davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
Origin of a Famous Hvmn.

1t is well known that the hymn
"Hold the Fort was inspired by the
story of the signals exchanged by
Gems. Sherman md Corse when the
latter was besieged at Allatoona, Ga,
but few know how the idea was
brought to Mr.. Moody's mind. The
Boston Globe says that once when
Gen. and Mrs. Corse lived in Chicago
Mr.. Moody called. While there he
took up a book that told the story OF
that famous conflict in which Corse
had been so badly wounded, and, see
ing the message from Gen. Sherman,
"Hold the fort! for am coming!" ex-
claimed, enthusiastically ''What a
magnificent motto that would be for u
marching song for the army of Christ!''
And the day after the famous hymn
was written, beginning with Hold
the fort, for I am coming, Jesus sig
nails STILL" hymn that has been sung
in almost every hamlet on the con-
tinent and whose strains across the
ocean have become familiar to the ears
of men who never heard Of Gen. Corse
or the beleaguered men at Allatoona.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
JOSEPH JEFFERSON.
Character and Work Of Americas
Greatest Comedian.
Early Struggles Succeeded by Unparalleled
Triumphs - Versatility Which Seems
Marvclous-The Actors Famous
Roles-Ils Later Years.
ISpecial Letter.l

The true delineator of dramatic
| characters must learn sooner or later
tnat strong contrasts are the effects
which arouse enthusiasm in an audi
| ence. 1t was to the deep impression
| this thought made upon the mind of
Joseph jefferson that the world is
| indebted for one of the greatest char
actors ever enacted on the stage; and
although not wholly, but in a great
measure, to that same impression is
that famous comedian indebted for the
crown of glory which he so deservedly
wears. Joseph jefferson would with
out doubt have become n great and
famed actor in any case, but his
stumbling, almost accidentally, upon
the character of Rip Van Wrinkle was
certainly powerful auxiliary to the
success he attained.
Joseph jefferson was nearly thirty
years of age before he secured any pub
lie recognition. This was in 1858 at
Laura Keene's theatcr in New York
city, as Asa Trenchard in Tom Taylor's
play of "Our American Cousin" lie
made great hit and for the first time in
his stage career enjoyed the pleasure
BILE sensation of seeing his audience
moved on the instant from laughter to
tears. 1t gave him q sense of power
which his dramatic instincts warned
him to cultivate. In the summer of
1859 the actor went to farm in Para
disc valley in Pennsylvania for his va
cation. lie was in n fever of unrest
because he was not able to find just the
character he wanted. While at this
farm one rainy dsy, lying in the loft of
the barn, on the hay, he was reading
1.-The Life and Letters of Washington
Irving" Suddenly the remembrance
of the "Sketch Book" came to him and
from that his mind turned to the quaint
character of Rip Van Wrinkle.
He went to the house and got the
book and began reading the story. The
result was his gathering up such ma
torlal as he could from three previous
demonstrations and by adding some
ideas and situations of his own. He
produced play which was both salts
factory and disappointing to the
author. 1t was not until some years
later, when in London, that Dion
Boucicault revised the work, making it
the representation as the public
knows it to-day.
Mr.. Jefferson's Rip Van Wrinkle must
always stand, not only as one of the
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29

