Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-10-14
Sir Henry Irving Seized With
Fatal Illness at Bradford,
England
NO WARNING or THE END
Demise Occurred at Hotel to Which
He Had Retired After Playing in the
Title Role In His Own Adaptation of
4 Tennyson's "Hecket'-Netsd Actor
Did Much to Elevate the Stage.

London, Oct. 14.-The English
Fspealsing world has suffered an ire
Daraole loss by the sudden death last
Night Of Sir Henry Irving, who was
universally regarded as the most rep
tesentative English actor Of contem-
Dorary time.
Sir Henry died literally in harness.
Ne was giving a series of farewell
performances in the English provinces
and this week was playing an engage
ment at Bradford, appearing In several
favt'rite roles. Thursday he presented
king Rene's Daughter" and The
Bells" and seemed to be in excellent
health, taking the exhausting part of
Matthews in the latter play with all
the vigor Of youth. Last night before
IN enthusiastic audience he portrayed
one Of the most Enthusiastically in
tellsctual parts, in the title role in his
own stage adaptation of Lord Tenny-
sons Beckett" with marked success.
After the performance, Sir Henry
returned to his hotel, reaching his
rooms at 1880 o'clock, when it was
observed that he was In great pain.
PHYSICIANS were Immediately sum-
moned, but before they could arrive Sir
Henry was seized with an attack Of
syTicope and expired within a few min
utes without having uttered word,
In the presence Of Bran Stoker, who
hal been his immediate manager for
many years, and few other intimate
friends. The event caused the great
Act} ~, cfo INF
members of the company.
THE Associated Press received the
following telegram from Mr.. Stoker:
Very terrible news. Sir Henry Irv-
ing had an attack Of syncope after re-
turning from the theater to the hotel
tonight, and died suddenly"
Heart Was in the Work.
To the last moment Of his life Sir
Henry Irving's heart was in the work
to which he had devoted his career -
the raising OF the standard of his art.
ON Wednesday he was entertained at
luncheon in the Bradford town hail,
at which the mayor presented him with
aia address from his admirers.
In replying to the address, Sir Henry
SPOKE Of himself as one, the sands OF
whose life were fast running out, but
nj, one then present had the slightest
idea that the end would come SO soon.
He proceeded in his reply to eloquently
advocate the establishment of theaters
b,y municipalities. because" he said.
I'll. believe that by this. means the
Standard OF the tfMe drama as distin-
guished from miscellaneous enter
t,linments, would be successfully up-
held.
Money is, spent like water for all
kinds of philaa1thropic and educational
objects" he continued, 'but who
smong you ever dreams OF endowing
the theater? am sure the time will
come when you will regard the theater
us necessary to liberal education and
lie prepared to consider any reasonable
suggestions for the extension of Its
legitimate influence. 1t may be that In
years to come, our countrymen will
,,carcely understand in our times so
potent an instrument of good or i'll as
the stage, was left entirely outside the
sphere Of public administration"
Sir Henrys last appearances in Lon
don were made last summer following
his serious illness; when the enthusi-
asln at the nightly receptions accorded
him in the historic Drury Lane theater
will long be remembered Since then
he has been engaged in touring the
provinces and contemplated another
visit to the United States.