The San Francisco call., 1899-12-24
"reminiscences of
the Old Bush
street Theater.

THE last remaining relic Of the olden
days OF the drama in this city has
vanished with the destruction by
fire Of we old Bush-street Theater.
Il which was the scene OF many long
successful and brilliant engage
ments. played by scores OF people now
dead. forgotten or we'll 20 the front IN
the theatrical world.
Many. varied and contradictory are ths
accounts 10 be gathered Of the origin and
dates Of successive managemen1s aud en-
gagements connected with the old thea
ter.
The Bush-street Theater. originally
called the Alhambra. was bulk on this
side Of the middle sixties. and was first
under the management OF William Smith.
who subsequently, became the manager
Of the Standard in st. Louis. The open
ing attraction was the engagement OF ths
Zavastowski Sisters, in burlesque and ex-
travaganza. Later on II became the
home OF tho San Francisco minstrels
Backus. Birch and WambOld being the
originators almost OF minstrelszf IN Calf
fOrnia.
Buffalo Bill was the initial attrao-
ton in the days OF success. for following
this Leavitt amassed fortune OF a quar-
ter Of a million. Changed. indeed was
the picture on his return 20 the scene of
his former triumphs. broken by ill-luck
and facing fresh reverses. Just here ons
might recall the old-time name OF the
theater, being a "hOodoo." singularly
carried out in the later fortunes OF its
former managers. not one OF whom pos
sesses to-day a dollar made within its
walls.
c. Z. Locke here inaugurated his fam
Gus gift show" a sleight- hand feat
ure being the golden thread upon which
was strung the dazzling temptations of
gifts" Incredibly expensive and as al
Turing in their way as lottery tickets
were these gifts" represented By such
bagatelles as a grand piano. a pair of
diamond earrings and sealskin sacques.
But. alas. for this modern Aladdin, the
rude arm OF the law pOunced down and
gathered up the watches. sewing ma
chimes. silk dress patterns. silver dinner
sets and the whole glittering parapherraIia
OF the gay Goddess OF Chance. Locke was
quite a magician in his way-a sort ofCar-
hostro Of the stage, transforming medic
ere opportunity into the fattering gold 0f
speculative success. He IL was who held
the seventh charity" Of the CITY in
hand. the other six being taken up by
associate managers. LOcke's Charity
blossomed out i'm the shape OF n big
carnival held az the Pavilion car
nival Guard" made up Of young ladies'
drilled strictly Ia militairc. and who
distine uished themselves by receiving
General Grant. then on visit % the city
Locke always distinguished himself by
"big' things. This carnival was ths
biggest thing ever known here up 10 that
date. as also was the git show After
this ne settled down 20 "A long and pros
porous run at the Bush rerttinC- 40. e.
pecially the boxes. which we're done in
pretty Japanese effect. lie was very lib
eral 10 his friends with these boxes. Civ
ing carte blanche at the box Office to
those whom he liked. Alice Oates opened
here in 'Pinafore.' playing Ralf Rack
straw. Her engagement was a brilliant
one, for she was then at her zenith
charmingly bright and vivaciOus. For
nine weeks the box office turned people
away. while Alice danced on the hearts
OF the crowded spectators inside.
She used to wear such wickedly fas-
cinating little boots with tassels.'' said
an old-timer. 'Ah." with a sigh. they
don't make such boots nowadays"
In the Oates engagement Pauline Hall
and her sister made their debut in the
chorus. Afterward Emile Melville held
the boards for repeated triumphs. singing
in Patience" Robinson Crusoe" and
Christmas week. Cinderella"
Then came Kate Castleton. with her
absurdly popular ditty OF For Goodness
Sake" etc. The following stars appeared
under this regime:
Nate Salisbury, J. X. Emmett Mrs. NJ
b. Curtis taking the part OF the old appls
woman in Fritz" her first appearances
on any stage), Harrigan & Hart. Minnie
Maddern Fiske in Caprice" establish
Ing herself as a favorite). Kiralfy in
Eighty Days Around the World "a man.
moth organization comprising 200 peopis
brought from the East at tremendous ex-
pense. Billy Emerson's Minstrels. Oliver
Byron and Frank Frayne. A short sea-
son OF stock was played here in the year
1873. James Herne being stage manager.
Among the company John Jennings play
ed old men. Esther Williams Juvenile
Annie Adams lead. while the famous
Maud, at years Of age. was the child OF
the company. She appeared in Across
the Continent" as Dolores the italian
waif, and when she delivered the lines II
must put him on his guard" IL may ba
safely hazarded that she has never sincs
received a more enthusiastic. thunderoua
round of applause than then greeted her.
over at the Baldwin Theater she had
earlier appeared as the child in The
Celebrated Case
Wick Roberts ''Humpty Dumpty'' was
staged where while James Herne was
stage manager Herne. we'll known as A
prodigious practical joker, exploited his
talent on tho bartender below stairs
where in those days saloon formed the
only approach TO the stage. Dark and
gloomy was this underground passage.
but It bounteously set forth the actors
dream I'm the shape OF a hot 10 cent lunch.
a stage-bomb. harmless enough In its re-
suits, was employed in the performance
of "Humpty Dumpty.' but Herne con-
ceived the master thought Of enIiveninr
matters below stairs by throwing "A real
bomb into the saloon, which exploded
with such excellent force that II sent the
bartender Ga Dutchman) gasping Win
fright somewhere in the depths 81 bis
casks and barrels hidden in the cellar.
After c. +. Locke's managerial caresr
had terminated somewhat abruptly NJ
Il. Leavitt, together with Al Havma1
took possession but the latter very short
ly withdrew TO go to the Baldwin. A Iong
season filled in by the unpleasant nor1',
larity OF the Female Minstrels. had in
1ured the prestige OF the theatcr and
LeaVitt's management OF affairs did nor
Improve the character Of the resort dur
ing the course Of several seasons. AZ last
however, by the engacpuepr 80 -