The Vanishing Manager: A Theater Troupe Left High and Dry in Victoria
George Rogers, manager of Seattle’s Vanity Troupe, absconded to San Francisco after promising to meet his actors in Port Townsend, leaving creditors to seize the company's furniture.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Vanity Troupe which has been attached to the Theater Comique of this city under the management of George Rogers returned this morning from their trip in Victoria and down sound ports minus their manager. It is reported on the streets that at Victoria, Mr. Rogers told the company to proceed to Port Townsend and he would join the company there the next day. This the company proceeded to do but since then Rogers has not put in an appearance. It is reported that he went to Frisco on board the Dakota, leaving his creditors to get their pay the best way they can. This morning a number of attachments were taken out on the furniture and fixtures of the Theater, and personal effects of the lessee. The troupe we understand will continue their performances at the Pavilion pending their settlement of claims against the late manager.
This 1874 scandal over a theater manager's flight to San Francisco mirrors modern cases of artistic directors or business owners absconding with funds, leaving local arts organizations and employees to pick up the pieces. It highlights how quickly trust can evaporate in the entertainment industry when financial oversight is lacking.
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