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PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.
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G. E. Spaulding and Mr. Charles J. Rogers, the firm being Spaulding, Rogers & Bidwell, and the Academy became one of the regular theatres of the city, soon winning its way to popularity under this excellent management. Mr. Rogers withdrew from the firm at the close of the war.
Messrs. Spaulding and Bidwell now bought the ground and built the Olympic Theatre in St. Louis, one of the finest theatres in the West, and having leased the theatres in Memphis and Mobile, they rebuilt and remodelled them. These four theatres—New Orleans, St. Louis, Memphis and Mobile—made a circuit, and their companies played alternately, two or three weeks at a time in each place, making the first theatrical circuit ever established, and inaugurating the system of traveling combinations which has since become so popular throughout, the country.
In 18G7, three men, Mr. Bidwell, I)r. Spaulding and Mr. Avery Smith, projected one of the most extensive amusement enterprises ever undertaken. We refer to the great American Champion Circus, which went to the World's Exposition, held 111 Paris in 18(i7, in the palmy days of the second Empire. Each partner contributed fifty thousand dollars, and Mr. Bidwell was chosen to accompany the “ show” that was to astonish the Old World. Preparations were made on a grand scale. An immense amphitheatre was built in Albany, Xew York, to be transported across the water. The best talent in every line and the, best horses were selected. Circus men everywhere in the country took an interest, not financially, but in spirit, in the enterprise, and Messrs. Bidwell & Co. were given the pick and choice of everything in the business.
They chartered the steamship Guiding Star, and \fith the build ng, paraphernalia, over one hundred people, forty horses, the famous buffalo and other fine animals, Mr. Bidwell started for the French capital.
Here difficulties and disappointments awaited him. The site first assigned him was too small for liis building, the second lie wa> obliged to leave on account of the objections of some of the French nobility, and after several weeks of delay, during which the enormous expenses of the enterprise were running on, he located in the Theatre du Prince Imperial, which he was obliged to remodel at a great outlay of money. But for these obstructions and delays, the venture would have been an immense financial success. After the opening, for three months, the average daily attendance was over four thousand people. Paris was taken by storm. There was not room enough in the great theatre to accommodate the crowds. Everybody connected with the enterprise gained a satisfactory amount of glory. It was the champion circus, and the performers were all decorated with medals, testifying their superiority in their several specialties. They played ten months in Paris and then went to London where they appeared in the amphitheatre at Hoburn Hill. During the four months that they were there, there never was room enough in the house, to hold all the people who wanted to attend, tlere Mr. Bidwell met with more misfortune in the loss of health. He was sick for two months, during four weeks of which time his life was despaired of. This compelled the abandonment of the balance of their European tour, which undoubtedly would have been a round of grand successes. Mr. Bidwell returned home and resumed his management of our Academy.
At this time, 1807-’(iS, Messrs. Spaulding & Bidwell had six theatres—New Orleans, St. Louis, .Memphis, Mobile, Paris and Havana—all in successful operation at the same time.
In 1871 the firm was dissolved and Mr. Bidwell in the division of property retained the Academy of Music in this city. This he conducted with marked success and constant increasing popularity, notwithstanding the depreciation in property and depression in business.
This success is due to the fact that he always gives the public “ the worth of their money.” His house, the first to open and last to close, is always supplied with the best of talent, lie is enabled to present these attractions, because he has always acted justly and honorably with the companies who have appeared on his boards. This has given him a high stand in the i>rofession, which enables him to make his choice of the combinations for each season.
Among his fellow-citizens, Mr. Bidwell is esteemed for integrity, liberality and enterprise. Socially he is the best of companions, aud iii business “ his word is as good as his bond.”