East Oregonian : E.O., October 02, 1908, EVENING EDITION, Page PAGE SIX, Image 6

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DAILY EAST ORitGOVlAN, PENDLETON, OREGON, FIUDAY, OOTOnKn 2, 1908.
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THE JEFFERSONS and BOB ACRES
Five Generations of the Jefferson family have successfully appeared
in the part of "Fighting Bob Acres" in The Rivals.
In all the records of theatricals tbre is no parallel to
the wonderful history of the famous Jefferson family.
The first of this illustrious family of thespians was
Thomas Jefferson; born in England in 1 74j. At that
time, actors were considered social outcasts and vaga
bonds, and to adopt the calling of an actor required a
wonderful sacrifice of personal prestige, yet Thomas
Jefferson did this in about 1707. The sacrifice he made
was the partial severance of his home ties and the com
plete loss of nearly all his old friends.
But, as the spirit of Thespia was strong within him, he
followed his inborn natural inclination and rapidly ad
vanced in his chrsen calling. He eventually became the
principal comedian in David Garrick's company, then
playing at the Covent Garden in London.
While engaged as comedian with GarrickW company,
Jefferson played Bob Acres in "The Rivals," in which
e established himself as one of the foremost comedians
of his time. He was the idol of all London in 1 770 due
mostly to his exquisite comedy accomplishments as
Bob Acres.
In 1774. his son was born. The boy was christened
Joseph. In 17H2, Joseph followed in his father's foot
steps and within a few years, developed into a particu
larly likeable comedian. His greatest comedy creation
was also as Bob Acres, and his reputation in the part
was second only to that of his famous father.
Joseph Jefferson, the first, came to America in 1707.
A son was born to him in 1S04. The boy was named for
his father, thus, we have Joseph Jefferson, the second.
This boy, as soon as his age permitted, went on the
stage. A century ago, he was one of the theatrical bright
lights of this country. Time and again, he portrayed
Bob Acres, and with the same brilliant results as always
attained by his distinguished ancestors.
In 1820, Joseph Jefferson, the third, was born. He
is the Jefferson whose name will live as long as theatrical
history continues to exist. and much of his fame was
gained by his performance of Bob Acres.
His three generations of ancestors had used the original
manuscript as constructed by Richard Brinsley Sheridan,
the author of "The Rivals.' It was long and talky as
were all the plays in vogue at the time "The Rivals"
was written. The play had really become old-fashioned
and was not produced nearly s often as it had been
during the three previous decades.
Joseph Jefferson, the third, decided to reconstruct
"The Rivals." In so doing, he eliminated the long, talky
scenes and in their stead, incorporated all the little bits
of business that his brilliant talent had evolved, as well
as the many dainties which his distinguished ancestors
had originated, and had handed down from generation to
generation with the same beautiful regard as is always
tendered a priceless family heirloom.
Joseph refferson, the third, became famous as the
greatest of all comedians. Xo little part of his success
was founded on the version of "The Rivals" which he
reconstructed and brought up to date.
His best work was as Bob Acres, perhaps localise of
the sentimental associations connected with the part
and the glorious possibilities given him in his own ver
sion of the play.
His fourth son. William W. Jefferson, was born in 1.870.
While visiting his father in 'Pittsburg in l.X'.M, owing
to the old gentleman suddenly becoming ill, "Willie",
for as such he is known appeared in his lather's company
as Bob. His success was instantaneous and his per
formanee fully in keeping with the exceptional work of
his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great
great -grandfather.
It is doubtful if there is another R'cord of any sort
similar to the association of the Jefferson family and the
part of Bob .Veres, and the play of "The Rivals." Five
generations in the same part, covering a pericxl of near
ly a century and a half is almost incomparable, yet
when it is retnein tiered that the respective performance
of each of these five generations became the greatest
Bob of his own time, it can easily be appreciated what
a positively stupendous feat was accomplished. And
still more licautifut to consider is the fact that the part
of Bob in the hands of a Jefferson is like a fine old
wine, it improves with age for has not "Willie" pro
fited by the experiences of his illustrious father the same
as his father utilized those of his ancestors. The experi
ences, talent and the sentimental associations of live
generations are centered in "Willie" Jefferson's perform
ance as Fighting Bob Acres.
M
L
I
COMING THRO' THE RYE
PLEASES PENDLETON
Best Production of the Kind Ever
Given in This City Relief from
Twisted English and Apish Make-up
of Many Comedian Its of Fun
and Tuneful MuMc Alxo a Irtty
Chorus That Could Dance.
