USA > New York > Niagara County > History of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels : Niagara University, Niagara County, N.Y., 1856-1906 > Part 28
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The S. O. L. A. boys were not slow in appearing before the foot- lights once that the literary societies of the house had resolved to produce plays by casts chosen exclusively from their ranks. Like the members of the other societies, they sometimes appear for chari- table purposes at the Falls or Buffalo, always receiving very flattering comments from the press because of their acting. Indeed, the soci-
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ety boys of our three literary organizations, R. E. V. R., S. O. L. A., and B. L. A., are sure to draw big houses even in Buffalo, on account of their well-known ability on the stage.
The following list of charter members of the S. O. L. A. L. A. was furnished us by officers concerned in the keeping of their society traditions, and is therefore presumed to be correct :
Rev. James V. Brennan, censor ; John F. Leary, La Salle, Ill., president ; Patrick O'Neill, Davenport, Ia .; John M. Egan, Amboy, Ill .; Nelson H. Baker, Buffalo, N. Y .; Thomas W. Smith, Brooklyn, N. Y .; Brian Burke, St. Louis, Mo .; James Leyden, Brooklyn, N. Y .; James Roache, Truxton, N. Y .; Daniel Ryan, Lacon, Ill .; John B. Moore, Perryville, Mo .; John J. Gallen, Philadelphia, Pa .; Michael Salley, Port Jervis, N. Y .; Maurice J. Dullea, North Laurence, N. Y.
List of present officers: censor, Rev. Edward J. Walsh, C. M .; president, George A. Donoghue; vice-president, M. J. O'Neill; recording secretary, F. O'Neill; corresponding secretary, Matthew Quinn ; treasurer, J. Houlihan ; librarian, C. B. Maloney; assistant librarian, L. O'Gorman ; sergeant-at-arms, J. Condon ; business com- mittee, James O'Brien, James Coyle; question committee, Wm. Fitz- gerald, John O'Shea.
S. O. L. A. SONG
Long years have passed and left their trace on Old Niagara's shore, Since first was formed, by zealous hearts, our literary corps; Yet still we stand with heart and hand replenishing the ray That genius sheds so brightly on our dear S. O. L. A.
CHORUS.
Then let the merry song go round, for brothers all are we, Joined by a motto which adorns the heart from toil that's free, " A love of truth and eloquence " wher'er we chance to stray, Is the bright and cherished motto of our dear S. O. L. A.
'Tis said that ancient speakers, by their rich and thund'ring lore, Have moved the very rocks that lined the far-famed Grecian shore. If e'er such power was shown beneath Columbia's gentle sway, 'Twas in the grand and spacious halls of dear S. O. L. A.
As seagulls, through the storm defy, still hover o'er the spray That rises from Niagara's wave while foaming on its way, So when in storms of life we part and from each other stray, Our hearts will ever linger 'round our dear S. O. L. A.
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B. L. A.
The B. L. A. is the youngest of Niagara's literary societies. It came into existence three years after the R. E. V. R. and only a month after the S. O. L. A. The R. E. V. R. had been running since 1866, and it was found that one society was not sufficient to give all members of the rhetorical classes an opportunity to im- prove in their literary pursuits. Hence the other two societies were founded. The B. L. A., though last in point of years, has shown herself equal to her sister associations in the facilities it affords its members for acquiring that nice literary taste which it was established to diffuse; in the manner in which it is conducted, and the home-like comforts which it furnishes its members. It is said that " distance lends enchantment to the view," and we believe it, for in looking over the minutes of this society we grow strong in our admiration for the earlier members, and are apt to forget what the members of to-day are doing. Whatever enthusiasm the founders of the B. L. A. exhibited, it could not have surpassed that of the Basilians of the last few years. During the first few years of her existence the improvements made in the B. L. A. room were neces- sarily slow, but gradually she acquired a fine library and in time possessed a neatly furnished room in the old band building. But of late the members have become very progressive, and within the past five years have outdone even themselves. They may be said to have put the finishing touch to all the good work of previous years by making their rooms in Alumni Hall a model of beauty combined with comfort. Thus it is that time has had none other than a good effect upon our societies. It was a happy thought of the author of the B. L. A. song to compare her to the willow which is freshened by the stream that corrodes the hardest rock, and to add:
" So time in passing, though it wash The staunchest works away, 'Twill bear but life and vigor to Niagara's B. L. A."
