The. Omaha Sunday Bee
PAST TWO
EDITORIAL
PAGES ONE TO TEN
PART TWO
SOCIETY
PAGES ONE TO TEN
VOL. XLV NO. 10.
OMAHA, SUNDAY MORXINU, AUdUST 22, 1!)1".
SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
Tike furor created, hy tkis famous
opera is
deai:li of ITal: Britain -who
I n
I vVis recalled by the receive
! ... created the title role.
I s ' VH -f-J II ' T . W ,7. B V I a
II iv W v V 1 I I . . l5fatttS ? Ql ' I frail,
2Jri.mrti2t Calm, the prima 'P&: '" e
doTina-SMoatehettmelylleyn.- . tSfJi WwXAfk. MT "
INQ FOR A DAT" was never In it with
"Mr. Sampson of Omaha." Tou re
member the tremendous hit which
was made by Archibald Claverlng
Ounther's novel, called "Mr. Barnes
of New York," which had uch a best-seller run as
to lead to a follow-up called "Mr. Potter of Texas?"
There were so many "Mr. Somebody's of Some
where" in. those days that It became absolutely
necessary to put a man on the literary highway tc
fame carrying an Omaha tag- on big suitcase, ""Thaf
"Somebody of Somewhere" was ohrlstened "Mr.
Sampson' of Omaha," and instead of a hero of a
novel, he made his debut in the principal role of a
comic opera, a made-in-Oraaha, prodnced-ln-Omaha
by Omaha talent comic opera at that. The story
rt "Mr. Sampson of Omaha" is recalled by the death
ten days ago of Nat M. Brlgham, who oreated the
character and sang the part when this famous
musical show was put on In Omaha for a run of
four performances in June, 1883.
But first let us get the plot underlying the
words and muslo of the play. It was a thriller of
the thrilling kind, combining lore and business,
musio and adventure, tun and frolic Just trans
port yourself In imagination to a comfortable seat
In Boyd's old opera house, that stood at the north
east corner of Fifteenth and Farnam, until It was
burned down, and foous your eyes on the stage.
The scene Is laid In Bulgaria. The king by
prodigality has been brought to the verge of ruin.
He Is harassed constantly by creditors, among them
Teresa, a bad debt collector with whom he falls
in love, and who tenderly loves him, but who re-
fiiua m kvmu lila fla.nnA aha wonM h
Inclined to treat his Indebtedness with a leniency
that would amount to an Injustice with her employ
ers. The prime minister is himself ambitious to wear
the crown. A possible solution of the kingdom's
t'ifflcultlties is suggested by the entrance of
Vargaret, the beautiful daughter of the prime min
ister, who has been reading Sir Walter Scott's
VIvanhoe," and cherishes the wish to have a tourna
ment. This wish she Imparts to the king, who at
first discourages her, but finally conceives the
scheme of offering her at a public tournament to
the one who can show him the road to wealth. Of
course, the prime minister objects strenuously, hav
ing already promised Margaret to a wealthy Bul
garian, but threatened with the publlo executiotw,
he relents.
The tournament Is duly arranged, and after
several indifferent get-rtch-qulck schemes have been
From Omaha or Omahay
Prime Minister:
This gentleman from Omaha
From Omaha or Omahay
. Proposes, as you all have heard
To bear the tourney's prize away.
The king Is pleased to think him quite
The knight that he was looking for.
Although for me I here may say
All foreigners I do abhor.
Kind friends, I'm loyal to our king,
But If at any time the crown
From that great head you choose to take,
I know an able man in town
Who loves his country as himself.
And who. If he were acting king,
Would ne'er a tourney's prise confer
Upon a loathsome foreign thing!
'Tis not for me to mention names,
"lis not for me this reign to queer,
But were I called to show the man,
I'd plainly answer, "I am here."
Farewell, oh Jousters, you may go
Unto your happy homes away
The prize has gone to Omaha
Or Omaha or Omahay.
kk "Mr- smi,8on ot mha" You rKlnm WUwjK I
r member the tremendous hit which ,"K ?'' Zyff '" 7&CA I
V I t J i- f m mm m t J U 1 M m f f am
OAST OF CHARACTERS
Mr. Sampson Mr. Nat M. Brlgham
King of Bulgaria Mr. B. B. Young
Prime Minister Mr. Henry D. Estabrook
Publlo Executioner. .... Mr. Charles I Deuel
Court Crier Mr. W. B. Downing
Margaret (daughter of prime minister) ....
Mrs. Martin Cahn
Teresa (a collector of debts)
Mrs. II. D. Estabrook
Helena Miss Bertha Baylies
Messenger Boy , ...Miss Eva Goodall
Stage manager, Mr. W. It. Ooodall
Conductor, Mr. Martin Cahn.
CHORUS.
Sopranos and Altos
Misses: Misses:
Kate M. Ball May Dundy
Anna L. Bishop Luna Dundy
Rose H. Brady Ruth Kimball
Mellona Butterfleld Florence Kimball
Helen Copeland Claire Rustln
Nellie M. Corby Mary Lake
Edith H. Crandall Minnie D. Rhelnhardt
Pauline L. Dewltt Julia Knight
Mrs. Wm. A. Redlck Nettie E. Totman
Mrs. O. M. Hitohcock Mrs. D. H. Wheeler, Jr.
