Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-01
ACTOR sToDpARr HONoRED.
lie II Presented with Loving Cup
by Stage Friends.

(Ncw York sun, January 0AS"'
When the curtain fell on the last act
OF THE Sporting Duchess at the Acad-
envy OF Music last night. II. y koDer's
stepped TO the footlights. and asked the
audience TO remain and witness the pre-
senta,ion to J. II. StOddart OF a loVihs
Gun which the actors and management
Of the play had bought for the veteran
actor. a., .ha
Most Of the audience had come 10 tne
theatre last night TO see this niue 80
mony. 50 Mr.. Roberts's request haIto'
no departing spectators. When tne ".
tain rose again the actors OF the eoin-
many were grouped about the stage
win them were Old Charles Couldock'
Mrs John Drew, Mrs. Thomas balry,
and a number OF actors from other
theatres. 90
4. NJ. Palmer made the presentation OF
the silver cup 10 Mr.. Sioddart' VINO T.
snonded nv saving that he had been be
fore the New York public 50 long mat IL
probably knew more about DIS career
than he did himself. Mrs. Agnes Boom
Schoeffel then presented him with a sii-
yer pitcher which Joseph JEFFERSON hau
sent TO him.
s.To ]. H. Stoddart on the sixty-third ami
versary of his appearance on the stage.
From, Joseph jefferson. for aud lang
svne" The audience In the theatre ana
the actors on the stage Interrupted the
ceremonies with frequent applause, ana
throughout the evening Mr.. Stoddart was
enthusiastically welcomed whenever ne
appeared.
The spectators included many we'll
known people, and the Twelfth Night
Club attended I'm a body. There we're
kilograms received rom various actors
enc from John Hare. WHO Is playing IN
Toronto. reading: prom Goldhnch 20
GOldnnch. hearty congratulations
one enthusiastic member Of the Twelfth
Might Club hurled a wreath AT Mr.. Stod-
dart which hit him 30 hard that u nearly
knocked him down. A;ter the curtain
fell many OF the audience went on the
stage TO shake hands with Mr.. Stod-
dart who still wore the costume OF the
old Jockey.
This gathering was 4 distinguished
compliment to the veteran. who mas been
for nearly forty-two years conspicuous
actor on the New York stage. lie played
first here at the old Wallack Theatre.
then at the corner or BroOme street ana
broadway. and afterwsrd with Laura
Keene at the Olympic, where as Lawyer
Moneypenny in THE Long Strike he
made such ? success that for the INST
and only time the desire can 10 nm 10
be n star and travel through the other
cities Of the country. But rev weeks
outside OF New York settled taat ambi-
ton. and he returned 10 Wallacks COM
panv. which. Mr. Stoddart SAYS, vas the
; ct association Of actors when he played
th them first that he has ever seen.
From the Wsllack company he went 70
the Union Square, and h. an uneXpecteh
80 IL
Of g. lracters In which he had previously
had little experience Stuart Robson was
the first comedian at the Union Square
Theatre IN those days. and as he had the
choice OF roles. Mr.. Stocdart was called
upon 20 play melolramatic parts. How
we'll he did them New York theatre
goers OF several decides know. In Rose
Michel and IN the Lights Of London"
playing Just such mn indignant 'Tthef
as he is called on 20 portray ma the pay
which Is honored now by his services MT.
Stoddart made memorable successes
while I'm THE Rantzaus" as the quarrel
some brother and in 'French Fiats' as
Tho Jealous LAWYER his ability as a come
dian was shown 10 admirable advantage.
In converse ton with a reporter several
months ago Mr. Stoddart said that his
versatility in playing parts Of such "A
widely different character was, in his
oplnion. due TO his old-fashi0ned training
under the stock system. He is one of
the actors that believes the present
condition Of the stage less adapted to the
| development Of good actors than the
stock system OF former days. Air. Stoi-
dart is Gs years old, and made his first
appearance when only 5 years old. Ills
father was an actor and managed a
theatre in Glasgow.
There were six young Stoddarts, and
! they made their due appearances a.
| pages or supernumeraries as soon as they
/ were able to stand on lie stage. Wher
/ he was p he left 'ha parental theatre al
! Glasgow and went to Aberdeen, and IN
| 1854 came to this country. Here he mas
remained ever since. He Is one of the
actors that the public has never known
/ Off the stage. His life has teen very
| quiet, and for twenty yelrs he lived III
New Jersey, going TO and from the
theatre every day. Several years ago he
exchanged his fruit farm at Railway
for a house in the city. Mr.. Sioddart IS
hale and hearty enough In appearance
now 10 indicate tlst his vaiued presence
will be- for many years yet enjoyed OF
our stage.