The charter members of the society were: Rev. George V. Burns, censor ; Thomas F. Keveney, Brooklyn, N. Y .; Thomas McPeck, Yonkers, N. Y .; John F. Nash, Brooklyn, N. Y .; Charles J. Eckles, New York, N. Y .; John A. Reilly, Albany, N. Y .; Matthew A. Tay- lor, Mt. Vernon, N. Y .; John J. Hanlon, Albany, N. Y .; Michael E. Newman, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Philip A. Ahearn, New York, N. Y.
The present officers of the society are: Rev. C. S. Rosensteel, C. M.,
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censor, Rev. J. J. Corcoran, C. M., Rev. H. V. Piper, C. M., Rev. J. C. Chesnut, C. M., honorary censors; John J. Mckinney, presi- dent; Harry J. Grady, vice-president; William B. Quinlan, record- ing secretary; George F. Shaw, corresponding secretary; Joseph M. O'Shea, treasurer; Thomas J. Gallen, librarian ; Thomas J. Murphy, assistant librarian; Daniel J. Triggs, Luke V. Gallagher, John J. Ryan, question committee; John A. Kelly, Harry B. Keegan, Emil A. Fix, business committee ; John A. Martin, sergeant-at-arms; members, forty ; volumes in library, 600.
Very Rev. William F. Likly, C. M., 1882, Niagara's President, was a member of this society.
B. L. A. SONG
Words by Thomas Moran, Music by Prof. J. Ernst Rieger.
We hail, as widely spreads our fame, The hearts so truly grand, Who founded in long years ago Our literary band; And by untiring constancy, Which time nor cares could stay,
They won the highly honored name Enjoyed by B. L. A.
CHORUS -
Each year our scrolls we fondly swell With names that promise fair ; While others boldly enter life, Inured by Basil's care; And ever onward are impelled To bravely win the day, By aspirations to increase The fame of B. L. A., the fame, the fame of B. I .. A.
:
And as the willow fresh and fair Is nourished by the tide, Which oft corrodes the hardest rocks That skirt its rugged side; So time in passing, though it wash The staunchest works away, 'Twill bear but life and vigor to Niagara's B. L. A.
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Then glory crown the worthy deeds Wrought by Basilian boys - The deeds that join them still in heart To by-gone days and joys; Though fortune separates them far, Such deeds shall still convey, The pride they take as members of The famous B. L. A.
DRAMATIC SOCIETIES
As far back as the autumn of 1865, about a year after the burning of the Seminary, Father Anen, Prefect of the boys' department, organized the "Gem Dramatic Association." Some of the " stars " were Thomas Harty, John Walsh, Thomas Casey, Michael Santry, Edward McCarty, James Malley, William Burke, Martin Lawlor, M. Blake, John Fitzpatrick, William Penny, F. O'Donoughue, John Donnelly, William Pope, J. Kinnerny, and J. Costello.
Among the plays produced were "The Hidden Gem," " Riche- lieu," and " Cherry Bounce." The actors were not always confined to the Seminary in their efforts to please, but were sometimes allowed to go to the neighboring villages to exhibit their histrionic skill. One thing, however, they do not seem to have had, and that was the im- personation of female characters. When "Richelieu " was played Julie was transformed into a "nondescript character," who was com- missioned to speak the sentiments of the Cardinal's niece, thus dis- pensing with the latter's appearance before the footlights. From the standpoint of prudence the adaptation may have been a pious success, but how the motif of the play could have been developed to the satisfaction of the audience without the appearance of the " genuine article " is a dramatic problem which we shall not pause to analyse.
