History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 154

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The Amateur Tribune, A. A. Wyman and Charles D. Wheeler, May, 1878.

Ours, J. H. Martell and Henry Lemay, August, 1878.

The Boys of Worcester, C. S. Ellis, January, 1879.

The Daily News, J. H. Martell and George S. Dick- inson, March, 1879.

The Stamp Collector, E. A. Welch, April, 1879.

The Weekly Star, E. P. Sumner, April, 1879.

The Bay State Gem, J. G. Oliver, September, 1879.

The Go Ahead, Frank R. Batchelder, August, 1882 ; name afterwards changed to Forget-Me-Not.

The Bay State Pearl (afterwards called the Planet), Frank S. C. Wicks, July, 1883. He published two numbers of the Caduceus in the autumn of 1888.

In 1883 and following years appeared the Union, L. E. Ware and Arthur C. Smith ; Mayflower, Walter L. Brown ; Scrap-Book, Alfred D. Flinn ; Golden Star, H. and W. Holmes and Frank Cutter ; Ruby, Harry A. Plympton ; Avalanche, Frederick Cowell ; Worces- ter Amateur, Miss Edith May Dowe.

In 1885 Joseph Melanefy and Frank S. Mawhinney issued the Headlight, to which Austin Rice was the principal contributor.

In September, 1885, Charles A. Hoppin, Jr., issued The Breeze, devoted wholly to amateur affairs. He is

1 The remaining portion of this chapter is compi ed from information kindly furnished by "harles A. Hoppin, Jr., a veteran "amateur."

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a very enthusiastic newspaper man, has had some ex- perience on the Evening Gazette, and is now in charge of the advertising department of Messrs. Denholm, Mckay & Co.

Among the recent amateur publishers are: Harry Chamberlin and Joseph Sargent (3d). Several ama- teur organizations have been formed-local, sectional and national-in which some of the amateurs of this city have taken a prominent part : notably, Frank R. Batchelder, Frank S. C. Wicks, Alfred D. Flinn, Charles A. Hoppin, Jr., and Edith May Dowe. Complete files of most of the the Worcester papers are to be found at the library of the American Anti- quarian Society. There is a marked contrast between the earlier and the later issues. The former catered to the general public, while many of the more recent seem to have looked for readers chiefly in the ranks of "'dom," as the fraternity is styled. But the friendly rivalry among the members, scattered throughout the country, served to bring out their best efforts, and cul- tivated their diction and stimulated their thought.

CHAPTER CLXXXVI.

WORCESTER-(Continued.)

THE DRAMA IN WORCESTER.

BY NATHANIEL PAINE.

THE early history of the drama in Worcester is involved in much obscurity, from the fact that till within the last twenty or thirty years the newspapers paid but little attention to the strolling companies that occasionally performed here, and that notices of such entertainments were not usually promulgated by means of newspaper advertisements, but by posters or small bills distributed about the streets, which very soon became lost or destroyed. There was also a very strong sentiment in the community against theatrical exhibitions of any kind, so that, previous to 1848 or '50, the printed records are very meagre, and would seem to indicate that our people took but little inter- est, or did not have the time to patronize entertain- ments of that kind. Besides this, an act passed in April, 1750, against dramatic exhibitions was in force up to 1794 or '95. This act was "for preventing and avoiding the many and great mischiefs which arise from publick stage-plays, interludes and other theatrical entertainments, which not only occasion great and nnneccessary expenses, and discourage industry and frugality, but likewise tend generally to increase immorality, impiety and a contempt of reli- gion." The act provided that if "any person or per- sons shall be present as an actor in, or a spectator of, any stage-play, etc .- in any house, room or place where a greater number of persons than twenty shall

be assembled together, every such person shall forfeit and pay, for every time he or they shall be present as aforesaid, five pounds."

The first record of anything like a dramatic exhibi- tion iu Worcester is probably in William Lincoln's " History of Worcester," where it is stated that in 1787 Master Brown, a school-teacher, produced Addison's "Cato," with great success, at a quarterly examination of his school. The parts were probably taken by the pupils, and not in costume. It is said that similar exhibitions were continued for two or three years. Ten years later, in June, 1797, a Mr. Hogg, who advertises himself in the Spy as " late from the Boston Theatre," "informs the ladies and gentlemen of Wor- cester that the hall over the school-room 1 is fitted up for the purpose of representing some select and most admired dramatic pieces, a musical entertainment- 'The Waterman '-a Dramatic Romance in one act called 'The Oracle, or Daphne and Amintor,' the whole to concinde with pas-de-deux. Doors open at 63, performance begins at 73. Front seats 38., back seats 2s. 8d." The Massachusetts Spy evidently did not have a reporter at this performance, or else did not think it worth reporting, for nothing appears in its columns in regard to it. The company were in town several days, presenting, a week later, a piece entitled, "Like Master like Man," and the "Shipwrecked Mariner, with singing by Mr. Hogg." About the same time, Mons. Boullay " from the Old Theatre, Boston," opened a school "in the polite accomplish- ment of dancing and music." Possibly he may have participated in the pas-de-deux at Mr. Hogg's dramatic representation.

