The times., 1899-12-24
Yuletide Is a time OF peace on earth.
good Will to men

Yuletide Is a time OF peace on earth.
good Will to men"
There is one hearty. kindly old actress
who will not celebrate Christmas day this
year and whose loss will be felt keenly
through wide circle OF friends That ac-
tress IS Mrs, Ella Wren Blair who died
suddenly here on last Monday. Ella Wren
as such she was known on the stage-wIs
woman whose genuine attainmeuts and
notable achievements were only oyerbOrne
by her personal charms. Since she had
practically retired from theatrical life it
cannot be said that her demise has cost the
drama what otherwise that event would
have certainly her family and her ac-
quaiatances have suffered greatly in her re-
moval
Mrs. Wren was from foouight stock her
sisters AID brothers having become well
known through their connection with
juvenile company o. some prominence. The
future star, however, was not numbered
in this organization, her professional de-
but having been deferred until when at
eighteen years Of age she played Desde-
mona 20 the OthellO of j. B. Howell. an
English actor, at New Haven. She re-
manned with Howell only a few weeks sub
sequentiy being included with John Wilkes
I Booth. Edwin Adams W. II. Bailey. Ben
G.. Rogers, and Samuel Chester in a stock
combination at Richmond While IN that
city, the girl appeared in support OF such
celebrities as Edwin Booth Mr. and Mrs.
Waller John Sleeper Clark Annette Inee.
Jane COcmhs Barry Sullivan John Collins
and others too numerous to mention Az
ter a long stay al Richmond Mrs. Wren
went to MCFickeTs Theatre Chicago
where she was during the progress OF the
convention that nominated Lincoln for the
Presid idency. Going South, she met and
was married 90 Col Charles Blair. a Con
federate officer who was said TO share with
Gen. j. r. b. Stuart the honor Of being the
handsomest man iu the army. Mrs. Wren
continued in Richmond until Lees surreu-
der, when she undertook a starring tour
her roles being those of Juliet, Pauline
and Lucrstia. The venture was COnspic-
uous success. and the player created such
an impression that, up to the date Of her
death the announcement of her name was
sufficient to hll houses between New Or
leans and Norfolk.
Next Mrs. Wren became leading woman
for Mr.. and Mrs. f. B. Connolly at the
Brooklyn Park Theatre. following the ex-
perieuce with q two years series Of en-
gagements under the direction of BID Xe' J.
Spalding and Mcdonald. She joined
Madame Rhea Immediately upon the ar
rival OF that Jragedisuue in this country.
and supported the French genius for seven
consecutive seasons. Subsequently. she
retired from the stage and took up her res
idence near Benning. but after eight years
of rest. was induced to return TO the com
pauy of her daughter, Eugene 3 air. With
Miss Blair she appeared all through the
South closing her labOrs With a brief
season last summer at the Columbia Thea
tre. Finally she went back TO Benning.
and was residing there at the time of her
demise
Those who saw Mrs Wren in her younger
days have declared that her ability was
second TO that Of few. Her Juliet was an
especially fine impersonation Even up TO
last Spring she continued doing excellent
work, certain admirers considering her the
best nurse in Romeo and Juliet and the
best Madame Prudence IN Camille on
the American boards. Mrs. Wren was as
has been said. the mother Of Eugene Blair,
the mother-in-law of Robert Downing. the
sister of Mrs. Bates and, therefore, the
aunt cs Blanche Bates. Her long stay in
Washington had given the citizens Of this
town a sort of personal interest in the ac-
tress. and her death Will be universally re-
gretted.
He must have been either Iamentablv