The New York herald., 1877-09-03
Some Recollections by an Old
Acquaintance.
HIS EARLIER EFFORTS
Fondness for Practical Joking
and Outdoor Sports.
BEN AS ACTOR MANAGER AND FRIEND


the sad gence of death was flashed over the
wires for though his death had been toregone con.
clnsion for weeks past there seemed to be hopo-a
sor NJ home against hope-n the hearts Of his friends
that he might pull through
do not believe among all the people who Knew
him-and there few connected directly or ihdi-
rectiy with the theatrical profession who ala noha'
there was single person who did not have Kl ndiy
feeling toward him. Uncle Ben was not without MS
,auts his eccentrcitics and his peculiarlties On the
surface he sometimes appeared close, grasping and
seasb but underneath these outward manifestations
there beat as kind and sympathetic heart as ever
animated any oae. But poor Ben Id gomez
HIS twinkling bright blue eyes filmed
and closed IN death; his rosy face. more frequently
wreahed with smiles than couded with irowns s pale
and rigid now; his hearty cneery voice is stillcd for
cver No more shall he 'set the table in roar" nor
s.crack his Jokes and quips" "Open dates" and
"terms" 'stars" and 'engagements' will occupy his
thoughts no longer The oldest ana most experienced
manager and the oldest and funniest actor in America
and believe out Of it-has gone.
During period of nearly thirty years tho writer OF
this had close personal and business relations with
him. and with the exception oil few lifelong friends
who were constantly with him in St Louis and New
Orleans, knew him probably well as any one IN the
profession
NEW YORK SUCCESSES.
This acquaintance began in New York, whom he was
playing at the Bowery and Chatham theatres, aud
where he was at that early day. atremendous iavorte
especially in such paris Strapado-tbe drunken
corporal the 'Dunb Girl Of Genoa'-Biueskin IN
.Jack Sheppard" and other parts written for the DIS
play Of srong characteristics ana eXcenlrictes win
which he specially identified Later he became
equally we'll known all ovor the country, when be
travelled with his wiic-proiessonaIy known as Miss
Hattie yallee whose specalties were pantomime and
dancing.
Ben played In the comedy parts in all her pieces,
usually supplementing the first piece with roaring
farce, in which he played the principal part one Oh
his favorite pieces was OF Burton's pieces de
resistance, ''Wanted, Thousand Mlners," in which
DE Bar played Mrs. vanderpants. Alter Dc Bar took
thssuntrol of the st. Charles Theatre, New Orleans
which did number OF years ago, until he appeared
as Falstaff he seldom played out Of his theatre
and then only appeared each for week or TWO
In his favorte parts. except when he played with
few OF his SUBSTANTIALLY Mark Smith and Lotta The
latter was great favorite Of Ben He regarded her
almost with the affection OF father and Lotta re-
turned this feeling in she most nlial manner
No matter where Ben might be--n New Orleans.
Montreal ST Louis (ior he managed theatres all
these places)-he failed TO JON Lota whenever
rhe played under h,s management IN order that he
might play DICK SwlvelIer 10 ner MarcnloneSS
HIS theatrical career well known to mako It
necessary ior me 10 GO into details concerning him
professionally; but Two or three anecdotes, tending to
illustrate his peculiartes and his love of fun, may
perhaps prove interesting to his numerous friends
An instance occurs TO me just now OF tn s kind,
which Ben alw1ys remembered with pleasure, and
which he had hearty chucke the very last time
we had one Of our pleasant chats together.
While he was playing ut the Chatham Theatre. as q
member OF the stock company, Barney wams-then
In his bovtate-anu u well known character actor Of
tue time, j. b. Phillips Familiarity known as "Nosey"
Philips, for reasons which apparent TO all be
holders. we're engaged at the same theatre.
"Nosey" was a peculiar man. rasciblo In temper and
easily annoyed. Bon and Barney full OF fun aud
much given to practical joking, and Nosey naturally
became the victim OF their pfanks.
One night, alter the performance, while Ben and
Barney standing at the back discussing the
question where the best and largest oyster
10 be had for shilling-ior they were not
then the rich men they alterward became. nor we're
the salaries they received such actors to-
day-when Nosey put In an appearance. The subject
under discussion was Immediately referred TO HIN.
what" cried Nosey, 'pystors eh? Como with
mel know place. know the place tor stews All,
such stews! Why, you could swim in them. Ben
SWIM in them. Rich, thick, plenty OF buterl Ali
the crackers you want and cabbage thrown in! As
tor oysters bushels of em, my boy bushels in every
stew. Come with me, come with me: III show you u
Barney and Ben winked at each other and accepted
Noscy's guidance. So, telling him to 90 ahead and
pilot the way they walked just behind him aud held
whispered conversation, which, from the chuckcs,
grins and elbow nudges they exchanged, evidently
BODIED Nosey 10 good
ffava ypl at n calln mr. in hath .
large red ball, with candle inside. which hung from
the top OF pole the gutter, indicated The New
Workers of those days tina. oysters were to be hac
within If large Transparency just the steps
had corroborated the fact by the legend Uyster.
the Canal street plan, by y. H. F"
Nosey stopped aud cxclaining, "This Is the place,
Owed into the cellar, followed by Barney and Ben.
The stews were ordered and brought They proved
TO be all that Nosey's fancy had painted them. They
were lovely, they were dlvne, and Barney and Bel
were loud In their praises oil them aud OF Nosey al
the disco ovcrer OF sucn bvalvuar oouanza
LEAVING PHILLIPS IN PLEDGE
After the stews had been dsvoured Ben got up from
tbs laole, with the remark that he'd DO buck In mo
ment ana disappeared through the rear door Barne,
waited Tor lew moments, keeping Philips well enter
tanned in the meanwhile 50 tnat lie would not motto,
Beus absence especially, then suddenly pretending tc
miss him, and expressing his fears that somethin M
might nave happened 10 MN, diappeared also under
the pretencc OF seeking Ben, leaving Nosey 10 wa
patiently Tor the return oil both.
The rear of tue oyster was near Doyer street
between which aud the yard one or Two low fences in
grew 10 be alterward, and Barney agile "a
Or monkey So the lences presented Dut sgnt I'M
pediment " their mschievous plans.
QuIcAly scaling them they reached Doyer street,
Snd then conccaling themselves ia the shadow oil a
doorway short distance from the oyster house they
Iwated the result.
lhis was easily foresecn. Five minutes passed.
ten and then loud words IN alteration were heard
from the neighboring cellar.
Nosey was protesting, The oyster man was insisting
upon payment Philips declaring that he had
DO money-that be was invited guest But the
a HF
the the landlord became pers uaded that IL was
"a put up Job' to swindle him OUT o his stews and
the row grew every moment more fast and furious
until tue oyserman was seen lying up the steps
shouting "Watcb Watch ~ at the top OF his voice,
loud as 10 even wake the sleeping ''eatherhead'' ~
who happened TO be in the neighborhood, WIN came
rushing up TO inquire why his peaceful slumDers had
been tuus disturbed. short parley was nelI and
then, TO the infinite delight OF Ben and Barney tho
landlord and the waIcnman disappeared down the cell
lar steps, only 10 emerge IN minute or Two with tho
unfortunate Nosey close prisoner IN ine grasp of the
watchman, aud followed by The oystcrmOn and all the
walters their way to the watcnhouse to give him
In Charge lor Obtaining oysters for hmseli aud renas