Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-17
THEATRIC "REMINISCENCES
THE FINAL PAPER FROM 1875 TO
TEE BEGINNING OF 1882
The History of the Metropolitan Theater
up to the Opening Of the Present
Decade-A closing Sketch.

With this article we conclude our review
of the history of theatricals in Sacramento,
and especially of the Metropolitan Theater.
With the dismantling of the Academy in
1873, the Metropolitan was left as the only
theater at the Capital of the State. w.
K. Morrow succeeded the Hutchings Bros.
asthe owners of the property, April IA, 1873,
and was in possession up to the date OF his
death in September, 1876 1t then passed
to his heirs, non-residents, who were repre-
sented by Joseph Bailey until the sale of
the property to Albert Gallatin late in 1881,
under whom it is now being rebuilt. Of
him d. j. Simmons, the well-known local
manager, took lease for five years the
year 1882 being the first of his term. Our
last paper closes with the year 1875.
THE YEAR 1876.
For the remainder Of this sketch we
shall be content with very much briefer
remark than in the preceding papers. The
period is too fresh in public memory to
need detailed reference, and the purpose
now viii be to barely index the more
prominent theatrical and entertainment
events. The year 1876 opened with the
Lingards in sour Boys" in January, fol-
lowed by a remarkably long and successful
engagement, under Mcguire, of the Union
Square Company. 1t extended over nine
weeks without q break, and presented in
society dramas such artists as James
O'Neii, Katie Mayhem, J. A. Herne.
Louise Hawthorne, III. 81. Brown, E. j.
Buckley, w. I'll. Crane, Ella Wilton, Alice
Harrison, NJ. A. Kennedy, A: D. Billings
and others. Joe Murphy made an appear.
auce also in this time. 1t was in this
engagement that February 26sh) Charles
Il. Welch, Maguire's representative, re-
ceived testimonial benefit, rendered by
business men in recognition of his business
ability. 1t proved an ovation. In this
benefit the management and employees of
the REcORD-UNIoN took an active and
leading part as to its promotion. On this
occasion j. g. Chesley, Sacramento citi-
zen, appeared, and w. Fl. Crane introduced
a new song, 1.-THE Pull-back," written by
Nj. r. Beard, Sacramentan. In March
Mcguire took benefit. From March to
June we had Maguires California Minstrele
and Mackie and Wilson and VIM. Court
right appeared, and the Tennessee Jubilee
Singers. In June Blind Tom, the pianist,
appeared, and the Royal Illusionists, an
excellent company of jugglers and workers
Minstrels. In this month also, in the
upper part of the city, Blondin, "The
Hero of Niagara" gave weeks entertain.
ment in funambulistic exercises. In Sep
TENDER Eleanor Carey appeared for the first
time, supported Maguire's Baldwin (San
Francisco) Opera house company. Oc-
tober 29th occurred the German Hos
pital benefit, and on the 3lst, through
the exertions of Mr.. Simmons, Ed
win Booth, supported by John Mccall.
Tough, and the California Theater Com.
pany, San Francisco, made his appearance
after an absence of over twenty-five
years. It was one of the notable events in
Sacramento's dramatic history. He played
four nights, presenting Hamlet, Rich.
ellen, "Othello" and Richard III. In
September occurred an accident that led to
the death of w. K. Morrow, the owner of
the theater. He and the stage carpenter,
on the 22d, were engaged in grinding in
mortar ingredients for stage red fire, when
an explosion took place which wounded Mr..
Morrow so severely that he died on the
23d. In that month and during that week
Maguire's Company played, with J.
A. Herne and Eleanor Carey in the lead.
1t proved a very successful season. Pro.
lessor S. S. Baldwin and Clara Baldwin
followed, with an exposure of Spiritual.
ism. In October the Royal Marlonettes.
October 18th Moore's "0pera House."
melodeon. fell on the opening night, and
number of citizens were killed outright.
In December Frank Mayor and Josephine
Lawrence, aud in December the Vienna
L adies' cnncerk