The Portland daily press., 1891-12-24
THE BOYHOOD OF CRISP.
His Story is more Romantic than
Ordinary Romance.
His Parents Star Actors in Their Day.
His Patron, James Davis, Then Rich,
but Reduced by the Wardrobe Strug-
gle of the Future Speaker.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
NASHVILLE, Dec. 17.-Though Georgia
has been the scene of the evolution of
Charles f. Crisp from well nigh brief
less barrister to the plethoric practice of
an acknowledged leader at the bar, and
though Georgia ballots elevated him
from the dreary routine of a circuit
judgeship to the potent arena of the halls
of congress, yet his experience ON Ten
nessee soil is doubtless remembered by
him as the most unique of his life. The
English born lad land Mr.. Crisp is the
only speaker who was born outside of
the United States) was carried to Bards-
town, KY, early in the fifties by his par
ents, in company with an only brother
and two sisters, in order that their edu-
cation might receive some attention,
their parents being actors.
At that time one of the richest citizens
of Nashville was james Davis. His
clothing and dry goods establishment
was known far and wide as the largest
between Louisville and New Orleans.
Many plantation was supplied from
his ample warehouse in exchange for
cotton and negroes, for the Cumberland
river was a very important artery Of
commerce in those anterailroad days.
Profits were enormous compared with
present margins, and as Davis had the
means to purchase heavily for cash, the
passing years saw him accumulate for
tune princely for that period.
AS his wealth increased, "a natural
fondness for travel asserted itself, and
Davis made many a pleasure trip to
Louisville, Cincinnati, New York and
the far east The stage was his hobby,
and he was an habitue of the best re-
sorts wherever he went. On one occa-
sion he strolled into the Niblo Garden
theater, New York, when Macbeth was
on the boards. w. HI. Crisp, an actor
fresh from tour of England, was in the
title role and his wife impersonated the
lady. Davis was so charmed with their
rendition of the characters that he sought
an introduction to the husband. Con-
genial tastes led to a closer acquaintance,
which developed into life long friend
ship.
In the course of their travels Mr.. and
Mrs. Crisp found themselves in Cincin-
natl, and the Tennessee merchant rode
by stage nearly the entire distance to
the future porkopolis to greet his old
friends again. They came to Nashville,
and the husband leased the Adelphi
theater, at that time one of the most
famous temples of Thespis to be found
in the west.
The actor organized first class stock
company, and the public responded SO
readily to his ability and pluck that for
tune seemed ready to bestow her long
withheld favors. Highly elated, Crisp
decided to branch out, and became the
lessee of the best theater in Memphis
Many an old citizen even now recalls
with pleasing recollections the golden era
of the drama in Tennessee which fol-
lowed. Crisp was in the plenitude of
his powers as an actor, and his wife was
star of clearly recognized merit.
The father was a scholar of no mean
attainments, man of versatile talents
and extensive observation. His wife
was woman of matronly dignity, high
moral worth and marked culture. They
frequently appeared before the foot
lights and were soon installed prime
favorites with this theater loving pub
lie. Crisp brought to Tennessee such
stars as Charlotte Cushman, Julia Dean
Eliza Logan, Ada Isaacs Menken, Con-
nor, Anderson, Couldock and others of
E,1f
interims of their visits Crisp and his
wife, with others of their stock COM
pany, would appear in towns within a
radius of 300 miles of Nashville, and
Mrs. Crisp became so pronounced ia
vorite with the people of Huntsville,
Ala, that they presented to her long
lease Of the theater there on the sole
condition that she would, even at rare
intervals, play in it.
Soon after moving to Nashville the
Crisps brought their children here. Of
the sons, Harry evinced a decided prefer
erence for the stage and bent his ener-
gies to fit himself for it as a profession.
He succeeded well, becoming in time
leading man with Salvini. The younger
son, Charles F., was about twelve years
of age. His native sprightliness and
manly demeanor soon attracted the at
tention of Davis, who approached his IA
Their with the proposition to take the lad
in his store and train him for a mer-
camille calling. So young Crisp was
transferred from his home and became
member Of the Davis household.
The lad accepted the situation cheer
fully and went to work with will. His
boyish belongings" were moved to the
Davis homestead, and he entered on the
new career with the determination to
earn as merchant the money which his
parents had failed to wiring from the
stage. His breakfast was dispatched
early, for before sunrise Crisp was ex-
pected to be at the store.
The early pedestrians who passed the
Davis establishment often beheld the
future speaker of the house of represent
atives of the United States with coat
collar turned high about his tingling ears
in winter, or in his shirt sleeves in sum-
mer, by the dim light of awaking day
sturdily shoveling snow from the door
of his patron, or welding broom as
tall as himself to clear away the dust
from the rude pavement. This prelimi-