The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-05
A LIFE STORY.
Romantic History Of a Member
of the Theater Company
Which Occupied the Crawford
the Past Week.
THE LEADING MAN
Once a Well Known Actor
Named Harry Richmond.
Why He Changed His Name.
Many Years Ago.
E LEADING
nan

Probably not one OF the hundreds OF
people who visited the Crawford theater
during the past week to witness the per-
Torrance by 1.-The Paiges,'' thought for a.
moment that there was a thrilling romance
connected with the life of one of the mem
bers of the company. Nevertheless such
is the fact.
Those who visited the theater, remember
the man with the dark gray, dropping
mustache and resolute face, who took a
prominent part in all performances. His
work was more finished than that of any
of the other members of the company. In
appearance he was about As years of age
and on the programmes his name appear
ed as Harry Paige"
Both his appearance and the name on
the programmes were deceIvins. There is
also reason why his work should be more
finished than that of his associates In
reality his age is nearer IS than 40 years,
and his name is Harry Richluond instead
of Harry Paige.
Thirty years ago Harry Richmond, alias
Harry Paige supported some of the great
est rOmatic actors and comedians in the
country at that time. Something less
than thirty years ago he did something
else. He killed a man in the streets of
Central City, Colo, and afterwards stood
off a vigilance committee for half day.
Richmond has made every effort to keep
his identity a secret Although acquit
renee weighed 50 heavily on ms mind Jhat
he disappeared from the theatrical world
and buried himself in the mining districts
OF the west he stuck TO nlnlng Tor sew
eral years and made considerable money,
the points Of interest in this country and
Europe Finally when his funds were
exhausted, he drlfted back into he pro
tesSIon, but under an assumed name, that
of Harry Lambert. He was on the stage
under TINS name up TO a feW years ago,
when he met George W. Paige and his
wife He became associated with them.
taking the name of Harry Paige and pass
ing hImseIt on as a nephew OF George 1t
was largely due to his experience as an
reached the front rank among the popu-
lar price companies of this country
Richmond killed the man in self defense.
He shot him in the head after having been
shot at and the man was dead before he
over a woman. But that is another
story.
it is said he was handsome. He was well
one Of fe the gaan 1 a of the stag 2wH as
was extremely popular among the mem
berS OF the profession.
It was while making a trip to the Paci-
hc coast with Michael Dopgherty, the ia
ed Central City. Colo. The year before
he had supported John Dillon, a tirna when
comedian. Central City was then in The
center of one of the most prosperous min
ing districts in Colorado and was one Of
the Doomlng mining towns of the state
Richmond there met the girl who was
She was the daughter of one of tbs largest
mine owners in that district and beaIr!;-
With Rchmond Just i at that 5 nT Fie sE Sb
theater in Central City was for sale and
chase. Because of his contract With
Dougherty it was compulsory on him to
gagement was filled. but he made arrange
ments to take charge of the theater as
pired.
After filing the engagement on the coast
assumed the management of the theater
His attentions to the belle of the mining
There was another man in Central City
to whom Richmond's attentions to the
was gambler and popular in the district
Before the young actors coming he had
been the g1rFs recognized lover.
Things gradually neared a crisis As
Richmond's attentions advanced the girl
and he naturally became madly Jealous
Of the actor Richmond and the gambler
the formers. attentions stop. Richmond
laughed at him He followed the demand
attentions were continued. - -
A few days later Richmond was driving
front of which the gambler was standing
The girl bowed to her former lover but
hour later the actor was returning to his
theater on foot; and when near the house
The two continued to walk toward each
other until within a distance of fifty feet
when the gambler suddenly whipped out
a revolver and fired twice in rapid sue
cession. BY that time Richmond had his
revolver out and returned the fire. He
had need to fire but once. His bullet
took effect in the head and the gambler
was dead almost as soon as his body
struck the ground.
Richmond was wounded but slightly
one of the bullets grazing his left arm
The other passed through his hat
Knowing the popularity Of the gambler
IN the town, the actor anticipated trouble
and made haste to his theater where he
quickly barrfcaded all the doors and win
dows Then securing a shotgun he took
a position by the entrance door
He had not long to wait AS soon as
the shooting became known. a vigilance
friends was formed and rush made on
the theater- Before they could gain the
door Rlchmond shouted out a warning.
I will shoot the first man who puts
loot on those steps" he said, Il shot
in self defense and I will gladly give nv
self up to the sheriff, but I viii not QUIT
this place until I am insured 4 fair trial .
One of the men, more daring than the
rest started up the stairs to the door, but
a charge of buckshOt Whistling about his
head caused him to reconsider his action
The vigilance committee withdrew 10 a
safe distance and discussed the situation
The sheriff appeared on the scene. and
asked the committee to dtsbaHl and cause
trouble. dwelling OH The fact thar he
shooting was wholly in self defense Ills
was able to announce to Richmond that
ne could insure him protection and a fair
trlal II he surrendered.
Richmond gave himself up and was
placed in well guarded Jail building He
was given a jury trial few days later
aIQ acquitted by a unanimous verdict.
For some reason the actor never mar
eould after his aeou.ttA1 he sold mis- thca-
ter and left the town. From time 10 time
bring runors about Richmond but fro n
me day he left no one there has any posi-
tive knowledge of his whereabouts.
This is the romance inter woven with the
Efe of the actor who helped entertain To-
peka audiences last week The story
happened to be In Topeka last week. ac-
cldentally meeting him
Spafnss Gold Rasa-xya c1,.~v,z