Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-12
MUSIC AND ERAMA:
A TALE OF TWO MANAGERS

MIR. Mcvicker and Mr. Henderson Meas.
ure Swo-d.-Both Managers Stiu Seek.
ing Revenge.
Talking of David Henderson, l hear, says
writer in New York Truth, there is very
pretty little difference Of opinion going on
between that astute gentleman and his aged
orother-raanager, j. Il. McVicker. For
years it has CALLED Mr.. McVicker's highly
respectable and venerable heart that the
oteer Chicago managers were doing better
business than he was. He frctted under
MS lraDlnty to secure good attractions-he
snote his breast in sorrow at the tiDid
manner In which managers nibbled at his
Turing offers of terms Even the winning
ways Of his stalwart-hearted, though NE
Diminished champion. Louis Sharpe, had NO
effect. Managers made up their minds 10
60 where the money was to be made, and 50
they driftea away to the other theaters.
Then Mr.. McVicker resorted to strategy,
and dapper little man. clothed in very
fefocious black mustaohe and the authority
vested in him By Mr. McVicker, was dis
patched each evening to all the theaters in
Chicago on tour of inspection. He criti-
caly examined the condition Of the rival
parquet, he carefully counted the heads in
@AO u S%VoCid ciTCIS uC toOh 6CtEnA Q4
stock OF the swelteriog mob in the gallery
He made all these calculations with care
and precision, and, upon his return to the
sanctum OF his august master, his impress
sions were carefully transferred to book,
kept especially for the purpose, and his
name inscribed thereto, as an evidence Of
good faith. This has been going on for
years, and whenever managers, in discuss
forms wifi Mr. MpNirl<ar rvynn11 Cneat-
OF the superior business done by the other
theaters, this precious volume would be
produced, and do you know that, oddly en-
ough, the other houses did not seem, ac-
cording to its faithful pages, to be doing SO
very much business after all.
Something of the kind came to the ears
Of Mr. Henderson the other day. A mana
ger was speaking at McVicker's of the
large business done by Robson & Crane in
the Henrietta at the Chicago Opera
House, and the book was produced to prove
that the business was not good. Then Mr..
Henderson, who had the absolute knowledge
OF having turned people away daring the
performance of the Henrietta" grew
in-tcmpcrcd and vowed that he would mako
an end of the data gatherer. The next time
be presented himself he was incontinently
q
munication from Mr. McVicker demanding to
know why his representative had been re-
fused admittance to the Chicago Opera
House.
''You are entirely welcome" wrote Mr..
Henderson, in reply, to any seats you may
require for yourself or your employees, pro-
viding you wish to see performance at my
theater, but l have submitted to your es-
pionage long enough, and will not admit any
person from you hereafter whose specific
duty appears to be prying into my busi-
ness"
Mr.. McVicker's reply was characteristic
He gave immediate orders that neither Mr..
Henderson nor any person connected with
his theater should ever be admitted to Nc
Vicker's Theater again, and thus the war
between the houses stands, with public
sympathy on the side OF Mr.. Henderson.
The door-keeper of McVicker's must have
hard time Of it, by the way, keeping track
of the people upon whom Mr.. McVicker has
visited his ire. For when he gets angry
with g man he does not kill him, nor beat
him, nor even slap him. He ruthlessly and
cold bloodedly gives ordes to his door-keep-
er never to allow him in the theater again.
1t is cruel, heartless retribution, if you
will, but when you stir up McVicker you
must go armed for the consequences. Tho
door-keeper, who has been with Mr.. Nc
Wicker great many years, has the pro-
hibited names printed and arranged in
order He thinks that if Mr.
McVicker continues in business two or
three years more he will be able to use the
Chicago Directory as substitute for his
own list, and save himself much trouble