure of calling upon Mrs. Kemble,
and he hoped that 10 would not Oe the
last Up rolled the thunderclOUd at
once and hid the sunshine. There are
a few persons in the world, sir, that l
am willing TO see once a year There
are q few others that / would like to see
once a mouth. The rest Of mankind /
prefer not to see at all. Good morning,
sir"
Mrs. Butler was never very fond OF
Philadelphia. Vhe period OF her brief
married life could not have passed very
pleasantly, socially speaking. in that
city. She had married a member OF Its
best society in those days, and that or
ganization could not pardon the English
actress for the audaCity OF becoming
Mrs. Pierce Butler. One can fancy the
naughty surprise of the celebrated wo-
man, who had been used 20 associate on
Intimate aud equal terms with the lead
/ ing members Of the British ariStocracy,
Mud who had seen peers aud princes at
Ter feet, on being Snubbed by Mrs.
-, OF Walnut street, and Mrs. Y
vi Washington Square, Philadelphia.
Yet one of the warmest and most endur-
Ing friendships Of her life, that with
The Rev. Dr. Furuess and his family,
Ras formed by her in Philadelphia, and
remained un0roken throughout her
life.
Mrs. Butler had two daughters, who
are very well known in the best society
Of Philadelphia. The elder, Sarah. is
the wife OF DR.. Owen Jones WiSter, OF
Germantown. She is a cultivated and