finest if not the finest, of all stage
representa- tons, but as the great mas
tcrpicCe in his own repertoire. In
rivalry with 1t is, of course, Bob
Acres, and these two characters, as
Joseph jefferson has presented them,
would have been sufficient to have es-
tablished n lasting fame without any
thing else.
Everything, however, this comedian
has done has been super-exccllent. Mr..
Jefferson is an actor by lineage and by
education. His father and grand
father, both of them named Joseph,
were noted dramatic artists.
The subject of this sketch began his
career at the early age of three years,
when he took the part of the child in
''Pizarro, or the Death of Rolla" at
theater in Washington. Joseph Jeffer-
son was born in Philadelphia, Febru-
airy 20, 1929. His earlier years, espe-
cially after the death of his father in
1s43, were spent Us strolling player
in various parts of the country. He
went through Texas and at the break
ing out of the Mexican war he followed
the army of the United States into the
land of the Montezumas. Returning
various theaters, at one time being in
partnership with John Ellsler.
Before he was twenty-one he began
to think seriously of settling down in
life and was married to an actress
named Locl1ger. His elder brother
strongly opposed the match, but young
jefferson was persistent and the we'd
ding took place in church in Phila-
delphia, Barney Williams and his wife
being present. Mrs. jefferson died in
March, 1861, and, in consequence of that
sad event, Mr.. jefferson broke up his
home in New York and started for Cal
ifornia, taking with him his eldest
son. The trip extended to a long tour
of several years duration, embracing
Australia, South America, England
and the continent. The Australian
portion of the trip was particularly
pleasant and profitable. While at the
convict settlement, Van Deman's
Land, now called Tasmania, Mr.. JEFF
ferson played the character of Bob
Briefly in the "Ticket-of-Leave-M Man"
The actor in his autobiography says he
can never remember with anything but
the most extreme pleasure the effect he
had upon that audience, made up for
the most part of convicts. They were
in perfect sympathy with poor Bob in
all his trials, and afterward when on the
streets he would chance to meet one
he was always greeted as lone of
them"
The list of characters Mr.. jefferson
has played in his time is a very for
midable one. He played Bob Acres
many times in the early days, and never
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
NEWS OF THE DAY
There were three deaths from typus
yer in New Y DIRK ye sterday.

There were three deaths from typus fe-
yer in New York ye sterday.
AT Waukegan, ILL.,, the daughter of
John B. Legreard, a wealthy brick maker
of Chicago has married her ia theirs coach
man.
horticultural Hall, Philadelphia was
destroyed by fire Saturday night Loss
$S5, 900.
The first trip of the new Exposition
Flyer" was a succ ess, the train running
ahead of scheduled time all the way to
Chicago.
George Pike gave himself up to the
chief of police at Ell Paso, Tex, and said he
was wanted in Toronto, Canada, for the
embezzlement of 100000
The warehouse of the Michigan Ware
house Company at Kankakee, Mich.
was burned to the ground last night. The
loss is $40, 900; insured for only $4,000.
j. w. Davidson, a miner employed at
the Calumet mine at Deadwood, S. D.,
was killed and his body mangled beyond
recognition by cave-in of one of the
tunnels.
The amount of he payment just auth
orized by the Navy Department to be paid
to the Bethlehem Iron Works is 1910, 900
for armor plates furnished for battle shi p
Texas now building at the Norfolk Navy
Yard.
Treasurer Runyon of the committee
engaged in securing funds for a soldiers
and sailors monument at New Bruins
wick, N. j., has announced that the
amount required has been subscribed and
the monument has been ordered.
"A fire at New Brunswick, N. j., Satur-
day night burned the store of T. P. and D.
F. R. Runpon, the icehouses, stables,
wagonhouses and shops of John Collier,
the double tenement house blonging to
the estate of John Deinzer and q number
of other small buildings. The loss is $685.
600; partly insurance. ..,
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
A BOLD YOUNG KING.
A Story That Reads Like n Chapter fro
Old English History.

A Story That Reads Like n Chapter from
Old English History.
Alexander, king of Servia, was born
August IA, 1876, and consequently is
not quite seventeen years of age. King
Milan, his father, abdicated in 1889, in
favor of his son. Milan might have
preferred to stay on his throne, but he
was such a bad king, and was on such
bad terms with his wife, that to give
the kingdom to his son was perhaps
the most agreeable thing to do. Then
the ex-king and queen went their
separate ways, and left their young
son bearing the title and dignity of
king, but not the responsibility.
For Alexander was king only In
name. According to the Servian law
he could not reign until he was eigh-
teen years of age, and consequently he
was a mere fgure-head while the re-
gents and ministers of state ruled.
These several rulers were apparently
no better than the one who had abdi-
Gated, and the poor people of Servia
had very hard time of it. The re-
gents took advantage of their position,
and fresh abuses of power were perpe-
trated daily. Meanwhile, it is re-
ported, Russian agents and spies were
working to increase the dissatisfaction
of the people. But what was to be
done? Nobody dared do anything, for
it was believed that the army was on
the side of the regents, and in most
foreign countries, as it was in ancient
Rome, the party that is supported by
the army is the uppermost.
About the first of the year ex-King
Milan and Queen Nathalie made up
their differences, and then it is sup
posed that they began to conspire to
render their son and the house of Obre-
novitch perfectly safe. The young king
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29

