History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 107

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 107

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CHAPTER L.

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

An association of vocalists calling itself the Handel Society seems to have been the first musieal organization in Columbus. We read of its participation in the celebration of Independence Day in the years 1821 and 1822, on which ocea- sions, we are told, it acquitted itself with "a superior degree of elegance." How long the Handel Society continued we are not informed; it was still in exis- tence in 1830. Of military music in and about the borough, during the war of 1812, and the subsequent musterdays, we may fairly presume there was plenty, although its instrumental resources, doubtless, were usually limited to the fife and drum. Of theatrical entertainments the borough was entirely destitute, but we hear of its visitation by certain vagrant exhibitions for village entertainment at quite an early period. Under date of April 21, 1827, the arrival in Columbus of " Tippo Sultan, the Great Hunting Elephant," was thus advertised :

The performances of Tippo Sultan, together with the dexterity and intrepidity of his keeper, produces a spectacle not only curious and diverting, but in some instances both inter- esting to the spectator and dangerous to the keeper. [The advertisement here describes some of the elephant's tricks and continues :] The Mammoth Lion, Tiger, Cat, Lynx, Shet- land Pony, Dandy Jack, &c., &c. The above named animals will be seen at Mr. Russell's Tavern, Columbus, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the 27th, 28th and 29th inst. The exhibition will be accompanied with good Music. Admittance 25 cents - children under 12 years of age half price.

This is one of the first attempts at public entertainment made at the capital of Ohio. At night the " hunting elephant " was locked up in the tavern backyard where, during one of the rights of his sojourn, he broke loose, and for awhile amused himself by pumping water at the well. Finally he broke the pump- handle, and looking around for some new pastime spied two barrels of flour stand- ing on the back porch. Breaking into these, he, for a while, ate flour and drank water alternately until he converted the residue of the flour into paste. Awakened by the noise, Mr. Russell descended and was received by the elephant with a fusillade of dough. Beating a retreat the discomfited host aroused the keeper of the frolic- some beast, who, after some effort, succeeded in getting him tied again. Under date of April 10, 1828, a " dramatic entertainment" was thus referred to : " To the performance of Mr. and Mrs. Harper on Monday and Tuesday evenings the tribute of praise is justly due. Mr. Powell was excellent in Tony Lumpkin in ' She Stoops to Conquer.'" This performance probably took place at the market- house, on State Street. On May 15, 1828, it was announced that Field & Purdy's " celebrated equestrian company " would arrive in the borough on the next day

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or the day after. In October, 1828, C. Parker opened a school in sacred music at the Academy. A popular musicbook of that year was called the " Missouri Har- mony." On May 6, 1830, the borough was startled by this announcement :

On Monday and Tuesday, the 10th and 11th inst., will be exhibited on the common opposite Watson's Hotel, in Columbus, [where the Neil House now stands] the most exten- sive and diversified collection of foreign animals ever seen in the State. Among others are the Kangaroo from New Holland, Hyena from Ethiopia, Zebra from the Cape of Good Hope, African Lion. . . . [and] an ape with her young, which she yet nurses. At 11 o'clock A. M. and + P. M. each day the Keeper of the Asiatic Lion and Lioness will enter their respective cages! ! Immediately preceding which the Camels, Lamas, Ponies and Monkeys will be exercised in the ring.

About the year 1832 theatrical performances began at Young's Coffeehouse under the management of Gilbert & Trowbridge. This place of entertainment was called the Eagle Theatre, and consisted of a room fitted up for the purpose with seats at one end of it rising one above another as high as the ceiling. The company played to " crowded houses." It comprised Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Trow- bridge, William Barry, Mr. Marsh, Mr. J. Smith and Mr. William Delman. On June 24, 1830, it was announced that at this place would appear " the celebrated juven- ile actress, Miss Lane," in " Is He Jealous" and a farce entitled " Winning a Hus- band." On July 12, 1830, this theatre was reopened, after an interval, with a " petit comedy called Blue Derils," after which, it was stated, Mr. A. Cohen would appear in " the popular bravura song, 'The glad trumpet sounds to victory "" and " a comic chant called ' Push along, keep moving,' " after which would follow "a fancy dance by Miss Stannard, several favorite songs by Mr. and Mrs. Kinloch." and " a new farce " entitled 12 Precisely, or a Night at Dorer, in which Miss Lane would perform in five different characters.

