The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-08
Joseph jefferson.
To the Editor Of the Press:

10 Tie Editor Of the Press:
Joseph Jefferson is a name which has
been associated with the American stage
for the past century or more. For the
present Joseph inherits not only the
genius, but also the full name of both his
father and grandfather, who were noted
comedians in their, day
Of his mother, Cornelia jefferson, he
speaks in his autobiography as gifted
actress and, in her time, America lead
ing prima donna. But while ancestry
and environment predestined Joseph
Jefferson to the career of an actor, it is to
his own native ability that he owes the
proud position he holds as the greatest of
comedians. He was born February 90
1929 His first appearance on the public
stage was made at the age of three years
as the infant in "Pizarro" Like all
debutants he had great fright on this
occasion, although it was not what is
generally known as stage fright. When
the fierce tragedian who played Rolla
shouldered him and rushed across the
bridge amid thrilling cries and explosions
of guns, Master Joey thought he was
taken. He squalled loudly and tugged
at his captor's hair so hard that his wig
came off in full view of the audience
Later he did turn Gas it is called today
with "Jim Crow Rice, the original negro
minstrel. Dressed up in exact imitation
Of his partner, he was brought on the
stage by him in bag and eInptied out.
Then the two sang and jumped Jim Grow
to the great delight of the audience.
Growing older he went west with his
family on theatrial tour, he playing
minor parts and helping things along
generally. In one town when business
was dull, he went to the mayor and got d
contract for his father. who was an ex-
pert scene painter as well as actor and
manager, to number all the teams, drays,
public conveyances, etc., in the city.
On this trip he did much walking
without the facilities of those railroad
ties which make travelling from town to
town SO easy to the strolling player of to-
day. When he rode it was on a boat or
OK cart. They made the journey down
the Mississippi on fiat boat, some times
assisting their progress by hosting piece
of scenery for sail.
When the Mexican war broke out the
company followed our army into Mexico
They opened up 10 good business in
Matamoras, but the army soon advanced,
leaving the town nearly deserted. Then
young Jefferson with companion,
secured the franchise to sell coffee and
cakes in gambling saloon. They made
good living but the life was exciting.
Finally, when Buck Wallace, an old
friend of Jefferson's, was chased into the
saloon by Mexicans and stabbed to death,
the comedian thought it was too exciting
So he sold out and returned to Philadel-
phia, his native.ci
For the next ten or dozen years he
played in stock companies mainly in the
large cities, supporting such artists as
Burton, Burke, j. B. Booth, Macready,
Forrest, Murdoch, Sothern, Laura Keene
and Agnes Robertson all of whom he can
relate interesting "reminiscences. He soon
obtained high recognition in the line Of
legitimate comedy, and was ACKNOWLEDGED
to have no superior in characters like
Doctor Pangloss, Caleb Plummer, Asa
Frenchar, Newman Noggs, Salem Scudder
and others.
1t was in 1859 that he produced q YER
sion of Rip Van Wrinkle, with only in
different success. He was sure that the
part had great possibilities, however, and,
some five years later, when in London he
engaged Dion Boucicault to rewrite the
play. He did so, and how it succeeded is
known to every playgoer.
Bob Acres in Sheridan's comedy 1.-THE
Rivals, is his second greatest character
ization. He adapted this play himself,
and it bears so little resemblance to the
original version that it is jocularly called
1.-The Rivals with sheridan twenty
miles away
Mr.. Jefferson is a gentleman of culture.
and most agreeable social companion.
He has travelled extensively on both
hemispheres, and is an expert with the
artists brush. That he is in every way
worthy of the distinction of having Port
lands elegant new theatre, 'The Jeffer-
son." named after him is a fact upon
which all people are agreed.
G. A. E.
Don't Put 1t Off