History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 138

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340

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A benefit was given, November 22, 1852, the fire company, at which Mr. Kerrigan made his debut, and "acquitted himself creditably." Over $200 was real- ized.

Among the favorite members of the stock company during the fall of 1852, were J. G. Hanley, H. T. Stone and Mr. and Mrs. Ryner.

December 13, 1852, was presented "a new play called . Uncle Tom's Cabin,' dramatized by Mrs. Anna Marble." The cast was as follows: George Harris, Mr. Hanley; Uncle Tom, Mr. McMillan; Shelby, Mr. Myers; Haley, Mr. Rice; Sambo, Mr. Stone; Wilson, Mr. Wright; Cassie, Mrs. Ryner; Emeline, Mrs. Putnam; Eliza, Mrs. Hanley; Mrs. Shelby, Mrs. Marble; Legree, Mr. Ryner. Topsy and Marks were not given, nor were the bloodhounds and donkey thought of. The play made a decided hit, running about three weeks, which was an unprecedented time in those days of rapid changes.

In 1852 the first German theater was erected in Chicago on West Randolph Street near Canal. Its ex- istence, however, was so brief that it scarcely figures at all in the development of the drama here, as it burned early in the following year.

The season of 1853 opened at Rice's, February 28; the programme for the first night, was first the comedy, " Married Life," followed by " The Jacobite," the whole concluding with a mask ball. In this entertainment Mr. McVicker appeared in three different characters. The roster of the leading attractions for the year were March 5, " Paul Pry," Mr. McVicker in the leading role, "Ingomar, the Barbarian," with H. A. Perry as Ingomar; 7th, "Sweethearts and Wives," with Mr. Jlc- Vicker as Billy Lackaday, the afterpiece was " Family Ties, or the Will of Uncle Josh;" Sth, "The Wife" and "The Toodles;" 9th, "Much Ado about Nothing" and the " Peoples' Candidate;" 12th a new play first presentation in this city, "Writing on the Wall;" the leading characters were : Box Suthers, H. A. Perry;

Fergusson Trotter, Mr. McVicker; Margaret Eltnn, Mrs. Ryan; Lotty Smithers, Mrs. Rice. P. T. Barnum's museum and menagerie was here July 25. The leading features of Mr. Barnum's show at that time were a lot of wax statuary, the renowned Tom Thumb, and a man born without arms in the museum department, while the menagerie was made up of a small collection of animals, among which was a cage of performing lions, under the control of Pierce, the lion tamer. At the same date, Miss Julia Bennett began an engagement at Rice's, lasting until August 1, closing with a benefit performance for herself. July 23 a complimentary benefit was tendered Mrs. Rice; the " Heir at Law being the piece presented on this occasion, closing with the amusing farce " Box and Cox." August 16, Julia Dean appeared in the " Hunchback," playing a week's engagement. September 10, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Flor- ence in the drama " Ireland as it Is " and " The Limer- ick Boy," and on the 26th of the month Miss " Charlotte Loyette" made her first appearance in this city at Rice's. On the 15th J. M. Mitchell, a young actor from South- ern's Theater, New York, made his first how to a Chi- cago audience, as Cecil Claud, the young fisherman in a new play, the "Smugglers of Northumberland; " the 28th a benefit was tendered to Mrs. Marble, at which her daughter, Miss Mary Marble, made her first appear- ance on any stage as Madelaine in " The Child of the Regiment." At the same performance Mr. and Mrs. Florence also appeared in a comedy, " Irish Assurance." Of the acting of Miss Marble the daily Journal said:

" The debut of this young lady was most creditable. On her first appearance she was greeted by the spon- taneous cheers of the audience, and as the play pro- ceeded she was loudly applauded. The two songs, which were given with great sweetness and beauty, were encored, and at the conclusion of the piece Miss Marble was called before the curtain, when Mr. Rice tendered his thanks for the warm welcome which had been given her, on her entrance into a profession of which she had now become a permanent member.

"Taken altogether, the first appearance of this young lady-yet scarce fifteen-affords abundant promise of a bright future, and with proper study and application, claims to no second place in the profession, may be ex- pected for her."