By a programme now in the possession of the American Antiquarian Society it appears that in July, 1817, Mr. West's Circus exhibited for one week on a lot between Front and Mechanic Streets, opposite Eaton's tavern, the entrance being on Me- chanic Street. Again, in 1818, as appears from the same sonrce, a grand tight-rope performance, with feats in posturing, leaping and tumbling, was given at "Hathaway's Hall;" " tickets, 50 cts., for sale at Hathaway's bar." This hall was in a hotel located on the present site of the Bay State House.

After the performance of Mr. Hogg's company there does not appear to have been a regular dra - matic exhibition in Worcester for some forty or fifty years. The only entertainments offered tothe public, besides concerts, were moving dioramas and monstrosi- ties (like the Siamese Twins, who were exhibited in the hall of the Central Hotel in 1838), and an occa- sional equestrian exhibition. Later came the annual visits of " Blind Dexter," with his traveling van of " colored statuary," generally exhibiting on Main Street, near the Town Hall. In his advertising he says : "The above exhibition has not the advantage

1 The school-house was owned by a stock company, but later became the property of the town and was known as the "Centre School."

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f wealth of an incorporated association, basking in unshine and affluence, but depends entirely upon he exertions of an humble individual, who was de- rived of both eyes and one arm while engaged in lasting a rock."

For many years the selectmen would not license a ircus to give an exhibition here, but it appears that 1 some unguarded moment they did, in May, 1832, cense a company, much to the indignation of many ood people of the town. The Massachusetts Spy us comments on the action of the selectmen :

The Selectmeu have liceused a company of strolling actors, calling temselvea Circus Riders, to exhibit their fooleries here. We presume at in giving their consent the Selectmen had no idea of encouraging ce or dissipation, or of acting in opposition to the well-known wishes : a majority of their constituents. Who does not know that no one ta any good by attending auch exhibitions? That by going, he en- urages idleness, cruelty aud vice ! It is to be hoped that this is the at time we shall be troubled with such nowelcome visitors, and that ir Selectmen will in future be careful not to leod their aid in encour- ging them to come among us.

This protest seems to have had its effect, for no censes were given to equestrian performances for le next twelve or fifteen years; those who desired witness such exhibitions having to go to the ad- ining towns of Millbury and Holden to do so. bout the latter part of the year 1845, or the begin- ing of 1846, the selectmen ventured to give a cense for a dramatic performance to one Dr. Robin- on. The play produced was called "The Reformed runkard," and was claimed to be in the interest of emperance. This entertainment seems to have been ondemned by many of the citizens, and when Dr. Robinson again applied for a license (the profits of he exhibition to go to some local society) the select- hen declined to grant it, and spread upon the town ecords their reasons for so doing. Their report, ated March 2, 1846, covers nearly two pages of the ecord-book, from which we make the following ex- racts, as indicating to some extent the feeling of the ommunity towards theatrical exhibitions at that me. The selectmen say :

Much complaint has been made because the Selectmen have refused license Dr. Robinson to exhibit a theatrical exhibition called "The eformed Drunkard." To that man they could not grant such a li- sose, even if they had no objections to the character of the exhibition. he last time that Robinson was permitted to hold such an exhibition ere he took advantage of the very license which had been granted im by the selectmen to grossly insult the town. But Robinson's im- roper coodnet has not been the principal reason for rejecting his ap- lication, as a similar request has been made by those to whom there as no personal objection. The selectman have believed that the ted. ency of auch an exhibition waa demoraliziog in the extreme, that it as calculated rather to increase the vice there represented than to iminish it. .

