Sangamon County, Illinois - City of Springfield 563, 1881 (part 25 of 25)

The Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank was chartered in 1851 as an Insurance Company with banking privileges. Only the latter were ever used, the institution never organizing as an insurance company. The 78 - charter was granted to Robert Irwin, John Williams, Jacob Bunn, William B. Fonday and John C. Lamb. The first officers were Antrim Campbell, President, and J. C. Sprigg, Cashier. In September, 1854, Thomas Condell became President, upon the resignation of Mr. Campbell. In 18GS, R. F. Ruth became President, and has since occupied the position. Robert Irwin was the successor of Mr. Sprigg, as Cashier, Mr. Irwin died in the spring of 1865, and was succeeded by B. H. Ferguson, the present Cashier. The building occupied by the bank was erected by the old Illinois State Bank, and was purchased by the Marine and Fire Insurance Company on its organiztion. The bank incorporated with a capital of $100,000, has a large surplus, and does a business equal to any bank outside of Chicago.

The First National Bank. - This bank was organized December 12, 1863, but did not begin business until May 1, 1864. The first officers were John Williams, President; George N. Black, Cashier. It succeeded the private banking house of John Williams & Company, which had been doing a safe and profitable business for some vears. The original capital stock of the First 'National was $125 000. It has since been increased to $250,000. In 1866, Frank W. Tracy succeeded Mr. Black as Cashier. In 1874, Noah W. Matheny became President. Upon his death, which occurred in the spring of 1877, C. W. Matheny succeeded him. He also died in April, 1879, when Mr. Tracy was elected to that position, and H. K. Weber became Cashier. This banking house was first established on the northwest corner of Fifth and Washington streets, where it remained until the present fine building was erected in 1878, especially for its occupancy. It stands on the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington, and cost $25,000. This bank has been a United States depository since it was first opened for business. Its deposits average over $1,000,000, and carries loans from $700,000 to $800,000. The fine safes of the bank, manufactured by Hall, at a cost of over $5,000, and its ability to keep valuables in absolute security, has also led to the doing of a safe-deposit business for the general public, and money, bonds, securities and other valuables are here guarded and protected against the possibility of loss. As a depository of the United States the bank has, it is estimated, received and disbursed for the government, over $50,000,000.

sidered the best located bank building in the city, - a banking business having been carried on at this corner for nearly twenty-five years. The State National commenced business on January 1, 1871. Its abundant capital of -$200,000 was subscribed by a large nnmber of the wealthiest and most prominent business men of the city and county. Notwithstanding it was the last bank organized in the city, it has steadily grown in public favor and gained in profitable business until now it is among the largest and strongest financial institutions in the State of Illinois, as will be seen by its last published statement made to the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington, in compliance with the provisions of the National Banking law. The following is a copy of the statement:

Boakd Of Trade

The Springfield Board of Trade was organized in May, 1880, with one hundred members. Dudley Wickersham was elected President; O. H. Miner, Secretary; F. K. Whittemore, Treasurer. R. D. Lawrence is the present President, and in January, 1881, John G. Ives was elected Secretary in place of Mr. Miner, deceased. The Board is operated under the general system governing such bodies. Its headquarters are in the second story of the brick building, on the southwest corner of Seventh and Washington streets.

Mres And Fire Department

It has been many years since the old volunteer ''bucket brigade" gave way to the systematic fire department, with its engines, hose carriages, and other appliances for extinguishing a fire. For many years the fire department, as originally organized, was upon the volunteer plan, and it was not until 1869, that a paid department was thought advisable by the " poAvers that be" - the City Council. The following named constitutes the department as it now exists: Thomas Dunn, Fire Marshal; John H. Freeman and Julius Cottett, Engineers; Merritt Whipple, James Davis, Firemen; Augustus Miller, A. O. Sanders, Hosemen; Oscar Phillips, Samuel Hunt, Drivers; Henry Miller, Thomas Rourke, Hook and Ladder Men; Harry Hooker, George Hodge, William Donnelly, Philip Hoffman, John Rourke, J. C. Decker, Extra Hosemen. The Fire Marshal receives a salary of $2.5.00 per month, and is only required to serve in case of fire; all other men, with the exception of extra hosemen, receive $55.00 per month, devoting their entire time to the work. The extra hosemen receive $12.50 per month, and are required only to report for active duty in case of fire.

