davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-03

The Crescendo club will meet with Mrs.
V. II. Weinberg, 27o5 Avenue d, this aft
ernoon.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-03

Last evening in Ellisviile. Miss.
brilliant wedding was solemnized when
Miss Mamie Shelby, the daughter Of Mr..
and Mrs. Napoleon D. Shelby, became
the bride of Mr. Thomas Whitweil Bow
ron of this city.
The marriage took place at the Shelby
home in the midst of large assemblage
of guests, among whom were = number
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-03

Mrs. Beasley will be the guest next
week of Mr.. and Mrs. j. H. Minge.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

A@Gt 8 @ AsttMs, A4t N Il
liz -aors .iin nc tisa aasund times and in
,aca performance. found something of
aew aserost
When Mr. Jefferson and W. j,
Fl0.ence forpled their famous COM
bination, Mt Florence found in the
part of Sir Lucius Just as many things
TO interest him as Mr.. Jefferson found
in Bob.
The Boys FoIlow.
And now comes the most peculiar
coincidence Of the entire romance of
The Rivals and the Jeffersons.
Two 81 Mr Jelferson's sons, Joseph
and William, each considered the play
the finest example Of theatrical litera-
ture in existence They have never
abandoned this idea, and even to-day,
e ssr Of these two young actors ad-
Vince argument after argument in
supnort Of their contention.
When Jefferson and Florence were
at the height Of their fame, the two
yg JetfcTsons never missed pro-
4 Nj Of the old play Joseph, the
ei Qt the two, from the time ne was
< nv had but ono ambition, the one
& to play the part Of Sir Lucius
" ger n llis fathers company
you eer son had Just as great
< " his dream was to live
tAe life Of Bob Acres, as his
Al. for generations back, had
heed it out for tile delight Of thousands.
Joe Realizes Ambition.
After Mr. Florence died, young Joe
Jefferson was chosen to succeed him as
Sir Lucius He claimed at that time,
that his life's ambition had been
realized, for, at last, he was Sir Lucius
How thoroughly artistic was his
first performance can be attested BY
The tremendous ovation he received
on his first appearance, Both press
and public, the country over. had
been fairly imhued with the idea that
Sir Ts,c;,ss fAi'rfsroA- hsA v-'-t.-~ii.'
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

dressed for the part, and, with a vast
audience waiting there to see the great
oe Jefferson flor the substitution was
not announced, he stepped out upon
the stage as Bob Acres. For him, too,
ambition had been realized.
SO mastery was his performance, !,
so accurate was it in every detail:
So closely did 1t resemble the work
Of the elder Jefferson: that few in the
audience were aware that a change had
been made. Voice, eyes, gesture, every
movement of the body, were identically
the same. The long years of waiting
and patient study had borne fruit
The next day the change was an
nounced to the Pittsburg papers and
with one voice, the critics sounded
the praise of another Jefferson. Willie
Jefferson, playing in his fathers very
shoes. had jumped into fame. Another
Jefferson had been given to the world,
So faithful was his performance
that from that night until dear old
Joe Jefferson closed his eyes forever,
Willie always went with his fathers
company as his fathers understudy.
A Strange Contrast.
Heredity, strange law that governs
90 much in this universe Of ours, has
played wonderful part in the life
story Of the Jeffersons. But the story
is not yet complete, for, aside from
this handing down Of talent from
father to son, Of the passing Of the play
from generation to generation, there IS
another side, a side as intensely in
teresting, If not even more 50, than that
which has been related,e
The elder Jefferson was possessed
Of what might be called q dual per-
sonality. TO his intimate friends. he
was more like grown up schoolboy
than anything else. Always fond Of
u practical Joke ard with merry
greeting and a joyful deneanor, he
was the embodiment Of All that one
would expect Of the worlds greatest
comedian.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

