The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-04-18
FRANK C. BANGS, THE SILVER KING.

"Aud YOU would like me to tell you something
Of my life 2" said Mr. Frank {. Bangs, the "Silver
King. TO a representative Of TnE SUNDAY lERAlp,
as they sat in the formers apartments yesterday.
SHOW much there is to tell and YET now lll'le. Bni
II YOU will promise not to grow weary Will at least
inform You of my association with the stage which
presume you most desire. ! was born forty
of lads, was quite uneventful. worked in store,
went to school, and did the thousand and one other
things every boy does In S by some v sTa1 ,e
great Ravels In pantomime Not liking the panto-
mimic stage, commenced TO study the legitimate
drama. In 1851 became member OF John Dfews
tArch street theatre, Philadelphia, playing "irst
walking gentlemen parts And what q grand COM
IRON, actors ike they were The company included
snch famous people as Mr. and Mrs. John Drew,
John Dolman, now one of the leading lights OF me
Shadows of a Great city Mr.. aud Mrs. Thayer, Mr
and Miss Kinlock, Miss olive Logan, the widow Of
correspondent Of the Cincinnati Enquirer,
New YORK Herald. and Philadelphia Times; Gen.
George \. Gyle and William Wheatley. What de-
ghtfn people they were. too. il makes one younger
by ten years recall the names of who brought
10 the stage in the palmy days so much Intelligence
and culture. How l would like TO meet them all
again. 1t would pull nail out ofmy coffin, me thinks,
instead of driving one in That, however is impossi-
bic as several of the persona mentioned nave ceased
ton life was very pleasant indeed, and Will always
remember ii with pleasure. II was during my play
that 1t was my duty go with her in the stand she
had taken left the company and became Con-
federate soldier, 1OlOwlnR tne nag OF tue SOn-
federate States until it went down In disaster and
defeat. After the war resumed my adopted pro
fession, and have continued In II ever since. wen
10 Albany, n. Y, where played Heading juvenile
business with varying success. Shortly after TINS
was called on play "eads, and have continued II
that capacity ever since"
"Who IL the greatest actor you have ever seen !?
was asked the famous soldier-actor.
"Salvini beyond the question OF doubt. lie u
the most marvellous man have seen or ever mop
TO see. believe all the elements OF greatness wer
combined in salvini to make him Ire-enlnently IN
greatest actor of modern times II ! were calle'
upon to choose q bust of an actor to represent tn
stage, that bust would be Salvnis."
AS Mr.. Bangs talked OF the eminent italian TRACE
dian his eyes flashed fire. his face lit up with color
and he looked every inch the noble fellow he ID, u
pay so glorious a tribute to fellow-actor The In
formal chat then drfted to other matters, and dur
ing its continuance the actor said: "This ID my las
year in the 'Si!ver King leave 1t for the legt
mate, where hope to hereafter be found. shal
take company Of my own on the road next veal
'othel!o.' Macbeth 'yirginius," and 'Richeleu
can only hope the people vii! treat m
kindly For three years have played ssh
yer King and while i am not tired OF II, for
regard II one OF the strongest nelodramatic play
ever written. still / want TO get back to my amb
ton, and that is to appear In round OF legltimat
characters There hope TO die with the harness Oh
The public have been very Kind to me. shall Ell
deavor to merit their warmest admiration IN IN
future"
Mr.. Bangs was found TO be one Of the most genil
OF gentlemen Full OF anecdote and reminiscence
OF the great players OF the stage, he has rich fun
from which TO draw for entertaining bis friends
Mr.. Bangs is as lively to-day as he was twenty-iv
years ago. While his hairs are as white as IN
"snows of winter" the fire OF youth remains, and
burns as brightly and with as certain hea, as VINE
he bowed his acknowledgements In 52 to Washing
audience