Evening journal., 1897-12-17
STABBED TO DEATH
Actor Terriss Killed at the
Adelphi Theater.
ASSASSIN SAID 70 Be An OLD SUPER
When Searched at Bow Street stntioI
tho Fatal Knife Is Found on tho
Murderer-sketoh OF the De-
ceased'a Career.

lie well known actor, was aSSdHSiNAt- |
ed. being stabbed with a knife. last
night. The assassin had the appear |
euce Of a foreigner and wore a long
cloak
Terriss fell shouting, MY God, he's
stabbed mel Don't let him escapev
The assassin withdrew the dagger and
made second lunge at his victim. but
he was seized by the spectators, Of
whom there is always a crowd about
the stage entrance TO witness the ar
rival Of actors.
Terriss was stabbed as he was en-
tering the Adelphi theater for the per-
formance Of Secret Service" in which
he was playing. The assassin rushed at
the actor as Terriss was stepping
across the pavement from his cab and
stabbed him Just below the heart The
wounded man was carried into the the-
cter and placed on the landing of the
stairway just inside the theater, where
he lay groaning loudly once or twice
he feebly attempted to speak but It
was impossible He quickly succumb-
ed while surrounded by the theater
staff. including Miss Millward.
The murderer was taken 10 Bow
street police station, followed by an
angry crowd. His name was given as
Archer. II is said that he had been a
super at the Adelphi theater several
years ago. and for some days past he
had haunted the theater. The motive
for the crime is not yet known.
A large audience had already assem-
bled for the evening performance. and
the manager came to the footlights and
announced that as Mr. Terriss had met
with an accident no performance would
be given.
II appears that the assassin Wednes-
day evening asked the keeper OF the
ordinary stage entrance as 10 the where.
abouts OF Mr.. Terriss. and his behavior
was then so obnoxious that Harry Mich
oils, one OF the principal colleagues OF
Mr.. Terriss, was obliged 10 demonstrate
and 20 order him 10 leave the premises.
The scenes along the Strand at the
hour when the theaters closed last even
ing were remarkable. By that time the
special editions of the evening papers
were out. and the newsboys were shout
ing around the theater exits that Mr.
Terriss had been murdered. At first the
people refused TO place any credence in
the report believing such an event im-
possible. but when they found Il was
true horror and Indignation were paint,
ed on every face.
When Archer. the murderer, arrived
at the police station, he still had the
weapon, apparently a big butchers
knife. concealed beneath his inverness
cape. on being charged with murder,
he is reported to have replied, Hes
done me out of the benevolent fund.- and
am out OF II for life."
The understudy of the deceased actor
tells a curious story of how he dreamed
the night before that he saw Mr.. Ter
rlss lying on a landing surrounded by a
crowd.
The late william Terriss was born in
London oct is. 1851, and was conse-
quently in his 47th year lie came of
an excellent family. His father was a
Kentish country gentleman and his
mother a sister OF the celebrated his
torian Of Greece the late George Grote
closely allied TO the Earl of zetand
Terriss was a nom dc theatre, the rea'
name Of the deceased being William
Levin.
When a mere boy OF 13 he entered tn,
royal English navy as a midshipman
but the discipline OF the service proved
too much Of a restraint. and he forsool
the navy for the mercantile marine
Sailing for Australia, he there followe,
many vocations successfully. was an
engineer bank clerk an employee oi
the Stock Exchange. and in tobacco an,
wine houses. During this period n
was a sort Of jack OF all trades.
His restless spirit still demanded fur
ther change, and he sailed for Calcutt
with the intention OF Joining his eide
brother, Colonel levin, in tea planting
II proved an eventful voyage, for tn
ship was wrecked In a cyclone at IN
mouth of the river Hoogly and a.
but four Of the ships company wer
lost. Terriss saved his life by swim
ming, and his adroitness in the natatc
rial art often stood him In good stea
and won him two decorations for saw
Ing life at sea. Among his most highl
priced treasures was the medal of IN
Royal Humane society.
After six months OF tea planting 1
the jungles of Assam he returned I
England. His patrimony was exhaust
ed and his future very uncertain. Bl
with characteristic intrepidity he mad
up his mind to follow a profession an
tossed up a coin TO decide whether /
would be a physician or an actor. A
actor It was. His first fun nedge
engagement was in the city OF Bi
mingham, where he appeared in a sui
Celeste: but he soon sought recogniti,
IN London, and his coolness and cou
age secured him an engagement wi
Mr.. (now Sir Squire) Bancroft. who q
trusted him with the role Of Lord Clo'
derags in Society"
After playing two years he went
the Falkland islands TO engage In she
raising. This proved a failure. and
returned 70 the stage in London. Lat
he again abandoned dramatic work al
started horse breeding i'm Kentucky. ]
got stranded In this new venture al
had 10 go back 10 England in the ste,
age OF a vessel Again he became
actor. In 1850 he appeared with :
Henry Irving. and ii was during {
latter's first American tour that n
Terriss was seen on the American sta
OF late he had acted only at the Ad
phi, where he became the idol of I
pit and endeared himself to the gr,
mass OF London playgoers by his sterli
qualities as actor and man.
Confidential Clerk Arrested.
LOUISVILLE. Dec. 17.-Louis A
man has been arrested on a charge