Alice Harrison (c. 1849 – May 3, 1896)[1][better source needed] was a 19th-century stage actress.[2]

Alice Harrison
Harrison in 1875
Bornc. 1849
DiedMay 3, 1896(1896-05-03) (aged 46–47)
OccupationActress

Career

edit

Harrison performed for numerous companies over her career, including the California Western Stock Company in San Francisco. As part of her tenure in New York, she performed at the Grand Opera House.[3][4]

In July 1886 Harrison performed in the comedy, The Maid of Belleville, at the Star Theatre. The company, which included actor Frank David, moved on to Chicago when the hot summer weather forced the theater to close abruptly.[5]

The play "Viva" was written for her and her brother by Leonard Grover.[6] Her performances mostly involved musical comedy.[3][6] After leaving New York, she performed for the Boston Museum.[2]

Coleman House shooting

edit

Harrison lodged at the Coleman House during her performance run in New York. In April 1879, prior to leaving for an acting engagement in Boston, Massachusetts, she was visited by Nathan Washington. During his visit, a New York madame known as Birdie Bell (a.k.a. Marion Ward), attempted to murder Mr. Washington, shooting at Harrison first.[2][7] Suspicion fell upon Harrison as a potential accomplice due to her leaving the city shortly after the shooting, but she was found innocent of any involvement.[2]

Death

edit

Harrison was diagnosed with Bright's Disease in 1892.[8] She died of the disease, complicated by pneumonia, in 1896. Her remains were cremated and placed in a niche with the ashes of her father.[citation needed]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Original Caption: Miss Alice Harrison". The Civil War Parlor. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "Miss Harrison's Visitors.: The Shooting In The Coleman House. Washington Nathan Declaring That He Did Not Know Who Shot Him What Miss Alice Harrison's Friends Say A Warrant Issued For The Arrest Of The Woman Who Fired The Shots", New York Times, p. 1, April 5, 1879
  3. ^ a b "Grand Opera-house", New York Times, p. 5, May 10, 1881
  4. ^ "General Mention", New York Times, p. 5, November 4, 1881
  5. ^ "The Star Theatre Closed", New York Times, p. 5, July 10, 1886
  6. ^ a b "AMUSEMENTS.: THE HARRISONS IN "VIVA."", New York Times, p. 4, September 22, 1886
  7. ^ "Miss Harrison's Story.: Shot At Herself By The Excited Woman Escaping From The Room Before Nathan Was Shot Anxious For Her Character", New York Times, p. 1, April 5, 1879
  8. ^ "Alice Harrison | Broadway Photographs". www.broadway.cas.sc.edu. Retrieved November 22, 2019.