The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-12-17

Gr6en MOUNTAIN state pTOA1Dlt1uS lIdN-
cling theatrical companies. From Will |
company into New York state. He |
which gave the people of Vermont hv-f
ing on the other shore an opportunity |
to see the drama. When the company
appeared in Port Henry, Essex and
Westport fully one-half of the audi
ences was composed of Vermonters who
crossed the lake in boats or on the fer
ries. In Westport there was an engage
ment of week and steamer was run
each night from Vergennes to carry
the theatre-goers from that city. From
the lake towns the company vent to
Ogdensburg and then into the western
section of New York.
These early productions Of the drama
were rather crude and the author was
continually changing the lines as he
saw opportunity for improvement. The
parts We're then in manuscript, not hav
ing been published. Aitkin was with
the company less than six months. AS
soon as he had completed the re-
visions he thought necessary he went
to Troy, n. Y, where he organized a
troupe and where Uncle Tom s Cabin
was produced for the. first time by a
stock company on the evening of June
IS, 1852, at the old Trey museum.
Writers of stage history generally have
recorded the opening night by Ait
kin s company in Troy as the initial
production of the play, but Uncle Tom s
Cabin had previously been on the road
fully half year and had been seen by
hundreds of people.
When Aitkin left his original com
Ipany Worcester became its manager
and it was under his direction that the
troupe made its western New York
tour. The actors remained together 6
(, year, but Uncle Tom S Cabin was tho
only production attempted.
After his success with the origina
Uncle Tom S Cabin company Worcestel
= experienced little difficulty in securing
:, engagements with the leading stoc
Il companies. He was usually listed a
first old man, but not infrequentl,
d as stage manager. After his return
e from the Civil war most of his engage
l ments We're in the latter capacity.
Worcester enlisted in the 9th Con
II necticut regiment. When his term o
enlistment expired he returned to hi
n old home in Vermont somewhat broke
Il in health by the hardships of the SCI
c vice. After regaining his health h
secured an engagement with Forester
II New York troupe. In the fall of 1S6
e his company appeared at Montpelie
the Vermont state capital, during tn
e session of the legislature, and he T,
y membered announcing President Lii
II coin s reelection from the stage A
l. that time he was playing the part c
$, Old Hurricane in The Hidden Han,
l. Later he became stage manager for Am
N Stone and when she obtained an oppo
'r tunity to make a professional tour
lie Australia he bought the company an
50 kept it on the road a number of yea
n with a repertoire of sensations
It dramas. He was stage manager f,
IN Laura Keene during the two years pr
OF ceding her retirement.
n. Worcester left the stage in 1874 al
Of took up his residence ia BridgepoI
ne Conn, where for II years he was
n member of the police force. Resignir
a fom his position as policeman, he move
nd to Montpelier, where he bought sms
ne farm. After residence of sever
lie years in that city he sold his proper
ne and moved to Roxbury, in the sar
ed county, where in February, 1909, /
I'D nervous system broke down folIowi1
ed the long and final illness of his vii
lie and he was admitted to the Soldier
lis Home.