October I was the occasion of a farewell benefit ten- dered the Florences, and on the 3d is noted the return of Mr. and Mrs. McVicker in their play " Home of the West," concluding with the farce " Hue and Cry." On the 12th Mr. Neaffie began an engagement, playing " Macbeth," until the 25th. The month closed with an entertainment given by the Italian Opera Company. November 8 Mr. Couldock began a week's engagement, opening with " Willow Copse," and playing successively, " Hamlet," "Othello," "Richelieu" and "Betrothal."

December 10 it was announced through the Press that the play of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," having been through a six weeks' course of preparation, wouldl shortly be presented with new and realistic scenic ef- fects, to contain also a panorama of the Mississippi, painted by the scenic artist R. D. Smith. The 12th, Christie's Nightingale Serenaders appeared at North Market Hall, and on the 28th a performance was given at Rice's for the benefit of Engine Company No. I. The programme on this occasion was the rendition of a new drama, the " King and the Freebooter." after which was presented the comedy " Lend me Five Shillings," concluding with the farce, " Hidden Thoughts or Fash- ionable Society."

January 4 and 5, 1854, Campbell's Minstrels were

493

EARLY AMUSEMENTS.

at Tremont Hall. This company was a popular one, and at that time had among its members such well- known talent as Luke West, Matt Peel, Joe Murphy, and others of scarcely less notoriety in the profession; the 12th Miss A. D. Hart closed an engagement at Rice's in which she had appeared as Clari in the " Maid of Milan," also in a new play " The Farmer's Daughter," in which she took the leading character. In February, little Cordelia Howard, the talented child actress, left this city to fulfill an engagement in Philadelphia. The Florences were also here in that month, closing their engagement on the 25th, with a benefit performance. Early in March came Maggie Mitchell who, as the critics then said, "united a very charming person with spirited and graceful acting." On the 3d of the month, the occasion of her last appearance here, she was pre- sented by her friends with a handsome gold watch. April 8, the Marsh Troupe began, at Tremont Hall, the presentation of a new dramatization of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," by George L. Aiken. The play as then given contained six acts, nine tableaux and thirty-three scenes. The cast was as follows:

Infant Woman Geureneau .. Eva

Little Mary Marsh. . Little Harry

Master A. Marsh. . Aunt Ophelia

Mrs. Marsh. Mrs. St. Clair

Mr. Marsh . Uncle Tom

Mr. G. C. Germon. George Harris

Mr. Le Moyne . Deacon Perry

Mr. Douglass

Lagree

Mr. Lennox .Cute

Mrs. Lennox

Topsy

Mrs. G. C. Germon.

Cassie

The company was a good one, and on the opening night Tremont Hall was packed with a delighted audi- ence ; but the following day trouble arose between the manager of the company and Mr. Couch, the proprietor of the hall, which resulted in an abrupt termination of the company's engagement.

May 11 Butler's Circus opened for a short season on Lake Street, between Wabash Avenue and State Street. June 12, 13 and 14, the circus and menagerie of E. T. & J. Mabie, exhibited at the corner of State and Polk streets; and on the 23d and 24th of the month Dan Stone's Railroad Circus and Hippodrome also spread its canvas within the "city's gates."

June 21, Miss Kimberly appeared at Rice's in " Hamlet." This lady was a talented actress, and met with a hearty reception in her delineation of this and other parts, at the hands of her Chicago audiences. The Democratic Press said : "Her personation of 'Hamlet ' was stamped with the spirit of genius." On the 26th, at the request of Mayor Wilkinson and many other prominent citizens, she repeated her performance in this play on the Friday (June 30) following. On the 27th, Mrs. Hayne appeared in the "Priestess." July 2, Maggie Mitchell began a two-weeks engagement at Rice's, her second appear- ance in this city. The 21st, Sir William Don, an eminent comedian, held the boards a short season, playing to crowded and delighted audiences. The Press said: " Sir William Don possesses an inexhaustible fund of comic humor, which, after the manner of Leicester. Buckstone. Burton and Placide, cannot fail to betray the most obstinate stoic into a hearty laugh. We know not when we have enjoyed so unrestrained and refresh- ing a bravo ! bravo ! as we had on Tuesday night, on seeing him perform in the play of a . Rough Diamond.' On the 23d, a complimentary benefit was given to Mrs. John B. Rice, at which the following persons appeared : Sir William Don, Mr. Warren, Mrs. Rice's brother, and

