Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-31
Americas Foremost Actor
Dies at New London.
Relatives Surround Death Bed
Of Dying Thespian.
Mansfield Rose From Poverty TO
AffIuencs by Genius.

New London, Conn, Aug. 30.-Ricf-
ard Mansfield, the greatest exponent OF
Snakespearean drama in this country.
and one of the best known actors on
the American stage, passed away this
morning at his summer residence, Sew
On Oaks. Ocean avenue. Death was di-
rectly due to disease of the liver, ag-
gravated by complications. DIR. A. II.
Allen, 4 local physician, who has been
in charge since Mr.. Mansfield's arrival
here from Saranac Lake. states that
death was not entirely unexpected. al
though this fact had not been made
public Mr.. Mansfield's condition had
been reported as being excellent.
1t was stated that he stood the jour-
ney we'll from Saranac Lake and that
he was up and around his home here
until three days ago Then turn for
the worse set in and Mr.. Mansfield was
confined to his room. On Thursday DR..
Mcclellan of Pittsburg. was summoned.
DR.. Allen said today that he had feared
the worst for several days. There were
quire a number Of conditions that pre-
vented his getting well. During the
great actors last moments. he was iy-
ing in Il condition of coma and did not
recognize the loved ones at his bedside.
There were present at the time Of his
death. his wife, Mrs Mansfield, his
brother. Felix Mansfield his young son.
Gibbs Mansfield, and the physicians and
nurses
The body was given in charge of an
undertaken and will be prepared for
burial
Richard Mansfield was born on the
little island of Heligoland on May "A.
1851. His mother was Nine. Mansfield
Rudersdorf, n famous prima donna and
it was from her that Mansfield inher-
tied his love for the arts. The actor
studied at several schools on the con-
tinent and then went to England to
study art in the South Kensington.
London. The young artist made pre-
curious living painting pictures and
many times his only meal in those
early days in London was a hot potato
bought from n street .peddler.-
Il used to hold the potato to warm
my hands," said Mansfield in relating
his experiences, land then eat it, The
struggle for a livelihood proved dis
couragng to Mansfield and he came to
Boston where for time he entered a
business life as q salesman in dry
goods house. Commercial life was not
congenial TO the temperament of the
Young man and he returned to Eng
land He then turned his talents toward
the stage.
AS singer and comedian he Joined
a Strolling company at a salary of SIS
2 week. Even in those early days of his
stage career he displayed the charac-
teristics and mannerisns which marked
his work and stamped it as his own
many years after. Mansfield turned his
whole artistic bent to the study of the
stage and waited for an opportunity to
show what he could do. Several years
were spent playing small parts in tours
of the English provinces and then
Mansfield came to this country, where
his first appearance was made in Les
ManteauX Noirs at the Standard The
atre. Later he played the part of Nick
Nedder in Rip Van Wrinkle. Mansfield's
genius had so far failed to make itself
manifest TO his associates but in 1888
his opportunity came when A. NJ. Palm
er put on the Partisan Romance" ].
n Stoddart was cast for the part Of
Baron Chevrial in the play. Stoddart at
the last minute declined to play tho
part, with which he said he was not in
full! sympathy.
CONTINUED on Page Five.)