Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-10-23
Wep=Ton=No=Mah.

Playgoers to the Gloucester
Theatre this week have had present.
ed to them perhaps one of the most
interesting attractions that has
been placed upon the stage here for
some time. Not the least interest
ing feature of the entertainment has
been that we have been treated to
thoroughly American drama. writ
ten by Miss Mohawk. Miss Mohawk
is q true descendant of one of the
chief races, her father, who is a
medicine man, having been one of
the chiefs of the tribe to which she
belonged, We should not forget to
say that the play of "Wep-Ton-No-
Nah, or the Indian Mail Carrier is
from the pen of Miss Mohawk, and,
judging from the enthusiasm with
which she has been received wher-
ever she has appeared, it is not go.
ing too far to say that the authoress
is clever dranatist and original
sketchest. The drama is unlike any
other American play we have seen
before, for Miss Mohawk has brought
to bear the experience of her own
actual life among Indians, and wher-
ever the play is introduced it can be
conscientiously said that it is
drawn from reality. Indeed, "Wep-
Ton-No-M Nah" may be looked upon
as most realistic drama there is
nothing about the sensationalism
which is anything other than intel
ligent and healthy. Especially may
this be said when she faces the viii
liam of the piece and looks him
steadily in the face with all the con-
tempt, fearlessness, and writing
scorn of an Indian, which is no piece
of stageism but such as could come
from the Indian instinct. The same
may be said of the manner in which
we see her tracking the robber gang.
The stealth with which she creeps
along the stage, scenting the track,
and the determination to avenge the
death Of the chief who has been
murdered by the william. An add.
tional attraction to the performance
is the introduction by Miss Mohawk
of two lovely ponies, "Wongy" end
"Buckskin.' Both animals are
magnifcently trained. and they
seemed to know every movement of
their mistress. Strikingly may this
be witnessed in the scene in which
Wep- Ton No-Msh is overcome by
the drug.liquor given him by one OF
the robber gang, and before he be-
comes stupefied he gives instruc-
lions to the horse TO protect the
mails which are on his back and
when the william attempt to seize
them the animal will not allow him
to approach him at any cost. Ia
this condition of affairs q rescue
party comes upon the scene, and the
william only makes his escape to be
killed by Wep-Ton-No-Mah in one of
the most realistic fights which has
ever been witnessed on the stage. 1t
must net be thought that the play.
has not its bright sides, for there is
great deal of humor introduced in
to the drama. Mr.. G. W. Charles
makes capital Colonel Stockton,
while Mr.. G. De Leclaire has the
unthankful task of taking the vii
liam, Spanish Joe, in which he is
successful. The Chief, Ga Ne. Qua,
impersonates the father of Wep-
Ton-No-Mah with all the character.
lists of Indian life, and Captain
Franklin is represented by Mr.. Mel
vile Bickford. Mr.. J. G. Mcmahon
is most humorous Garry Cullen.
Mr.. Thomas Hill is a great favorite
with the audience in his funniosities.
He is not only a clever comedian,
but good vocalist, and nndoubted.
ly clever dancer. Miss Kitty Con-
nor makes most piquant Nellie
Stockton, and Miss Lizzie Inglis in-
fuses great deal of fun into Miss
Gloucestershire Chroni.
Gle.
At Central Opera House, Monday
night, October 25th.