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Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 20, 1875
Clara Morris
Clara Morris - a terrible surgical operation - The wonderful surgical operation performed on the person of Clara Morris, the well known New York actress, in Paris, is described in a letter from a friend of that lady. "Miss Morris’ disease was curvature of the spine.Treated years ago, it could probably have been arrested, but it was a crisis in her profession, and upon success in surmounting many obstacles, her whole future seemed to depend, and she could not spare time for a medical treatment.
A sea voyage failed entirely to produce any change for the better, and a list of the highest medical authorities abroad confirmed her worst fears and condemned her to a horrible operation, the same which Charles Sumner submitted to, for the cure of the same disease. Its main feature is the burning of the flesh of the back from the neck down to the waist with red hot irons.
The operation was performed in Paris, in the presence of Mrs. Worthington, Miss Gabrielle Greeley and Sir William Belmore, the attending physician. Miss Gabrielle Greeley also writes a letter to a New Yorker in which she says "Poor Clara was obliged to sit on a low chair with her back bared, and she went through the operation with her face pale and rigid as marble. Dr. Belvin lit his furnace, and the roaring of the flames that was to heat the iron to a white heat in a few seconds was dreadful to hear, and while this was going on Professor Ball marked with a pencil the line the iron was to follow on either side of the spine.
Every touch of the pencil sent a thrill through the delicate frame of the poor victim, but the Professor had scarcely ended making the penciled marks when with a flash the iron was applied. It was dreadful. The white point seemed to sink an inch into the quivering form, and it was all over. The doctor said it was a wonderful exhibit of nerves."
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 20, 1875
News of the week
As some boys were playing theatre [i.e. theater] in a stable in Philadelphia Sat. night,William Wise, aged 11, accidentally shot and killed Samuel Stroup, aged 13, with a gun, which was not supposed to be loaded. Wise has been arrested.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Foreign
A letter from Germany says Jenny Lind Goldsmith recently volunteered to play the melodeon in the English Church at Carlsbad which she was attending unrecognized. She appeared to be a woman of 50 or upward, with nothing about her to attract attention, and was dressed with great plainness and simplicity, without ornament of any kind. Her countenance, no longer beautiful, seemed marked by sorrow, sadness and care.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
What is it?
What is it? Magic or Spirits? Mrs. Blair, the world renowned Spirit Artist, will give an exhibition of her wonderful power as a medium, on Tues. eve., Aug. 31, at Franklin Hall, Greenfield...She paints while thoroughly blindfolded, in the presence of the audience, producing the most wonderful paintings in an incredibly short time. Seance preceded by a lecture by Mr. Taylor of Boston. Admission 25 cents.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
Deerfield
We find the following in the New Haven Daily Union. As Mr. Hutchins is a Deerfield boy, it will be of interest to his friends in this locality:
"Professor Frank Hutchins, well known personal friend and fellow townsman, will make his debut with a cornet solo (Whirlwind Polka) at Loomis's Temple of Music http://www.rootsweb....io/Leichter_Max.html New Haven, Fri. eve. Aug. 27, in the grand social entertainment given under the Free Lecture Association. Mr. Hutchins is a member and first cornet performer for the Wallingford Band, a superior and talented musician, with a power of execution upon his favorite instrument seldom witnessed. The New Haven people musically interested have a rare treat in prospect on the coming occasion".
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
Foreign
Victoria Anderson, a rope dancer [tightrope walker], 23 years old, who once performed in Barnum's hippodrome, fell from a velocipede on a rope 80 ft. high during a performance at Berlin recently, and was killed.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
News of the week
Tom Thumb has a rival in Admiral Tom Trump, a Dutchman of 26, who is 6 inches shorter than the American dwarf and weighs but 26 pounds. He is very intelligent, and speaks 5 languages fluently, English, French, Dutch, German and Italian.
[See more in the Aug. 23, 1875 article entitled "A rival of Tom Thumb" in the New York Times Online Archives].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 23, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
H. Clarence Eddy treated a few of his Greenfield friends to an "organ recital" at the Second Congregational Church Fri. aft. The 150 or more who were in attendance included acquaintances and people of musical tastes in our village and Deerfield, and several of the summer visitors in the latter place. The concert gave the most pleasing satisfaction.
Many of the selections were of difficult execution, but Mr. Eddy proved himself, as on previous occasions, thoroughly familiar with every detail of his art. The more simple and familiar pieces were, however, the ones most fully appreciated, eliciting the warmest applause. The "Christmas pastoral", "Bridal Song" and variations on "Annie Laurie" were to our uncultured ears the gems of the programme. We assure Mr. E. that Greenfield people take no little pride in his attainments and fame, and are thankful for any opportunity to listen to his accomplished playing. Mr. Eddy leaves town today, via Boston, for Chicago.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 16, 1875
Amputation
Mr. George M. Clark, of Whitmore & Clark's Minstrels, who accidentally shot off one of his fingers while giving an exhibition in Rutland last Spring, has recently submitted to an amputation of the arm, which became necessary from inflammation which proceeded from the pistol wound.
