KinSource - Tale of the Week - Foster Was Furious

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The St. Paul Daily Globe, Thursday Morning, November 21, 1889, page 1

FOSTER WAS FURIOUS.

Rumpus Between the Boston Manager and Manager Conklin.

Two Varying Views of an Agreement in the Matter of $1,000.

Why an Entertainment Was Suspended for Half an Hour.

Mr. Foster Talks of Bringing a Suit for $20,000 Damages.

Guests at the West Hotel, Minneapolis, who happened to be sitting about the exchange yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock, were treated to an exciting spectacle. There were sounds of a gruff base voice and hurried footsteps. Presently Manager J. Frank Conklin of the Grand opera house, came hurrying down the stairway leading from the ladies' ordinary. He was closely followed by W. H. Foster, proprietor and manager of the Boston Ideal Opera company, who was minus his coat and vest, but seemed to be warm enough, notwithstanding this rather airy costume. Foster's face worked convulsively, and he was

SWEARING LIKE A TROOPER.

His fists were doubled up, and he walked by Conklin's side as if to head him off. C. A. Parker, Manager Conklin's able assistant, followed in the rear, the wings of his Chumley overcoat flapping wildly in the breeze occasioned by the torrent of expletives that Foster poured out. Those who imagined that the trio were rehearsing the wolf-glen scene from "Der Freischutz" for the night, and that Foster was furnishing the fireworks, were quickly undeceived, for it was plainly apparent that he was in earnest, and very much in earnest. He fairly

ROARED WITH RAGE,

and Manager Conklin's Presbyterian ears had probably never before heard such splendidly weird outbursts of profane pyrotechnics. Mr. Conklin went to the clerk's desk for a moment and then made straight for the Hennepin avenue entrance, Foster following all the way to the door. It was evident that a big row of some sort was on. Foster was too excited to be approached, and Conklin waved the GLOBE reporter away with a "Can't talk now, young man." It took the reporter, who already had an inkling of the nature of a dispute that has been under way since Monday night between Foster and the management, about an hour to learn the probable cause of the outburst on the part of the Bostonese manager. Those who were present at the Grand Monday night noticed that there was a

WAIT OF TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES

between the second and third acts of "Lucia di Lammermoor." The occasion of this has since been ascertained to be about as follows: When Manager Conklin went East a couple of weeks ago he stopped in Chicago and arranged for the appearance of the Ideals at Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and one or two other points. Manager Foster required, for reasons that may be conjectured, that $1,000 should be advanced to pay railroad fares. This money, according to the GLOBE's informants, was to be taken out of Foster's share of Monday and Tuesday night's receipts. Pauline L'Allemand, and perhaps others of the company, have contracts that they shall get their week's salary in advance. At the close of the second act, Monday night, Foster was notified, it is said, that his

SHARE OF THE RECEIPTS

was to be withheld to meet the payment in part of the $1,000 advanced. He objected in his gentle, characteristic Bostonese way, as he had to pay advance salaries. Charlie Parker, who was in charge in Manager Conklin's absence, was equally determined to have his way. For a while it looked as if the performance would be stopped, but Mr. Parker finally gave in and agreed that Foster should have his share of the receipts for Monday and Tuesday nights, but that beginning Wednesday night the $1,000 must be taken out. Everything went along all right until yesterday, when Foster is said to have announced that he intended to have his full share of the receipts up to Saturday night. Manager Conklin arrived yesterday from New York, and sought Foster in his room. The latter had just returned from a drive, and was making his toilet when the row occurred. Conklin took the same position that Parker had assumed and Foster

LOST HIS HEAD

and went wild with rage, asserting that he would cancel his engagement if he did not receive his share of the receipts, as he demanded. Manager Conklin apparently took him at his word. At any rate he went over to the Grand and posted a notice, "No performance here to-night." Shortly afterwards Foster appeared on the scene and demanded his share of the receipts of the advance sale, which was refused him. Both sides then sought legal advice, and the result was apparently some sort of compromise. At any rate, the card came down from the front of the theater. Manager Foster appeared at 8 o'clock in his dress suit and adorned the lobby as usual with his august presence. The largest audience of the week was present, and witnessed an admirable presentation of "Der Freischutz." The above narrative of the details of the warfare are chiefly from the Grand opera house point of view, and while they may not be absolutely correct, at least give an idea of the casus belli.

THE FOSTER [SIDE]

of the story is that the $1,000 advance money was not to be collected until Saturday night, and was put in the form of a draft payable on that day for collection; that, therefore, Foster had a right to demand and receive his share of the receipts. Manager Foster was asked last night if he had anything to say abut the matter. "I don't care to talk about my business affairs, and don't consider that the public has any particular right to inquire into them. I'll talk all you may want concerning the merits of the Ideals, but not my business affairs. You can say this: That my attorneys are preparing the papers and at as early an opportunity as is possible I shall commence suit against the syndicate owning the Minneapolis Grand opera house for $20,000 damages. No, I don't suppose this rumpus will hurt our business here or at St. Paul. The house to-night is the best we have had, and the sale for to-morrow night is very large, but I would not have the reports telegraphed about the country that the opera house was closed during our engagement for $20,000. The suit will be pushed for all it is worth, depend upon it. As to the merits of the controversy I decline to speak. You had better see Conklin." But Manager Conklin had gone home early, and left word he did not care to receive reporters. Charlie Parker, his assistant, was about, but he was as dumb as an oyster.