The department has two engines, with hose carriages, hook and ladder truck, and are supplied with such other things as they deem necessary for active service.

During the year 1880-81, there were sixtyseven alarms, some of which were false ones, and fires doing damage to the amount of about $12,000. This is certainly a good record, and speaks well for the "boys."

It is impossible to give anything like a record of the fires in this connection, therefore only a few are given as a specimen of how fire can destroy, and to serve as a reminder to the old settler.

On Saturday evening, February 13, 1858, a destructive fire occurred, beginning on the east side of the square, in the crockery store of William McCabe & Company, and from there extending to the drug store of Corneau & Diller, adjoining on the north. The next building destroyed was that of Benjamine Piatt. Here, for a time, the fire was stopped, but the wooden rear of the book-store of Paine, Booraem & Co. having caught from the smouldering ruins of McCabe's store, that house was consumed in spite of all efforts to save it. With the destruction of this building it was again supposed the fire was at an end, as the remaining store houses appeared to be entirely free from danger, but about two o'clock, a. m., the alarm was again sounded, and it was discovered that the dry goods store of C. W. Matheny was on fire under the roof. Every effort made to subdue it was in vain. The fire rapidly spread until three more

On Wednesday night, October 6th, 1858, the freight house of the Chicago & Alton Railroad was destroyed by fire, together with the greater quantity of freight stored therein. The building was a frame one 40x400 feet, and was of but little value, but a large amount of freight was then on hand. The loss was estimated at 110,000.

On Sunday morning, April 21, 1860, a fire broke out in a livery stable on Washington street, and spreading, burned several other buildings, including the wagon and carriage factory of Withey Brothers, entailing a loss upon this firm of $15,000. The total loss by the fire was about $25,000.

A fire occurred Monday evening, March 13, 1865, commencing in the drug store of T. J. V. Owen, druggist, destroying the building occupied by Mr. Owen and the bookstore of A. B. Mackenzie. Adjoining buildings somewhat damaged. Total loss about $35,000,

On Tuesday night, February 21, 1870, a fire was discovered in the fourth story of a building occupied by H. W. Rokker, on the east side of Fifth near Monroe street. The building was owned by Black & Amos, and was occupied by H. W. Rokker as a book bindery; H. G. Reynolds, publisher of Masonic Trowel, and by the American Sewing Machine Company. It was entirely destroyed. The building next on the north, owned by Mrs. E. S. Johnson and Mr. Hickman was also destroyed, except the walls, which were left standing. The first story was occupied by Mr. Hammer for the sale of secondhand furniture, stoves and other articles. The building north of Mrs. Johnson's was damaged somewhat, but not destroyed.

The Masonic Hall building, on the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets, was next attacked by the fire and the roof and third story destroyed, the first and second stories, with their contents, being saved. The third story was occupied by four of the Masonic lodges of the city. In this room were the records of the lodges, together with the valuable regalias belonging to the order, which were destroyed. The estimated loss of all parties was $67,300.

The City Of The Dead

Here the fearful and the bold, Here the matron and the maid, In one silent bed are laid; Here the vassal and the king. Side by side lay withering; Here the swoid and scepter rust - ' Earth to earth, and dust to dust.'"

