Comedian of the Frontier: The Life of Actor/Manager Jack Langrishe, 1825-1895

In his day, theater actor and manager Jack Langrishe (1825–1895) was about as well known in the West as General Grant was in the East. Langrishe provided entertainment to prospectors, miners and their families in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota and Idaho. He followed the expanding frontier from the old Northwest Territory to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and enjoyed his share of luck—he was out of town during the 1871 Chicago Fire, and was traveling through Indian territory at the same time Custer’s command was being wiped out a day’s ride away. Best known as a gifted comic actor and producer of fine dramas, Langrishe also edited newspapers, was an Idaho state senator and served as a justice of the peace. Here for the first time is the complete story of the father of theater in the West.