Tenors and Bassos
Messrs: , Messrs:
Edwin D. Arnold Orvllle C. Holmes
Joseph ?. Barton James II. Merrlam
Harry V. Berkeley William Peacock
Revel France Richard J. Wherry
Charles A. Harvey D. H. Wheeler, Jr.
Oeorge W. Holbrook A. J. VanKuren
THE "SCENES.
Act Z -King's Palace.
Act n Tent arranged with spectators for
tournament.
Act III Garden In rear of Royal Palace.
advanced by the natlre knights, "Mr. Sampson of
Omaha" suddenly blows in. Mr. Sampson Is a
speculator on the Omaha Board of Trade who has
been unfortunate in his ventures. Even while
traveling In Bulgaria he is followed by telegrams
from his Omaha house announcing that the grain
market on which he has been buying for a rise, is
constantly going down. Previous to the tourna
ment he has met Margaret by chance while wan
dering in the palace, and when he sees her at the
Joust, the feeling of tenderness which be bad con
ceived for her becomes intensified. After learning
the terms and conditions of the contest, and re
ceiving an exceedingly pressing notloe from bis
brokers demanding margins on his grain purchases.
It occurs to him in a sudden Inspiration that by
inducing the king of Bulgaria to declare war be
can make the price of grain soar in the markets
of the world (including Omaha, U. S. A.,) and by
renewed buying while a general European compli
cation is threatened, realize a sufficient profit to
satisfy the king and make Mr. Sampson a million
aire, to say nothing of securing at the samo time
the hand of the beautiful girl who had enraptured
him.
The king readily falls In with the plan, war
"LOVE
Vnfls by Fnr.i Nvt
Slow Walt m
Love rules the
to
high
hides. Who has
man so poor
But lovo
ly their peace an
There is no maid
i r.. I ..
With in
Where love
la declared, and the financial result Is everything
that Mr. Sampson bad expected. When the sem
blance of battle had been maintained a sufficient
length of time, Mr. Sampson directs the king to
proclaim peace, at the same moment telegraphing
Ms Omaha brokers to sell short for a decline, with
the result of giving hlra as great a profit as a bear
os be had secured as a bull. The fortunes of the
King and Teresa naturally hang on the fate of Mr.
Sampson. Terrified by the danger which she Im
agines will surround the king, Teresa beseechos
him not to go to war, and when he afterwards pre
pares to take the field in perHon, she attempts to
dostroy the bill which she had been trying to col
lect from him, and which represents the barrier
between them and the consummation of their love.
From this rashness, however, she is saved by Mr.
Pampson, who receives a timely telegram from
Gmaha announcing the brilliant financial success
cf his Bulgarian war. The portrayal ends with the
liquidation of the debt, the engagement of the royal
personage and Teresa, the engagement of tbe royal
cf Mr. Sampson and bis bride, Margaret, whose
hand he had won by his shrewdness and enter
prise. Preparation for the production had absorbed
tbe interest of local society, whose most brilliant
Members were in the cast or choruses, for weeks
and months. The mainstay of tbe organization was
the old Apollo club, of which B. B. Young was
ft that time the conductor, and he took charge
of the staging of "Mr. Sampson," in addition to
himself playing the role of king. Ills wife, known
as Madame Mazzucato Young, had written tbe
r.uslir the words belcg supplied by Fred Nye, one of
tbe editors of the old Omaha Republican, the two
catch melodies being "This Morning I Found a
Bulgarian Pin" and a slow waltz, "Love Rules the
World."
It was a large and brilliant assemblage at
tracted to tbe first night's rendition, looking for
ward to a rare musical treat, and without disap
pointment, and the contemporaneous report by The
Pee's musical critic was lavish in commendation.
"Mrs. Martin Cahn as 'Margaret' had a splendid
opportunity to display ber wonderful musical and
dramatic talent, and the manner in which she ac
quitted herself was simply superb. Mrs. Cahn is
lifted with a splendid voice, cultivated In tbe
highest degree, and her efforts were satisfactory
in the extreme. While she sang in ber wonderfully
sweet voice, 'Oh Let Me Sing tbe Days of Old.' the
audience sat in their seats spellbound, and as tbe
RULES THE WORLD."
Musio by Klisa Mazzucato Yoi no.
world on land and sea From pla
de gree. here love be tide There joy a
not felt its toys ter y There is
no
and pale. There is no maid so wan and
may rest
With la Uieir breast and tea det
- sail. There is no man so poor and pale
so wan and frail. But love may rest Within their
r-
a r:i. i i ... i
their breast And ten der- ly their peace as
be tides
There Joy
bides.
Ctfyrtght.
02
last notes died away a momentary hush fell over
the vast assemblsge, which a few moments later .
turned into a perfect storm of applause, continu
ing until she again responded. Mrs. Henry D.
Fstabrook as 'Teresa,' desperately In love with the
king, richly merited the frequent approval bestowed
en her. Her efforts were warmly appreciated, es
pecially the dramatic ability which she displayed.
