New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-19
Mexican Buchanan.

Mexican BuchAnA0s
Our telegraphic dispatches Of yesterday
morning announced the death of this gen
tleman.
Mr.. Mexican Buchanan was, some years
ago, merchant in this city, and many of
our old citizens will remember him. He
became imbued with the idea that he could
be an actor, and lost no opportunities to
obtain an opening from the managers Of
that period, but for q long time was unsuc-
cessful in his efforts. However. finding
that the principal objection of the man
ayers was their not being!sure Of his draw
ing full houses to witness his impers0na-
tiOns, he made proposition to the
late James H. Caldwell, who, we
think, was at that time the propri-
etor of the theatre on Poydras street,
to play for one week. Buchanan guarantee
ing some three or four hundred dollars per
night, which would cover the expenses of
the theatre, and he to receive all over that
amount. The receipts on the night Of his
first appearance were over $1,000, and his
performance considered success. The fol-
lowing nights, however, were not SO suc-
cessful, and we believe the result Of the
weeks business was q small loss to Mr..
Buchanan. But his artistic success, and
the dattering notices he received from the
press of the city, complimenting his power
and talent as tragedian, induced him to
give up his commercial pursuits and adopt
the stage as . profession.
He played numerous successful star en-
gagements in this country and afterward
visited California, Australia and Europe.
He returned from England ten or twelve
years since. and from that time until the
present season he was the manager of a
travelling company, playing himself as the
star, and was generally received with favor
by the public. His daughter, Miss Virginia
Buchanan, who is very talented and beau
tiful actress, was with him for some time as
the leading lady of the company, but for
the last year or two has been engaged at
the Globe Theatre, Boston.
Mr.. Buchanan was gentleman of very
peculiar habits and many eccentricities, OF
great experience and great traveller. His
talents as tragedian were often rewarded
with the most glowing praise, and again
met with most adverse criticism. Person
ally, he was a gentleman Of excellent edu-
cation, very affable and genial, and greatly
esteemed by those who had the pleasure of
his acquaintance.
There are many anecdotes which illustrate
his popularity of manner, one or two of
which may not be out of place here. While
playing in Australia, to very fine business,
Mr.. Buchanan found, much to his astonish-
ment, that his receipts we're. comparatively,
quite small He consulted his agent regard
ing the matter, but could elicit nothing sat
'isfactory from him, so he determined to find
out where the leak was himself, which he
did the next night, for he found that his
agent pocketed a large percentage of the box
Office receipts, and of course made small re-
turns to Mr.. Buchanan. The agent being a
valuable business man, Mr.. Buchanan was
10th to make charge against him, although
his dishonesty was evident. At last Mr.. Blu
chanan hit on a plan which succeeded ad-
mirably. He was one of the best "pOker"
players in the world. The agent was also
quite fond of putting up his ante;" SO Mr..
Buchanan used to invite him to his room at
the hotel after the performance was over,
and in an hour would "bust" the agent of
every cent. He kept it up, and in this man
ner retained his valuable business man and
got all his money regularly besides, tor no
matter how much the agent would "knock
down" at the box-office, Buchanan would
win it all in an hour after the show was
over.
While he was playing in New York, at
the theatre that was formerly a church,
situated opposite the New York Hotel, he
received good many harsh notices from
the papers, principally on account Of his
voice. which was deep double bass, and q
very vigorous one at that. At the same
time Barnum was exhibiting gorilla-a
few squares further down the street-and
in his advertisements, spoke of the animals
s.roaring like a lion." Well, party of
ladies and children on their way to see and
hear the wonderful gorilla, were passing
the theatre where Mr.. Buchanan in erich
elleu" was at that moment. using his loudest
tones, The ladies' and children, hearing
this fearful noise, supposed at once it was
the museum, and very much astonished, as
we'll as shocked, the gentleman at the box
Office by asking for seven tickets to see Inc