A traveling menagerie, the proprietorship of which does not appear, gave exhibitions in Columbus on October 21 and 22, 1831. Among its attractions were a "unicorn or rhinoceros," two royal Bengal tigars, two leopards, a lynx from Japan, a pair of ocelots from California, a " romopo from the East Indies, similar to the hyena," two panthers from the Rocky Mountains, a congar and a condor from South America, and " monkeys in great variety." The Siamese Twins visited the borongb in 1833, and gave seances at the National Hotel. A current newspaper account of them stated: "Although rather small in stature they appear to enjoy excellent health, and their countenances and movements indicate much shrewdness and animation." The Franklin Harmonic Society was organized on February 2, 1833, with Rufus Beach as president ; object, " improvement of the vocal and instrumental music." Of this society A. C. Findlay, H. H. Gridley, Isaac Dalton and John T. Spear were trustees and Eli Stone secretary. S. Butler & Company's menagerie visited the borough in May, 1834. Its leading attraction was " the great hunting or war elephant, Hannibal." Raymond & Ogden's menagerie fol- lowed in August of the same year. " Columbus Jockey Club races," to be " free only for colts owned by citizens," and to be " governed by the rules of the Balti- more Central Course," were announced for October.

The first circus to visit Columbus was probably an English one called Pippin's. It pitched its tents on the common just east of Heyl's Tavern on Sonth High Street. The exact date of its arrival cannot now be fixed ; the year seems to have been 1833 or 1834. In 1835 " Brown's Mammoth Arena Circus" gave exhibitions on July 2 and 3. Among its proprietors was Samuel Stickney who was the Barnum of the showmen of that period. Charles Rockwell, another proprietor, is described as a very handsome man, who had the misfortune to attract the admira- tion of sentimental young ladies to such a degree as to become, on some occa- sions, an annoyance. One of these enthusiasts who had become particularly

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obtrusive he rebuffed by telling her that if she had fallen in love with his ward- robe he would present it to her. Among the performers in this circus was Charles Shay, a celebrated juggler ; a daring " bareback rider " named Charles Rogers, and Ricardo, a popular clown. About this time the Blanchard family of circus performers erected a wooden building on the northwest corner of the Capitol Square, and gave exhibitions during the winter.

The first building in Columbus intended especially for a theatre, was erected by a jointstock company in 1835. It was built of wood, and stood on the present site of the Hoster Block on North High Street. An enthusiastic newspaper reporter, writing in November, 1835. said of it :

The building for the theatre is already considerably advanced towards completion. It will be quite a massive and splendid pile - measuring fifty feet in front, on High Street (north of Broad), one hundred feet in depth, and thirty feet in height, clear of the roof. . . On an inspection of the interior, the space allotted to the stage appears to occupy onehalf of the building, with dressingrooms attached. The audience part will consist of a pit, two tiers of Boxes, with a Saloon in the rear.

This establishment took the name of Columbus Theatre, and was opened in December, 1835, by Messrs. [Edwin] Dean and Mckinney, managers of the Eagle Street Theatre, at Buffalo, New York. A silver cup valued at fifty dollars was offered as a prize for the best address to be spoken at the opening. This prize was won by Mr. Otway Curry. Another cup valued at twentyfive dollars, offered by Mr. John Young, of the Eagle Coffeehouse, as a prize for the second best address was taken by Mr. James Kilbourn. A communication to the author by Mr. John M. Kerr, who was one of the stockholders of this theatre, contains the following interesting reminiscences of its earlier performers :

The first company of the old theatre consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Dean and their daughter Julia, Mr. Charles Webb as leading man or tragedian, Mir Trowbridge, Mrs. Trowbridge as leading actress, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Lennox, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Mr. Joseph Proctor, Mr. Marsh, Miss Honey, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest and Mr. William Barry as comedians, and Mr. Charles Denman. Mrs. Trowbridge became a great favorite in this city ; so admired was she that a purse was made up and a celebrated New York artist was employed to paint her lifesize portrait in the character of "The Wife." Mr. Charles Webb, in the character of "The Stranger" was never excelled. I heard the great English tragedian, Macready, say that he was the best actor on the American boards. But alas, where are the members of that fine dramatic company now! They have nearly all made their final exit from the stage of life. I know of but two survivors out of the entire list. I met William Barry in San Francisco in 1861, looking as young as ever. He was then playing at McGuire's Opera House, in that city. Mr. Joseph Proctor resides in Philadelphia. He was lately still playing there his favorite character of "Jibonanesy" in Nick of the Woods. Julia Dean Hayne, who became a brilliant star, I last saw in San Francisco. . . . In 1841, when the old theatre finally closed, Mr. John Leslie, its stage painter, took with him to Cincinnati much of its fine scenery. In 1843 the building was purchased by M. J. Gilbert, who remodeled it, and for a time it was known as the City Hall. Afterwards it was cut in two and its front part was removed by Mr. Gilbert to a point near Gay Street, where it was fitted up for a dwelling. The last occupant of its stage part was William G. Wiatt, who used it as a billiard saloon.

