THE EVENING STAR DISAS-
TER.
______

    No accident as appalling as that which we have chronicled ever occurs without giving rise to many painful and affecting incidents. These incidents, in the case of the Evening Star, are not yet fully collated; when they are, doubtless another chapter will be added to the romance of tragedy. But already enough of heartrending scenes are known to us. William Wray (as was stated elsewhere) was among the passengers lost. Only two weeks ago we published an obituary notice of his brother. After his death the mother of the two men called upon us, and with tears in her eyes, related the good points in her son's character. She spoke with all a mother's pride and affection, but her sorrow then was alleviated somewhat by the fact that William was left as a support and comfort to her declining years. And now he too is gone--snatched away suddenly in the full prime of young manhood. What wonder that the widowed mother's heart is stricken with deep desolation? We have received many letters during the past week, written in nervous trembling hands, and they tell sad stories--these letters do. The writers had some relative or friend aboard the Evening Star. Is he safe? Do you know? And when we search our meagre returns to find the information they seek, we can but feel some drops of sympathy distilling themselves to tears, as we glean the fact that their beloved ones probably sleep the sleep that knows no waking.

    The supposed heroine of the great Bond street tragedy was on board of the ill-fated steamer. She had established an extensive and fashionable maison de grisettes in New Orleans, and was returning to that place from a visit to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston, where she had collected a fresh troop of young girls, known as nymphs du pave, whom Mrs. Cunningham was conveying to the Crescent City, in order to promote her nefarious business, which was assuming vast proportions. This maitress du salon has gone to the bottom of the ocean, in company with thirty employes and co-workers in crime.

    This young lady had gained a great notoriety as an actress, vocalist, and terpsichorean artiste at casinoes and music-halls. She was a great favorite in New York, Washington and Baltimore, and was one of the most beautiful and voluptuous women upon the stage. She is reported to have been lost on board the Evening Star. When last seen she was clinging to a spar, but being very heavy, could not have remained above the waves long. Julia Mortimer was a native of Philadelphia, and made her first appearance here as a danseuse in a concert saloon in Arch street, below Seventh, some years ago. She was twenty-five years of age.

    This distinguished terpsichorean artiste was reckoned the most beautiful woman in her profession, both in form and feature. She was well known in this city, and played a very successful engagement at the American Theatre here last spring. As a danseuse she was remarkably agile and graceful, and was rapidly becoming a finished actress and vocalist. Millie, in company with her three sisters, Clara, Louisa and Emma, was en route to New Orleans, to fill a professional engagement there. Millie was also accompanied by her protector and reputed husband, Mr. William D., son of a well-known banker of this city. The couple were ostensibly very affectionate, and met death heroically, clasped in each other's arms. So prominent a position had Millie taken in her profession that she readily commanded a salary of $115 per week and her sisters, Clara, Louisa and Emma, $75 per week. They were of English parentage. Millie came to this country about six years ago, and made her debut in 1860. She became a great favorite, remaining here for some time, after which she went to Washington. She then travelled with Frank Rivers' company, becoming a great favorite as a danseuse. Returned to England and in company with her sister Clara revisited America. The two then appeared in different cities as the Fowler sisters, meeting with flattering success. About a year ago, Millie again visited Europe for the purpose of bringing her mother and her two sisters--Louisa and Emma--to this country. She returned with them to this city, since which time they have been before the public, and recognized as popular performers. Millie and Clara were danseuses, and Louisa was a vocalist. The mother is at present living in Philadelphia, left to mourn the loss of four beautiful and affectionate daughters. Miss Millie was twenty-four years of age, Miss Clara twenty, Miss Louisa Eighteen, Miss Emma twenty-two.

    Wylde Hardinge, was also a passenger. This gentleman became notorious in connection with the pirate ship Shenandoah. On his arrival in England, about three years ago, he married Belle Boyd, and shortly after made his debut as a dramatic reader in the provinces. The reception he met with there emboldened him to turn his attention to the stage. He arrived in this country about six months ago, and at once advertised for star engagements, but not succeeding in effecting any, sailed for New Orleans, to try his fortune there. He was a young man, about thirty years of age, rather slimly built, and of good appearance.

