Source:Another-old-timer/content
To the Editors of the Commercial Gazette:
I have been somewhat interested in reading the old-time recollections of your correspondent "McF," of Meadville, and while there are many of his statements I can, from personal knowledge, verify, yet there are some mistakes which should be corrected. Your correspondent speaks of the sign of Diller, the tobacconist, on Liberty street, and describes it as three figures with the motto: "We three unite in one cause, one smokes, one snuffs and the other chaws." In this he was mistaken. Diller's sign was a small wooden figure very black, with a wreath of tobacco around the head, and with sprigs of the same apparently growing from each side of the face. The expression was very peculiar. I have never seen anything resembling it. I think Diller brought it from Lancaster county when he removed from there to Pittsburgh.
The sign referred to by your correspondent belonged to John McGinnis, whose factory was on Liberty street, about where the Academy of Music now stands. Previous to this, however, he was located on Wood street, near the corner of Diamond alley, and immediately opposite Fluke's Hotel, spoken of by your correspondent. This is the same John McGinnis who afterwards became the owner of a large tract of land at Turtle Creek, and who more recently obtained considerable notoriety in connection with the attempt to repudiate our county bonds.
I remember Todd's Museum, and think with your correspondent it was first located on the south side of Fifth street, just about where the banking house of Mr. Patrick now stands. I remember the murder that occurred in this house, and I think one of the parties concerned was named Rainey. Mr. Todd, I believe, afterwards became the owner of the Museum, and located it on Baxter's alley. This alley was called after Henry Baxter, a noted character of that day, a terrible fighter and the terror of the neighborhood when on one of his sprees. Speaking of the theaters, I remember the one on Third street very well, and have been present at performances in that building. Your correspondent is in error in speaking of Joseph Trovillo. The actor alluded to was Joseph Harris, a nephew of Col. Elijah Trovillo, and cousin to William Trovillo, the Fifth street undertaker of later date. Joseph Harris belonged to what was known as the "Talma Society." They performed near the foot of Wood street on the upper floor of one of the large brick buildings which stood there. He was a good actor and frequently played for some of his friends on the regular stage. His leading character was "Rollo" in the play of "Pizzaro." He also excelled in his delineation of the Scotch character, and never failed to draw a full house. If I mistake not he but recently died in this city. More than fifty years ago there was quite a rage for the drama among the young men of Pittsburgh. Not less than four dramatic societies were organized in the city. Perhaps the best organization, as a whole, was the Roscian Society located at the Point. They gave a performance every Saturday evening.
The leading actors were Wm. Robinson and James Stewart. They were both good actors, and I have seen Robinson play creditably on the regular stage. Another society was called the Thalian. The leading actor was a young man named Smith, who was very good in heavy characters. Still another was called the Talma, reference to which has already been made. At a somewhat later date, the "Sheridan Society" was organized, located near where the Academy of Music now stands. The entrance was on Strawberry alley. There are still a few living in our midst, who, when boys, belonged to these associations; and should they chance to read these notes they will be able to supply my deficiencies, but lest I become wearisome I must stop. G. W.
