Please don't even click on this link unless you can keep an open mind and are willing to consider an opinion that may differ from your own. If you are prone to become angry when people don't agree with you, DON'T CLICK HERE! "Life Behind the Curtain" by Julie Krysiak Johnson
Langresh & AtwaterMonday, September 4, 1854. In the famed and mythical city of Oshkosh WI, on Monday September 4, 1854, Messr’s. “Jack” Langresh & Atwater arrived with their company and commenced a series of performances. Since their last appearance at Old Mark’s Hall, they secured the services of Mr. J.H. Wright, a popular actor whom residents had heard spoken of in high terms. The thrilling historical play of “Lucretia Borgia” was presented this evening with the full strength of the theatre company. They remained in town but a limited number of nights, and did not repeat this play. All who had not witnessed it, did well to avail themselves of the opportunity. The amusing farce of “The Wolf and Lamb” concluded the evenings entertainment.  Langresh & Atwater and their Theatrical Company played Green Bay, Neenah, Oshkosh and surrounding areas in this part of the region during the 1850's. The company was an excellent one. They were cordially welcomed and liberally sustained wherever they went. Numerous companies performed throughout Wisconsin during the mid 1800's. However, not every one was as welcomed as Langresh & Atwater nor as worth the while to see. By 1854, the then 18 year old John S. “Jack” Langresh had chosen a less than desirable profession (shown here in his 40’s). But as much as an actor’s profession was frowned upon by the general public, everyone and their brothers were attracted to the allure of the theatre. When a company of quality came to town, they were seldom greeted with empty seats. In May of 1854, “Oshkosh is destined to be a great city” proclaimed The Milwaukee Sentinel “and the good times had come to the state as a whole” they further reported. In the Oshkosh of 1854, merchants were enlarging their stores and citizens their dwellings. New buildings were going up all over the city and the sound of hammers and saw mills were heard from dawn to dusk. Hotels were filled with strangers. A new steamboat was almost ready to launch and freight traffic had doubled from that of the previous year. During this timeframe, Oshkosh had neither significant plank roads nor rail lines. Most travelers came into Oshkosh via stagecoach and/or boat. It was challenging to travel and the mear fact that "hotels were filled with strangers" indicates that Oshkosh was a "draw and a destination" in this section of Wisconsin. |
also appearing at Old Mark's Hall during this same time frame... Something NEW! will give an exhibition at Mark’s Hall tomorrow night, consistent of astonishing feats of Modern Magic, Necromancy, and Ventriloquism, & c.c. He will also give a satisfactory explanation of the Spiritual manifestation mysteries, and demonstrate by actual experiments, that so far from their being anything supernatural in these table tipping performances, the trick can be done by anybody in the most natural and easy manner, when they only know how! |