"Man was born to die." Day by day, the number of the inhabitants of the "city of the dead " increases. Here they remain until the resurrection. Says James C. Conkling, in his address at the dedication of Oak Ridge Cemetery: "Standing upon the borders of the tomb, methinks I hear the mighty tread of unnumbered millions, as they are traveling onward from the cradle to the grave. Firmly and steadily they are pressing forward, resistless as fate. No obstacle can impede their progress. Neither the threats of power, nor the blandishments of love, nor the influences of wealth, can check their inevitable career. Indolence cannot retard, pleasures cannot divert, riches cannot bribe them to halt in the midst of their onward course. Inexorable destiny presses them forward, without a moment's respite, to the tomb. The heavy tramp of their mai'ch resounds through all the earth. It may be heard amid the frozen regions of the North, as the bold adventurer forces his passage across their icy plains in search of glory or of gain. It echoes amid the desert sands, parched by the burning blaze of a southern sun. From the far distant islands of the sea, mingled with the eternal roar of the surf that dashes upon their rock-bound shores, it comes booming across the mighty waste of waters. It resounds with the noise of the caravan, whose bones are left to bleach upon the arid plain. It is wafted upon our western breezes, with the dying groans of thousands who rush in search of golden treasures. It follows in the wake of the gallant ship, as she plows her lonely course along the trackless deep. It rises above the din of commerce upon the crowded mart. In the secluded valley, upon the fertile prairie, and on the mountain top, it is mingled with the wailing and lamentations of the mourner. Amidst the wretched hovels of the poor, and the gorgeous palaces of the rich; in the dark lane, as well as upon the broad avenue, amid the whispers of affection by the dying couch, and above the raging tumult of the battle field, may still be heard that ponderous tread of humanity, as it marches onward to the grave, in obedience to the fiat ef the Almighty, ' Uust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.'" donated by Elijah lies, and long known as the "City Grave Yard." The second is the wellknown Hutchinson Cemetery, lying west of the City Grave Yard, and the third is Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Charles H. Lanphier, Esq., who was at that time, 1855, a member of the City Council, representing the Second Ward, is entitled to the credit of inaugurating the enterprise which has resulted so successfully in what Oak Ridge is today.

From the small beginning, and the limited area of the first purchase, at a cost of $350, it has now come to rank among the most noted and best improved of American cemeteries.

The original plans and plats of the grounds were made by Mr. William Sides, City Engineer. Under his plans the lots were laid out in squares, regardless of natural slopes and ravines, or of the general character of the ground, wholly unadapted to the purpose of a rural cemetery, and they were therefore very soon abandoned.

The second survey and plat was made by Mr. William Saunders, of Washington, D. C. His plan, in its general features, was more practicable, and in keeping with the natural features of the grounds.

As perfected and thus far carried out, it has been the work of successive Boards of Managers, whose study and observation of older cemeteries, to-wit, those of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, have enabled them to profit by what has elsewhere been accomplished, in adapting a system of landscape gardening to the purposes of cemetery improvement.

The grounds of this Institution now comprise seventy-four acres. The first purchase of a tract of land outside of the city limits of Springfield, for burial purposes, was made in June, 1855, and in May, 1856, a second purchase was made, enlarging the area to twenty-eight and one-half acres. The site chosen was a most beautiful one. Situated about two miles north of the Capitol, with undulating surface and pleasing blending of hill and dale, interspersed with a natural growth of deciduous trees, the location was peculiarly fitted for the purpose of sculpture. Forest trees of various species being the prevailing shade, the name of Oak Ridge Cemetery was, at the suggestion of Hon. John Cook, Mayor of the city, given to what has now become one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the land. Previous to 1858 but little improvement was made of the grounds, except to enclose them with a common post and board fence. On the 18th of* April, of that year, Mr. George Willis was appointed sexton, by the City Council.

Being under the exclusive control of the City Council, and its rules and regulations consequently liable to influences and changes not in accordance with the desires and feelings of lot owners, the cemetery did not at once gain the public favor which was desirable and neccessary to its proper maintainance and improvement. It was therefore deemed advisable by the council to obtain such charter amendments as would more specifically define the tenure of lot owners. Such amendments were obtained fi'om the legislature in 1859.

In April, 1860, under the Amended Charter, the first Board of Managers was chosen, as follows: Turner R. King, President; James L. Lamb, Gilbert S. Manning, Benjamin F. Fox; Presco Wright, Secretary. George Willis was appointed Sexton.

On Thursday, the 24th of May, 1860, according to a resolution of the Board of Managers above named, the cemetery grounds as originally laid out, were dedicated. The Mayor and members of the City Council, with a large concourse of citizens, participated in the imposing ceremonies of the occasion.