. If any want to see the consequences of intemper- ace let them visit the Poor-house, let them attend the weekly religious ervices at the Jail Chapel, and there they will witness the usual coose- uences of intemperance in a far better manner, etc. Do thay not now that the French Dausense carried large sums of money from this Quatry, and do they not also koow that the number of the spectators could have been extremely limited if it had not been generally known hat females would exhibit their persons in most indecent postures? oma montha since Green, the self-styled " Reformed Gambler," deliv- red a lectore in this town, and the next day there was a greater sale f playing cards than had been for weeks and months previous ; this rely was not for god.

About a year later, however, the selectmen licensed a company from Boston, who, under the name of " The National Athenaeum," appeared for a season of two or three weeks at Brinley Hall (now Grand Army Hall). They opened with the play of " The Hunch- back," under the management of G. G. Spear, in June, 1847. In the company were W. H. Smith, E. F. Keach, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and Miss Louisa Gann, who appeared in several standard plays in a very acceptable manner, closing with "George Barn- well." That dramatic entertainments were still under a cloud in Worcester may be inferred from an article in the National Egis in regard to this company, which says : "It has been intimated that a portion of our community, whose means enable them to frequent the opera, are indisposed to countenance this less imposing scene of recreation. . But we are unable to believe that an individual can have such an immense beam in his eye.

In the following year Mr. W. B. English gave a series of performances at Brinley Hall, under the name of " Tableaux Vivants," this name being given as less distasteful to the moral sense of many than that of theatre. "Rosina Meadows" was the first play produced, Mrs. Western (afterwards Mrs. Eng- lish) taking the leading part. Mrs. English (who is still living, at the Forrest Home for Actors, at Phila- delphia) says : "The company drew immense houses, many of the ladies of the audience appearing in eve- ning dress." A few years later Mr. English again appeared at Brinley Hall, with his wife (Mrs. Western) and her daughters, Lucille and Helen Western, who afterwards had quite a notoriety in the theatrical world.

In 1850 Mr. Charles C. D. Wilkinson, late man- ager of the Worcester Theatre, made his first appear- ance on any stage, at Brinley Hall, with a company under the management of Mr. George C. Howard, in the role of Tim in " My Wife's Second Floor ." Mr. Wilkinson, though not a native of Worcester, re- sided here in his early days, and received his educa- tion from the schools of Worcester. In 1851 he gave a series of "Parlor Entertainments " in the above- named hall, with a company composed mainly of members of his own family.

In the winter of 1850 a hall in the newly-erected Flagg's Block (on the site of the present block of that name) was occupied for a short time by the Howard (G. C.) and Fox (G. L.) Troupe, who gave a series of miscellaneous dramatic entertainments. The next autumn the hall was made more available for stage representations, and opened by a Mr. Bnr- roughs, of Providence, under the name of the Wor- cester Dramatic Museum, and afterwards came under the management of Noah Gates, of Lowell. The leading ladies of the company were Mrs. Beissenherz (a most versatile actress, taking all parts from a chamber-maid to Lady Macbeth, and dancing between the acts), Mrs. Germon and Miss Steele. During the

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first winter under Mr. Gates' management Mrs. George H. Barrett appeared as a star. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Gates applied for a renewal of his li- cense. A remonstrance against its being granted was presented to the mayor and aldermen, which brought a strong petition in favor of it; so a public hearing on the question was given at the City Hall Monday evening, March 1st, which was largely attended. Dwight Foster appeared as counsel for the petition- ers, and was supported by Dr. O. Martin and Dexter Parker, who spoke in behalf of the young men. Al- fred Dwight Foster, Rev. Alonzo Hill, W. R. Hooper and others spoke against the granting of the petition. One of the arguments against the license was that the character of the plays presented was not of the best; that if the plays of Shakespeare and other standard dramatists were produced there would be less objection to it. Perhaps it was with a desire to influence the opposition to a more favorable view that " Romeo and Juliet " was brought out a night or two before, and the night the discussion was going on " Richard III." was being played at the Museum.

The Museum closed its doors the 5th of March, but opened again April 8th, having received a license with a condition that no one under eighteen years of age should be admitted. It was closed for the season June 18, 1852, with a benefit for Mr. W. M. Leman.

The Dramatic Museum was opened in September, 1853, by Gates & Brown, with J. B. Cartlitch as stage manager. During this season Mr. Denman Thompson, now so widely known by his impersona- tion of Joshua Whitcomb in the "Old Homestead " (at present a permanent attraction at the Academy of Music in New York), appeared at the Museum, " playing anything and everything, besides dancing hornpipes and fancy dances between the acts."

