New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
THE PROPERTY MAN.
GARRY" AND SOME OF HIS INTEREST,"
ING "REMINISCENCES.


Observation-Disclosures" He may be called upon 70
tinker a scene make a notwithstanding book FOR
the read from in some scene IN the piays
frame a picture, If not really paint H. ana 90 all
sorts Of odds and ends OF work that VIII advance
the success OF the play. and to also see that the
baggage OF the players Is from the railway
stations and placed IN the dressing rooms, and 10
look after II when moving from one theatre 10 an
other Then the night OF the play he must %
on the alert that the properties are placed
they belong before the curtain rises on every
scene He works early and late, and is supposed
to be tireess. II he happens 10 be an inventive
genius. he is OF course of immense value 10 tho
company for there are times when prop must Do
manufactured on the spot, and If the property man
Is not up 1t the result might be embarrassing, 70
say the least.
One of the most useful men in the profession 10
Garrison G. Davidson, and yet IT may be doubted
II many Of those who have known this man pretty
Intimately for several years would know who was
meant II his name were given without any expianae
ton, or unless coupled with the theatre. He 10
known to everybody in the profession as Garry"
ana Garry" is a most agreeable man He Is
genial kindly, selfrespecting and respected ana
beloved by all who come in contact with him. Garry
Is a native of Steubenyille Ohio, and his middle
name. which few ever heard Is Genuro, when was
suggested TO his father after seeing "Lucrea BOT.
gia" on his return home he announced MS pur-
pose to his wife name the boy Genuro. and so he
chr.stened. But he il Garry all the same
from Maine to California
a few days ago. in Boston theatre Garry cnat'
tel about his theatrical career, which he began by
acting in the humble capacity of basket-boy In tho
old Pittsburg Theatre. His duties were summed up
in a few words. In those days stars did not leave
their wardrobes in the theatre over night Ihey
were packed in big baskets after the play, and the
basket-boy carried the stars toys to ana from the
hotel A little later Garry sometimes called
upon 70 assist the stars in dressing. ana nnaHy no
became a ful-nedged property man. He had ofil-
ciated as basket boy for nearly all the stars that
fourlshed twenty-five years ago. including Edwin
Forrest John Dillon Charlotte Cushman +. L. Dav-
EXPORT, Wilkes Booth. Edwin Booth, Lawrence Lar
rett, Edwin Adams, and others.
A DRAMATIC INCIDENT.
What wealth OF Renaissance Garry must haveI
He brought into intimate relations with those
great stars. especially with Booth and Barrett ior
he was the property man az Booths Theatre before
those stars joined their forces. II was al booths
Theatre that he assisted in dramatic scene wnich
has never until now been described in print 1t was
a scene which painter might have coveted 10 mana
down to posterity OF the saddest in the MIS-
tory of any actor in this country.
After the assassination OF Lincoln. Government
authorities placed seals all Of Wilkes Booths
trunks in Washington. and finally they were sent
10 Edwin Booth and stored in Booths Theatre IN
New-York. Edwin. at last. could stand the strain
no longer The consciousness that his broihers De-
longngs there and that. II he should die before
they were disposed Of they might be hawked about
the country pandering to the depraved curiosity OK
vulgar people source Of much annoyance 70
| the sensitive soul and he decided that they must
| be destroyed He could trust no one so implicitly
In this work as his faithful property man, and Garry
was told by Mr.. Booth TO be sure and waken MIN
on a certain morning by o'clock, and 10 preserve
absolute secrecy in regard 10 what might follow.
Booth at that time slept in the library OF the
nd Garry
named Booth was a heavy sleeper, and Garry had
a difficult task perform Beside the bed lay the
actors pipe. which he had evidently smoked until
about 10 fall asleep when It dropped on the
floor He was an inveterate smoker, and seemed 70
find solace in tobacco a greater degree than most
men did II was fully twenty minutes before the
sleeping tragsdian could be brought 10 consciousness
of what was required of him. and when he did open
his eyes he rated Garry soundly for disturbing him
Finally after dressing and taking smoke Mr..
Booth told the property man what he desired him
TO DO His brothers entire wardrobe was 10 be
burned Not a vestige Of any article that had be-
longed 10 that brilliant actor was to be spared
And they must not be interrupted In their WORK
The Waterman of the house was instructed not 10
invade that portion of the theatre for the mex, two
hours least for Mr. Booth was very pussy anu
would not be interrupted.
Garry lugged the trunks into the furnace-room.
and then began the work Of destruction. He broke
the locks with an axe. AMI held his breath as ne
raised
dead mans shirts. just as carefully folded as II
womans hand had packed them away Tor future
All cir It made my hear' acne W1 10 shi , oi ns
royng SO many ne hns e W oak M me the rcns
and after looking at Il, them for ana bro,ser
who had brought the Nation to grief and his own
family TO shame. ne started for the furnace and.
bundle followed. and as the fire became choked
with the unusual fuel Booth would TAKE the poker
kept on with his sad work until the last was gone
NOTHING WAS SPARED.
ut gave me a twinse OF pain when I smashed
the lock OF a big trunk-i giant compared
with the others-for the first thing that caught my
eye raised the cover was an elegant long over
Goa, with a fur collar | had not asked for any,
thing up to that moment. but my cup.dity got the
better of me then and | could not help asking Mr.
Booth II he would not allow me to keep that IL
was and elegant; II seemed a pity to de,
stroy It when | needed H. But he shook his head
and sadly said: - r 8, moi,
you But | cannot endure the thought that any
S poo G' misguided nis brother had worn It mus, DIS
appear n the flames forever
down his cheeks, Mr. Booth opened the furnace
door and with his own hands tossed IN coats shirts
contained And when they were empty they were
smashed and fed into the furnace which had d %
m bSen ana assit ne ,1t the a funeral Of friend
which ii seemed TO that Mr.. Booth might nave
spared from the flames. II for no other reason tndn
/. that IL was an heirloom. ard because OF me carry
assoca lions clinging II. but he did not IL was
very costly Otheo costume when mao oeonk Sr ~
his father and which had been given to Wilkes
after The death of the elder Booth -,
How long was | with Booth and BARRETT IN,
long tn,e A. long as they played together was
with Barrett altogether for sixteen years Ine, S
were some curious condolences In connection VIII
the last OF the career OF these eminent men; ~, -.
e .a sc ~ pochester ~ Y while he was playing
oteo had Just made his fos b spes second
snonch when he fell TO the stage as II dead he
was picked up and carried to his dressing room ana
NJ Rarrott who had long realized that Booth was
ah,a 70 break down suddenly. jumped to the con-
ciusion as seemed TO be justified In doinE tr s
announcement that Mr. Booth had received stroke
Of apopexy. and would probably never pIay af a.