Daniel Howard Harkins (April 27, 1836 â€" December 7, 1902) was an
American stage actor. His career spanned almost 50 years and included
performances around the world. He also served as a Union officer
during the American Civil War.Harkins began his acting career in 1853
in Chicago, appearing at the theater of John Blake Rice. In 1854 he
moved to Philadelphia, where he performed in the stock company at the
Walnut Street Theatre. In 1855 he went to New York, joining the
company of actress Laura Keene. He was still in New York, performing
at the Niblo's Garden theater, when the American Civil War began in
1861.Harkins joined the Union war effort, enlisting in the army on
July 16, 1861. He was made captain of Company D of the 1st Regiment
New York Volunteer Cavalry. In December 1862 he was promoted to the
rank of major. He was discharged from military service on October 6,
1864.After the war, Harkins returned to the stage. In 1866 he began
working with James Keteltas Hackett and became stage manager of the
New York Theatre. In August 1868, Harkins got into a business dispute
involving the theatrical adaptation of the novel Foul Play. Producer
Harry Palmer had obtained rights to adapt the story. Harkins had
arranged with Palmer to produce the play at the New York Theatre, with
financing from businessman J. T. Lloyd. Harkins would also star in the
production. The arrangement went well at first, but a disagreement
arose over royalty payments, which led Harkins to relocate the show to
the Broadway Theatre. Lloyd, thinking he was cheated, got a local
judge to issue a warrant for Harkins, which the county sheriff
attempted to execute on August 24. Six armed men barged into the
Broadway Theatre during a performance, failing at first to identify
themselves as sheriff's officers. A confrontation ensued in which two
bystanders were shot, although Harkins had fled the scene before the
gunfire. The production was subsequently closed down through a court
injunction.
American stage actor. His career spanned almost 50 years and included
performances around the world. He also served as a Union officer
during the American Civil War.Harkins began his acting career in 1853
in Chicago, appearing at the theater of John Blake Rice. In 1854 he
moved to Philadelphia, where he performed in the stock company at the
Walnut Street Theatre. In 1855 he went to New York, joining the
company of actress Laura Keene. He was still in New York, performing
at the Niblo's Garden theater, when the American Civil War began in
1861.Harkins joined the Union war effort, enlisting in the army on
July 16, 1861. He was made captain of Company D of the 1st Regiment
New York Volunteer Cavalry. In December 1862 he was promoted to the
rank of major. He was discharged from military service on October 6,
1864.After the war, Harkins returned to the stage. In 1866 he began
working with James Keteltas Hackett and became stage manager of the
New York Theatre. In August 1868, Harkins got into a business dispute
involving the theatrical adaptation of the novel Foul Play. Producer
Harry Palmer had obtained rights to adapt the story. Harkins had
arranged with Palmer to produce the play at the New York Theatre, with
financing from businessman J. T. Lloyd. Harkins would also star in the
production. The arrangement went well at first, but a disagreement
arose over royalty payments, which led Harkins to relocate the show to
the Broadway Theatre. Lloyd, thinking he was cheated, got a local
judge to issue a warrant for Harkins, which the county sheriff
attempted to execute on August 24. Six armed men barged into the
Broadway Theatre during a performance, failing at first to identify
themselves as sheriff's officers. A confrontation ensued in which two
bystanders were shot, although Harkins had fled the scene before the
gunfire. The production was subsequently closed down through a court
injunction.
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