Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-31
DEA TIL CALLS
GREATACTOR
RICHARD MANSFIELD DIES AT
SUMMER HOME
Most Prominent Man on the American
Stage Passes Away After a Long
IIInes-PubIic Led to Believe
He Would Recover
BY Associated Press.


NEW LONDON, Conn, Aug. 3O.-Rich-
ard Mansfield, the best known actor on
the American stage, passed away this
morning at his summer residence, Seven
oaks. Ocean avenue. Death was due to
disease of the liver, aggravated by conf
plications.
DR.. A. H. Allen, a local physician, who
has been in charge since Mr.. Mansfieid
arrival here from Saranac Lake, N. T.,
states that death was not entirely unex-
pected, although this fact had not been
made public.
Mr.. Manshelds health had been re-
ported as being excellent. 1t was stated
that he stood the journey well from Sar-
anac lake, and that he was able to walk
about at his home here until three days
ago. Then a 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 number of
conditions that prevented his getting
well.
During the great actors last moments
he was lying in a condition of coma and
did not recognize the loved ones at his
bedside. There were present at the time
of his death his wife, his brother Felix,
his young son, Gibbs, and the physicians
and nurse.
Mr.. Mansfield was a great sufferer
from the time he was taken Ill, but
throughout his sickness he retained his
vigorous mentality and sprightly humor.
Mr. Mansfield Is survived by his widow,
Beatrice Cameron Mansfield, who, until
the birth of their one child, George Gibbs
Mansfield, now years old, was his lead
ing woman for twelve years. He leaves
two brothers, Felix and Henry Mansfield,
and one sister. Madame Brassy of Ma
con, France
Richard Mansfield was born on the
little island of Heigoland on May "A,
1857. His mother was Madame Mansfield
Rudersdorf, a famous prima donna, and
II was from her that Mansfield inherited
his love for the arts. The actor studied
at several schools on the continent and
then went TO England to study art in
the South Kensington museum, LONDON
He painted pictures for a time, earning
a precarious living, and then took a
position as salesman in Boston store.
Returning to England he turned his tai
ents toward the stage.
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 Norris at the Stan
dard theater. In 1888 his opportunity
came when Mr.. Palmer put on The
Partisan Romance"
]. H. Stoddart was cast for the part
of Baron Chevria1 in the play. Stoddart
at the last minute declined to play the
part. with which he said he was not
in full sympathy. Mansfield, who had
been cast for 81 small part in the play,
begged permission to play the part of
the paIsied, dissolute old French noble
man. Mansfield lifted what at first
seemed a small eccentric part to one of
an all-absorbing interest. The public and
the critics forgot the play to talk of
Mansfield Baron Chevrial. and from that
day Mansfield became leading actor
on the American stage. After several
years of acting in various plays which
he carried to a degree of success by
his powerful personality he became a
star in 1887, when he appeared in prince
Karl"
The intense nervous strain under which
Richard Mansfield worked caused COM
plete breakdown last spring while he was
playing an engagement in Scranton, Pa,
though he had been in poor health for
some time. He recovered sufficiently to
enable him to make a voyage to Eng
land. The climate failed to benefit the
actor, and several weeks ago he re-
turned to this country and went to Am
persand in the Adirondacks.
Mr.. Mansfield longed to be at his sum
mer home In New London, Conn.,, and
several days ago he was taken there
In his private car.