USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > History of Omaha from the pioneer days to the present time > Part 17
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In 1860, Rev. Mr. Watson was succeeded by Rev. John West, who served about one year. Then came Rev. O. C. Dake, who officiated for nearly two years. Rev. W. A. Van Antwerp was the rector of Trinity from 1864 to 1868. Next came Rev. George C. Betts, who filled Trinity's pulpit for one year. Rev. John G. Gassman followed, and remained until 1872. The eloquent Rev. Alexander C. Garrett, who afterwards became missionary bishop of northern Texas, was in charge of Trinity for about three years. Upon the passage of the cathedral canon in September, 1872, he be- came dean of the cathedral. He was succeeded by Rev. F. R. Millspaugh.
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The first Episcopal bishop of Nebraska was Rt. Rev Robert H. Clarkson, who was consecrated in Chicago November 15, 1866, and immediately afterwards located in Omaha. He rapidly built up the church organization throughout the state, and devoted much of his time to raising a fund with which to erect the beautiful Trinity cathedral, which is one of the handsomest church edifices in the west. The corner-stone was laid May 25, 1880, and the building was completed in 1881. Bishop Clarkson, who died in 1884, lies buried just south of the cathedral, which may be called his monument. The present bishop is the Rt. Rev. George T. Worthington, and the dean of the cathedral is Rev. C. H. Gardner. Trinity parish maintains several mission churches and Sunday-schools in the city. The other Episcopal churches are St. Barnabas, All Saints and St. John's.
The Roman Catholics built and completed the first church edifice-a brick structure-in Omaha. It was located on Eighth street, between Harney and Howard, on ground donated by the ferry company. When completed, in August, 1856, Father Scanlan, of St. Joseph, dedicated it under the name of St. Philomena's church. Upon the com- pletion of the cathedral on Ninth street, in 1867, the old church was used for school purposes. It was standing up to 1882, when it was torn down to make room for the B. & M. freight yard. The Catholics are the strongest and wealthiest religious organization in Omaha. They have numerous churches, colleges, schools, convents and charitable institu- tions. Right Rev. James O'Connor, bishop of Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana, makes his home and headquarters in Omaha.
The First Presbyterian church was organized in June, 1857, by Rev. George P. Bergen. a missionary of the Old School Presbyterian church. Mr. Bergen continued his labors until 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. George Webster. The ruling elders at that time were Ezra Millard and John R. Meredith. In 1860, however, this church. owing to financial embarrassments and internal dissensions, ceased to exist as an organization. It was succeeded a few months later by the Second Presbyterian church, which was established by Rev. F. M. Dimmick, who was sent here for that purpose by the New School board of missions. Ser-
HISTORY OF OMAHA. 193
vices were held in the different churches, in the court house and other places, until 1868, when the congregation took possession of its new brick church, at the northwest corner of Seventeenth and Dodge streets. Mr. Dimmick retired from this church in 1870. His successor was Rev. George D. Stewart, who officiated until 1877, when the present pastor, Rev. W. J. Harsha, took charge. Besides the Second Presbyterian church, there are now in Omaha four- teen other Presbyterian churches.
The Lutherans first gained a foothold in Omaha in 1859, in which year Rev. H. W. Kuhns was sent to this city as a missionary by the Alleghany Synod of Pennsylvania. Through his efforts the Emanuel Lutheran church was organized the next year, and in 1861 a brick church building was erected on the north side of Douglas street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth. Mr. Kuhns remained the pastor of this church until 1870. In 1881 the church property was sold to the Millard hotel syndicate, and a new lot was pur- chased at the northeast corner of Harney and Sixteenth streets, upon which a handsome brick edifice has since been built, called the Kountze Memorial church, in honor of the father of Augustus and Herman Kountze. Mr. Augus- tus Kountze contributed a large sum toward its erection.
Omaha is now well supplied with church societies and church buildings, there being over eighty organizations representing the leading denominations.
CHAPTER XXIII.
EARLY AMUSEMENTS.
