Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-06-13
MoCnllOnrh in a Mad.HOnse.

Qlan, IN u mdu-nOuSe, Is u lIulIIul
theme. A man who has received the
plaudits of millions of his countrymen
moving on toward imbecility in the
very prime of life should be a warning
to those who attempt to overwork the
brain and keep up the convivlalities of
life at the same time. McCullough's
greatest role was the Roman father,
Virginius. With what tenderness,
pathos and horrible reality he drew
his beautiful stage daughter ito the
racking shambles'' and saved her life
by ending it. None can forget the
wonderful power with which he por-
trayed Virginius, after reason had fed
and how pitifully he calls the fair Vir-
ginia to his side when his own hand
had placed her beyond the reach OF
harm. Mccullough was always great
in the heroic drama. He had the
voice, presence and splendid physique
AL the requisites for good actor
added to fine memory, keen percep-
ton and indOmitable will. Good COM
panv was his bane. He had perhaps
more wealthy friends and big "spend.
ers'' of money who liked him than any
other actor in America. They loved
to be in his company and he was always
at his best when in theirs.
"a few years ago." said friend,
II was at banquet at Willard 5 hotel,
in Washington rendered to McCul'
Tough. He was about ending a sue
,essful two weeks engagement in that
city. 1t was on Saturday night and
along toward midnight, after he had
met his death at the hands of Rich
mond on the battlefield of Bosworth
at the theater, he appeared at the BAN
quet table and was greeted by a brill
liant array of congressman, statesmen,
army and navy officers and journalists.
Justice Miller, of the Supreme Court
of the United States, presided. Blaine
was there and General Sherman, and
his brother John, the senator, Joe
Blackburn and scores of other noted
men. The silver shafts of a Sunday
sunrise were nearly visible before the
curtain rang down on that rare menu,
feast of wit, flow of soul and Widow
Chquot. There were many bright
sayings. Mccullough neatly respond
ed to the praises showered on him and
recited 1.-The Idiot Boy" which is just
now suggestive. but none were as
bright and witty in that assemblage OF
brains as Blaine and Blackburn. They
were continually chatting each other
in a humorous way. 4 knew clever
fellow from Maine who graduated
from my state as a Yankee school
teacher, who fear will never be pres
ident, was among the thrusts that
Blackburn launched. Keep your nose
clean. my son, you may grow and be-
come speaker yet, was Blaine's reply.
This badinage was long after most of
the 'walnuts and wine had disappear
ed. 1t was also some years previous
to the statement made by Neal Dow
that Blaine had always been a toeto-
taller, though do not mean to insin-
uate that the man from Maine was
'lushy' in the least on that occasion.
Blackburn was the more voluble OF
the two. Liquor acts on the Kentucky
senator like key on the spring of a
clock-lt winds him up to make him
go, and he goes like bluegrass race
horse.
But to Mccullough. A little ovel
forty years ago he was on his way
''till Ameriky," from Coleraine, neal
Londonderry, in the North of Ireland
but about thirty years ago he was
"wheeling smoke" in the city gas
works. That am told is the techni.
cal name of the work done by the
laborers. Then he became n chair.
maker, then Joined the Boothenian
Dramatic Association sin the alley"
at Sixth and Race streets, and finally
secured place on the boards at the
Arch Street Theatre, under Wheatley
and Clarke. Here he became favor
ite at once, and it was not long before
he made his debut in leading Shaks-
pearean Observation-Disclosures his
benefit at the above.named theatre in
$50 or go. | was under the impression
that John Dolman, ST., the Walnut
street lawyer, played Iago on that oc-
casion, but Mr.. DOlman says he has
no recollection of it, though he might
have done so, as he played that char
acter so often with other OthellOs.
Mccullough went with Forrest and
stuck by the grim and gruif old TRACE
dian longer than any other actor. He
studied the old actors ways in his
portrayal of great characters. He
improved some Of them and made q
bad imitation of others.
His California theatre venture in
San Francisco ruined him financially.
Although he had TO backing of Rails
ton, the banker, who committed sui
eide, and other rich friends, the
theatre proved to be an elephant he
was glad 10 get rid of. Then he star
red throughout the United States and
Canada and made the reputation he
now enjoys as one of the leading
tragedians of the country. He made
money fast and spent it with free
hand. 1t was not until the last few
years that he could be induced to gar
ner up his earnings. HIS friend Mr..
W. H. Tompson, president of the
Boatman's Savings Bank, of st. Louis,
prevailed upon him to establish bank
account with him and but for his ef-
forts the unfortunate actor and those
dependent upon him would be Penni-
less to- day.
Years ago, when poor watch-mak-
err, John Mccullough married good
| littIa oountrv woman of h1q own in the