DEATH OF THE AMERICAN CHAMPION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 65

DEATH OF THE AMERICAN CHAMPION.

It will come as it great shook to r> layers in this Dominion to learn that Charles Francis Barker is dead. He passed away on July 5. at Boston, death resulting, from gastritis. For the past few weeks we have endeavoured to find toohi for mention of the then pending match between Barker and Banka for the American championship and c, putge of lOOOdol. but it was crushed out. Details were practically completed a while ago, so that Barker's illness oould not have been of ' lon«r duration. Barker was born in Boston - on March 11. 1858, and was thus in his 51st' year. . He was a striking figure in - his ** younger time, and evoked much admiration, both by the confidence he nad in his oro' powers, as Well as his style of play and generalship, when pitted aeainst the* oldest and most experienced match players which the world could produce. He twice visited England, and he made many friends and admirers there. His matches were frequently noted for the willingness displayed) . on his part to accept adverse conditions of play. His powers and his supreme assurance rendered antagonists extremely wary. I In the great matches for the world's championship with great players like Wyllie and Richard Jordan he never attained thaft honour. These were all drawn. He was nevertheless the most suoeseful match player of his time, probably excepting the late James Wyllie himself. Amongst his most* notable matches were four matches with! James P. Reed, of P.ittsburg, each for a." money stake and the championship of , America ; he won three and lost one. In ! a match with Wyllie at Boston for lOOd dollars R-side and the world's championship he made a draw, the scoro being one each' and 48 drawn. In a match with Freeman; ] for the American championship he lost by\ | 6 to 3 and 39 draws. Then Heffner beat* i Freeman, and Barker in turn beat Heffner, I 2 to 1 and 47 drawn, thus regaining the* ! title in 1886. Then came bis famous match , witbT Jordan for _ thg world's championship { and 1000 dollars a~side, which ended in a j draw, the spore being 2 each 'and 86 drftwpy ■ Extremely courteous and affable in" de- .' meanor (says ' the Pittsburg Weekly Die- j patch), Mr Barker made hosts ot friends in his travels throughout the country, and 1 hundreds of pl«y«zs will feel the shock of his death as that of a close, personal friend? \

A small toy about 13 years of age, wita . had no passage ticket, was discovered on the Wajrrimoo just as she was about to( flail from Wellington for Sydeny recently.; He said he had missed his father, who intended to take him to Sydney.. The youngster was &dat ashore. .

