The age-herald., 1902-05-02

 country.
 Russell made one fortune out of his profession and another out of his fortu- nate investment in Minneapolis real es- tate.
 MT. Russell's own story of his career is that it began in a cellar with the pro- duction of the Savage of the Rocks of Borneo," an adaptation of a play seen by him previously at a theatre In St. Louis. He made his first appearance on the pub lie stage at the age of IA at the Defiance Theatre, in Cairo, H.. in 1862 Shortly after that the War of the Rebellion broke out and young Russell followed the army as drummer oy, not enltsting, however, because his parents withheld their con- sent. Upon his return to seek histrionic laurels. he was given a place at the Defiance Theatre as general utility man, singing between the acts and drum ming In the orchestra at the muniflcent salary of SC per week, with permission to sleep on the stage lounge. After that the manager of the house, Tom Holland, took pity on him and gave him lodging in his own house, and also afforded him access to his theatrical library.
 MT. Russell. while with "The Hidden Hand' Company acquired the sobriquet of Calico Coat" because he was forced, on account of the lack of a theatrical wardrobe, to utilize the same coat for both modern and ancient plays. The coat attracted the attention of "Old Cary" provincial manager, who offered young Russell $S a week if he would learn good Yankee story and acquire the art of high wire walking in addition to his other &C., complishments. "Old Cary" gave per- formances in a tent, with the assistance of his family, and Russell closed with the offer. As he says, however, a fall from slack wire in too close proximity to a crowbar ended his loftier aspirations and he was content thereafter to pursue his course on a common level appearing in the farces and making himself generally useful.
 Mir. Russells first attempt as dra- matic star was in play called Edge wood Folks" which ran for thirty-eight weeks with varying fortunes. At the end of five years. however, the play had thor
  ton as a drawing star. Finally, in "A Poor Relation he came nearer to reali- zation of his hopes than ever before. Ar ter that he tried "The Tale of Coat, by Dion Boucicault, which was given an elaborate production at Daly's Theatre but did not meet with the measure or success which MT. Russell expected, so he returned to "A Poor Relation" for season, being then furnished by Edward E. Kidder, It's author, with Peaceful Valley" with which nearly every thea tre-goer Is familiar. Then came "A Bach elor's Romance, which may be consid- cred his greatest success.
 As an actor, Russells limitations were very narrowly defined but his lack or versatility and variety had less to do with New York's rejection of him than the fact that his personality could not be adapted or bent to create an illusion of racy sophistication. His admirers of the press were fond of referring to him at the Illogical successor" of Joseph Jef- ferson; but he had none of Jefersons technical expertness and mental alert ness on the stage. Besides. Jefferson had been a tradition for years before Russell made his first ambitious appeal in New York. True, an actor even more limited in range, Denman Thompson, had earned fortune in New York by acting not nearly so attractive to the general public as Russell's; but Thompson had, in the beginning, the endorsement of certain non-theatrical forces that never were be- sought on Russell's behalf.
 Russell possessed a yisage and figure that dehed disguise by the processes of physical makeup This fact. too, mili- tated to a considerable extent against his urban success. Even in the larger cities outside of New York-Philadelphia Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, etc.-success as a star came slowly. Philadelphia was. perhaps, the last of the larger communi- ties to fall in line and give him regular admiring and dependable clientele: and he played several very successful engage ments there during the past dozen years There is no question that he made a dis tinct place for himself in the annual scheme of the theatre, for those who were identified with him in business have, since illness compelled his retirement about three years ago, made several eff forts to establish other actors in the plays that formerly constituted Russelrs re- pertoire. Frank Keenan and Tim Mur- phy, both well known players, have been offered the old Russell clientele, and Ezra Kendall Is to be put forward next season as star, with the avowed purpose of catering directly to that clientele. His superficial manner. his gait, the tone of his voice, his gestures, etc.. were things easily capable of exact imitation, per- haps; but even actors of greater mimetic power and more abundant histrionic re- sources cannot hope to reproduce the in- definite. intangible quality of Russelfs personality that constituted his magnet ism and chief appeal to those who admir- ed him.
 EMERALDS INCREASE IN VALUE.