THE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAND, JULY 21, 1907.
3
NANCE O'NEIL LIONESS OF THE STAGE
The Famous Tragedienne Impresses One Most of All With Her Wonderful Power
BY ARTHUR A. GREENS.
PORTLAND should feel a peculiar In
terest In Nance O'Nell, for It was
here at old Cordray's that she made
her reappearance in America after her
triumphant tour of the world. To Port
land she came first among the cities of
her native land after her calling and
election had been made sure by the ap
proval of the principal capitals of the
older world. That was In 1S99, when the
tragedienne was in her very early 20's.
Now, after eight years, she is again play
ing an extended engagement here, and the
universal opinion seems to be that she
has advanced in her art since that time
with long strides.' .
At 30 or thereabouts Nance O'Nell stands
as almost the sole representative of the
great school of tragedy on the American
stage. As a successor to Charlotte Cush
man, Adelaide Neilsen or Mrs. D. P.
Bowers, she has made for herself a unique
and distinct place in the history of our
latter-day drama.
I am inclined to believe that Miss O'Neil
does not fully realize her power. She Is
becoming better acquainted with herself,
however, and Is working out the problem
of getting the best "results from the won
derful dramatic strength with which she
Is endowed. Even so, she is still some
thing of an uncontrolled force. She defies
art traditions and bursts the bonds on
stage conventionality. No one has ever
accused Nance O'Nell of imitating any
woman who ever trod the boftrds. She is
different and must do things her owl
way or not at all.
Because she is different there seems to
be a peculiar fascination in her work, and
growing out of this peculiar quality have
come wild-eyed stories that there is some
thing occult about the woman. The yel
low papers have made much of these
yarns, to the great annoyance of Miss
O'Nell, who is a thoroughly healthy young
woman, both In body and mind. A more
interesting conversationalist I have not
met for a very long time. One day last
week she sat In a big armchair, and, ges
ticulating with those splendid arms of
hers, talked to me for almost an entire
afternoon. Politics, religion, literature
and an infinite variety of subjects were
touched upon, and she had some Interest
ing things to say about each of them.
Discussing the stage, she made It clear
that she Is a disciple of the new German
school of drama, and expects to devote
much more of her attention In the fu
ture to the presentation of such plays.
She does not care greatly for Sardou. al
though in response to what appears to be
a public demand, she often appears In
Sardou dramas. Next week she will try
out a new play, "The Search for the
Golden Fleece." written by a young
Berkeley University man. of which she
expects much. If Portland accepts the
play and it seems good to her and her
business associates. It will be used as
the vehicle for her New York engage
ment next Fall. It is, "of course, the
mythological story of Jason's long quest,
and la a new departure in dramatic lit
erature. Nance O'Nell is a big woman, big
like her art. A woman whose every
movement suggests strength, the
strength of a lioness. She is a natural
blonde and stately and talks lazily
until she becomes keen to her subject.
Then she gesticulates and speaks In a
hurried, even Impassioned, manner
which gives some hint that the tall,
graceful gentle-voiced woman might
become a whirlwind if her temper
were aroused.
Miss O'Nell's fads are horses, her
farm in Massachusetts with its 140-year-old
house which they say is
haunted. Lafoadio Hearn's books and
the African desert. Of the latter she
spoke as one might of a dear, distant
friend. She spent a month on the Ly
bian waste and loves it, shame upon
her,' better than her native Pacific
Coast.
There is something great in the per
sonality of the woman. A gentleman
'pS
I f 1 1 X 1
NANCE O'XEIt.
who is an authority once said to me In
speaking of her: "She should have been
an empress, her's is one of the greatest
souls I've ever known."
I have also .heard the comment made
that she should have a stage 100 feet
wide to play upon, that she dwarfs the
ordinary theater.
They say her art is still crude
maybe it is, but it is absolutely con
vincing which is better than the over
finished work of some of our stars.
There is red blood and fire and truth
in whatever she does and Bhe probes
the depths of feeling in all audiences.
We are again to see her in what is
perhaps her greatest role, "Magda."
It Is into this play that she throws
her whole tremendous power and fair
ly overwhelms those who criticise her
adversely.
There may be more finished ac
tresses than Nance O'Nell, there are
few so genuinely great.