*>— -" ' * ; ierest to my friend's tales of grand bazaars and quaint old gods in Indian temples; also to his purchase of purple and fine linen, Indian hangings, rugs, and mysteri-ously-carved sideboards end old world pottery to decorate the picturesque home srWch he is setting up in Sydney Passengers- by the Melbourne steamer -which arived at the Bluff on Monday ,-were the members of Hugh Ward's Comedy Company, which commences a Dunedin season at His Majesty's on Monday next, September 13. ' The' company 'is a particularly powerful one, and Dunedin playgoers will be. afforded a special - treat" in seeing such a combination of artists as 3sies Grace Palotta, Rose Musgrove, Celia Ghiloni, and Hugh Ward on the stage xn one comedy. Under the exceptional circumstances prevailing the management nas decided to play to. *he. exceedingly attractive prices of 3s, 2s, and la. This is really a bargain in amusements, and should certainly appeal fo the playgoers of Dunedin. " The Nellie Stewart Dramatic Company, •which I had the pleasure of seeing in Wellington during a flying trip last week, ie about to descend upon us. There is much perturbation in -the minds of the youth and maiden of the city thereat; als tjj.e oldest playgoer is delving into the pa6t tS refresh his memory of the people that are gone since Nellie Stewart first -graced us with her presence. • "It -is ©weet to feicl t>y -what' fine .spun threads ,our affections are drawn Together" most muse Mue ijellie" Stewart as she receives the welcome and homage of her countless admirers in Australia and JSftW- Zealand. „_.. The" friends "of" Mr Walter Monk, -late of J. C. Wi-lliamson's staff, and now of the Hugh Ward ' Comedy Co., will be pleased to hear that he has recovered from his recent indisposition, and that the operation which he had to undergo was successful. Mr' Monk is now awaiting the arriyal of the -Wand Comedy Co., whicij commences Its New Zealand tour at Invercargill. Dear Pasquin, — Just a line to let you know that we are now on tbe last legs ol owe tour, -and we are both looking forward to our return to New Zealand. We open in New . Zealandf on December 17 .with a big novelty act written by myself. I Think it will be something' entirely new to vaudeville. Our trip over here this Time has been a big success both from line treatment and a financial standpoint. We intend to give the public of New Zealand an entipaly new repertoire. The Victor is the commercial traveller and the public are the ' buyers, and they ■want the goods, and if they don't get them they will go where they can- Hoping to see you in person soon Yours most sincerely, Tom v Abmstboxg (per Armstrong and Verne). East End Park, Memphis, July 27. Dear Pasquin, — Just thought I would take the liberty of sending along a short note to 6&y we are sttfl in God's Own Country, and find business very satisfactory. We sire, 'again working towards the South Pole: "it's about as cold here." Of course, we don't hope to go m-ucb farther than the .Bhiff. as I *m afraid aa audience .of penguins and »aals -would not show well on the box office, balance, , without driftingr into another line of biz for -which ire ■night not prove _ suited. •We hope to make a tour of tbe best' towns south of Dunedin at ajr "early date. During *next Week we play Timaru and Oamaru. I thank' you on behalf of Mrs Heller and myself for past favours, and' beir to remain, — Tours sincerely, Geo W Helleh. Geraldine, September 2. * I Since Mr Hugh J. Ward was last in Dunedin: he has visited' nearly all the leading centres of Europe, America, and Asia. ! Wnile staying ,at his native town, Pitta- ' burg, Pa, he accepted a brief engagement -to play the leading part in a one-act drama, entitled "The Test Supreme." The piece was -such an enormous success that Mr Ward was offered an abnormal salary to remain in. the United States and tour with it. He had, however, already booked Indda, tbs . Far East, and Australasia for his present company. A rising author | •who saw Mr Ward's performance of the Italian, character in the play then wrote for , him the park of - A-ngelo Rossi in "The I Fencing Master,*' which was recently produced . m Melbourne with a magnificent casfcj_ creating an- exceptional success. j Miss Gimce Palotta, who » justly entitled to be regarded as one of the best-dressed actresses on the Australasian stage-, spent a six months' vacation searching the European capitals for the - most unique ideas in gowns. /the result ' is said to be an astounding collection of dresses. • which | caused jbo much comment in India that a \ reporter devoted two columns to an "in- ! terview"- with them. The trunks contain- J ing these "confections' were lost in Italy,, j shortly before the tour commenced. The daily press devoted considerable space t to "Graae Polotta's Missing Gowns," for the actress is weM known in Europe. Even- j tually the trunks were recovered at Colombo. I Miss .Celia Ghiloni has the true artist's ( instinct, for though possessed of a very • fine stage appearance she revels in parts that require ugly "make-ups." Thoee who remember her splendid performance of Katisha in "The Mikado" will be interested- in her impersonation of the vinegary spinster, Minerva, in "A Bachelor's Honeymoon." 1 Mies Rose Musgrove's impersonation of •rfie slavey in " A Bachelor's Honeymoon" is said to bs an artistic treat. Considerable comment has been passed upon her conception of .tne character, and not a littli controversy aroused among dramatic •writers, vshioh argtres that there must be much merit in tihe performance. "To reach that position in the theatrical -world." says a leading- European actress. "which entitles the artist to Ihave her name preceded by the word 'igreat' one has to give oneself up entirely to her art. No time for social functions or otlwr womanly pleasures: it is study, 6tudy the whole time.'" Surely this is tbe case with Miss Stewart. Almost from her infancy has "our Nellie" devoted herself entiraly to her profession. CommexKiing in comic opera she gradually climbed 1 the ladder of farms 1 . From comic opera to pantomime, thence fco grand opera, drama, and Shakespeare, in all of which she has delighted thousands and thousands ot playgoers, and it must bs satisfactory to everyone to know that never has h«£ popularity been greater than it is at present. Miss Nellie Stewart is unquestionably the greatest and most popular 1 actress the Australasian stage has eve>- < known to reach this exalted petition, although it has never been nsces- < 6*ry (et^. h&r tff tfesort to any ' : artificial methods cr subterfuges. This 1