THE FIRST THEATRICAL ENTERTAINMENT-JULIA DEAN HAYNE -FIRST PLACE OF AMUSEMENT-JOHN TEMPLETON'S COM- -
PANY-POTTER'S THEATRE-ACADEMY OF MUSIC-A SPLEN- DID STOCK COMPANY-PROMINENT ACTORS WHO PLAYED IN OMAHA IN THE EARLY DAYS --- REDICK'S OPERA HOUSE- BOYD'S OPERA HOUSE-THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
The first theatrical performance ever witnessed in Omaha was given in the dining room of the Herndon house (now the Union Pacific headquarters), in the summer
.
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of 1860. The leading actress was Julia Dean Hayne, who held quite a high position in her profession. One of her sisters married Colonel John Y. Clopper, and resided in Omaha for several years after the close of the civil war.
In speaking of this first theatrical entertainment in Omaha, Mr. Byron Reed, one of the old settlers, said: "I have forgotten the names of all the members of the com- pany except that of Julia Dean Hayne. I don't think the company was out on a professional tour. as it had no scenery. I remember that a bolt of muslin was borrowed from Tootle & Jackson's store to be made into curtains. I cannot now recall the name of the play."
According to another old settler, the first place of amusement in Omaha was the old court house, at the northeast corner of Farnam and Sixteenth streets, and the first play of any note presented here was "The Chamber of Death." It was produced by John Templeton's traveling company. who carried their own scenery and stage. It is an interesting fact that John Templeton was the pro- prietor of the opera company which, twenty years later, in 1881, had the pleasure of opening Omaha's handsome temple of amusement, the Boyd opera house. The opera on that occasion was "The Mascotte," and "Fay Temple- ton," daughter of John Templeton. was the prima donna. When the play, " The Chamber of Death," was produced in the old court house, Fay Templeton was a mere child. Her father was a prosperous manager and was everywhere known as "Lucky John Templeton." The court house was Omaha's place of amusement until the opening of Potter's theatre, in the second story of J. J. Brown's building, at the southeast corner of Fourteenth and Douglas streets. This theatre had a seating capacity of 400 or 500, the seats being common chairs placed on an inclined plane. This was about the year 1865. Potter, who ran the theatre, was an old theatrical manager. He opened the theatre with a stock company, in which Walter Bray, was the leading man and comedian. Among the first plays pre- sented at Potter's theatre was the "Lady of Lyons." After running a short time the business became very light, and one night the orchestra struck for their pay just before the curtain was to go up. The play was "Pocahontas," in which considerable music was required. This was the first
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night of its presentation in Omaha. Potter, who was equal to any emergency, informed the stage manager that the play would have to proceed without the music. "By thunder ! We can't do it !" exclaimed the stage manager. "But you can and must," said Potter, who thereupon walked out upon the stage and said to the audience : " Ladies and gentlemen, owing to the illness of the leader of the orchestra, there will be no music this evening. Luckily, however, the play really requires no music." Thereupon the curtain rose and the play of "Pocahontas " proceeded. Among the prominent actors who appeared at Potter's theatre were C. W. Couldock and Mr. and Mrs. Selden Irwin, who came here on their return from Cali- fornia, accompanied by Harry Rainforth as leading man.
Potter's theatre gave way to the Academy of Music, built by Colonel John Y. Clopper and the late S. S. Cald- well, and was included in the same block, called Caldwell block. When the Academy of Music opened it was regarded as a magnificent theatre for Omaha, and it really was an attractive theatre in its day. It was opened in the winter of 1866-7, under the management of Henry Corri, a veteran theatrical man. He was an English actor and had been Ben DeBar's manager for many years. Mr. Corri organized and maintained at the Academy of Music one of the best stock companies in the United States. This was just before everybody went to starring, and traveling companies became all the rage. The city was in those days a busy place, full of transients brought here by the con- struction of the Union Pacific railroad, and they all patron- ized places of amusement. Corri's stock company included J. F. Noyes, first leading man: Henry Morland, first heavy man; Annie Ward, soubrette; W. Watkins, first juvenile; Jean Clara Walters, leading lady, and Mrs. Clementine DeBar, mother of Blanche DeBar and sister of Ben DeBar. This brilliant company played the entire season with great success. Standard plays, such as "Macbeth," "Hamlet," " Richard III.," "Foul Play," "Sea of Ice," " Carpenter of Rouen," and other legitimate dramas were produced. The following season was opened with nearly the same com- pany, there being only a few changes. George L. Aiken took the position of first leading man. Jean Clara Walters was dropped from the company owing to some trouble with