succeeded in making much of it until
he did what was considered nothing
less than sacrilege, changing portions of
"The Rivals" over to suit his own
ideas. The world at large has long
since passed its verdict upon the mat
ter. Excellent as was Sheridan's ORR
ginal play, Jefferson has certainly pro-
duced version more to the public
taste.
Mr.. Jefferson has played and made
great successes in the characters of
Salem Scudder in 1.-THE Octoroon,"
Newman Noggo in Nicholas Nickle-
by" DIR. Olapod in a "Poor Gentle
man." DR.. Pangloss in the "Heir at
Law" and Caleb Plummer in 1.-The
Cricket on the Hearth"
In character Mr.. jefferson is one of
the most genial men in the dramatic
profession. He was married the second
time on December 20, 1867, to Miss
Sarah Warren, a relative of William
Warren, the comedian. He has ever
been liberal in the extreme to his breth-
rem in the profession, giving time and
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29

proved to be in sympathy with their
conspiracy, and was fortunate enough
to have about him some sagacious
counselors; so a bold stroke was pre-
pared.
On April 10 King Alexander gave a
magnificent feast at his palace in Bel
grade, to celebrate his success in pass
ing the examination required of Ser
Wan students. This was merely a cloak
to conceal the conspiracy. The regents
and ministers were invited and they
accepted. On the fatal day they all
came to the royal dinner, as unsus-
pectingly as any mouse ever walked
into trap. There were eight at the
table, with the king at the head, and
everybody must have had good time
at first. But the regents did not have
opportunity to finish their dinner; the
king was evidently in hurry, for
after the third course the boy arose
and said: Gentlemen, for four years
you, in my name, have administered
the kingly power. l thank you heart
lily for the trouble you have taken.
now feel able to administer the power
myself, and will exercise it from this
moment. / beg you, therefore, imme-
AAoOCAy W hbAu uuo your reSlS5 QdUlOnS.
They said they would not resign,
and then the king put them all under ar
rest, and in the morning had them con-
veyed to their homes under guard
After this he issued a proclamation to
his subjects, and before daybreak went
out to visit the army barracks, where
the troops were under arms. They re-
ceived him gladly, and the next day
the citizens had chance to testify to
their approval, which they did. Shops
were closed, the king attended a joy
GUS tie deum at the cathedral, and in
the evening the city was Illuminated
and everybody seemed happy. And
that is the situation at present writ
ing. Just how it will end cannot be
foreseen, but Alexander will probably
be recognized and continued king in
truth. He has ordered new elections
for members of the Servian skupt-
selma or congress; he has appointed a
new cabinet, and when the body meets
he will say: 81 have attained my ma
jority and am able to rule" Then,
with the entire army in favor of this
course, there is every probability that
he will carry his point.-Harper's
Young People.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29

money whenever he was called upon.
1t was Joseph Jefferson who first prof
fered his assistance to the family of
George Holland after the death of that
genial comedian.
1t was Mr.. jefferson who went with
the son of the dead actor, at Mrs. Hol-
lands request, to tho pastor of her
church to ask him to hold the funeral
services in his church, but who refuse
upon learning the profession the de-
ceased had followed. 1t was to Joseph
Jefferson this minister of the Gospel
'aid that though he could not hold the
funeral services of an actor in his
church there was "a little church
around the corner" where the funeral
services could possibly be held. In re-
lating the event Mr.. jefferson did
not appear to care about the slight
yes, insult-to himself as a member of
the depOsed profession, though there is
no doubt he did feel it keenly, but it
cut him to the quick to have his dead
friends son hear such slight put upon
his father. Mr.. jefferson was probably
never SO Il nch incensed in his life as he
was at that unfceling minister.
Joseph jefferson is in these DAYS rest
lIit5 uptjl Utlc ItGu'SlS TIC Has SO well
earned. lie confines himself to two
or three of his favorite characters,
mainly rip Van Winl1le'' and Bob
Acres" and it is hardly probable he will
ever again essay any new role.
He is not perhaps too old, for though
he is G3 years of age his health and
general physical condition are excel
ient. He does not spend so much of
his spare time ut his plantation in
Louisiana as formerly. lie is inter
ested in politics and lisa warm personal
friend of Grover Cleveland. Although
a man Of much liherality, he was never,
like his father or his grandfather, i'm
provident, and is now worth about
S50O,O0 The last new venture he en-
ed into was with the late "Bil1y"
;rcncc, when they organized COM
biratlOn to produce a line of the old
time comedies. The venture was high
ly successful, from both financial and
artistic point of view, and was in oper-
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
A HORRIBLE SIGHT MET HIS EYES.

