The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14
FELIX MORRIS is DEAD
FAMOUS CHARACTER ACTOR PASSES
AWAY AT NEW YORK.
Sketch of Career RepIete with RO-
Trfumphs-His High Attachments.

NEW YORK, Jan. 13.-Felix Morris, the
character actor, died to-day at his home in
this city. aged fifty-tnree years. He leaves
a widow, formerly Florence Wood, of San
Francisco, and two young daughters.
His first public appearance as an actor
was in Lottas support in "Musette." His
first great success was in the role of the
reporter in Michael Strogoff.'' Suisse
quently he was member of A. NJ. Palm
er's stock company. Then he joined Rosina
Vokes's company, where he remained
for seven seasons. His greatest successes
were made in her support in old mems
roles. After Miss Vokes's death Mr.. Nor
ris starred two years. but not successfully.
He then joined Daniel Frohmans stock
company. of which he was nominally a
member at the time Of his death, although
recently he has been appearing in the
vaudeville theaters. His last appearance
in New York was Dec. o. at Keiths Thea
ter.
Mr.. Morris was OIL English parentage.
He was the son of an English sea captain,
of the fine old type, man Of strong intelli-
gence and of sterling virtues, who died in
London only four years ago. 1t was his
ambition that his son should be well edu-
Gated, and to this end he was sent to a
school in Switzerland. where he was not
only well grounded in the common
branches, but became proficient in the
classics. in mathematics and in modern
languages. His French was so perfect that
he has been mistaken for a Partisan and
during his last London engagement, where
he essayed the role Of French ne'er do
well. the purity of his accent was. espe-
hN- hn ton fav,f
English critics. To thoI ough schooling Mr.
Morris united the advantages of travel, for
In addition TO many journeys on his own
account he accompanied his father on fire.
and Australia.
A PHYSICIAN FIRST.
1t was his fathers desire that he should
become a physician, and, like Charles
wyndham, he graduated from the medical
profession to the stage. In his own charm
ing "Reminiscences"-for he wrote as well
as he played-he confessed that he con-
ceived his love for the drama while a stu
| dent at Guys Hospital. and calls himself
"a victim to the amateur theatrical craze
carried away by the mild success of
efforts that were magnfiied into glorious
triumphs by his fellows. 1t need hardly
be said that he received no announcement
in the new career he had chosen for him.
sell from MS ldtner, 10 WnOm MS clange
could hardly have been other than a keen
disappointment
Failing of financial support from the
same source. Mr.. Morris determined to go
TO the United States-that goal of all as
| pirants to fortune, whose aspirations and
| income are irreconcilably at variance. He
went with the rosiest h. pes and the Hottest
| ideals, 10 aGmit-when sobered by reality
| and long experience-that at that tender
| age he was amazingly deficient in worldly
wisdom and practical common sense
After many vicissitudes his patience was
rewarded. in Albany. He received a letter
| from the manager telling him there was a
small and unobtrusive part for which he
| had been cest-in the box office, And from
there to the footlights it was but a step.
| He accepted the box-osfice post. but his
| too abundant faith tn human nature-a
/ faith that nothing ever has or ever can
oilers who resort to every known dev1es u