Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-16
CRISP'S CHILDHOOD
rHE PRESENT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
LEARNED TO WALK IN BOSTON,
Al Which Tine His Father and A0.n~ "'''
Fsvorits Players at the Howard Theatre
Pleasant Memories Of Harry Vrlsp
Of the Museum.
Roston Globe.

tied 10 Speaker OIlep' ~ a.
remembers that he learned 10 "aiA ~
BOSTON and that the second year % MS
life was passed in this town?
The new speaker came from an NUS
trious and truly worthy family OF actors
of whom his father was particularly
brilliant. II was while this latter gen
tlemap, w. II. Crisp, was trayelng nIo-
fessionally in England with ms VIE
that Charles f. Crisp was born IN Shel-
field, January 20, 1915. ~, .Ao
Sailing hOmeward, soon after, the
family. consisting OF Mr.. and Mrs'Crlsp
and their soma, Harry, about 1, and the
Dresent Speaker Of the National House
then In arms, came TO New YORK. MT
Crisp was an actor of recognized ABILITY
AT that time, although he was only 20
or 27 years old. Living in New OK
city for some months after his arrival,
in addition TO playing regular engage
ments. he devoted part or MS time 10
reaching ambitious nOyiceS in the art OF
acting. IT,
he was engaged as leading man at our
own Howard AtheneUm, then OF course
a stock theatre. Mr.. Crisp was also I'M
der an engagement at the same mousse
TO play leading heavy and emotional
business. The little family arrived In
Boston in the summer OF 1876, ana the
information is that the season opened
in June, 1916, somewhat earlier than IS
customary now. AT that time the How
ard was managed by J. II. Hackett,
who got together strong stock COM
pany, and put on his plays with what
was then considered sumptuouS setting.
The opening play in Mr.. and Mrs.
Crisps engagement was Sheridan's
''RiYals," and IL was brilliant success.
Mr.. Crisp
PLAYED BOB ACRES,
and was accounted excellent in this
character. William Warren was mem
Der of the company that season, and
upon this night he appeared as Sir
Lucius O'Trigger. During the season
Mr.. Crisp repeated his anitial success
in the several parts he was successfully
cast for, and won distinct favor as a
comedian. Mrs. Crisp is remembered as
an unequalled player in the role Of Meg
MerrileS.
The Crisps, however, played but one
season IN Boston, and in the early sum-
mer Of 1874 the old company was dis
banded.
Then William Warren went to the
Museum, and Mr.. and Mrs. Crisp left
Boston for New York, never again re-
turning.
In New York city Mr.. Crisp trained
as a pupil Miss Anna Cora MOwatt, and
he brought her out in lS47 at the old
Park Theatre. The play was The
Lady Of Lyons" and Miss MOwatt APP
peared as Pauline, Mr.. Crisp being the
Claude Melnotte.
Not long afterward Mr.. Crisp went
South. He went TO Mobile, playing in
stock companies there and at New Or
leans-until he finally settled down, first
at Savannah and later 81 Macon, where
his son, the Speaker, acquired his early
eduCatlC1.
Besides his two sons, the elder Crisp
also had a daughter who did not appear
much on the stage, but early In her ca
reer married an actor and retired. The
eldest son, named after his father, in
herited the inclination OF his parents,
and, with a talent and the physical
capabilities for a successful actor, he
started on his career.
Boston had longer connection with
the son than with the father, and he
MADE HERE MANY FRIENDS,
who still hold him in affectionate mem
DRY. 1t was In 1867 that Harry Crisp,
as every one who knew this son called,
came 70 Boston under an engagement
as leading juvenile man at the Howard.
The Athen9um was then under Isaac
b Rich's management, and the young
man made his first bow to Boston
audience across the same fOOtlights
that had thrown their rays on the Bob
Acres Of his father.
Augustine Daily was at the time man
aging the Fifth Avenue Theatre in
New York, and Harry Crisp weGt there
at the conclusion Of his season in Bos-
ton.' He was either two or three seasons
with Daily, and played an extensive
round Of parts. 1t was a great company
then, and as leading juvenile the young
man was cast with such well known
actors and actresses as w. j. lie Moyne,
now the principal comedian at the
Lyceum; Fanny Davenport, Clara Nor
riS, James Lewis, George Clarke; VIM.
Davidge, now dead; George Grffaith,
also dead; Louis James and Mrs. Gill
bert.
A good offer from the BoStoH Museum
to play the leading juvenile roles there
brought Mr. Crisp TO this city again 4
trife over 20 years ago, and his sue
ceSseS there are we'll remembered.
He went from the Museum 70 join
Louis Aldrich'S company, which made
a success in MY Partner" Mr.. Crisp
playing the juvenile role. The next
year be was found In lucrative posi-
ton as leading man with the elder Sal
vini, with whom he made tour Of
the country. He appeared in Boston
with Salvini, it being the last time he
ever played here.
During his connection with the Mu-
scum he married professional,
Miss Ada Fletcher, with whom his mar
itai associations were most pleasant.
He died in 1851, leaving besides the
widow young son who is now about
twelve years old. After her husbands
death Mrs. Crisp decided TO go upon the
STAGE.
A pretty woman, petite In figure, she
soon got good engagement, with the
aid OF Miss Annie Clarke OF the Muse
um, and as Ada Crisp she has supported
well number Of legitimate stars. She
appeared with ModjeSks, and was in
Boston the last time some three years
ago In support OF Clara Morris
SOME REMARKABLE CURES OF deaf
ness are recorded by DR.. Thomas Elec-
trio Oil. Never fails 10 cure esrache.
TENDING TOWARD THE HUMOROUS.
A bill Of divorce-paying the alimony.