New-York tribune., 1907-08-31
MR.. MANSFIELD Is DEAD
long ILLNESS ENDED
Actor ETpres at His Summer Home
at Nezc London.

New London. Conn. Aug. 2c.-After nav
ing been in poor health since last spring,
Richard Mansfield. the actor, died at his
summer home, Seven Oaks, Ocean avenue.
this morning. The direct cause Of his death
Mas disease of the liver. aggravated by COM
Tlications. Despite the recent reports that Mr..
Mansfelds health had improved. the end was
no surprise 10 DR.. a. H. Allen. a local phys-
cicn. who had beer attending the actor since
his arrival here on August % from Saranac
Lake Three days ago there a turn for the
worse and Dr.. Mcclellan, of Pittsburg
summoned
Gathered about the bedside just before he
died We're his wife, Mrs Mansfield: his brother
Felix Mansfield; his young son, Gibbs Mans
field, and the physicians and nurses. For some
hours before his death the actor lay in state
OF coma and failed to recognize his loved ones.
When Mr Mansfield arrived here from Sara
nae Lake change for the better was apparent
He was up and around the house and showed
much of his old time yigor- His family was
much encouraged. But then came the change.
and DR.. Allen knew that the end was only a
matter of a short time
The intense nervous strain under which Mr..
Mansfield worked caused a complete break
down last spring while he was playing in
Scranton. Penn. though he had been in poor
health for some time previous. He recovered
sufficiently enable him to make voyage TO
England where he went TO recover his health.
The English climate failed to benefit the actor
and several weeks ago he returned to this
country and went TO Ampersand in the Adiron-
dacks-
The turning point of his Illness really occurred
1t Amrersand. Mr.. Mansfield accompanied by
mis- wife. his brother Felix a maid. valet and
secretary, reached Anpersand from Montreal on
a special train July IS His brother said at
the time that Mr. Mansfield had suffered
we're nervous breakdown. due TO overwork. The
actor he said. has taken vacation for several
years. and his condition was such that he would
need long rest. While at Ampersand he saw
no one except the members OF his family, and
only a few times the actor able TO leave his
cottage for short drive Even while his
brother was holding out hope for his improve
rrlent physicians were summoned from Montreal
and other places The physicians shook their
heads and would say nothing. Mr.. Mansfeld's
ai1nent told plainly on him. His sturdy
frame was withered and pinched from the loss
Of flesh. and his eyes glowed like brilliant fires
If the wan. pale face Of the actor
Mr. Mansfield bore his illness bravely. and
IN his heart the hope held high that he would
recover his health and be permitted 10 take up
again his career. If he lost heart because OF the
long illness he never betrayed it to his family
Almost at the beginning OF the year Mr. Mans
opened an engagement at the New Amsterdam
Theatre in New York on February 25- On the
farewell night of the fourth week the play was
"A Partisan Romance" This was his last ap-
pearance on any stage, and curiousiy enough
il was in the role Of Baron Chevrial, in which
he had made one of his most lasting impressions
IN New York City
On the following morning, Sunday. March "a
MI Mansfield and his company moved 10 Scran-
ton, Penn which was the first city on the itln-
erary OF a brief spring That evening in
his private car Scranton he was prostrated
with acute abdominal pains. and although ne
suffered intensely all that night and the next day
he ,xouId not consent that the Monday evenings s
performance should be cancelled until p M
and not until the next morning would ne permit
his manager to announce the cancellation OF
Tuesday evenings performance at Wilkes
Barre
AT the same time the engagements Tor the re-
raainder Of that week were cancelled although
Mr. Mansfield insisted that he would resume MS
tour the following Monday night at Baltimore
Mr Mansfield started at once for New York.
where he was attended by Dr. Lockwood. Dr.
Janeuay and other specialists. who diagnosed
his complaint as an affection OF the liver Ihey
encouraged his friends to believe that Win a
hong rest and careful nursing his health might
be restored and he might resume his career
Mr. Mansfield first came to New London years
ago as a guest at Eastern Point Edward N
Gibbs. OF Norwich banker, who was formerly
in business in New York, and a great frleno OF
the actor first introduced --r- Mansfield to this
section and the Mansfield nrst born was named
after this close friend
Directly opposite Seven Acres. the home Oh
Mr. Mansfield is a small burial plot in which
are buried the members Of the Gardner family
fror, which Mr Mansfield had purchased his
summer home Within this little Gods acre
the actors body will rest. This is at his own
request
The funeral will be Monday at the home
The coffin Will be incased in a solid steel vault
and laid away in the ground within stone
throw of his honle
The Rev DR.. Alfred Poole Grint rector OF ST
Janaes's Episcopal Church viii conduct the ser
vices.
All day long kilograms OF coincidence nave
been received from all parts OF the world