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Colonel Clopper, who swore she should never play in the Academy again. Corri, of course, had to obey the orders of Colonel Clopper, and thereupon Miss Walters sued Corri for her salary on the ground of breach of contract. Mrs. J. D. Germon was the leading lady, and Mr. Germon was the leading man. Aiken remained only a short time, his place being filled by George C. Chaplin. During this season quite a number of stars played at the Academy, among them being Edwin Adams, Chanfrau, Couldock, Mrs. Bow- ers, Jean Hosmer, Proctor, Gotthold, Annie Ward Tiffany, Fannie Morgan, Phelps, Leo Hudson, and Fannie Price. There was a star on an average of once a week, and sometimes a star would play to crowded houses for two weeks. During the third season Milton Nobles was the " juvenile" man, John A. Stevens was the leading man, and Lottie Church, the wife of Stevens at that time, was the soubrette. Shortly after this season the Academy was closed as a stock theatre, and Stevens included it in the Western Star Circuit, which he organized. Among the stars who played in this circuit were Forrest, Barrett, Mrs. Bowers, Stuart Robson, Chanfrau, and others of equal prominence. Stevens became more or less financially em- barrassed, and having some trouble with the owners of the Academy, he opened Redick's opera house, which had been recently completed. Stevens played his com- pany in that house only a few times, when the Western Star Circuit collapsed. The members of his company then played for a week at the Academy of Music with Marion Mordaunt. From that time the Academy was conducted by different managers for the owners, and was rented to traveling companies. It continued to be the only theatre in Omaha until the opening of Boyd's opera house in 1881. The Academy is now known as the People's theatre.
What became of Manager Potter is not known. He is probably dead. Selden Irwin in 1884 was an invalid in Texas, his left side having been paralyzed. He also is very likely dead. Mrs. Selden Irwin is now traveling with first- class companies, and is quite a noted actress. She plays "old woman" parts. and is in excellent health and spirits. Manager Corri died some six or seven years ago at the For- rest home for aged actors, in Philadelphia. Annie Ward committed suicide in St. Louis, Jean Clara Walters is in
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California, and George Chaplin, in 1884, was traveling with Janauschek. Noyes is dead. Milton Nobles is starring it in plays written by himself, and has made a fortune. Stevens, as star, author and manager, has been doing well for the last few years. He was divorced from Lottie Church some years ago, and is married again. Mrs. Ben DeBar is num- bered with the dead. So also is J. D. Germon. Charles Rogers, who was with Corri during his second season, was in 1884 starring it. Frank Weston, who was the property man of the Academy of Music, has become an excellent actor. He is playing leading man for Effie Ellsler, his wife.
As a place of amusement Redick's opera house proved a failure. It would be difficult to convince a stranger or a newcomer that the large frame building at the southwest corner of Farnam and Sixteenth streets was actually in- tended for operatic and theatrical entertainments. "I built that architectural monument in 1871," said Hon. John I. Redick, "to increase the value of other property that I had in that immediate vicinity. The building cost me $15,000. It never paid as a place of amusement. Only a few performances were given in it. Of course you wouldn't know that it had been a theatre by looking at it now. The theatre part has all been changed. The gallery has been removed, and the room has been divided into two apartments, one of which was used for the city circus, other- wise known as the city council. The building, however, always paid me 12 per cent. on the investment. It was always accupied by offices. While I owned it the United States court was held in the church part. The old Congre- gational brick church, the first church of that denomination in Omaha, stands attached to the rear of the building at the northwest corner. Rev. Mr. Gaylord, now dead, used to preside over that church, and it was there that I heard my first sermon in Omaha. Rev. Mr. Gaylord preached it. When I bought the property I concluded to let the church stand as a memorial of my first church attendance in Omaha. and it is there yet. Although this alleged opera house passed into other hands it has always been occupied, and still continues to bring in a good rental. When the govern- ment building was completed the United States court and Federal offices were moved out, and the city then rented a
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large portion of the building. I sold the opera house prop- erty in 1872. I thought I never would get a better chance to sell it, and so I parted with it. Pattee was then running his lottery, and he wanted an opera house for his capital prize. As there was no opera house nearer than this one, he bought it. I don't remember whether the prize was . drawn by any one, but if it was Pattee bought it right back." The property is now owned by the Commercial National bank.
