Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-04-09
CLAIMS
NINE. HELENA
M0OJESKA
REMARKABLE CAREER
OF FAMOUS ACTRESS
OF Aristocratic Birth and Driven
to Seek Livehood by Tragic
Death of Husband, Her Sue
cess Was Phenomenal.



fBy Morning journal Special Leased Wirel
Los Angeles, April S.-Madame
Helena Modieska, the famous Polish
traeedienne and American actress
died at 10 o'clock this morning at he
island home. Bay City. age sixty-fiy"
years, after an illness of two months
Death had been hourly expected
Bright's disease, complicated with
hcart trouble. was the cause. At her
side was Count Bozenta, her husband
lRalph Modieska, her son, and his
ife. Members Of the family had
been at her side for months. The
hoalth of Modjeslla was as usual until
two months ago, when she fell H..
Madame Helena Modjeska, the
Countess Bozcnta Chlapowsti, wa
born in Cracow, Austrian Poland, OF
October II. 1S44 Her father was a
Polish patriot named Benda, q mar
OF great refinement Of character ano
education and musician Of abiliiy
He died while Helena was yet ,hild
leaving the family on moderate cir.
cdmstances.
Al an early age Helena gave ev-
cry evidence Of singular intensity
Of feeling
The stage career OF Modieslla begar
ir the small, but historic town of Bo-
ehinia She was still in her teens
when she went to Bochnia and there
soon after her arrival she married NJ
Modrzej ejewska A son was born to the
couple. the same Ralph Modieska who
FASTENED recently from Chicago at the
news Of his mothers illness. soon af-
ter his birth. the husband and father
vas killed in catastroshe at b..
chiniaH
1t was Immediately following thi.
disaster that the widow organized q
theatrical company to give perform.
ances throughout the district, the pro-
ceeds 10 be given to the widows ami
orphans of the men who were killed
The play. "The White Camclia," was
a success from the start ana the au-
thor of the play. attracted by Mod
esSas remarkable acting, used his in.
fluence to start her in theatrical work
in larger field.
The success of Modicska on the
stage In Polnnd was immediate Sh,
vas received with acclaim wheneVe'
she appeared.
Madame Modjeska in 1865 married
Charles Chlapowski, the Count Bozen-
ia. a man of aristocratic birth and .
journalist of wide reputation. Count
Bozenta offended the Russian govern
ment with his writings in 1876 and 20
unpleasant was it made for him. that
in company with other gentlemen o.
family. came to the United States ana
with them founded a Utopian colony
near Anaheim in southern California
The count took to mining in SilXcrado
CANYON and there he built the beau-
nfuI home called "Arden," where
much of the life of Madame Modjeska
was spent
The colony failed and Madame Mod
icslta in need Of funds. turned to tn"
American stage She made applica.
tion to John Mccullough, who was
manager of the California theater in
san Francisco and was given place
first appearance on an American stage
was at the California It was at this
time that her name was simplificd to
"Modjcska" by Barton Hill
Modjcska toured the United States
with great success and in March,
1850. went 70 London and appeared
at the Court theater under the man
agcment of Wilson Barrett. achieving
great success
Modieska returned to the United
states in 1852. and since that time
her home has been in southern Cali
fornia, though she has toured the
country on several years. Some years
ago. however. throat trouble COM
PEELED her TO give up the stage for
ever Her last appearance was in the
character of Lady Macbeth. at bene-
fit performance in this city for the
Italian earthquake sufferers about
three months ago. In an she played
more than two hundred characters.
The body Of the actress will be en-
balmed and taken 10 Los Angeles,
where it will lie in vault for some
time.
Latcr Count Bozenta will take the
remains 10 Cracow. Poland. the early
home OF ModiesiSa. and there they will
be Inferred. No arrangements for any
public funeral services have yet been
made
Count Bozenta. husband Of Mod
ieska talked before her death Of the
reasons for the coming of himself and
Modjeska. with others. from Poland.
in 1875. Because of his political
writings he was cxiled from Poland
and Madame Modiesha WAS by imperi-
.al ukase debarred from the Polish
stage.
Following the publication OF the
statements made in paper read hy
ModJeska at the Worlds fair IN Chi
cago. which statements had 90 do with
Russian-Polish politics and the for
mer ukase of the czar. "a further or
der was issued barring Modjcska from
Russian possessions. 10 is believed by