Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-23

bers of persons sought to gain en-
trance to his suite to wish him good
luck in his fight, but even his closest
friends We're barred by the special
guard set at the door. Aside from s.
George Ullman, his manager. who ac
companied him to the hospital, no
one but the doctors and nurses was
admitted to the sickroom, until last
night when Joseph Schenck. head of
the United Artists Film Corporation.
was admitted for a brief farewell
visit.
Gifts ranging from flowers to
holy water and religious relics were
sent him by hundreds of persons from
all over the country. The only state
ment made by the actor after he
went to the hospital was one OF
thanks for the sympathy of his adj
mirers.
Former Wives Solicitors.
During his illness both of Nalen-
tino's former WiveS-Jean Acher'
screen actress. and Winifred Hudnut
fNatacha Ramhova) a dancer-were
especially solicitous as to his condi-
ton. and Pola Negri, film star. to
whom he had been reported engaged,
called frequently by telephone from
Los Angeles.
Although the screen stars latest
visit to New York was to end In
tragedy. his arrival here was
marked by countrywide amusement
occasioned by a Chicago editorial to
which Valentino took angry eXcep-
ton. While passing through Chicago
on his way here the actor read an
editorial in the Chicago Tribune
which linked his name with the use
of pink powder puffs by men and
which he interpreted as casting as
pensions on his manhood.
He immediately. in letter to the
newspaper, challenged the anonymous
editorial writer to a duel, american
fashion" fists to replace the rapier.
ON arriving in New York he gave IN.
terviews in which he told in detali
about his pugilistic intentions II ne
could ever establish the identity OF
tho "nowder puff editorial writer.
Tbe name of the writer was not re
yaaled however, and the duel failed
to materialize.
Priest at His Bedside.
The cause of his death was given
as semitic endoca rditiS, resulting from
the double operation. H.,
At the actors bedside When ne oieu
,rere George s. J-llman, his manager:
Rev. Edward F. Leonard. rector VI
the Chanel. of st. Malachi. ana DTS
Harold d. Meeker, Paul r. durham
and G. Randolph Manning, his at
tending physicians.> o,,,,
LAST rites of the Catholic Church
had been administered at ~ cio.N
nv Rev. Joseph NJ. Cangedo or the
church of the Sacred Hearts OF Jesus
and Mary. who is from the smail town
in italy where Valentino was porn anu
spent his boyhood. 1,.
Father Leonard had hearo naLen-
t;ro's confession and had granted him
ahsolution yesterday When MS coiiui-
tinn took turn for the worse.
He passed peacefully said DR.
,.oelter che didn't know he was golns.
His last words which any OF us coudo
understand were spoken TO me at o'o'
This morning. when he turned 10 me
cheerily and said: o+o,.
.Doctor. do YOU know the greatest
thing. I am looking forward to!
What is it, l asked.
..Valentino smiled. ana salo' am
looking forward to going nshins WIN
YOU next month. nope you I'D
H, ru If itching rods. Mine are in
California.
Did Not Expect Death.
Valentino did not know he was
a,.;ng according to Mr.. Ullman. and
had confidently assured his manager
that he would he back in his hotel
suite in few days.
As Valentines life slowly ebbed,
men women and children gathered IN
the street outside the hospital in such
numbers that the hospital authorities
had to ask the police to dispense them:
Telephone operators in the hospltal
were besieged with an endless series
of telephone calls concerning the
actors condition. kilograms express
ing sympathy poured into the nos
pital after his death.
Movie World Shocked.
The movie world was profoundly
shocked at the news of the death of
Rudolph Valentino today and trib-
utes to him poured in from all quar-
tiers.
Gloria Swanson said:
"He was a real artist. a charming
gentleman. a true sportsman and
good friend. Both the motion picture
industry and the public have suf-
fered great loss.
Mai. Edward Bowes, vice president
of the Metro-Goldwyn Corporation,
paid this tribute:
"lie was a hard. honest and sincere
worker in his profession. and. as l
happen to know personally, clean
living man. lie gave the best that
was in him to his work and appreci-
ated fully the responsibility which
went with the high esteem in which
he was held by the movie public. He
will long be remembered and respect
ed for the high standards which he
has set in his chosen profession"
Joseph NJ. Sehenck, chairman of
the board OF directors of the United
Artists Co. and Hiram. Abrams,
speaking for that organization, issued
a joint statement saying:
We are greatly grieved and shock
ed at the great loss. Every one hoped
for the best, especially since the boy
had waged so great a fight against
the huge odds. The loss is a great