Actresses Effect Eccentricities to Pique Curiosity
Personal Oddity Has Money Value Distinctive Features One Part of Their Capital
WHEN In "Mikado" Gilbert en
dowed Katlsha with an el
bow to behold which per
sons Journeyed many miles, the arch
humorist made fun of a trait of
leading actresses of today, which
trait is taken seriously by Us pos
sessors. So far .as is known there
is no actress of today who prides
herself especially upon her elbow.
There, however, are hosts of actresses
who have one distinctive feature which
they capitalize and out of which they
make lots of money and a high place
In their profession, says the Chicago
Tribune.
Toung actresses would do well to re
member that it is infinitely better to
have cross eyes, about which every
body talks, than to have perfectly good
eyes that are accepted at their face
value and about which no one takes
pains to waste a single word of com
ment. For It i the actor and the
actress that are discussed that win.
Lily Langtry, who in "The Degen
erates." the last play in which she
appeared in the United States, played
with pinkly tinted foot-lights, and
who in a dramatic sketch has Just
made her farewell tour of America in
the vaudevilles, has a pair of shoul
ders that have helped her to fortune.
Her arms and her forehead also are
fine points that have been emphasized.
Mary Mannering made a great deal of
headway with "the Janice Meredith
curl." This mode of letting the hair
hang down over the shoulder still is
prevalent in some sections of the rural
delivery routes. It is paswe in the
larger centers. The "Delia Fox curl"
preceded the Janice Meredith. Miss
Fox used to twist a lock of her hair
down over her forehead in the manner
described In the biographical poem
about the little girl who had the little
curl, etc. Miss Fox wore her curl
first when Bhe played Prince Mataya In
"U'ang."
Mrs. Carter's flaming hair has be
come as much identified with her ars
any feature is with any, actress. When
Mrs. Carter was under the management
of David Belasco the latter used to
Insist that the reddish hair be fea
tured as much as possible. It got
to be called "Zaza" hair. The color
was reproduced In goods of various
sorts and a chorus girl called herself
"Zaza Belasco."
With Sarah Bernhadt the one at
tribute about which most is heard Is
her "voice of gold." This beautiful
conceit sprang from the wit of a
French man of letters a great many
years ago. and it has been used indus
triously since. Still, Bernhardt has
half a hundred other attractions in ad
dition to her voice. Her elocution, even
if it were delivered in an imperfect
voice would be marvelous, and her
grace and panther-like quickness and
smoothness would make the fortune of
a deaf mute.
Emma Eames long has been credited
with being the possessor of the most
beautiful arms to be seen on the stage.
Her husband. Julian Story yes, this
was long before the quarrel and the
talk about divorce painted Mme.
Eames in postures In which the beau
ty of the wondrous arms was brought
out.
The demureness of Edna May has
passed out of the natural state in
which it flourished when "little Edna,"
as her letter carrying father called her
in Syracuse, N. Y., lived at home, when
she was the wife of Fred Titus, the
professional bicycle rider, and before
she became famous.
At the opposite zone is Anna Held,
who persistently has played upon the
fact thaj she is anything but demure.
Lillian Russell's blonde beauty long
has been a watchword. Of late years
she has been featured something as
Sarah Bernhardt is, "the voice of gold"
figure of speech being used pretty
freelj'.
Maude Adams and "Peter Pan" have
POPULAR YOUNG PORTLAND ACTRESS GOES TO JOIN
SPOKANE STOCK COMPANY
ilfililili
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MISS ETHEL JONES.
Miss Ethel Jones, who sprung into prominence with the Baker Company the
latter part of the season, has' accepted a very flattering offer to Join the well
known Jessie Shirley Company, of Spokane, playing second leads to Miss Shir
ley, and will open in that city August 4. Miss Jones is a beautiful and talented
Portland girl, and has been connected with Manager George L. Baker's forces for
the last two years, working herself steadily up the ladder until, when the Sea
man Stock Company was formed at the Empire last April, she was chosen from
a large number to play the heavy roles, doing so well that later M,r. Baker
gave her the leads supporting the Child Actress Ollie Cooper in "The Prince
and the Pauper" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy," in special productions of these
plays here and on the road. Her playing of the extremely difficult role of Mrs.
