Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-11-08
ANEW STORY or LINCOLN.
How He Kept Joe Jcfferson's Father rom
Going into bankruptcy.
lJoseph Jefferson In the century.l

fJoseph Jefferson in the Senturyl
SPRINGFIELD being the capital of Illinois,
II was determined TO devote the entire sea-
son to tho entertainment of the members
Of the Legislature. Having made money
for several weeks previous to our arrival
here, the management resolved 70 hi,e
lot and build theatre. This sounds like
q LARGE undertaking, and perhaps with their
limited means il was a rash step. fancy
that my father rather shrunk from thls
hold ENTERPRISE. but the senior partner
NIcKenziel was made of sterner stuff, and.
his energy being quite equal TO his arnbi-
ton. the ground was broken and the tem-
PIE erected.
The building of theatre in those days
did Tot require the amount Of capital that
Il does now. Folding OpeTa-chalrs were
unknown Gas was an occult mystery,
not vet acknowledged as a fact by the I'M
scientific world IN the West; a second
class quality Of sperm OIL was the height OF
auv managers ambition. The fOOtlights
Of the hest theatres IN the western country
we're composed OF lamps set IN noat
with .the CONFERENCE.-The. when DARK
stage was required or the lamps needed
trimming or reflling this mechanical con-
trivaucc was made 10 sink under the stage
| believe if the theatre or Devils work
shop. " - il il sometimes called. had sud
denly been illuminated with the same ma
tnrial now iu use its enemies would nave
declared that the light was furnished from
| the "old boys private gasometer.
The new theatre. when completed, was
about ninety feet deep and forty feet VIDE.
No attempt was made at ornamentation:
and az II was Imprinted the simple llhe OF
architecture upOn which II was constructed
/ gave II the appearance OF q large dry goods
{ hoy with roof. / do not think my father
/ or Mckenzie ever owned anything with
roof until now, and they were naturally
proud OF their possession.
( IN the midst Of their rising fortunes q
/ heavy blow fell upon them. a religious
revival was IN progress az the tlme' anu
/ tho fathers Of the church not only launched
forth against Us in their sermons, but by
D some politlcal manmuvre got the city 10
/ pas. new law enioining "a heavy license
AGAINST our unhOlvn calling. forget the
amount, but 1t was large enough TO be pro
/ llbltorv. Here WIS q terrible condition OF
qfairs-ali our available funds invested.
/ the Legislature IN session, the town iuil OF
/ people. and by heavy license denied the
/ privilege of opening the new theatre.
In The midst of their trouble young
/ LAWYER called on the managers. lie nad
/ heard of the injustice and offered, II they
/ would place the matter in his hands, to
| have the License taken OF. declaring that
| he only desired TO see fair play. and he
would accept no fee whether he failed or
succeeded. The case WIS brought up be
fore the Council. The Young lawyer be-
can his harangue. lie handled the sub
| iect with tact. skin. and humor, tracing
/ The history of the drama FROM the time
when Thespis acted IN cart 10 thu, stage
OF to-day he illustrated his speech. with
a number Of anecdotes. and kept the
conncil IN a roar Of laughter. His good
| humor prevailed and the eXorbltant tax
was taken OF.
This young lawyer waspopular in Spring
! field and was honored and beloved by all
who knew him, and after the time of which
I write he held rather an important posi-;
! ton in the Government of the United
| States. He now lies buried near Spring
| field. under monument commemorating
! his greatness and his ylrtues-and his name
| was Abraham Lincoln