seeing them surrounding and entering
the house, the little boy quietly made
his way through the garden into a
thicl5et. Late that afternoon he ven
tured to the house. He had expected
the worst, and as he walked into the
door he did not expect to find mem
Der of the family alive, but rather ex-
pected to see an Indian with toma-
hawk come toward him. The house
was still, not sound could be heard
except the beating of his heart. AS he
went from room to room, a horrible
sight met his eyes.
The whole family had been massacred
by the Indians. The boy fell on the
floor and cried. Having looked at the
corpses of his parents, brothers and
cousin, he went with a sad, sorrowful
heart on his way to the home of set
tier who lived some ten miles distant.
He arrived there the next morning and
was nearly exhausted. He was given
food and water and he told them the
story of the horrible massacre of his
family to a sympathetic family. The
men present prepared to go and bury
the dead.
Arriving at the place they looked at
the faces of their dead friends and then
dug a large grave. A cart body was
lowered into the grave and all the
corpses were piled into it, and thus
were they buried. The dirt was thrown
over them and the grave was banked
up high. There are two grandsons of
this little Wilds boy living in this
country to-day. The spot is held sacred
to the memory of those who are buried
there.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
An Absent-HEinded Professor.

Neander, professor of theology in
Berlin, was one day overtaken by a
thunderstorm. He jumped into cab,
but could not give either the number
of his house nor the name of the street
The driver thought the man was mad
and was about to tell him to get out,
when the professor, espying student,
called out to him, and said: "Just tell
the man where live" Neander's SIS
ter, who kept house for him, took
fresh apartments nearer the UNIVERSE
ty, as she thought the distance too
great for her brother. A few days
after their removal he complained of
the long and firing walk, and it then
turned out that he had always gone first
to the old lodgings and so round to the
university.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
THE FoRTlER DIVORCE sUIT1
Tho Ann" uncement Causes q Great SEN.
sation in Buffalo.

Tho Announcement Causes a Great Sem
sation in Buffalo.
BUFFALO, May 29.-The announcement
of the suit of divorce brought by the wife
of Alex. G. Fortier, clerk of the Board of
Health, has caused considerable excite
ment here.
Mr.. Fortier has been suspended pending
an investigation and Miss Alice j. Brand,
the pretty steno2rapher in the Board of
Health office, who is made the .eo-respon-
dent as well as the defendant in a second
suit brought by Mrs. Fortier to recover
$40, 0OG damages for alternating the affec-
tons of her husband has been summarily
dismissed
Fortier is As years old, and has always
stood well in the community. He was in
the naval service during the war, and was
the leading Democratic candidate for pen
sion agent in this district under the pres
ent administration. He was also the first
president of the Democratic Veterans AS
ISOLATION OF Erie county. He was married
twenty-t three years ago to handsome and
accomplished woman, and led an exem-
plary life up to the time that Miss Brand
entered the office as stenographer.
The complaint charges him with all
manner OF excuses after that time. He
flagrantly neglected his wife, refusing her
the money necessary for an operation on
her eyes, and as result she is becoming
blind. He removed his clothes to apart
ments in a fashionable boarding house.
where he and Miss Brand lived as man and
wife, bought her diamonds, sealskins,
wines and suppers, and silk dresses, and
spent his whole income on her.
One day he took her to Halls studio
and had her picture taken in a semi-nude
state and showed it to his wife. He I'm
ally mortgaged his wife's furniture to give
the money to the stenographer. The land
lady who harbored the couple has been
served with a writ of ejectment from the
premises Fortier will probably be dis
missed from the Health Department.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
THE FosTERUFAILURE
The Ex-Secretary VIII Make No Further
Statement,