Earl in the latter play stamped Miss Jones at once as an actress of rare tem
perament and emotional powers far above the average, and It is predicted that
there will come a time in the near future when Portland will point with pride
to her as one of our truly successful Western women in the profession she has
chosen and for which .she is so well fitted. Miss Jones will In the future be
known to the stage as Ethel von Waldroa
C7
Specials
The day for Summer Goods is fast drawing
to a close, and we do not intend to allow the
end of the season to find us with a single
suit on hand. We shall sell for less than
cost rather than carry any stock over, for
the very good reason that we have no ware
house or storeroom to do so if we would.
Look for great bargains like the following
from now on, while the season lasts:
$12 White Eer Suits $4.95
We are offering beautiful $12.00 Summer Suits for
this low price of 4.95. Made of the finest
white butcher linen, with Eton Jacket, either dol
man or kimono sleeves, trimmed with two rows of
cluny lace insertion down front and around bottom.
Skirt trimmed m like manner. Only
30 in stock. Big value at $12. Made
special for Monday
rouna Dottom.
$4.95
You'll not find the equal of this in any Portland
Department Store.
$8.00
Persian Lawn Shirt
waist Suits For
$3.25
YOU ARE WELCOME TO
CREDIT AT GEVURTZ'
These are made up in a style of the most exquisite
daintiness and nothing could be more appropriate
for the hot season due in August days. Made of
the finest Persian lawn and having beautiful up-and-down
rows of Val. lace insertion; they are worth
at any time $8.00. Quoted at Gevurtz
snecial low nrice.'for Monday. Don t
miss seeing these Monday ,
lev are worm
$3.25
$2.50 White Lawn Skirts $1.45 II $8.00 Brilli&ntine Skirts $3.95
These White Lawn Skirts are extra full cut and have two wide They are in all sizes; full cut, accordion pleated; very
folds on bottom; very trim and stylish in appear- Mr swell in appearance; values up to $8.00. ff QC
is. 'J,g;ar'k.'.!t' i a j BpecM f my ?J?J
Skirts for LargeiSmall Women I New Arrivals in Handsome Met Waists
"We have just opened a new shipment of Skirts especially Black, white and ecru; some of the most elegant de
designed to meet the demands for LARGE and SMALL women. . shown in the citv, at $7.50, $9.50, $12.00 to
We make a specialty of meeting the requirements of this trade. I, vQ nn
Sizes are right and prices are right. - $18. OO.
A DOLLAR A WEEK WILL DO
Ladies are invited to investigate our Credit System, the fairest and most liberal in the West
FIRST AND YAMHILL
SECOND AND YAMHILL
given their names to plenty of things.
"Peter Pan" has become a style of
clothing. Just as "Buster Brown" Is.
To be the tallest woman singer In
the world Is something. That Is Marie
Stuart. She is 6 feet 2 inches in
height, and this fact about her Is given
as much prominence as is the other
fact that she can sing.
Ellen Beach Yaw, who really can
sing in the lower and middle registers,
always was featured as a wonderful
performer In the upper register. That
Bhe could sing a higher note than any
other living woman was the one dom
inant fact that was forced forward
about her all the time. It was cleverly
burlesqued in the song that begun
"Sit tight, hold fast, sister's going to
sing," and which lyric of warning was
called "Sister Mary Jane's Top Note."
With some actresses their Jewel col
lections are relied upon to attract so
much attention that they themselves
can come in upon the swell of dis
cussion raised by their Jewels. This
old gag of stealing one's diamonds one
sejgf or losing them has been in ex
istence for years. It was used first by
Ben Stren, when he was managing
Pauline Hall away back yonder. Yet
this year both Lillian Russell and Anna
Held have used it to attract atten
tion to themselves. In the Held case
F. Zlegfeld, Miss Held's husband and
manager, went so far as to spend a
great deal of money upon detectives
"and slch" when he was promulgating
the narrative of the disaster.
HOPES TO
Rev
CLOSE ALBINA
G. Z. Tufts Says Three Pre
cincts Are Already Dry.
A movement is on foot under the au
spices of the International Reform Bu
reau to close all the saloons of upper and
lower Alblna within a week's time. Dr.
G. L. Tufts will address a great mass
meeting of the citizens of Alblna tonight
at 8 o'clock at the Forbes Presbyterian
Church at Sellwood and Oantenbein ave
nue. He will make some startling rev
elations and explain his plans by which
he believes all the saloons from Rodney
avenue to the river can be closed within
a few days. Saloon men as well, as the
anti-saloon forces will find a welcome. at
this rally meeting.
Precincts 55, 56 and 57, according to Mr.
