Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-11-28
FAMOUS ENGLISH ACTOR EXPIRES
IN GALVESTON.
HAD BEEN ILL FOUR WEEKS
IN THE MEANTIME, AN UNDERsTUDY
HAS BEEN FOOLING THE PUBLIC.
Was Suspected in Kansas City, but
His Ability as an Actor and His
Managers Ability in Other
Lines Confirmed the
Deception.

GALVESTON. TEX, Nov. 2I.-Charles
Soghian, the distinguished English actor
ana author, died here to-day of gastritis
aged Sc years. He had been i'll in Calves
Ton since his theatrical engagement here
-FOUR weeks ago. His wife was at his bed
side when the end came and is prostrated
with grief. The remains will be shipped
Immediately TO Prince Edward island, Mrs.
Coghlan's former home
Mr.. Coghlan arrived in this city on Oc-
.ober 30, with THE Royal Box company,
but did not appear, owing to illness. Ply
siciahs were summoned and 1t was after
ward announced that he was suffering with
acute gastritis. His condition remained
unchanged until this morning, when a yio-
ient change for the worse took place
he was born in France, of English and
irish parentage. In his early life he man
uested a marked fondness for the stage
and, although educated for the bar, he
never followed that profession. He be-
came an actor when quite a young man
ana MS rise was rapid and pronounced
both In Europe and America He was the
author of several successful plays. among
.nem mem being Jocelyn-" His recent dramati-
Zation OF The Royal Box" which he pre-
senteo wath his own company, was one of
MS most artistic and successful ventures
ME, MI: Coghian had recently employed great
0eai OF tlrne upon dramatiZation of 'Van-
ity Fair which was to have been pro-
Quced by his daughter next season and the
task was near completed when his death
cut II short 1t is understood that ",The
engagements.
character actors that ever graced the Eng
Esh-speakfng stage Most of his best DAYS
were spent In this country. although he
was Of English birth. He was 5s years
old One of his greatest parts was Beau
clerc, in Diplomacy" play in which his
sister, Rose Coghlan. made her greatest
the English version Of Fedora" and like
ManteIl on this side, made almost a sensa-
ton in the part. He was favorite in
London, as he was in America. He was an
actor OF great repose and strength and
his voice was sfngularly beautiful in quail
ity. Had he chosen to remain in the posi-
tion Of leading business" he might have
been rich man, for he was always in de-
mand for new productions, especially when
an important heavy was to be created
But Coghlan had the starring fever, and he
no sooner made enough to get a new start
than he ventured forth at the head of his
own company, only to lose what he had
made, and generally involving others in his
was produced he was Mrs. Fiske's leading
support and became a stronger card than
ever before in New York. On the strength
Royal Box" which was fairly successful
last season, but lost money this year Mr.
Coghlan could have commanded a salary of
500 per week IL he had chosen to head a
stock company rather than go starring. He
was one Of those actors who are more val
liable as leaders than as stars.
The most successful of Mr.. Coghlan's
dramatic works was "Jocelyn," which his
sister Rose played with much profit for a
season or two. 1t was a fine romantic
drama, well constructed, beautifully writ
ten and picturesquely staged 1t served
to make a name for Wilton Lackaye, who
played the villainous Savianni
In October, 1893, Mr.. Coghlan caused a
sensation by marrying Miss Kuehne Bev-
eridge, the sculptress, who was then a
member of Rose and Charles Coghlan's
company. playing Diplomacy. The mar
sensation was caused by the fact that the
actor had a wife living and undiyorced. He
married to the first Mrs. Coghlan, but for
this brutal subterfuge he was roundly de-
nounced and even his own sister turned
against him. The marriage with Miss Bev-
eridge was soon annulled, the former mar
riage acknowledged, and reconciliation.
which lasted until the actors death, was
made Miss Beveridge, who was only is
when she married the actor. attracted some
attention by making bust OF President
Cleveland She has been in London for the
past five years, and has only recently
caused something Of a stir as scuiptress.
Mr.. Coghlan's last appearance in Kan
sas City was about twelve years ago, when
he supported Mrs Langtry in AS in a
When 'The Royal Box was recently
presented at the Coates the part of
Clarence was played by a Mr. Robson, and
one OF the best ever imposed upon an un-
suspecting public The substitute had
studied Coghlan well, even to the vocal in
donations, and he gave an admirable per-
formance of the part. AS Coghian had not
been seen in Kansas City for twelve years,
recollections of him were somewhat in
distinct. The dramatic editor OF The Jour
nal noted, however, that the supposed
Coghlan was not so tall as it seemed Mr..
Coghlan should be. and that he was also
younger. Mr.. Walter LOTUS, Mr. Cogh-
lan's manager. was appealed to, but he en-
phaticaIly declared that the man the
stage was Mr.. Coghlan. and that no one
else had ever played the part. nor was
there any one in the company who could
undertake it. AS there was no way of
proving the case. the managers assur-
ances were accepted.