Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-23

would, perhaps, never have become the
finished and consummate artist, who
has so long given delight to millions.
At the age OF twenty be resolved TO be-
come q manager, and the money fur
nished by those youthful and enthusi-
astic friends enabled him to speedily
carry this resolution into effect. lie
rented Peale's Museum, q little theatre
on Chestnut street Philadelphia, and,
with Mrs. D. z. Bowers as his leading
lady, made modest bid for public sup
port. In later years Mr.. ] fferson has
naively confessed than an earnest de-
sire to play his favorite roles was the
chief motive that prompted him
10 essay the perils of management, and
has laughed heartily at the failure
which speedily overlook his venture. At
the time, however, his failure was no
laughing matter, for IL left him without
money and without a situation. At this
critical period, with the temerlty OF
youth, he resolved to marry, and forth
with did so. The lady Of his choice was
Margaret Lockyer, an actress, with
whom be lived happily for many years.
She died at Hobartstown, Tasmania, In
1862, and in 1867 he married Miss Sarah
Warren, his present wife. With wife
to support he made earnest effort to OBJ
tain employment, aud alter many dis
appointments, secured an engage
meDt to play second comedy parts
at the old National Theatre in
New York, then under the manage
ment of Frank Chairman. Charles
Burke and Mrs. Barney Williams were
among the mem oers OF the company
then playing at the National, but the
strong rivalry Of the Bowery and Bur
tons Theatres rendered the fortunes OF
the house precarious, and st the end OF
the season Mr.. Jefferson decided to try
his luck In other fields.
With John Ellsler he undertook the
management OF the Southern Circuit, "
which then included Wilmington,
Charleston, Savannah, Macon and
Augusta. Mr.. Ellsler managed the
business affairs of the firm, while
Mr.. jefferson looked after mat
tiers pertaining to the stage. The
company opened in Macon and play ed
there sveral weeks TO crowded
houses, but met with cold reception
when it appeared ia Savannah. Bank
ruptcy threatened the young managers
when Sir William Dorr, Titanic and
eccentric English nobleman, who after
SQUAD ering fortune had taken to the
stage. made his appearance in Savannah
and was secured for an engagement,
which proved highly profitable. Fol-
lowing this the company met with dire
failure In Wilmington, and, penniless
aud disheartened, returned TO New
York. In the following year Jefferson
and EIlsler took the management OF the
Charleston Theatre, at which durinz
the season Julia Dean. the Mary
Anderson Of her time; Charles Burke
and the elder Booth fulfilled
successful engagements. Booth
was accompanied by his son, Edwin,
then lad in his teens, who played VIII
fred to his fathers Mortimer In THE
Iron Chest" 10 the succeeding season
Mr.. jefferson played at the Chestnut
Street Theatre, Philadelphia, under
the management Of John Gilbert, where
he was seen for the first time as DR..
Pangloss in 1.-THE Heir-at-Law. Gilbert
coaching" him 10 part which later
became one OF his finest renditions.
During the season OF 1857 he acted as
stage manager for Henry C. Jarrett, OF
Baltimore, and at the National Theatre,
Washington, was seen in . cast OF
ssThe School for Scandal" which
Included Henry and Thomas Placide,
James E. Murdoch, J. w. Wal
lack, Jr., Ed win Adams, Lizzie Weston,