New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-26


DEAD ACTOR AND DRAMATIsT
IA Junta. COL. Feb 25-steele Mackaye. actor
and dranlatist died at 10 O'Clock this morning
p,ronas on board a Santa Fe Railroad train. while
on his way to San Diego, Cal, where 1t was hoped
that he would be able 10 regain his health.
Mr. Mackaye. accompanied by his wife, DR..
Parker and nurse left Chicago Thursday in the
pryate car OF George Il. Peck 4 the Santa Fe
road He had been very i'll for several days pre-
y,ous 10 his departure. Since leaving Chicago Mr..
Mackaye's condition was thought to be slightly
improved, and his death while not wholly unex-
pected. came suddenly. Dr. Parker made every
effort TO revive his sinking patient. but without
avail The car was detached from the westbound
train and brought TO this city and at $50 p m left
here attached 10 the eastbound passenger train for
Chicago.
Il-uck followed Mr. Mackaye from the beginning
Of his last Journey. In the first place his baggage
containing medicines. etc. forgotten. When a
few miles ont nend threw an iron bar six
inches long, through the stateroom window. barely
grazing the sick mans face in its flight Then the
heating pipes got out Of order and the cold became
intense But despite these unfortunate happenings
Mr. Mackave condition seemed to improve. and 1t
was thought that his into milder climate
would repair his shattered system
steele Mackaye whose full name was James
Steele Mackaye. was born in Buffalo in lsi2 HIS
father was Colonel James Mackaye. and his mother
was a Miss Steele. of Boston. At the beginning o.
the war when he nineteen years Old he joined
a regiment and stationed near Washington
Some of the soldiers got up private theatricals
and young Mackaye acted in them with such sue
cess that John Ford. the manager OF foIds
Theatre. in Washington, offered him an engagement
but he did not accept It, In 1868 he went to Paris
and studied under Dolsarte. Delsartc soon found
him so proficient that he made him his assistant
He remained in Paris till the beginning of the
Franco Prussan war. and then returned to America
where he gave lectures on the Delsarte system or
expression and opened a school.
He also opened the st. James Theatre. and there
produced his first play, an adaptation from the
French. called "Monalde" 1t WIS not a success
In 1872 he went back to Paris and renewed his
studies. Soon after he went to London ana gave
q performance Of Hamlet at the Crystal Palace
II is reported that he nervous and excited
that a great deal of his part in the middle OF the
play had TO be omitted. in order that he might be
able TO appear at the end. He also acted on a
provincial tour. but had 10 stop on account of i'll
health While in England he wrote plays in coliab-
oration with Tom Taylor and Charles Reade, ana
began dramatic of one of George Ehots
novels. with the assistance OF the author; Dut inns
was never produced. The first play which he pro-
duced after his return 10 this country was Rose
Michel" His play Twins" produced at
Wallack's Theatre in 1876. and won at Last in
1871
The most important venture of his life was his
experiment in the management of the Madison
Square Theatre. He had high ideals in regard TO
the stage IL was his aim 10 get together the BEST
possible stock company and to divide some - or 80
per cent Of the net profits Of the theatre among
the leading actors in order 10 make them ieel
more active interest in the welfare of the theatre
and the prosperity of the plays. He also intended
10 the best plays possible by paying higa roy
al,ies to any and all writer's who could produce
works worthy of his theatre. lie proposed some
thing Ike = per cent as suitable roEalH ,d me
Aftermath, or, Won At Last" -. ...-. NJ
Mackaye had come in contact with Marshall II Nal
lory. the Editor of The Ghurchman' ana MS
ested them in his plans and they advanced money
for the establishment of such theatre as Mr..
with Marshall H. Mallory By the terms Of which he
was TO give him his entire services as autno ac'Gr,
tellectual labor and skill, with the copyrights OF
e sys w and to any By o en nn ne from @ @
with privilege of renewal. and Mr. Mackaye was
profits amounted TO twice the amount expended by
Mr.. Mallory. with interest Nj Maekaye was 10 re-
When The Madison Square Theatre retted and
and Which is stiil used by the way~6egan to work
the house became famous al oyer the co1ntry- MT
fine company and much attention to detail! in the
also played o successfully by travelling companes
But trouble soon arose between Mr.. Mack4ye ana
Mf f MacEsye A chargH hat the had
been arbitrarily taken out Of his hands; that there
difficulty in obtaining accounting of receipts
that prices had been changed at the box Office. and
that the Rev. George H. Mallory had been brought
nto the business TO his detriment He asserted that
he had devoted himself thoroughly to the interests
Of the theatre and that the Mallorys. who he had
supposed wished 10 remain unknown, had come for
ward and i1teerfered with his MANAGEMENT and had
even caused his name 10 be removed from the adj
vertisements OF the house. This he regarded
serious indignity
Since he left the management Of the Madison
Square Theatre, Mr. Mackaye had acted and written
plays as before His last play produced In this city
was melodrama called Money Mad which was
given with elaborate scenic effects at the Standard
Theatre three or four years Before the OPEN
ing Of the Worlds Fair Mr.. Mackaye set foot
a scheme for an enormous place Of amusement. to
be built near the Fair grounds. 1t was
called at first the Mackaye Spectacular. and after
ward the Chicago Spectacular. 1t intended
70 give in u an immense spectacle concerning the
discovery OF America, and Anton Seid, and his
chestra were engaged for the whole summer 10 pro-
vide the necessary music. The building begun.
but IL not nearly finished when the funds gave
out and the whole affair attached for its debts.