The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-07-16

Down at Monterey, Cal, stands
a beautiful and imposing monu-
ment of stone erected to the men,
ory of one of Montana's pioneer
actors and theatrical managers,
John Mcguire, known to practical
Iy every Montanan of the early
days of the state. The monument
was erected by one of Maguire's
long time friends and admirers,
James A. Murray, multi-million-
aire mining man.
For a period of 80 years John Ma
guide was before the people of Mon
tana and by his genial and whole
souled ways won the regard of al
who had the pleasure of his acquaint-
ance. His first venture in the theat-
rical line in the Treasure state was
as a monologue artist, but before
this he had been connected with
theatrical companies in the west and
had won an enviable reputation as an
artist of ability.
His monologue sketches and reci-
tations did not last very long for he
soon saw that there was field for
the legitimate. Acting on this belief
Mr.. Mcguire leased Ming's opera
house in Helena (later the Helena
theater), and soon had patronage
for his attractions that proved
his skill as a manager of discrimina-
ton and discernment. In his roper
toire of plays some of the best at
fractions that ever appeared in the
west, or the east, for that matter,
were given in Helena.
After several years as a manager
in Helena Mr.. Mcguire decided that
there was larger field for his talent
in Butte and to that city he went and
there remained for years. He secur-
ed the only theater building in the
place and was as uniformly success
full in the big mining camp as he had
been in Helena.
But the building was not to his
liking. He had the soul of an artist
and was a dreamer of dreams. He
wished to have the best of plays and
the best of players and, moreover, he
wanted a suitable and attractive place
in which to present his attractions.
He had doubtless often thought and
yearned for such a place, but the
accomplishment of his desire seemed
remote, indeed, until he presented his
The latter at once entered into the
spirit of the proposed enterprise and,
having ample means at his disposal,
the time was not long before John
Mcguire saw his beautiful dream a
reality in the form of an attractive
opera house, which was all his own.
For years the name of John Ma
guire was synonymous with the theat-
rical business in Montana and while |
he reaped just reward for his la |
bors, his nature was such that he
could not permanently benefit by any |
financial reward, however great. |
Generous, free, almost prodigal in his
with his fellows, the
went as fast as it was earned.
He was hail fellow with all the bon
vivants and wits to be met in the big
copper camp and was one of them.
One of his best friends and one
who was always interested in his ca
-eer was James A. Murray of Butte,
who, upon visit to Monterey 10 or
more years ago located the last rest
ng place of the veteran actor-mana-
ger and had the spot marked with a
shaft which bears the
simple inscriptions:
"Ring down the drop, life's fitful
play is Ger"
In strange contrast to this magni-
icent monument and standing almost
within its shadow is a small wooden
ross marking the final resting place
# Charles Warren Stoddard, one of ]
friend of Mcguire.