Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-08-01
4 FAMOUS MANAGER.
Some Of the Notable Ventures OF the Late
Harry ID. Palmer, of New York.

ted theatrical firm OF Jarrett & Palmer,
who died in London on Saturday last,
was y native OF PottSville, Pa, and had
reached his forty-sixth year. Mr..
Palmer learned the printers craft and
was employed IN his younger days az 4
compositor on the Philadelphia httWiaS
BuA,tia and afterwards on the North
AmeTfNn. He began his connection
with the stage by publishing lihrettos,
and 1t is said that during this time he
attracted the attention of Uhlman, the
famous impreSSario. One OF Mr.. Palm
er'S first ventures as manager was the
bringing out OF Matilda Heron. He
afterwards acted rs manager of Sonutag,
Anderson, the magician, who was called
the Wizard of the North, anl Won Blu
low, the pianist. The spectacle Of the
Black Crook was brought out under
the management of Wheatley Jarrett
4 Palmer; Mr.. Wheatley retired before
the play had completed ITS run. The
scenery and dresses had been brought
from abroad and the drama was pro-
duced on u magnificent scale. Niblo's
Garden was the scene Of this and other
spectacular pieces, including The
White Fawn," :" Leo and Lotus" and
Black Friday" MesSrs. Jarrett &
Palmer then leased Booths Theatre.
The first piece brought out was Bouci-
caults Belle Lamar" the first perform
ance of which was given on August 10
1874. The leading parts were played
by John Mccullough and katherine
Rogers. Charlotte Cushmans farewell
performances drew crowds to the the
atre. In 1876, Rignold made his first
appearance ia this country in Henry
W." and the great popularity Of
the actor and the splendor with
which the play was put upon the stage
are sell remembered by all theatre
goers. The play was produced under
the direct superintendent of Charles
Calvert, Of Manchester, England, who
has since died. In this year, too,
Jarrett 4 Palmer's famous lightning
train crossed the continent from New
York to san Francisco in So hours, So
minutes and 10 seconds. There was
Il party of twelve on the train, which
left on June |, and the total expense Of
the trip was said to be not far from
$4,000. Julius Caesar" was also
brought out with cast including L.
l.. Davenport, who died April /, 1877,
Lawrence Barrett, +. c. Bangs, Mines
Levic' and Mary Wells. agnes Booth
and Mr.. Bangs also appeared in the
spectacular play of ''Sardanapalus," for
which II ballett was expressly imported.
In 1877 John Mccullough appeared at
Booths in many Shakespearean char
actes. Genevieve Ward was the last
star who appeared Mt Booths theatre
while i was under the management
of Jarrett & Palmer. AT one time Mr..
Palmer was one of the proprietors of
the Westminster Hotel. Several years
ago the firm bought the excursion
steamer Plymouth Rock for $3.50, 900,
it is said, and from that time the bust
ness of providing commodious excur-
sion steamers running to all popular
seaside and river resorts has steadily
increased. The steamer was sold last
March to Charles w. Schofeld.
The tale of Henry Palmer's theatrical
adventures is simply endless. Every
body who takes interest in such topics
knows that it was he who, with his
newly found partner, Mr.. Jarrett,
brought over tile ballet dancers who
danced, pirouetted and clashed their
cymbals at Niblo's Garden i'll the winter
of 1866, making in six months, hall
million Of dollars for the author
of that stnpendous production, the
"Black Crook" setting the new part
nership firmly on lis feet, and establish
ing spectacular drama in New York.
That success gave Messrs. Jarrett &
Palmer their cue when they leased
Booths theater. The production of
"Henry "" and Julius Caesar" were
events in American dramatic history.
"Sardanapalus" was less successful. In
deed, the latter was no more a represen-
tation of Assyrian life than the Jardin
Mabille. II was the "Black Crook" and
"White Fawn" woven together, with
fragments of Byron's rhetoric. But the
production of "Uncle Toms Cabin"
more than recompensed Mr.. Palmer for
his losses. He made $4,000 in very
few weeks and carried the play over to
the European continent, where it was
less applauded.
At the time OF his death he was busy
with several enterprises OF great plth
and moment, one of them being the en-
gagement of Sarah Bernhardt. Mr..
Palmer was very popular man with
all who knew him. He was regarded
as very able stage manager, brusque
and arbitrary at times, but Of great ex-
ecutive ability He was genial com.
panion at social meetings, and was
noted for the elegance Of his dress. He
was fond of society and enjoyed the
company Of his friends even when he
was suffering from the disease which
finally resulted in his death. He was
regarded as one of the most libeial Of
managers, and his profits from his bust
ness as manager are said to have been
large. lie leaves his family in good
circumstances. lie has no brothers or
sisters, but leaves an aged mother,
whom he mas supported for years. His
life is said TO be insured for 10000
PhTa Times, july %.
Little Johnny's Anecdotes.
San Francisco Argonant
Gotes butts. and Uncle Ned he said
90 lobpNu 1na JatS fhnro uou a rofa II, I,