Spending a few days with friends in Rowe (which by the way is one of the pleasantest towns in the State) I attended an entertainment at "Ford Hall", gotten up by F.M. Bicknell and George Ballou, assisted by the young people in the vicinity, for their own amusement and instruction and for the benefit of the ladies' sewing circle, consisting of songs, tableaux, pantomimes, etc., which as a whole was the best I ever saw, outside the walls of a first class theater.
The performance commenced with an instrumental overture, after which "Villikens and his Dinah" was acted to perfection, followed by songs, tableaux, and a dialogue by 6 young ladies, which was well acted and which received much applause. But the main feature of the evening was the pantomime entitled "The Haunted Hotel", occupying about an hour in its performance. The costumes were faultless, the acting was perfect, and the slight of hand tricks [i.e. sleight of hand tricks] and transformations which frequently occurred throughout the piece, would have been creditable to a professor of legerdemain...A Friend to Home Talent.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
A religious seance
A "religious seance" at Boston Sun. night, at which 12 powerful mediums were to be produced, and do extraordinary things by gas light, was terminated early in the evening by the hoots and jeers of the audience. During the eve. the magician Herman [Hermann the Great http://www.magicrealm.50megs.com/html/history.html ] was called on the stage and offered to do all the feats performed by the "spirits" if allowed to enter the cabinet.
This privilege was refused, and he then performed outside numerous tricks with handkerchiefs and ropes, greatly to the amusement of the skeptical portion of the audience, and the disgust of the mediums and their followers. Prof. Tobin announces that he will expose the so-called spiritual manifestations next Sun. night.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
Centennnial circus
[Illustration of a daredevil lying atop the back of a racing horse under a bigtop tent]. A genuine, old-fashioned circus is coming! Melville, Maginley & Cooke’s Centennial Circus and Thespian Company, will give 2 of their unique and pleasing entertainments at Greenfield, Wed., July 28. Doors open at 1 and at 7. Performances 2 and 8. A galaxy of stars will appear at each entertainment, among whom will be many artists well known to the amusement loving public. For description of entertainment see posters and small bills.
At 10 a.m. the elegant Band Chariot, drawn by 10 beautiful dappled gray horses, magnificently caparisoned, and bearing thereon Joseph Wither’s Celebrated Brass Band, followed by the Ring, Trick and Manege Horses, ponys [sic] and mules, will enter the town, passing through the principle streets, and discoursing the popular airs of the day.
In the eve. will be produced the Grand Military and Historic drama of "Putnam, the Iron Son of ’76". In this great equestrian drama there will appear 100 men, women, Indians and horses. The battlefield will be a most exciting scene, and the Sword Combats on Horseback, the hand-to-hand fights, the escape of Putnam, the rescue of Kate Putnam, and Grand Tableaux, brilliantly illuminated by colored fires, will be the grandest scene ever beheld in this country.
Admission 50 cents; children under 10 years of age, 25 cents.
Remember the dates: Greenfield, July 28; Shelburne Falls, July 27; Northampton, July 29. A.M. Nathans, General Agent.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Nellie Daniels, the well known vocalist and instrumentalist, who has visited Greenfield several times of late, died at West Brookfield on Fri., age 29.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
H.C. Eddy, on Thurs. eve. last, played at a concert in Robert Collyer's church, Chicago, the occasion being the exhibition of a very fine organ (Hook's) Anna Cary of Boston sang. He also goes to Oberlin, Ohio, to exhibit a new organ, and plays in concerts at the same places on the 3rd and 5th of Aug, after which he will come East on a vacation, reaching Greenfield about the 10th of August.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
Dragged in a balloon through a night on Lake Ontario
This article has it that Prof. Donaldson had a harrowing experience with his balloon and was rescued. The truth, though, is that Washington If. Donaldson, the famous aeronaut, drowned in Lake Michigan on July 15, 1875. See the whole story at http://www.famousame...shingtonifdonaldson/
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
The Odd Fellows’ picnic
The annual excursion of the Connecticut River Valley Association of Odd Fellows to Lake Pleasant next Thurs., promises to be the largest pleasure gathering ever held there, and the executive committee have made arrangements for an unusually brilliant affair. The Hartford City, Fitchburg and Keene, N.H. cornet bands will be in attendance, and will give a grand band concert during the day.