It was many years, indeed, before " petticoats " appeared in front of Niagara's footlights, except on rarest occasions, and then only when some washerwoman or black "Aunt Sally " was " featured " for a few minutes. The impersonation of female characters, Julies and Genevieves, is common enough now in our college theater, but up to date the roof has not fallen in by way of protest against the innova- tion. Our chief objection to such impersonations is not a moral one, but an artistic one, even though the esoteric critic may see dangerous possibilities in the use of feminine attire by a masculine "beau," or Victor Hugo may have said that all the warlike invasions of history have been determined by petticoats.
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We have no inclination to condemn the caution of the past, or the more liberal sentiment of the present. The only objection, then, that we offer is from an artistic point of view, based on the well- known dramatic axiom that no male wears skirts without offense. In highly dramatic renditions the masculine stride will give the lie to the feminine sentiment, and hence the audience will laugh when it ought to have its lachrymal glands prepared for copious libations. In comedy parts, however, the male impersonator of female character makes the audience bubble over, no matter whether the actor be funny or not, so long as he affects feminine ways - and wears their com- plicated toggery.
That the G. D. A. boys had plenty of fun at their own expense through those laughable blunders which the best of amateurs are sure to make in critical moments appears from an account preserved concerning one production of the " Hidden Gem." "William Pope, as the negro guard, was so successful in portraying the comical side of the drama that he actually stole all the thunder from the oratori- cal displays of the other gentlemen, and once, at least, robbed the dying (?) Alexis of the honor of an effect by setting the audience in a titter just at the time of the important and affecting death scene."
That the boys had plenty of enterprise in the early days of our college is shown by a programme which was rendered in Colt's Hall, Suspension Bridge, May 1 and 2, 1866, and in Grant's Hall, Niagara Falls, May 10th and 11th. The proceeds were to be devoted to the purchase of instruments for a brass band, but as the receipts, accord- ing to Father Anen, the censor, were $100 and the expenses $175, we infer that dramatic ability and financial success were not synonymous terms in those days among our collegians any more or as much as they are at present.
The " Family of Martyrs," "Cherry Bounce," and " Cardinal Richelieu," with " Select Airs by the College Glee Club," was the bill given on the four nights mentioned. On the first night at the Bridge the " Family of Martyrs " was played as the leading piece, and on the second night "Richelieu " was produced. At the Falls the same order was followed. In those days these two places were much far- ther apart than they are now since the street cars were introduced and the two villages incorporated into one city. So that the appear- ance of the G. D. A.'s for two nights in succession, followed by two more the next week, in what is now a one night's stand for dramatic troupes, was not then as surprising as it may appear to us of the
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present. The financial yield, however, is what amuses us, nor can we help wondering who made " good " the deficit.
Whether the dramatists made money or not, they made lots of fun for the inmates of the Seminary when they played comedy, and gave instructive lessons when they essayed the higher roles of dra- matic art. Nor were they sparing of their talents to please and instruct, for they made their appearance very frequently during the four or five years that they were in existence as a society, and always to the great delight of their audiences.
P. D. A.
The successor to the G. D. A. seems to have been the Philharmonic and Dramatic Association, organized February 1, 1870, although mention is made of a P. D. A. as far back as 1867, according to a " Student's Recollections." "This association was organized for the purpose of entertaining the social gatherings of the students, and to cultivate a taste for vocal and instrumental music ; also to develop the arts of declamation and of the drama ; or any such branch that tends to the mutual improvement of the members. Membership is open to all those who have a desire to advance in the above arts." The first officers were:
Director, Rev. Henry A. Anen ; president, James I. Leyden; vice-president, Nelson H. Baker ; secretary, Charles J. Eckles ; treas- urer, Matthew A. Taylor; musical director, J. J. B. Ryan; stage manager, Harry A. Jones ; assistant stage manager, J. J. Reilly.
