Touring entertainment ensembles tend to travel these days by motor coach, cruising down the highways in custom outfitted buses. But back in the good old days --- the late 19th century --- private rail cars were favored by those who could afford them.
Fame is fleeting, so few today remember the McGibeny Family, one of the most widely known acts in America during the 1880s, nor do many remember Edwin Forrest, a famed Shakespearian actor of the day in whose honor the McGibeny rail car had been christened.
Described as the "finest and best equipped palace car in the country," the Edwin Forrest rolled into Chariton on Monday, Nov. 14, 1887, in advance of the family's performance that evening at the Mallory Opera Hall. The McGibenys had first performed in Chariton during 1878 and would make their farewell appearance in 1894.
The ensemble consisted of James B. and Hannah McGibeny and their ever expanding brood which, when all was said and done, numbered a dozen. The children joined their parents and siblings on stage as soon as they could play an instrument, sing a tune --- or just look cute. The family traveled with a crew of five and was for the most part self-contained in a car that in addition to common areas included 16 sleeping berths and two bedrooms.
Once parked on a convenient siding at the C.B. & Q. Depot that long ago Monday, the public was invited aboard to tour --- another way of drumming up interest in the family's evening performance which, by all accounts, was a great success.
Here's a description of what the visitors saw aboard the Edwin Forrest, as reported in a Chariton Democrat preview published on November 10.
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Nothing succeeds like success, and the McGibeny family have most assuredly succeeded beyond their fondest anticipations. And the new private palace coach which they have just built for their accommodation at an expense of $20,000 is but one of the many striking signs of their prosperity.
The "Edwin Forrest" is the largest, as well as the finest and best equipped palace car in the country, being 74 feet in length, exceeding the length of the regular passenger coaches by over 30 feet, making it nearly twice as long as an ordinary car. As a consequence, it rides easier and affords ample room for a thousand and one conveniences.
In the front is located the kitchen, with range, water heater, lockers and all appurtenances most desired in the culinary department. Next to the kitchen reached by a hall which extends to the drawing room beyond, is the pantry which, while necessarily not large, has been placed with a view solely for convenience. The manner in which the builders could arrange so many shelves, drawers and nooks for storage purposes in such a small space is a mystery. Above the pantry are located the water tanks from which the car is supplied with running water.
Back of the pantry is the drawing room in which is a superb piano, manufactured to their special order, together with easy chairs and other articles of luxury and convenience.
Immediately adjoining in their order is the library, sitting room and bath rooms. Commodious silver, china and linen closets, and ladies and gents toilet rooms are conveniently disposed throughout, while adjoining the library a neat burglar and fire proof safe is placed so as to be entirely hidden from view.
In addition to these conveniences there are sixteen berths and two state rooms.
The splendid traveling carriage is provided throughout with electric call bells, and five servants in attendance quickly supply every want. At night by means of electric lamps the cars are made as light as day, and as it is heated by steam the temperature is the same at all times.
Under the car are 10 lockers in which can be transported enough provisions for a month's supply, a ton of anthracite coal, half a ton of ice and whatever other articles they may desire.
The ensemble of the outside is such as to attract the admiration of every beholder. As a specimen of the perfection to which railroad car building has reached, it will take equal rank with, if it does not excel, the finest of the private cars of the grate railroad magnates.
The public is to be congratulated upon the fact they they have decided to open their car to the public, an invitation that will be unanimously accepted, since its equal in beauty or perfection will not soon be found.
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