Evening star., 1946-04-14


cantatrice," who opened the house
November 19.
Fire of '62 Destroyed
Original Ford Theater
George Christy and his Ministries fol-
lowed Miss Patti and the theater is re-
ferred to as George Christys New
Opera House" Christys lease having
expired John T. Ford got control of the
property and opened on August 26, 1862,
as "Ford's T'heater" Four months later.
on December 80, the building was en-
tirely destroyed by fire-and this wa
the end of the structure that had once
done duty as a church.
Mr.. Ford was an alert businessman
and in just a year from the burning OF
the old building, the ruins had been re-
moved and a modern theater erected on
the spot. The proprietor did not hesti-
tate to advertise the fact in the city
directory for 1865.
The new building was severely plain,
just as we see 1t today, but the interior
is said to have been very attractive,
the arrangement of seats being totally
unlike that of most theaters.' The
parquette was equipped with cane-seat
chairs, rising in gradual elevation, so
that an unobstructed view of the stage
could be had by every one. The first
tier, or balcony, was said to have been
commodious and opened into retiring
salon, brilliantly Illuminated. second
tier, corresponding to the family circle,
completed the seating part of the house
There were eight private boxes in
the theater built on new and original
lines. four on each side of the stage,
two lower and two upper The lower
ones are said to have been scarcely
more than loopholes, and to have been
excellent points from which to see and
remain unseen, if one wished to do so.
The upper boxes were elevated but a
short distance, and from them any one
might easily leap onto the stage.
The four upper boxes were the best
equipped and arranged in the theater,
and were roomy. "It is in them" an
old account says, that the most mag
nif1cent displays of toilette are made
upon nights of opera, and they at once
command the whole house and are
central points of inspection from it.
Each accommodates quite a party, and
the locale Is SO arranged that the
greater portion Of the occupants, except
those in the back of the box, are In
full view of the audience"
Booths Dramatic Act
Timed for Effect
The Presidents box included the two
upper boxes on the right-hand side of
the house, facing the stage With Booth,
everything was planned with exactness.
The assassin was quite familiar with
the lines and so he sought time when
the action of the piece required the
stage to be almost vacant, and when all
eyes would be turned toward the stage
awaiting the entrance of Florence
Trenchard miss Keene), when she
would say, What do you mean by do
ing all these dreadful things?" This
came about $50 o'clock
Mrs. H. Huzzy, as Mrs Mountchessing-
ton in the play, had just retired from
the stage, saying to Asa Trenchard
Harry Hawk as she was leaving:
L am aware, Mr.. Trenchard, you are
not used to the manners of good society,
and that alone will excuse the imperti-
hence Of which you have been guilty"
1t was then that Booth leaped to
The stage, crossed some feet in front
Of Mr.. Hawk. passed Miss Keene and
w. j. Ferguson, then standing in the
oassageway, rushed past Withers, the
leader. made his escape by
way OF rear door, and a crime was
that made a Nation weep
and the whole world mourn.
Much has been written of the death
u Lincoln and little can be added but
many who would like to know some
hing about the play that was being so
performed on that fatal Good
friday night, when even the humblest
homes Of Washington were decorated
Ind illuminated in token of the sur-
ender OF Lees army at Appomattox.
ust five days before
Our American Cousin" was COM
new play when it was being
'erformed at Ford's Theater on the
light Of April IA, 1865. It had its
initial performance at Laura Keenes
rheater. New York, on October 18, 1858.
The cast of characters at Ford's in
'luded John Dyott as Abel Marcott.
'lerk to attorney; Harry Hawk. Asa
Crenchard; T. C. Gourlay, Sir Edward
Crenchard; E. A. Emerson, Lord Dun
lreary; J. Matthews, Mr.. Coyle. attor-
hey; w. j. Ferguson, Vernon. r. N.
;. Byrnes, Capt. De Boots; G. GSSpear.
'inney; j. H. Evans, Buddicomb, a
'alet; j. L. De Bonay, John Wicker, a
ardener; Rasper. a groom; G. A.
'arkhurst and L. johnson, bailiffs; Miss
!. L. Gourlay, Mary Trenchard; Mrs.
I. Huzzy. Mrs. Mountchessington: Miss
l. Trueman, Augusta; Miss M. Hart.
5eorgiana; Mrs. J. H. Evans, Sharpe,
nd Miss M. Gourlay. Skillet.