The sun., 1895-02-18
AN ACTRESS MURDERED.
MADGE rORKE hILLED ny ACTOR
j. n. GENTRY Nv NPHTLA DEL

She Sung In the "BnRgaEs Check" Com
pnny, OF which iIe Used to Be "A Member
He Invaded Her Room. shot Her in
the Presence OF u Friend, and Escaped.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb IT. Miss NIadge Yorkc,
aged 30 years, n comely and popular member or
the baggage Check" theatrical company.
which is TO begin an engagement at the Empire
Theatre here tomorrow night, was shot and
killed ut Zeisse's Hotel. $40 Walnut street, this
evening by James B. Gentry, an actor, to whom
she was engaged to be married.
Gentry fired three bullets into her forehead at
close range and she died within twenty minutes
after the shooting without uttering word.
Gentry called at the hotel few minutes before
o o'clock. Proprietor Ieisse was in the office
when the man approached the desk.
us Miss Madge Yorke in 7" he inquired
On being informed that Miss Yorko was in,
Gentry inquired the number of the room, and,
without waiting for the bell boy to direct him to
IL. stalked up stairs. In less than two minutes
Mr.. Zesse and the other occupants Of his house
were startled by three pistol shots fired in rapid
succession. III the confusion and excitement
which followed, the murderer rushed from the
premises and disappeared down Walnut street.
Hurrying up stairs with the impression that
the trouble was in Miss Yerke's room, on the
second floor. Mr.. Zeisse and two Of his employees
rushed in the door. The young woman was
dressed as IL ready to go for walk.
She was lying at full length on the floor, her
face SCARED almost beyond recognition with
three wounds. The largest one was just over
the left eye. Her companion, Miss Ida Clark.
who was in the room when the tragedy occurred.
was stretched across the bed in Mysteries.
When Gentry came in Miss Iorke presented
him to Miss Clark. He took no heed of the in
PRODUCTION, and, turning to Miss Iorke, said:
why did not you meet me in New York to-
day as you prOmised"
Miss Yorke replied:
81 did keep my appointment with you"
Gentry then said:
"Madge. won't you kiss me2"
The girl replied: mo: not until you have
given me an explanation of your conduct"
These were the last works spoken before Cen
try drew his revolver and shot the girl
An ambulance was summoned and the
wounded girl was hurried around to the Penn
sylvania Hospital in charge of Police Lieutenant
Mitchell. She was taken to the surgical ward,
but before Dr. Hutchinson had time to test her
pulse she died. Every shot had taken effect
and any one of the three would have proved
Jealousy was evidently the cause Of the crime.
Miss Yorke had been a member of Charles f.
Blaney's Baggage CHECK" company Tor two
role. She had bright. happy disposition and
was very popular with the other members OF the
James b. Gentry. her lover and murderer was
with Mr.. Blaney's company in New YORK about
wight be his
he showed Miss lorke considerable atten-
tion, and the REPORT that they were soon to be
The other members of the company regarded
Gentry as good fellow, and he associated with
at times appeared Respondent.
The company, has been playing one-night
not been in evidence all that time. having Sc
cured an engagement with William Colllers
Mss e chsser Ps on
evening for New York. a baGgage % check was
produced in Chester the same night, ne The rest OF
ing. Miss Iorke whose proper name is Drys,
dale. returned here from New York after call
Seventyieighth street. She Joined her theatrical
companion, Miss Clark. at Ieisses' Hotel in high
spirits as the result oil her home trip. They were
both singing and making merry in their room
when Gentry entered.
Manager Blaney.says Gentry was formerly a
playing tho part of R,the. He lived in New
York city. though he is said 10 be native OF
He is about 30 years old. of medium height and
slightly stopped. His face is smooth. his hair
dark and mixed with gray and his complexion
swarthy.
some say that he had been acquainted with
Miss YOrke for two years He came from New
York on the train following that in which Miss
YOrke travelled. though, it is presumed, totally
unaware OF the fact that she had been In New
York.
He first inquired at Mrs. pietrich's theatrical
boarding house, adjoining Zeisses' Hotel. for
Miss Yorke, but not finding her there, hurried
next door.
Miss Yorke's mother, Mrs. Robert S. Drysdnle.
lives with her husband ut 1859 West seventy
eighth street. Mr.. Drysdale is n linen merchant
in Leonard street. They had just received the
news at the house last night when THE sun re-
porter got there
young man. who is q member of the family,
said that the house closed for the night,
and that the matter was too serious 70. him 10
discuss 1t. He had received merely the bare
pat NJ tha mi p1nr