Flora Walsh

Flora Walsh
Portrait of Walsh c1890s
Born	Flora Walsh (1870-07-25)July 25, 1870 San Francisco
Died	January 22, 1893(1893-01-22) (aged 22) Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1879–1893
Spouse	Charles H. Hoyt ​ ​ (m. 1887⁠–⁠1893)​

Flora Walsh (July 25, 1870 – January 22, 1893) was an American stage actress during the 19th century. Her career started around the age of 9 as part of a juvenile theatre company, where her soprano voice earned her recognition and opportunities to act in leading roles on stage. She met future husband Charles H. Hoyt while performing in his production of A Tin Solider and following a quick engagement, married in 1887. Her mother Alice would frequently appear in productions alongside her up until the early 1890s, at which point she would join her as a companion.

During what would be her last theatrical appearance on January 12, 1893, having been performing this play for over a year, she was described as being "distressed by a severe cold" and had difficulty speaking. An abscess appeared on her neck which caused her excruciating pain for several days. Despite the abscess being lanced, she developed pneumonia and died on January 22, 1893 in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and mother present. Her funeral took place at Charlestown, Boston.

Early life

Walsh was born on July 25, 1870 in San Francisco. Her father Edward Walsh was a civil engineer while her mother Alice was a character actress famous on the Pacific Coast and appeared in plays alongside her up until around 1891, at which point she joined her as a companion. Her father was born in Canada and her mother in England. According to the 1880 census, she was the eldest of three children and had a younger brother and sister. Her mother was believed to be worth several thousand dollars and expressed a desire to see Flora become a star.

Career

Photograph of Walsh taken during the 1880s

Walsh first became noticed as part of a juvenile production of "H.M.S. Pinafore", where in 1879 aged 9, she was described as being "the most extraordinary performer of her age that we have ever seen". Her acting and singing abilities were regarded as "perfection" and "wonderful" respectively. One of her earlier hit performances was at the Tivoli in San Francisco, where she had a singing role which earned her wider recognition and compliments. Her appetite for the stage had developed from an early age, and although her first performance was intended only to be a minor one, her voice and natural ability secured her the leading role when aged just 12. She subsequently traveled the western circuit singing opera and later featured in a production of Muldoon's Picnic. Walsh was the recipient of a benefit performance in 1882 at the Baldwin Theater when Dot, or the Cricket on the Hearth" was presented.

By the age of 15, despite having appeared on the local stage only occasionally, Walsh was considered a natural "remarkable dancer", having never had any formal tuition. She was described as being a "chubby child", although one who sang sweetly the popular songs of that time. In the fall of 1885, her dramatic company was playing in towns in Colorado when they got stranded in the Rocky Mountains, 60 miles away from the nearest railroad. With little chance of getting away, they spent the winter in the mountain town of Aspen. Walsh became a popular favorite of the local people, making many friends with her "winning manners and vivacious ways". Amateur actors and actresses in the town would occasionally entertain in the town's only opera house, the Rink Opera House and would consider the success of their performance a near certainty if they received the services of Walsh. During her stay, several benefit performances were provided by the local population to show their appreciation to Walsh and her contribution to their entertainment.

Her last theatrical appearance was on January 12, 1893 at the Tremont Theatre, where she played Bossy Brander in A Texas Steer. She had been performing this play for over a year, including at the New Park Theatre on Broadway in 1891.

Death

During her last acting appearance, Walsh was described as being "distressed by a severe cold" and was experiencing difficulty when trying to speak. As her cold progressed, an abscess appeared on her neck and she endured excruciating pain for several days. The abscess was lanced and instead of healing, she developed pneumonia and ultimately succumbed to the disease.

Walsh died on January 22, 1893 in Boston, Massachusetts at the Parker House following a ten-day illness. She was 22 years old. In her presence were her husband and mother. The funeral took place at Charlestown, Boston. Her death "cast a gloom" over her company and her widower husband ceased watching the play following her death. Tim Murphy, who performed alongside Walsh, noted she would not be forgotten by the acting company, nor her manner of moving "about like a ray of sunshine, cheering everyone by the geniality of her kindly disposition".

Personal life

Walsh married author and playwright Charles H. Hoyt on July 12, 1887 in Hoyt's country home, two weeks before her 17th birthday. The occasion was an intimate affair of friends and close family due to the ill health of Hoyt's father. Among the guests was actor and comedian Otis Harlan. They had first met when Walsh was engaged to appear in a production of Rag Baby, starring Hoyt at Bush Street Theater in San Francisco, after one of the young actresses on the opening night withdrew due to illness. Hoyt had been impressed by her performances and was writing a play specifically to provide her with better acting opportunities. While studying her acting methods, he fell in love with her and they were engaged before the play was complete. They married soon afterwards, with Walsh earning an "enviable position among the leading soubrettes of the day". She was the first wearer of Hoyt's private collection of jewels, valued at nearly $50,000 in 1902 following his death.

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