The sun., 1908-11-24
FRANK MELVILLE DROPS DEAD
FAMOUS CIRCCS MAN EMPIRES
At THE HIPPO DROME.


for . week and Had Called In TO Talk
Elephants Noted Bareback Rider
and OF 9 Family Famed In the Ring
Frank Melville. equestrian director Of
the Hippodrome and ore Of the best known
circus men in the world. died suddenly
last night in the Office OF the press de-
partment In the Hippodrome building Of
organic heart disease.
Mr.. Melville had been unable to appear
on the Hippodrome stage for the past
week. but was about town to some extent.
and last night went to the Hippodrome
to see Wells Hawks. the press representa-
tive. regarding the plans to meet a num-
ber Of new elephants which are to arrive
Oh the White Star liner George. He
reached Mr.. HAWKES. Office little before
10 O'Clock. and, finding Mr.. Hawks oc-
cupied elsewhere in the building. sat
down to wait. meanwhile talking with
Sam Bleyer, the purchasing agent for the
big playhouse.
After few minutes conversat ton Mr..
Melville stopped to pat Mr.. Hawkes.
bulldog, which was lying on the fioor.and
as he raised himself again with remark
about the dogs growing at caress
from friend toppled back in his chair.
Bleyer called John B. Fitzpatrick, the
house manager, who also is physician,
but Mr.. Melville's condition was such that
Fitzpatrick Immediately telephoned for
Or. j. W. Amey Of 1O4 West Forty-tifth
street. The director was dead when DIR.
Amey arrived. Coroners Physician
0'Hanlon gave permission for the re-
moval OF the body TO Mr.. Melvile's home
in West Forty-first street. Mr.. Melville's 8
brother George Melville. also a member
Of the Hippodrome forces, had been
taking his place for the last week and
was on the stage at the time his brother
was stricken.
Frank Melville was the most accom-
plished bareback rider the circus ever
has seen. His last appearance In this role
was in the Hippodrome show Of last season,
when with his wife he put on a high
school act. In the run OF that act the
large white horse one Of the many he him
self had trained and which won it's share
of the applause given to the act, fell and
broke it's neck at a performance. This
year Mr.. Melville has continued as eques-
trian director and as master Of oere-
monies. and for the first time has had
lines to speak; but he has done no riding
himself because Of his health.
There have been five generations Of
Melvilles in the circus business In the
civil war Frank Melville, father Of the
Hippodrome director. with his wife.
hoated a circus down the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi rivers, exhibiting first before the
Union troops and then before the Con-
fedsrates. ~
The younger Frank Melville was born
fifty-seven years ago and began riding
in circus when he was IS years old, He
was the first to do a somersault from the
ground to q galloping horse and also
invented and was the first to perform
many OF the other acts which now are
part Of the best riding exhibitions. He
had been with every important circus in
the world and had played in every country
and before many crowned heads.
He was with the Barnum d Bailey
Circus when the Hippodrome wal. opened
Ave years ago and he left the circus to
become the equestrian director Of the
new undertaking. He also had charge
OF the equestrian work at Luna Park in
the years that Fred Thompson had the
Hippodrome. giving up active work at
the seaside resort when. with the city
playhouse. he went under other manage
ment. II was Frank Melv lie who trained
most Of the horses seen In the Hippodrome.
who taught the 'plunging horses to take
the dive into the tank. and who was in
complete control Of the staging Of all
equestrian acts
He Is survived by his wife and brother.
One son died some years ago.
Mr.. Melville lived at l2i West Forty
first street. His wife has been III in bed
for some weeks. When George Melville,
the brother. hurried to her bedside last
night TO tell her OF the death Of her hus-
band she dressed, aud against the pro-
tests OF her brother-in-law and nurses
drove to the Hippodrome and took charge
OF the body.