On Washington's Birthday following their organization the mem- bers carried out a programme which we take pleasure in copying, knowing that its appearance in our pages will recall pleasant memo- ries to some of the students of those days:
"WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY"
Entertainment at the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels by the PHILHARMONIC AND DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION,
February 99, 1870
Stage Manager, J. A. Connolly
Director of Music, pro tem., J. J. O'Neill
Music arranged by
Prof. A. Kypta
PROGRAMME
Overture,
PART FIRST
Orchestra
Opening Chorus, "Ever Be Happy,'
Company
" Leaf by Leaf the Roses Fall,".
T. J. Kearney
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" Would I Were a Star,"
Nelson H. Baker
" Josiah,"
A. B. Magee
" You've Been a Friend to Me,"
T. F. Moran
" Take Back the Heart,"
Phil. Ahearn
"Joseph Spriggins,"
J. A. Connolly
PART SECOND VARIETIES
Concertina Solo,
W. E. Don Levy
Music and Her Sister Song,
Duet
Unoclogpedality, John Hogan
J. I. Leyden
Washington Crossing the Delaware,
T. F. Moran
N. H. Baker
THE PHOTOGRAPHER A Thrilling Drama in One Act from Schneider's Novel of Same Name
The Artist,
B. J. O'Reilly
Mr. Sniffin, .
T. J. Kearney
Pompey, a servant,
T. Smith
Canadian Boat Song,
Trio
To be followed by the Musical Burletta of THE RIVAL BANDS Composed for the Occasion by Prof. A. Kypta
Band the one,
Leader, Prof. A. Kypta
Band the two,
J. J. O'Neill
Solo -"Where Are the Dreamers Now ?"
Geo. J. Dunbar
( T. Moran
Medley on Guitar, Violin, and Flute, .
J. I. Leyden
N. H. Baker
"What are the Wild Waves Saying ?"
Duet
The Melodramatic and Terrible Tragedy of STAGE STRUCK
Virgilius,
Jas. Reddy
Joseph,
.
. H. A. Jones
Exile of Erin,
Solo
The whole to conclude with the " Laughable Farce" written for the Occasion and entitled "PRINCE ARTHUR'S RECEPTION"
CHARACTERS
Prince Arthur William Patrick, etc., etc.,
T. J. Kearney
Colonel Elphinstone,
Companions of Prince,
C. Eckles Ensign Fitzroy, J. J. O'Neill
Washington Thomas, Proprietor of ye Grand Hotel, .
Geo. Dunbar
Wm. Augustus Fitzgibbs, a New York Swell,
W. E. Don Levey
Alexander, Colored Waiter in ye Grand Hotel,
Jas. Reddy
Mr. Murphy McGinness, Reporter for the "Irish Times,
A. Magee
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Jacob Bummenhausen, of ye Deitchen Doodlesack, . J. I. Leyden Rev. Joshua Drab, verily the Chosen One of Israel, . N. H. Baker Jimmy Buster, a Gentleman Pugilistically Inclined, . H. A. Jones Policeman, . Jas. Lee
Remarks by Rev. Father Rice
That our present generation of students may have a glimpse of the way in which Faculty and boys enjoyed themselves together in the olden time we reproduce another programme gotten up by the P. D. A. It will be noticed that originality manifests itself among the members in the production of sketches written for these occasions. We know that the length of the programme which we are about to append to our " copy " will be thought by some too great for artistic appearance in our pages. But, as one of our motives in writing this history of Niagara is to bring into prominence the doings of days gone by, preserving thereby, not only the memory of what was done, but the names of those who participated, " we take great pleasure," as the P. D. A.'s themselves premise, in presenting this programme for March 17, 1870:
"CEAD MILLE FAILTHE" ST. PATRICK'S DAY
March 17, 1870 Programme of Entertainment by the Philharmonic Dramatic Association
Stage Manager, J. A. Connolly
Musical Director,
J. J. Ryan
PART I Music, Band The society take pleasure in announcing that they have prepared at a tremendous outlay, and will present for the first time, with new scenery, costumes, etc., the side- splitting farce of
THE CARPET BAG CONVENTION Dramatis Personæ
Mr. O'K Gavel, Speaker, James Reddy
Hon. Achilles Snooks, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chas. J. Eckles
Hon. James Doolittle, from Massachusetts, J. I. Leyden
Hon. Thucydides Smashem, from Virginia, M. F. Murray
Hon. Emile Freeborn, from New York, Thos. Smith
Hon. Hannibal Crashem, from New Orleans, B. J. O'Rielly
Hon. Cato Watermelon, from North Carolina, M. A. Taylor
Hon. William Somepunks, from Georgia, Joseph J. O'Neill
Hon. Sam. D. B. Goit, from Alabama, Harry A. Jones
Hon. Pete Cantdoit, from Maryland, . T. J. Kearney
Hon. Cæsar flash de whistle, from South Carolina, P. Ahearn
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Music, Orchestra
Trio, .
