The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-10-21
HENRY IRVING DIES
DISTINGUISHED ACTOR PASSED
AWAY AT BRADFORD, ENGLAND.
English Speaking Stage Suffers Great
Loss by His Death-Foremost Actor
Of His Time-Famlly Desires Fun
eral Arrangements to Be Simple as
Possible.

The English speaking world has SUI
fered an irreparable loss by the sud
den death recently of Sir Henry Irving
who was universally regarded as the
most representative English actor of
contemporary times.
Sir henry died literally In harness.
He was giving a series Of farewell per-
formanees in the English provinces,
and last week was playing an engage
ment at Bradford, appearing in several
favorite. roles.
After the performance Friday night
Sir Henry returned to the hotel. reach
ing his rooms at IL: 80 O'Clock. when il
was observed that he was in great
pain. Physicians were Immediately
summoned. but before they could ar
rive Sir Henry was seized with an at
tack OF syncope and expired within
a few minutes, without having uttered
a word. in the presence OF Bran Stock
er. who had been his immediate man
ager for many years. and q few other
intimate friends. The event caused
among the members Of the company.
Believed in Municipal Theater.
To the last moment of his life Sir
Henry IrTing'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 hall, at
which the mayor presented him an ad-
dress from his admirers.
In replying to the address. Sir Henry
spoke Of himself as one the sands OF
whose life we're fast running out, but
not one Of those present had the slight
est idea that the end would come so
soon. He proceeded in his reply to elo-
quently advocate the establishment Of
theaters by municipalities, because, /"
he said, Il believe that by this means
the standard OF the true drama, as
distinguished from miscellaneous en-
tertainments would be successfully up
held.
Money is spent like water for all
kinds OF philanthropic educational OBJ
jects." he continued. but who among
you ever dream Of endoWing the the
ater? am sure the time when you
will regard the theater as necessary 70
a liberal education and be prepared TO
consider any reasonable suggestions
for the extension OF its legitimate In
Ruence Is not far distant Il may be
that in years to come our countrymen
will scarcely understand how In our
times so potent an instrument for good
or III as the stage was left entirely out
side the sphere OF public administra-
ton"
Sir Henry's last appearance in Lon
don was made last summer. following
his serious illness, when the enthusi- !
asm at the nightly runs accorded him |
in the historic Drury Lane theater will |
long be remembered. Since then he
has been engaged in touring the prov
inces and contemplated another visit |
TO the United States.
Seldom has the death OF q public |
man in England called out such a uni |
verssl expression OF sorrow as has
followed the trigically sudden demise !
OF Sir Henry Irving Al Brandford. Ap-
precautions, histories Of his career and |
stories Of his many sided activities I'LL |
the newspapers.
His last words on the stage as the |
curtain was rung down on the death |
OF Beckett, Into Thy hands, D Lord, |
into Thy hands" were the last he ut |
tered. as he never spoke after his col |
lapse in the hall Of the hotel where |
he died.