The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-25
Theatre Comique-Captain Jack, or the
MOdOc War.

Thirty years ago Edwin Forrest, In his impersona-
tion OF "Metamora, the Last Of the Wampanoags,"
laid firmly the foundation for q marvellous kind of
Indian drama, whose pristine names have been
rekindled every now and then ever since in those
temples OF the sock and buskin and where the
democratic masses do most love to worship. The
early "reminiscences Of the "wept Of wishtOn- Wish"
and other tales Of the red man by Cooper, and the
later influences Of Mayne Reid and Bodies dime
novels have kept these fires burning, and,
therefore, IL was not at all wonderful that
when the curtain rose last evening at the Theatre
Comique for the first time the wildly thrilling
drama Of Captain Jack, or the Modoc War;" that
every seat in the house should have been filed,
and that the manager should have been compelled
to acknowledge at an early hour that even stand
ing room was not within the possibilities OF the
enemy the house @ ~, was BLACK with Psrspring
OF the presence of such an excited multitude The
noble red Indian is Of all lingering swindles the
prehensive mother Of mistakes-has too strong
a power to permit permit that the scalping;;
se renewed wtS anything else ssan sh0 sne
most anbounded applause at the hands Of the
masses. Even Captain Jack himself would have
yelled with delight had he heard his more than
living and ferOciously athletic representative,
Mr.. w. ii. Whaley, cneered to the welkin last
pale-iace scamp or frontier rufian the honor-in
the language OF the spectators-"to put him In
whole" Preliminary to the performance OF the
Indian drama there was long variety Of dance and
song by the regular company, which, though 1t de.
lighted the audience exceedingly, had nothing
specially noticeable in it, with the exception Of the
appearance Of Miss Jennie Hughes, an admirable
burlesque actress, whose sumptuous costumes and
thOroughgoing enthusiasm for the insufficient acts
she Is allowed to perform have made her q
chief iavorte at the Theatre Comique. The
drama OF Captain Jack" is Of the most
vehement description. The Modocs, whose wig
vans abound by the shores OF Lake Tulare. were
a. little known as the kinky haired Papuans or
the brawny llmbed Patagonlans TO the people OF
the United States until the fearless and gallant
Special Commissioner Of the HERALD made their
talk, customs, tribal idiosyncracies and everyday
life familiar as household words to the myriad
over the civilized world. The drama OF Captain
JACK" IL one Astounding with horrors, love-
making treachery, savage bravery, pale-faced VII
Spirit" The names Of some Of the characters
such as Poker Bill, who Is chOked to death by Cap.
tain JACK Wlteon. warrant Of sheriff or yer.
Jim.n whose chef delights are OF bad
bourbon and plug tobacco: and "Obadiah
Chokerr O whining and canting Peace Com
missioner, an individual whose only dream is OF
the average square meal" suggestives in
themselves OF the story. The noble savage endures
the most frghtul oppression throughout, yet he is
confident, with a Modocis confidence. that rations,
powder and blankets Will be issued by the Great
Father: a1d when possibility IS involved that
away from mm he butchers promlscuously. with
fervent curse on the pale faces and glowing
appeal &c the Great Spirit that charms w1ie II
effectually brings down the house. The indian
dresses are very fne and the fdoteour are terrible
to behold. Whaley, as Captain JACK, needs Que
seen 10 be appreciated. Els maze up rs simply
magnificent and horrible 10 degree, and his cries
for vengeance and athletic demonstrations against
"Poker Bili' and "0regon Jim made The crowded
seats TO ring again. The last scene. wneie,n ne
drags his sgnaw rom burning house, VIII in.,tseh
alone insure long run for this drama.
woods Museum.