Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-03-13
The Virginia Veteran.

the sterilng military dra1na OF Lnc VIZ
ginia Veteran presented by the Crane
Army amateurs. The entertainment,
was in all respects perfect success
The characters were without an excep
ton well sustained. The tiresome de-
lays between scenes incident to amateur
performances was wholly obviated, anC
scene succeeded scene in rapid sue
cession, indicating the excellent man
agement which prevailed.
Mr.. G.. II. Green in the leading char
acter of Colonel Blunt, an aged ex
centric and patriotic hero Of the Mexi
can war, who evinces strong passion
for recounting the sanguinary details o
the renowned battle of Buena Vista
and whose extreme age and rheumatic
troubles do not serve to deter him from
taking up arms against the Southern
Confederacy, was simply immense, and
the vociferous applause of the audience
gave ample proof of its being well re.
ceived and thoroughly appreciated.
Mr.. Alfred Johnson, in the role OF
Captain Henry Blunt, son Of the patri-
otic hero Colonel Blunt, fairly acquitted
himself on this occasion. Rare versatil-
ity of genius is required in the perfect
rendition of the different phases of life
in which the character abounds, and
Mr.. Johnson was fully equal to the re-
quirements, intensely pathetic during
the scene of separation with his wife
and child, firm and pronounced in his
determined resolution to risk his life in
the defense Of the Union, stern and
commanding in his official capacity,
jovial and buoyant in camp diversions,
brave and courageous in action, he was
the very embodiment of the character,
and had it not been for the triiiing
timidity displayed in the kissing scene,
would have been pronounced absolutely
perfect.
Miss May Vincent, in the role of Mrs.
Ella Blunt, wife of Captain Henry
Blunt, showed very clear conception
Of the character, which in its able and
fautless rendering elected much ap-
plause.
Miss Bertha Wood as Miss Sally
Blunt, sister Of Col. Blunt, an antiquated
spinster Of the Virginia school, was in
her antique makeup, positive manner
ofexpression, and excentric department
the personification Of the ideal character
and met with favorable recognition from
the audience.
Mr.. J. c. Carr in the character OF
Simon Muggins, the Guerilla captain,
whose mind was tortured by the vivid
recolections ola wretched life, phrenzi-
ed bv remorse Of conscience and haunt.
ed by the imaginary apparition OF one
of his victims, was fully up to the
standard, and in his mastery rendition
of this villainous character was applaud
ed to the echo.
Mr.. II. j. Stone In the role Of Scipio
colored servant of Captain Blunt, was a
marked feature Of the occasion. His
ludicrous, and highly amusing byplay
kept the audience in q constant roar OF
laughter, and his immitable inpersona-
tion Of the sable character all through
has never before been approached on
the Custer boards.
Mr.. Krusen, as Keeler, the inebriate
soldier with an irresistible penchant for
stealing fowls, was an excellent card
and added much to the success of the
play.
MIR. A. T. Feay, in the role of Vincent
the stage struck soldier in Capt. Blunt's
company, who invariably supplemented
his remarks with quotations from
Shakespeare, and other noted authors
gave to the character much force, and
from its utter Righteousness, added a
zest to the performance which could not
we'll have been dispensed with.
Mr.. ]. A. Boyden, in the character OF
Paul Hazard, Union scout, who, by
indomitable effort, Drawing the dangers
and peril incident to the life of the
scout saves the life Of Colonel Blunt and
his entire household, and also the house
from the burning torch of the guerilla's
was we'll up in the intricacies of tht
role, and rendered it in a manner tina
was in every sense highly creditable t.
his abilities as an actor.
Miss Maud Krusen as Mary Hazard, .
fourteen year old daughter of Pau
Hazard, who visits Capt. Blunt's camI
with refreshments for the soldiers, ant
who blushingly declines prohered kis
from Capt. Blunt on the grounds of he
mother mot liking it," gave faultles
rendering Of the character, and in he
amusing interview with the irrepressi
BILE Keeler showed decided talent, ant
left the impression of her having beer
on eastern boards pryor to her adven
in this city.
Mr.. Denis Mcclure, IN the role o
Hubbard, a soldier in Capt. Blunt
company who. by Vincent, is reputed t.
be a son of that noted dame who live'
in a shoe, and who claims to hav
descended from a prominent ancesto
who invented the Hubbard Squash