Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-03-12
CIVIL RIGHTS NOTES.

EXCITEMENT AT THE RICHMOND THEA
TRE-KoUGH SHAVING IN A BARBER
sHoP-CIvIL RIGHTS IN VIRGINIA AND
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF A COLORED
BARBER.
&C., &C., &C., &c.
We copy from our exchanges some facts
about the operations OF the Civil Rights
hill A bill was introduced in the Viz
ginia legislature to enable hotel keepers TO
avoid its effects, which was not acted on
and is not likely to be, as it would be quite
Intellectual. In Missouri two colored men
have been killed in rows arising out OF the
Civil Rights bill.
EXCITING SCENE IN THE RICHMOND
THEATRE.
At the Richmond Theatre Monday night
some exciting scenes occurred from two
attempts to put in operation the new rights
of the Civil Rights bill. 1t will be observ-
ed that one of the parties was a colored
person of bad character. The dispatch"
says
During the second overture, and little
after O'Clock, a young mulatto, quite
bright, but still dark enough to be immed-
lately recognized as not of the Caucasian
race, accompanied by mulatto boy much
whittier than himself, presented tickets at
the door and were passed into the parquet.
The man went down the middle aisle and
Of tbp chairs
to the orchestra and stage. The boy, more
timid, took seat near the door. 1t was
cot long before the color of the man was
observed, and Immediately fierce excite
ment took possession OF the crowd. Some
mounted chairs, and cried Put him out"
s.Put him out!" Others advanced towards
him with menacing gestures. In little
time he was encircled by throng of angry
men and told to ''clear out,' and his life
seemed in imminent peril. However no
one struck him OF took hold OF him. Man
ager Powell came up to the man and had
a whispered conversation with him. He
told him that he could easily see that he
was not wanted down there, and he Pow
ELI told him that he would return him his
money il he would go up into the cOlored
gallery. The fello consented, but as he
went out said, " gu needn' t make so much
fuss about it-you'll have to come to it at
last"
The boy fled at the first sign of danger.
Though his color never would have betray-
ed the negro blood in his veins, he was APP
prehensiye Of harm. and haVing.a conven-
lent station slipped out Of the door at the
first opportunity, and was seen and heard
Of no more.
The man went up to the colored gallery.
AS he passed out OF the parquet he was re-
cognized as James Ellis, a waiter in some
hotel. and IA son OF Cesar Ellis, who had
been Tor thirty or thirty-dve years trust
ed servant Of the ''Whig," and greatly re-
spected in tins community. On or near
the seat young Ellis had occupied was
found a book entitled Rebel Barbarities. -
1t was filled with pictures OF white men
lasllng negroes anu such like stuff.
Two other colored men tried to get into
the parouet. They were both drinky: in
deed one was quite drunk. They had no
tickets. though they pulled out money,
and were. as a matter Of course turned
back by the doorkeeper. Policeman An
gle, who was present. seeing their tipsy
condition, threatened to take them into
custody, but the soberer OF the two begged
himself and his companion OFT. and f.
nally, upon promises of good behaviour,
they were allowed to go into the colored
gallery.
After Ellis had left the parauet the great
Ell part of the audience settled down, and
order again reigned. But many men gath
cred in the Hobbies and in Che front of the
theatre and discussed the occurrence.
EVERYTHING went on smoothly until about
8 O'Clock, when right III the centre section
of the dress-circle, Immediately in front of
the stage, and in a conspicuous seat by an
aisle, was discovered notorious mulatt0
woman. There she sat, with her son, about
six years Old, by her side. looking as I'M
concerned as the best lady present The
crowd had hitherto been too much Occu-
pied with the mulatto in the parquet to
pay much attention to the dress circle, and
when the DEVELOPMENT came they were
quite unprcpared. For several minutes
nothing was done. After that young men
began TO congregate where they could see
the woman and point her out. There were
some WHO declared that she was white:
others said that she might bea respectable
woman. and there was some hesitation
about making any movement against her.
Major Poe, chief of police, passed down
the row OF seats in which she was, but was
not able to satisfy himself whether she
was the woman she was represented to be
VIZ, Ellen White, and inmate of the es-
tablislment of Sue Hills. But he fright
ened her. Ellen saw that several hundred
eyes were directed at her. Her position
began to be embarrassing. She gave UNI
easy chances around.
Things were brought to a focus by a sim
pie question and answer. A professional
gentleman sitting near by Ellen asked an
other gentleman who WAS standing in the
aisle and near by her, That is the matter?
What are they looking for?" The answer
Was, ''They are looking fora yellow woman
in the dress circle.f Immediately the Wo-
man put the cap upon her little boys head
and said to him, Let's go.'' And they
vent. AS they arose the crowd yelled,
tthat's her ~ 'tnat's her!'' About hum
dred furious men dashed after her. They
blocked up the aisfes, and might have cans-
ed panic and fearful loss Of life had 1T NOT
been for the prompt action OF MAJOR roe
and the police. VINO refused to allow them
to pass close towards the woman, and kept
them pent up in the vestibule until she
had gotten down the steps and into the
streets.
This incident renewed the excitement
that had somewhat subsidized, and destroy
ed the peace of mind of many OF the ladies
present, aggravated the men beyond meas
ure. embarrassed the actor, and caused
inexpressible regret on the part OF the man.
ager'
When the intermissien came after this,
as usual a considerable number q men
rushed across the street to Euker's saloon,
The womans presence in the dress-circle
was the subject. of fiery discussion: The
man who bought ticket for her-he was
known to be white man-Was severely
denounced. Mr.. John Snelllngs said II
would like to see the d-ds-n OF -
who bought tie ticket for that -" A
Young man well known in business circles
in this city, standing at the counter, turn
ed and boldly responded, u bought the
ticket for her." With the answer there
came from Mr.. Snelliigs a blow struck in
the others face. It was promptly respon-
ded to. Several blows passed. The young
man fought wsK himself, and was helped
ssy two or three friends. But he would
U zss.to,adaly have been completely empowered
l., a 4aas.sfen, if not killed, if he had
Pa Sk sII. ri iIt1,ara