The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-16

The people of Butte will date local
theatrical history from the visit OF
Nance O'Neil. 1t was the event OF
years and it will be with pride ana
lasting admiration that the theater-
goers will recall and speak of that Wis
it when the world will be ringing with
praises of her great genius, as it will,
before Miss ONeil returns again to
Butte Death or i'll health alone can
prevent the talented young woman
from winning the topmost height OF
fame in the dramatic profession and
she is mounting to that position with
strides and bounds that stirs one with
establishment and enthusiastic admira-
ton for her daring and genius.
The young woman possesses all the
qualities that can go to make the great
est actress of the age. Supporting her
great talent she has youth, magnificent
beauty, the personal charms of divin-
ity, a magnetic and electrifying pres
ence which draws her audiences to her
feet. Bernhardt will be called upon to
surrender the title of the divine" and
Nance O'Neil will wear it.
The late Lily Post had most event
full life-one full of tragedies for the
woman; replete with triumphs for the
artistic. AS a church choir singer she
first attracted the attention of a San
Francisco manager, who engaged her
for the stock opera company at the
Tivoli This was in 1879, and her first
role was Josephine in II NJ. S. Pima
fore" She was the original Yum Yum
in THE Mikado" when it was produced
on the coast While singing there she
married Frank Blair. singing come
dian, and two children We're born to
them. One of them, Ralph Post, now
young man, is living in New York.
When the late John A. McCaull took
his opera company to the coast his
manager, William H. Morton, directed
his attention to the young soprano OF
the local comic opera company, and the
shrewd impressario engaged her for
term of several seasons.
McCaull took her East, and she made
her metropolitan debut at the Casino
in THE Queens Lace Handkerchief
In the cast were Giovanni PeruSln1
Francis Wilson, Mathilde Cottrelly and
Louise Paullin. Miss Post made no.
table success with Mr.. McCaul, and
remained with him at the Casino and
on the road for several seasons. she
played in numerous operas. including
1.-THE Black Hussar' and Der Flied
ermaus,'' with Digby Bell, Laura Joyce
Bell, Jefferson De Angels, De Wolf
Hopper Marian Manola and Marie jan
sen.
After she left the McCaull company
Miss Post Joined the Duff Opera COM
pany, replacing Lillian Russell in 1.-THE
Queens Mate Later she created the
leading role in aladdin" one of Da-
vid Hendeson's big spectacular produe-
tions at the Chicago opera house. Still
later she sang in ''The Child of For
tune" the adapted die Sontagkind-
err at the Casino.
In 1890 Miss Post secured divorce
from Frank Blair, and a few months
later married w. II. Norton, whose first
wife had recently died Mr.. Norton
was at that time manager of the Col
umbia theater in Chicago. They had
a chamng home in Indiana avenue,
and entertained visiting theatrical
friends lavishly.
1t was at a Sunday dinner party at
the Mortons that Edith MOrello first
spoke of the differences which had aris-
en- between herself and her husband.
Ignacio Martinetti. She said she had
decided to get divorce, and asked Mrs.
Morton to introduce her to Counsellor
James Purnell. who had secured her
divorce from Blair. She did So and
supported Miss Morelo during the or
deal of the court hearing.
BY an odd coincidence, Miss Morello,
freed from Mr.. Martinett. within a
whom Miss Post had previously divorc-
ed. After the Columbia threaten passed
under control of Hayman & Davis, Mr..
and Mrs. Morton went to New York.
Morton became the manager of the late
Alexander Hermann, then playing at
his own theater-now Sam T. Jacks
on Broadway. Mrs. Morton sang two
or three brief engagements during the
two seasons, but when, in 1893. Mr..
Morton fell victim to mental disease,
she abandoned all professional work
to care for him. Mr.. Morton was nurs-
ed at home until his mania developed
dangerous sysptoms, and he was then
committed to an institution. He died
Aof paresis about three years ago.
Left to her own resources. Miss Post
returned to the stage after her husband
had been removed to the asylum She
went into vaudeville and sang a few
short operate engagements in the West
One of them was at the Tivoli in San
Francisco, the scene of her first sue
cess. Returning to New York about