S~ASA
; Statement.
FosToR1A, o., May 29.-There are no
new developments in the Foster failure to-
day, with the exception of the appoint
ment of assignees for the Croker, Cal
cined and hamburg window glass factories
and the brass and iron works A. M. Fox
has been appointed assignee of the glass
factories. and Roger Alcott of the brass
and iron works. 1t is impossible to learn
the assets and liabilities of any of the con-
Germs, as nothing will be given out until
after the assignees finish their labors.
There is remarkably little excitement on
the streets, considering the magnit ude of
the failure and there is no crowd about
the Foster bank. There is a general dis
position to make the best of it. Neither
Mr.. Foster nor the cashier will make any
further statement to-day, saying they be-
lieve the statement already made is suffi-
Gent until the reports of the assignees are
made.
Another thing has come to light to-day
to the effect that when Mr. Foster was in
vited into the Cabinet he hesitated for
some time because his affairs were in such
a condition that he did not feel justified in
leaving them. He visited New York and
there made arrangements with several
prominent politicians as well rs busin ess
men by which he could obtain help to
carry on his business while he gave his
services to the public.
At first his private affairs went along
smoothly, but during the last year of his
office holding they soon became very much
complicated and his intimate friends now
say that the Secretary suffered a great
deal of mental trouble an d worry because
he could not leave his desk in the Treasury
and go home and straighten out his bust
ness
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
MASSACRE BY INDIANS.
A Blood-Curdling Story Recalled
by a Georgia Grave.
An Entire Family, with the Exception of
One Boy, Cruelty Slain by Savage
Marauders An Incident of
Frontier Life.

There is a historic spot on w. j.
Mock's place near Waycross. According
to tradition, there lived a family named
Wilds on that place during period of
early settlements of that part of the
state. There were but few settlers in
that section then. The Indians were
numerous, and more than once the
tomahawks were used against the
whites, says the Savannah News.
The Wilds family consisted of eight
members-father and mother and six
children. The children were all boys.
W1lds was farmer and had cleared a
good many acres of land. A rude log
cabin had been built, and everything
seemed to point to peace and pros
perity For some time the Indians
seemed to be on friendly terms with
him. They admired his cabin and as
sured him that his ideas on farming
would be followed by them. But the
Indians were only waiting for him to
improve the farm when they would kill
the family and take possession of the
place. There was visiting Mr.. Wilds a
young lady who was his niece.
1t was noon, a day in midsummer,
when the sun poured forth great heat;
the earth was scorched; the sultriness
make the eyelids droop and sleep was
invited. Lying around here and there
in the cabin were the different mem
bers of the family, some doing and
others sound asleep. In the rear yard,
under the shade of huge pine tree,
little boy, the youngest of the family,
was playing marbles. Suddenly there
was wild war-whoop, and the house
was surrounded by the Indians.
The Indians. in their haste. did mot
discover the little boy in the yard. On
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
MUST WHIP SIAM
France Hurrying Forward Troops and
Vessels for Big Fight.

France Hurrying Forward Troops and
Vessels for a Big Fight.
PARIS, May 29.-The French are getting
ready at last to come to the aid of their
native auxiliaries and settle the Siamese
question with vigor. The gunboats Lion
and Forfeit are already at Saigon, the
capital of Cochin China, and the warships
Triomphante and Inconstant and the
gunboat Comete are shortly to leave Hong
Kong for the same point.
People have been much enraged at the
hesitation and weakness of the Cabinet in
dealing with this question of the protec-
ton OF the French interests in Siam. Too
much time has been allowed the Siamese
for preparation. They have been permit
ted to occupy the island of SAINT, the
most important position in the gulf.
The Cabinet probably hesitates because
the whole subject of Tonquin and AMMAN
became so unpopular in Jules Ferry's
time. But the French cannot afford to
lose their protectorate over 20, 600, 900 peo-
pie, which is what they are in some dan
ger of doing by permitting these Siamese
Entertainments, which must have an effect
in AMMAN
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29

AuokAer Letter to Women,
May rs, 90, Syracuse, N. Y.
Dear Madam:
want to tell you what your
Vegetable Combound and San
ative Wash have done for me.
/ was so bad with falling of
the womb and Leucorrhea
that | could not stand.
Il had doctored so much
without benefit was entirely
discouraged. | expected to die.
Zone evening l read in the
Herald about YOUR medicine.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-29
Weather Forecast.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. May 29.-For New Ems
land: Generally fair, preceded by showers o.
the south New England coast. slightly warm(
except near Boston, westerly winds.
For Eastern New York: Generally fair,
westerly winds.
For Eastern Pennsyl van1a, New Jersey, Del.
aware and Maryland: Fair, variable winds prob
ably fair tomorrow.
For Western New York and Western Penn
sylvania: Generally fair, slowly rising tenn
perature, variable Winds