Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1898 — DEIGMAN IN THE AUDIENCE. [ARTICLE]

DEIGMAN IN THE AUDIENCE.

A Trenton (N. J. ) paper has the I following interesting item ijeganl to I the Spooner Theatre Co., of which C-,- Phiifipsof this city, is if inent member. The play < 1 to is their new war play deals with the sinking of \i > ri mac in Santiago harbor: : Trenton, N. J. the piece was | produced under most auspicious circumstances. Osborn Deignan.| the heroic seaman of the lowa who : stood at the helm of the Merrimac; and steered her into Santiago har-; bor, was at that theatre in attend-' ance at a jubilee and entertainment and during the play occupied a box with a number of noted citizens. An immense audience was present at the house and were delighted with the performance. Enthusiasm was at fever heat, and the sight of a flag was the signal for an outburst of cheering. In the play just before the ship starts for its destruction Lieutenant Hobson (Gus Phillips) calls the roll of his volunteers. As each name was called a man answered and stepped to one side until Deigman’s name was called when he stood up in the box and touching his hat in, military salute said: “Here sir.” Pandemonium reigned, i Program-- and hats were thrown in the air and flowers were hurled at the biave hero. The audiei were equal .'l-uuonstiutive toward the company, and it was some minutes before the play could be continued. Throughout the remainder of the piece the cheers and applause were almost constant and the company was highly praised at the close. Sailor Deigman called upon the “Spooners” after the performance and I complimented them highly upon '' their rendering of the play, saying ■is historically correct, akc-ups were excellent i . a iie could find no one ■ nt that was lacking in detail