Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-23
Written for The Evening Star,

esting "reminiscences Of the long past and his
knowledge enables me to correct an error /
made some time since, when speaking Of that
most talented actress, Avonia Jones, whose
debut here was the event of the day. Her
family resided here for number of years, while
her uncle, William H. Topping, held position
in one of the departments Of the government.
My impression was that she had died in Aus
| tralia, but Mr.. Saxton says she died at the
family residence at New York in Bond street.
She married Gustavus Brooke, the tragedian,
who died on board Of steamer going from
Melbourne to Liverpool, and the news Of his
death reached his wife while on the stage in a
London theater, where she was playing an en-
gagement. The telegram or letter was handed
her during pause in the play and on reading
| it she fell PROSTATE and remained insensible
| for many hours. She relinquished her engage
| ment at once and returned to her home in New
York. Her first appearance here was at the
little theater (Carusis saloon) and was an ova-
ton. Her mother, Mrs. Malinds Jones, was an
actress Of very decided talent, who had starred
through the country and had played acceptably
in the London theaters. Her father, George
Jones, whose eccentric performances Of late
years as the Count Joannes rendered him
ridiculous, was really man of good deal Of
talent, and in former years ranked as q melo-
| dramatic actor with the best actors of his day
| Mrs. Jones, the mother Of Avonia played an
engagement here at the little theater, fitted up
by Mrs. Timm, in the old ware house on 9Th
| street next to the st. James Hotel, which had
been transformed into a very pretty little box.
| Mrs. Jones played Romeo to Mrs. Charles
| Burkes juliet, and Claude Melnotte to Mrs.
Burkes Pauline, and the performance was ad-
mirable.
THE LITTLE THEATER ON SIXTH STREET.
In some former notice of theatricals I have
/ oEor - Me-
| tile actresses Of her day. She could and did
play Mrs. Halter in the stranger" and Nan in
The Good for Nothing" in the after piece.
Could any greater contrast be witnessed? At
this little theater she played Lucille" story
OF the heart, beautiful drama founded on one
OF the tales in Buiwer's Pilgrims of the Rhine
and so exquisite in pathos was her perform
ance that the memory of it fingers with one yet
Mrs. Timm was q coincidence. who, with Mary
| Taylor, made the fame Of Mitchelrs Olympic
| at New York, and became a great favorite here
The little bijou of theater was the resort Of
the best people of the city. All trace of this
theater is obliterated and those who made it
| so enjoyable have gone, too. Mr.. Saxton in
forms me that the father of Mrs. Jones, Mr. Top
ping, was wealthy builder and contractor, and
his house was the resort of men of prominence
in that day. 1t was there Mr.. Saxton met
than one occasion. Mr.. Saxton has retained
some mementos Of that very talented girl.
Avonia Jones (Mrs. Brooke), and among them
two familiar notes, one of them original in
style; dainty sheet Of note paper with en-
graved heading and '.yours very truly" and
but capital likeness.
NOTABLE oUARTEr.
Mr.. Saxton is the last of a very well-known
quartet which for some years had their head
quarters at the New York Hotel, Judge Samuel
B. Smith, Col. Beverly c. Sanders and Beverly
Tucker. Judge Sam Smith was for years a res
ident Of Washington, where he is most kindly
remembered. He was one OF the pioneers OF
California and occupied the bench for some
years and was the law partner OF Justice Field
OF the Supreme Court. He was ono of the
most genial and kind-hearted men that ever
lived, and though great sufferer from the
govt and attendant ills no one ever heard him
utter complaint. Col Beverly c. Sanders
was Baltimorean, where for years he con-
Quoted large business house. He was one OF
the early collectors OF the port of San Fran
cisco, and at the expiration of his official
| term he engaged in business there az a
banker and president of q great Rus
sian company. in which capacity he
visited St. Petersburg and received from
the car the most marked attention. Beverly
Tucker, whom we allknew so well and whose re-
cent death was SO sincerely mourned, was another
OF this quartet They were inseparable until
death invaded the little circle and claimed
AASW, oAC W OHC, DtFcTlN CEuQeIS Delug the QrSt
to pay the debt OF nature, then Sam Smith and
not long after our old friend Bev. Tucker fol-
lowed his companions Of years into the other
world. The sole survivor, MIR. Saxton. seems
likely to remain with US to instruct with his
| marvellous memory of men and things which
have long since drifted into the space where
memory, except in rare cases, refuses to follow.
He he's fortified his recollection by slips cut
| from the papers Of the long ago, the Courier
and Enquirer, Watson Webb's paper, and the
| earlier numbers Of the Herald
KILLED BY A PLUG HAT.
At this period one of the reigning favorites
on the stage was Josephine Clifton. Her
name is legendary, but I remember her very
well. Mr.. N. P. Willis in one Of his letters to
the National InteLigence7, of which he was the
New York correspondent. speaks Of her with
play, The Patrician's Daughter" at the Bow
cry Theater under Hamlin in 1S43. The pl3y was
| OF the present century and the modern COS
tune of that day killed the play. One of Leary's
| latest plug hats, which. as the hero, Forrest
wore, was too realistic, and the play was
damned by the everyday costume. Josephine
Clifton was an admirable actress, a very Juno
| In form and face. She created in London
| furore and was accepted as an admirable actress
| OF the old school A younger sister Of hers,
Missouri Miller, a very beautiful girl, was
adopted by Mr.. Topping and educated at Mrs.
Wizards celebrated school at Troy. She APP
peared upon the stage under Hamlin's
management and was a great success:
| her beauty and talent crowded the
theater. She died suddenly in the very
zenith OF her success at Mr.. Hamlin house
The notorious George Washington Dixon gave
| concerts here and readings,and then undertook
| to perform the feat Capt. Barclay in London had
| made possible, of walking q thousand miles in
| o thousand hours. All these things Dixon es-
sayed to do here at Apollo Hall. He was a no.
| torious character, and published a scurrilous
newspaper in New York. the Poluaufhus in
which he charged the death Of the girl to HAM
| lin. large mob gathered before the house
| where the girl lay dead, and the MAYOR. ut the
head of the police and large volunteer force.
quelled the riot. This scurrilous sheet attacked
Josephine Clifton, and Mr.. Saxton has a copv
! of her defense dated Astor House, July 6. 1855
| II was published in the Courier and Eno,Iire,.
She subsequently married the manager of the
theater at New Orleans and Withdrew from the
stage.
CELEBRATED LAND SUIT.
| Mr. Saxton, from his remarkable collection
Of slips and Newspaper cuttings, has given me
the legal proceedings in . case that may be
termed a sequel to the celebrated Helen Jewett
murder, which occurred in 1895. Richard p
| Robinson was indicted for the murder and the
most conclusive circumstantial evidence fixed
the crime upon him, but, through the exer-
| tons, means and influence OF Mr.. Joseph Hoxie
| . wealthy merchant of New York, for whom
| Robinson was confidential clerk, he was ac-
| quilted Of the crime. The Hon. John c. Spen-
Ger, who was subsequently, under the Tyler ad-
ministration. Secretary Of War, was the leading