Miss Thomain of the Boston Museum ; the principal pieces, from which selections were presented were "The Heir at Law" and " Rough Diamond." At that time Miss Eliza Logan was in the second week of a successful engagement, playing in Sheridan's comedy. "School for Scandal." Concerning this lady the Daily Press said : " In passages betraying the strong passions of scorn, hate and revenge, she is very effective in voice, expression and gesture ; but in the exhibition of the more tender emotions she does not do so well."

August 13, John Brougham. the eminent English comedian, began an engagement at Rice's, playing in the standard English comedies of the day.

September 5, a notice appeared in the Democratic Press, that Phelps's Burlesque Ethiopian Opera House (Warner's Hall), 104 Randolph Street, would be opened on the 8th of the month for the production of min- strel concerts, under the direction of Daniel I). Emmett ; L. Phelps, proprietor. The 10th, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence began a season of two weeks at Rice's, playing to large and appreciative audiences.

October 9, just before the rise of the curtain, the manager announced from the stage the death of Mr. Artemus, one of the company, in consequence of which no performance could be given. The 15th, Miss Caro- line Richings and her father were at Rice's. L. G. Butler's North American Circus opened Novebmer 29 for a short season, on the grounds corner of Lake Street and Wabash Avenue.

In the Democratic Press of January 20, 1855, is found the following notice which, without comment, ex- plains itself : "Little Cordelia Howard has reached Chicago, and commences an engagement on the 22d at the theater. She played Eva, in " Uncle Tom " for one- hundred nights in New York, and has also won laurels as Little Katy in " Hot Corn," and the Strawberry Girl in " Fashion and Famine."

February 19 the Sable Melodists, in connection with the panorama " A Voyage to Europe," began a week's engagement at North Market Hall.

Early in March the Florences played another en- gagement at Rice's, their last appearance in this country before their departure to Europe, so said the bills. The latter part of the month brought the Richings again, father and daughter, playing " Clari, the Maid of Milan." and "Court Favors."

The first circus of the season, Spalding & Rogers's Combined Attractions, made its appearance April 11. showing four days at corner of Clark and Adams streets. Under date of May 3, the Press had the following notice: " Metropolitan Hall has been taken by some en- terprising individual, who is constructing a stage at the north end. Under the name of Metropolitan Atheneum, it will be opened May 7, by Mrs. Macready, in drama- tic readings."

The music was furnished by an orchestra, engaged from New York, for this new place of amusement.

On that same date, Mr. Anderson, the tragedian. be- gan an engagement at Rice's theater. May io Mr. Samuel Myers of Rice's theater was married in this city to Miss Mary Marble, who it will be remembered. was the daughter of Dan Marble, the eminent come- dian. The nuptial knot was tied by Rev. Mr. Hibbard. a Chicago clergyman. On the tSth Mr. Collins, the celebrated Irish comedian and vocalist, was at the Athe- neum, and on the following evening Mr. Anderson closed his engagement at Rice's. The 26th Cordelia Howard the comedienne, began an engagement at the theater. and on the same date Bachus's Minstrels were billed at the .\theneum.

494

HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

June 1, the Great Western Railroad Circus put in an appearance, showing four days; on the same date, Mrs. Julia Dean Hayne was announced in an engage- ment at the theater; the 13th a poem from the pen of Ben. F. Taylor, of the Journal, was spoken, by Mr. Mc Farland, as an address of welcome to an excursion party, the guests at the city-from Burlington and Quincy; the play on this occasion was the "Lady of Lyons," Mrs. Julia Dean Hayne, appearing in the part of Pauline. On the 21st Sands, Nathan & Co's Ameri- can Circus, exhibited on the grounds usually allotted to tent shows, corner of Lake Street and Wabash Avenue.

