Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-04-17
A NEW STORY OF LINCOLN.
How He Kept Joe Jefierson's Father from
Going into bankruptcy.

Springfield being the capital Of Illinois,
It was determined 10 devote the entire
session TO the entertainment of the nem-
Ders OF the Legislature. Having made
money for several weeks previous 20 onr
arrival here. the management resolved to
buy lot and build q theatre. writes Joseph
jefferson IN the November Century This
sounds like Z large undertaking, and per-
laps with their limited means ii was a
rash step. l fancy that my father rather
sIrunk from this bold enterprise. bat the
senior partner (MckenZie) was made OF
sterner stuff, and his energy being quite
equal to his ambition, the ground was
broken and the temple erected.
The building of theatre in those days
dbl no; require the amount OF capital that
II does now. Folding opera chairs were
unknown. Gas WAS an occult mystery,
lot yet cl,uywleIged Is Il fact by the un-
scientific world in the West: a second
class quality Of sperm oil was the hight
OF any manager ambition. The foot
lights OF Tie best theatres in the Western
country We're composed of lamps set in 4
float with the CONFERENCE.-The. When
dark stage was required, or the lamps
hetled trimming or re1i.linG. this me-
--N'---Nss- N'iAtA- anu tssS s.aist " SHIN
under the stage. believe that if the the
atre or devils Workshop" as it was
sometimes called, lad suddenly been HUI
minated with the same material now in
Use, IL enemies would have declared that
the light Was furnished from tile Odd
Boys" private ga-ometcr.
The new theatre, when completed. was
aJOg;t 80 feet deep and 10 feet wide. No
L. L
q II was Imprinted, tie simple line OF ar
cEitecture upon which 1t WAS Constructed
gaze it the appearance OF large dry
goods box with Il roof. lido not think my
father or Mckenzie ever owned anything
with a roof until nor, so they were nat
uraiiy proud OF their possession.
In the midst Of their rising fortunes a
heavy blow fell upon them. \ religious
revival WIS in progress ut the time, and
the fathers of the Church not only launch
ed forth a.aiIS! US in their sermons. but
by some political maneuyer got the city
10 pass new law eHjoining a heavy H.
cense against orr .'unholy'' calling: for
get tie amount. but it was large enough
10 be PrOIibtory. Here was Il terrible
condition of allairs-ill our available
funds Invested, the legislature in session,
lile town full OF people, ana by heavy
license denied the privilege of opening
the new theatre.
In the midst Of their troRblc Young
lawyer called on the managers. He had
heard of the injustice and offered. if they
would place the matter in his hands. to
have the license taken of. declaring that
lie only desired to see fair play. and he
would accept no fee whether he failed or
succeeded. The case was brought up be-
fore the council. The Young lawyer be-
gan his harangue. lie handled the sub
ject with tact, skill and humor. tracing
The history of the drama from the time
when Thespis acted in i cart to the stage
OF to-day. He illustrated his speech with
n number OF anecdotes and kept the
council in roar OF laughter: his good
humor prevailed and the eXoib tax
was taken oil.
This young lawyer was very popular
in Springfield and was honcred and be-
loved by all who knew him, and, after
the time of which write. he held rather
an important position in the government
of the United States. He nOw lies bur-
led near Springfield, under a monument
commemorating his greatness and his
virtues-and his name was Abraham Lin
coin.