Rev'd Fathers Landry, Shaw, and Anen
Cornet Solo,
J. J. Ryan
Address by, Rev. J. W. Hickey, C. M.
Prof. A. Kypta, J. J. Ryan,
Variations,
J. J. Durkin, M. A. Taylor,
Pius Kreutz, J. J. O'Neill.
PART II
The evening's entertainment will conclude with the serio comic play, adapted from the original of Chow-chow, Tsi-Kiang, and presented now for the first time on any stage, and entitled
PHASES OF CITY LIFE
Roger Fitzgibbons, Emigrant, afterwards Alderman, J. A. Connolly
Bart. O'Shaughnessy, an Oleagenous Soap-fat man, . Jas. Reddy
Paddy Mulcahy, a Noted Publican, J. S. Fitzpatrick
Abraham Clausen, Cloth Dealer, Tribe of Israel, N. H. Baker
Hiram Flipflap, of Orange County, J. I. Leyden
Hans Schneider, Journeyman Tailor, afterwards his own boss, C. J. Eckles
Scipio Squash, Clam Peddler,
T. W. Smith
Judge Williams, an impartial man,
Geo. J. Dunbar
Blackstone Brown, his Clerk, H. A. Jones
Harry Digit, with alias Thimble Rigger, T. J. Kearney
Chas. A. Musk, of the Bon Ton, J. J. O'Neill
Major Smith, his friend, Philip Ahearn
"Smiggy " McGowan, Bar Tender, T. F. J. Moran
"Nosey," the Gouger, Butcher, and Fireman, Matt. A. Taylor
Jean Joseph Marte, French Cook, . B. J. O'Rielly
James Fitzgibbons, Son of Roger, Joseph Petty
Martin Schneider, Son of Hans,
Rodman Durack
Policeman, of the Big Squad,
W. E. Don Levey
Pedestrians, Bootblacks, Newsboys, etc., etc.
SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY
Act I. Scene I. Chatham Street- The Way of Life.
Act I. Scene II. Police Court-How Justice is Administered.
Act II. Scene I. Public Thoroughfare - How Strangely People Meet.
Act II. Scene II. Residence of Alderman Fitzgibbons-Saint Patrick's Night.
Between the acts select morceaux will be discoursed by the band and orchestra under directorship of Prof. A. Kypta.
It must not be supposed from the samples furnished that the P. D. A. dealt only in farce or higher comedy, although from the programmes extant they seem to have preferred the lighter vein of acting. They produced the "Family of Martyrs," the now much worn " Hidden Gem," the "grand and pathetic drama " of " Ireland as It Is," "Major John Andre," " Damon and Pythias," " Hofer, the Tell of the Tyrol," with many others which required, like those men-
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tioned, great preparation and dramatic talents of a high order. The last appearance of the P. D. A. was on April 14, 1879, when the members produced a long and varied programme before a Niagara audience. A minstrel show followed by no less than five skits made up the evening's entertainment. The participants in this uninten- tional farewell appearance were F. X. Kelly, J. T. Lynch, P. F. Nash, J. A. Lynn, W. B. Altick, M. J. Kean, J. M. Bustin, A. M. O'Neill, D. J. Byrne, G. W. Dooker, and J. T. Hoover.
