The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-16
ANNIE PlXLEY.
TIE DEAD ACTRESS had MANY
ADMIRERS IN TINS CITY.
What Our Veteran Dramatic Critic
Writes of Her and Her Performances
I'm Providcnce-Her Last Visit.

Annie Pixley had NOR, admirers in
Providence than almost any other actress
who has ever viste this city. She filed
fifteen different engagements here. the
first one heing on the 5th and 9th Of No
vember, 1879. She came here almost en-
tirely unknown to our theaterSoers, but
that tbriefengagement,co comprising but two
performances. made her popular enough
TO crowd the houses at each OF the sue
ceeding engagements, most OF which
were for week each. The first eight OF
her engagements were played in lows
Grand Opera house, and no matter what
the opposition, even though IL might be
torchlight procession, she ways had as
many patrons as the large house would
hold.
During her sevsral visits TO the city
she has always passed some Of the time
at my home. and my family always
looked for her coming with many pleas
ant anticipations. She was the most
charming convsrsationAlist have ever
met. She had IA insxhAustibls
fund OF storiss, coula give
a perfect imitation OF every dialect
known and had wonderful faciai
expression. All of these combined ma
her companion ship pleasant beyond ex-
preston. As every ons knows who has
ever heard her upon the stage, she had y
wonderfully sweet voice and her singing
was delight to all. No other person has
ever sung hers with better effect the
celebrated drinking song from "Glrofls.
Gircfa." and for several years she was
certain to receive repeated requests TO
sing IL.
She was the original josephine i'm the
production of "PinafoSa.win Philadelphia,
and made great reputation In the char
acter. Then shs came here In September,
1879 I took her to the Wednesday
matinee at the Park Garden, under ths
management of Msssrs. Shirley e. Reeves,
where the most realistic production Of
''Pinafore" ever given in any part OF
the world was being presented under
the direction Of Mr.. ID. W. Reeves. Mrs.
Hoffman had, on the Monday evening"
previous. assum0i the role OF Jossphtne.
Miss Plxley was 80 charmed with every
thing about the romantic prod uction that
she offered TO Mr. Reeves TO tie the Jose
phine OF the following season IL he de-
sired it, but the mex, season shs hal
several new plays TO rehearse and Mr..
Reeves had also decided 10 produce his
new opera, THE Ambassador Daugh-
ter"
Annie Pixley liked ProvIdsncs better
than almost any other city which she
visited, except New York. She often con-
templated buying or building summer
place on the shores of the Narragansett,
aud would probably have done so. but for
her husbands desire to pa. the sum-
mers at his sisters home In
Port Stanley, Ont. She. was especially
fond Of shore dinner. and once when
she was here in September. chsrtsd the
Rhodes on the. PaMtuxst place for clam
bake for herself aud the members Of her
company, together with the inem-
bers Of my family. That was
really the most enjoyable day ! have
spent. Mics Pixlsv msds it exceedingly
pleasant for ever body who participated.
She took part in every game proposed aud
proved herself an adept ia everything.
Her last visit to Provdelcs was one
year ago last week. At that time abe
was not we'll herself, and her husband.
Mr.. Robert Fulford, was also q lite i'll.
and his poor health caused him much
worriment, 30 that I should not havs
been surprised il / had heard at any
time Of her giving up her season.
Mr. Fulford, before be was married.
was a practical printer in San Francisco.
He worked In An Office with Marcus
Mayer, now the well-known theatrical
manager aud impressario. and Clay
Greene, tho famous playwright. These
three ranked as the fastest compositors In
San Francisco. Mr.. Fulford also had this
reputation OF being the best amateur
tragsdian in the Golden Gae city. He
came East with his wife, and when
"Mliss" was frst produced he enacted the
Mexican. Then he became her manager,
and has ever since continued In
that position. Two years ago he had an
illness which was so dangerous that Miss
Pixley, who was then pnVing an engage
ment In the Providence Opsra house, ex-
pected q SUNNI )ns to his bedside At any
moment. GEORGE q. WILLARD.