The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-18
LAST WORDS OF ACTORS
Many Of the Seek and Buskin Met
Death Suddenly.
Peg womngtOn's FnrcwelI-Modcrn
Instances of Quick Departures
From Mimic Life to It's Saddest
Realities - Last Hours of Edwin
Forrest "A Sleeping Car Episode.

Stuart Robson, in a recent interview,
cited the following instances of sudden
and violent deaths among members Of
the theatrical profession:
Ten days after John Wilkes Booth as
sassinated President Lincoln he himself
was killed by simple fellow named Boston
Ccrbett. In 17o. Peg Wellington, just hav-
ing spoken the line, 1 would kiss you
ALL was stricken by paralysis. Bond,
in 1875, died while blessing his children.
Betterdon, in 1710, who had driven, while
suffering from the govt, 20 appear at his
benefit, died two days thereafter. In 1853
Patterson, when performing the Duke In
Measure for Measure and saying 'Rea-
son thus with life dropped into Moody's
arms and expired. In 11'6, Mrs. Jeffer-
son. at rehearsal, fell into the same actors
arms and expired. In 1853, Holland was
SO frightened at seeing a large rat run
across the stage that he died in fit of
historical laughter. In 1893 Buckingham
burst blood vessel while playing in The
Castle Specter.' In 1917 Canning, in Jane
Shore at the words, May such befall me
ut my latest hour, fell down and expired.
In 1850 Mrs. Glover took her last benefit,
next day. In 179S, John Palmer, while
playing The Stranger had just uttered
the words, There is another and bet
ter world when he fell dead in the arms
of Baron Steinfort. In 1893, Edmund kean
fell into his sons arms when playing
'Othello,' saying Charles, am dying In
1858, Harley, playing Bottom in 'Midsum-
mer Nights Dream was seized by par
alysis and died in day, his last words
being from his part, i have an exposition
of sleep come upon mel
In 1861 James Bland died at the stage
door of the Strand Theatre, London, in a
trifiing alteration with a minor actor, his
last words being, The devil damn thee
black, thou cream-faced loon" In 1868
James Rodgers, at the end of the play,
died in an arm chair, holding his wife's
hand. and saying, The little rattle is over
In 1891 Lawrence Barrett, who was play
ing De Mauprat to the Richelieu Of Ed
win Booth, fell fainting TO the stage. In
forty hours he was dead. His last words
were, There is no darkness but ignorance
In 1895 three gentlemen were in the
dining room car Of train between Denver
and Omaha-Roland Reed. Col r. c. Inge--
soil, and Frank Mayo. They were discuss
ing the possible methods Of dealing with
criminals
THE prevention of r:..riage among
habitual criminals Is the proper method for
the Ins.-3..;ug Of crime said the colonel.
Education can do better than that
said Mayo: open school. you close
prison. These were his last words.
Dinner ready in the dining car por-
ter announced. Don't disturb him: he Is
sleeping said one Of the trio Yes, he
was. He had fallen into the sleep eternal.
Then, last but not least in our own dear
love-the noblest Roman Of them all-Ed-
win Forrest.
I'm the early morning Of December IL.
1872, the servants Of Mr.. Forrest found
him dead in his bed, an open Bible by his
side and dumb bell clutched in his hand.
Between the leaves of the sacred volume
was found a 'book-mark card. on which
was printed. Aged sinner. come to God!