Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-17
ACTORASSASSINATED
WILLIAM TERRrs STABBED wIrm
A DUTcHER-KxIFE.
KOTIVE FOR THE CRIME UNKNOWN.
ON Befns Charged With
the Murder, says, "He Done Me
Out Of the BenevoIent Funa-Ssw
lam Out of 1t for Life.,


ris. the well-known actor, was assassi-
mated, being stabbed with knife as he
was entering the stage-door OF the A6ei-
phi Theatre tonight. He had been play
ing In London in the English version OK
william Gillette's American dramas
Secret Service"
| AS the actor fell his murderer was
seized by people who were outside the
| theatre The wounded man was carried
into the theatre and doctors were Called
from the Charing Cross Hospital. but
| Terriss expired in fifteen minutes.
| The murderer was taken to the Bow
| Street Police Station, followed by an
| angry crowd. His name was given as
Archer.
1t Is said that he was super AT the
Adelphi Theatre several years ago. and
that for some days past he has haunted
| the theatre. The motive for the crime iS
not yet known.
\ When Archer arrived at the police sta
| ton he still held the weapon. apparently
| n short butcher~knife, concealed beneath
| his cape.
On being charged with the murder. ne
replied: HE done me out OF the benevo-
| lent fund this morning. and now ! ana
out of 1t for life.'
Owing to the tragedy, no performances
was given at the theatre tonight.
ASSASSIN KNOWN AS MAD ARCHER.
member of the AdeIphi company says
| the assassin was known at the theatre
as Mad Archer" and that when onIered
| off the premises last night, he muttereo'
1 "Not yet"
Others say that Archer nursed a griev-
| ance against Mr. Terris even before ne
| left his employment at the theatre. more
| than once he stood In the wings ana ifs-
dulged in sarcastic comments on Mr.. Ter
ris's acting, such as Fools often succeed
in life where men OF genius fall"
The assassin made no attempt 10 es-
| cape When seized he offered to go quiet
ly TO the police-staton.
| Miss MiIlward, when Il was seen that
Mr. Terris was dying completely broke
! down with grief
According to later accounts, Mr.. Terris
had alighted from a cab al the stage-
| door In Maiden Lane, used only by him-
self and the principal members OK the
company. Mr.. Gilbert Tate, the theatre
cal agent. met him at the door, the TWO
were standing In conversation, and Mr.
Terrs was just taking the door-key from
his pocket, when his assailant darteu
from the shade OF a neighboring shop ana
plunged the knife into his breast, almost
bearing him 10 the ground with the saw
age force Of the blow. Mr.. Terris dropped
his glove and tried to seize his assailant.
who then dealt two more stabs before tns
bystanders had time TO interfere.
The murderer gave the name OF Richard
Arthur Prince, but he was known at tho
theatre as Archer. His wife has been erl-
| ployed there as a dresser. Since he iefL
the Adelphi Archer has several times
begged assistance from the different the
atrical funds OF whose committees Mr..
Terris was a member.
Mise Theresa Terris. daughter Of the
deceased, is just convaiescent from se-
rious illness.
MIR. TERRIss CAREER.
| William Terris WIS born I'm London
| October IS. 1851 and came of an excelient
family His father WAS a Kent county
gentleman, and his mother sister OF the
celebrated historian OF Greece. the iale
George Grote Terris was a nom-de-thea-
tire. the real name OF the deceased actor
being William levin.
| When a boy of l3 he entered the Royal
English navy as a midshipman. but the
discipline of the, service proved too mech
of a restraint and he forsook the navy
for the merchant marine. Sailing for
Australia. he there followed manv voca-
bions successivel% But his restless
| Spirlt 0emanOcu luTtutT anu II
sailed for Calcutta, with the intention OF
Joining his elder brother. Colonel Levin,
in tea planting. Ii proved an eventfui
voyage for the ship was wrecSed In
cyclcne at the mouth OF the river Hoogh-
ly. and all but four OF the ships COM
| pany were lost. Terris saved his life
by swimming. and his skin I'm the water
often stood him I'm good stead. and won
him two decorations for saving life at
sea.
After six months OF tea-planting in the
jungles OF Assam he returned 70 Eng
land. He then decided TO become an
actor. His first full-hedged engagement
was at birmingham, where he appeared
| i'm a subordinate part In the company OF
Mime. Celeste. but he soon sought recox-
milton I'm London, and his GOODNESS ana
| courage secured him an engagement with
Mr.. Bancroft. who entrusted to him tho
role Of Lord Clanderags In society"
When Henry Irving. IN lssO. made his
memorable revival OF Romeo and Juliet
at the Lyceum Theatre. he invited hr.
Terris to play Mercutio. Then began an
association which continued with the
greatest profit 10 Irving. an the greatest
eclat 10 Terris for several years.
TERRIS IN THIS COUNTRY.
II was during Irving's first American
tour that Mr. TerrIs appeared on the
stage in this country After leaving the
Lyceum Company he played Romeo 10
the Juliet of Miss Mary Anderson at the
I.yceum Theatre for 300 nights. He then
entered upon the career OF star. ana
save for occasional provincial and foreign
tours. has since reigned supreme nj the
Adelphi Theatre. the leading meiodra-
matte house In London.
He was the idol Of the Adelphi pit, and
1 81 40, a
mass OF London playgoers by his ster-
ling qualities as actor and man.
All the morning papers contain edito-
rails expressing the deepest sympathy
and adherence OF the outrage and eulo-
glzlng the talents Of the deceased actor.
They print columns Of memoirs. remin-
,scences. and critical reviews OF bis work.
The utmost gloom filled all the theatri-
cal clubs and resorts on the arrival OF ina