Among the most popular plays at the old Columbus Theatre were St. George and the Dragon, Mazeppa and Cataract of the Ganges. A trained horse of great valne, used in the play of Mazeppa, took sick and died while en route to Cincin- nati to take part in an engagement in that city. In lieu of the lost animal, one of Mr. Kerr's horses was trained for the play and performed its part admir- ably. A companion to this horse became equally expert in the play of The Ganges. The Mazeppa animal was billed as " the wild horse of Tartary."

A famous and popular danseuse of the Columbus Theatre, who made her ad- vent in 1837, was Miss Honey. Her most piquant dances were frequently fol- lowed by a shower of silver " quarters " thrown upon the stage by her admirers.

At Grules

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MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

Miss Honey had also considerable talent as an actress, and in whatever part she took evoked applause.

The theatrical performances of the thirties usually began with a comedy and ended with a farce. The season at the Columbus theatre was opened on Decem- ber 7, 1837, with the following programme which may be taken as a sample :

Kotzebue's Celebrated play of The Stranger. Cast : The Stranger, Mr. Kelsey ; Baron Steinfurt, Mr. Lennox ; Count Wintersen, Mr. Duffy ; Francis, Mr. Burton; Tobias, Mr. Trowbridge ; Solomon, Mr. Dean ; Peter, Mr. Forrest : Mrs. Haller, Mrs. Trowbridge ; Coun- tess, Mrs. Dean ; Charlotte, Mrs. Forrest. After the play, a song by Mr. Lennox. To con- clude with the langhable farce of the Two Gregories.

In June, 1837, a " grand vocal and instrumental concert " by " Miss DeBarr, from New York and New Orleans" was announced. This seems to have been one of the earliest of its kind. An example of the cheap sensational " shows " then current will be found in the following advertisement of August 12, 1837 :

Mr. O'Connell, the Tattooed Man and Adventurer who was shipwrecked and resided on the islands of the Pacific for several years, will give an account of his wonderful adven- tures, and exhibit the War Dance and Curiosities of those countries. . . . Mr. O'Connell is termed in the Eastern prints the Modern Robinson Crusoe.

On July 3 and 4, 1837, an exhibition of wax figures, accompanied by comic Ethiopian vocalism, took place " on Colonel Noble's lot, east of the Presbyterian Church." Among the plays performed in the Columbus Theatre in 1838 were Macbeth, Cherry and Fair Star, Innkeeper's Daughter, Gipsy's Revenge, Maiden's Vow, The Wife, Pizarro, Fazio, Hunchback, Wrecker's Daughter, Evadne, Taming of the Shrew and Faust. On the performance of the latter in January, 1838, the following comment was made :

This drama, which was performed for the first time in this city on Monday evening, is beyond all question the most splendid and perfect spectacle ever produced in any theatre in this country ; and it is a matter of much doubt whether it was ever produced at any one of the eastern cities with greater splendor, beauty and magnificence. The scenery, as produced at this theatre, is entirely new, and painted by Mr. John Leslie, who, as an artist, is unsur- passed by anyone of his profession in the United States. The city of Venice. the second scene in Faustus, as a piece of painting is in itself a work of surpassing excellence, and unequaled by anything ever exhibited, to say the least in this western country, No idea can be given in a mere statement of this kind of the enchanting effect produced on the mind by the beautiful and sudden change from the first scene, a rich and gorgeous view of the Drach- enfels at sunset, to the view of the city of Venice above alluded to. . .. The character of Faustus is remarkably well conceived and sustained by Mr. Lennox. Mrs. [ Martha M.] Trowbridge as Adine - the mind expands and the very soul thrills with emotion at the bare recollection. . . . We doubt whether this representation of Mrs. T. can be excelled by any actress living.

Commenting upon the play of Macbeth at this theatre another critic wrote :

Of the performance of Mrs. Trowbridge, as Lady Macbeth, we are exceedingly proud. We are proud of it because we claim her, at least by adoption, as one of the daughters of Ohio. Her success was, if possible, beyond what her fine intellectual powers and histrionic skill had led us to anticipate. In the invocation,

' Come, come you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts,"

her peculiar, her own intonation of voice, and her blended sternness and solemnity of man- ner were strikingly effective.

