Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-01
NEW YORK LETTER.
WHAr rs INTERESTING THE PEOPLE
OF GOTHAM.
SAs Latest Dramatic Eews-Mr Bonner
and His Eorses-ksrried Actsrs
and Actresses.
rcorrespoudencc Of the Richmond Dispaich.l

fCorrespondencc Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
New YoRx, March 81, 1888.
What the weather clerk is pleased to
call stationary barometer is TO prevail
in Gotham's theatrical atmosphere
throughout the present week. To be
sure. Manager ]. NJ. Hill has launched
Sydney Rosenteld's play, "a Possible
Case" somewhere in the eastern district
of Brooklyn, but most New Workers
would lust as soon think of going TO
Boston or Philadelphia TO attend first
night performance as 10 take trip over
the bridge. Moreover. the piece is
booked for the Standard Theatre next
week, as "Paui kauvar will terminate
Its run there on Saturday night when
Steele Mackaye will be rendered bene-
fit
"Money" has succeeded "Town and
Country" at Waliack's Theatre in the
series OF old comedy revivals. 1t is a
matter of common rumor that Abbey
has been playing losing game IN his
endeavor TO run a stock company IN ad-
dihon TO his other theatrical ventures.
III II we're not for the barrel Of money
he has made with the Josef Holman con-
certs and the weekly rental Of the Star
Theatre, he would be IN bad hole at
the end of the season.
The latest thing in "iTusis IS an or
ganizatiou formed by the managers OF
The New York theatres to defeat meddle-
some theatrical legislation at Albany.
These manager magnates are greatly ex-
ercised over bill compelling them TO
pay 50 q day FOR police aud fire protec-
ton. Hitherto they have been entitled
10 this protection gratis, as the sums
maid to the city for theatrical licenses
were considered more than ample to
cover the expense. In fact, it has been
customary until lately for the mayor to
hand over the entire amount obtained
from this source to a reformatory insti-
tution OF juvenile delinquonts 1t vas
not until members of the theatrical pro-
fession made a vigorous protest that the
mayor allowed the actors 20 come In for
a share Of this annual taxation.
THEATRICAL MECHANICS.
The New York branch of the Theatre
cal Mechanics Association Is TO have n
benefit at the Peoples Theatre next Sun
day night The members of this society
comprise the various skilled worknen
connected with theatrical trades and stage
mechanism. They are commonly known
throughout the country as "the Grips.
The stellar historian suffering from
an enlarged Uranium is not apt to
treat them in an insOlent manner
after his first offence. They have
il in their power TO ruin his most telling
scene by running on the wrong scenery
or by allowing other "primed patent
accidents TO occur. The organization
dates back many years, but this is the
first time the New York members have
consented to take benefit, although
they have borne the entire expense Of
supporting sick and disabled brethren
and have been frequently assessed to de-
fray funeral expenses aud relieve the
widows of those who have lost their
scrip"
According to an item that is going the
rounds, louise Montague, the ten-thou-
sand-dollar beauty, is reported TO have
retired to private life at Minneapolis.
There Is no telling what ladies who
sdorn the stage viii or VIII not do IN
their domestic arrangements. &" 4 thing
OF beauty" is certainly not "a Joy for
ever" with the tickle theatrical public,
but the prize actress in question IS still
upon the boards, and displays herself
nightly with the "Corsair company
now on the road. She is really very
far singer, but nobody has been able to
decide what dialect she employs In try
ing to speak English. She talks as If
she had boiled potato III her mouth.
oLnisE OF I'D. STOKES.
4 medium-sized man, with a bullet
head covered with thick white hair, dane
ing black eyes, coal-black mOustache, and
@ nervous air, is seen a hundred times q
dav and night in the Hoffman House
corridor or cdfe. 1t Is Edward Stokes,
the man who killed Jim Fisk. He is
making fortune every year ont of his
hotel, besides Taking IN big piles from
Wan street All the men about town,
the actors and brokers, make his house
their headquarters. and within a
few years it has become the favorite
resort for politicians. A good
many persons believe that Stokes is only
the manager OF Improperly. 1t has been
said over and over again the Bonanza
King Mackay is the actual owner. This
is not true. Stokes is the sole proprie-
tor, and from the kitchen to the servants
room he is the absolute boss. After he
served his term of Imprisonment for
the murder of Fisk he found the
mining property that he had invested
in before the tragedy had become
valuable, in fact had made him wealthy.
Not many persons believed in him.
Few Of his old friends even had kind
word to say of him, but he rolled up
bis sleeves, went TO work, and by indus
Try in his own business acquired wealth
and respect Businessmen with whom
he came In contact found him mild |
hammered. quiet. unassuming fellow,
who asked no odds and paid cash for
what he got. In FIVE years he made |
hosts of friends, and it is safe to say
now that he knows more men worth |
knowing than any other man IN New
York. Keeping a hotel has brought |
him into contact with thousands Of men of
wealth and influence Such menas Larry |
jerome, Roscoe Conklipg, Bonanza King |
Mackay, and Bob lngersoll are his
warm friends and admirers. In addition |
TO knowing bow to keep hotel, be has
taken an active hand in Wall-street |
speculation. He has invested a good |
deal OF money in the Banks and Mer-
chants Telegraph Company, and he ex-
poets TO get it back ien-fold. He specu-
lates in daring style, and has been uni
formly successful lie is one OF the bost-
posted men in town or railroad securi-
ties, and he has q safe full of valuable
bonds and stocks. His hotel has become
the resort in the evening Of young
brokers. who often seek his advice be-
fore investing.
VERY RETIRING.
Stokes is of very retiring disposition
He is pointed out score of times day |
as the man who killed Fisk Strangers |
never fail to inquire for him, and it is
often very embarrassing. One night |
two young fellows from the West stepped |
up 10 the bar in the cafe. They ordered
drinks and then turned to the bar.
tender