Pendleton theater-goers will re
member "Coming' Thro the Rye" for
one of the moBt delightful evenings of
musical comedy afforded them In
years.
Not particularly overburdened with
plot, whatever story the comedy of
fered hinged upon the advantures of
one Nott, a Milesian tailor, and the
whole thing was a distinct relief from
the blattantly Cohanemjue trash, the
perverted contortions of alleged
"Dutch" comedians, and the apish an
tics of so-called Irish funmaker
whose only Hibernian characteristic
usually lies in a garb of vivid green,
that these days flourish under the
name of musical comedy.
Tom Waters, at Nott the tailor, was
a revelation In comedians. He ap
proached his part In a natural manner
and continued In that way, except
where the show itself descended Into
horseplay. Waters was given prac
tically all the lines of the show and
kept his audlenre In an uproar from
the moment of his first appearance.
Nott's song, "It Must Be Love" and
his piano specialty won encore after
encore, while the "Clancy 'solo with
the male chorus had characteristical
ly Irish music and Irish wit unusual
In popular songs these days. Leona
Tliurljfr, as Mrs. Kobb, the capitalist
was a statuesque beauty who could
not sing but shouted coon songs re
markably well. Evelen Dunmore
was an affected but clever Loleta,
while Isabelle Lowe as Bossy Cloude,
won much applause with her doll-like
efforts in "My Broncho Boy," with its
pretty pony ballet, and the "Fiji'
dance, one of the prettiest little dances
ever seen here.
Margaret Taylr, a clever little
dancer, w:is an intense "Iilzette" and
the members of the male support were
passable.
The chorus was young, pretty and
could sing, adding to those requisites
a willingness and graceful abandon in
dancing. Their costumes were pret
ty and their appearances effective.
The much heralded Salome dance
was a pleasing exposition of sinuous
grace. Miss Taylor was clad In knee
tights and some gauze and danced
barefooted. There was nothing par
tieularly shocking In the dance, nor
for that matter particularly entranc
ing, while the kiss of death with
which it closed was a sensational evi
dence of perversion without which the
effort would have been in better
ta-te.
Bankers Flying High.
Denver, Colo., Oct. 2. A palatial
special train on the Moffatt road Was
provided today for the delegates to
the American Bankers' association,
and the entire day will be spent at
Corona, 65 miles distant from Den
ver, at the crest of the Continental
Divide, at an altitude of 11,660 feet.
The excursion Is the closing feature
of the week's convention of the na
tional financiers.
Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup
drives ti,. cold out of the system
through its laxative principle by as
suring a free and gentle action of the
bowels. Sold by Tallman & Co.
PEN I M.ETON HAS DAY
AT WALLA WALLA FAIR
Walla Walla, Oct. 2. Secretary
Robert Johnson of the Walla Wall
county fair association, has Just an
nounced the names of the different
days for the Walla Walla fair to
open Monday, October 12. The days
are as follows: Monday, "Children's
day;" Tuesday, "Pendleton and east
ern Oregon day;" Wednesday, "Day
ton, Waltsburg, Preseott and Wal
lula day;" Thursday, "Derby day;"
Friday, "Fraternal day;" Saturday,
"Farmers' day."
The program for the different days
will be made up In an appropriate
manner for the days on which It Is
to be pulled off. Thousands of vis
itors to the fair from eastern Oregon
and southeastern Washington are ex
pected, and the fair will make special
effort to entertain In a manner which
will not soon be forgotten.
All the news all the time In the
East Oregonlan.
te Oreeon Theatre
Mr. Mitchell takes pleasure in announcing
Joseph and William W.
JEFFERSON
and an exceptionally talented company in
Richard Brinsley Sheridans' classical comedy
THE R.IVALS
SaTcd C'oii'Tt Sunday Evening,
De Cuprio'a band will blve a sacred
c-eiic-it Sunday evening In the pavil
ion, from 8 to 10.
New Oregon Theatre
FRIDAY
Georgia Harper
in
"TWO ORPHANS"
Prices 50c and 25c, on sale at Pendleton Drug Co.
Sunday, Odober 4
Byers' Best Flour
Is mnde from the cliolcrea wheat that grown. Good bread la assur
ed when BYEIIS' BEST FLOUR In used. Bran, MiorU, Steam RoUei
Barley always on hand.
PENDLETON ROLLER MILLS
VV. 8. BYEKS, Proprietor.
.ILST DIKT
or a bad soli It's tho same to us
our work Ih efficient In cleaning and
pressing particular people's gar
ments, yet our charges are modest to
a degree that's please tho most eco
nomical, i
Gily Steam Dyo Works
'Phone Main 169. 206 E. A1U ZU