San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-14
JOHN l.. SULLIVAN, ACTOR.
His Appearance at the Grand-HOw
He Looks, Acts and Talks.


The great worlds champion pugilist
and knOcker- John L. Sullivan, drew
a great crowd at the Grand Opera house
last night, who fiocked to see him in the
new role of an actor, in the Duncan b.
Harrison company, presenting the come
dy drama, Honest Hearts and Willing
Hands," Sullivan, on whom all interest
centered, appeared as James DAILY, the
blacksmith, and Duncan b. Harrison, con-
ira to the Express, did not appear at
all. He is not in the city, but has left the
company. temporarily, on accoun t of ILL
ness and injuries from hard work in play,
ing in his old play, THE Paymaster."
His lines were spoken very "mouthily''
by an understudy, and to give the man
credit Sullivan and Chas. Collins, the lat
ter as Arthur Dare, "were the best actors
be given to McNab WIN. p. Sheldon, and
Teddy, John d. Griffin). OF Sullivan it
may be said, he is a young actor, and
has hardly rubbed of the old association
of the ring, but he speaks his lines cor
rectly, but In lessOn-saying way, and
speaks them loudly and distinctly.
The requirements of the
play are not great and he gets along very
well, better than his audience last night
expected of him.
Ofthe ladies all were fair actresses, Miss
Mary Madden, an aunt, by the bye, of
Minnie Maddern. being especially strong.
Miss Strong, as Martha, also shone quite
brilliantly as an emotional actress.
The same play will be given tonight
and tomorrow night.
After the performance OF the theatre
was ended, party Of friends accom-
hear his hotel and indUig,
ed in a few glasses Of champagne. He
drank but half glass and ended up on
two glasses of bottled beer. He would
take no more, and would not go out
with the boys" for little ride, PREFER
ing to 90 to HIS room, where his wife was
then waiting for him.
To the LIGHT representative he declar-
ed he was done with the prize ring and
would keep to the stage as long as he was
appreciated by the public. He did not
particularly care for the part he took In
the play, "Honest Hearts and Willing
Hands," because there was too much
sympathy diverted to his part, but a
| by Mr.. Duncan b. Harrison, which he
thought would suit him better and in
| which he would appear next season.
Mr.. Harrison, by reason of sickness,
| brought on by overwork in THE Pay.
master" last season has not been with the
company for about month, and has been
| sent back to New York to recpperate
i
Of work on his plays.
In answer to the question. ii he would
ever return to the prize ring again hi
4 said: mo, have better chance now
more than my winnings would be-"
In answer to question, which he pre-
ferred, the prize ring or the stage, he re-
piled:
The stage. It's easier. not SO mucl
hard work and better pay"
HIS weight, he said, is 23S pounds. hi
age nearly 80 years. He does not lool
old, and is finer looking than when IN
San Antonio seven years ago, his Sap
pearance and department more gentle
manly. and the tOughness that formerly
characterized HIM is toned down, until {
is no more apparent, except In the memo
ry OF his former acquaintance.
Sullivan's last appearance in San An
tonic was seven years ago, when he gay'
exhibitions. His visit ended in q ant
frolic at the 81 Morris saloon, then stand
ing on the corner where the Grand oper;
| house now is.
In his dressing room he keeps a little o
the ardent and couple OF bottles o
appollinaris, which he tackles yer!
lightly.