Other members of the company at this time were " Yankee Locke " (George E.), J. J. Prior and Wil- liam Henderson (now manager of the .Academy of Music at Jersey City). The license of the company expired at the close of the year, and in December application was made for its renewal. Again there was strong opposition to it, and the question was de- bated in the Board of Aldermen at two or three meetings without action. In the mean time the Mu- seum closed its doors during a successful run of " Un- cle Tom's Cabin." The matter was settled the night of Sunday, January 29, 1854, by the burning of Flagg's Block, which destroyed all the scenery and properties, as well as two dioramas that were being prepared for exhibition.

The first building erected in Worcester for theatri- cal purposes was completed in 1857, having been built by William Piper from plans by Boyden & Ball, on Front Street, opposite the city hall.1 The Daily Spy, in speaking of the new building, says : " It is an edi- fice which, for architectural beauty and complete

adaptation to the purposes for which it was designed, may challenge comparison with any similar edifice in the country, except in the largest cities." The new theatre was opened February 9, 1857, under the man- agement of Wyzeman Marshall, of Boston, an actor of an established reputation, with the play " Ingomar." An opening address, written by Mr. A. W. Thaxter, was recited by Miss Mary Hill (Mrs. Thaxter). In the cast were : Mr. Marshall as Ingomar, Miss Hill as Parthenia, Messrs. Beck, Stanton and Taylor as the Three Citizens of Massilia and Mr. Charles Wilkinson as Lykon. The entertainment concluded with W. W. Clapp's farce, " My Husband's Mirror," Mr. Wilkin- son taking the leading part. The first season closed in May with a complimentary benefit to Mr. Mar- shall, tendered by several prominent citizens, among whom may be mentioned A. H. Bullock, Henry Chapin, Charles Devens, Rejoice Newton, J. D. Washburn, J. E. Estabrook and Adin Thayer.

Mr. Wilkinson became the manager the second season, opening August 24, 1857, with " Love's Sacri- fice " and " Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw," Mrs. Beissenherz being the leading lady. In March, 1858, Mr. M. V. Lingham became the manager, and was succeeded in the fall of the same year by Jacob Bar- row, who brought out many standard plays, with a very efficient company, which included, beside Mrs. Barrow (who was a very accomplished actress), J. F. Owens, Charles Fisher, Miss Fanny Morant and Miss Charlotte Thompson. During Mr. Barrow's brief stay here, several of the good old comedies, like " The Rivals," " The Heir-at-Law " and "The Poor Gentleman," were produced. The theatre was re- opened under the name of " Pauncefort's Athenæum " March 28, 1858, with Mr. George Pauncefort as man- ager. Mr. and Mrs. Pauncefort took the leading parts, opening with the "Lady of Lyons," and clos- ing April 22d with "Still Waters Run Deep " and " Black-Eyed Susan."

During the summer the theatre was occupied occa- sionally by traveling companies, and October 12th it was again opened by Mr. Pauncefort, with "Don Cæsar de Bazan " and the farce of "Sarah's Young Man." Mr. and Mrs. I. Biddle were the comedians of the company. During a brief season Mr. Paunce- fort introduced to a Worcester audience such actors as W. E. Burton, C. W. Couldock and J. W. Wallack. In November, 1859, a piece called “ Ossawatomie Brown; or, the Harper's Ferry Insurrection," was brought out, and in the same month Mr. Wallack ap- peared for a few nights in the "Winter's Tale," "Hamlet," "The Iron Mask " and " Macbeth." The season closed December 20th.

Messrs. Myers and Boniface opened the theatre in March, 1860, for a short time, with Mrs. Barrow as leading lady, in such plays as "The Octoroon," " Sea of Ice " and similar pieces.

William B. English opened the theatre in 1860 for a brief season, with his step-daughters, Lucille and

1 Now known as the " Front Street Musee."

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Helen Western as the stars, they appearing in such pieces as "Jack Sheppard," "The French Spy" and "Three Fast Men," which were of a decidedly sensa- tional character.

In October of 1860 the "Serious Family " was pro- duced, with an unusually strong cast, including Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. John Gil- bert, Mrs. Barrow and Miss Fanny Davenport.

In January, 1861, Mr. Pauncefort again took the management with Mrs. Barrow as the leading lady. Mr. John Gilbert appeared in February as Sir Anthony Absolute in " The Rivals," and again the next month in " Rob Roy."

