The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-30
ADMIRED BIZ CLEVELAND.
Actor and The Ex-President Were
Devoted Friends.
baltimore Sun Corr


Greenwich. Mass. April 23.-The
intimacy between Mr.. jefferson and
former President Grover Cleveland,
was one of long standing, and for
many years they had been devoted
friends. The summer homes of the
actor and of the statesman were both
on Buzzards bay, in Massachusetts,
and here it was that they were ac-
customed to spend much time togeth-
er. The fact that both men We're en-
thusiastic fishermen served to strength
en- the bond of their friendship, but
there We're many other reasons for the
strong liking that existed between
them. Mr.. Jefferson was an ardent
admirar of the eX-President, and Mr..
Cleveland held a profound admiration
for the actor whom death has re-
moved.
When seen by your correspondent
here tonight Mr.. Cleveland said:
For fifteen years 1 had known
Joseph Jefferson intimately. Our ac-
quaintance was first formed in Massa-
chusetts at Gray Gables, near where
he had a beautiful place and where
for many years he had been accus-
toned to spend his summers. Our
places on the bay are about a mile
apart on a straight line, and during
the summer seasons we were much
together. 1t was at his home there,
think, that / first shook him by the
hand, and our intimacy had existed
since then. His friendship was one
which | greatly valued, and there lived
no more entertaining and delightful
companion than he. Our tastes and
inclinationS were congenial and many
of our recreations and pastimes were
identical. He was sas fond of fishing
as / am, having enthusiasm as we'll as
experiences. A more congenial COM
panion upon a fishing expedition or
any other kind of journey could not
be imagined, and we had many enjoy
able trips together.
Those who were among Mr.. JEFF
fersons personal friends know that in
private life>he was as entertaining and
charming as he was on the stage, and
that he possessed to a marked de-
gree the beautiful traits of character
and mind which he so often and SO
we'll depicted as an actor. He was
Whole-Souled. generous and unseltish
friend an actor of rare talent, a true
sportsman and a man whose active
and vigorous mind was stored with
much treasure
He had visited my home in Prince
ton, but it was during the summer
months that we were most together.
After his winters work was over it
was his custom to go to mis- MaSsa-
chuSettS place for enjoyment and rest.
Fishing and painting and gardening
were his principal occupations, and no
man could enjoy himself more thor
oughly than he in doing these things.
Next to fishing l believe jefferson liked
to paint pictures more than he did
anything else, and he was thoroughly
happy and at home with q rod and
line or with his easel and paint brush.
He was also an enthusiastic gardener
and loved, to dig in the ground.
I'm recent years he had formed the
habit of going to Palm Beach for a
brief rest at the conclusion of his tour
and before going to BuZzardS bay.
From there he would go upon short
fishing trips end get himself into shape
for the summer. The last time | saw
Mr.. Jefferson was in August at his
summer home AT that time he was
in poor health, but it was thought to
be only a temporary indisposition, and
he expected to be as we'll as ever in
short time. The truth is it was the
beginning of his last illness
His acting has always been de-
light TO me, and too much cannot be
said in praise of his work on the stage.
His sunny disposition and kind heart
were of a rare order, and whatever
Of fame and fortune came to him in
life was richly deserved. AS a story
teller he was irimitable, and there was
about his humor a rare quality and
dryness. Few will miss him more
than it, +. r. *.