EEYES OFERA HOVEL.
MAHA
BOYD'S OPERA HOUSE.
Boyd's opera house was built in 1881 by Hon. James E Boyd. The ground covered by the handsome structure is 77 feet on Farnam and 132 feet on Fifteenth street. The . general style of architecture is American renaissance, and the exterior of the building presents a grand and imposing appearance. The interior is artistically decorated, and is bright and cheerful. The seating capacity is 1,200. The
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stage is fifty feet deep, and will accommodate the production of any drama or spectacular piece that has ever been played in this country. It is well equipped with scenery and all accessories. The cost of this opera house was over $100,000.
The opening performance was given on the night of October 24, 1881. Every seat was occupied and the receipts amounted to $1,032. The opera was "La Mascotte," played by the Templeton company. Fay Templeton appeared as Bettina, Alice Vane, her mother, took the part of Fiametta. John Templeton, Fay's father, was the Lorenzo, and Seth Crane was the Pippo. The performance was an enjoyable one throughout, and pleased the audience. Soon after the curtain dropped on the first act, General Manderson, occu- pying a seat in the lower box on the left of the stage, ad- dressed the audience, congratulating the people upon the completion and opening of this beautiful temple of amuse- ment, and at the same time complimenting Hon. J. E. Boyd for his public spirit and enterprise. In the course of his remarks General Manderson said: "To-night means a new departure for Omaha. It means that Omaha now be- gins to look metropolitan, for looking down the future, I see that this edifice is to bear a most important part in the city's history. The citizens who will gather here to feast their eyes upon its beauties, and delight their ears from the best talent of the dramatic and operatic stage, will take into their lives the culture, the refinement, that grows from seeing and hearing all the best that can be seen and heard." Resolutions complimentary to Mr. Boyd were then adopted bv the audience. Hon. Ezra Millard, in seconding the reso- . lutions, paid a high compliment to Mr. Boyd' enterprise. Mr. Boyd made a neat response, in the course of which he . said: "If you will look over the programme for this eve- ning's entertainment you will not see my name as one of the performers, and I am sure you did not come here to lis- ten to me, but Shakespeare says 'the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players'. My part of the per- formance has been the erection of this building. *
How well I have performed my part is not for me to say. but for you and the public to decide."
The late John McCullough, who was one of America's foremost actors, was so much pleased with Boyd's opera .
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house, that, on the occasion of his appearance here in "The Gladiator,"April 13, 1882, he came before the curtain, at the end of the second act, and addressed the audience as fol- lows : "Ladies and gentlemen-A few years ago, when I passed through Omaha, I never thought I would play here in such a temple as this, and before such an audience. I suppose some of you well remember that Omaha was a pretty rough place some years ago. There is no greater proof of civilization and advancement than a first-class theatre. I do not say this because I am an actor. I take great pleasure in paying this compliment to the gentleman who has built this beautiful temple of amusement. This theatre would do honor to any city in the world." After- wards, in private conversation, Mr. Mccullough said: “I meant every word I said to the audience to-night. I passed through Omaha in 1867, and I little dreamed that such a theatre would ever be built here. It is a fact that in no country in the world will you find such elegant theatres and so many of them as there are in the smaller cities of the United States. Nor will you see anywhere any finer audienres than were present last night and to-night."
Since the opening of the opera house the people of Omaha have had the pleasure of witnessing the best theat- rical and operatic performances in this country, and they have shown their appreciation of Mr. Boyd's enterprise by a liberal patronage.
James E. Boyd is a self-made man. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, September 9, 1834, and came to America when ten years of age, locating in Belmont county, Ohio. In 1847 he moved to Zanesville with his father, and lived there until 1856. In August of that year he came to Omaha, accompanied by his brother, John M. Boyd. The two brothers engaged in the carpentry and joinery busi- ness, and continued in the same until the memorable panic of 1857. On August 22, 1858, Mr. James E. Boyd married Miss Anna M. Henry. and some time after moved to Wood river, where he occupied himself for nine years in farming, raising stock, keeping store, and contracting for the gov- ernment, as well as for other parties. In the summer of 1865 he was freighting across the plains. When the Union Pacific railroad was completed to Kearney, he began con- tracting as a grader, and followed the road through
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to its completion at Promontory, in 1869. He it was who built the last section of grade which united the Union Pacific with the Central Pacific. In this business he made considerable money, and laid the foundation of his fortune. Upon moving to Omaha, after the completion of the road, Mr. Boyd bought the elegant home where he now resides.