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

On May 22, 1838, the Franklin Harmonic Society gave a concert at the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, and during the same month and year the Columbus Band made its advent. This seems to have been one of the earliest local organi- zations using brass instruments. Fogg & Stickney's Circus, formerly Brown's, visited Columbus in August, Waring's in May.1 In December, 1839, the Columbus Theatre was opened for the season under the management of Mr. Kent. Among the ladies and gentlemen comprising his stock company were Mesdames Kent, Martha M. Trowbridge, Altimus and Burton, Miss Ritter and Messrs. W. Kent. McCrum, Delman, Altimus, Lathrop, Winans, J. Smith and R. H. Harris. . The opening play of the season was The Stranger. At the close of the season the manager and the leading actors and actresses took benefits, as was in those days the custom. In 1839 and 1840 several concerts of the better class were given in the dining hall of the American House, which seems to have been at that time the most available place for such a purpose. Charles H. Eaton, a tragedian of consid- erable fame, filled an engagement in Shakespearean parts at the Columbus Theatre in 1839. His debut was made as Duke of Gloster. He and Charles Webb achieved great success as Damon and Pythias. A. A. Adams, a tragedian of contempo- rary fame, appeared during the same season as Virginius and Hamlet. In the latter part he was declared to be second only to Booth. The leading lady in the Eaton and Adams plays was Mrs. Martha M Trowbridge. Mr. Job B. Mills, a young actor of Franklin County citizenship, became conspicuous on the Colum- bus stage in 1840. Among the more important plays of that year were She Stoops to Conquer, Hunchback, The Wife, Maid of the Mill, Pizarro, Hamlet and Youthful Brigand. In January, 1841, Messrs. Parker and Leslie, managers of the Columbus Theatre, put upon their stage a spectacular play called Aladdin. Its scenic splendors were rapturously described by the dramatic reporters of the period. Among the more noted actors on the Columbus stage in 1841 were Miss Mary Duff, Mr. J. W. Wallack, Mr. F. A. Forrester and Mr. J. B. Mills. Miss Honey continued to dance her way into public favor all through the season.

Towards the end of 1841 the Columbus Theatre seems to have degenerated both financially and morally, and its evil influence upon the young people of the city, resulting particularly from its " bar" for the sale of intoxicants was loudly complained of. As the theatre declined, concerts and small shows multiplied. Waring & Raymond's menagerie and circus visited the city in August, 1842. Hopkins & Company's menagerie exhibited some novel performances with wild beasts in October, 1843. Signor Blitz, the wonderful magician, gave some performances of his " black art" at the City Hall in 1844. Christy's Minstrels came in December of that year. On January 2, 1845, the Columbus Sacred Music Society was organized at the old United States Court- house. The managers appointed were Messrs. Whitworth, Shepherd, Hand, Chapin and Howard. At the meeting for organization Governor Bartley pre- sided. The society gave its first concert at Trinity Church, June 19. On Feb- ruary 2, 1845, a concert was given at the Clay Club House by the German Glee Club. During the same month and year the city was visited by the noted dwarf, " General Tom Thumb." The Swiss Bellringers made their appearance in May. G. R. Spalding's Circus, one of the finest concerns of the kind then traveling, gave an exhibition on August 25. On June 6, 1845, a concert was given at the Neil House by the famous Scandinavian violinist, Ole Bull. He was assisted by Messrs. Duffield and Machold. Spencer's Ethiopian Minstrels gave a perform- ance at the Clay Club Hall on January 3, 1846 ; in June of the same year the city was visited by June & Turner's Circus. Raymond & Waring's Grand Zo- ological Exhibition, of which Herr Dresbach, the famous liontamer, was a leading attraction, exhibited on May 1 ; S. O. Stickney's Circus on July 31, and Welch, Mann & Delavan's Circus on August 11 and 12, same year. Delavan, it is said,

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MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

had, before this time, brought to Columbus the first living giraffe ever seen in the city. It was exhibited in the back yard of Russell's Globe Inn. Rockwell & Stone's Circus gave an exhibition on the Rich Street " showground" in Novem- ber. Spalding's, Welch & Delavan's,, Howe & Company's and Rockwell & Com. pany's cirenses all came in 1847. On August 16 of that year Raymond & Waring exhibited their menagerie, including Herr Dresbach's cages of trained liens. The crowd in attendance was larger than had ever before been witnessed in the city on any similar occasion. On September 14, 1847, an exhibition of fireworks - the first in Columbus that we read of - was given on the Capitol Square. Its manager was S. B. Barnaby. The Alleghanians, a famous concert troupe of that day, gave a vocal concert at the Second Presbyterian Church December 7.