July 3 and 4, came VanAmburgh's Menagerie and Dan Stone's Circus, combined with Tyler's Indian Exhibition, followed on the 30th of the month by the Great Western. July 31, Mr. Frank Conway and wife began a short season at the theater, in a range of Shakes- perean characters.

An hiatus, now occurs, until in October, when the records again show what was occurring in the amuse- ment world. The 26th of the month, Miss Richings the comedienne and vocalist was at Rice's, being suc- ceeded on the 29th by Miss E. L. Davenport and Miss Fanny Vining.

November 10, the papers announced that North's National Ampihtheater was nearly finished. This build- ing, which was situated on Monroe Street between Clark and South Wells (now Fifth Avenue), was a wooden structure, two stories in height, ninety feet front by two hundred and six feet in depth, and was built by Levi J. North and Harry Turner. The main entrance was eighteen feet wide, besides which were two stair- ways, each eight feet wide, leading to the boxes in the gallery. Its seating capacity was three thousand and sixty-two persons; it had a performing ring forty-two feet in diameter. and the building was lighted by one- hundred and twenty gas jets. In.the rear were the ac- commodations for the company, also stabling quarters for an entire stud of horses. The amphitheater was opened on the 19th of the month, when it became for its class, a popular place of amusement.

December 5, a performance for the benefit of Mr. Myers was given at the theater ; performances were given during the month by the Slvik Company; Christ- mas night a benefit was given to John McNally the doorkeeper of the theater, which position he had held for five years. The bill for the evening was "The Game of Love," and " Ladies Beware."

January 22, 1856, as pectacular piece "Cinderella," with forty children in fairy or gala dresses, and a droll afterpiece, "The Cavalry," was announced at North's Amphitheater, to run until further notice.

February 7, Neaffie appeared åt Rice's in the " Cor- sican Brothers." The Ethiopean Opera House, under the management of Dan Emmett, Frank Lumbard, musical director, was also giving nightly entertainments, in burlesque opera and negro minstrelsy; the 13th, Mr. Neaffie was playing at Rice's in " Jack Cade; " on the 18th Couldock began an engagement in " Richelieu;" the Florences were here on the 25th.

March 17 is noted the engagement of the Misses Denin at the theater.

April 4, at the Atheneum a complimentary bene- fit was given to Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Scott; on the 7th, Miss Eliza Logan, the tragedienne, began an engage- ment at Rice's; she was a popular and pleasing actress and a favorite with Chicago people.

A German theater was opened on the toth, in a new building, at the corner of Wells and Indiana Streets; several stars, among the number Mme. Kenkel and

M'lle Dremmel, and a strong stock company werc en- gaged; the piece for the opening night was one of Schiller's dramas, "Love and Intrigue;" it was well presented, so said the critics, producing a decided sen- sation and at once establishing the claims of the com- pany to public favor; beginning on the 28th, and con- tinuing the week following, were Campbell's Minstrels, numbering fourteen performers, at Metropolitan Hall.

May 5, Christy's Minstrels were billed at the Am- phitheater, and the following day Merhling & Co.'s Circus exhibited on Lake Street, opposite the American House. ' This was followed by Sands, Nathan & Co.'s Circus, exhibiting at corner of Lake Street and Wabash Avenue, May 26, 27 and 28. June 11 and 12 came still another, this time Raymond & Van Amburgh's Circus and Menagerie; on account of the immense size of the tent, which was three hundred feet long by one hundred feet in width, the show was compelled to make its stand at the corner of State and Harrison streets, where more ground could be obtained. The Hutchi- son family were at Metropolitan Hall on the 30th, and the week following, while at the same time Maggie Mitchell was playing to crowded houses at Rice's thea- ter. July 2, three circus shows were in the city; one, Herr Driesback & Co., on Clark between Polk and Harrison, the other Butler's Great Western. on Lake Street, near the City Hotel, and the third the United States Circus of Older & Co., at Lake Street and Wa- bash Avenue. The same day Colonel Wood opened a museum, containing eight living wonders, at 101 Lake Street. The 19th, 20th, and 21st brought June's French Circus; the 24th, Mr. Pfeiffer, a German actor of note in his own country, made his first appearance in this city, in a play presenting a period in the life of Schiller, the poet.

