The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-05-14
Down the Black Canyon.

OOWu the Black canyon.
Tuesday evening was ushered il
1 by the usual daily rain and drizzlt
of the previous week, and the Blacl
Canyon troup wore faces as long, i
not as pious, as that of the proven
bal Presbyterian. But when Bill
Goehring turned on the gas and
"lighted up the gloom" as it were
in Metropolitan Hall, those fore.
bodings of i'll and q small audience
were Immediately dispelled. At a
little after 8 o'clock every available
seat in the hall held an occupant,
and we imagine the curtain peep
hole soon served as panacea to
all misgivings and restored high
spirits on the stage. The orchestra
struck up one of Strauss latest and
loveliest waltzes and when the cur
tain bell finally tapped every one
seemed in just the correct mood to
'catch on" and enter into the spirit
of the play. The KEYSTONE would
enjoy giving in detail justly de-
served comment upon the admira-
able work of each and every char
acter in the cast, but must content
itself with just mention at this
time. Frank Weaver's imperson-
alton of the hero, John Andrews,
was really more than is expected
of an amateur, showing beyond a
doubt that he is the possessor of
no mean dramatic talent. Ruth
Armour, by Mrs. H. C. Lewis, was
an equal test of real ability, and in
justice to the lady it is a pleasure
to say that she was not found want
ing in her understanding of the
character and perfect ease and self
possession upon the stage. Sol
ONION Goldstein and Hiram Spriggs,
respectfully represented by John G.
Rumsey and Geo. J. Lewis, supplied
the mirth and fun of the evening,
several times bringing down the
house with a storm of applause
which the gentlemen patiently per-
mitted to subside before proceeding.
H. G.. Lewis buried his identity
completely in the desperate charac-
ter of Rufus Stone, the villain, and
acted with all the ease, grace and
dramatic effect of an old "stager."
He impressed the audience so with
the villainy of Stone that many
were displeased because of his cheat
ing the gallows at the last. Frank
Rickert, as Thomas Dalton, the
warm-hearted and impulsive Irish
lad, shared the honors of the even
ing in a marked degree, while Geo.
E. Mills did Frank Thorn, leader
of the vigilantes, with all the i'm
pressive solemnity of the situation.
George Easley made good waif as
the ubiquitous Jimmie, "the Silent
Witness" and Misses Barry and
Pilliner, respectively as Mrs. Spriggs
and Kate Armour, were we'll cast.
Frank Hughes, as Foreman of the
Jury and Jack Barry as Miner, as
sisted by Frank Wells, were all that
the characters called for. In fact it
would have been difficult to i'm
prove the cast in any manner, and
the entire audience seemed not only
we'll satisfied with the performance
but agreeably surprised at so many
visible signs of thoughtful prepare
ton, study snd real dramatic talent.
The scenery was we'll suited to
the production, and all mechanical
manipulated without jar
or delay.
The event was as successful finan.
cially as otherwise. The total re-
ceipts were $119 so, of which a
good portion will 60 to defray the
expense of refitting the stage, which
must have been considerable, but
being done will enable the club to
net handsomely on future perform
ances-which by the way everybody
hopes for-and to turn in a good
round sum to the school fund.