While the construction of tbe piece did not admit of
Miss Bertha Bayllss figuring as extensively as de
Hired, she, too, was a great favorite and rendered
her part with perfect facility. Nat Brlgham, im
rorsonatlng 'Mr. Sampson' Is stupendous, and rep
resents tbe average Omahan abroad to a dot, with
possibly one slight exception, that he is possibly
slow as a lover, but no doubt be will improve in
this respect. Nat Is a singer, and his rendition of
the selections assigned to him were more than
pleasing. Mr. Young as the king made an ideal
monarch, especially so when the position in which
he is placed (over head and ears in debt) is con
sidered. Mr. Estabrook Is an excellent prime min
ister, while Charles L. Deuel as tho 'Public Execu
tioner' keeps tbe audience in a roar of laughter
by his oddities. The chorus is especially good, and
('id excellent work. The entire performance passed
off without a single hitch, tending to show with
what painstaking care those participating had been
trained."
So high did local enthusiasm run that there was
talk immediately of sending a company with the
c peretta out on the road to let the people In other
cities enjoy it, to say nothing of the advertisement
Omaha would derive. More sober Judgment, how
ever, concluded that the setting was too much
localized, and would have to be considerably
changed before it would appeal to amusement goers
elsewhere. Another performance, however, was
flven the following spring while the "Bostonlaos"
were here, in order that the heads of that great
musical organization could see and hear It with a
view to adding it to the repertoire. Still later "Mr.
Sampson" was repeated out at Salt Lake City with
Nat Brlgham and Charlie Deuel la their original
characters b'lt with the other roles and choruses
Ideally supplied. Brlgham afterwards located in
Shit Lake City, where be was prominent in business
end politics, and by appointment of President
C leveland became United States marshal for the
District of Utah. Still later he gave song and lec
ture recitals at chautauquas and entertainment
courses, and was engaged la this vocation at tbe
time of bis death.' He was a big, magnificently
unjnov uu( iuto uij rrew rvun-ia lueir urrasu dui iotv majy
is.
. - . . . . ;-i
. . ;., ,
.' , ... . ', : . '.
' A v;
r v.
h 1 .
The original "Nr. Sampson
from a recent photograph.
ii.lt, handsome man, an athlete as well as a singer.
All those who knew him insisted that the character
.f "Mr. Sampson of Omaha" fitted him almost as
well ns he fitted into that character. .
"I believe my acquaintance with Nat Brlgham
dates back further than that of anyone else in
Ornaha,' says Hal McCord. "He and 1 were class
inutes' at Exeter academy in' IWt sd 1875, He
M as a Massachusetts boy, born near Natlo. I cams
home after my course there, while he went on to
Harvard and graduated about 1880, turning up in
Omaha 'a fw years later, w here we got together
again. He was a Jolly good happy-go-lucky fellow.
I remembc bim in tbe role of 'Mr. Sampson of
Omaha' very well. He was the star of the per
formance, and it was a star performance."
It Is remaikublo that of the principals in the
"Mr. Sampson of .Omaha" cast .Mr. Charles L. Deuel
alone Is still here, and active in business circles,
although he bus 'renounced the lure of the musical)
arena In whtfh he used to ' figure.. Mrs. Martin
Cahn Is residing in Chicago, to which city she re-!
moved with ber family in the '90's. At last ac
counts Mr. B. B. Toung was striking high notes as
a Christian Science lecturer! One of Mr. Young's
given names was "Brlgham," and be was supposed
to be in some way connected with the famous headi
of the Mormon bleracky, Brlgham Young, and'
some of tbe fanc'lfUl admirers of both Mr. Young
and Mr. Brlgham used to Insist there was a rela-'
tlonsblp between the two, which, however, was
never established beyond the similarity of the
names. The .Estabrooks are heard from period-!
irally from New York, ' where Mr. Estabrook let i
(Practicing law between after-dinner orations and j
occasional visits with his estimable wife to rela
tives and old-time friends here. Mr. Fred Nye.i
the word-artist of the operetta, became later thai
news editor of the New York World, and was accl-'
dentally killed a few years ago in a Brooklyn street'
car mishap.
Beware the Crafty Man
Teresa:
Bewore the crafty man
From distant Omaha
Who bids you, noble king.
Unleash the dogs of war!
His motives are not. pure,
With guile his heart is filled.
He wants to lead you forth
To battle to be kUled.
Margaret:
Oh, list, your majesty,
The voloe of wisdom true!
It you his council scorn
The deed you'll surely rusl
He comes from out the west
Like lovely Lochlnvar
He knoweth what is besU
This man from Omaha.
Sampson:
Your Majesty, I pray
Permit me to observe
That youll declare this war
If you've a kingly nerve. x
Your death you need not fear
Nor e'en a loss of health
'Twill be amusement fine,
And bring a pile of wealth.
I plead you by my love that cries.
Do net my tender prayers despise!
Teresa :
Margaret:
And by my love I do adjure
That 70a this fortune do tecura.
Your fats and tnla banc oa tt
Oh, 1st the role of wweo fcarI
