The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-06


Lily Post. Prima Donna, Dies Insane.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, April 5.-Lilly
Post, the opera singer, is dead of heart
failure. She was taken to the insane asy-
lum, on Monday. by her son. who had
trouble restraining her. as she appeared
greatly excited. On Tuesday she was strick-
en- with heart trouble and died peacefully
Lily Post had done some eccentric things
during the past two years, but her Eastern
friends. not having seen her for nearly that
length of time. did not know that her mind
had been rapidly failing of late.
Lily Post has had most eventful life
one full of tragedies for the woman; replete
with triumphs for the artistic. AS church
choir singer she first attracted the attention
of San Francisco manager, who engaged
her for the stock opera company at the
Tivol. This was i'm 1872 and her first role
was Josephine in H. NJ s. Pinafore" She
was the original YUM Yum in 1.-The Mikado
when it was produced on the coast. While
singing there she married Frank Blair, a
singing comedian, and two children were
born One of them, Ralph Post, now a
young man, is living in New York.
When the late John A McCaull took his
opera company to the coast his manager,
William n. Morton, directed his attention to
the young soprano of the local comic opera
company, and the Shrewd impreSdriO en-
gagged her. McCaull brought her East and
she made her metropolitan debut at the Ca
sino in The Queens Lace Handkerchief
In the east were Giovanni Perugini. Francis
Wilson Mathilde Cottrelly and Louise PAUL
lin Miss Post made a notable success with
McCaull, and remained with him at the Ca
sino and on the road for several seasons.
She played in numerous operas. including
The Black Hussar' and Der Fielder
maus." with Dgby Bell. Laura Joyce Bell
jefferson De Angels De Wolf Hopper,
Marion ManoIa and Marie Jansen. After she
the Duff Opera Company. replacing Lillian
Russell I'm THE Queens Mate" Later she
created the leading role in Aladdin" one
of David Henderson's big spectacular pro-
ductions at the Chicago Opera House. Still
later she sang in The Child of Fortune, I"
the adapted Die Sontagkinder," at the Ca
sino.
In 1890 Miss Post secured divorce from
Frank Blair and few months later mar
ried w. ii. Morton. whose first wife had re-
Gently died. Mr. Morton was at that time
manager of the Columbia Theater in Chi
cago. They had charming home on In
diana avenue end entertained visiting
theatrical friends lavishly. 1t was at Sun
day dinner party at the Mortons that Edith
Morello first spoke OF the differences which
had arisen between herself and her hus-
band, lgnacio Martinetu. She said she had
decided to get a divorce. and Mrs. Morton
introduced her TO Counselor James Purnell,
VINO had secured her divorce from Blair.
from Mr.. Martinetti, within month SO
married Frank Blair, whom Miss Post had
previously divorced. After the Columbia
Theater passed under control of Hayman
* Davis Mr.. and Mrs. Morton went TO New
YORK Morton became the manager of the
late Alexander Hermann then playing at
Ms own theater-now Sam T. Jack Son
Broadway. Mrs Morton sang two or three
brief engagements during the two seasons
but when IN 1896 Mr. Morton fell a victim To
mental disease she abandoned all profession
al work TO care for him MIR. Morton was
nursed at home until his mania developed
DANGEROUS symptoms. and he was then com
mltted 10 an institution. lie died of paresis
about three years ago
Lett To her own resources. Miss Post re-
turned 10 the stage after her husband had
been removed 10 the asylum She went into
vaudeville and sang few short opera tic
engagements in the West one OF them was
at the T1volt I'm San Francisco the scene
OF her first success. Returning to New
YORK about TWO years ago, the singer fell
under the influence of young man named
Billy Goodwin, who induced her. as he had
induced many women before her to con
tribute 10 his support. In the autumn Of
1881 Miss Post Went to Australia To visit >
brother and incidentally to Till some pro-
fessional engagements. She took Goodwin
with her. and he. who had never previously
been on the stage appeared with her I'm the
vaudeville houses In Melbourne and sydney
Ii was reported that Miss Post had de-
cided To abandon the stage and remain with
her brother In Melbourne The first her
New York friends heard TO the contrary was
when she arrived in San Francisco a short
time ago.