On December 30, 1847, theatrical performances were resumed in the city. The manager was Thomas F. Lennox, of the old Columbus Theatre ; the place, Neil's New Hall, just south of the Neil House. The opening play was " Cherry's comedy, The Soldier's Daughter." A fire in the theatre on February 10, 1848, seems to have put an end to the performances for the time being.

On June 29, 1848, P. T. Barnum made his advent in Columbus at the head of his " Grand Traveling Exhibition," one of the principal attractions of which was advertised as a "Gorgeous Funeral Pageant, Funeral of Napoleon." The bills announced that every person connected with the exhibition was a "teetotaler." Barnum pitched his tents on the State Street " show ground " which included the site of the present National Government building. The grounding of a canalboat caused a postponement of the opening performance. In September, 1848, an association of amateurs was organized under the name of Columbus Barracks Band. The year 1848 seems to have been a good one for traveling circuses; all the most noted ones visited Columbus in the course of the season. Theatrical performances began at Concert Hall December 14; opening play, Ecadne, with Mrs. John S. Potter in the title role. Mr. Charles Webb as Othello was announced for Decem- ber 15. Twelve Chippewa Indians, en route from La Pointe, Michigan, to Wash- ington, gave an exhibition at Mechanics' Hall, December 11.

Raymond & Company's Menagerie, including a live rhinoceros and accom- panied by Herr Dresbach, " emperor of all the lions," exhibited on April 19, 1849. Williamson's Diorama of the Bombardment of Vera Cruz was one of the amuse- ment events of the same month and year. On November 15, 1849, appeared in the Ohio Statesman the following card which is in several ways significant :

Theatre: Concert Hall, Statesman Building. Decker & Sargent, Managers. A Card- The managers feeling satisfied that the ladies are in favor of moral, innocent and intellectual Theatrical representations, and nothing but the dread of having their feelings wounded and their sensibilities shocked by low and vulgar witticisms, too often allowed at such place-, has hitherto deterred many from visiting public exhibitions, would take this opportunity to ASSURE the Ladies especially, that nothing in the least degree demoralizing, or that can in any way offend the most sensitive mind, will be allowed in their theatre. An efficient police have beeni enzaged to ENFORCE or ler, if necessary.

On December 3, 1849, a " German concert," said to have been " one of the most elegant musical entertainments ever given in the city," took place at Mechan- ics' Hall. The concerts, panoramas and like entertainments of this period were very numerous. Signor Blitz reappeared with his magic on March 21, 1850.

In musical matters the turning of the meridian of the century was also the turning of a new leaf. On August 21, 1850, the "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny Lind, accompanied by her two professional companions, Messrs. Benedict and Bel- letti, sailed from Liverpool in the steamer Atlantic. She was under engagement with Mr. P. T. Barnum for an American tour, and was met and welcomed by him as she landed on September 1 at New York. She was also greeted by thousands

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

of enthusiastic Americans who crowded the neighboring roofs, streets and ship- ping as she stepped upon the wharf. In driving to her hotel accompanied by Mr. Barnum, she passed under two beautiful arches twined with green boughs and inscribed, Welcome, Jenny Lind ; Welcome to America. Within ten minutes after her arrival at the Irving House. ten thousand people had collected around its Broadway entrance. During the ensuing evening she was serenaded at the hotel by the New York Musical Fund Society, of two hundred musicians, in the presence of twenty thousand people. So persistent were the calls for her that Mr. Barnum was obliged to present her to the multitude. The excitement and enthusiasm in. New York were contagious, and spread all over the country. Jenny Lind gar- ments of all kinds were worn, Jenny Lind poetry and incidents crowded the news- papers, and Jenny Lind songs were in everybody's mouth. Wherever the admired songstress moved she was surrounded by enthusiastic multitudes.

On September 11 her first American concert took place at Castle Garden. The tickets had been sold at auction some days before; the first one offered brought 8250. The great auditorium was crowded in every part, and the re- ception given to Jenny Lind as she was led forward and presented by Mr. Ben- edict was unprecedented. Few of the great of earth have ever received any- thing like such a compliment. It was a magnificent tribute to personal and artistic worth. Expectation had been raised to its highest pitch, yet was disap- pointed only in being surpassed. At the close of the concert Mr Barnum announced that its entire proceeds would be devoted to charitable objects. This sct the audience wild, and, together with many subsequent incidents of like character, won the hearts of the American people.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 107

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196