him Joseph Jefferson the second-al-
though he represented the third genera
tion concerned In this narrative.
This young man, at very early
age, showed q decided talent for paint
Ing This talent was fostered by his
parents, and II was not until he was
nearly twenty years Of age that the
family trait asserted itself in yearning
for the stage.
Throughout his entire life, be never
abandoned his first love, painting
He was a distinguished artist and some
Of the most precious heirlooms now ia
the possession of the Jefferson family
are specimens Of the artistic handiwork
Of Joseph Jefferson, the second,
While still young man, he married
Miss Cornela Frances Thompson, -at
that time the most noted singer iY
America. There were four children born
81 this union, two Of whom died ID
infancy. The other two were Joseph
Jefferson the third, our Joe Jefferson,
and Cornelia Jefferson.
The Great Jefferson.
We are now down to our own deal
old Joseph Jefferson, the best knowr
Of ali l.iat talented family Of 'rhcspiars,
the beloved actor whose name has
been wuttcn Oh every heart,
loser. Jefferson, the third (repre-
serting TIE fourth generation) was born
In Philadelphia on Feb, 20th, 1929, and
at the early age of three years, made
his theatrical debut
His FIRST appearance on the stage
was a very unexpected affair, 50 far
as the audience was concerned, He
fest really began in what was then
the rage, Living Statues The boy
witnessed many Of these entertain-
ments, and won a juvenile reputation
for himself for his limitations Of these
statues, In fact, young Jefferson was
initiating everything and everybody
that came to bis notice, Genius began to
show It's presence early in Joseph Ieffer-
son, the third,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

chorus girls who ever left New
York. This latest and greatest
Cohan song show IS a typical Cohan
piece effervescent with action and
bubbling over with humor and
laughter and instinct with the joy cf
life. It combines melodrama and
music there being d strong story and
no less than 40 lifting musical nnm-
bers. t IS said By critics that ~Ths
Honeymoners" is the strongest mn
sicaI production on the road this
year and that as a play pure and
simple II has few rivals in interest
Geo. M cohan is the apostle az
happy breezy confident young Amer
lea and his ideals are the ideals OF
the men and women who do things
and are happy about it. Scores Of
Cohan phrases have been added to
the current speech Of the nation and
his songs are heard all over the
world. In "The Honeymooners"
there are such song hits as @Kid
Days. "I'lI Be There III the Public
Square I'm a Popular Man. sEn
One Night Stand" and make Lot
of Noise The story requires 4 big
cast to tell it. The plot is laid in the
town Of Tigerville, Vermont, and
Hoyt never wrote anything whose
satire approaches the genial dissen-
ton Of rural village types in THE
Honeymooners. It is a meIange of
love, politics, sport and mistaken
identity and the tale IS fascinating.
In the classy cast are such prime fa-
vorites as Will Dunlay, Walter ches-
ter Daniel Sullivan, Jack London.
Thomas A. Hearn. William Singer.
Annie Wheaton, Gertrude lie Brandt.
Rose Gildea and Dolly vardennia.
The costumes and staging are mag
ni6cent
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

The Jetfefvons and This Rivals aFp NJ
closely associated that he who Boitld
write q history oi one must write tho
history 81 the other 8
The Jeffcfsona and The Risalal For
lust 1873 wears those names have been
linked together. For i36 years this
distinguished family 81 Thespiana have
handed down ffefA iHthcr % son tie
production 81 Richard Brinsiey Sheri-
dams masterpiece Until now, Win
the fifth generation presenting II, IL
lsalmost part w Jefferson family.
The " Itself
II was IN Augnsts lTT4, that Richard
Brnslcy Sheridan. then d boy il his
twentysthifd year, WAS commissioned
BY the manager 81 the famous Old covent
Garden theatre III London 10 write Il
comedy With the exception oi d very
few minor scenes. young Sheridan had
no idea whatever 10 70 what should
constitute the comedy.
Despite hls youth, he was q writer oi
considerable note, and, confident Of
his ability and strong IN BIZ hopes. he
SCI 10 WORK Enriy ~ lysctihpefs ~
the aame yoaE he delivered 70 the
Cogefst Garden theatre manager the
manuscript of The Rivals,
A masterpiece Of comedy had been
born and wonderful whs the career that
awaited it,--a career that would have
been lost to the world but for the per-
sistence of itn boyiah author.
First Time Failed.
The piay was immediately put
into rehearsal and on Jan. nth, i77b,
Il was produced for the frat time on
any stage. Ii was dismal failure;
failure because oi the wrctehed
performances oi the actor 10 whom
was allotted the role Of Sir Lucius
0"rrgger
His performance was so bad, and
Il marrrd the work of the other artists
10 such an cxtent, that the play was
almost hooted from the stage on the
opening night
Young Sheridan had faith III hla
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

