The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-12
PETRR JAoKsoN As ,uNcLn rom =
The Colored Champion offered a
theatrical Engagement.

1ne Coiored Champion offered q
theatrical Engagement.
From the San Francisco Examiner.
II ever Peter jackson achieves distinction
as an actor he will have to be classed with
those who have had greatness thrust upon
them. Peter is an intelligent fellow, and
ambitious withal, but he is extremely mod
est, and while other lights OF the fistic bril-
gade have been tumbling over one another
In their endeavor to become footlight favor
| ties, jackson has contented himself with
trolling annie Rooney" and other catchy
I music hall ballads to a select circle OF
friends in private.
Once Peter became imbued with the idea
that he could sing. He was we'll aware
/ that there was some impeachment to his
vocal abilities, and 1t struck him that GER
tain irregularities in his teeth olused the
| melody to escape. AT any rate he had his
teeth filed with gold and rumor has it that
one day after the dentist bad finished his
labors, Peter stole away to try the effect of
the improvements in quiet. From the fact
| that no one heard lin sing since it is sup
posed that the result did not prove satisfao-
| tory.
NO OTHELLO FOR HIM.
When Jackson's name as a fighter became
famous in this country several offers were
made to him to star in the theatrical line.
An eastern impresario started the ball roll
ing by offering to coach Peter in the part of
Othello. jackson pooh-poohed the idea,
and 1t was whispered around that his gall
lantry recoiled at the thought of smother
ing Oesdemona, even though it was only
makesbelieve process.
Then there we're offers from playwrights
in different sections anent writing dramas
and comedies for the colored champion, but
in every instance Peter refused to listen Co
the voice OF the tempter. When jackson
was In San Francisco after his return from
his first trip to England the proprietor OF
something in the nature of wild west
show wrote offering to put Peter In po-
sition to earn both fame and dollars. The
letter pictured in glowing terms the delights
of players life, and the writer, in ad-
dition TO undertaking TO make Peter the
hero OF thrilling melodrana, promised to
teach him bareback riding and make an ex-
pert ritle-shot of him.
WILD WEST OFFER.
you won't know yourself in six months"
said the letter in one portion.
Guess won't il 20 in for bareback
riding" said Peter, with a curl of his lip,
Further on the wild west man, or what
ever be was. offered Peter $50 per cent. of
| all the money that comes in."
"Id rather have per cent. Of the money
that remains outside, - remarked Peter, and
| the scheme was smothered in its incipiency
There is reason for believing, however,
| that Peters qualms have been overc me,
and that before many weeks he will be seen
on the stage In San Francisco. 1t was
rumored on the streets yesterday that neg,
| tiatiOns were pending between jackson and
| l.. X. Stockwell, o Stockwelrs theatre,
and tnat it was about settled that Peter
| was to star in Uncle Toms Cabinn In
| view Of the fact thai Corbett, Sullivan,
| bitzsimmons and others have their plays
arranged so that they can be seen at work
in ring costume, many guesses were
| hazarded as to what character Peter was TO
assume, and how the boxing bout was to be
! introduced.
II was argued that he was too young for
"Uncle Tom" and the wrong complexion
for "Simon Legree," so it was about settled
that Peter was to play "Topsy," and have
q set-to with miss Ophelian when the lat
ter reproVed him, or her, for stealing rib
| nons.
GODDARD AS EVA"
! Another superstition was that Joe Cod
| dard was to be engaged to take the part of
| Little Eva" and that jackson was to i'm
| personate Uncle Tom," aud that when the
| pair grew tired of talking religion and
watching the southern sunset die the nit
| tens we're to be produced and Lively bout
INDUCED in just for the fun Of the thing
1t vas learned at Stockwell's last night
that jackson, IL he plays at all. will take
the part Of "Uncle Tom" and that there
will be no boxing 10 the play. Stockwell
conceived the idea Of starring Jackson in
the piece, and yesterday he wired to "Par.
SOM Davies at Los Angeles. making a lib
| eral offer for a two weeks engagement.
Davies. too, is included in the offer, Stock
we'll desiring to have 1.-THE Parson" fill the
role of the "Auctioneer." A reply was re-
ceived last night, stating that Davies and
jackson would be prepared with an answer
when they returned from Los Angeles to-
morrow.
UNCLE TOM" IN EARNEST.
Business Manager Ellinghouse OF Stock
wells theater said last night: at was not
| our intention to make the thing public until
all the arrangements had been completed,
but since it has got out will say that Mr..
Stockwell proposes, IN the event Of Jackson
accepting, TO coach him thoroughly In the
part and produce the play In two weeks
| time. There is not the slightest doubt that il
| Jackson cottons to the idea the play will be
| an immense success, and If all goes we'll We
will play him right clean through to Chi
cago."
When the facts of the case became known
! great things were argued for Peter In his
new career. 1t was pointed out that he has
a sympathetic voice and is intelligent and
initiative In a high degree. 30 that mis- pros
| poets Of success are good.
| Assuredly If Jackson resolves to embrace
the stage he could not make a start in q
better place than San Francisco, where he
is so well and 80 favorably known. As
some one said last night, the sale Of seats
might pToftably begin directly Jacksons
acceptance OF the engagement was assured.