The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-07
FAMOUS OLD ACTRESS
MRS. ID. p. BOWERS DIES IN WASH
INGTON AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS.
Not Many Years Ago Her Name Was
Almost a Household Word I'm This
Country-Othcr Deaths.

Bowers, a ~well-known actress, with nearly
fifty years experience o N the stage. and
who achieved wide repute as an imperson-
ator of standard characters, died here this
morning. She was attacked with laryngitis
last Friday and symptoms of pneumonia
developed yesterday. but the fatal termina-
ton OF the illness was unexpected. Mrs.
Bowers leaves three children-Mrs. +. v.
Bennett, OF this city, whose husband is
manager of the Arlington Hotel: Walter
Bowers, of the New York custom house,
and Harry c. Bowers, manager of the Port
be held in this city Tuesday afternoon and
the remains probably viii be inferred in
Philadelphia.
Elizabeth Croker Bowers was born in
Stamford. Conn.,, March -. 1880. She was
the daughter of an Episcopal clergyman,
who died while she was a child. She early
evinced a prediction for the stage and
when only sixteen years old made her
debut at the Park Theater. New York,
in the legitimate drama. A year later she
married David p. Bowers, a famous old
time actor, a member of the company in
which she was playing. A week later she
appeared in the Walnut-street0 Theater,
Philadelphia, as Donna Victoria In "a Bold
Stroke for a Husband" Afterward she
became very popular at the Arch-street
lItdttT III the same CITY ana pldyeQ there
until her husbands death in 1857. After a
few months retirement from the stage
Mrs. Bowers leased the Walnut-street The
a5er 1 leased %af fSs Pb Il 5er 5wo ysars; sn os
Music for a short season. She married DIR.
Brown, of Baltimore, the next year, and
in September, 1861. went to England and
made her appearance at Sadler's Wells
,Theater, London, as Julia in The Hunch-
back" For two years she remained an
immense favorite in England.
In 1890 ~ ofAr,4 l.. AA,. 49,. on6
played at the Winter Garden, New York.
At that time she was recognized as the
leading emotional actress In the country,
and in the years of that decade she played
with nearly all the famous old-time actors
in America. In 1867 her husband, DR..
Brown, died, after which she travelled as
sons in Chicago at the head OF. Mcvicker's
stock company in 1870 and 1871. Her career
from that time has been an open book to
the old-time theater-goers. 1t was about
Lady Audley's Secret taking the role of
Lady Audley as no other American actress
has ever been able to do.
After several years OF w Mrs.
Bowers married her leading man, j. L.
McCollum, one Of the, prominent actors of
the country, who had been starring with
her several seasons. They organized a
company and toured the country for sew
eral years in legitimate drama. Their last
appearance in this city was about twelve
years ago, when they played at English's.
LIS liz CliiCQ " Tic old6C
until 1886, when she organized a dramati
company and visited the principal cities of
the United States, playing her old and ia
vorite characters. For the past seven or
eight years she has been one Of the best
known old theatrical women in New York,
now and then appearing in famous produc-
tons, and always being received with the
greatest favor. During the worlds fair
Mrs. Bowers had a prominent role in
Lady Windemere's Fan company, from
Palmer's Theater In New York. Last sea-
son she supported Olga Nethersole in the
New York debut of that English actress.
She did not cave the city with the COM
pany, but later in the season appeared a
few timesain other performances.
ACTOR CRANES TRIBUTE.
Actor William H. Crane was informed
of Mrs. Bowers's death last night at the
Grand. The news was a severe shock to
both Mr.. Crane and Mr.. George Devere,
both of whom had Known Mrs. Bowers
for more than a score of years.
Il saw Mrs. Bowers a few weeks ago.
said Mr.. Crane, "and she looked TO be
well and strong and good for twenty years
more of life. / never played with her. but,
together with all members of the theatrical
profession, 1 had the greatest respect and
appreciation for her superior ability. / can
look back now twenty-five years and see
her in Lady Audley's Secret and many
times Nv wiped the tears away when she
was giving some strong scene. Mrs. Bow
ers grew old as few women ever can. Her
gentle and aristocratic that she was espe-
cially fitted for playing elderly female
roles. She was one OF the kindest, dearest
women l ever met in the profession"