    There were also on board twenty-two performers engaged in New York by Messrs. Spaulding & Bidwell for the Academy of Music, New Orleans, consisting of Frank Gerard, the two Talleen Brothers and wives, J. Nicolo and Young Nicolo, Tom Russell, William Wray, Mad'lle Delphine, Millie, Clara, Emma and Louisa Fowler, known as the Fowler Sisters, William Dawson, Edward Murray, Edward S. Berry, Emma S. Powers, Julia Mortimer, Mrs. H. B. Koch (Kay), Marie E. Litts, Minnie Taylor and Mary Duval. Of these, at the present writing, only two are known to have been saved, viz: Frank Gerard (an Ethiopian comedian, who was the only man saved in the third mate's boat, and whose residence is No. 51 Bond street, Brooklyn) and Minnie Taylor. These are the only two out of eighty-one professionals that are known to have been saved. Several of the performers who were engaged to go with this company broke their contracts, thereby saving their lives. These were Bob Hart, Billy Emerson and Willis Armstrong, who had promised to go, but fortunately for them they did not start. Billy Reeves and wife were also engaged, but waited over for the next steamer, and sailed on the 6th instant. We also understand that E. Eddy had a large portion of his wardrobe on board. Dr. Spaulding was to have accompanied his company on this steamer, but fortunately business prevented him.

    The Nicolo Troupe consisted of J. Nicolo (right name Nichols,) young Nicolo (a pupil,) and the Talleen Brothers (right names, William Rodney and Thomas Tolliday). Mr. Nicolo came to this country with Franconi's Hippodrome, and travelled with that company for some time. After this he travelled with different circus companies. He subsequently returned to England, and after an absence of three years once more visited this country, bringing with him young Nicolo, whom he had adopted and brought up to the business. Since his last arrival from England, with the Talleen Brothers, they have travelled together as the Nicolo Troupe, with circus companies, etc. They have also been to Havana with Chiarini. The Talleen Brothers had their wives with them, Mrs. Nicolo is at present in New York, confined to a sick bed, and nearly crazy over the loss of her husband. The Nicolo Troupe were all first-class artistes. The first appearance of the Talleen Brothers was at the Fourteenth street circus, in New York, under canvas, with James M. Nixon as manager.

    William Wray, who was born in New York, July 25, 1833, was a very clever Ethiopian comedian, as well as one of the most useful and versatile performers in the business. He could play on almost every musical instrument known. He was also a clever performer in magic. In fact, he could do a little of everything. His last engagement in New York was with Sanford's Minstrels at the Old Bowery, in July last. His brother Edward died about six weeks ago; their aged mother is now left with no one in the world to care for her.

    Tom Russell (right name Tom Butler) was born in New York, and was formerly a waiter in Meschutz's eating saloon, on Broadway. He first learned to sing by visiting the different "Free and Easies" in town. He obtained instructions from Tony Pastor, who furnished him with all the popular comic songs of the day. His first regular employment was at the Varieties, Detroit, in 1863, where he became a great favorite. He then went to Chadwick's Varieties, Chicago, returning soon after to Detroit. Since then he has appeared in different cities in the country. He was considered a good comic vocalist.

    Edward S. Derry was very popularly known all over the country as a clever Irish vocalist, and an efficient stage manager. He was very popular in Philadelphia, where he married Celia Morley. For several seasons he was stage manager for Deagle's Varieties, St. Louis. He leaves a wife and four children in this city.
    Edward Murray was a song and dance man. He was born in New York and was about twenty-two years old. He leaves a wife in New York only seventeen years of age.
    M'lle Delphine was the wife of Wm. Wray, and was born in Canada. She was popular as a jig and fancy dancer, and was also a valuable assistant to her husband in his feats of magic.
    Marie E. Letts was the daughter of a member of the police force, who died in New York last winter, and she adopted the profession as a means of support for her widowed mother.
    Mary Duval was one of the well known Duval Sisters, and was popular as a vocalist.

    Among the passengers was the opera troupe of Mr. Paul Alhaiza, comprising fifty-nine singers, artistes and musicians, whom the manager had engaged in Paris. Mr. Alhaiza reached New York by the steamer Ville de Paris on September 28th with his company. He put his troupe at a hotel to wait the sailing of the Evening Star and on the 29th they took passage on that ill-fated steamer.

Source:

Unknown, "The Evening Star Disaster," Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Monday, 22 October, 1866, Page 0_2.