New-York tribune., 1906-11-20

Well known actress. who died yesterday.
photograph by Ainae Dupont)
opened the Madison Square Theatre he asked her
TO Join his organization But Miss Cayvan de-
cined both of these offers because she feared
failure and was well content with her work as a
public reader, in which she at that time hoped
to achieve distinction.
Miss Cayvan continued to read and recite in
New England until she twenty-one. when
she received a third offer. this time in comic
opera. Either she had overcome her fears or
the opportunity especially appealed to her, for
she accepted the offer and appeared for the
first time the stage Hebe, in H NJ S.
Ptnafore," with the Boston Ideals, at the Bos-
ton Theatre. April ID, 1879. She sang and
acted the part very creditably. and Immediately
after the short engagement she made her first
appearance on the dramatic stage, at the same
theatre. as Sally scrags. in Sketches IN India"
This appearance took place on May 10, 1879.
During the summer of 1879 Steele Mackaye
again offered Miss Cayvan a position. and hav-
ing gained courage, she accepted It On May I,
1880 she made her New York debut at the
Madison Square Dolly Dutton in Hazel
Kirke," taking the place of Gabrielle Du Saudi.
The next season she was promoted to the title
role in the New York company, while Efie
EIlsler, who had formerly played the part. went
out with the road company. When 1.-THE Pro-
fessor' was produced at the Madison Square
Garden in June. 1881, Miss Cayvan created the
part Of Daisy Brown.
Later in 1881 Miss Cayvan achieved a notable
success, and one that spread her fame abroad.
by acting Jocaste in the Greek tragedy "Q1dipus
Tyrannus when 1t was produced by George Rid
die at the Globe Theatre. Boston. The part re-
Quired, Of course, totally different style of act
ing from that which she was accustomed to, and
Miss Cayvan demonstrated her scholarly attain
ments by playing it in a classic yet appealing
fashion that completely won the admiration of
the critics Long accounts Of the performance,
and particularly of her impersonation, were
printed in leading Journals OF America and in
consequence Miss Cayvan's name became widely
known and her reputation actress firmly
established. The Greek play was afterward put
on at Booths Theatre
The following season Miss Cayvan originated
the part of Lisa in The White Slave" when it
was produced at the Fourteenth Street Theatre
Later She was the original Lura in THE Ro-
many Rye" in America. For one season she
played with the Haverly company at the Cali
fornia Theatre, San Francisco, where she ap-
peared in the leading feminine parts In a series
Of BARLEY Campbell's plays. Upon her return
TO New York she replaced Sarah Jewett at the
Union Square Theatre, as Marcelle in "A Pa
Long Strike"
Upon A. NJ. Palmers retirement from the
Union Square, Miss Cayvan returned to the
Madison Square Theatre where she played the
title role in May Blossom" Then she starred
for time in La Belle Russe.' and afterward
originated the role OF Hattie, in "Old Ship
mates" at the Fourteenth Street Theatre.
In 1887 Miss Cayvan was engaged nv DsnieI
Frohman leading woman of the Lyceum
Theatre company. In that position she created
the parts of Helen Truman in The Wife" Min
IN THE Charity Ball" Lady Harding in ''The
Idler." Zepher Elaine IN Nerves" Camilla Brent
Squire Kate" Florence Winthrop In "Ameri-
cans Abroad" and Lady Moline in 1.-THE ANA
IONS"
During the long period of her engagement with
Daniel Frohman's companies. both in New York
and on the road, Miss Cayvan reached the zenith
OF her career. She was admired respected and
loved by playgoers throughout the country. Her
home was meeting place for and women
distinguished in the arts and Sciences She had
many loyal friends at that time. and no enemies
But In 1894 in the midst of her greatest sue
cess, Illness came upon her. She went TO Japan
In search OF health. then to France the same
mission For nearly two years she pursued her
quest, and finally Obliged TO submit to a
surgical operation TO remove a turnor After
that her health improved rapidly, and she
seemed better and stronger than ever before.
But II is believed that the after effects of the
operation We're really the cause of her last Ill
ness.
In the autumn of 1896 Miss Cayvan feeling
herself to be in perfect health, re-entered her
profession as a star at the head Of her own
company. She obtained Mary Pennington.
Spinster," by w r. Wakes; Goblin Castle" by
Elizabeth Bisand, and had a new version made
of Squire Kate" Her company included George
Wnifred McCaul, Louise Palmer, Lionel Barry
more Arthur Brown. and Frank Atherly. But
the venture did not meet with success. Miss
Cayvan redoubled her efforts, taxing her
strength sadly the failure of the enterprise
became more and more apparent
Finally. discouraged and broken completely in
health she retired from the profession of which
she had been a prominent member for nearly
twenty years.
of the time at her home. at No 351 West l22d
street and part Of the time with her sister at
dorchester, Mass. She severed herself COM
nIetelv from her old life and from her old ac-
anaintances Suffering terribly from nervous
Trostratfon, she became more and more melan-
rboIv II during this time that the bitter
eet experience OF her life fell upon her she was
crueIIv and unjustly named as correspondent
in sensational divorce case. Miss Cayvan
took the matter into the courts ana was COM
lpo P!,,, evonerated The result OF her action
r,oe that a new law was passed in this state for
tbe nrotection OF those whose characters may be
assailed in similar ctrouns tances