After the opening of studies in September, 1879, the P. D. A. assembled, as is customary with our societies, for the election of officers for the ensuing term. According to the first and last minutes of the society the officers elected were:
Rev. L. A. Grace, C. M., censor; John T. Lynch, president; Philip J. Nash, vice-president; Francis X. Kelly, recording secre- tary; Daniel J. Byrne, corresponding secretary; Michael J. Kean, treasurer ; James M. Bustin, stage manager; George W. Dooker, musical director ; James T. Hoover, costumer.
Father Grace had just joined Niagara's Faculty, having been sent here on his first mission after his ordination in the preceding June. He knew by hearsay quite a little of the sports and pastimes popular with Niagara students for, although he had been only a " day dodger " at the Jesuit College in New York, and the Vincen- tians' College in Brooklyn, he had studied six years in Germantown with ardent Niagara men, who were never tired of telling him what a grand place Niagara was for scenery, both natural and painted. The new censor was waited upon by a committee of three, and apprised of his election ; he accepted "in quantum," and, after consulting Father Kavanagh, then President, was so encouraged by the latter that he entered most eagerly into the dramatic circle.
But that circle proved to be a sort of maelstrom, for it seems that the P. D. A.'s had done something displeasing - what or to whom does not matter now - and were foredoomed to destruction. Their stage was thrown out from the play hall, into the hand ball alley back of the Index office; their mammoth trunk with its piles of costumes was relegated to the garret ; their scenery was packed away as carefully as a cyclone packs the shingles of a Kansas shanty, while the members were invited to devote themselves to croquet or other exhilarating sports by way of pastime. The inexperienced censor did not know what had happened to give such a death blow to dramatics in a place which had boasted almost from infancy of its comedians, tragedians, and artistic fiddlers generally. He was told
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that Sunday night concerts would take the place of the now defunct P. D. A.'s performances. The concerts were given for a few Sun- days, but after a while only the musicians were awake and listening. Niagara folk love music, but they do not care to have it fed to them as a steady diet. Besides, the suppression of the dramatic society had perhaps displeased the boys, who were accordingly determined not to grow rapturous over even the most classical selections by the most finished performers in the house. It was all new and strange to the former "day dodger," who, however, enjoyed the sacred concerts, and worried not over the extinction of a society with which he had never become acquainted.
It was not until March, 1881, that any signs of dramatic life began to show themselves around our institution. A little before that time the young Censor (who had never censored) was directed by Father Kavanagh to look around for a suitable play, and pick a cast from the study hall for its rendition. One of the second rhetoricians offered a play of his own manufacture, titled " Patrick Henry; or, The Outbreak of the Revolution!" The author bar- gained that he should play the leading role, and, as the young ex- censor was glad enough to get anyone to play, an agreement was quickly made. Some very fine theatrical timber was extant from the wrecked P. D. A.'s, and this was speedily pressed into service with the result that a very superior cast of actors took hold of " Patrick Henry," and piloted him as far as he would go. Here are the thespians : D. J. Sheehan, J. T. Lynch, T. J. Grace, V. Duncan, P. Donnelly, T. Walsh, C. Kelly, C. Brady, W. Hanley, N. Cum- mings, Jno. Casey.
The dismantled stage was set up, the battered scenery repaired, the famous drop curtain with its shoal of whales was hung in place, and, amid the hushed expectations of a play-starved audience, "Patrick Henry " appeared before the footlights, Tuesday evening, March 1, 1881. We let the Index critic speak his mind. Dan Tehan, we believe, was the culprit who forged this thunderbolt so destructive of dramatic genius :
" As we entered the Juniors' recreation hall and beheld the stage occupying its accustomed place we were wafted back to the period when the now defunct P. D. A.'s so often made the hall resound with their eloquence. Before the curtain was raised we had promised ourselves a truly literary and dramatic feast, but we were doomed to meet with disappointment. We cannot say that the play was a success, for it possessed no intrinsic merit. The drama was so badly
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