In this year, 1881, the grounds present a most beautiful appearance, and have a large number of handsome monuments, chief of which is the Lincoln Monument, a fine illustration of which is given in this work. Next after the Lincoln monument, as a conspicuous ornament to Oak Ridge, is that erected to the memory of Governor William H. Bissell. Situated in the eastern part of the cemetery, this most elaborate monument stands upon a limestone base, seven feet square, and is twenty-one feet in height. It is constructed of Italian marble, and is surmounted by an eagle holding a copper scroll in its beak.

The Soldiers' Monument is in the northwest part of the cemetery. Upon its four sides are the names of forty Union soldiers who died in the service or at home since the close of the war. The following are the names:

The Edwards monument is situated near the western boundary, and consists of a plain obelisk and plinth of Italian marble, supported by a limestone base, four feet square. The heighth of the structure is fourteen feet.

The Wohlgemuth monument is one of the most elaborate and beautiful yet erected within the cemetery grounds. It was executed by G. L. Jameison, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and the statue of Hope, in Carara marble, by which it is surmounted, was executed in Italy. The base is of red Missouri granite, the second base of gray Scotch, and the plinth and column of red Scotch granite. Its cost was $2,150.

Other monuments which attract the attention of all visitors are the McClernand, Ruth, Gibson, Kurr, Washington lies, Harrower, Colwell, Pasfield, Ridgely, Elijah lies. Smith, Fiagg, Haynie, Barrell, Matheny, and Bates.

Spkingfield Water Works

For the purpose of establishing water works, the city authorities of Springfield, a few years ago, purchased thirty acres of land adjoining the city on the north. From the business part of the city to this land, the surface rises gently until an elevation of eleven feet above the old State House grounds is attained. For the purpose of commanding as great an elevation as possible, the surface was made the bottom of the reservoir, and an embankment of one hundred feet wide at the base, sloping equally inside and out, until it was raised to twenty-two feet in height and twenty feet across the top. To make it water tight, the bottom and sides were puddled with blue clay and concrete, and the entire inside, except the bottom, covered with slabs of Joliet stone, imbedded in cement. One tier of slabs, or flag-stones, are laid flat on the top at the inner border, and a picket fence mounted on the stone around the enclosure.

The reservoir is a square, rounded at the coi*- ners. It is two hundred feet in diameter at the bottom, and about two hundred and seventy-five at the top, inside, and has a capacity of four million gallons. The embankment is nicely '^odded on the outside, and presents a beautiful appearance. The earth for making this embankment was taken from the grounds adjoining on the east, west and north, so as to make a miniature chain of lakes, with islands interspersed. These islands have shrubbery planted on them, and in time will form some of the most picturesque scenery imaginable. There is what is called a stand pipe in the center of the reservoir. It stands on the bottom, and is seventy feet high. It is embedded in a pedestal of concrete masonry ten or twelve feet in diameter and octagonal in form. The pedestal rises four or five feet above the surface of the water. This stand pipe is made of iron, and is three feet or more in diameter. On the pedestal at each of the eight sides there is a sea horse rampant, and a huge dolphin, four of each alternating, the whole fronting outward. Just above this group there is a vase, twelve or fifteen feet in diameter, and about ten feet above the vase, four swans, life size, attached to the stand pipe. Sea horses, dolphins, swans and vase, are all made of iron. The crest of the stand pipe is a combination of iron work, highly ornamental, and extending outward on all sides.

Thi'ee and one quarter miles north of the reservoir, on the bank of the Sangamon river, there is a house with a steam engine and two large pumps in it. There is also a very large well, about one hundred feet from shore, and connected by a tunnel. A very strong set of iron pipes, fifteen inches in diameter, is connected with the well and laid under ground ; the three and a quarter miles to the reservoir passes under the embankment, and connects with the standpipe at the bottom. These pumps at the river are so arranged that either one can be made to form the connecting link between the well and the pipe leading to the reservoir. When connected, one of them throws, ordinarilly, nine hundred and sixty gallons per minute, fiftyseven thousand six hundred per hour, or one million three hundred and eighty-two thousand

The top of the stand-pipe is one hundred and seventy feet higher than the pumps, and t hree and a quarter miles distant. Put the machine ry in motion, and we can soon have the water issuing on all sides, in the form of spray, from the ornamental work at the top of the stand-pipe, and falling over the swans into the vase; from there it is conaected by pipes to the four dolphins below, and from the mouth of each of these a stream of water spouts into the reservoir. In order to conduct the water to where it is wanted for use, there is a fifteen inch pipe laid from the reservoir, under ground, about one mile into the city; and where it is necessary to branch oflE, ten inch pipe is used, and again four inch, and so on down to the small pipes, leading into the different rooms of the houses.

