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William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) cannot be overlooked in the history of Western melodrama. He and Texas Jack Omohundro were seen in San Antonio in their melodrama, Life on the Border, as early as November 27, 1875. San Antonio Express (November 28, 1875).
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HOUSTON OPERA HOUSE.
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Four Nights and Matinee.
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 29 and 30, and December 1 and 2.
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WEDNESDAY MATINEE AT THREE O'CLOCK.
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and original Scouts over on the road;
BUFFALO BILL
(Hon. W. F. Cody), and
TEXAS JACK
(J.B. Omohundro)
In a repertoire of entirely new Western Dramas
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Life on the Border, and Scouts of the Plains
with life-like scenes of Border life supported by the
Peerless Morlacchi,
in the dramas and her specialties with a first class Dramatic Company.
Reserved Seats to be had at [?] Music Store four days in advance. Change of [?] nightly.
JOHN E. OGDEN, General Agent.
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THE OPERA HOUSE.
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Thrice Married, and Life on the Border.
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Nothing but the excessive disagreeable weather prevented the Opera House from being filled last night. As it was, some 200 people ventured out, and among them a few ladies, determined to witness the appearance of the renowned scouts, "Buffalo Bill" and "Texas Jack."
The evening's entertainment commenced with the comedy of "Thrice Married," in which there was some very clever acting. Mlle. Morlacchi (Mrs. Texas Jack) appeared to advantage, taking no less than four characters. As a danseuse she is good, possesses rare beauty, and withal, a sweet abandon just suited to the wife of the dashing Texan.
In the "Life on the Border," the stars all shone. Mr. Cody, as Buffalo Bill, a Western Judge, Jury and Executioner, gave the audience a fine illustration of the daring men who have made frontier life so notable. He reads his lines with ease, and there is a naturalness about his playing that vivifies in the minds of those who have "been there" some unpleasant occurrences. Mr. J. B. Omohundro, as Texas Jack, Bill has an excellent support, one who is perfectly at home in all that makes the blood curdle. Mr. Omohundro is well known in this section, having been engaged in the stock business before the war on Allen's ranche. The Old Sloat of Mr. Arlington was a splendid piece of acting. His conception of the old trapper, Indian fighter, etc., would be hard to surpass. Mr. Graham as Jebediah Broadbrim, a United States Peace Commissioner, was a hit. The Betty Mullany of Miss Laura Fay was a clever piece of Irish acting, and carried the hearts of all the young ladies who saw her. The rest of the cast was excellent, and the mist rapturous applause greeted every scene.
To-night the same pieces will be repeated.
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The Theatre - Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack.
This evening the Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack combination open at our Theatre for three nights. We know nothing of the company other than that they are highly complimented by the press of other cities. They played in Charleston to good houses on Monday and Tuesday. The Express of that city says:
Mademoiselle Morlacchi, who accompanies this troupe, is the greatest danseuse who has ever visited the United States. In New York several years ago, during the run of the famous Black Crook, a rival spectacle was organized and a number of the best danseuses from Paris were brought out in the hope that they would rival the great Bonfanti. There were Diaui, Solhke, Blassina and Lupo, all first-class artistes, but none of them succeeded in equaling Bonfanti. Then it was that Morlacchi was sent for, and appearing soon after her arrival in the "Devil's Auction, or Golden Branch," fairly eclipsed the favorite.
In addition to her superb dancing, Morlacchi proves to be one of the most bewitching of protean actresses, and in "Thrice Married," a favorite play of the Florences, is really charming. The entire performance is a decided success.
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The Buffalo Bill Combination - A fine Troupe
The audience which assembled at the Theatre last evening was not so large at the merits of the company subsequently proved they deserved. "Buffalo Bill' is the Simon pure scout of the plains, and the hero of divers thrilling novels. That he is the redoubtable personage is established by the fact that Surgeon Dickson, on duty with the Federal garrison in Savannah now, was for some time associated with Mr. Cody in the West, and upon his arrival here at once sought him out to extend courtesies to him. Mr. D. H. Elliott, who is now connected with the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, but who was concerned in the building of the Kansas Railroad, informs us that he has known Mr. Cody for some time and he is the very "Buffalo Bill" whose fame as a brave and successful scout is national. The identity of "Texas Jack" is equally authenticated, and we are convinced of the genuineness of the claims that have been made on this score.
The performance last evening was eminently satisfactory to the audience. For one we were most agreeably disappointed, and can with sincerity recommend the company to all theatre-goers and promise them a most entertaining evening.
The opening piece was a very lively and amusing little comedy in which the famous danseuse, M'lle Morlacchi, of whom everybody has heard, appeared and proved that she is as clever in acting as is graceful in pirouetting. Her protean performance in "Thrice Married" was very pleasant and amusing and elicited not only enthusiastic applause, but drew forth floral tributes and encores.
The piece de resistance of the entertainment, "Life on the Border," introduced us to Buffalo Bill, a Western judge, jury and executioner; Texas Jack, who can train an Indian from Missouri to the Pacific; George Reed, a victim of perjury, but a square man for all that; Jedediah Broadbrim, a peace commissioner, with an affection for Ireland, and a host of other original and eminently American characters, whose life and adventures in the Western wilds, as portrayed from the stage, have at least the charm of indisputable novelty.
The drama, while very exciting and intensely interesting, is not too sensational, and hence was the more thoroughly enjoyed. Ther interest of the audience did not flag from the commencement to the close, and although the absence of "Buffalo Bill," "Old Sloat" and "Texas Jack" in certain scenes was noticeable, yet the other characters were well up in their parts, and sufficiently interesting to keep the attention of the audience.
Mr. J. V. Arlington proved himself a capital actor in his rendition of the character of "Old Sloat," and the "General Duncan" of Mr. Harry Moreland was admirable, in fact a cleverer personation could not have been desired. Mr. Jognson's "Grasshopper Jim" was good, and Mr. Charles B. Waite cleverly rendered "Captain Huntley," an odious character, redeemed somewhat by the correct personation. "Jedediah Broadbrim" in the hands of Mr. Thomas Z. Graham was mad an immense hit and took with the audience. The female characters were well sustained. Miss Laura Fay as "Betty Mullany" a truehearted Italian girl, from Cork, a bright, vivacious young lady, and rather fortunate in the possession of rare personal charms, made a most favorable impression. Miss Ada Forrester well represented "Emma Reynolds," the betrothed of "Buffalo Bill," and was frequently applauded.
The drama was well put upon the stage and well presented, and was in most striking contrast with the miserable performance given by the frauds who, last winter, swooped into this city under the name of the Buffalo Bill Combination.
The company now here is a good one in every respect, and independent of the attraction of such noted individuals as "Buffalo Bill" and "Texas Jack," are well worth seeing.
They give a performance to-night, to-morrow night and a matinee on Saturday.