Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-02-14
The TRAGEDY OF
owen KILDARE
Child of Sums, Then Author,
Dies q Maniac

New York, Feb 13.-Death, the twin
brother of sleep, has gently put to rest
the turbulent and disordered brain of
poor owen Kildare.
He was a genius born in the gutter,
and like many another genius found
the tasks of intellect too great for
him. His brain, in the end, gave way
and he wandered a hopeless child in
his last days, among strangers in a
strange land
Toward the last he became violent
and death was a merciful relief
There is a lesson in the life Of Owen
Kildare which is interesting.
He never knew who his parents
were. He probably came unasked
into this world, only to be deserted -
live as best he might. His childhood
was that of the average child in the
slums. He was a pickpocket, a juve-
nile crook, who would turn his child
ish fingers to any crime which came
within his scope of vision.
He grew into years, hardened, seem
ingly unredeemable He was IA
miliar figure in the police courts. He
was one of the unregenerate. He could
neither read nor write. He had no re
spect for law or man.
Then woman came into his life.
She was one Of the Lords helpful wo-
men, who see good in everything and
who work in the vineyard without hope
of reward
She exercised a wonderful influence
over Owen Kildare. He became another
man He had a quick, active brain
keyed by his irregular life to become
readily receptive He acquired an ed
ucation rapidly 1t is said that within
ia year he learned to read and write
we'll The thirst for knowledge grew
He acquired along with education a
certain polish. He worked for the
New York newspapers and his stories
OF criminal life were eagerly accepted
He knew his subjects we'll. He knew
the vernacular of the Bowery ana the
argot of thieves. 1t was the extreme
naturalness of these stories which ap-
pealed to the public and his familiarity
with police methods added a toucn
which pleased
In the end the woman who rescued
Kildare married him
His life story is faithfully told in
MY Mamie Rose" which, with the as
sistance of Arnold Daily, he adapted
for the stage. Rechristened 'Regeu-
GRAFTON" it was produced with an ele-
ment of success.
Three years ago he fell down the
steps Of the New York Tribune office
Later, from shock and an overtaxad
brain, he lost his memory. Becoming
hopelessly insane he was confined to
Manhattan State Hospital on Ward-
! Island.
Two years his wife waited. Findina
no hope for his recovery she secured 2
divorce and married Lieutenant Com.
mander Charles A. Adams of the u S
Navy
Kildare did not know. He could no
know He was living life among
kings and emperors and lords of the
universe. His fevered fancy created
many scenes and situations for him
but his earthly ties We're concealed BE-
hind that fateful curtain which sepa
rated him from his other LIE.
The last days grew dark. He be
came violent He was more of the say
age than he was in the Bowery day
when he did not hesitate to use tn
knife. The brute in him was born
again. He was once more an outcas
and this time beyond the reach of
womans influence
Death brought relief
Even after she had married, the for
mer wife and her husband thought i
the kindest way OF poor Owen Kildare
| When she received the news of hi
death she had his body brought to her
and it was her tears that wet the gray
in the end, Just as it were her tear
years ago, which caused the seed o
Kildares better self TO grow into re
deemed manhood
It is the same old story. A woman
can make or mar man.