Page:Short Stories (1912).djvu/142

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A Brief Sketch of Mr. Bellew

Kyrle Bellew, famed actor, manager, dramatist and traveler, who had been suffering from pneumonia, died Nov. 2nd, 1911, at 5 o'clock in the morning, in apartments in the Hotel Utah, Salt Lake City.

Frank A. Connor, the actor's dearest friend and for years his inseparable companion, was the only person with him when the end came. Mr. Bellew was stricken with a cold while playing in Denver, though he attributed his indisposition to the altitude, and was apparently much improved when he reached Salt Lake. He played in the opening performance of the local engagement of his comedy, "The Mollusc," at the Salt Lake Theatre Thursday night. When arising Friday morning he did not feel well and returned to his bed. Later in the day he decided that his ailment was la Grippe; a doctor was called. He was compelled to concel a luncheon engagement with former Gov. Heber M. Wells, who was an old friend and admirer, arranged for Friday noon. As he continued to grow worse, the balance of his local engagement was cancelled on the advice of his physician. From Friday Mr. Bellew's condition continued to grow more alarming, and it was apparent Tuesday afternoon that the end was but a few hours away. He passed away peacefully, seemingly without pain.

A GREAT LOSS TO THE STAGE.

In the ringing down of a final curtain on Kyrle Bellew's career the English-American stage loses one of its most accomplished actors, and one of the most lovable, highly respected men in the profession. His generosity and broad-mindedness were bywords among his friends. While he called himself a rover, victim of