Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-13
+ MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. !

sas City and has not heard of Miss Yaw's
death, nor even of any illness. In fact.
the singer is now many states distant from
where she is said to have died. Here is
the remarkable report, published in yes
terday's Chicago Chronicle: Waterloo, Ia,
Jan. ia copy of the Spectator, published
at Rushford, N. Y, was received here yes
terday by friends of Miss Yaw, and in 1t
was copied from the Franklinville, N Y,
Chronicle the following: The tragic death
of Miss Ellen Beach Yaw is reported from
Binghamton. Her death was sensational
and sudden. She was singing before an
audience and in reaching the high notes
her jugular vein burst and she bled to
death on the stage before her hearers.
Miss Yaw was able to reach the highest
note of any singer in the world. In reach
ing these notes certain muscles in her
throat were pressed against the jugular
vein and the membrane had worn through
by abrasion
William Stafford, an actor of legitimate
roles. who, in his time, had been assoclat.
ed with nearly every prominent actor OF
the country, died Monday morning IN 81.
Louis. Mr.. Stafford was heard groaning in
his room at the St James hotel by one Oh
the members of the Siberia company.
She went to his assistance, but he died be
fore the physicians, who had been called,
arrived. Mr.. Stafford, whose real name was
Schmitt, was born in Louisville, KY. and
was sent to the Boston Institute OF Iech-
noiogy to be educated for an engineer.
While in Boston he developed liking for
dramatic reading, and later came under the
instruction of Frederick Williams, vet
eran stage manager, who is now aSsoclat-
ed with the Lyceum theater, New York.
Encouraged by his success as a reader;
Mr.. Stafford organized the William Stanford
company to support him in Shakespearean
parts old theatergoers will remember the
organization, for IL visited most OF the
large cities in the country. Its faYorite
pieces were THE Merchant of Venice and
When this company was compelled TO dis
band Mr.. Stafford went with Edwin Booth,
and for number of years played the
Later he was associated with Barrett and
with Mime. Modjeska. But in recent years
Mr.: Stafford had had to con1ne hlmseH 10
melodramatic productions lie was en-
gagged last in Siberia"
Leon Hermann was introduced to
large New York audience, composed almost
entirely of admirers and friends OF ms
u:cle, Alexander Hermann, at Hoyts
theater Monday night, and the impression
he made was decidedly In his favor. b;s
uncle, say the dispatches, both physically
and in his methods upon the stage. he
displays much of his kinsman's ready wit,
too. despite his lack of facility in the YER
nacular. Most of the tricks he performed
were old. but they were done with a skill
that rendered them interesting. frOleSSOT
Herrmann's forte was ''palming, and in
this branch of the art his nephew bids fair
to rival him. Billiard balls and coins and
playing cards appeared in his hands and
disappeared again in the most astonishing
manner.
Thomas w. Keene will be seen in an un-
usually large repertory at the Coates next
week. His engagements this season have
been considerably strengthened by the sup
port of Mr. Charles Hanford. an actor OF
reputation and popularity. Mr.. Hanford,
himself a star in the legitimate for one sea-
son, was for several years the leading sup
gifted. but is thoroughly familiar with the
classic repertory.
There was a large sale yesterday for the
recital to be given the evening of January
10 at the Auditorium by Mr.. William II.
Sherwood and Miss Mary French Field.
the event being under the Albert Pike lodge
of Masons. This will be Miss Fields first
appearance in Kansas City as a reader, al
though she will be remembered as highly
successful in the ''Trilby'' tabieauX given
here two seasons ago, when she visited
friends in this city. Miss Field will read
selections from the works of her father, the
late Eugene Field. Mr.. Sherwood, the pi-
anist is great artist and is well known
in Kansas City through a number of in
teresting recitals.
Miss Frances Grahame-Mayo of the
'Pudd'nhead Wilson" cast, is Mrs. Edwin
T. Mayo. and was great pet of her faith
an exceptionally clever little actress and
is this season retained in the part of
RCwey. which she invests with both charm
and vivacity.
Hopkins Transoceanics will come to the
Grand next week. The bill is headed by
the worlds marvel kinematographe, with
its continuous views of human action. di-
rect from Europe. First appearance of the
international transformation dancer. Rosie
Rendel, direct from the Palace theater.
London. First appearance in vaudevilles
in ten years of Carroll Johnson. the prince
of minstrels. The NawnS. in their sketch.
"One Touch of Nature Is promised 10 be
the laughing event of the season. First
appearance of Juno Salmo direct from
Fclies Bergere. Paris. equilibrist and con-
tortionist first appearance of Mr.. w. +.
'Renners. direct from the Empire, London,
England's most noted baritone. Morton
and Revelle. in "Pickings From Puck
Sharp and Flatt, eccentric musical come
dinns. and Ford and Francis, in one of
the cleverest acts ever seen on the vaude-
vile stage.
Detroit Mich, Jan. 12.-G. A. Hough, one
of the oldest and best known actors in
the United States. died at his home here
to-day aged SO. Deceased had been asso-
ciated with nearly all the leading oldtme
actors and was formerly manager of the
Detroit opera house.