Our Past Is Present January 23, 2018

January 23, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. It is Tuesday and that is our day set aside for more “History of the C.L. Hoover Opera House”.  Today’s story is about a 1918 performance at the Opera House and is information taken from the “Junction City Union” of that year. On one particular night, there was a variety of acts from opera singing to seals that played an instrument. 

The article stated that “An unusually well balanced bill is presented the last half of the week at the opera house.  “Herbert’s Seals” are five highly trained animal performers that do balancing and juggling stunts.  One of the seals draws a lot of applause when it plays “America” on a set of pipes.

            Hall and Beck have a sketch in which singing predominates and their numbers are popular with the audience. Walter Neland and Co., have a twenty minute sketch titled “The Fixer”.  Stewart, Haynes and Evans, are three men who present one of the best singing acts that has yet been staged at the opera house.  Two exceptional vocalists, a tenor and a bass are included in the group.  Their operatic medley number is exceptionally pleasing. 

            The Five Cubans have a tight wire and acrobatic act that has not been duplicated here.  Some of their tumbling feats are particularly good.

            I have seen many performances at the Opera House, but have difficulty imagining a tight wire act on the stage there. Perhaps they weren’t very high up from the stage?  

            Well, that is today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.