J.A. Maxam of Keene, who has won considerable reputation as a vocalist at Odd Fellow gatherings, will furnish some of the best things in his repertoire, while the Keene Glee Club and Billy Fisher will add to the musical attractions. For amusements there will be two boat races on the lake one of which will be open to ladies only, a tub race and a sack race ; and ample facilities for boating, swinging, "tetering" [i.e. teetering] and dancing, with music by Southland’s orchestra, and Tommy Holland to prompt.
Not the least of the attractions will be a grand encampment parade, in full regaalia, participated in by Agawam encampment of Springfield, King David of Fitchburg, Oasis of Brattleboro, Vt., Monadnock of Keene and others. No less than 9 lodges and 6 encampments will be on the grounds, besides the large no. of friends who always attend the association’s gatherings. Richardson, the caterer, will be in attendance to supply the wants of all who do not carry their own provisions.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, June 14, 1875
News of the week
The manager of the Tremont Opera House at Galveston, Texas, was recently fined $500 for refusing two colored women seats in the parquette of his theater. The Galveston News commented on this decision, and now the publishers of that paper are under arrest for contempt of court. The action of the Judge occasions considerable excitement at Galveston. [A slightly different version of this story can be found in the Handbook of Texas Online].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 24, 1875
Murray's Circus
John H. Murray's Great Railroad Circus will perform in this town on Mon. aft. and eve. Mr. Murray, who always brings us a good show, seems to have outdone himself this time. His troupe is larger and better than ever before, and the performance embraces a multiplicity of attractions. Among the list of performers are enrolled the names of Hubert Cooke, who makes his first appearance in this country in his specialty of "The English Jockey"; Mlle.. Adelaide, equestrian; Whimsical Walker http://www.peoplepla...ct.php?object_id=471 trick clown; Mlle. Eva, tight rope performer; Professor Leon and his three sons, Edward, Alfred and Joseph; Horace and Fanny, Gymnasts; Wooda Cook, somersault rider; Mlle. Louise Cottrell, equestrian; Tom Barry, clown and vocalist; Mlle. Turnour, equestrian; Signor Cottrell, clown; James E. Cooke, rider of 6 horses; Eugene Leech and Clifford Leopold. Mentor's Band will furnish music at each entertainment.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 24, 1875
The husband of Ida Greeley
Col Smith is generally rated in Kansas as the handsomest man in the United States. He resembles Edwin Booth, and has often been taken for the great actor, but upon close inspection is always conceded to be a better looking man... http://www.newcastle...Family%20History.htm .
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 17, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
We regret that Washington hall was not more completely filled on Tues. eve. so that the Estey Guards of Brattleboro might have had the pecuniary success they so richly deserved. But still the audience was a very fair one and made up from the best circles of our village society. The frequent applause, given in a spontaneous, enthusiastic way, attested the highest appreciation of the play and the fine acting.
/ The drama presented was Tom Taylor's "Ticket of Leave Man", and as amateurs who have had but slight acquaintance with the stage, our neighbors from Brattleboro fairly surprised us with their artistic acquirements. Mr. Libby's "Bob Brierly", Mr. Willis' "James Dalton", Mr. Underwood's "Hawkshaw" and Miss Sprague's "May Edwards" showed the finest conception of the play and ability to personate its characters like true professionals. The minor parts were also well sustained, and we promise the Guards a brilliant career before the foot lights if the entertainment here is but a beginning. The Guards were accompanied by an excellent orchestra, which furnished music of the highest order. Come again.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 10, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
No play has ever been put on the stage, which has had a longer and more popular run than the drama from Mrs. Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin". As will be seen from an announcement elsewhere, this play is to be presented here Wed. eve., by Wood's Museum Combination from New York. The part of Little Eva is personated by Mabel Leonard [a very interesting article about Miss Leonard appears in the New York Times of July 1, 1879]. The Elmira Gazette, speaking of her, says "Never have we seen such a wonderful performance as this beautiful child gave at the Opera House last night. Her acting is perfect and her singing sublime - especially her song to her papa, which elicited not only rounds of applause but drew tears from the ladies present and also some of the sterner sex". Reserved seats for sale at Moody's.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, May 10, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Prof. W.H. Donaldson's balloon, the "P.T. Barnum" went up from the Hippodrome in Springfield Sat. aft., made a landing in Greenfield about half past 5, just an hour from the start. The Professor was accompanied by two ladies and two little girls. They came down just in the rear of J.M. Munson's house, C.M. Munson being the man to catch the drag rope. The party spent Sat. night at the Mansion House, and took the Sun. morning train to Springfield.
- Sun, Feb 21, 2010
