The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-19

pathy allay the poignancy OF his grief. and
they led him away TO the little room where
Ben and he had spent so many pleasant
hours together. a dsconsolate man.
"P. c." the Gleason who was so much to
De Bar. lived a few years after the actor
managers death. but never revived from
the shock occasiOned by grief.
Another strong attachment recalled by
William c. Gleason was that which existed
between De Bar. Incompatible Falstan. and
the dainty Lolita. who is now living in re-
trement in the East as Mrs. Crabtree
Lotta's first success. more than three
score years ago was achieved in the old
Pine street house. She has never forgotten
old Ben's kindness 10 her.
DE Bar was in New York the summer be
fore he died. The fatal disease already
had taken deep root. He could remember
faces. but not names. One morning De
Bal sat in a meeting Of managers. mapping
out plans for the coming ~season-that OF
IsT-7S. when Lolita came into the room
and RUSHED TO his side. kissing him tendeTIy.
He sat for a moment dazed:
Really, my dear young lady. l cannot
call your name; l know you well. l have
seen you often
Dear old Father Ben. don't you know
your little Lolita; don't you know me?"
she sobbed Ike a child. THROWN her arms
about his neck. II was a scene that defied
ali mimicry OF the stage in the presence OF
men who felt its full IMPORT
Know you. Lolita? How shall forget
that sweet face? ! shall see II again. the
old man said. II was their last meeting.
DE WE'RE RAN BLOCKADE
IN CIVIL WAR TIMBS
Mr.. Krone. the veteran stage manager.
whose recollection of every part he ever
studied is good to this day. recalls that Of
the many leading men De Bar had in his
stock company one OF the few still alive is
George F. De We're. who has been William
H. Cranes stage manage for many sea-
sons.
How De We're came to St Louis is q chap
ter in which John Wilkes Booth was a
prominent figure
De We're and his wife. Il seems. were en-
gagged to play at Ogden's Theater in Rich
mond. Va. and in order TO get there from
the East in lsS3 it was necessary Tor them
TO run the blockade.
They were caught and imprisoned by
Union soldiers, and their arrival in Rich
mond considerably delayed.
About that time DE Bar wanted a new
leading man. and the manager called upon
John Wilkes Booth. who was playing here,
to recommend some one for the position
Booth suggested that De We're was a
promising young actor, and. upon this adj
vice. De Bar arranged to engage him De
We're was under surveillance. and II was
necessary for De Bar TO give the Federal
Government assurance that he would be
~ NNN ~ @ANA = NA@S N~@NAN
while in St. Louis.
De We're remained here until after the
assassination of President Lincoln. which
he. like avery other actor. deeply regretted
more deeply perhaps than did men Of
other professions because the tragedy was
wrought by the demented Booth.
HaTking back to the days before Ben De
Bar and the bright galaxy OF stars with
whom he was associated zane into the first
magnitude. Gleason and Krone maintain
that the most interesting period in the his
tory Of the drama in the West begins with
y. VI. LudIow's entrance into st. Louis
Before Ludlow's coming plays had been
given. but his title to the father Of the
DRAMA" locally. is based upon the fact
that he was the first TO give stage produc-
tons in the Mound City by a regularly or
gained company.
In the Missouri Historical Society's collec-
ton there is a copy of a play bill advertls-
ing a performance on April 9. ISIS. when
Isabella, or the Fatal Marriage" was
given for the benefit OF Mr.. Wallace. who
assumed the principal tragic role. being
followed by Miss Turner in a dance. and d.
Grusche in a ''cOmick song"
EARLY PERFORMANCES
IN BLACKSMITH SHOP.
Such performances were given in James
Boards blacksmith shop on Third between
Almond and Spruce streets. where. in 1917.
n manager named Nos brought a company
from Nashville, Tenn.
An amateur anna club known as
THE Roscian.' had presented plays at the
blacksmith shop as early as 1914. and for
its entertainment in the form OF the drama
st. Louis had depended entirely upon this
club.
In 1915 n theater was built on city block
No. %. bounded by Main. Olive and Locust
streets and an alley. and the first play put
on there was She Stops TO Conquer"
The organization OF actors was known as
Samuel brakes Company. and n. NJ. u
low was a member.
Soon thereafter Ludlow and Drake separ-
ated. and sharp rivalry sprang up between
them. the result of which was that Ludlow
organized a company of his own and fitted
up a stage in the principal hotel of the
town. located at Thiri and Vine streets.
An old ballroom was utilized.
After n couple of weeks OF fierce comped-
ton to secure the patronage of the 400
inhabitants. half Of whom. as already
stated. were French or Spanish. and did
not care for the English drama. the COM
panies consolidated and Ludlow became the
controlling factor.
She Stops to Conquer continued to be
the principal piece in the repertoire. and
Ludlow's acting vas its strongest attrac-
to make the theater profitable In st. Louis
at that time. and the venture was aban-
doned temporarily. Ludlow and Drake 60
ing TO New Orleans
Several seasons later Ludlow returned
with a company and fitted up a theater in
THE Old Salthouse." a ~delapidated ware
house at the corner of Second aud Olive
streets. This was the home Of the drama
until a new theater was erected on the site
of the old Post Office at Third and Olive
streets