In March, 1881, the writer was back in Salt Lake after a two years' absence, principally in Portland and San Francisco. On my return there was nothing doing in the theatrical line. The "club" had been organized nearly a year, yet had given only a very few plays. There was a dearth of theatricals, and the writer with the acquiescence and assistance of Mr. Clawson, who was again manager of the theatre, got up occasional performances with such assistance as he could procure. The first of these was "A Celebrated Case," in which he had the assistance of Manager Clawson's daughters, Miss Edith Clawson and Mrs. Ardelle Cummings. Other performances were given in connection with David McKenzie, Philip Margetts and John C. Graham, with such support as we could muster from the depleted ranks of the old stock, and what new aspirants were in the field for dramatic honors. The "gallery gods" honored the three gentlemen and myself with the somewhat flattering appellation of the big four, the same title the New Yorkers bestowed on Booth, Barrett, Davenport and Bangs when these four stars formed the great constellation in the play of "Julius Caesar." These performances, however, like those of "The Home Dramatic," were few and far between, and to a person depending on acting for a livelihood, did not prove very remunerative.
About this time another project which interested the writer hove into view. Dr. D. Banks McKenzie, a temperance lecturer and reformer, had succeeded after a considerable effort in organizing a temperance club in Salt Lake City (a prodigious task to accomplish at that time). He had succeeded in raising a fund of some thirty thousand dollars in contributions towards the erection of a first-class lecture hall, with library, and various other nice accommodations for the society. The Walkers Brothers had contributed a building site where the Atlas block now stands, 50x100 feet. This was put in at $13,000, making nearly one-half of the $30,000 contributed. On being informed by one of the Walker Brothers of what was projected, the writer with some self-interest suggested that inasmuch as they were going to put up a building of such size and cost, that they might just as well make it a little larger, and make a theatre of it; that a theatre would answer all the purposes of the proposed hall, and often rent when the hall would not. The idea grew with them, and the Walker Grand Opera House was the result. It occupied a year in building. It was opened on June 5th, 1882, with a vocal and instrumental concert, with Prof. George Careless as conductor. As a matter of historical interest and to show the musical status of Salt Lake at that time, a copy of the opening program is here appended.
OPENING OF THE WALKER GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
Monday Evening, June 5th, 1882.
Lessee ………………………….. D. Banks McKenzie
Manager …………………………… John S. Lindsay
PROGRAM.
1. Overture—"William Tell" ………………… Rossini 2. Quartette—"The Night Before the Battle" ……. White
Misses Olsen and Richards, Messrs. Whitney and Spencer.
3. Flute Solo—"Concert Polka" ……………… Rudolph
Mr. George Hedger.