The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in UtahLindsay, John S. (John Shanks)
Religion
The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in Utah
Lindsay, John S. (John Shanks)
Latter Day Saints; Theater -- Utah -- History
On August 15th, 1869, a little more than four years after her debut,
Miss Adams was married to Mr. James H. Kiskadden. Between the time of
her debut and her marriage, Asenith (she was always called "Senith" in
those days) was not only a favorite with the public, but she had a
number of ardent admirers among the "opposite sex." There was quite a
rivalry for her affections between several members of the company, but
the most ardent of them were already married, and although _they_ did
not consider that a bar to their hopes, in Annie's case they were not
eligible; so the chief rivalry existed on the outside of the theatre.
Mr. Kiskadden, or "Jim," as he was universally called by his
acquaintances, was cashier in his brother William's bank (the location
is the identical room where Walker Brothers' Bank is today). Jim was a
dashing sort of fellow, big and manly, with a determined kind of air,
that seemed to say, "Things must go my way." He drew a good salary,
dressed well, and always wore immaculate linen, his shirt front always
illuminated with a large diamond. He was inclined to "sporting," and
was recognized as the champion billiard player of the town in those
days. How much apprehension "Jim" endured regarding "Senith's" married
suitors in the theatre we have no means of knowing, but it is probable
she set his doubts at rest on that score by assuring him that she
would never marry an already married man. She had seen enough of that
to make her dread it. However this might be, "Jim" had a rival and a
dangerous one in the person of Mr. Jack O'Neil. Jack was beyond
question the handsomer fellow of the two; indeed, he was handsome as a
prince, always dressed superbly and was one of the most attractive
looking men in Salt Lake. Jack was very much infatuated with the
rising young actress and missed no opportunity to make known to her
his appreciation of her talents and his admiration and adoration of
herself. The rivalry between Jack and Jim was at white heat for a
spell, and it would not have been very much of a surprise to their
intimates if there had been a challenge sent and accepted, and a duel
fought over the young Mormon actress. Unfortunately for Jack and his
aspirations for the lady's affections, he was a _professional_ sport,
and that was against him. He had no other profession, and handsome and
cavalierly as he could be, he was classed as a gambler; while Jim
could flip the pasteboards just as skillfully, and lay them all out at
billiards, he did not follow it for a "stiddy liven," but held the
cashier's box in his brother's bank, for a steady job, and only
sported on the side, and so it came to pass that in the course of time
Jim distanced his handsome rival and bore off the prize. Many of
"Senith's" friends regretted this, as Jim did not belong to the
household of faith, but was a rank, out-spoken Gentile, utterly
opposed to Mormon ways, and not afraid to say so. Whereas all of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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