Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1908 — FINE OVATION FOR AUGUSTUS PHILLIPS [ARTICLE]

FINE OVATION FOR AUGUSTUS PHILLIPS

Train Load of His Friends See Him Play Jules Beaubien in “The Wolf” at Lafayette.

A better feeling crowd of people never left Rensselaer on a pleasure trip than the two hundred who went to Lafayette Tuesday evening to _ witness the production “The Wolf,” in which Augustus Phillips, son of Simon Phillips, played the leading and difficult role of Ju’es Beaubien, a French-Canadian. For more thati a month the trip has been planned by enthusiastic friends of Gus, and each day added to the list of those "Who were g)ai> at an opportunity not only to witness the play and to see Gus as an actor, but to attest the Rensselaer feeling of pride in him. The affair was a greater success than had ever been expected, mo: e participating in it than had been expected even up to the last and the spirit of jovialty running so high that every one was kept in an uproar almost all of the going and returning trip. Added to the crowd that went from Rensselaer, were several former residents, some of th:m sc'-O'-l mates of Gus. Among the-e we e Miss Mae Dunlap, now of Chicago; Robert L. Martin, now of Cincinnati; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Maloy, of Lowell, and Chas. Robinson, of Battle Ground. There were several others who were formerly-of Rensselaer that joined the party either here or at Lafayette, among these being, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Washburn, of Goodland, who were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Little, of that place; Miss Alice Shedd, who is teaching school at Otterbein; Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Lefler and Vern Jacks, George . Strlckfaden and family, and Landlord and Mrs. Slagle, of the Lahr House, and Abe Hardy, all of Lafayette. Also several of the Jasper county Purdue University canting nt. On the way down several appropriate yells were devised and practiced and the cars rang with music. O-.e of the calls was: “We’re here because We’re here because He’s here from Rensselaer; We’re here because We’re here because He’s here from Rensselaer. • Rah, rah, rah, , Rah, rah, rah. Rah, rah, rah, Sime’s boy.” : ' Ribbons had been printed bearing the words “Sime’s Boy,” a term by which the actor was familiarly known in New York during his long residence there. The ribbons also contained the name and date of the play, and across the bottom the words “Some of his friends.” Each of the theatre party wore one of the ribbons. The Rensselaer party were given the choicest seats in the opera house, the entire right side of the main auditorium, and the remainder of the theatre was well filled by what was evidently the most elite of the Lafayette theatre going public. When the curtain arose for the first act the Rensselaer crowd led off with a hearty applause of hand clapping, and each of the actors as they appeared were likewise heartily greeted, and when Gus appeared the applause was prolonged until he acknowledged it by first nodding and then tipping his hat to his many friends. The play is set In the trapping camps of the French-Canadlans in the north land, and the story that is enacted possesses a reality that charms the auditor, and makes each feel • part of the real life of the woods, r- The play is a love story with an unusual plot, and exhibits naive'e of people Uvlng4n the country where the plot is laid. Jules Beaubien had long had his eyes on Hilda McTavlsh, the daughter of a Scotch settler and had deferred love making until such time as Hilda was old enough to . understand what it meant. Hilda’s father was a very unnatural one, and abused and Insulted his daughter by referring to her mother Id bad terms, and Hilda had had no opportunities to learn. Jules had watched this and had all of the time maintained an Interest in her, and had protected

her from harm from her father, who was known as the "madman of the north.” A surveying party of Americans were making maps of the country as a preparatory step to building a railroad there, and the leader of the party who had a wife and child In New York sought to accomplish the shame of Hilda, and entertained her by telling her of ti e grand things to be seen In the citl s' of the United States. He ingratialed hlmselt Into the grae&r ot MeTavlsh and together they planned to have him take her to New York, but the girl divined an evil purpcsa in the plan and refused to go and she ’ and Jules escape and are followed by the American who threatens to kill Jules. Cautiously planning vengeance should he be killed and making plans for the safety of Hilda, Julescomplacentlyar ranges for the combat, which takes place on a darkened stage and after a desperate struggle Jules overcomes his adversary and the play closes after he j has signaled to Batiste Le Grand, a ! trusted friend, to return with Hilda from where they have gone down the river while the duel was being fought. Gus was on the stage much of [ the time and has many difficult and trying parts In the play, and It is doubly difficult because he must use the dialect throughout. But he is master of the part and his Rensselaer friends and auditors were more than pleased at his marked success. At the close of the second act the curtain was repeatedly lowe ed and ’ raised until finally Gus alone occupied the stage, and then Attorney George A. Williams marched down the Center aisle carrying a monsstrous boquet of yellow chrysan hcmums, which he presented to Gus in a clever speech telling of the prEe Rensselaer has in the success of Augustus Phillips. Gus almost broke dofrn In his response, and once when he was almost overcome the audience reassured him with nine rahs for Sime’s boy and he concluded his little speech by saying that he was glad to again meet his old friends 1 and to make so many new ones and The old friends will be new again.” The play, the performers, the jolly crowd and all things connected with the trip made it a great success, and a better pleased two hundred people were never assembled than those who returned from Lafayette on the speccial train that arrived here at about 2 o’clock in the morning. Of the visit of the Rensselaer parties the Lafayette Morning Journal had the following to say: j “One of the largest audiences that has gathered at the Grand this sea- j son was delighted with “The Wolf’ as presented last evening under the Shubert’s management. About two hundred old friends and relatives, including his family, came from Rensselaer, the home Of Augustus Phillips, to see him in the leading role of the play. Although Mr. Phillips has been absent from Rensseher for eighteen years, he had numerous acquaintances and school mates who, were glad for the opportunity of seeing their fellow-townsman behind the footlights. The audience was, most appreciative and its enthulsasm , knew no bounds at the end of the ’ I second act After numerous curtain calls. Mr. Phillips appeared alone on the stgaa. George A. Williams, city attorney of Rensselaer, presented the clever Hoosier actor with a large bouquet of yellow chrysthemums, making a talk full of sincerity, telling how proud the people of the town he represented were of their product Mr. Phillips will long remember the presentation speech which accom- ' panled the remembrance from his townsmen. With a few well chosen words Mr. Phillips accepted the gift It was not so much what he said but the way he said It, the feeling that he put into his words and ti e look of gratitude on his countenance that made everyone who h&d the Opportunity of hearing bls remarks beam with pleasure. Mr. Phillips as “Jules” was supreme.

His French-Canadian accent was perfect and his stage appearance could not be improved upon. The audience listened breathlessly as he gave h's lines. He reached the climax with perfect grace and ease. McTavish, the stern father, was well portrayed by Joseph Greene. Hilda McTavlsh, his daughter, was interpreted in a most pleasing manner by Miss Alice Baxter. William Norton cleverly entered Into the difficult role of McDonald, the villain, and gave his lines In excellent style. The minor characters were also portrayed in a creditable manner. “The Wolf” Is one of the strongest plays on the American stage today and the company which was seen last evening could not be excelled.