Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-27
BURNHARDT DIES

CONTINUED from Page ons)
Boulevard Psreirs, the noise Of trucks
and the railroad keeping up . low
roar to which she was long accus.
toned. II was tho sudden closing Of
those windows. opened on the finest
| day Of spring. that gave the signal
to those waiting and watching with
out that Bernhard was dead.
Death was due to a renewed attack
of uraemic poisoning, which began
Friday but the actress astonished her
physicians by her repeated rallies
and her will to live, just as she did
last December. when hope had sew
eral times been abandoned. A priest
was summoned hurriedly in the mid
die of the afternoon when symptoms
of the gravest nature supervened. but
Bernhard rallied and regained lucid
| ity. The priest administered Extreme
| Unction which she acknowledged
with faith 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, Maui
rice Rostand. were at the bedside.
Bernhardt's grandson, NJ. Crosse.
brought the first flowers into the
death chamber-mauve and white Ii
laos. 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
; The actress son Maurice, aided by
| the family physician, DR.. MarOt, ar
ranged his mothers hair and clothing
and readjusted her position on the
large bed on which she died. facing
the windows. This room is filled
with antique furniture, chosen by the
actress herself. with the walls COW
cred with tapestries. except where
hang many autographed photographs
of sovereigns and great personaSes
who were her friends.
Many hundreds of friends, persons
prominent in all walks Of life and
others, little known. but quite as dear
to Bernhardt, called during the three
days Of her last illness, but few of
them were permitted to see her.
Aside from the members Of the
household and family and her closest
intimates only DR.. Marot and the
other physicians visited the SICK
room.
Messages of sympathy came from
jill Tie w Oilt dlIu IL pAli Gil l''tA - =
France friends journeyed to Paris so
they might come personally TO the
house to make inquiries and leave an
expression of their affection. Car
riages and automobiles watching
with the group of six doctors. hoping
for recovery, but regretfuliy realizing
that a great career was ending.
Three score and one years on the
stage did not fill her life: she found
time to be poet. novelist. painter and
sculptor. yet seemed never too busy
to see her many friends and always
seeking something more to do.
It is understood that Bernhard will
have q state funeral. The date has
not yet been fixed. but 1t is thought
that Thursday or Friday will be Sc
lectcd In accordance with French
custom watch was kept throughout
the night beside the body by members
of the family. and tomorrow all will
be admitted for a last view of the
artistic, who lies buried in flowers,
with candles burning.
Bernhardt suffered greatly in her
last illness. except perhaps in the
closing hours. but. ever thoughtful OF
others. she concealed her pain from
all but DR. Marot. From time to
time she became delirious and de-
claimed passages from the tragedy
"Phedre," and "L'AiSlon," her two
! greatest triumphs.