The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-10-24
AN OLD TINE MANAGER.
A Man whoran aWheellng Theatre
50 Years ago Talks OF 1t.
\ FEW CASUAL "REMINISCENCES
r,c Remembers some of tho Prom.
Ipcnt old Citizens OF Wheeling, and
tells Interesting Stories Of the
Alhcnacum and tho old Days on
the Stage.

Thirty-fyc years Is a. pretty good
stretch Of time, and yet Mr.. Dave Han
chctt, who Is amcmbcr Of Miss Irene
Kent's company, now playing at the
Opera House, played in Wheeling that
long ago. More than that he was the
manager for two seasons OF Weddings
first regular theatre, the still famous
"OlI Athcnaoum." His name Is almost
n household word now, but he was
more than thirdof accnturyngo better
known in Wheeling than he is to-day.
The story OF his coming here is inter
csing.
70 see Mr. Hanchott of the stage,
Noril faced, with few wrinkles, one
would scarcely guess that he was born
hit perhaps it were better TO let the
reader keep on guessing just when he
was born. Though when frankly asked
thc question last night nc frankly an
swcrcd it, lie might prefer not to have
Il given away. He says, however, that
thc story that Sheridan Knowles wrote
the part OF Sir Walter in ''Thc lunch
barI;n especially for him is SANDER.
Suffice it to say that lie was old enough
10 have obtained & reputation rs IN
actor and Il Manager in 1856, when he
cane 10 Wheeling, leased tho Atlc-
urun and ran 1t with agood stock COM
pany. :,
"Why did you come to Whccling?"
m IYrEMdGEScEH reporter asked him
last night.
There is q story back OF that" said
he, (which will no doubt strike you MS
very funny. vas touring Ohio with u
company, and everywhere / heard OF
the bad name Of Wheeling. Managers
tod Inc not to come to Wheeling what
ever did. They said no decent COM
rany could play here, because the boys
in the gallery would talk to the actors,
insult the Indies OF the company and
keep the decent people oil the town out
OF the house. l resolved to try it just
because everybody urged INC not to.
came here, saw Hen Conant, who was
then City Sergeant, and engaged him to
keep order tor me. He agreed to do it.
The first night.the conduct justified all
the bad things had heard OF the town,
but everybody who created any disor-
der was ut once led out by Conant. The
second night it was better, and the
third the order was perfect.
"a little knot OF gentlemen had
watched the experiment. Up to that
night not L lady had showed her face in
Tile house, but that night Major Loring,
Mr.. Michael Reilly and 4 number OF
others called on me, complimented the
good order, the playing and the man
ascmcnt, and said the next night they
would break the ice and bring ladies.
They did it. From that on the order
was perfect and the house full every
night. | played through the next sea-
son to good business"
"ICu must have played some good
stars, the reporter remarked.
Yes; but do not especially recall
any now but Edwin Booth, who appear
ed at my house, supported by my COM
pany on his first starring tour, while OIL
his way IRON San Francisco to New
York. Maggie Mitchell played with us
some time, giving only legitimate plays.
afterwards took her and my company
through Ohio, playing leading man in
Romeo ami Juliet Tho Lady OF
Lyons and similar pieces. She had not
then got her 'Fanchon,' which made
her fame ind fortune"
Mr.. Hanchett gave many interesting
TGmlnisrenccs OF people and things in
Wheeling over third OF a century ago.
lie told OF occurrences in which Mr.. 4.
". Campbell figured, and spoke warm
!yot Major Loring and Mr.. Reilly; re-
mcmbered Smith Wickliam when he
was sheriff, and is full OF lively recollcc-
tons OF old-time Wheeling. lie thinks
the stage is not what it was when the
elder Booth and his contemporaries
strobe it, but ascribcs its fall to the lack
Of their commanding genius on the
boards, not to lack OF appreciation in
the audience.