Part 446: Thomas G. Moses and “Young Tobe Hoxie”
In 1902, Thomas G. Moses recorded that he created scenery for the show “Tobe Hoxie.” Moses was referring to the new four-act pastoral comedy, “Young Tobe Hoxie.” It was advertised as a “rural comedy drama,” written by E. C. Lamson. Lamson wrote the play, organized the company presenting it and usually appeared in the title role.
The plot revolved around the leading character, “Tobe Hoxie,” a mechanical genius of a country neighborhood who wins fame as the inventor of a remarkable mousetrap. A diamond-in-the-rough rustic, Hoxie was not simply a silly kid or low comedy role. In the play, he travels to the city where he finds employment at a factory. He rapidly rises in the company and soon becomes a recognized leader. In the end, Hoxie finds both love and success. Lamson was inspired to create the piece while portraying a similar character in “York State Folks” (The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY, 21 April 1904, page 4). Lydia Knott playing his love interest and the show was advertised to contain “Beautiful climaxes, heartaches of pathos, and side aches of laughter” (Washington Times, Jan 31 1904, page 15).
In 1902, “The Arizona Republic” reported that 1902, Lamson and his manager were “hard at work opening negotiations for the organization and equipment of the company” (Arizona Republic, 28 December 1902, page 4). They were planning to establish their offices, arrange future bookings, and cast the show that coming spring in 1903. The article continued, “The play will be complete in every way; with elaborate scenery, correct costumes and all things that are necessary for a first class presentation”(Arizona Republic, 28 Dec. 1902, page 4).
“The Daily Notes,” reported, “Mr. Ernest Lamson, who of the younger actors that are being advanced to leading positions this season, there are none more thoroughly equipped, he being especially favored by nature with a commanding presence, a good voice and a large capacity for hard work and study. These natural qualities, combined with a thorough stage training under the best masters, like the late James A. Herne, have placed him at the head of his chosen line. In “Young Tobe Hoxie,” Mr. Lamson will have an opportunity that seldom fails to an actors lot, the comedy, pathos and heroics of this character being so positively drawn that failure is impossible. The fact that Mr Lamson is to be featured does not mean that the rest of the company will be neglected. He will be surrounded by a supporting company equal to any he has ever been associated with, each member being selected for their special fitness and ability” (The Daily Notes, Canonsburg, PA, 23 Dec, 1903, page 3).
A few days later, “The Daily Notes” commented on the scenery by Moses, “It is one of the prettiest plays on stage today, put on by a high class company in every respect, and bids fair to rival “Old Homestead” and the many latter day play of that nature “(Canonsburg, PA, 26 Dec, 1903, page 2). Of the roles in “Young Tobe Hoxie,” the article continued, “The characters are real and have their prototypes in every rural community. They talk as farmer folk might be expected to talk, they are not characterized, they are not maligned. There is not a word uttered that is out of place, and this, too, in spite of the fact that there are several situations where the author must have been sorely tempted to use words that are not regarded as wholly proper in polite society. His pages are not spoiled by a single oath, or a double entendre sentence. It is as pure as the water that gushes out from beneath the foot of some storm swept mountain and as fragrant as a breeze in June that has traveled over a field of clover blossoms. Fault is has, to be sure, blemishes that might have been avoided, and some straining after effects that cast a cloud of insincerity over what has gone before; but there is so much that is excellent and it is such a relief from the maudlin, half-witted tommyrot that is usually met with in rural plays that one feels to be disposed to be lenient with its defects and to commend it for the good it contains” (The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 1904, page 5).
“The Arizona Republic” reported that Lamson was traveling over the same circuit he made during the show’s debut, and was greeted by even larger audiences (8 Dec. 1904, page 5).
To be continued…
