Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-30

who for twenty years has made
speciality of the part of Uncle Tom in
Uncle Toms Cabin" Jim" Fam
ming, in his prime, was considered by
all the best man who ever played the
part, and the number of times he has
got whipped" on the stage will prob
ably never be known. But Jim will
never step upon the boards again, il is
safe to say, as the poor fellow, broken
In body and mind, was sent down to
the House of Industry for six months
on charge OF vagrancy. The story
OF how Jim came to be in this sorry
condition is a pitaible one.
For the last three months Jim has
been loafing around the Common.
his old friend and companion being q
beautiful little black and tan doc.
which Jim guarded with the utmost
vigilance, and the dog in return never
left the side of his master. Jim had
no home, no money, no friends on
whom he could call for help, and the
kindly officers who saw him day af-
ter day on the streets and Common
knew the poor fellow to be harmless,
and gave him few cents each dav to
keep body and soul together. Jim
always appeared clean, kept his hair.
face and hands In a neat condition,
but In his talk would show signs OF
softening Of the brain. OF late the
poor and frlendless actor has been
loaing SO much around the Common.
day and night, that he was kindly but
firmly told by one officer that he must
take better care of himself or he would
be sent away. Jim did not appear to
care if he was sent away, and a few
days ago he told Officer George T.
Malcolm of Station that he wished he
could be sent away if the little dog
could go with him. the officer prom
lsed to do what he could for him, and
as a result got permission from the
proper authorities to have the dog
sent down with his master.
When Tanning came into the dock
in the Central Municipal Court this
morning he was picture for paint
er, and to those who had seen HIM on
the stage in the full possession OF his
faculties the sight was indeed sad
one. He took a seat on bench with
the black and tan under his arm. the
little animal keeping his eye fixed on
his master and evidently happy amid
the unusual scene. Tanning appear
ed broken down, resting his, head,
with the sparse hair combed back
from the high forehead, on his hand,
and fixing his gaze on the floor
When his name was called he stepped
up to the rail of the dock. and resting
his right elbow on the rail, resumed
his old position of resting his head.
the dog meanwhile had jumped to the
floor, and was dancing around his
owner; his bright silver collar. in
scribed-
JAMES T. TANNING,
JUNGLE Tom"
glistened with every movement.
When Judge Hardy was ready to
hear the case Officer Malcolm testif-
ed to the habits Of the poor fellow,
also his former history and the sue,
cessful attempt to get the dog taken
down with the prisoner. Judge
Hardy vas a willing and attentive
listener 10 the interesting story, and
was much amused at the dogs connec-
ton with it. At toe mention OF the
animal, Tanning took the dog up Ia
his arms, and smiled for the first time
since his entrance into court. Judge
Hardy sent the prisoner with his dog
to the House of industry for six
months, and Jim and his dog disap-
peared behind the dock door,
It is question whether the poor
fellow could not be better helped by
the assistance of the profession ia
which he has served for so many
years. Some Boston theatrical men
have helped hirn with small sums,
but as a former actor who saw Fam
ing in court said, where is the Actors
Fund and Forrest Home IN this case?
Somebody said that entrance to the
latter and assistance from the former
had been refused flaming, and SO he
must 60 to the island, where proper
care and food might build him up
again. Jim has the sympathy of all
who know him, end they express the
hope that he may return from the is
land down the harbor with better
health IN body and sounder in mind.