,llay and insisted upon its being pre-
sented the second night. II was pre-
sented and failing again, was then
withdrawn. The author took his manu-
script, made several minor changes,
secured another actor 10 portray Sir
Lucius o'Trigger and prepared TO try
again.
A Dramatic Triumph.
The play, which had received the
widest notoriety on account of its
FIRST nights hasco, was again presented.
The audience assembled at the theatre
with the one idea Of hooting the play
from the stage. But nothing Of the
kind occurred. This night, the genius
Of young Sheridan was to be vindicated.
The new actor, In the part OF Sir
Lucius, had fully grasped all the deli
cacies Of the role and added such
hnesse and artistic atmosphere to the
entire performance that The audience
sat spell-bound, 4. They left extolling
lis merits and the talent 81 him who had
created it,
The play became a fad The best
people Of London became enamofed
Of Il to such an extent that 1t was
hot long until the fame Of the play
had reached the ears Of the king,
TIE royal family witnessed the pros
duction and with the approval of
royalty, The Rivals soon developed
nfo the most astounding comedy
success that London Had ever known.
Sheridans fame was established and
n The Rivals one finds that indescrib-
able something that is a combination
u boyish charm, youthful under
standing, boyhood philosophy and a
knowledge Of life that is totally different
from that exploited by the writer's
whose youth, with its optimism, is
lost to them, and upon whom the pessin-
isgn Of age is steadily encEoaching.
A Jefferson Enters,
IN f774, while Sheridan waH working
On the manuscript Of The Rivals,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

When Geo, Nj Conan. the young
est and most popular Of Americas
dramatists and composers, was H.
formed By Klaw g. EriangeF THAT he
was to play ali last summer 1t the
New Amsterdam Theatre III New
York he SET himself to work 10 pro-
duce a starring vehicle. which would
Be the biggest Hit 81 his career. HE
wrote and composed @The Honey
moonersg and made the greatest
triumph d his crowded fife playing
throughout the heated season os
Broadway to capacity at 81 pricea
"The HOneymooners comes to fhe
Astoria Theatre tonight with the
original Broadway production. III
will be presented BY a powerful cast
of metropolitan fayorites assisted -
40 of the eIeverest and rrestiest
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25


10 the stranger he would casually
meet, he was the dignihed and sincere
gentleman, straightforward ia all o.
his business dealings, and always
possessing an attitude that demanded
respect.
In Other Ways.
IN a professional way, he likewise
possessed dual personality. In pre-
pairing for the presentation Of play.
be would cold -bIoodedly figure olHt
every possibility. He was a thorough
master Of every bit Of dramatic tech
nique. He knew what was possible and
how to obtain it and It was this sort oE
careful preparation that made him
famous u
On the other hanS., when occasioa
demanded it he was the personifi-
cation Of spontaneity. Almost uncon-
gciously, he could grasp the possibilities
Of situation and extract from II liz
comedy eiHnient. his is, beycn0 4
doubt, a wonderful talent, perInittin9.
as it does. its possessor to 10 what ka
wants to do in an almost unconsci0c
manner
The possession Of this dual pea.
Bonality stamped Joseph Jefferson a
8 genius. He possessed those throa
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

tF4s4sA ss.ass.aa.ss. W2skt5 Inc piAy per-
gormahces began At $40 and 6 O'clock
m the evening and lasted until mid
night. Long taIky scenes we're, ~
that time, prevailing marks Of dramatic
construction. It was On these anti,
auated lines that Sheridan had con-
structed The Rivals The original
ending "a the comedy was not III acs
cord with modern IDEAS, 50 young
Jefferson YET 10 work To revige The play
and make it conform To the demands 81
tiie modern audiences
The Graceful EplIogus.
with him, this work w4s iabcr Of
love
Carefully hc did Bis work and won
derfnlIv well. too. The abrupt ending
of the oId play BIZ changed and thanks
n lid effort, Che Rivals can now boast
81 graceful and beautiful epilcgucs
The All Star Cast.
Thia version Mr.. Jefferson used for
Upward 81 fifteen years, during which
tiine tho possibilities of the role oi
Bob appealed 10 him to such al extent
that he waB continually making minor
improvements, and studying out and
planning 4 generally reconstructed
version.
About twenty years ago, Mr. Jcter-
con finally completed manuscript
of The Rivals. IN it, he had eliminated
every tAiky scene and every super
nuoas word He gave the play It's most
delightful ending. and II was this
version that ne used during the remain
der of liis life, and which he handed
down 10 bis son and namesake, Joseph
Jefferson, the fourth.
II was this version that the famous
All star cast used during their memoir
able tour of this country Ia 1896.
This company. composed of Joseph
Jefferson, Nat Goodwin, VIM II Crane,
Francis Wilson, Joseph and Y. N. Hoi-
land, Robert Taber, Mrs John Drew
lula Mariowe, and Fannie Rice was
X must be admitted the greatest com.
pany that ever appeared sin any one
play and the full value Of Mr. Jcffer-
sons version Of The Rivals was IA
every way worthy Of their ability.
9 Jeferron savorite.
During Ire many years that Mr.
! IcfefBon wgs before the public, all
| thouuii he vas we'll. known for hi
rendition III several other parts, that
of Bob Acres was always his favorite
| ae claimed Be found more pleasure IL
nrr' nab than any other char
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25