I have said that the ground on which the reservoir stands is eleven feet above the city, and the water in the reservoir twenty-two feet higher, making thirty-three feet it will rise - when the pipes are properly placed in the houses - on the principle that water will find a level. Some of the buildings are higher than this, and in order to supply them with water, the pumping machinery and pipes are so arranged that when the engine is running at the river, water may be forced more than eighty feet above the surface, five miles away from the propelling power at the river.

The works are constructed with the view of supplying a city of forty or fifty thousand inhabitants, and as Springfield contains only about twenty-five thousand, there is danger that too much water will be pumped up and overflow the reservoir. This, however, is guarded against by an opening in the stand pipe, a foot or more below the level of the embankments. This opening in the stand pipe is connected by a smaller pipe, passing down inside the stand pipe, and out under the embankments, to the artificial lake with the islands in it, around the reservoir, thus preventing an overflow and supplying the artificial lake by the same operation.

The whole work w^as designed by Henry Earnshaw, hydraulic engineer, of the Cincinnati Water Works. The engine, pumps, statuary, and all the ornamental iron work, was made at the foundry of Miles Greenwood, in Cincinnati. The construction of the work was superintended by John C. Ragland, of Springfield, under orders from the commissioners - John Williams, C. W. Matheny, and Dr. H. Wohlgemuth. It was commenced June 1, 1866, and

John C. Ragland continued to superintend the works for some years, being succeeded by Smith W. Kimble, and he, in turn, by T. M. Averitt, and M. F. DeSouza.

In 1877, steps were taken for the formation of the grounds belonging to the works in which the reservoir is located. Drives and walks were laid out, and about nine hundred shade and ornamental trees were set out in conformity with the walks and drives and the platting of the groimds.

At the expiration of the fiscal year, ending February 28, 1881, there were in use nineteen and a half miles of pipe. During the year the pumping engine made three millions two hundred thousand and ninety-one strokes, pumping four hundred and eighty millions thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty gallons of water. There were received during the same time $23,- 864.91 for water rents and assessments. The Board of Water Commissioners foi 1881 is composed of the following named : H. O. Bolles, President ; George Withey Treasurer ; and Obed Lewis, with H. R. Brown, Secretary ; M. F. De- Souza, Superintendent ; F. L. Wheatley, Engineer ; William McCabe, Reservoir Watchman ; John Daughton, Tapper.

Artesian Well

Pure water is always desirable, and every effort put forth to obtain a never-failing supply will meet the approval of every intelligent person. In the year 1857 an arrangement was made by which the City Council and some of the public spirited citizens, agreed to contribute equally for the purpose of sinking an artesian well. On the 15th day of June, 1857, an ordinance was passed appropriating $3,000 to defray the expense on the part of the city, and on the 20th of December, 1858, $2,000 more was appropriated, and again $2,000, March 7, 1859. This last sum was never used, and the work was abandoned.

By J. L. Phillips. During the winter of 1841-42, Springfield had its regular theatre. In the early part of this season the dining room of W. W. Watson's restaurant on the south side o^f the square, in an old building that stood on the ground now occupied by the building used as a store room by the Smith Brothers was used as a theatre, and in this room a company of performers appeared who were- managed by an actor named Jefferson, the father of Joe Jefferson, the Comedian, whose name of late years has become famous by his excellent portrayal of Rip Van Winkle. In this dining hall, the comedian of to-day, Joe Jefferson, made his first appearance on any stage. He sang songs such as were sung at that time by "Daddy" Rice, the founder of minstrelsy, and among young Jefferson's vocal efforts we mention the following: "The Spider and the Fly," "The Steam Arm," and "The Cork J>eg." After appearing at this ulace quite a while the old theatre on Sixth street, between Monroe and Adams, about where the Reiner building now stands, was opened as a theatre by a company under the management of Hastings & Jefferson.

