Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-10

years before be had announced his q.
preaching retirement but he conia no.
tear himseif away from bis isscsnsune
art, when Forrest died, In 1872, most
Of HE manuscript playa fell into the
possession Of John Mccullough. Jack
Cade y and Is Spartaeus I" have been IN
Guided In Mccullough repsrtory IN re-
cent Years. 1.-THE Broker Of Bogots
e foreottsn. Mr.. d. II. Harkins got
hold q . Mctamora, y but could do mo-
thing with Il.
Mr.. Mccullough remained in San
Francisco under engagement OF Mr..
Thomas b. Mcguire. He impersonatea
the heroes Of the romantic drama, and
attempted Cor the first time some OF
Forests roles. For two seasons ne
acted at Mr.. Maguire's theatre. Inen'
in partnership with Lawrence Barrett,
he assumed the management OF the
new California Theatre. Inc money
of RaIston, the daring specuiator'
was at the back OF this enter
prise. Ths affairs Of the new play
house were conducted on q pretentious
scale. shakspesre's plays and other
standard dramas were mounted magni-
feently. and acted in brilliant man
ner. The first company Of the Califor-
MIA included Harry Edwards, John I.
RAYMOND, w. A. Mestayer, Julia Mel
vile, Marie Gordon, Mrs. judah, and
Mrs. Saunders. The opening play, JAN
usry, 1869, was Bulwer's I" Money"
with Mccullough as Evelyn. REVEALS
Of "Julius Caesar" and "Richard
ILL., with Barrett and Mccullough
in the principal characters, brought
in a great deal Of money. 1t was an
era Of theatrical prosperity in Califor-
MIA. but 1t did not last. Mr.. Barrett
withdrew from the management and
began anew his career as a peripatetic
star. The downfall Of Ralston left the
theatre without hacker, and in the
period of financial depression which
followed the fortunes Of the house fell.
Mccullough remained in control, how
ever, appointing Barton Hill as his de-
putty, while he travelled in the western
cities, having developed into q full
fledged tragedian. He made money
enough to keep the house going.
Mr.. Mccullough reappeared in New
York, after long absence, August 10,
1874, at Booths Theatre, then under
the management of Jarrett & Palmer.
Mr.. Dion Boucicault's drama called
i" Belle Lamar" which dealt with the
romance Of the American civil war,
was the play, and Mccullough was
the hero, Colonel Philip Bligh. Kathe-
rine Rogers and Frederick B. Warde
were in the cast. "Belle Lamar" failed
to attract the public, and it was sue
ceeded by an ill-advised revival oil Ut
ways "Venice Preserved" in which
the tragedian figured as Pierre. This
brief but disastrous season served one
good purpose. 1t made Mr.. McCul-
Tough known to New York play-goers
as an earnest, vigorous, and intelligent
actor. When he came here again he
was warmly welcomed.
Mr.. Mccullough retained the man
agement of the California Theatre until
1878. Meanwhile he continued to grow
in public favor and to improve his ar
tistic standing by study and practice.
His later career is familiar to all who
are interested in the American stage.
Until he was stricken by illness his
course was one of steady progress and en-
couraging prosperity. He was popular
throughout this country, and in Eng
land, upon his visit in 1881, his per-
formances were received with cordial
approval.