The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-08
PHILADELPHIA THEATRIcaIs'


PHILADELPHIA THEATRICALS,
Items hat Are OF Interest to the PeopIe
of San Francisco.
Occasional Correspondence OF THE MORNING CALL
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 30.-NeIson Decker,
who will be remembered as member of the
stock company at the old California Thea
ter under the management of John McCul-
Tough and Lawrence Barrett, is dying at the
Edwin Forrest Home. where he was admit
ted about year ago at the recommend alton
OF Edwin Booth. About ten days ago, in a
tit of desperation, he made an attempt on
his life by applying razor to his throat and
wrist The injuries were not sufficiently
deep to be fatal A few days since steps
were taken to have him committed to the
insane asylum at Norristown. Information
from the Forrest Home received this
morning is to the effect that Decker
Is gradually sinking. Letters have
been received from Decker's father, from
Edwin Booth and many prominent theatri-
cal people by the unfortunate man, extend
Ing sympathy and offering aid. Strenuous
efforts are being made to locate Nard AL
mayne, Decker's wife. Inquiries have been
made in New York and London, asking the
actress to communicate with her husband,
lieve the patients mental trouble and aid in
his recovery. Decker is 80 years old. and
made his first appearance as a reader in
New York in 1864. He played his first en-
gagement at the fremont Theater, Boston,
where he appeared as Tom Loker in I'm
Gle Toms Cabin" His first appearance as
an actor in New York was made at the
Winter Garden Theater, where he remained
until the building was destroyed by fire He
was member of the company at Booths
Theater, New York. 1869. Decker has
Travelled extensively, having played in the
west Indies, South America and Australia.
HENRY MILLER.
Henry Miller was here a week ago as the
principal support of Marie Wainwright in
Amy Rob5art" and stated that next sea-
son he would try his luck as star, appear
ing in an elaborate production of "RoSe-
dale" He said the play would be pro-
duced in manner that will throw all former
among the cities to be visited by handsome
Henry.
| met our old and genial friend, Jay Rial,
while here at the Park Theater with
Augustus PltOu's company. He is the Ct
ing manager of the company, and is as
proud as a peacock of his change. 1t GER
tainly ranks with the best companies sent
from New York. There are few bet
ter leading ladies in the profession than Min
ME Selgman. She is q beautiful woman
and gifted with good dramatic powers. The
organization includes Nelson Wheatcroft,
William MILAN q. THOMPSON, J. W. shannon
George Backus, Frederick Perry, Gustav
Funkel, Ida Vernon, Adelaide Stanhope.
Helen Bancroft, Jane Stuart and Vida
Croly. 10 the above list will be recognized
several Frisco favorites, 1 regret to state
that you will not have the pleasure of see
o1, 49,
season.
HAwLEY CHAPMAN.
Hawley Chapman. who is suffering with
paresis at his home in Brooklyn, was in the
early eighties we'll known on the Pacific
Coast as a reader. ] remember that on one
OF w. E. Sherdan's tours through the
Northwest. going as far as British Column
bla, Chapman accompanied the great ira
gedlan as reader and made an excellent
impression.
FRITZ MORRIS.
Fritz Morris, always active and courteous
was here doing tbs past week in advance o
Shenandoah" which is the attraction a
the Chestnut-street Theater, and has no
lost whit In popularity.
FRANZ VETTA.
1t will no doubt pain the many friend
of Franz Vetta in San Francisco TO learn o
his serious illness. On the arrival here Of
the Emma Juch Opera Company last Mon
day eta, who had contracted cold ON thu
road, was seized with hemorrhages. Hi
Illness necessitated various changes In tn,
weeks programme. Owing to good medica
treatment and the careful nursing of hi
wife, Mary MacNichol. he may be able t.
resume his place in the company shortly
Emil Fischer has been engaged to tax,
Vetta's place until he has thoroughly re
covered. Albert Guile, the tenor, who SAM
here all last summer and made himself al
immense favOrite, was given a tremendo
reception on his temperance.
MINNIE HAUK's COMPANY.
While on the subject of opera am re
minded that the Minnie Hauk Company
appeared at the Academy of Music agains
the Emma Juch Company at the Crane
Opera House and made no money, simpl,
because the prices were higher than at tn,
other house. The Hauk Company is in
bad way financially and will probably no
last the season out. Salaries ale in arrear.
and grambllng is audible.
THE AUSTRIAN JUVENILE BAND
Made its debut before local audience al
the Academy of Music a week ago, winning
instantaneous favor. The programme wa.
composed OF music OF the light order, such
as heard in Vienna The boys presented a
very neat appearance in their bright uni
forms of the Hungarian Military Band
Training School, which consists of a mill
tary dress coat and light-ftting trousers OF
nght-Dlue cloth, trimmed with gold cord
and braid. and black fez with a black
feather surmounting the Austrian colors as
a frontispiece.
THE MARINE BAND
viii give concert ut the Academy of Mu-
sic on December 18th. Louise Natal, who
years ago was known to those attending the
Tivoli on Eddy street rs Louise Les ter will
furnish the vocal numbers. After leaving
the TIyoli she went to Europe TO cultivate
her voice, so that now she is above the
average soprano and is applauded warmly
for her singing.
GENERAL ATTRACTIONS.
Among the multitude of attractions here
this week are the Iiliputians at the Grand
Opera House, Richard Mansfield at the
Chestnut-street Opera House, L. "a. Soth.
ern in The Dancing Girl'' at the Broad
street Theater, Harry Lacy in Jack Royal
of the 92d," and the Pacific Coast favorites
in pugiIstic circles. Jack Dempsey and
Young Mitchell, at the Central Theater.
GUS Cook.
Arrival of Steamers.
The steamers North Fork from Eureka
City Of Puebla from Victoria and Neltit
Low from Point Reyes came in last night.