The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-17
MARY ANDERSON's DEBUT.
RecOIIections of Her Association with
the Late John w. Norton.
st. Louis Republic.


1t was on the night of Nov. q. 1915, that
the the young Kentucky girl. Mary Anderson,
Louisville, as Juliet. She had personally
disposed of enough tickets to insure good
house, and although a majority OF her audi
tors pronounced the performance a failure
there were those present who saw in her
sshapely figure and glorious voice the ma
terial for brilliant future.
In January, 1876 Mr. Norton prevailed
upon Ben De Bar to give the Louisville girl
one of the open dates which were common
in those days, and Miss Anderson promptly
accepted it. Mr.. Norton, out of pure kind
liness OF heart, tramped about town among
ers and promised them all a treat if they
would come and hear Mary. The house was
literally .papered that week, but still it was
comparatively empty, and the "thunders of
applause which characterized the engage
ment emanated from the favored few who
appreciated. the possibilities of the young
actress. Among those who sounded the
praises of Miss Anderson to everybody who
would listen to them We're Major Emory S.
Foster Eugene Field, Philip Temple, of the
Globe-Democrat; Tom Garrett, of the Re-
publican, and Major George w. Gibson The
Mary went away with contract in her
pocket for a. regular engagement at the
M Norton Noe undertook her
management and gave her such valuable
instruction that when she returned in the
sional.
s, There les. les before me an announcement,
programmes of Miss Anderson's first pro-
fessional week in this city. 1t reads like a
circus poster as follows:
Tomorrow night Miss Mary Anderson
the pretty tragedenne. who was SO warmly
received last season on the occasion of her
Of 'Evadne::' Tuesday night, Blanca; or,
the Italian Wife Wednesday night, 'Ro-
m ine ana ,d Suiet ba hnurs o Guy Manner
Ingomar. the Barbarian Saturday mat
inee, Lady of Lyons Saturday night. In
gomar' The repertoire Of Miss Anderson
is model of success, having been chosen
with extreme care, ard the lady has but
just returned from severe trial before
Edwin Booth John Mccullough and the
critical people of San Francisco with tr-
umph, she may be welcomed more than
ever as one of Americas greatest TRACE
diennes.''
And she was For John Norton had per-
suaded society to take her up, not only be-
cause of her artistic merit. but because Of
her Southern connections and the fact that
her father was a confederate i,s soldier. The
kentucky success naturally brought the
society of st. Louis to its feet.
ON the opening night the audience sat pa
tientIy and almost indifferently through the
first act. but they were quickly aroused as
the performance progressed and soon the
Louise resounded with almost continuous APP
plause. She had played 'Evadne' as it had
never been played before. and her future
was established that night. The house was
crowded Tuesday night TO hear Miss Ander-
sons Blanca. with MIR. Norton as Fazio. I
titled "The Wrong Man. in which Mr..
Flake p the aadsnoe in s0od ama
thought | never knew Mr.. Norton to play
GO we'll as he did then. He told me after,
ward that he felt his own professional
Judgment was at stake in the success or
failure of Miss Anderson and he made
prodigious effort to meet the expectations
OF the people. This was one &c, OF his char, char,
acteristics-always to meet the commence
reposed in him by others -,
Bianca's death that night was so thrill
ing and realistic that out OF curiosity L
went behind the scenes and said to Mr.
rs not Miss Anderson greatly exhausted
after such heavy pe a,f ma Sarto, with
a laugh. Listen, will your?
And heard the far-off strains of home
ly song being hummed by the tras e,1iersi
from her dressing room. her mouth was
fully occupied by large wad of chewing
gum and as she crossed over to Mr.. Nor
.'Well'-chaunk chaunk-''how did r.
chaunk, chaunk-"get throughT'
My dream was over Such n. i frigntfnl
had terminated in ditty, and a spruee
gum supper. / turned sadly and guilty.
away. 1t was an exhibition or ceio- piooued
though i saw Miss Anderson afterward IN
mi1s;Immer the recollection of Blanca
death and her chewing gum gave me cold
During the week Mr.. Norton played Ro-
REQ to Miss Andersons Juliet. Dandie Din
t9 her Mes fs ahsrn sha the hono
with her He was not complete success
as Romeo but neither was Miss Anderson
Juliet for that matter. uhen the the 9e es
OF both. But in .Ingomar' and "Merriiies"
ne WI was 60 tbe week of Mary Anderson's first
professional engagement in st. Louis passed
away. leaving behind II memories which
will not fade as long as the life of this gen.
stD.,1 last