Ii happened that eventually enc
boy saw \ " Rice, y popular per-
former Of that period, who vas
creating u fiirorc as i burnt cork
comedian M. Ricc's performance was
filed with little fnannengtrs capable
of imitation and to the surprise oi
everyone OR Joseph Jefferson then
only throe Years Old began giving
limitations 81 M. Rice that were scfeain-
ngiy iunny.
III. Rice himself raw them and
wa1ed cnthusiastic. Much To the boys
delight, Rice helped him 70 perfect fis
imitations, and il wag but few weeks
until this mere baby could accomplish
nearly every move made by Rice hiu-
self.
Rice suggested the idea of having
the boy appear on The stage with him
AID tie father, realizing that tho
Thespian mantle was to fall upon the
shoulders cf his con, irlterpoged no
Objection and the stage career Of
Joseph Jefferson, the third, began.
Thrown on Stage.
II had not been publicly announced
that young Jefferson would appear with
MI. Rice, and only few ot the actors
themselves knew that the boy was 70
appear. Tiioec who did, however, were
thrown into CONSERVATION when Rice,
IN grotesque makeup, and carrying
his old carpet bag, appeared on the
stage without the boy.
Rice began his performances az usual
and after abosit three 1ninutcs, opened
the carpet bag 10 got, AZ he stated, his
handkerchief. Then came gasp Of
fcigned surprise and after q severe
shaking of the bag, out rolled young
Toe Jefferson. The audience fairly
shrieked lis approval. II may be said
with al truth that the greatest actor
America has ever known was fairly
thrown on the stage.
Rice recognized IN the boy worthy
rival, for Ms work that evening was as
clear cut al distinct, az much iynbucd
with personality, as that Of any pro.
fcssionaI could have been.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25


In - iatner, aftef
negotiations 4stfi the manager Of q
theatre Id Chicago, then town with
population Of little more than
20l0, joufpeyed to the city for which
such brilliant history was just be.
ginning,
With him, over that memorable
journey by canal and on horseback,
he took his son, the family paying
tor their passage by giving number
OF entertainments on the old, slow
moving boat, the proceeds Of which
went to the captain.
In Chicago, the children were given
every advantage possible at that time,
The father, with his great fondness
for drawing and painting, instilled his
knowledge into the mind Of his son, but
always tho longing for the stage was
uppernost In the boys mind.
AS Legitimate Actor.
During the awkward age, from ~
to is, young Jefferson appeared but
seldom, Ins the meantime, the first
theatre in Chicago burned and on its
site was erected a, more modern play
house.
Is was in this temple Of amusement
that our Joseph Jefferson, whose name is
reverenced throughout all stageland,
first appeared as a legitimate actor, 1t
was In Chicago, too, that he was given
the treasured manuscript of The Rivals.
which the father had brought from
England
The boy had often heard his father
talk Of the possibilities Of the part
Of Bob Acres and he remembered
that his father, grandfather, and great
had an achieved success
In the role. Then came the idea to-
follow IN the footsteps Of his ancestors
the ambition to again give the world
another Jefferson as Bob Acres,
Carefully he read the play and
learned, with something akin to abso-
lutte horror, that It was almost totally
unit for modern presentation
A. al.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25
Ihe HOney171OOnerS
COhar1 s BeSf ShOrv


