Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-06
SARA ALEXANDER.
Poets Tribute TO the Famous salt
Lnke Dancer.


Lake Dancer.
From, The Chicago Tribune.
Not many months ago ! met N New
York a woman whose history may prove
of interest Just now. while the Mormon
question is agitating the public mind.
This woman was sara Alexander, for
years the leading actress and the drst
professional dancer ever allowed in Brig
ham YOung's magnificent theatre. sara
Alexander was born in Virginia. Her
mother-left a widow with two small
alaughters-was made a convert 10 the
Mormon faith through the eloquent per-
Eaasions Of one or the travelling agents
sent TO the South to recruit the church.
1t is well known how fond Brigham
Young was Of the drama. be butt
splendid theatre IN 1861, and organized
n dramatic company. Five OF MS
daughters played from time 10
time, but none OF them attained emil
nence in the profession. sara Alexander
was chosen as a member 81 the company,
and soon developed marked talent as an
actress. She was very handsome, OF tne
delicate, petite order OF beauty anu
wonderfully graceful. After she mad been
PLAYING leading parts for several months.
She one night improyised few light steps
during one scene in the comedy she was
enacting Brigham's manager. who was
progressive in his IDEAS. recognized her
terpsichoresn gifts, and placed her under
skillful instructors at once. In few
months she became the most wonderful
dancer the United States has ever pro-
Gluced. But her talents were mainly
reserved for Salt Lake City, and she
abandoned the profession before her fame
was national, or worldwide, as 1t might
nave been.
brigham objected seriously to the in
production of dancing in his theatre at
first" Miss Alexander told me. FINALLY
he consented to watch il one night from
his box; but he insisted that our skirts
should be below the knees-almost to the
ankles. The second night he took seat
in the front row, and suggested that we
shorten our dresses somewhat TO allow
more freedom OF movement After that
he never objected to the dancing, and
gradually our costumes were Of regula-
lion dimensions"
Miss Alexander became the sensation,
and for Eve years she was known as "the
Pet OF Salt Lake City, Her dancing was
peculiar to herself-a style involving the
most beautiful and intricate steps. Sell
dom has any artist-even OF the famous
French dancers OF worldwide reputation
--equalled her i'm celebrity or grace. This
handsome, gifted. vivaciOus girl was used
as veritable cats-paw by the Mormon
elders. She was invited to be present at
ayhe dinners given to officials or Gentle
"0rs. They pointed TO her with pride
Aensad av-ss'Your papers claim that our
women are AL sad aud unhappy. Look at
our Sara! She u one OF rs: Does she
look like a wretcRed woman"
And Sara was allowed to dance over the
hearts OF half the men in Salt Lake City,
and was not sealed to any man, because
they preferred to keep her as ''an exam
ple'' to show to strangers.
Light-hearted, petteds and admired, she
was unconscious and unsuspiclOus OF the
misery around her. But her awakening
came. Her stepfather pI lpOsed bringing
a second wife home while Ner mother lay
an invalid in her bed. FNTtunately her
mother died before he ace Emphasized his
purpose. Then her sister, 81 Arcely year
welded, and soon to becomN a mother,
NTas driven almost to madl ass by the
knowledge that another wife was to
be taken by her husband. Nfter the
birth Of her baby girl SIC sank
into profound melancholy Sara
Alexander, realizing now all the ter yible
hidden side OF polygamy, made her escape
40 san Francisco aud took her sister and
the baby girl with her. Her sister died in
less than two months aiterward Miss
Alexander has devoted her life TO the care
of her niece, who is now known to the
professional w0rld as the child actress.
1isle Lee. Numerous attempts TO kdnap
this child have been made by her Mormon
father. who is of course anxious TO gain
possession Of her and bring Der up in the
Asfath." But Miss Alexander guards her
with maternal devotion, aud surrounds
her with the most vigilant care in her
public career.
After leaving Utah Miss Alexander was
Followed by Joseph Young, Brigham's
I EOn,ec0O begged her TO return and become
- is hw;Qlly sealed wife. lie told her she
1s'would lie damned If she did not" a
ssan Franchises paper reported that Sara
replied. ''She would be damned If she
did" And Joseph returned discOnsO-
Gate, aud Sara took TO the field and
kielivered the first anti-MOrmon lectures
ever given by woman.
She sbFinks from notOriety, and lives in
the most quiet and retired manner in
Rev York. Her delicate face retains
s7uarked evidences 81 its old beauty in her
9ustrous eyes and regular features; and
her form Is as dainty and hesOme as
chiifs. ] had always been told that the
feet OF professional dancers were large
and misshapen from cver-exerti0n. But
Sara Alexander wears a No. boot and
her foot Is narrow and beautifully arched.
As mark Of especial favor she yielded TO
Sxly eager urging. ana gave me private
fcxhibitiOn OF her marvellous dancing. ]
have never in my life seen anything on
the stage TO equal II. II some manager
could secure her for season now be
would reap a rich harvest. But she reso-
iutely refuses 10 return 20 the stage.
/ never saw a woman who made a more
3ndelible impression upon my mind than
ahis quiet, dainty little creature who was
once "the pet OF salt Lake City" Size
has passed through a strangely adventur-
pIs and dangerous career, and reached
the maturity Of life with a stainless name
aud a heart as pure as a chllds. Her
race is turned away from the glare OF the
foOtligbts toward the sunset Of life; her
bouquets are withered. with many OF her
youthful hopes; the echo OF the applause
thai used everywhere 20 greet her appear
Rnce Is dying away Ia the chambers OF
her memory; but she retains her youthful
grace. and the light Of a sweet spirit
which is always young shines from her
gentle and almost sad face as she walks
pa alone toward the western Mills.
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.