James Stark brings his new company to VC. Mr. Harry Brown, Mr. Jimmy Griffith (from Kentucky), Miss Margaret “Maggie” Douglas, (ingenue) Miss Hamlin, (giant diva star) Miss Nellie Brown, W. Stephenson, Charles W. Cooke, and others formed the company that had several dramatic plays in repertory. The week they came to town, a teamster had been killed near Lake Bigler, the chief engineer at the Bowers’ mill was stabbed to death by his second-in-command. Stark wondered if drama would impact these people who were living in dramatic reality. Taylor’s witty rhymes and the melodeon comedies and minstrels songs were popular as distractions. Drama? James Stark bet on it. The giant Fourth of July flag was left up and the Washoe Zephyrs had torn it to shreds. The previous winter had been all German Opera. In the spring light entertainment came and gave people a respite. This winter, people are thrilled at the prospect of having Stark to perform for them.
October 27, 1861