~ ~
disd ith MI Florence How erroneous
tilis idea can be appreciated when
tlie younger Jefferson fairly electrified
sthe tlsa sare-going world with hia per-
lornalce of that role IN his fathers
connsffy.
Cn.les attended the first night %
Y tigals the young Jefferson. ITO Kill
tin by comparisons Of his work with
tiat VI Florence. Nothing awful hap
paaed Those who were prepared to
btiIc the efforts of the young player
changed their ridicule tn praise and he
was unanimously pronounced 4 dis-
tinguisaed success.
Once again The Rivals had changed
ridicule I'd praise, as it had done away
back there IN England. more than a
century before AS long ae the elder
Jefferson appeared upon the st6ge, his
eon was prominent In his support and
naugnt but praise has been showered
upon his efforts.
Willie JeHeson's Daring.
Meanwhile the younger son, viii
liam, was begging Tor the opportunity
To play Bob Acres, his fathers role:
He knew every line, every gesture, 81
the entire play. He had faith In his
ability and his father shared it with him.
In 1893, when the father was ap-
pearing in Pittsburg, Pa, Willie
went u visit him. That trip 10 the
Smoky City IS an epoch IN the boys
life. The father was taken suddenly ill.,.
II was impossible for the old gentleman
10 appear that evening, and. with every
seat in the house sold, disaster seemed
imminent.
Willie begged for the opportunity
10 play the part: TO take the place
81 him who stood foremost on the
American stage. 1t was the height of
daring. but finally the father, beiiev-
ing IN his boy, and bis boys faith,
consented that Willie should appear
as Bob
I A Pronounced Success.
1 what dreams were his that night
Willie Jefferson alone can tell. He
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

Thomas IcfIcfRon. an actor who was
born inlT46 and who was tho first u
che distinguished family W adopt 4
stage career, became q member. Of
the company then under the manage
ment Of David Garrick. who was, 81
that time. considered the greatest
actor of bio day
Mf JelIergoTl wae essentially come
dian, and about this time Garriek,
wlio had fondnegs for the heavier
STYLES of playing, decided 70 refrain
from Appearing Ia any comedies. This
was Tho opportunity for Jefferson, who
at once assumed the principal comedy
roles In al cf tho David darfick pro-
Il was shout i77o that oarick
produced The Rivals for the frat
line Of cOurse IL was only natural
that Garfick's principal comedian should
bc allotted the part Of Bob Acres,
Here II was that the combination q q
| Jefferson portraying the part Of Fight
| Ing Bob began and ever since that
memorable night that combination has
ccntinued,
A Joseph Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson. the first. died
N 1907, leaving behind him wife
and two sons, tho elder Of whom was
called Joseph. He was born In i774.
As q young man, Joseph evinced dc-
cided talent for the stage, and IN 1875,
IA a very mediocre company, he por-
trnyed Bob Acres in one Of the small
English cities, He appeared IN the part
/ ior several performances and then, for
some reason which Ia now unknown,
abandoned the play.
Comes to America
He came 10 America in 1907. bringing
with him a carefully constructed
prompt.book of The Rivals. This he
never personally used in America, yet
/ he treasured Il and gave Il 70 his son.
who was born In 1904.
This Young man was also named
Jcscph--aftsr bis father. This makes
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

Continued On page i2)
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

A Jefferson Enters,
IN f774, while Sheridan waA working
On the manuscript Of The Rivals,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-25

What dreams were his that night
Willie Jefferson alone can tell. He
Mower County transcript., 1908-06-10
ROTATING CROPS.
Such System Improves the Land in
Many Ways.

The rotating of crops improves the
land in several ways. One way is by
adding nitrogen to it, If leguminous
crops are grown in the rotation. It
is an error to suppose, however, that
all kinds of fertility are added to land
by the rotations. The rotating has it's
limitations, but with that understand.
ing, it as a good thing.
One advantage of rotation is to
clean out noxious weeds that may get
into the land in various ways Some
times field devoted to the growing Of
wheat becomes filed with mustard
and other weeds injurious to the pro-
duction Of crops of commercial value.
Mustard is not weed except when it
is out of place.
Old hay meadows become so fnfest-
ed with worms that the hay crop is
often greatly reduced. Changing to
some other crop for few years makes
1t possible to eradicate the worms
Wireworms especially can be gotten
rid Of in this way.
There are other advantages of 70
tation that we perhaps do not under
stand ct this time, says the Farmers
Review. Thus, sometimes certain
crops are rotated with each other and
show an increased yield due to rota
tion, while the food requirements of
the crops are quite similar.