New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-02
VOLUME X.-NO. 3Os

VOLUME IX.-NO.
THE ST. CHARLES THEATRE.
The Jadge and Majsr Talk Over the Old
Drary.
For more than forty years New Orleans
has known Q St. Charles Theatre. Men
who are old now went to the play there
when boys. After tonight that old temple
of the drama will be given over to variety
performances, and its future is uncertain.
Mr.. Del3ar's connection with the theatre
ceases from this date. Yesterday the re-
porter skirmished for items and reminis-
censes of the old place, with little success.
The record il unwritten, and lives only in
the minds of old settlers. The manager il
in St. Louis, and his musty papers followed
him. But by chance two characters were
found in the Office of Major Bob Strong.
They were the Judge and the Major, not
Major Bob, but typical men found in places
where thirsty men do most congregste.
Both knew something of the old playhouse,
and both were willing to talk. The Judge
was to the manor born; the, Major had been
. wanderer, 30 that the two were unlike in
many respects; but hard times and few
drinks make strange men akin. Such men
as they are prove rich mines for the Bo-
hemisn to work. A story Of the olden time
is always worth fifteen cents; and for more
money the reporter can always get more
story.
"Ths8k you," said the Major, 81 don't
care if l do take drink"
He might have refused; but he was not
there for that purpose. The Major was
said:
Judge, tell the young man something
about the old theatre, where the drama
dies tomorrow"
Eyes, yes; Lot me zee; was here when
the corner stone Of the old theatre was laid,
and know all about it," And the Judge
looked at some colored paper suspended
from the ceiling, and made few mental
calculations. "Mr. james 81. Caldwell was
the real founder of the English drama in
New Orleans; in fact in the South. He
came here from Virginia with An English
company in 1919. and played at the St.
Philip Street Theatre, opening with the
Honeymoon January z, 1920. The next
season the company played At the Orleans
Street French Theatre, alternating of nights
with the French company. The city above
Canal street st that time was known - the
Second Municipality. Camp street had
strips of plank for sidewalks, and was but
little better than . mudhole in rainy
westher. Caldwell was man who looked
ahead, and saw great American city. In
1892 he commenced to build the Camp
Street Theatre"
The Major, who had been splitting dryly,
interposed here, and said:
Judge, think We should take drink
now, before you build the Camp Street
Theatre. 1t is two or three years since you
commenced down yonder."
II don't mind if do," said the Judge.
1'Set 'en up. Well, the Grand Lodge dis
appointed old man Caldwell by not turn.
ing out, and on the twenty ninth of May,
1892, he laid the corner stone of his theatre
all by himself, with Masonic ceremonies.
He built good theatre for the times, which
cost $l20, 1000. The Camp Street Theatre
was built where Montgomery's auction
mart now stands, though Armory Hall is
not the same building, for the first theatre
was burned down and another one after
ward built in it's place. The nearest build
ing to the theatre then was at the corner
of Common street. The Camp Street
Theatre was opened May IA, 1924, with the
comedy called the Dramstist. All Of the
best actors in tho country came there. In
1895 Edwin Forrest, who had been with .
circus, for spite, came and played Ja6fer,
in Venice Preserved He was good look.
ing young man of nineteen, but bad
actor then. Mr.. Caldwell continued to
manage the Camp Street Theatre for ten
wears, then he turned it over to Russell and
Rowe. He went to England soon after to
arrange for gas fixtures, he being the nan
who introduced gas into the city. While
abroad he secured some talent for his sue
cessors at the theatre, engaging William
Maubry, Mr.. Brace, Mr.. Benedict and
Henry CORR. Bless old Corri, he was here
to-day, tho last of the old stock. In 1884
Mr.. Caldwell made arrangements to build
. new theatre, one that should"
"Hold on Q minute, Judge said the
Major, "if you are going to build another
theatre, will take another drink"
The Judge smiled, and continued:
"Mr, Caldwell commenced to build the
finest theatre in the United States. He
laid the corner stone Of the old St. Charles
Theatre May 9, 1885, and opened his build
ing to the public November 80, 1885. 1t
was q grand affair, from top to bottom,
holding over 1000 people. and costing
Quarter of million of dollars. The build
ing occupied front of 129 feet, including
the site of Murphy's Hotel and the present
theatre. In size it was then only excelled
by the theatres in St. Petersburg, Milan
and Naples. 1t was buster and msgnifi'
cent. They used to speak of it a. the
temple of folly. The old theatre, the
splendid, was destroyed by fire March l3,
1872"
The Major was getting interested, and
said:
"Where does Ben DeBar come in, Judges
The papers say he came here as leader OF
the ballet, some time since the food"
"Mr. Benedict DeBsr," said the Judge.
reprovingly, "came to New Orleans on tho
shin TaIlahaasa. commanded by Captain