Evening journal., 1895-02-18
AN ACTRESS SHOT DEAD
Madge Yorke Killed by James
Gentry, a Comedian.
JEALOUSY GIVEN AS THE CAUSE

He cooliy Walked Into Her Room In
Philadelphia Hotel and Emptied Re-
voiver In Her Face-The Assassin Escapes.
They Were Engaged TO BE Married.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb 1S-Madgo Yorke,
q soprano singer with The Baggage
Check" company, was shot and almost
instantly killed at Ieiss' hotel this city,
by James r. Gentry, a comedian of Col
lier's Back Number company. Sentry
escaped, and up to this morning had not
been caught
The Baggage Check company, which
opens at the Empire thcater tonight mr.
rived here early sunday morning from
Chester, Pa, and number Of members.
including Iesss Yorke, registered at zeiss'
hotel Miss YorlSe taking third story
back room. IL is said that Miss Yorke,
whose home Is in New York city, took
the 80 a m. train for that city, but she
returned to the hotel at about . o'clock
last evening and remained there
About o'clock Gentry walked into the
hotel Office and asked to be shown to Miss
Yorke's room. Being unknown to the
attaches Of the hotel, he was told TO wait
a few moments. A message was then
sent to the girls room, but Gentry did not
wait. He walked ont into the hallway
and assembled by means of the stairway.
Miss Yorke and Miss Ida Clarke, a
member OF the company, were in the for
mer 8 room praotioing songs when Gentry
opened the door and walked in unannounc-
ed Miss YorKe manifested some surprise
at seeing him and introduced him to Miss
Clarke. After hastily acknowledging the
introduction. Miss Clarke says, Gentry
turned to Miss Yorke, and in an angry
tone demanded :" Why didnt you meet me
today"
Before the girl could answer he whip
ped q revolver from his pocket and fred
three shots at her, each bullet taking ef
feot--one over the right eye one III the
center of the forehead and the third close
to the left temple.
The Murderer Escapes.
Gentry Immediately rushed from the
room and nothing more was seen of him
The supposition is that no ran along the
hallway and descended by means Of the
fire escape at the back Of the house, max
ing good his escape by one of the numer-
Gus little alleys in the rear.
The shots were heard throughout tho
building. A patrol wagon was summoned,
and the girl was takeAto the Pennsylya-
mia hospital, about a block distant where
she died Immediately upon her arrival
Before entering the hotel Gentry went
10 theatrical boarding house next door
kept by a Mrs Dietrich where he was In.
formed that Miss Yorke was stopping at
| Zeiss'
Charles I Blaney, author OF 1.-The Bag
gage Check, p and Manager Cooper said
that Il was generally understood that Gen
md ~ m, la
| rlod, and no motive for the deed other
than ft Of jealousy can be imagined,
Gentry had always been regarded by his
friends in the profession as a thoroughly
good fellow" while not a word could be
said in detriment to the girl Gentry, il
is said, is originally from Richmond. His
| friends in this city are of the opinion that
he will commit suicide, as certain marked
| peculiarties Of voice and manner render
| his capture in the near future almost in
| evitable.
The murdered girl was well known IN
the profession. During the season OF
| 1SS7-SS she was member of the New
| York Casino Opera company or late
years she has been with Natural Gas,
"Hoss and Hoss"-where she first met
Gentry-and number of other prominent
companies.
She was engaged by THE Baggage
Check" company last season ana haC
made such hit that Mr.. Blaney had do
cided to advance her in position, and Il
this end was writing for her the part o
an up to date girl in Tho Chattel Mort
gage, " which is to be produced in New
York next month She was a romarkabl,
pretty girl, decided brunette and about
% years Of age.
Gentry is described as tall, thin, sal
low faced man Of about 35 years and q
said to be clever character comedian.
Miss Clarke was prostrated by the occur
renee and could not be seen Detective
were at once put upon the case.
Miss Yorke's proper name was Drys
dale, and her home was at 1859 West Sew
enty-eighth street, New York city. Tel
egrams were sent TO her parents at tina
address.