Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-25
THE ORIGINAL OF 1.-THE SENATOR"
Actor Crane Tells How lie Found the
Character for His Play.

Character for His Play.
While not his oldest nor his closest friend.
there was not more sincere admlrer OF the
Int Senator Plumb than the actor, Will
liam II Crane. ssys a Philadelphia special
TO the New York Word, whose impersona-
ton of the Senator in the play OF that
name was inspired by Mr.. Plumb. Last
eveniug Mr.. Crane, who played no oen-
ator" at the South Broad-Street Theatre.
chatted between acts OF the original OF mis-
plav, and spoke regretfully OF the unex-
pected death of the Kansas statesman.
Z" first met Senator Plumb about three
wears ago. said Dir. Crane, and the
meeting itself was funny incident.
David +. Lloyd. who wrote The Sena-
tor~ for me. requested me to visit the
gallery of the Senate and take good look
Mt Senator Plumb and see how liked HIM
for q character.
Well, | went, and through the courtesy
of Sergeant-at-Arms Reed got good seat,
where | could get good view OF the Sena-
tor. | was greatly impressed with him.
After the session | went out into the lob
by. where Mr.. Reed introduced me to Sen
ator Blackburn and some Others. | casual
ly spoke OF Mr. Plumb and requested an
introduction 10 him. Mr.. Reed secured 1t
for me. and fortunately Mr. Plumb be-
came very much Interested III the conVer-
sation of some OF the other senator's and
emphasized his remarks with his peculiar
gestures.
Y" | carefully studied him from head to
foot, and left with the idea that no was
lust the man had been looking for. Now
ten, but he was the inspiration of the part
| have so frequently acted since.
LIKED THE PLAY.
81 met him again after the play was pro-
duced, and | suppose he saw the play a
dozen times. He would GO all the way
from Washington TO New York TO see IT,
and would frequently spend part OF the
tine in my dressing-room between the
acts, entertaining me, for hewaS wonder
fully clever story-teller and one OF the
most honorable ana attractive men ever
knew.
"When I was in Washington last Janu-
ary.n continued Mr. Crane, Senator
Plumb gave me an afternoon lunch IN a
committee room OF the Senate, part OF
which (tha room. not the lunch) | repro
duced IN the third act OF The Senator
"Senutor Blackburn. than whom know
no hne- gentleman, was present WITH d
number Of other senator's. After the VINE
had gone around and tho clgars, began to
glow a vFrN- roUiuiScCut, aud / Qoh
| r.
OF Blackburn.
- confessed to Senator Plumb the CIR
| cumstauces Of our br5t meeting. lie SEEM
| cd delighted with the idea and compll-
mented my representation of hls manner
isms. | explained 20 him how The Sena-
tor came t. be written. Well, you never
saw IA man SD pleased, and. as it was draw
ing on tO O clock, he and Senator Black
burn insisted on driving me to the Arllng-
| ton Hotel so that | would have time to
get ready for the nights performance,
| which they both visited, and. | believe,
| thoroughly enjoyed"
Didn't the Senator critlclse your get
| up on account Of wearing a high hat III
| the play" was asked Mr. Crane.
"0h. that high hat" said MIR. Crane,
| laughingly. "Well, no, he never criticised
! il. Int one night while he was in my dress
| ing-room at one of the New York theatres
| / Happened to pick up the high hat from
| the table and incidentally remarked that
| had been told he had never worn : hlgh
| hat IN his life. | asked him II that was
| true. .
"'W Well. it's pretty nearly trde,' replied
| the Senator. Ineyer wore high nat Oui
once. and sold that one for 81
The next day dispensed With the high
hat in the play, and procured from Sena,
| tor Plumb's halter tdc-Sinn'e OF the soft
| hat he wore; and that hat have used III
! the play ever since"