The morning call., 1893-07-03

Drew Barrymore, the actress, died here
suddenly this morning. She came to the
city three weeks ago for her health and
had improved considerably. She was
taken with hemorrhage about. noon ard
died shortly after. Her daughter Ethel
was with her. Her husband, Maurice Bar
rymore. the actor, is in New York.
George w-Barrymore was born in
Philadelphia. She was the eldest daughter
of Mrs. John Drew. In 1872 she made her
debut in her mothers Arch-street Theater.
She was then seventeen years of age.
John Jacks daughter. girl of fifteen,
made her debut at the same time in the
same company. George Drew's theatre
cal career was brilliant success from the
beginning to the end.
She inherited from her father and
mother the qualities which made her so
profession. She had been highly educated
before she began her work on the stage.
She was unique among the actresses of her
time, and at her death occupied the first
rank among the com ediennes of the Amer
lean stage. Her school of acting was origi-
nal, and the playwrights had to write char
acters to conform to her own special type
of womanhood.
The character, for instance, of Mrs.
Dick Chetwyn in young Mrs. Winthrop"
was written especially for her by Bronson
Howard. This is true. also. Of the char
acter of Mrs. Hilary, the widow in ''The
Senator" inywhch Crane played the title
role. When Sydney Rosenfeld wrote this
comedy he utilized many of tho witty
sayings which were original with Mrs,
Barrymore. It proved one Of her greatest
hits.
In 1876 che married Maurice Barrymore,
who was then playing juvenile parts in
her mothers stock company in Philadel-
pha. Her first notable success was
achieved in the Star Theater. where she
appeared with Modieska. After playing
a successful season in New York she went
to London with her husband. and in the
British metropolis she scored great sue.
cess in various comedy parts, her greatest
triumph being her rendition of the widow
= support Of Mr.. Crane in ''The Senator"
Three years ago Mrs. Barrymore was
attacked By the grip while playing with
the Star Theater Company in New York.
She was compelled to retire from work for
long period. She never wholly re-
covered, but returned to the stage only to
struggle with the affection TO which she
finally succumbed.
While playing at the Baldwin Theater
in the Fronman Company last Christmas
in 1.-The Sportsman" she was attacked
with her fatal malady, consump tion, and
cancelled her engagement. Acting under
the advice of her physician she returned
to New York by the sea route. After re-
naming there awhile she was advised to
return to this coast if she had any desire
to live.
She thereupon returned. and with her
daughter, Ethel. aged Is, she rented
cottage at Santa Barbara. There she snf-
fered and fingered until death came 10 her
relief yesterday, though on Friday last she
telegraphed Mr.. Stockwell that she was
very much better.
Her husband and three children survive
her. Her only daughter. Ethel. was with
her when she died. Her two sons. Lionel.
aged 16, and Jack, aged II. are with their
father. Mr.. Barrymore is under an en-
gagement to play in San Francisco two
weeks hence In 1.-The Rivals" and he was
looking anxionsly forward to the day on
which he should again join his wife.
Mrs. Barrymore's mother, Mrs. John
Drew, and her two brothers. John and
Sydney Drew, both well-known members
of the profession. also survive her. Sydney
Drew is also booked for an early appear
ance here.