The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-13
FROM CHOIR TO BOWERY.
Niece of Henry Ward Beecher. on the
Variety Stage.

Miss Ruth Bepcher, the niece of Rev
Henry Ward Beecher, is a member CT
Phil Sheridan's New City Sports Big
Show a performance now delighting
the Bowery audiences in New York
Miss Beecher is not only a member Of
the burlesque organization, but she is
practically the leading prima donna of
the company. Miss Beecher's organiza-
ton played recently in Miners Bowery
theater. In large type she was billed
as Miss Ruth Beecher, Americas
Nightingale"
She also plays the part of Franchette,
leading lady at the Theater Franchette,
in a burlesque called 'Mahoney's Wis
it, and also the character of Lord
Chancellor in funny extravaganza en-
titled 1.-THE Troubles of a King"
In the last-named operetta the niece
of Henry Ward Beecher appears in
tights Speaking of how it was that
she adopted the stage as a means Of
livelihood, she said:
Yes, I suppose people do wonder at
my choice. However, it was in a way
the only career for me.
Il was born in Adrian, Mich. on
Christmas day, 1875. My fathers name
was Edward Beecher. He was a law
yer in Rochester. N. Y, in which city
he died in 1885. My mother, Mrs Alice
Beecher, is still living. She lives in
Rutgers street, in Utica. N. Y.
When papa died. was then barely
10 years old-mamma and l moved to
Rome. N. Y, and from there to Utica
This was in 1886.
Uncle Henry and mamma never got
on well together, and while I frequent
ly visited him in Brooklyn. mamma
never accompanied me- Possibly this
was on account of her religious creed,
for mamma is a deVout Catholic.
when papa died he left very little
money, and mamma has only enough to
live on herself, and when Uncle Henry
sent for me / went to Brooklyn. AL
though only a child l was devotedly
fond of singing, and frequently sang in
the choir in Plymouth church when
Uncle Henry was the pastor. My voice
is mezzo- soprano and l had fully
made up my mind for choir work when
uncle died.
I then returned to my mother in
Utica. I still have many friends living
in briggs, avenue. Brooklyn, that knew
me when I visited Uncle Henry. Mrs.
Williamson of 3O4 East Fourteenth
street, this city, knows me well, as she
is an old friend of the Beecher family
that is, papa's branch of it.
When l returned to Utica mamma
was DESTROYS of my keeping on with my
vocal and instrumental studies This
l did. 1t was at this time that | was
converted to the Catholic faith. | en-
tered ST. Peters academy, conducted
by the Sisters of st. Peters Roman
Catholic church of Rome N. Y. Father
Murphy was in charge of the school,
and I remained there until / was nearly
Is years old.
Through stress of great economy
mamma sent me to Rochester, N. Y.
where she has some relatives. and |
studied there under the tutorship of
Professor Bond, the musical director of
the Catholic cathedral of that city.
We'll, the turning point of my life
came when l was Is years old-six
years ago. I've seen much in that
time. but it seems as though it was
yesterday.
The George Baker opera company
was playing in Rochester. / saw the
Autographs, and to me they opened ur
another world before my eyes NV life
was that of a simple. hard working,
studious girl striving for a musical ed