The herald., 1896-06-09
FRANK NAY0'S LAST CALL
A Great Actors Sudden But
Painless Death
FRIENDS THOUGHT HE SLEPT
But II Was the Sleep That Knows No
Waking
Death Occurred on the Overland Limited
FRIENDS THOUGHT He SLEPT
Death Occurred on the Overland Limited
Near Denver-honors Paid by Menu
bers of Elk Societies
Associated Press Special Wire.

OMAHA, Neb.. June S.-Frank Mayo.
the veteran actor, died on the Union
Pacific's overland limited train While
en- route to this city today some time
before noon. He had given no signs
that he was ill., although for year or
more past he has been afflicted with
pains in his chest. These pains gener-
ally occurred at night after Mr.. Mayo
had finished acting. He had been ex-
amined only recently by physician who
told him that he need have no fear, that
the pains did not indicate heart trouble.
nor were they regarded as serious. The
great actor found surcease for these
pains by sitting up at night. 1t was no
surprise then that he told members of
his company that he would sit up on
Sunday night. Roland Reed, the actor.
was also on the train and the two spent
Sunday evening chatting together un-
til some time after midnight. This morn
ing Mr.. Mayo appeared to have rested
we'll during the night. He was up early
and when the train stopped at North
Platte he took brisk walk up and down
the platform of the station. He re-
turned to the smoking room and, leaning
his head on his arm, fell asleep. The
members of the company left. know
ing that he did not care to be disturbed
in his sleep. When it had passed noon,
however, some of the members became
alarmed and Manager w. j. Block went
in the room to awaken the actor. There
was nothing that could prevent ones
thinking that Mr.. Mayo was merely
asleep, but it proved to be the sleep from
which he never aWolle. The manager
made the startling discovery shortly af
ter 1 o'clock. Physicians we--s sum
moned to meet the train at Grand Island.
They announced that Mr.. Mayo had been
dead between one and two hours. From
death seemed tn have haln
a peaceful one, and one that was in har-
mony with the mans whole life. There
was not the slightest indication that he
had suffered pain and his face still bore
the kindly smile that had always lighted
up his countenance.
The body was brought to this city and
was met by a large delegation from the
Elks society. The local branch of this
fraternity had arranged a reception for
their distinguished brother to be given
after the performance of this evening.
In its stead, however, it was their mis-
sion to perform a most solemn duty.
Elks to the number of nearly one hun
dred gathered at the train and as many
more Omahans We're at the station and
reverently uncovered their heads as the
body was carried to the hearse. The
body was taken in charge by the Elks.
w. 3. Taylor acting as master of cere-
monies. They were at once taken to
an undertaking establishment. From
there they will be removed to the lodge
room of the Elks tomorrow morning
at IL o'clock. A meeting of all Elks in
the city has been called for IL o'clock
tomorrow to arrange for appropriate
ceremonies over the remains before
they are taken to Philadelphia.
His last appearance on the stage was
in udd'nhead Wilson at the Broadway
theater Saturday night.