Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-25
HosroN1ANs STRANDED.
Disaster Said to Have overtaken Them
at Atlantic City.

A disratch from Atlantic City last night
saws. Financial disaster is alleged to have
oyertaken the Bostonians. one OF the oio-
est and best known comic opera compa-
MES in the country, and tonight a1ter
seasons engagement, the principals ana
chorus are reputed stranded In this CITY,
where they ended three weeks run.
with no money to pay their board piiis.
Irate landlords are demanding the
money due them, while the members OF
the company have made repeated enorts
IN get back salary Charles Deacon, the
manager Of the company, held CONFER
ence today with the singers, when ne TOTO
them he had made several attempts TO
obtain financial assistance from william
carleton president Of the Bostonian
stock Company. That organization was
Incorporated several years ago. Mr.. Dea-
con said that he received word from
President Carleton that he could not ao-
vance any more money. Henry Clay Bar
nahee one of the oldest opera stars on
the stage, has been in New York endeav-
oring to obtain funds for the relief OF the
members of the company. and ne Is ex-
pected to return to this city tomorrow
The members of the company say that
business had been good all season until
the first two weeks at the Colonial Thea
ter. Boston, when their run of ill-fortune
set in and it has marked their engage
ments ever since that time.
The Bostonians, until a few years ago
probably the most popular light opera
organization in America, was founded In
1887 and was the direct successor or the
equally famous Boston Ideals, which In
turn was the outgrowth of another ia
nous organization. the Boston church
Choir Company. The Boston Church Choir
Company included among its members
Marie Stone, Myron C. Whitney. Tom
Karl. George rockingham. Mary Beebe
and Agnes Huntingdon. the last named
of whom Is now Mrs. Paul D. Cravath of
New York city.
1t was in "Pinafore" that the Boston
Church Choir Company gained its great
reputation and in 1870 1t became the Bos-
ton Ideals. under the management of Miss
K. NJ. ODER. For the following seven
years the Ideals was the most noted light
opera organization in America, produc-
ing among other musical comedies "Oliv-
ette," "Girofe-Girofla," 'Iolanthe," Pa
thence" and "Fatinitza." At the close Of
the season of 1861 1t became desirable
for the members of the Boston Ideals to
withdraw from that organization. and
then it was that the Bostonians was Or
ganized.
Henry Clay Barnabee. the principal and
probably the most popular member of the
Bostonians, was born in Portsmouth, N.
H.. in 1888. He made his professional
debut in 1865. since which time he has
been one Of the familiar figures of the
American stage. Associated with him
during most Of that time. especially with
the Bostonians. was w. H. Macdonald,
another famous member Of the organiza-
ton. Mr.. Barnabee is a member Of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com
rany of Boston. is a thirty-second degree
Mason and was one of the original men,
bers of the Apollo Club. He married, in
1859. Miss Clara George, daughter of Mai
Daniel George of Warnet, n Fl.
In the last few years Mr.. Barnabee has
looked In vain for a suitable production
to replace the popular Robin Hood. y
Maid Marian" by the same author, was
tried. but II failed to catch the popular
| fancy. Another production was "The
Serenade." in which Miss Alice Nielsen
took a prominent part.