Tufts' statement, are virtually under pro
hibition already as a result of the vote
taken In the city election of two years
ago. The order of prohibition has been
issued and the only thing remaining to
be done is action on the part of the
prosecuting attorney to see that the or
der is obeyed.
If Baby I Catting Teeth
F sure and use that old well-tried remedy.
Mrs. Wlnlow' Soothlni 8yrup. for children
teething-. It soothes the child, softens til
sums, allays pain, colls and diarrhoea.
THE BUTTERMILK BANQUET
Rev. J. W. Brougher W ill Compli
ment Press Club In Sermon.
The Portland Press Club is to re
ceive some attentlon'from Dr. J. 'Vt'hlt
comb Brougher at the White Temple
Sunday night. He is going to make
the Press Club'ej banquet to Vice
President Fairbanks the subject of a
prelude to his sermon on "The Young
Man Out of Fashion." Dr. Brougher
feels that the Press Club deserves spe
cial 'commendation for giving an ela
borate banquet without the use of
liquor. He has been interviewing
some of the young men who were pres
ent at the banquet and will Include
their remarks on the advantages of
buttermilk over wine at a social func
tion in his prelude. Fred Butler, the
great soloist, will sing, by request,
"The Holy City." He will be accom
panied by the piano instead of the or
gan, and will sing from the pulpit
platform so that the people in both au
ditoriums can easily see him as well
as hear him.
Ladies' Guild Gives Social.
The Ladies' Guild of the East Forty-fourth-Street
Baptist Mission gave a lawn
social Tuesday night, July 18, at the home
v
. X
V
c
i :
LA BELLE MEEREH, THE ADDED ATTRACTION AT THE GRAND.
of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Bunting. 1210 East
Yamhill street. Colored Chinese lanterns
were strung all over - the beautiful lawn.
The programme consisted of games, songs,
piano selections, two phonographs ren
dering musical selections alternately, and
a violin solo. Piano selections were ren
dered by Mrs. Ella Jones. Misses Flor
ence and Melba Westergard rendered a
vocal duet. Harry Parsons sang "When
Song Is Sweet." Ice cream and lemonade
were served during the evening.
OPENING THE BIG BEND
Plea for Extension of Corvallis &
Eastern Railroad.
BEND. Or., July 19. (To the Editor.)
For nearly 44 years I lived In Eastern Wash
ington, about half of that time in Bifc Bend,
and can testify to the truth In the editorial
in a recent issue' of The Oregonian under
the heading, "To Open the Big Bend."
Portland Is growing fast faster, I think,
than ths country back of It. Now, it Is not
good for a city to get too far ahead of the
country, because it looks as If it were going
backward while it waits. Why cannot Port
land reach out to this wilderness? Why
cannot Portland's capitalists promote, say,
an extension of the Corvallis A Eastern
Railroad, which would always be a short
line Into Portland, no matter how many
roads were built?
The Harrlman system will probably soma
day build from Ontario to the base of the
Cascades, over an easy grade, thence down
the Deschutes and Columbia, all water
grade, over which would ' be hauled the.
heavy tonnage from East to West. But that
need not Injure a short line to tha Willam
ette. There are hundreds of thousands of acres
of Irrigable land here, besides wheat and
grazing lands, and a fine, high and dry
climate Just the thing for people who can
not and do not desire to llv in the lower,
altitude and moist climate of Western Ore-'
gon. sloping toward, the Pacific Coast. If
people could get out here In the Interior
they would still build up Portland.
H. H. DAVIES.
Took Liquor on Reservation.
Bert Allender yesterday pleaded guilty,
in the United States Court to the charge,
of taking liquor upon the Umatilla In-'
dlan Reservation and waa sentenced to!
serve 90 days in Jail and to pay a fine of i
$25. Crimes of this character are usual-
ly perpetrated by Indians, for which the
penalty is 60 days in addition to the fine.
The Judge, however, decided that Allen-'
der being a white man and therefore able,'
to appreciate the gravity of the offenss
should have a heavier sentence and in-,
creased the penalty to SO days.
Mrs. Russell Sage's Latest Gift.
NEW YORK, July 20. It has been
learned that Mrs. Russell Sage has re-i
cently given $250,000 to the association!
for the relief of respectable, aged, lndl-!
gent females in the City of New York.
Pure blood Is necessary to enjoy perfect
health. Hood's Sarsaparllla insures both.