At this house, young Joe Jefferson acted, and on the boards of this stage many young performers appeared whose names afterwards became famous in the dramatic world. After awhile this building was taken for other uses and the young boys of that day met there many evenings, before it was regularly occupied to "take gas!' and see its effects on others, amusing themselves in this way evening after evening During a performance given at this theatre Henry Ridgely, then a young boy, that had raised the anger of a young man, much larger than himself (a son of Colonel May) and May had given young Henry a slap in the face. Young Ridgely watched for a chance when May was not looking and he ran down the slightly inclined floor and with his head down, struck May from behind between his knees and came near pitching him out of a window which was open near by. This was his revenge for the slap given him by May. This old theatre was afterwards used by John DeCamp as a bowling alley, and has been torn down a number of years.

The next theatre in Springfield was the old Metropolitan Theatre, an old frame building which stood on the ground now occupied by the Western Hotel. This theatre was used as a place of amusement up to the close of the war, and on its stage appeared some of the most prominent people on the stage.

From a local paper published in the fall of 1881, the same writer gave the following reminiscences of the "Amusements of Springfield," covering a period of about twenty-five years:

"It has been a number of years since Springfield has had a place called an opera house, but prior to that she was well supplied with numerous halls, all of which served as places for the traveling showmen to exhibit their different entertainments in and furnish amusement for our people at that time. Among the old halls were Capitol Hall, which was in the third story of the old Bunn's bank building, (now used as an Odd Fellow's hall,) Concert Hall, on the north side of the square, now used as a photograph gallery; Cook's Hall, east side of the square, and Burkhardt's Hall, the last named being used of late years as a hall for dancing, and Metropolitan Hall, located in the old frame building on the ground now occupied by by the Western Hotel. In these old halls, Maggie Mitchell, Siddons, Jennie Hight, Virginia Howard, Laura Keene, Edwin Forest, Edwin Booth, McKean Buchanan, Bob. Meldrum and other stellar attractions made their appearance, while the numerous other traveling attractions filled engagements at some one of the above halls. R. Rudolph, who several years ago was a prominent citizen of Springfield, recognizing the want of a first-class place of amusement, erected on the corner of Sixth and Jefferson streets, what was termed by him an opera house, and was known as Rudolph's Opera House, but which should have been more properly named and called Rudolph's Folly, for it was a great barn of an edifice with no accommodations in it either for the audience or actor. The buildingwas always considered by many of our people unsafe, and it is probably well that it was burned down as it was, for it might have fell and been the means of destroying many lives if it had remained and been used as a place of amusement for any length of time.

" When Rudolph's Opera House was first opened, the manager was George J. Deagle, of St. Louis, who not knowing anything of the people of the city, brought a very poor company (with one or two exceptions) to commence the season. The opening was made before the building was entirely finished, the opening attraction being J. B. Studley in the play of ' Eustache Bandin.' Aside from Mr. Studley and the comedy roles of Edwin Wight and wife, the rest of the company were very poor indeed, and the newspapers being outspoken in their denunciation of the performance, manager Deagle closed the house at the end of the first week - for two weeks - until he could engage a better lot of people. At his opening of the season the second time his company was a much better one, and included among its members, besides Mr. and Mrs. Wight, J. K. Vernon, Frank Rose and Annie Ward. The latter named has been dead for a number of years past. Deagle kept the house open, playing some first-class attractions during the whole season, and the next season R. Rudoph, with J, H. Huntley as business manager, gave another season of amusements to the people ot the city. During these two seasons of a regular theatre in Springfield, many well known celebrities appeared and were well patronized by our people. Among those who filled engagements at this house were Lotta, Laura Keene, who was the stellar attraction playing in the play of ' Our American Cousin' at Ford's Theatre, the night President Lincoln was assassinated, and who alone had the presence of mind to lift and hold up the wounded man's head after the act was committed; Vestvali, Sue Denin, Emelie Melville, Edwin Forrest, MoUie Williams and Felix Vincent, Mrs. Farren and W. E. Sheriden, Estelle Potter, Kate Fisher, and others whose names are now forgotten. Lotta played a three week's engagement while here, and strange as it may seem to many now, her house was large every night of the engagement. Forrest, who played his master-part of ' Richelieu' and appeared in 'Jack Cade,' also, had two of the largest audiences ever assembled in the old house. The writer remembers a little incident connected with Forrest during his stay in this city, which goes to prove that the man's nature was not hard and cold as many newspaper writers of to-day would make people think. The great actor was walking along one of our streets during the day while in Springfield, when, upon passing a stairway near the square, a little toddling child came out on the walk directly in front of the old tragedian. At the sight of the little one a smile lit up the face of Forrest, and stooping down he lifted the babe up in his arms and with it walked up and down the pavement, all the time talking to the little one, and neither looking at or speaking to any one passing by. The mother of the babe who was in the stairway at the time looking on, was the wife of a mechanic in the city. She did not know who the old gentleman was who had her child in his arms, but seemed to enjoy the pleasure the little one's prattle afforded him, and waited until Forrest had tired himself out with the exercise, and placing the child before its mother, walked on his way without even speaking to the mother or letting her know who had been so much taken up with the little one. His heart could not have been so hard, nor was he so void of feeling when a little child's prattle could so thoroughly entertain him as did this little one.

