New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08

a. last was allowed to undertake speaking part
IIs first appearance was made as the servant IN
The Honey moon" His advancement was SLOW
and ne nae practical acquaintance with hardshps
From New-Orleans he went TO Nashville where ne
performed In tragedy and thence he repaired TO
Cincinnati, where for time he acted walking
gentleman in the National Theatre. Returning to
New-Orleaas he was engaged at the National
Theatre, share the comedy parts with
Thomas Placide. Here presently he became
first comedian. In the spring OF SiS he Joined Rices
company in Chicago and there remained for three
years when he bought the plays that had been used
by Darford Marble and embarked himself as a
star HIS first appearance in New-York was made
on August T. 's5l. at the National Theatre. in
Chatham-st as Isaiah Shattuck. in THE Peoples
Candidate" He had made his first effort as
| Yankee comedian" on July 81. 1851. at the Arch
Street Theatre. in Philadelphia. as Deuteronomy
Dutiful in The Wool-Grower." In 1855 he visited
England and presented himself In London in the
character OF Sam Patch. On his return he appeared
in this part February T. 1856. al Burton's Theatre
Chambers-st New-York and there also he first en-
acted Peter Pomeroy in Mr. Charles Gayler's COM
edy OF Taking the Chances"-a character with
which bis name was long conspicuously associated
He now became manager OF Woods Theatre St.
Louis but he had conceived a peculiar liking for
the city Of Chicago. and TO that place he removed
In the spring Of 1851 where he built and opened. in
the autumn OF that year, McVcker's Theatre.
The opening Dill consisted or The kough pa
mond' and THE Honeymoon" At first the
theatre did prosper and he obliged to sell IT,
but in 1862 ne bought it back. and from that time
onward he conducted 1t with success His labors
were mostly confined to Chicago. where In fact he
became the leading manager OF the West In June.
1870 he filled short engagement at Booth
Theatre. New-York. In Taking the Chances" but
his acting was not especially liked. and he sue
ceedcd only In reminding people OF WORKOUT style
OF drama. He was brought into notice Tor WINE
from the fact OF the marriage OF Edwin Bootn 70
his adopted daughter. Miss Mary f. Runnion known
TO the stage as Mary McVicker-this matrimonial
alliance proving unfortunate for Mr.. BOOM ano
much newspaper scandal in which MI NC ichess
made himself prominent by liberal sta'emeh'S anu
interviews. . -. A.. o..
Mr. McVicker was twice married-the nrst Time ia 20
Annie lowering with whom he did not long Ies,ue,
and subsequently TO Mrs Runnon. VINO hrswJ
dro and quaint He had simplicity OF man
and a certain homey sweetness OF ,,s,iy ant
ment, and his style might perhaps oe ias ~ ,ora
descriptyely denoted as a kind OF prelude or Iore-
runner TO the more modern achieVe"e"' VI NIL
Denman Thompson ,s fam r,or,hs no.
fore the great Chicago fire. IT was rebuilding wnep
the great fire came. In October 1871 ana y was ue
stroved again II burned for third time on
The morning OF August g. 1880 1t was again re-
built, and was opened on March 80 1881, with
joseph Jefferson W ]! Florence and Mrs John
nave been made on the stage Of Mcv,cker's The
atre among them being Loves Labor Lost. "A
Windsor" and "The Tempest" Mr.. Mcvlcker's SON
Horace - the business manager of Abbsy's Theatre,
in this city.