Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-09-19
GENIUS LIFE
PAYSPENAL7Y Y
GIFTED MAN succuMBs TO THE
cHLoRoFoRM HABIT
FIGHTS FASCINATING DRUG FOUR
YEARS
Known Only by His Professional Name
cheesebro Dies with Secret OF
Strange Life on Stage,
Leaving Widow

AS William A. Cheesebro, the victim OF
chloroform, who died early yesterday,
will be buried, for by that name he was
known to every one but two Los Angeles
friends. 1t was a name assumed years
ago and used by him in his theatrical
work.
Cheesebro was Parmelee-Dohrman'
versatile window trimmer, a man VINO
was mechanical genius, gifted In the
atrical artistic and other pursuits, yet
his own worst enemy because he could
not resist the cravings of the chloroform
habit.
Four years or more ago Cheesebro was
troubled, with painful teeth and Ill ad-
visedly resorted to chloroform to quiet
pain and produce sleep.
career which doubtless would nave
been a bright one was thus cut short,
for the dead man was not far In the
twenties.
Ends Promising Career
Cheesebro's battle with the drug was
the old story of gradual then absolute
enslavement. 1t brought him rest at
first, forgetfulness and an imagery tnat
pictured fanciful experiences. The usual
relapse into despair always accompany
ing the use of these stimulants Invariably
nerved him for further doses.
Sometimes for weeks he would fight the
habit but his resistance was weaker and
weaker.
DIR. w. e. Pritchard, it-who had long
treated him, said the man mustered up
every resource he had to combat the
desire for chloroform, yet his will power
weakened constantly.
Last year when his mother died he was
able for three months to conquer the
desire for artificial stimulation, but it
was only nomentary cure
Only intimate friends knew of the ter
rible struggle which ragged in him, and
his employers w<re greatly surprised
when told yesterday that the man had
been a chronic chloroform user.
Decedent was a Native Son and for
years travelled the California circuits in
sketch work. His stage partner much of
the time was C. Benjamin.
Turns Wits Into Cash
Like most thespians there were times
when they were harassed for money.
They had to use their wits to get the
price of their room rents and meals.
1t is told of Cheesebro' that he once
struck Bakersfield after an Improbable
q ~ and resolving TO do something to
get money tried in vain to buy paint
brusNNlThe stocks had been sold out
Z ~ FtStily he hit on the device of having
MA wn rather stiff hair cut. and with
A6NAhioned a brush which in three days
Vht him in $40 for painting jobs
1 Whitfield like a master. With a
'KnIIe he could make mechanical toys OF
all kinds. A favorite plan was to make
toy coffins out of odd sticks and, carving
figure of a man for a corpse, would
paint the gruesome object in lifelike
style and sell the curio to BARRIERS, cigar
men and others.
Years ago Cheesebro is said to have had
an estra rfgement with his father who is
said to be still surviving. None of his
friends know where the old man is. 1t
is said that because of this family diff
Guilty the young man assumed a profess
sional name.
Cheesebro leaves a widow, who lives at
the old home, 1858 East Forty-seventh
l street.