Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-09
DEATH SUMMONS
LEADING WOMAN
ALICE TREAT HUNT SUCCUMBS
TO PNEUMONIA
Determination to Continue Work After
Long vigis with Sick Babe
Results in Fatal
Illness

Alice Treat Hunt, leading woman OF
the Belasco stock company died yes
terday morning after an illness of about
four weeks. Death resulted from heart
failure, brought on by pneumonia. In
private life Miss Hunt was Mrs. Lester
Lonergan Her husband, an actor, Is
now starring in Canada in THE Great
Divide" One son, a baby only months
old, is In Los Angeles.
The fatal termination of Miss Hunts
illness came at time when her ply
sician, Dr. r. Nichol Smith, felt most
hopeful. Sunday she seemed much inn
proved, and for the first time in a fort
night was thought to have better than
an even chance to recover. The long
siege of pneumonia, however, had
weakened the womans heart, and when
the need arose 1t did not respond to the
artificial stimulation employed
DR.. Smith had been in attendance
night and day and his success In pro
longing the life of Miss Hunt even for
a few days was considered marvellous
by those who knew in what serious
condition she was.
The beginning of the end came at 4
o'clock yesterday morning when Miss
Hunt sank into a stupor from which
she never emerged. DR.. Smith was
called at once and did everything In
his power, but at few minutes after
and 1.-The girl of the golden west
passed into that other golden country
which is neither east nor west nor
north nor south, and yet Is all four or
them.
Alice Treat Hunt came to California
primarily in search of health for her
baby. The child was i'll; seriously Ill.
On the overland train the mother
feared at one time that the little one
could not recover. Here, however, the
baby improved rapidly and today Is
seemingly as healthy boy as there is
In the city. The mother, however, paid
for her solicitude and unceasing care
with her life.
She, too, was Ill when she arrived
here, but she would not give up. In
stead she began rehearsing Immediately
the role of The Girl in THE Girl of the
Golden West" The part is long and is
particularly trying, but she managed it..
Then the play settled down for run,
and Miss Hunt found herself unable TO
take rest. In the seventh week of the
run she broke down. Pneumonia de-
veloped, and several times the ply
sicians gave up all hope for her re-
covery. Each time, however, she ral-
lied. though with indications of con-
stantly failing strength until Sunday,
when she appeared much improved.
Then came the end.
Alice treat Hunt was porn IN CleVe-
land, o. She came of a theatrical
family, her mother having been Carrie
Treat Hunt, well known to playgoers
of a generation ago. Mrs. Carrie Treat
Hunt herself died of pneumonia, the
same disease that carried off her daugh
ter, when Alice Treat Hunt was only
10 years of age.
The child was put on the stage be-
fore she was out of the nursery.
She played many juvenile parts. Upon
her mothers death, however she went
to live with her grandparents in War
rem, o., and continued there for seven
years, going to school and otherwise
preparing herself for her life's work
r"hen, at the age of II, she returned to
the footlights, the following year play
ing Madge in Jacob Lifts production
of "In Old Kentucky" This was her
first important adult role.
She married Lester Lonergan about
five years ago and with him toured the
northwest and middle west in series
of Shakespearian revivals. presenting
the Shakespearian comedies out of
doors. Soon, however, engagements Of
fered that separated husband and wife,
though each summer found them re-
united and happy in their welded life.
Funeral plans await word from Mr..
Lonergan and from Miss Hunts grand
mother, Mrs. Anna Fuller Treat both
of whom have been notified by wire Of
her death.