The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-07-18
i / HE s AGE
Salt Lake. July IS.

Salt La-e, July Is.
As 1 write the premonity sounds of
the Jubilee fill the air to the exclu-
sion Of all else. The town is taking on
garb such as it never saw before,
and we are all preparing to go into a
sort of delirlum of celebration for the
next five or six days. The places of
amusement are making gigantic prep
arations forrcrowds and sincerely 1 trust
they may not be disappointed. The
Jubilee commissions Driareus fin
gers are said to be in every pie that
will be cut, from the tabernacle and
Saltair down to the Arabs and Indian
camps. and from the mammoth scale
On which their operations are being
conducted. they win need all their per-
centages to pull them through.
The pioneer plays by pioneer play
ers," to be given at the theatre, sug-
gest many. many interesting reminis
ences. Among the list of those who
will appear are four. Phil Margetts, II.
E Bowring, Miss Thomas and Profess
sor C. ]. Thomas, who were among the
performers on the night of March S,
1852, when the famous old house was
opened with the plays of Dude of the
Market and state Secrets" It has
been the hope of the commission to ar
range for the production of these exact
plays with the original casts, but for
many reasons it was found impracti-
cable, and other pioneer plays, not less
notable, We're selected. Aside from the
four mentioned above, the following
players took part in the opening: John
T. Game, Henry Maiben, J. NJ. Sim
mons. r. H. Parker, David McKen-
zie. H. B. ClawsOn, 5. D. Shrine,
Messrs. Mathews and Smell, J. B. Kelly,
Mrs. Woodmansee. Mrs. NJ. G. Clawson,
Mrs. Cooke, Mr.. w II. Miles and Mrs.
Bowring. The Miss Thomas of 35 years
ago is a sister of Professor Thomas,
now the wife of Bishop George Rom
new.
The theatre was formally opened on
Saturday, March s. but the dedication
occurred on the 9Th. This was a most
memorable event Whitney's history
saws:
THE house was packed with an
eager throng, admitted on special in
ritation, to witness the ceremonies. On
the stage, in front of the curtain, re-
served seats were placed for the first
presidency and a few others, while the
auditorium was occupied by the high
council and other ecclesiastical digni-
taries, city, county and territorial Off
Gals, the corps dramatique. the
workmen upon the building, the pub
lie hands and their families. Many
who, though invited. were unable to
gain admittance. owing to the crowd,
reserved their tickets for the first reg
ular night Of the session. Saturday,
March s. The ceremonies of dedica-
ton consisted of a few opening re-
marks by President Young. singing by
the choristers, 'Lo, On Mountain Tops
Appearing" the dedicatory prayer by
President Daniel H. Wells; singing.
Star Spangled Banner" by William
c. Dunbar; addresses by President
Brigham Young. Heber c. KimbalI and
Apostle John Taylor: an anthem, words
by Eliza r. Snow, music by Charles J.
Thomas, rendered by the choir and or
chestra; and another song by Dunbar,
composed for the occasion, by Apostle
Taylor. The theatre orchestra, under
the baton of Professor c. ]. Thomas,
during the evening rendered several
popular selections"
The old house has stood for more
than 80 years, and the debt we all owe
to it is like a personal obligation. May
we all be here when the celebration of
its semi-eentennial rolls around.
MARGE.