Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-09


OF course but few of them have attained
the extended reputation which Mr.. Robson
enjoys. but some have won renown. and an
examination into their record shows that
nearly every Washingtonian who has
sought place either upon the dramatic,
operate. minstrel or variety stage has done
creditable work Mr.. Robsons first efforts
were with an amateur association here.
One of his early professional attempts was
the part of Armand in Camille, which he
essayed at the old Iron Hall on Pennsyl-
vania avenue between 9th and 10th streets,
which has recently been remodeled, and is
now occupied by E. F. Droop & Sons. In
this he made dire failure, and came to
the conclusion his forte was not in leading
business. His subsequent work in stock
companies and later as comedian are too
Well known to need comment
A Washingtonian who mas made quite as
extended reputation, though in differ
ent line of business, Is Billy Emerson, the
minstrel. Enerson's mother kept little
Photographic establishment on Market
space, and Billy was lively young boy
who had an idea of dancing almost as soon
as he could walk. He was given his first
opportunity at public benefit at COMBS
Hall, now occupied by the Salvation Army
and he made distinct hit in a song and
dance. He was the pioneer in that graceful
style OF song and dance, which was so
popular for years in minstrelsy and his
reputation for singing the big Sunfiower,"
Are You There Moriarity?" and the
broadway Squad has never been equaled.
They Have Gained Rcnown.
In still another field is a Washingtonian
whose fame is row probably greater than
any other man in his line. He has become
known as the march king, and John Philip
Sousa is now upon the high road to fortune.
His carly attempts were in this city under
the strict tuition of his father, and his little
arms were often tired from practicing the
violin by the light of a single tallow candle.
He first played the violin in an orchestra,
and then became an orchestral conductor.
He was engaged as such when he returned
to his native city as leader of the Marine
Band, an organization of which his father
was a member and in which he once played
the @nare drum. That was Mr.. Sousa 5 OPP
portunity and he improved it to it's fullest
extent He developed qualities a band
master that made it possible for him TO
sanize and successfully control the splendid
band of which he is now the head.
Among those who have attained perhaps
the widest emineLce on the stage are Rob-
ert Downing who has for many years been
a successful star in legitimate roles; Charles
b. Hanford, who is starring in the same Hne
with profit, and Wilton Lackeye whose
marvellous work as Svengali has perhaps
been more widely commented upon than
that of any other actor, stock or star. Tim
Murphy is another who went from Wash
ington to the dramatic stage. and his MAYER
lex Brander in the Texas Steer" is known
throughout the country from Boston to- FRS
co. Crypt Palmoni. who was with Mr.. Rob-
son. and who did some excellent character
work, is we'll remembered here, and Mr..
George c. Hazelton, jr., has recently been
brought into prominent notice as the author
of the drama Edgar Allan Poe which has
been presented by Mr.. Creston Clarke.
The Magician Heller.
One Washingtonian who acquired repu-
tation. both in this country and in Europe,
but who is hardly known to the present gen.
Grafton, was Heller, the magician. His real
name was Palmer, and he was for many
years the organist at the Church of the
Epiphany. 1t is said that before he went
into the profession he used to practice his
tricks during the sermon. and divided with
the rector the attention of the choir by his
feats Of sleight of hand. Heller was a re-
markedly successful magician. all his tricks
being done with great neatness. He was
one of the first to introduce the second
sight. His performances were varied always
by piano selections, and as he was a remark
ably fire performer, playing with great ex-
preston and feeling, there were many who
preferred this part of the program to his
feats of legerdemain.
In opera this city has furnished some
excellent people, notably Miss Lizzie Mac
Nichol, the contralto; Pauline Montegriffo,
also a contralto, who was for many years
has left the stage since her marriage with
Sig. Mama: her brother Sig. Montegriffo,
the tenor; Frank Baxter, Herndon Morsell
and Ed. Hoff, also tenors; William Pruett
enc of the best baritoneS now on the stage;
Eva Mills, who was the original Josephine
in "Pinafore" IN this country, and who
successfully starred for a year; Minnie
Evan, who made her debut abroad and
who has lived on the other side most of
the time since; Addie Randall, who made
such a remarkable success as Nancy in
the first amateur opera that was ever pro-
duced in this city, and who has since been
at the head of several successful compa-
MES; Helen Lamont who. as Miss Nellie
Lemon, will be remembered as having first
started in the Trinity Church choir, and
Marie Decca, whose career is too recent to
require extended notice.
On the Concert Stage.
Some who have won reputation on the
concert stage are Leonora Won Stosch and
Maud Powell. violinists; Harriette Whiting
and Ruth Thompson, contraltos; Fielding
Roselle, mezzo soprano; Mary Kimball,
pianist; Juliana May. soprano; Helen Lam
bert, soprano: Mrs. Ernest Lent, Lolita
Mills, John Porter Lawrence and Fred.
Lillibridge, .pianists, and the Leach sisters.
Others who have been and are in opera
are Berthe Crawford, Carrie Pryor, Alice
Johnson, Kitty Thompson Berry, Della
Stacey, Jennie Sunderland, Charles Skier
rett, 8. w. Keen, Hub. Smith, L. p Sic
Harry Forsman, Hans Robert, Walter
Conn, Homer Lind. Hamilton Adams, Vir-
ginia Evans and Alice Judson, who has
just engaged with Hinrichs.
Among the ladies who have won success
upon the dramatic stage the most notable
is Minnie Madden Fiske, and following
her are Annie Lewis, Lavinia Shannon,
Katherine Lucille Foote, Annie D. Ware,
Annie Warren Story, Ella Stockton, Bessie
Tyree Clara Cole, Marguerite Saxton, Jane
Stuart Rose BregaZZ Lora Thorne, Marie
Drofnah, Lillian Lawrence, Mrs. NJ. E.
Norris, Hattie Mcconnell. Salle Harbaugh,
Eva Henderson, Daisy Hammack. Mamie
Wallace, Bette Ordway Gow known as
Bettina Girard), Ellen Vockey. Jessie Car
Isle. Ethel Sprague, Minnie Frye, Elsie
Lower, Nellie Rosebud.
]. Remington Fairlamb, DIR. e. S. kimball
and Sol. Minister have been successful con-
ductors of orchestra, and the latter has
won reputation as a solo vioinist. AS man.
ayers and actors there have been and are
Bert Riddle, David l. Towers, James Ma
honey. Harold Fosberg. Walker ]. Dennis.
Thad and Giles Shine, T. D. Frawley, Frank
Croft CHarry GilfoiD, Herbert Patee, David
C. Bangs, John Palmoni, Harry and George
buckingham, George Bucker, Godfrey
Stein, Benson H. Pierce. Geo. W. Lynch j.
Clarence Harvey, Jos. H. Haz!eton, James
Lackeye, VIM. Boag, A. H. Burton, Thos
II