The Democratic Press of the 28th had the follow- ing:

"NEW THEATER .- The demand of the amusement- seekers, for a more commodious theater than the one built for the Chicago of five years ago-quite a differ- ent place from the Chicago of to-day-is about to be satisfied. North's Theater has been leased and re- modeled, and will be opened August 4, by the lessee, Charles Thorne."

The company comprised Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, Charles Thorne. Jr., Mr. McClosky, and L. G. Mes- tayer; Miss Emily Thorne, Miss Cogswell, Miss Han- son and Miss Julia Smith, from the New York and Philadelphia theaters; also D. H. Howard, from Laura Keene's New York Theater, and C. Wilson, formerly of Rice's Theater. The piece for the opening night was the well known comedy, "The Honeymoon " with the following cast :

Duke .. .Mr. Charles Thorne

Rolando. Mr. Mestayer

Jacques. Mr. Johnson

Count. Mr. W. H. Thorne

Balthazie. Mr. St. Maui

Lopez. . .MMr. I. Crouta

Campillo Mr. C. Wilson

Juliana. Mrs. C. R. Thorne

Volante. Miss Emily Thorne

Lamoria Miss Allen

After the comedy, was given a grand National Jubilee performance, commencing with the singing of the "Marseillaise," by Miss Thorne with a full chorus. The "Star Spangled Banner," by Mestayer, St. Maui, and Miss Thorne, with the latter attired as the Goddess of Liberty, concluding with " llail Columbia" by the whole company. The evening's performance concluded with the comedy of " Simpson & Co."

495

EARLY AMUSEMENTS.

But the adage of "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip," proved but too true in the case of the opening performance of the new theater. On the even- ing in question, fully one thousand people assembled in front of the theater, either expecting to attend the per- formance, or to learn why the doors were not opened. They found, however, a card posted by Mr. Thorne which read as follows :

" To the Citizens of Chicago and the Public in General:

This is to inform the public why I do not open the Amphitheater on Monroe Street as I intended and advertised-and I now make an appeal to the people. I leased the building of Mir. Harvey, the agent of North, up to October I, certain, with a notice on either side, to quit after that date. I have gone ahead in good faith. 1 have fitted the house in good and costly style, at an ontlay of $2,500, and now, when everything was finished, between twelve o'clock at night and five in the morning, men under the direction of Mr. Harvey, agent of L. J. North & Co., proceeded to take possession of all my effects. 1 am a stranger in this city, but an American. 1 am aware that 1 have recourse to law, but I have a company of twenty-five persons on my hands, and you, fellow- citizens, all know the law's delays. I throw myself for sympathy and protection on the citizens of Chicago.

"C. R. THORNE "

To this card Mr. Harvey replied with another, read- ing as follows :

" The statement of Mr. Thorne is untruc in every material as- sertion. C. R. Thorne never had a lease of North's National Amphitheater, he never had legal possession of the building, and neither 1 nor any one by my direction bas taken possession of any effects or private property of C. R. Thorne.

" ANDREW HARVEY."

Whether all this war of words was only a shrewd advertising dodge on the part of Mr. Thorne, aided and abetted by Mr. Harvey, or whether bona fide legal difficulties had arisen, does not clearly appear. At any rate, whatever was the difficulty, everything was satis- factorily adjusted, and on August 12 the new theater was opened with great eclat, the programme already given being produced in full. On the 28th a benefit performance was given to Mr. Mestayer, at which Miss Kate Denin appeared in the play of "The Wife." The following day the Daily Press, speaking of the National, as this theater was now called, said : "The National is having an auspicious season thus far, which demonstrates that Chicago has become too large to be satisfied with one small theater and an illiberal management. Miss Kate Denin plays again to-night as Julia in the ‘ Hunch- back,' and will, no doubt, be greeted with as large an audience as on last evening. The performance will conclude with the 'Irish Emigrant.'"

