Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-10-07
A Clerical Sensation-Two Minis
ters Visit the Theatre Incog.-
They are Arrested as Suspicious
Characters.
IFrom the Louisville Courier, Sept. so1

IFrom the Louisville Courier, Sept. 3o.1
For several days past there has been
great deal of gossip in all grades of socie-
ty, regarding the visit of two clerevmen
to our theatre to see the noted Black Crook.
Ii was at first believed to be "a weak in
vention of the enemy" but the facts have
at last leaked out, and we now propose to
lay them before our readers without exag-
geration. The accounts already published,
we are assured by those acquainted with
the particulars, were erroneous in MANY
respects. From Mr.. Calvert, the treasurer
of the theatre, we learn the following,
which Is the correct version of the affair:
On Wednesday, clergyman of our city,
well known to Mr.. Calvert, called at the
box office of the theatre and expressed to
Mr.. G. strong desire to see the great play
of the Black Crook, but felt apprehensive
of public sentiment in the event of his be-
ing seen in such place. Mr.. G. informed
him that he would permit him to occupy
the box office in front, and would open the
inside door, through which he could get
full view of all the charms in the last scene.
That he could come in at about IL O'clock,
and the gas would be lowered in the office,
so that no one would observe him. after
which he could slip out at the front door
without the slightest danger of his being
discovered. The clergyman accepted the
offer, and it was understood that he should
for him to come, and had all things ar
ranged, but he did not make his appear
ance. On the following day, however,
CThursday.) the infatuated clergyman call
ed at the office again, in company with a
distinguished minister from a sister State,
whom he introduced to Mr.. Calvert, stating
that he never in his life had seen the inside
of theatre, and. like himself, was very
much afflicted with "Black Crook on the
brain." Mr.. Calvert invited them into the
theatre, and showed them all through it.
1t was then arranged that they should
attend that night, and avail themselves of
Mr.. Calvert's offer to keep them from pub
lie view. Night came and so did the cler-
gymen, but instead of carrying out the pro-
gramme arranged, they appeared at the
door in disguise, both having false whis-
kers worthy the face of "Black Donald."-
Tney got little boy to purchase two tick
cts for the second tier, on which they pass
ed in. The door-keeper at once saw
through their disguise, and behind that he
'smelt rat" After watching them close
ly tor some time, he sent word to officers
Gallagher and Seay that he had two suspi-
clous characters up stairs whom it would
be well to arrest. The officers accordingly
went up stairs and found the two gentle
men sitting in the second tier, appa-
rently very much absorbed in the
play. They were tipped on the shoulders
Dy Ghe officers, and politely informed that
they were under arrest, and at the same
time one of the officers pulled the large
whiskers from the face of one of them.-l
They were terribly alarmed, and the
great drops of sweat stood on their fore
heads larger than green peas. The
Louisville clergyman, as soon as he
recovered from his CONSERVATION, made
q ''clean breast of it." He told the officers
that they were ministers, and had come to
gratify their curiousity, and assumed their
disguise to conceal their true characters.
For the truth of their statement they re-
ferred the officers to Mr.. Calvert. The
affair went no further, the officers being
entirely satisfied that no harm had been
done or was intended. The two gen.
tlemen came down to the office, and the
one from abroad grew courageous. He said,
since it had gone that far, and they were
he would take seat in the dress
circle and ''brave it OUT and he did so,
sitting until the curtain dropped on the
closing scene. Our Louisville divine had
got ''enough in his" after his arrest, and
left rather depressed in mind. He entirely
abandoned all hope of redemption, and
was under the impression that it would
terminate his ministerial career in our
city. ,. .....l.sa..t. d. - -.-r .-.
In conclusion we would state that it is |
but justice to the clergymen of our city |
that the names of the parties be given to |
the public. AS to public sentiment, we
incline to the belief that the bold clergy
men that ''bearded the lion in his den'' will |
be fully eXculpated on every hand.