The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-14

Amadee w. Duncan, after one short
venture in the theatrical arena, has de-
parted from Zion with more dispatch than
ceremony, leaving ten stranded thespians
to hurl malidictions after him.
Mr. Duncan was a very popular young
man and held a position in the Bank OF
the RepUAic of which his father, Ed w:
Duncan, cashier. But Amadee tired Oh
the routine work in a bank, and casting
about for more cOngenial field, hit upon
the Lyeeum theatre as afLordlng him the
desired opportunity. This house was pc
ing conducted by Frank Maltese and Joe
Bamberger, and had experienced career
of moderate successes and unqualified
reverseS during the present season
Amadee decided to join forces with them
young man made a mistake, as SubSe-
quent developments showed. he Dor
roWed some $3.50 from his mother, look q
third interest in the business and went
to work. The young proprietors secured
a company of ten variety people from
San Francisco and opened up. The pay
ment OF fares, COMMISSIONS. etc, speeully
exhausted all funds and left dehclt, so
Duncan went in $3.50 more, buying out
Maltese and taking the management OF
the house.
good, but last week it simply faded away.
Yesterday was to have been pay day, and
on Saturday night, when duncan re-
viewed the situation, found himself out
ing, and salaries due, he concluded TO
drop out and let things shift for them
selves. Where he has gone is not known
Prof. Montague the clever con1urer and
speciality artist of the Lyceum company,
gave his opinion of the affair last night.
He said the DerfOrL-.rs came here under
four-weeks' engagement ana LOT tne
first week business IEs very good, out
their salaries were used up in paying
fares, commissions and other expenses
involved in a trip from Frisco
II lEal o
pany that he had taken charge; that In
in view of the falling off in business: 1t
would be necessary to reduce salaries:
The members accepted his terms and
signed with him. They went on playing
through the week to diminishing patron
age, but chaered by the sign back of the
wings All bills payable Monday at 1
on Sunday the company met for re-
hearsal, but the manager did not appear
and then the fact that he had departed
was learned.
evident that he made an error in Judg-
ment when he went into the PROPOSE
ton. Having lost his capital and perhaps
exhausted his resources for such a
venture, he concluded TO solve the prob
lem by letting it solve itself.
The members of the company were in
a sorry plight yesterday and it has not
! been materially improved yet. Their first
weeks salaries having gone for expenses.
| they were relying on yesterdays pay 10
square up board bills. etc. When the
| ghost failed to walk. they were elected
from the hotels. their baggage held, and
turned into the street practically pennt-
less. An Indignation meeting was held at
/ the Lyceum, where most of the members
remained throughout the day. Those who
had a dollar or TWO divided with the ma
! jority, who had not cent, and all had a
meal, but they did not know where the
next one was coming from. In the
emergency, Joe Bamberger stepped into
j the breach and arranged for meals Tor
! the stranded entertainers. He next made
/ arrangements for benefit performance
to be given at the Lyceum on Thursday
| night There are some really clever pao-
| pie in the company and they promise to
/ give the best performance they have ever
presented here on this occasion.
With the proceeds they hope to make
some turn by which they can get back
to San Francisco, where they will be all
right.