proud position she has attained by sheer artistic merit and hard work, I»ocaJ playgoers axe looking forward to the opportunity of once more welcoming their idol, and her Domed in season will probably prove as successful as these enjoyed by her n Wellington a-nd Christchurch. A very pretty wedding- took place on Jane i3O at the Church of St. Peter's, in Thanet (wirites a London correspondent), when Mr Frank Harwood Gibbs, son of the late John Gdbhs, of Birmingham, wa married to Miss Madge A. Rickaaxls Leebe, daughter of "Barry Riokards," the well-known thea- . trical proprietor. The guests were entertained after the- ceremony at "Weetwood," the bride's father's English home, at Margate. The ihappy couple left for Edinburgh, where ths honeymoon will be spent. Thero was a large gathering of guests, and the bride was the recipient of many handsome and costly presents. Mir Alfred and Mise Maiid Williamson have arrived in Sydney, after a comprehensive tour extending- over some years, and embracing America, the United K!ingdom, and South Africa. After their bust visit to New Zealand, they went to America, making fcheir "fiist Americar* appearance in- San Francisco at the Grand) Opera House in "The Manxman." The season lasted 3,2 weeks, and "Barabbas," "Jim, the Penman," and other pieces were played. Mts Humphry Ward's dramatisation of her novel, "Tne Matfriajre of Wilkam Asohe," was selected for the New York season at the Garrick Theatre. They aiexfr toured- England,. beginning 1 at Liverpool, with the A<Je'phd production of "David Copperfield," a-nd after appearing 1 at the London Grand undertook a touit, and then went to Sooth Africa, appearing afr the Caps under the B. and F. Wiheaier managemieait, and- afterwards visiting Johannesburg, Durban, Kimberley, Bloemfonfcein, and other towns. During the Laeb three months they have bsen touring Rhodesia as far north as "Livdngstonc and Victoria Falls, cm the Zambesi River, frnoJlv closing the African season in Mafekintr on August 2. Mr Charles A. Weninain, general manager and "producer" of the "CimfereiLW Company, will sail again for London from Sydr.ev by the Orsova, hie purpcea being to assist in completing the new company now bsing formed there by fch-3 CSarke-Meynell-Gimn firm. Ait Wenman will arrive in Australia again on December 5 with tb& artistic contingent in question, as well as the material needed for the aisw musical comedies acquired for next year's campaign. These are Edward German's <o:nedy drama "Tom Jon-as.'* "The Arca-ciane." now running at the Shaftesbuiry Theatre under Robert Couart-n.jddg-e'; "The Balle of Britanny," a dainty romantic opera, which has jusfc ended a run of 150 performances; "The Gay Gordons," by Seymour Hicks ; and "Serpeant Bto-s" — the last-named being a musical piece which enjoyed a long run at the Strand Theatre three years ago. Mr Thos. P. Hudson, whose death reO2ntly took place in England, was tbs originator of Hu-cson's SiTprise Party The deceased, who was twice marri«d (the second time to Mis Violet G. Taylor, formerly of Sydney, N.S.W.), has-lef* a widow and a little son of two and a-half- years, brsid<?9 two «jr©wn-up sons by iiis first wife. After spending 30 years in India the deceased came to Australia for Mr Georgo Musgrove. He managed tthe Melba tour in Australia. The late Mr Hudson knew a curious cas?" of superstition, partly " personal. His. late waf«C who was a brilliant pianist, and he wsre both bound to tl.e numbei' 13. "She was bora on December 13 ; on a 13th we were married ; on Juno 13. just 13 days after our arrival in England, our youngest boy fell from a high window, fractured his skull, and was picked up by policeman No. 13; our boy was blinded for 13 days by tho shook. On my last trip East I left Australia on October 13, leaving Hudeon behind; when I. transferred to the Calcutta steamer at Colombo my berth was No. 13; and on , •November 13 I heard by cable my wife's sudden death. Only 13 members of my cornpan} returned fco Australia with me ; and when I reached Adelaide they put me into room No. 13 at the hotel." 1