The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-30
RICHMOND ACTOR
AT DEATHS DOOR
James B. Gentry, Who Murdered
Madge York, Goes From
Stage to Sanatoriun.

with his body partially paraIvyoa
and his mind deranped Jarnes "a
9entry. the Richmond actor, who In
1875 shot and killed Madge York. ana
was pardoped in June, 1909. after nag.
ing spent fourteen years in prison. is
In Il sanatorium at Long Island wbera
II Is said there is little hope Of l,,t
recovery. Gentry gained lis liberty
largely through the Efforts Of FLAP"
ward. George ~ Cohan and other
old TRENDS. who have remained faith
ful through all his difficulties. When
his release was finally accomplished no
LETT Cherry Hin prison, in PennsyI-
vania. in high spirits. Though old
and much worn by his long incar.
ceration. he was fun OF enthusiasm at
the idea OF being free and or again
taking up stage life.
He WAS Immediately offered many
good engagements. and in a short
while accepted the offer from Conan
for part in the Yankee Prince" Trio
world had travelled faster than he
thought. however. and the effects uf
being unknown and forgotten became
apparent with the first rehearsal. Al
ter II was over he was found sitting
with his head In his hands complete
| ly overcome. He never regained tho
| brightness shown at the time of his
release from prison. and declined
4 steaa..y until II became necessary to
| remove him to the hospital last Sat
urday afternoon.
| Gentryts friends are still az staunch
| an before. but fear that their efforts
| have awaited little besides saving HIN
| from a death in prison.
| story of the Murder.
| The murder of Madge Yorke. whose
name OFF stage was Margaret w. Drys-
| dale took place on February II, 1895.
/ Six weeks before the murder both sho
! and Gentry, whose real name is Dona-
tello. Tor he IS OF Italian descent. had
been engaged to play in "A Baggage
Check" one of Charles L. Bianeyis
shows They were fond of each other.
bL. had bitter quarrel and Gentry
| left Madge Yorke to go out with .Jit-
lie Golfers Back Number Com
pany.
on Sunday Gentry, dominated by
his anxiety and Jealousy left his tel
low-pIayers and hurried to phtiadei.
phia, where Madge Yorke was. He
walked into the hotel room where sho
was talking with Ida Clark. another
member OF the company. Miss forke
introduced Gentry to Miss CLARK.
why did you not meet me In New
Il York to-day as you promised Gentry
!, demanded OF Miss Yorke.
II did Keep my appointment with
YOU" she replied. but you were not
there
Miss clark also said thar Miss
Yorke was in New York and arrived
i, on the train ahead OF Gentry The
actor would not believe this. lie was
in an ugly mood and reproached Miss
Yorke endlessly. He said
"Madge, won't you kiss ne?
No. she retorted. mot until you
: nave explained your conduct to me-
Gentry drew a revolver and fired
five shots. Three pierced the girls
( forehead. Gentry jumped from fire.
escape to the street and got away
without anybody intcrccpttng him,
MISS Yorke died in few minutes
: Gentry was found after two days with
\ a fractured skull and two broken ribs
: lying on a doorstep. He had not tried
e TO hide, and the Philadelphia police
e mad missed him searching in obscure
places.
rhe actor was convicted OF murder
/ and sentenced to be hanged. George
!. Conan. Felix Iseman and other theatri
h cal men worked In his behalf. and nv
s sentence was committed to life I'm
= prisonment. Conan particularly -s.t
worked to aid him.