Evening star., 1937-02-16
PRESTON GIBSON,
BON WANT, DIES
Playwright and Soldier, He
Was Noted Figure in
f. Eastern Society.

Preston Gibson, one-time playwright,
soldier and bon vivant, died In O vet.
erans' hospital In New York yester-
day at the age of 57-years that had
known the glamor Of wealth and fame,
and drab existence when these were
gone. He will be buried in Arlington
National Cemetery. but the date has
not been set. it was said this morning
at the War Department.
Gibson had been suffering from
uremia, and until his recent removal
to the Bronx hospital, where he died,
had been living in Q furnished room in
East Thirty eighth street and working
as an ofiicial of the National Re-
employment Service.
Preston Gibson, who was christened
william Preston johnson Gibson, was
a member Of a distinguished Southern
family. His father, Randall Lee Glib
son Of Louisiana, from whom he in
herited q million dollars, was q briga-
dier general in the Conferedate Army,
United States Senator, and. from
1882 until his death, 10 years later, was
chief agent of Paul Tulane In the
founding Of Tulane University. He
was first president Of its Board Of Ad-
ministration.
Gib6on's mother was Mary Mont
gomery Gibson. daughter of Romano
w. Montgomery. New Orleans banker,
and sister Of Mrs. Leita Montgomery
White. wife Of the late Chief Justice
Edward Douglas White.
Eloped With Field Heiress.
Gibson was educated in private
schools, at Fordham University and
Shefheld Scientific School, Yale. In
1900 he left school to elope with Miss
Minna Field. daughter Of Henry Field,
brother Of the late Marshall Field
Of Chicago.
That marriage was terminated in
1907 by divorce, as were three that
followed it.
In 1909, he married Miss Grace
McMillin Jarvis. granddaughter Of the
late Senator James McMillin OF Michi-
gan. and after their separation, he, In
1919. married Mrs. Alexander Dallas
late H. H. Rogers. Standard Oil
magnate. She obtained q divorce in
1922. and three years later. Gibson
married Miss Evelyn Harris Spaulding
Of Haverhill, Mass, daughter of
Harris w. Spaulding. She obtained
q decree in Reno In 1928.
A noted athlete in school, Gibson
ma nf tha Arcf
list in the French army when the
World War began. driving an ambu-
lance. When the United States Joined
| the allies, he got q captaincy in the
American Army. and later was q pri-
vate in the Marine Corps, where he
also won a commission. He was cited
twice for bravery at st. Quentin and
Chemin des Danes
Was Reporter Here.
In early life. Gibson was a reporter
for the Chicago Tribune and Wash
ington Post, and while on the staff
OF the latter. promoted "Gabby"
Streets spectacular feat Of catching
q ball thrown from Washington Monu-
ment. making the tosses himseh-I3
in all-before the battery partner of
Walter johnson SHARED one
In Chicago, with Hobart Chatfield-
Taylor, Arthur Adds and other
wealthy men. Gibson founded the New
Theater, for the advancement Of
American drama. and engaged Chrys-
tai Hearne as leading woman OF the
company installed there. The ven
ture ended in failure. costing its
hackers about 100000.
Gibson wrote extensively for the
stage. His Mrs. Erskine's Devo-
ton" was produced in Milwaukee in
1904, with Anne Sutherland in the
title role. He wrote Fate" "CsIpid's
Trick" and Success" His play The
Turning Point" ran for the entire sea
son Of l90s-l0 at the Hackett Theater
in New York City. His next work,
THE Vacuum" one-act play, was
produced at the Belasco Theater here,
with Charlotte Walker as the star. At
the same theater the Ben Greet Play
ers produced "Derelicts."
Other plays by Gibson included
''The Revelation" IS o g." Lola
Montez," The Missing Inventor"
Magnolia" "Adala," Treason" and
the musical comedy. "Grabbe and
Runne."
Chartered Train for Play.
When The Turning Point" was
produced first at the Hyperion The
ater at New Haven. Conn, in 1910
Gibson chartered q special train to
take several Of his friends to the
opening.
In 1919 Gibson founded "The
Marine Magazine" to commemorate
the heroic deeds of the Marine Corps.
At times he had been Q member of
the Berzelius Society Of Yale, the
National Steeplechase and Hunt Club
Of Chicago, the Yale Club, the Lambs,
the Strollers and the Players of New
York. and the Metropolitan, Chevy
Chase and Racquet and Squash Clubs
and the Playhouse Of Washington.
In the pre-war era, Gibson took
an active part in society in the East,
and was the cotillion leader at the
White House in the Taft administra-
ton.
Two of his survivors live in the
Capital AREA daughter, Mrs. Gale
Mclean, and . son, J. McM. Gibson.
Silver Spring, Md.
ART SALE TO CLOSE