New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-17
kIRKE Id SHELLE DEAD.
Vel Knozcn PIay1orght and Man
ager Killed by Injury to Leg.

Kirke La Shclle the well known theatrical man
ager, playwright and author died at his home az
Bellport. Long Island, yesterday morning. He had
oeen III for several weeks and had been confined 10
his bed for fortnight, suffering from phlebItis re-
sultng directly from strain TO his leg. While his
friends knew that Mr.. La ShelIe was seriously i'll
none expected his death. He had been attended by
DR.. William Tod Helmuth of this city. and Dr.
Terry, of Patchogue. during the final week of his
Illness, and TO last Friday had seemed in fair
way toward recovery. Mr.. La Shelle leaves a wild
ow and two children-a girl OF eight years and
boy of four They were all present at the time Of
his death. as was his lifelong friend. Ray Brown,
the artist funeral for the family and intimate
friends will take place at his home at BeIlport on
Thursday at noon
The death of Mr. La shelle. following so closely
on that of Mr. Shubert and being almost as IN
expected. caused a great shock to the theatrical
world Mr.. La Shele in many ways n
usual figure among managers, and he was one OF
the most successful of the younger men. He had
risen from humble beginnings in life many
other managers have. but it was not 80 much bust
ness ability as native talent and cleverness in the
literary field which elevated him. He was one Of
that remarkable group of Chicago newspaper men
which included the Field brothers. George AIDE.
Feter Dunno Harry B. Smith and several more,
and these men he always numbered as his friends.
Mr.. La Shelle was born in Wyoming, Ill, in
1861 His family were OF French Huguenot extrac-
ton, and came West from Maryland. After
common school education he had to shift for him
self, and became a typesetter He drifted into Chi
cago and entered the composing room of The
transferred to the editorial department. and this
was done, his salary being cut SIS a week. He
soon rose 10 De city. then managing editor, and
matte and literary editor He left that paper TO
manage Mr.. WIZARDS first American tour, and
from that position became manager of the BOs-
tonians. Ihese ventures launched him into the
atrical life, and he next appeared as producer
with Arthur Clark. of The Wizard Of the Nile
Daniels made a great hit in this piece and Mr.
La Shelles fortunes were made. He had little but
success atterWard He put The Princess Chic
writing most of the lbretto himself and in 1897
put on Arizona This play had been turned
down by all the leading managers, and Mr.
Thomas, the author, and Mr.. La SheIIe alone pre-
uISteu me sISdl success II atterWard attained.
Since that date Mr.. La Shele has managed The
bonnie Brlar Bush. with J. H Stoddart as the
star; he put on The Ear! of PawtUcket' with
DOrsay as the star when nobody else would, he
put on 'Cneckers which several big managers
had refused; he dramatized. with the author THE
The Heir to the Hoorah." which Several rnan-
ayers had refused, perhaps in this case Justly
I9r II Is salG Mr. La Shele personally wrote much
cess with plays which other managers have re-
Lqsed, ana no other man on Broadway had quite
ms reputation for picking a winner
Mr.. La Shelle recently declared that he u,as
1oOut ready 10 give up active work and retire 10
i've most Of the year in Italy.
on Long Island it is doubtful If he inte1da5 to
desert America for good. He had no partner in
ms BUSINESS not even general manager Every
thIhs was done in person. The managers If his
separate ATTRACTIONS all received interests in he
PLAYS last ran put nothing amount to real
sharing OF the business. Therefore there l. r,rCb
business. Mrs La Shele is undoubtedly left in
fract 1Uie C[cutlstanSeS, so when present con-
Shelle will disappear from the field NeaT1rriIa
DaIueI " Arthur, his associate in The Education
on MT. f,Ipp'' may manage his interests for the
WIDOW; Mrs La Shelle was Miss Maize Nodine
OF Chicago e'