The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-11-26
from Saturdays Daily.

When the curtain rose last night
at Mankato theatre revealing the
Knights of Columbus minstrel or
ganization, a very pretty scene was
disclosed. Seldom has as artistic a
stage setting been displayed upon the
local stage. A summer garden with
hanging Japanese lanterns served as
the background. and at small tables.
as though at a garden party. sat the
performers, a large group of pretty
girls and good looking young men
whose attractiveness their friends had
never before quite realized. The
opening. overture. by the entire COM
pany, was "Circus Day In Dixie" and
was given with spirit and effect, an
evidence of the careful drilling OF
Robert Z. Gehan, who trained the
young folks for this event. With
John Gallagher. Ed Nyquist. A.
Kircher. and Howard Johnson rat
Ting the bones the audience fully
realized that these commonplace
articles might be induced TO rattle
out good time at least Peter Fergu-
son. Paul Ford, John Regain and T.
Williams proved that they could shake
the tambourines with as much grace
as any Spanish dancer, and the black
face comedy stunts put on by the
group OF negro artists was the source
Of continual merriment.
Vance Mape as interlocutor
Vance Mape presided as interlocutor
and right nobly did he sustain the
dignity of his central position. never
once faltering in his arduous task OF
presenting his company to the ex-
pectant audience. Entirely unsus-
pected by most people around town
Al Kircher can trip the light fantastic
with a dexterity that would put 10
shame the efforts of the usual run OF
ballet dancers travelling the circuit.
As an accompaniment to his dance he
sang Dancing the Jelly Roll" and
was ably supported at times by mem
bers OF the company.
Joseph Tallman surprised his friends
who hadialways regarded him as a
peaceable chap. by appearing In all
the fierce accourtrements of a des-
perate cowboy, with a doughty six
shooter peeping from his belt. He
sang Santa Fe" very effectively, and
awed by his costume and manner nc
one scarcely dared breathe. Evidently
desiring to appear with Mr.. Tallman
Messrs. Kircher. Regain and weyer
unexpectedly joined him, and with Mr.
Regan picking on a shovel. which he
had mistaken as banjo, the quartet
repeated the chorus to the delight oil
their audience.
John E. Regan, with his inoffensive
partner In trouble. John Gallagher
came on and were indulging i'm hot
debate when called TO time by Mr.
Mape. who insisted on Regain singing
his song, II Wasn't Scared, But I lust
Thought That I Had Better Co." The
scng is very touching and Mr.. Regar
did 1t full justice. interposing Q
number of humorous "hits" at prom
inent people i'm the audience.
Gave Clever Speciality.
| Miss Clothilda Schroeder, attired as
an Egyptian dancer. gave a clever
speciality. singing "Araby." with the
grace of professional. She possesse,
a clear. sweet soprano voice, and hei
number proved very pleasing.
DR.. c. N. Weyer sang "If IT Takes
a Thousand Years." with a touehine
pathos that put a number OF his mia
strel friends to sleep The song was
deliehffully given. and the audience
would have liked more OF H..
| John Gallagher CAME 10 life sud