In the spring of 1861 the excitement caused by the secession of the Southern States and the prospect of a call for troops at the North was so intense that entertainments of all kinds were poorly patronized, and the theatre performances became almost deserted. An afternoon performance was given at the theatre the 19th of April, at which the Holden Rifles, who were in the city on their way to the front with the Third Battalion of Rifles, under Major Charles Dev- ens, were invited to be present. The departure of the troops, and the fact that the whole community were so much interested in the real tragedy which was being enacted that they had no time nor desire to witness any dramatic representations, caused the sudden closing of the theatre the next evening, with not a dozen persons in the audience.

In May, 1861, Charlotte Cushman appeared for two nights in "Guy Mannering" and "Romeo," and again for two nights in June as Lady Macbeth and Queen Catharine, supported by John Gilbert, J. B. Studley and Miss Viola Crocker. January 3, 1862, the last night of the season, a play called " Boys of Worcester County ; or, the Battle of Balls' Bluff," was brought out, but it was not a marked success. In April of the same year "Uncle Tom's Cabin " was played for one week, closing April 15th with a benefit for John W. Stiles, a native of Worcester.

H. C. Jarrett, of Niblo's Garden, New York, opened the theatre for two nights in May, 1862, with a strong company, which included John Gilbert, Charles Barron, J. E. Owens and Miss Mary Wells, who appeared in " School for Scandal " and the " Poor Gentleman." The next month J. C. Meyers, of Provi- dence, was here for a brief time, with Henry Langdon and Miss Annie Senter in the leading parts. During the next five years the theatre does not appear to have been open for regular seasons, but was occu- pied largely by traveling companies, a few nights at a time. In this way Laura Keene was here with a good company in June, 1863, producing "Our American Cousin." In July Miss Kate Reignolds, with a com- pany from the Boston Museum, which included Mrs. J. R Vincent, Stuart Robson, Owen Marlowe and John Wilson, played a short engagement.

In October, 1863, J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln, appeared in "Richard III." and

the " Lady of Lyons," with Mrs. Barrows as the lead- ing lady.

The theatre was opened from time to time during the next four years for brief seasons, with companies good, bad and indifferent, but during this period such players appeared as William Warren, Miss Josie Or- ton, Emily Mestayer, Mckean Buchanan, Edwin Forrest (as Richard and King Lear), John Brougham, Tom Placide, L. R. Shewell and Mark Smith.

The last dramatic representation in the Front Street Theatre was November 27, 1867, with the play " Under the Gas Light," J. B. Booth being the man- ager. The theatre was soon made into offices and small halls, and not again used for dramatic purposes till the fall of 1888, when it was remodeled and im- proved, and is now known as the Front Street Musée, for variety shows and curiosities, under the manage- ment of George H. Batcheller.

The present Worcester Theatre, on Exchange Street, built by a stock company, and first called Music Hall, was opened to the public the evening of March 9, 1869, under the management of J. B. Booth, of the Boston Theatre Company. The pieces pre- sented on the opening night were "The Lady of Lyons " and the farce of " My Neighbor's Wife." In the company were C. R. Thorne, Jr., Louis Aldrich. W. H. Lehman, Dan. J. Maguinnis, Mrs. J. B. Booth and Mrs. S. M. Leslie. The Music Hall was under the control of the proprietors of the Boston Theatre for ten or twelve years, during which period many ac- tors and actresses of established reputation appeared on the boards. Space does not permit a complete list of these, but a few of the most noted may be men- tioned.

Mrs. Scott Siddons appeared in "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady " in December, 1870; Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams early in 1871. In May, 1873, Sothern appeared in his great part of Lord Dun- dreary in "Our American Cousin." John E. Owens in February, 1871, Wyzeman Marshall in May of the same year, and J. W. Wallack, in the play of "The Iron Mask ; " the next year Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Flor- ence and Frank Mayo. In January, 1873, Carlotta Patti, Signor Mario (the great tenor), Miss Annie Louise Cary and Teresa Carreno, the pianist, gave a concert at the theatre, and drew an immense house.

In the fall of 1873 the theatre was newly painted and the auditorium fitted with new and more com- fortable seats, and thereafter was known as the " Wor- cester Theatre," instead of "Music Hall." It was opened by the Boston Theatre Company October 28th, with L. R. Shewell and Mrs. Thos. Barry in the leading parts. Other prominent players who appeared during the next few years were Lester Wallack, F. S. Chan- frau, McKee Rankin, Sara Bernhardt, Lotta, Charles Fechter, Edwin Booth. During this period the thea- tre was often leased to strolling variety companies, minstrel shows and for various other entertainments, many of which were of rather poor quality.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464