1
HON. JAMES E. BOYD.
He purchased a controlling interest in the Omaha gas works. and in the winter of 1869-20 organized the Omaha & Northwestern railroad, and was elected its first presi- dent. He put into the undertaking one-sixth of the money required to complete it to Tekamah. This road has since become an important part of the Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Omaha line. Meantime Mr. Boyd had become interested in the cattle raising business, and still has 14
1
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quite a large herd. In 1872 he ventured into the pork packing industry in Omaha. The first year he killed only 4,500 hogs, but with each year his business increased until in 1886 he killed 141,000 hogs. He continued the packing business until the summer of 1887, when he sold his establishment. Although having retired from the pork-packing business, he is still actively engaged in other pursuits. He is the head of the Chicago commission firm of Jas. E. Boyd & Bro., and is a member of the Chicago board of trade, and also of the New York stock exchange. Mr. Boyd is a staunch democrat, and has taken quite a prominent part in Nebraska politics. In 1857 he was elected clerk of Douglas county. While residing in Buffalo county he was elected to the first state legislature, in 1867. He was also county clerk in that county, but resigned. He was elected on a non-partisan ticket to both the Nebraska state constitutional conventions. Mr. Boyd served as mayor of Omaha for two terms, from 1881 to 1883, and from 1885 to 1887, being elected each time by a very large majority. He proved an efficient and faithful executive, and during his administration were inaugurated all the public improvements that have done so much to bring Omaha up to the rank of a metropolitan city. In the sena- torial campaign of 1883 Mr. Boyd received the vote of the democratic party for United States senator against General Manderson. In the presidential campaign of 1884 he was a delegate to the convention which nominated Grover Cleveland, for whom he cast his vote. He was selected as a member of the national democratic committee. He was also a delegate to the national democratic convention of 1888. Mr. Boyd was president of the Omaha board of trade from 1881 to 1883. During his residence in Omaha he has taken an active part in nearly every public enterprise, and has always been considered one of the most public- spirited citizens.
Since the building of Boyd's opera house in 1881, the city has quadrupled in population, and consequently there has been an increased demand for amusement accommoda- tions. In response to this demand the Exposition com- pany, in 1887, converted a portion of the exposition build- ing into a theatre and named it the Grand opera house. It was remodeled and improved in many ways in 1888, and is now an attractive place of amusement.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
THE OMAHA PRESS.
THE FIRST OMAHA NEWSPAPER-THE PIONEER EDITORS-THE FIRST DAILY-HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICAN-THE HERALD -THE BEE-THE WORLD-OTHER PAPERS.
The Arrow has been mentioned in previous chapters as the first Omaha newspaper. It was not, however, strictly an Omaha publication, as it was edited and printed in Council Bluffs .* The first paper that was set up and printed in Omaha with its own type and press was the Nebraskian, a democratic sheet, which was established in the fall of 1854, shortly after the twelfth and last number of the Arrow had been published. Bird B. Chapman, who came to Omaha from Elyria, Ohio, for the premeditated purpose of running for delegate to congress, brought with him a complete newspaper outfit and started the Ne- braskian, with John Sherman as editor and Joe Strickland as printer. The office of the Nebraskian for two or three years was in a frame building erected by A. J. Hanscom, on the lot where the Paxton hotel now stands. Mr. Chap- man was elected to congress, but after he stopped running for office, his organ had a precarious existence. In 1858 Theodore Robertson became its owner, and two years later M. H. Clark was the proprietor, with Milton W. Reynolds as editor. About this time a daily edition was attempted, but it did not prove a success and was soon abandoned. In 1863 the paper became the property of Alfred H. Jackson, who conducted it until June 15, 1865, when it ceased to exist, giving place to the Herald.
The Weekly Times, a democratic journal, was es- tablished in 1857 by William W. Wyman, who made a very respectable paper of it, both in size and appearance. He erected during that year a two-story brick building at the northwest corner of Thirteenth and Douglas streets, for the Times office and for a post-office, he having been some time previously appointed postmaster. He arranged the
*See chapters IX and X.
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