August 21, General Tom Thumb began a week's engagement at South Market Hall.

September 1 the bill at the National for the week following was "Love and Murder," "The Soldier's Daughter," and " The Irish Suitor." The 12th was the occasion of a benefit performance tendered to Miss Thorne ; the bill was first, "Asmodeus or Little Devil's Share," followed with the comedy, " My Sister Kate," and concluding with " A Capital Match."

The 17th, Buckley & Co's National Circus exhibited at the corner of Clark and Adams streets. During that week Campbell's Minstrels were playing at Metro- politan Hall ; Billy Newcomb was at that time a mem- ber of the company. On the 19th Dan Emmett, the proprietor of the variety show bearing his name, and located at 104 Kandolph Street, announced for sale the lease, fixtures, scenery, etc., of his establishment. His reasons for offering his property for sale are quaintly put in his own words thus: "I have entered into an agreement to quit the profession, whereby I can realize more than if I were to remain in the minstrel profession all my life, with all the success I could desire." It is

scarcely necessary to add that Mr. Emmett did not at that time retire from minstrelsy, as in later years he achieved the reputation which placed him at the very head of the profession. On the 21st John E. Owens made his first appearance in this city at the National ; and on the 29th Mr. Collins, the Irish comedian and vocalist, commenced an engagement at the same theater, playing in the comedy, "The Nervous Man and the Man of Nerve."

October 1, Spaulding & Rogers's North American Circus was first on the list of attractions; on the 5th " Hamlet " was on at Rice's, with Mr. Ledley in the leading part, and Mr. McVicker as the Grave-digger. On the 7th Mr. Thorne's company played the last perfor- mance at the National under his management ; the next night they appeared at Metropolitan Hall playing " The lrish Ambassador." The reasons for the change above mentioned are apparent from the following notice taken from the Daily Press of October 18 :

" Within the last few weeks, North's Amphitheatre has been enlarged, two tiers of seats have been added looking toward the ring and stage, also a dress circle and gallery capable together of seating three thousand persons, have replaced the old arrangements. The ring for equestrian performances is the same size as before. Behind it the building is to be finished into a spacious stage, green room, property room and all the adjuncts of a first-class theater. It is Mr. North's intention to combine the attractions of the circle with those of the stage. The performance will generally commence with feats of the ring, and close with plays on the stage."

On the 2Sth of the month Miss Emma Stanley, in her celebrated " Lyric Drawing-room Entertainments," was billed at Metropolitan Hall, and at the same time Miss Logan was playing to good houses at Rice's The- ater. November 16 Yankee Robinson opened what he called his Atheneum, at the German Theater on Kinzie Street. The same date also marks the opening of North's New Amphitheatre. On the 29th at Rice's was announced the engagement of Chanfrau in " In and Out of Place." December 1, at Kinzie Hall was the the English Gymnastic and Pantomime Troop. During this month the performances at North's Amphitheatre were of the most popular character, drawing crowded audiences night after night. The 2d, Chanfrau was again at the Chicago Theater playing in the " Widow's Victim or the Stage Struck Baker; " on the 9th he was followed by Miss Kate Denin in the " Lady of Lyons," Miss Denin appearing as Claude Melnotte, and Miss Woodhury as Pauline. For the remainder of the year the leading attrac- tions at this theater were, on the 12th, " Bride of Lam- mermoor " and the "Gypsy Farmer ; " 15th, " Ernest Maltravers, or a Father's Curse; " 17th, the " Idiot Wit- ness, or the Murder of the Heath ; " ISth, "A Grand- mother's Pet ; " 19th, " \ Momentous Question, or a Woman's Faith; " an afterpiece on this occasion was a three act drama by Major Richarson entitled, " The Massacre of Fort Dearborn " On the 23d appeared Mr. and Mrs. Locke, in " True Love Never Runs Smooth ; 24th, the same company in " Hermit of the Rocks,"

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 138

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340