The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-04-27

Mr.. Cleveland.
West Palm Beach, Fla, Special
Joseph Jefferson died at his home, The
Reefs" at Palm Beach, at 6:15 o'clock
Sunday evening. The end came after a
day of Inconsistencies and after he
roic struggle of days, which had eX
hausted his vitality. At his death bed
were his wife, his sons, Charles B. and
Frank Jefferson; his nurse. Miss Mabel
Bingham; Dr. R. B. Potter, and his
faithful old servant, Carl Kottler.
The end was not surprise to his
family. Ever since his last sinking
spell, which came after rally on
Thursday morning, and which was fol-
lowed by an improvement until Friday,
the family has been waiting for the
end. Mr.. Jefferson's condition Satur-
day night grew steadily worse, and
the f; hily, who had retired, were sum-
mo26 from their beds and DR.. Potter
wa called. The patients condition con-
tihued to grow weak all through to-
day, and the brief bulletins from the
beside contained no words OF encour-
agement.
The sickness of Mr.. Jefferson, which
ended in his death, was contracted, 1t
is believed, while on recent visit to
his son, Charles B. Jefferson, at Hobe
Sound, a few miles above Palm Beach,
where he went to meet his friend,
former President Cleveland: 1t is be-
lieved that from a slight indiscretion
in his eating there, he suffered an at
tack of indigestion. Since his return to
his home. this condition grew steadily
worse, with slight rallies, until the
end.
The body Of Mr.. Jefferson will be
taken to Buzzard's Bay on a special
train, accompanied by all the members
Of his family who are here. 1t Will
reach New York Wednesday morning,
and the family hope to reach Buzzards
Bay the evening Of that day.
1t was on April 1st that Mr.. Jefferson
went to Hobe Sound to meet Mr.. Cleve-
land and other friends at the home OF
his son, Charles B. Jefferson. The party
spent about week there. and during
that time there were frequent fishing
expeditions.
|. When Jefferson became i'll he return
ed at once to The Reefs and was taken
to his room on the second floor OF the
cottage, which is only 100 feet from the
ocean, and where he could watch the
sea. The weather was favorable
throughout his illness. DR.. Potter, the
tSmily physician at the Florida home,
lived three miles from The Reefs, and
went only occasionally to the bedside
Of his patient, feeling that Mr.. Jeffer-
son might survive.
On Thursday he was well enough to
take nourishment and to retain it. At
one time he called for chicken broth
and then thought he was we'll enough
to eat the meat. But this was denied
him. DR.. Potter was so confident Thurs
day at 4 o'clock that he told reporter
at the time that he believed Mr. JEFF
erson would recover.
JEFFERsoN's CAREER.
New York. Special.-Mr. Jefferson
was president of the Players Club, in
this city, end the news Of his death
was received with many expressions
of regret. The Players Club has had
no member more interested in its well
fare than Mr. Jefferson, and none that
worked more untiringlv. With Edwin
Booth, Lawrence Barrett, Augustin
DAILY, A. H. Palmer. Brander Matthews,
John Drew, S. L. Clemens and several
others, Mr. Jefferson signed articles OF
incorporation for the club in 1888. and
he was elected to the board Of direc-
tors. In 1893. his portrait by Sargent
was hung on the wall of the club, a
gift from Booth and Barrett. After
the death Of Mr. Booth, in 1893, Mr..
Jefferson was elected president Of the
club, and has been reelected to that
office at every annual meeting since.
He presided at the memorial meet.
ing, November 13, 1898, at the Madi-
son Square Concert Hall. in this city.
in commemoration Of Edwin Booths
present Goth birthday, upon which oc.
casion ne delivered an address, intro
ducing as the speakers Of that occas-
sion Parke Goodwin, Tommasco Salvlni
Henry Irving and the poet, George E..
Woodbury.. On the founders night,
December 81, 1893, he delivered an elo-
quent address as president, recalling
the memory Of Mr.. Booth in simple
and touching words.
Mr.. Jefferson was at every Founders
Night annually until 1890. when he
was absent on account of illness; nor
was be permitted to be present on the
recurrence of that occasion. which alb
senccs were sometimes caused by Ill
health, but principally on account Of
activity in his calling.
In compensation for his absence for
the Founders Night, and in honor OF
womCl friends of "the players" he
was present and contributed to the
pleasure of Ladies' Day whenever pos
siblc. The necessity Of spending the
winter in a Southern climate had pre-
vented him from being present In the
club house, except Cor occasional brief
visita. in late years.
Joseph Jefferson was born in Phila-
delphia, February 20, 1929. and was
looked upon as the dean OF the dra-
m1tic profession in this country.