Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-02-23
A galaxy OF ACTORS.

Stirring "Reminiscences OF Frank
mayOss Early Lffe.Hfs ssOc1atiOn ms
With Edwin Booth and other Fa-
NOUS Thespians.
Edwin Booth was leaving Dutch Gulch
In Nevada in 1855, seated on the front seat
of what is now called a band wagon, sur
rounded by the members of his company.
They were en- route to Mary sville to play
nights engagement. They had gone but .
few miles when a man, riding at break
neck speed, dashed mp and ssid that Dutch
Gulch was In aches. This information
sent chill through every member of the
company. Mr.. Booth turned his head to
the man and asked with trembling lips:
''Are You sure, mani" "Of course 1 am!
My home is burned to the ground" was
the rough response, and away Jew the
Centaur.
That Dutch Gulch had bssn reduced to
ashes, was only q sequel of what had been.
This was the third town in which Edwin
Booth had played, and left, and which had
bsen likewise destroyed. The destination
of the company had been reached, Marys-
vile. Mr.. Pearson, now the proprietor of
the Coleman house in Now York, was then
the owner of the Marysville hotel. The
Boo, soSth n company played n;!suo
DsNaupras, Louis Aldrioh DsBarado,
and Charles Wheatley the King.
Julia Dsan was enacting Julia De Norti-
mer, Charles r. Thorn presented De Ben
ming. Eleven o'clock cav the close of tbs
play and the disbanding of the company.
| Tho announcement that the Booth company
would appear in the town had brought
| terror to all and word hsd flown from place
| to place that Edwin Booths coming mean,
| destruction by e re to the homes OF the In
hsbitants. The next morning each actol
| went on his way--all on foot savs q few
that had saved their dollars, who rode II
| tho stage.
Among those who remained in the towr
was Frank Mayo, who was q boy of seven
/ teen years of age. He remained with Pear
son for some weeks, doing odd jobs abou
the hotel to pay his board.
Then came q company headed by Ed
ward 8. Conner. BGpg short handed
Frank Mayo WAS engaged to play the lead
ing role, such as MacDoff In "Mscbsth,
Richmond in 'Richsrd ILL.," old Fixhard
ing In 1.-The Iron Chess" and many othe
ieeding characters in the legitimate drama
Mr.. Mayo in q year from that time, bein
but eighteen years old, went to San Fran
ing man at the Metropolitan theater, wit
Louis Aldrich, Charles R Thorn. je., W
3. Lawrence, Charles Wheatlsy, Mrs
Juds, Julia Dean, John Lewis Bske
| in the same company. There he remain.
till 1865 when he was brought to the Boz
ton thester. His appearance there was q
instantaneous success. He prevailed upo
| the management to send to San Frsncisc
for Mr.. Aldrich, Mr.. Thorn aud Mr.. Law
renee. Each of these gentlemen RENAME
at the Boston theater, to take Mr.. Mayo
place, which was done individually; frs
Charles r. Thorn, jr., then Mr.. LOU
Aldrich, then Mr. Lswrencs.
Mr. Mayo in 1868 became one of the for
aost stars of the day, which position b
etill holds. Three years ago at the funer,
of Edmond S Conner in Nav York WEI
| cnosen as pallbsarsrs Messrs. Pearson. E
win Booth, Louis Aldrich and Fran
Mayo. Here lying In peac full slumbe
was that great and honored Thespian, Z
mund s. Connor, the man who had take
Mr.. Frank Mayo to his care. Here was
noble artist, Ed win Booth, who had bee
compelled to disbsnd his company, leavin
Mr.. Mayo behind and Henry Pearson, VIII
gave him shelter. All had MT and see
l pdtuoulP 1oSoGucr, buU SaCd WhtCAou III
Others career. Fate or whatever 1t ms
bs called, had permitted them, rattle
t in time of strife, to bear OF
of his associates to his Anal restin
place. As Mr.. Mayo and Mr.. Booth an
Henry Pearson were returning from til
cemetery, each leaning back against I'll
carriage cushion, MI. Pearson gszsd musin
on to the others and said: ''This carrie
us back" Mr.. Booth, whose face ha
fallen into an expires sion of pain, sale
'.Ths beginning of the end" Mr.. May
had in these few hours lived his life ovs
| again, and answered: "Ashes to ashes
What q world of meaning In these word
TO these mel! They caused the tears I
start from the eyes of each and n,
another word was spoken. Each slighte
at his destination and wandered away dee
in thought.
Two years lstsr the nob!est Roman
them all, Edwin Booth, passed to his res
ing place. Mr.. Mayo and Mr.. Pearso
: | were by his side, and bore him to II
grave.
Mr.. Frank Mayo and Mr.. Joseph Jsffe
son are now the only two American stal
| of long standing alive. History will mel
) ton these great surviving artists as RI
Van Wrinkle and Davy Crockett.