New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-06
EDWARD GILMORE DEAD
Noted Theatrical Manager pictim
of PeritOnitis- His Career.

With the death yesterday morning Of Edward g.
Gilmore, senior member Of the firm of Gilmore &
Tompkins, owners and managers of the Academy
OF Music, another OF the old guard OF theatrical
managers removed from the busy stage MI
Gilmore had been ailing for more than year but
attended to his business every day, and on Satur-
day last was at the famous old playhouse in 18th
street for several hours The end yesterday
morning at II O'Clock at his home No IS Irving
Place
The cause of his death peritonitis. month
ago he was operated upon and IT was thought that
he had improved. On Saturday, after returning
from the theatre, he was very weak and went 70
bed. His condition became more alarming as the
hours went by. and Sunday night 1t was known
that the emo was far distant Only his wife
end few intimate friends were present when he
breathed his last
Mr.. Gilmore was sixty-nine when he died. His
varied and interesting career. He was a
handsome man. digniied and full of energy He
was known from end of New York TO the
other. and commanded u host Of friends Born
in Monson, Hampden County Mass. he came 10
this city at the age of fifteen 1t is said that he
penness. Finding nothing else TO do. he took
the job Of a bartender at the Metropolitan Hotel
then mana ged by the LeIands Forrest the tragedan.
was playing an engagement at NibIO's. which was
that hosiery. He became acquainted with
that great actor and inclined the business Of the
theatre.
Before engaging in theatrical enterprises he be-
came famous along Broadway, and especially among
the pOneiDdLS or those Gays, as an expert LHlASA
Of drinks At time he the purchasing
agent for the old Windsor Hotel, in which capacity.
because of his thorough knowledge of liquors. he
was said to have received unusually hattering
salary
He actively engaged in theatrical enterprises
for about thirty years. He began his career as
manager of the Theatre Confque. No. ga Broad
way During the period of his management he be-
came active in politics and was. two years later.
appointed Superintendent of Streets. He occupied
that office four years. In the spring of 1870 he
bought from P. T. Bar1um unexpired lease Of
six months of a railroad station at Fourth avenue
aud 9th street upon which site stands the
Madison Square Garden Barnum had converted
the old station into variety place OF amusement
called the Hippodrome. Gilmore spent a large sum
or money IN altering it. and 1t gained fame as
GTilmore's Garden 1t there he introduced to
the public the famous bandmaster Patrick Sars-
field Gilmore. The bandmaster relative
of Ed Gilmore but the friendship begun then
was kept until the death Of that popular musician
Theodore Thomas and his orchestra followed the
bandmaster, and OfenOach gave series Of pOpu-
lar concerts that were prosperous.
The enterprise was successful Mr. Gilmore said
that he made $4,000 a year during that period The
lease was extended from time to time. until Coney
Island began to attract the multitude. In the
latter part of 1877 Mr.. Gilmore closed his amuse-
ment palace
His next venture was the lease Of NiblO's Garden
which managed by Jarrett s. Palmer During
his management it became one of the most pOpu-
lar places OF amusement in the city and proved
to be a good investment. Gilmore brought
the famous KiraIfy Brothers here. and under
their supervision presented spectacle called En-
chantment." He retained the management of that
pla yhouse during the regime of the Kiralfys and
was their financial support He was likewise in
terested in the old Madison Square Theatre and
in the minstrel organization headed by Jack
HaverIy.
In 1888 he made the most successful venture Of
his career. In that year he and Eugene Tompkins
bought the Academy OF Music. which. without
doubt is among the most profitable playhouses in
this country They paid S35O0OO for it. and month
later they had an offer of $1,000 over and above
their investment. but declined To sell The popu-
lar domestic drama of The Old Homestead was
produced under Mr.. Gilunores management In
one year out OF the profits of The Old Homestead
Gilmore & Tompkns paid of S135,000 of the origt-
nal cost of the Academy Of Music.
Mr. Gilmore actively opposed to the So
called syndicate. but eventually he and the lead
ing producing mana gers reached agreement and
for several years there has been presented at the
Academy OF Music the notably successful produc-
tions Of the Messrs. Klaw Erlanger, Charles and
Daniel Frchman the Messrs- Shubert David Be
Iasco and William A Brady. Julia Marlowe, E H
sothern. Mrs Ffske. Mrs Carter and other we'll
known players have played successful engagements
Schwartz daughter Of a portrait painter At the
time Of her marriage % the theatrical manager. IN
1855 she had acquired some fame as a contralto
in the choir OF the Fifth Avenue BAPTIST Church
Their home life exceptionally pleasant