bright and successful actor. She appeared in New York City in June, 1870, placing in Wood's Museum in "Andy Blake" and "Popsy Wopsey." Returning to California, she sailed to Australia, where she played successfully. A successful investment in the Comstock mine made her wealthy, and she disappeared for a time from the stage. She went to Europe to complete her education. She studied vocal and instrumental music in Milan and French in Paris. She decided to play in French, before a French audience, in Paris, but had great difficulty to find a manager brave enough to back her. Finally, M. Gautier, of the Folies Dramatiques, introduced her to Paul Ferrier, the dramatist, who wrote "Nan, the Good-for-Nothing" for her. She appeared in that play 1st September. 1884, and scored a success. She broke down from over- work and returned to the United States. She made her re-entrance upon the American stage 27th April, 1885. in the title role of " Mona," in the Star Theater, New York City. Her next play was "One of Our Girls," in which she made a triumphant hit as Kate Stupley, an American girl in Paris. That play was the work of Bronson Howard. He then wrote for her "Met by Chance," in which she appeared nth January, 1887, but it was soon withdrawn. On 7th March, 1887, she played in "Walda Lamar," and in April, 1887, in The Love Chase." On 2nd June, 1890, she appeared in New York City in "The Whirlwind." She was married 12th October, 1887, in Philadelphia, Pa., to John M. Ward.
DAVENPORT, Fanny Lily Gipsy, actor, born in London, England, 10th April. 1850. She is a daughter of the late Kdward Loomis Davenport, the well-known actor, who was born in Boston
FANNY LILY GIPSY DAVENPORT.
Mass., 15th November, 1814. and died in Canton, Pa., 1st September, 1877. Her mother was a daughter of Frederick Vining, manager of the Hay market Theater, Lot Ion, England. Miss Vining became the wife of Mr. Davenport 8th January, 1849. Fanny was their first child. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport came to the United States, where both
were for years favorite actors. Fanny was educated in the public schools in Boston, Mass., where she made her debut as the child in " Metamora." At the age of twelve years she appeared in New York, in Niblo's, in "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady," making her deibut in that city 14th February, 1862. She afterwards played soubrette parts in Boston and Philadelphia, under Mrs. John Drew's management Augustin Daly found her there, and he called her to New York, where she played Effie in "Saratoga," Lady Gay Spanker, Lady Teazle, Nancy Sykes, Leah, Fanny Ten Evck and Mabel Renfrew. Encouraged by her evident success, she left Mr. Daly's company and formed a company of her own. She played "Olivia," in Philadelphia, and Miss Anna E. Dickinson's "An American Girl," both without success, when she conceived the idea of abandoning comedy and taking up tragedy. She induced Yictorien Sardou, of Paris, to give her the American rights to "Fedora," "La Tosca" and "Cleopatra," and in those roles she has won both fame and fortune in large degree. Her tours have been very successful, and the woman who was supposed to be merely a charming comedian has shown herself to be possessed of the very highest powers of tragedy. Miss Davenport, as she is known to. the world, has been twice married. Her first husband was Edwin H. Price, an actor, to whom she was married 30th July. 1889. She secured a divorce from him in 1888. She was married in 1889 to Melbourne McDowell, the principal actor in her company. Recently Miss Davenport has given American theater-goers great pleasure in the magnificent staging and dressing of her plays. She has advanced to the extreme front rank m the most difficult of all histrionic fields, and comparison with the greatest actors can not fail to show
that she is one of the most successful women who have ever lived before the footlights.
IDA HAY DAVIS.
DAVIS, Mrs. Ida May, litterateur, born in Lafayette, Ind., 22nd February, 1857. Her maiden name was Ida May De Puy. Her father was of French descent, and from him Mrs. Davis inherits her humor and vivacity. She was thoroughly educated, and her poetic inclinations and talents showed themselves at an early age. She has always been a facile versifier, and her thoughts naturally flow in rhyme. When she was seventeen years old, she began to publish poems, all of which were extensively copied and commended. Her productions have appeared in newspapers and magazines of the Central and Rocky Mountain States. She is a member of the Western Association of Writers, founded in 1886. and she has been conspicuous in the annals of that society, which she now serves as secretary. She is an artist of much talent and paints well. Her poems are mainly lyrical in form. She became the wife of Henry Clay Davis, of southern birth, in 1876. Mrs. Davis resides in Terre Haute, Ind., where she is the center of a circle of literary and artistic persons. She is an ex-teacher and is a member of the board of education of Terre Haute, having been elected in 1891.
DAVIS, Mrs. Jessie Bartlett, prima donna contralto, born near Morris, Grundy county. Ill., in 1860. Her maiden name was Jessie Fremont Bartlett. Her father was a farmer and a country school-master. He possessed a remarkably good bass voice and had a knowledge of music. The family was a large one, and a sister about a year older, named Belle, as well as Jessie, gave early evidence of superior vocal gifts. Their father was very proud
