The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-25

The Ficayune of January . contains th
following very interesting article.
Concerning the once popular song, "Iho
Hunters Of Kentucky; or the Battle Of New
Orleans" which WAS published in the
Picayune recently, we have since learned
that 1t was written by samuel Woodwork,
Of New York. whose poems are only n
membercd now by his "Nid Ulken burket."
when toad recollecti0ns present them TO
view" The credit Of making The Hunters
Of hentuck" famous, as "A song, is due to an
actOr-N. NJ. Ludlow who has Dut re.
Gently passed from the stage of life
la It. Louis. Mr.. Ludlow gave il
music aud was first 10 sing 1t. This was in
New Orleans IN the spring Of lSs2, and Oc.
CURED al the old French Theatre on Orleans
street, which on certain e1enings OF each
week was occupied ny an English dramatic
company under the MANAGEMENT OF James
II. Caldwell. This was a year before Mr.
Caldwell huilt the first American theatre
known TO New Orleans, which was the
Camp street theatre, erected where the
Rice-BOrn building now stands. At that
time the Orleans street people considered
Mr. Caldwell a crazy man to undertake the
building of theatre 50 far "up town and
in mud street place thar had
to be reached by walking on
blanks. They told him ladies
would meyer 20 there. But Mr.. Caldwell
pe,seyefed. tie built a theatre and made il
successful, playing Edwin Forrest there
when Edwin was boy, and Introducing all
Of the great actors OF the day. He did more.
lie gave a boom to Camp street and Cup
town " introduced Illuminating gas here.
paved the streets with square stone block
paving, and subsequently built q grand
lompie O.. thG utama-the nnest IN the
country at that time-the inst II. Charles
Theatre, which was burned on the site
where the rebuilt theatre is now standing.
Mr.. CaltNgell was man Of progress, and
be fore many wears ke ..ade MS old landlords
mink that Orleans street was too far down
wn" for an Am rican theatre.
Mr.. Ludlow, a handsome Young actor, IN
1871, wac member ot tho Caldwell COM
pany. The song was introduced on his
benefit night, when be wanted 10 do some
thing extra In his inter esting book. "Dra-
matte Life as | Found It." he relates that
bis brother found the poem, Hunters OF
Kentucky" in the New York Mirror, a.
written by Woodwork. II tickled his fancy
And he sent il 10 New Orleans. Those
lines above referred to-" says Mr. Ludlow.
"my brother sent 10 me in "A letter, which
received about month prior 10 my benefit.
The lines pleasod me. and | thought would
please the peOple OF New Orleans; 80 ! de-
termined To sing them on the occasion OF my
benefit The tune, to which they seemed
adapted, was taken from the comic opera OF
Love Laughs at LOcksmiths.' being Risks
song of Mss Baily. When the night came
found the pit, or parquette, Of the theatre
crowded full Of river mea-.ha -, Kee4-
D at and ns,boat men. There were
Very few steamboatmen. These men
we're easily known by their linsey-
wOOlsey clothing and blanket coats. As soon
IA, the comedy ofthe night was over dressed
myself in a buckskin hunting-shirt and Leg
gins, which had borrowed OF river mar.
aud with mOccasins on my feet aud an old
s,OEc.ed "a, 0n ,ny mead. and a riile on my
shoulder, presented myself before the att
dience. was saluted Sith loud applause
OF hands and feet, and prolonged whOop.
or howl, such as Indians give when they
are especially pleased. | sang the first
verse, and these extraordinary manifesto
tions u delight were louder and longer than
before, but when came TO these lines
But ia kson. he was Wi!e awake.
And wasn't scared at tribes,
For wei he knew what aim we take
with our Kenturky rifles;
He led us down To Cypress wamp-
The ground was low and mucky-
There stood John Buii Ia martial iOmp;
Buthere was old kentucky.
As | delivered the last i've WO,ds / took my
vid has 0n my head. threw Il on the GROUND,
and brought my rife n the position Of tax
lug aim. At that instant came a shout and
an Indian yell from the inmates OF tie pit.
and a tremendous applause from other pog'
tiOns Of the house, the who'll lasting lOr
nearly minute. ana, a. Edmund kean
told his wife after his tlrst great success in
London, the house rose TO me" The whole
pit was standing up and shouting, had To
sing the song .bgea times that night before
they would let me ofi.u
Poor Mr. Ludlow He had 10 sing IL
again, not only that night. but hundreds OF
other nights here and In Nashville, in
Huntsville. IN Natchez, and in Lexington.
aud wherever the company played. The