The New York herald., 1921-05-23
A Link With the Early New York Stage
Romance and Tragedy Associated With Old St. Johns
BWying Ground, Now Hudson Park.

He was 72 when he died in January,
1923. his tombstone recorded. His last
appearance on the stage took place the
night preceding his death at the Park
Theatre. when he portrayed the charac-
ter of General Washington In the play
Of "Glory OF Columbia"
A monument occupying. a prominent
position and attracting attention from
It's pretentious appearance was erected
by It. S. Hamblin, one OF New York's
noted managers, to the memory. OF his
wife, who died in 1895 at the ago Of Fl.
The tombstone bore no date but con-
tanned this elaborate inscription:
Sacred to the memory of Naomi Vim
cent Hamblin. wife OF Thomas S. Ham,
bin. Lovely in her person. amiable In
her temper, and gifted in her mind. her
life was the Joy and blessing of all
who knew her. Taken from the en-
joyment OF every happiness In the
spring of her youth and the bloom OF
her beauty, her death will forever be
mourned by those she left behind her.
This monument Is erected by her hus-
band. TO cover her mortal remains on
earth. Her Innocent, pure. and gentle
spirit is gone to Its native home In
heaven.
Miss Vincent made her debut in New
York at the Bowery Theatre in 1892,
when she was IS, under the direction
Of the man she later married. 1t was
said Of her that she added to the youth
and beauty she possessed all the varied
accomplishments Of her sex. Like most
members of her profession in those days
she could sing as well as act, and she
became a great favorite with the pub
lie. Her performance of Juliet was con-
sldered one of the most beautiful repre-
sentations of that character the stage
had witnessed.
In 1912 there appeared upon the stage
Of the Park Theatre Miss Agnes Holman
daughter of one Of the famous actors
Of the time and q descendant OF the
Duke of Hamilton. who was "marked
with every grace OF mind and person.
In later years she ranked as the first
actress of America In high comedy and
she was the first woman to receive 5000
ance at the Park she attracted the at
tention OF a member of the orchestra
young man noted for his ability as a
musician. An attachment sprang uI
between the two. eliminating In their
marriage In 1915.
The young musician was Charles Gill
fert, destined to become the foremost
manager Of his day. rivalling Edward
Simpson, the director OF the Park, who
was called the autocrat of the theatre
in this country. Mr.. Gilfert established
the Bowery Theatre. opening that house
on the night of October IS, 1926, with
a company made UP Of the picked talent
of the stage, including his charming
wife. The play selected for the open
ing was The Road to Ruin" an .omi-
nous title for the young inpresario.
Misfortune overlook him In his new
venture. and within three years no lost
all his worldly possessions. dying OF a
broken heart, 1t was said. He was
buried in corner of St Johns cemetery
and the plain tablet marking the spot
was inscribed SACRED to the memory
Of Charles Antonio Gilfert, who de.
parted this life July 30, 1899, etat
forty-fve years. Cernit omnia Deus
vindex." (God the avenger sees every
thing)
After his death Mrs. Gilfert became
school teacher In an endeavor to earn
a livelihood. but failed in the attempt
and then turned to her old profession
as an actress. But the public had for
gotten its former favorite, misfortune
came to her and she died in utter pow
erty, being buried by charity.
Others there were Of the theatre world
laid away In the little graveyard. not
quite so famous In their lives perhaps
but they had strutted their brief hour on
the stage and had known It's failures and
successes, and when the day came and
all were equal in Gods acre friends no
doubt left them there with the WISH
'Mayest thou rest soundly and quietly
and may the light turf le easy on
thy bones"
But fate decreed otherwise. The crow.
ing city demanded that the dead make
way for the living. The graves wers
dismantled and st. Johns Burylns
Ground became thing Of the past. To-
day 1t is In crowded neighborhood
public buildings partly surround It. ce.
ment walks cover the once sacred
ground and children play among its
paths once shaded by fine old trees
Within the park stands as a memorial
OF its past character an old monument
surmounted by stone cofin, upon the
top of which are a hreman's cap, 9
torch and trumpet. In the old days
1t marked the burial place of two nre.
men who lost their lives In the per.
formance Of their duties In 1894.
CHARLES BuRNHAM.