The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-09
Civil-Rights at the Theatre.
SoCrAa EQUALxTY REJECTED By
THE WHITE PEOPLE OF
RICHMOND.
THO NEGROES VOLUNTARILY LEiVE THE
DRESS CIRCLE AND PARQUEE
he Sure You're. Right, Then Go Ahead"
rx lrlSG SCENES AND INCIDENTS.

fashionable auQlenCc last DiSHL HotNitusiahu-
inc the anticipation of trouble on the part of
negroes. The play. " Dayy
Crockett" is perhaps not perfect dramatic
but il is infinitely superior to
such society" plays Is ARTICLE AZ" Ge-
peya Cross" and others that have gained
celebrity and popularity in some parts OF the
There are fine scenes and numor-
OILS passages in it that would have been heart
ily appreciated last night had the audience
not been in a state of feverSh excitement
from the time the curtain rose until II
fell.
During the second overture, and little
W bile after S o'clock, young mulatto, quite
bright, but still dark enough to be immedi-
ately recognized as not OF the Caucasian
race, accompanied by Il muatto boy much
winter tnan himself, presented tickets at the
door and was passed into the parquet.
The man went down the middle isle and
took a seat in one Of the chairs very near to
the orchestra and stage. The boy, more
timid. took q seat near the door. 1t was not
long before the color Of the man was observed,
and Immediately fierce excitement took
posscssion of the crowd. Some mounted
chairs and cried " Put him out "Put him
ont, Others advanced towards him with
mnnocino gestures. In little time he was
cncrc'ed by a throng of angry men and told
to "c,car out, ;" and his life seemed 10 imml-
nent peril. However, no one struck him or
took hold of him. Manager Powell made
his wav to the man and had u whispered
with him. Hctold him that he
could easily see that he was not wanted
down there, and he PowelD would return
him his money if he would 90 up in the
colored gallery. The fellow con>ented, but
said as he went out, "Iou needn't make so
much fuss aboutit-you'll have to come 10 1t
at last"
The boy fled at the first sign of danger.
Though his color never would have betrayed
the negro blood in his veins, he was appre-
hensiyc of harm, and having u convenient
station slipped out of the door at the hrst
opportunity, and was seen and heard of no
more.
The man went up 10 the colored gallery.
A heln>sed out OF the parquet he was recog-
uZ2d Is james Ellis, Il waiter III some hotcl.
and son Of Cn>ar Ellis, who has been for
thirty or lhirty-iive years trusted servant
OF the Wing, aud greatly respected IN this
On OF near the seat young Ellis
bad occupied WAS found book entitled
/" Rebel BurbariticS.' 1t was filled with pic
tue, Of white men la>hing negroes, and such
like stuff.
Two ether colored men tried to get into
the parquct. They were both drinkv !;
indeed, one was quite drunk. They had no
tickets, though they pulled out money, and
were, as matter of course, turned back by
the doolkeeper. Policeman Angle, who
was present, seeing their tipsy condition,
81, TO n
The sobrrer one of the two begged himself
and companion off, and finally, upon promises
OF rood behavior, they were allowed TO 80
into the coored gallery.
After Ellis had left the parquet the greater
mart of the audience settled down, and order
,uain reigncd. But many men gathered IN
the lobbles and in the front OF the Theatre
and discussed the occurrence. Every thlng
went on smoothly until about O'CLOCK,
when right in the centre section OF The
dress.circIe, immediately in front OF the stage,
and in Il conspicuous seat by an aisle, was
discovered a notorious mulatto woman.
There she sat, with her son, about six
wears old. by her side, looking as uncon.
ccrncd as the best4ady present. The crowd
had heretofore been TOO much occupied
with the mulatto in the parquet TO pay
much attention 10 the dress circle, and when
the development came they were qul'c un-
prepared. For several minutes notBIng was
done. After that young men began 10 congrc-
gate where they coulu see the woman and 10
point her out. TAcre were some who de-
cared that She was Wnlte: others said
that she might he Il respectable woman, and
there vas some hesitation about making any
movement against her. Mljor Poe. chief Of
police, passed down the row OF seats III which
she was, but was not able to satisfy himself
whether or no she was the woman she was
rcprescntcd to be-vZ., Ellen White, an in,
mate of the establishment OF Sue Hills. But
he frightened her. Ellen saw that several
hundred eyes were directed at her. Her po
sltion began to be embarrassing. She gave
uue lsy glauces around.
Things were brought to Il focus by Il sim
pie question and answer. A professional
gentleman sitting near by Ellen asked
another gentleman who was standing in tht
aisle and near by her, What is the matter
What are they looking for?" The answer
was, "They arc looking for yellow woman
in the dress circle" Immediately the Wo
man put the cap upon her little boy
head and said TO him. "Let's co." Ant
they went. As they arose the crowd yelled
"That's her!" "That'S her! !" ABOUT /
hundred furious men dashed after her. They
blocked up the aisIes, and might have caused
n panic aud fearful loss Of life had it moi
been for the prompt action OF Major Poe ant
the police, who refused to allow them tt
pass close towards the woman, and KEEP
them. pent up IN the vestibule Until she haC
gotten down She steps and into tie street.
This Incident renewed the excitement tha
had somewhat subsidized, and destroyed he
peace of mind OF many of the ladies' pre-
sent. aggravated the men beyond measure
embarrassed the actors, and caused lreS
prcssi5!e regret on the part Of the man
ager.
When the intermiSsion came after this, a;
usual a considerable number CT men rusneC
across the street 10 Euker'S saloon. The Wo
mans presence in the drcSs.circle was theSu
ice, of lipry discussion. The man who bouSh'
a ticket tor her-he was knowe to be whlts
man was severely denounced. Mr.. John
Snellir@s said IL would like 10 see the dc
s-not - who bought the ticket for tha'
-" A young man vel known in business
circles in this city, standing at The counter,
turned and boldly responded, - bought
the ticket for her,
With the answer there came from MI.
Suellings blow struck in tue others face.
1t was promptly responded to. Several
blows passed. The young man fought well
himself, and WAS helped by two or three
friends. But he would probably have been
completely ovcrpowcred and badly beaten,
if not killed, if he had not escaped By side
door.
There was soon au immense asscmblage ID
front of Euker's, but the police came and as
sured those present that the offender was
gone. The people then dispersed, and those
who had come from the Theatre went back
over there.
1t is but just to the officers of the Theatre
10 say that they had no idea of the character