Evening star., 1932-02-28

OF OEidfng IN UHtCh
more than possible that either Mr.. Christy or
one OF his best singers sang at least 10 verses,
more or less, of that good old song. Wait for
the Wagon" which went like this
will you come with me. my Phillis dear, to
yon blue mountain free,
Where the blossoms smell the sweetest,
come rove along with me?
It's evry Sunday morning when I am by
your side
Well jump into the wagon. and all take .
ride.
Wait for the wagon.
Wait for the wagon,
Wait for the wagon,
And we'll all take q ride"
on the radio, but the writer has no recollection
Of having heard this one recently. though he
well remembers hearing his mother singing it
when he was child
Apparently Christy had q lease on the prop
erty, for Mr.. Ford not able to improve his
theater and open 1t under his auspices until
August 49, 1862, The Star OF the following
day said:
"Ford's Theater opened last night under
very favorable auspices-a large and appre
ciative audience witnessing the initiatory per-
formance. Mr.. j. S. Clarke fully sustained his
high reputation Of the very best come
dians on the stage, and was received with tre-
mendous applause. Tonight will be presented
the eccentric and laughable comedy Of Mar
ried Life with Mr.. Clarke as Mr.. Dore. My
Neighbors Wife will conclude the performance.
Miss Jennie Parker will appear this evening in
conjunction with the brilliant galaxy Of star
performers announced in our advertising col
umn"
A S will be seen, Mr.. Ford did not operate
this playhouse long before he met a seri-
Gus reverse, for just four months later the
building was destroyed by fire. and this ended
the First Baptist Church which formerly oc
cupied this site.
full account of this fire can be found in
The Star of December 81, 1862, a part of
which follows:
"Ford's Theater Destroyed by Fire.-At about
half-past o'clock last evening" an alarm Of
fire was given, and Ford's fine new theater was
discovered to be in flames. How the fire
originated is yet a matter Of doubt The car
penters were at work on the stage all the after
noon, and about the time Of the alarm the
traps were lifted some three four inches by
current OF hot air, which compelled the work
men to leave their posts. One of them ran into
the adjoining saloon and informed Mr.. Fitz-
simmons. Mr. Ford's agent, and also Harry Ford,
the treasurer, that the theater was on fire.
The head carpenter. Mr.. Clifford states that he
heard an explosion under the stage, and that
in an instant thereafter the stage and scenery
we're in flames.
ut was at first supposed that the fire orig
mated from a stove in corner back OF
the stage, in close proximity to the scenery,
but it is now believed that the gas had escaped
from a defective meter underneath the stage.
and that the xplosion which the head car
penter heard was caused by the accumulation
Of gas, which had by some means been set on
fire.
Some time before the fire, while Mr. H. Ford
was engaged in selling tickets to two gentle
men, a man came in and said he was sent
to take the state Of the meter To do so
properly, under the stage, it is necessary to
strike light, and 1t is possible that the match
used was thrown carelessly down, amongst
lot Of shavings as part of the cellar is
used carpenter shop.
"Mr Fitzsimmons and Mr., Ford at first at
tempted to get into the building by the back