The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-03-27
End Comes Quietly in Sharp
Contrast TO Realism and
Patllos Shown iii Act
ing Death Scenes.
Hundreds Call at Home

against death, which she did not wish,
but never feared.
Hope for the life of the great
actress had long since been aban-
doned and half an hour before she
died those in attendance found her
sinking beyond recovery. though
knowing her recuperative powers. 1t
was thought she might live through
out the night.
Nine. Bernhardt died in a large
room on the second floor of her home
with windows wide open on the
Boulevard Pereire the noise of
truck and railroad keeping up low
roar to which she was long ac-
customed. 1t was the sudden clos
ing of these windows. opened on the
finest day of spring. that gave the
signal to those waiting and watching
without that Bernhard was dead.
Extreme Unction Administered.
Death was due to a renewed attack
Of uraemic poisoning, which began
Friday, but the actress astonished
her physicians by her repeated rally
ing and her will to live. just as she
did last December when hope had seV-
eral times been abandoned A priest
was summoned hurriedly in the mid
lie of the afternoon when symptoms
of the gravest nature supervened,
but Bernhardt rallied and regained
lHcidity. The priest administered
extreme unaction, which she acknow-
ledged with faint movements of the
hands and head too weak TO speak.
The widow of Edmond Rostand.
whose fame is linked with that of
Bernhardt, and the poets son,
Maurice Rostand, were al the bedside.
Bernhardts grandson, NJ. Crosse,
brought the first flowers into the
death chamber-mauye and white
lilacs. Flowers came from many
friends quickly and soon the room
was heaped with them, those from
The family and dearest friends being
placed on the bed.
Hundreds Call at Home.
The actress SON aided by the fam
ily physician. Dr.. liarot. arranged the
mothers hair and clothing and ad-
lus,ed her position on the large bed
ON which she died. facing the VIA
dows. This room is filled with an-
-fque furnitude, chosen by the actress
herself. with the walls covered with
tapestries. except where hang many
autographed photographs Of great per
sonages who were her friends.
Many hundreds Of friends persons
prominent in all walks OF He anu
others, little known. but quite as dear
to Bernhardt called during the three
days Of her last illness. but few OF
whom were permitted TO sec her.
Aside from the members Of the house
hold and her closest intimates only
Or. Marot and the other physicians
visited the sick room.
Messages Of sympathy came from
all over the world. Carriages and au-
tomobiles filed past the entrance from
morning until night: the whole world
seemed to be within the group of six
doctors hoping for recovery. but re-
gretfully realizing that great career
was ending.
Notified of Death.
Arthur Mayer, editor OF La Gautols,
Who had known Nine. Beruhardt for
many years, was the last caller; he
arrived five minutes before her DEATH
but realizing what was happening,
left without seeing her. Just as lie
departed the windows of the bed
chamber closed and moment later
Or. Marot appeared and informed the
newspaper men who had been keep
ing watch day and night;
Nine Sarah Bernhardt has Just
expired in the arms Of her son. With
her were Maurice Rostand. Mrs. I'd
fnend Rostand and her grandson,
Monsieur Crosse
Three score and one years ON the
stage did not I'LL her life; she found
time to he poet. novelist, painter and
sculptor, vet seemed never too busy
TO see her many friends AMI always
seeking something more to do.
Madam Sarah Bernhardt, who at
% years OF age seemed still girl.
vas known to every land as the
worlds greatest actress" What dis
sent there might have been to this
estimate, aad however far her detfac-
tors ventured in their attempts TO
minimize her right 10 that distinc-
lion. the numberess admirers OF the
Divine Sarah" remained convinced
that never before had the stage pro
duced an actress capable of soaring
to such heights in the realm OF emo
tional drama.
The work OF Nine. Bernhardt was
best where a theme afforded the
greatest opportunity for n display CT
her powerful emotions. At the
height Of her career this form OF act
ting, based principally on love, hate
and Jealousy. held the predominant
place now dedicated to character
dellneations and Bernhardt never was
surpassed, her critics say, In this
emotional school. Hundreds OF parts
she either rcwrote or created TO suit
herself, seldom being content TO act
them as interpreted by others.
Three generations have praised and
even worshipped the art OF Bern
hardt. and hundreds upon thousands
n people around tho world have
hrongod 10 see and marvel at her
acting without understanding the
French language. which she invari-
ably employed upon the stage. Once.
IN Rio De Janeiro, size was called DO.
lrurn To Page Four. Column one.)