"Susan Denin was probably the most beautiful as well as the most business-like lady artist that ever appeared in the opera house. She would alone go to the printing offices and give her own instructions to the pi'inter who was en- gaged in composing any of her ijrintiiig; telling him just what lines to displaj^ and when her directions were carefully followed out she never complained of any work executed for her. Vestvali, termed 'the magnificent,' failed to keep the whole of her engagement here because of too much wine drinking, which incapacitated her for acting. This talented artiste has been dead several years. Emelie Melville, one of the best lady attractions at this house, was accompanied here by her mother, and while in the city, every Sabbath morning and evening the mother and daughter might have been seen in attendance at one of our churches, plainly dressed, worshiping the Father above with all the devotion of true Christians, which they most certainly bore evidence of being at all times. Edwin Wight, comedian and stage manager of the house for a long term, was a good actor and a pleasant gentleman. Mr. Wight is at present a resident of St. Louis, and during the fail and winter seasons, passes his time in managing a small company of his own, playing in the smaller towns. Mrs. Farren, who, during her stay at the opera house here, made many friends, is still before the public, though well along in years. W. E. Sheridan is at present staring in the legitimate. J. K. Vernon, Avho was leading man at the opera house here, is at present acting in variety houses in the larger cities. Annie Ward is dead; she departed this life several years ago, after having first attained quite a high place in the dramatic world. Her old 'flame,' Frank Rose, was afterwards married to another lady, and they are both acting now in stock companies in the east.

"Before closing this sketch, I wish to make mention of the jolly old leader of the orchestra at this house, Professor Fessenden. The Professor was a capital leader, and as jovial and pleasant a man as one would wish to meet with, and added much to the entertainments of that time by the excellent music he furnished.

"During the seasons of 1868-0, the Stock Company of the Olympic Theater, St. Louis, made frequent visits to this city, appearing here during the engagement of other attractions at the theater in St. Louis. This company was managed by Mr. Frank Evans, the leading man of the company, who at present is manager and leading man for the Bartley Campbell Galley Slave Company. Among the people who were members of the Olympic Company appearing here, we remember Mr. Frank Evans, Mr. J. W. Albaugh, Mary Mitchell, (sister of Maggie) Bob Duncan and Dolly Davenport, both of whom are since dead, W. P. Sheldon, the comedian. Miss Frankie McClellan, who afterwards became Mrs. Dolly Davenport, and Mrs. W. P. Sheldon. It was during one of the engagements of the Olympic Company in this city, that Mr. Frank Evans fir-t played the role of Claude Melnotte, which performance was so highly praised by the local critics at that time.

"As before stated the old Rudolph Opera House was destroyed by fire, and on its site Ja«ob Bunn, Esq., erected a hall which was used as an opera house until the building was purchased by George W. Chatterton and afterwards altered with enlarged additions, and the present new and elegant Opera House built in its place, which the people of Springfield are favored with at present. The new house was opened by a concert of mixed talent, headed by M'll Litta, and since that time many of the best attractions in the country have appeared on its stage."