The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-15
EARLY ADJUSTMENTS
THE FIRST THEATRICAL PERFORM
ANCEs IN INDIANAPOLIS.
They Were Amateur Efforts, but Af-
fOrded M Much Plcasure an Many
Later Professional Plays.
Arthur c. White. in golfers weekly.


and the young While Indianapolis now has
four first-class theaters and any number Of
magnificent halls and auditoriums where en-
tertainments of a nature more or less theat-
rical are given, there was time when such
was not the case.
In 1923 the capital Of Indiana could boast OF
but few hundred inhabitants, and large
majority Of these people were hardy pioneers
who had small inclination and less time to
cultivate whatever longing there might have
been in their breasts for entertainment. Yet
there was a certain amount of that longing
there, and 1T must be catered to. One day
In 1923 there came to Indianapolis and
stopped at Major Carriers tavern Mr.. and
Mrs. Smith, who announced to the natives in
an imposing manner that they were late
Of the New York Theater." On the night
Of the last day Of the year 1873 the Smiths
gave the first theatrical performance that
had ever been attempted in the Hoosier ham,
let. The dining room of the tavern served as
the theater and two plays were given-'The
Doctors Courtship, or the Indulgent
Father" and the Jealous Lovers"
To see this magnificent production three
levies" were charged, meaning three
eleven pence" Bill Bagwell and his fiddle
composed the orchestra on this occasion,
and it required the combined diplomacy Of
the stars to overcome Major Carriers
prejudice to the use Of the fiddle. However,
his scruples were finally soothed by the as
surance that the fid0.e was in reality vio-
lin, a perfectly harmless instrument, and
the curtain was allowed to go up after Bill
Bagwell had agreed to perform on the In
strument one of the Majors favorite hymns.
The first theatrical performance in Indian
apolis was SO much OF success that IT was
repeated several times, and the adventurous
usual grit, was again attracted here in June,
1924. On that occasion, however he failed 10
meet with the success he deserved ana per
augurate precedent that has been followed
by theatrical stars in Indiana to the pres
ent day. He ran away, leaving numerous
When next an attempt was made to give
theatrical entertainment in Indianapolis
scale. A Mr.. Lindsay, who officiated as man
ager, got together full company and fitted
up a. building expressly for the presentation
thus secured was Ollaman's wagon shop on
Washington street, opposite the court house.
and an attractive orchestra for fiat day was
Wotzebue's Stranger" aPizarro." the Loan
of Lover" Swiss Cottage" and others of
waits" between the first and second pieces
songs were given. The '"Tongo Islands,"
with its great mass Of gibberish for chorus,
Jimmy, Git Yer Hoe-Cake Done" and other
songs made famous by Jim Crow Rice may
even yet be remembered by old residents
with good memories fo~ matters musical.
in the rejuvenated wagon shop about the
year 1887.
THE FIRST THEATER.
Mr.. Lindsay, the genial manager, returned
during the winter Of 1904 with a superior
company and built first-class house of
amusement for those early days out of
one-story brick building. Among the chief
attractions Of the company Of pioneer Thes-
plans were Mrs Drake and A A. Adams,
the latter on account of his irregularities,
failing to secure an Eastern engagement
and being compelled to seek the backwoods
for solace and sustenance. Neither of these
two really good actors ever played better
over t s n was nearS WnSa wTuio not seat
Mr.. Lindsay's last appearance with his COM
pany in indianapolis. Concerning Lindsay's
company the following anecdote is told by
Col. w. r. Holloway in his history of In
dianapolis:
1T was here that ludicrous scene oc-
c GU not down in the bills Capt. George
Terre Haute, and poet who subsequently
attained national reputation, fell In love
his senior: She returned his love with
theatrical, If not sincere demonstra tions and
the billing and cooling of the oddly misma ted
lovers was the. standing joke of the city
during the session of the Legislature. One
night in some performance, Mr. Drake, who
was afectionately watched from the wings
by her Wabash adorer, in making a stage
fall made real one. and hurt herself-or
Cutler thought she did-and he rushed upon
the stage, to the horrible disorder of the
scene and the infinite fun of the audience
and tenderly lifting up his rather ponderous
inamorata. audibly condoled with her and
led her of the stage with al the touching
10
roared, cheered the gallant captain to the
echo and made fun OF him for the next six
weeks. He and Mrs. Drake were married
that winter at Browning's Hotel This love
passage was the sensation of that season "
In 1913, according to the historians Of the
time, the New York company Of come
dams" secured Gaston's carriage shop.
where the Bates House now stands, and
opened theater. This company gave se-
ries OF concerts: closing with stage perform
ances, most Of the winter
In the winter OF 1S39-40 the Indianapolis
Thespian Corps" was organized-a brilliant
aggregation of home talent that launched It
self with the avowed purpose of turning
the theatrical word upside down. This
laudable desire. strange to relate was not
real iS but on the whole the young people
performances in the histrionic line. An old
foundry building. called at that time the
stage and scenery to present Robert Dale
Owens play ."Pocahontas" The LEADING
actors in this rural stock company were
McCready as Powhattan, William Wallace
as Pocahontas. John T. Morrison, Davis
Miller and James McVey assuming other
characters. The novelty of the play made
I entertaining enough to ran for a con-
siderable time at irregular intervals. Some
years later the ''rhespian Corps" was re-
vived and produced several standard plays.
with Mr.. Edward S. Tyler added to the
cast, with deserved success.
A REAL ACTOR.
Along toward the close of 1872 an i'm
portant event took place in local theatrical
circles. 1t was the coming from Cincinnati
of Mr.. Nat c. Cook. eldest son of the State
librarian. who had for some time been play
ing small parts in Queen City house Of
amusement The local yokels were beside
themselves with Joy and big demonstration
as particular mark Of favor was at once
decided upon. The town was full of rumors
regarding the remarkable talents OF young
Mr.. Cook. There was also much talk of his
magnificent wardrobe. and altogether the
people were In a giddy whirl of excitement.
Soon the eventful night came when Home $
tragedy OF Douglass was announced. with
Mr.. Cook as Young Noryal. There was a
full house when the curtain went up on the
first act and the applause was rapturous
when Young Norval came on for the first
time resplendant in scale armor of tin chips
and wonderfully impressive in al the rant
and strut and grunt" of traditional stage
propriety. But ne DIDN'T hold up; II was
after this the glory Of the local Thesp.ans
sputtered and went out.
From that time on there were mum .eous
attempts on the part Of stage-struck people
TO give notable theatrical entertainments in
this city, but after consulting the various
authOrities cha rify stems in and oIocos \ !.