Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-02-11
BREAKING THE LINE.
BREAKING HI LINE.
BulldOzing Bernhardt's Ticket
Buyers.
Confusion Prevents the First Sale
of Seats This Morning.
The Highest Bidder WIZ Now be
apt TO Get First Choice.

There was an exciting scene in front
Of the Peabody hotel early this LOT
ing.
The line of darkies employed by
would-be first row occupants at the
theater for the Bernhardt season, 10
open next Friday night in "Frou-
Frou,' were thrown into confusion,
and we're finally made to dispense.
Three days ago colored men, repre-
senting persons who were anxious to
secure favorite seats, were employed
TO stand in front Of the ticket office,
near Kirkland's hat store, TO be on
hand at the expected opening this
forenoon at nine o'clock. The mum
Der gradually increased until last
evening nearly thirty were standing
about the doorway. By common con
sent the persons employed numbered
themselves in the order of taking
their stands. The first arrival
was called number one, and he held a
ticket with that numeral, provided by
himself, Of course. The next was
number two, and SO on up to twenty
nine or more
At an early hour this morning half
a dozen white men, some married,
others not, took possession of the
places next the door, one taking holl
of the knob. The colored men claimed
they had been crowded out. The
whites said they found no one there
when they took the stand. At eight
o'clock about fifty persons had collect
ed, the whites held the front. All
seemed to be ~peaceable and quiet.
1t had been limited that trouble was
expected, certain threats having been
thrown out. So a detachment of po-
lice under Captain Hackett appeared
on the scene. Near the time Tor the
doors to open the crowd became bOis-
ferrous, and each particular person
wanted the position he supposed he
was properly entitled to. So violent
we're the expressions that Mr.. Kirk
land and Others we're alarmed for the
safety Of the store. Within a few
minutes of opening time the theater
manager, Mr.. Gray, and the Bernhardt
agent, Mr.. Mayer, saw there would
likely be a riot or bloodshed, or per-
haps worse. The police we're puzzled
to know how to act. Chief Davis was
sent for, and upon arrival seemed
about to bring order out Of chaos,
I when the confusion suddenly became
worse than ever, by afcw side remarks
from the agent and others. 1t was
thereupon at once announced that the
sale Of seats would be postponed until
further notice. This ended the trouble
and the crowd soon after dispersed.
The prompt step taken by Mr..
Marcus Mayer, agent Of the Bernhardt
company, in postponing the sale on ac-
count Of several turbulent persons
who had assembled in front Of the
ticket Office, thereby preventing a dis
turbauce, which might have resulted
seriously and been a disgrace to the
city, suggests the idea 20 advocate the
sale Of choice seats by auction, as has
been done in other cities, and as will
be done tomorrow in Nashville, as
will be seen by the following from the
American, Of yesterday
The sale will commence by choice
of boxes and seats at auction. Those
| desiring special seats can have the
anne By bidding for them, aud they
will be sold to the highest bidders,
which will be a premium on same
above the regular price Of the seat.
The sale by auction will continue for
a limited period. when the sale will
proceed and the rule FIRST come first
served will BE- strictly adhered 10.