The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-25
TRAGIC AFFAIR 1T THE BROADWAY
THEATRE.

Arrest ActOr-They Fire Indscrimi.
nately-Two Dangerously Shot-Greas Ex-
element and "Foul Piay' In Earnest.
Never was sensation drama more appropriately
designated than this last production OF Reade and
Boucicaut 1t has truly been "Foul Play" from be-
ginning TO end whether regarded from its nrst repre-
sentation In London, its preparation at the New
York theatre or Its eliminating effect last night at
the Broadway theatre which for once was the scene
OF one OF the most cowardly and high handed exhi-
billions OF ruanism that has taken place for years.
Nobody saw tor rather the audience, and
large ana respectable one 1t was, heard but
ne OF the atrocious act that was being perpetrated
behind the scenes-and while two unucky
human beings shot down by the hands Of merciless
rowdies were being conveyed, perhaps, to their
death BEDS applause rang through the building and
happy faces smiled around. II was truly sad, a. the
circumstances below recorded will disclose.
THE STORY.
IT appears that Mr.. d. ii. Harkns an actor by pro-
fession, having ascertained that Mr.. ii. d. Palmer
was In possession of the drama "Foul Play" Har-
kins, anxious to bring forward the production, ma
turay for his own ACKNOWLEDGMENT contracted with
Palmer to have the piece represented In order the
more substantially to effect this object he went to
MI D. L. Lloyd, q map maker, and explained matters,
and an arrangement was arrived ut to produce Foul
Play at the New York theatre the contract between
all parties being that Palmer as the literary propre
tor Should receive $50 for every evening perfor-
nance and $25 for each matinee these payments to
be made every morning. Harkins to receive one
fourth of the profits after all expenses were paid,
meanwhile playing the leading male part in the
piece and acting as general manager. Lloyd as
lessee OF the theatre, to obtain the balance The
drama was regularly produced, yet few payments
were made before Mr.. Palmer was obliged to go out
nf In
collect the money as 1t became due. Lloyd, how
ever positively refused to recognize this agent, but
Mr.. Iarkins feeling that in honor bound
and by law he was bound to settle
with Mr.. Palmer, finding all circumstances and
explanations useless finally seized what money had
been taken at the theatre on Monday evening and
paid over the amount due-a little over $300-to Mr..
John Seton, the agent OF Mr.. Palmer. On the fol-
lowing day Harkins and the principal actors in 'Fou
Play" threw up their engagement TO look for fair
play elsewhere
ENGAGEMENT AT THE BROADWAY THEATRE.
AS already mentioned, the leading actors aban-
doned the New York theatre, and an amicable
arrangement entered into with the manager OF
this establishment for the production OF the piece
last night. II should likewise be observed that the
same drama was performed at the New York theatre
with a new company. Mr.. Lloyd still contin ung
lessee and beyond question rivalry was at its height
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF "FoUL PLAY.r
At eight O'Clock the Broadway theatre, ever cosy
and comfortable was well filed with one OF its
usual respectable and discriminating audiences, who,
listening to lively strains OF the orchestra patiently
awaited the rising OF the curtain. IL may be OBJ
served that nothing was spared to render the pro-
ductiOn OF the piece as complete as possible, and
proper representation Of Foul Play' was anXiously
looked forward TO. After the last flourish of the
conductor the curtain assembled without delay. The
prologue passed or remarkably well and without any
of the bitches that generally CHARACTERIZE first per-
formance. The same may be said of the first and
part, Messrs. Rankin, Langan and Jack sustained
their several roles with ease and Judgment and were
frequently applaudcd While they are delighing the
audience let us retrace our steps To the events of
early morning, when Mr.. Lloyd obtained
WARRANT OF ARREST.
Stil brOoding under his imaginary wrongs MIR.
LLOYD, though producing Foul Play'' AT the New
York theatre bethonght himself that he was deeply
he proceeded to a lawyer to discuss the matter
when, after deliberations it was found necessary
to ponnce on liarkins for alleged defalca-
ton. To this end an application was made
early yesterday morning in the supreme Court for a
warrant OF arres: against Harkins, based upon the
complaint OF Lloyd, who set forth series OF charges.
| and which viii he found in another column. Upon
| the representations made In court Judge Barnard
| granted the warrant, which, by the way, was ut
once put into the Sherins hands for execution.
IIarkins was to perform the same last evening at
the Broadway theatre.
THE PLAY RUNS SMOOTHLY STILL
A round OF appreciation greeted the last scene OF
the effect being all that could be desired: Down
went the curtain and away ratified the v,ons with
merry twanE. Harmony prevailed throughout, and so
far Foul Play; was only so in name. Blt the tragic
scene was close NJ hand, the audience little dreaming
that piece OF canvas NH from ther view an OUT,
rage unparalleled In the annals Of the stage. and
had that curtain ascended by yard or two the
ruians II the statements concerning their deeds be
true, would undoubtedly have been lynche'
THE FIRST ALARM.
II was Just time for that particular curtain 10 rise
again The musicians had already ceased their pre-
burst upon the ear almost simultaneously. "Oh, my
husband ~ was the shrlil cry; sea OF pale and
through the curtain. What was it-that ominous
sound and that piercing scream, and that woman's
vailed, and a few rushed from the theatre while
others, less terrified. yet not Knowing wherefore,
quietly remained But LET US go behind and see 1t
THE BLOODY ARRAY.
rhc stage entrance 10 the Broadway theatre IL by
a small wooden door In Mercer street, dimly lighted,
and bearing but little sembance To the exit OF many
histrionic genius. Around this dark door. then.
| six men congregatcd They Knocked for admission.
| That door opened and. on inquiry by the door
keeper, they communicated the Intelligence that
they wanted TO Sect Mr. IIarkins, who was then
performing on the stage. Under any circumstances
| their visit was apparently inOpportune ana
the door was accordingly closed; not
a as aeans ne old man fell e' back Sns
the entrance was Tree. The six men quickly ascend
ed the little steps and on TO the back Of the stage,
where they hastily glanced around for the object OF
1 their search He was nowhere to be seen. Down
TO the green room-down where the ladies were
dressing for the piece-the men madly rushed Ike
| puagerss ackiDg q city. Rushing where bar
| harans would nave had the decency TO withdraw.
] the ''men hunted for their prey. no doubt intend
| ing to have him dead or alive. But the bird had
| nown. The excitement was Immense. Up from the
private rooms below the hunters sprung like tigers
| Around and around they went. The confusion
| increased. The audience were excited. But II
could not last. Mr.. Jacks, one Of the performers.
yentured 10 suggest that Mr. iIarkins gone, and
SIX revolvers were levelcd ~ his breast because he
took up rusty musket To Brighten them aud laid IL
down. Harkins must be had or blood Will spilled.
| IIarkins was gone. He had slipped out neatly
| under the stage TO the orchestra, through the
| theatre to the street. Iarkn- was away. At
| length the announcement came thai the intrnders
| were Sherins officers. ''Stand bask. or wen blow
| your brains out y And not satisfied with irampling
| through the private apartments, prancing around
| the stage, these officers, masters of the Held
| for they were armed o. teeth were
| about TO rush TO the front when actors
actresses. carpenters property men anu a hos, of