We wish there were pictures to show of Peter and Mary Almertz. If anyone can share some with us it would be much appreciated.
The following comes from the History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf. She tells of the early dramatics and dances where Peter Almertz played a vital part:
PLAY
By Malvina Crane, 1926
The first general gathering place I remember was the Social Hall-still standing on the southwest corner of the square. Later, Yeppa Jessen built a larger house two blocks east, which at once became the most popular place in the little community. This hall had a platform in the east end, which .our theatrical troop could use as a stage, as soon as suitable scenery could be bought from C. C. A. Christensen, a local celebrity. After the scenic equipment had been put in, our troop held forth at regular intervals, crowds of eager people always packing the house to its utmost capacity. You should have been there to witness some of those classical plays! We had no very great artists, of course, but those who took part did the job to the satisfaction of all who came to witness the shows. What more could you ask of a bunch of amateur players?
I am unable to recall a complete list of the men and women who took part in our theatricals during the early years of our dramatic efforts to render public service. The real leader and organizing genius were the Englishman, John Wallis, who had considerable ability and did much towards securing the formation of an efficient troop. Assisting him were the following gentlemen, according to my recollection: J. A. F. Beaumann, Alma Bennett, R. N. Bennett, W. W. Brandon, John Carter, Thomas Fuller, Henry Larter, Christopher Johnson, Gus Johnson, H. P. Jensen, Albert Candland, Thomas Gledhill, John Dallin, Cyrus Dallin, Orson Lee, William McArthur, William Morrison, James Reynolds, Bent Rolphson, Alof Rosenlof, Allen Rowe, William Rowe, Conderset Rowe, Joseph Gribble, John H. Seeley, Hans Hansen, James Wishaw, Richard Westwood, and Cap Clem.
Among the ladies were: Christina Bertlesen, Tina Bertlesen, Alice and Dora Day, Annie and Kate Candland, Mary Katherine Ivie, Hannah Reynolds, Candace Rowe, Nicholena Rolfson, Jane Tidwell, Stena Tuft, Annie Wallis, Lucy Wheelock, and Mrs. C. M. Wheelock.
The musicians were: John Gledhill, Bent Hansen, Hans Hansen, James Hansen, Peter Almertz, Martin A. H. Myneer, Lars Nielsen, Lorenzo Nielsen, Peter F. Nielsen, and John Waldermar.
The popular dances were: Plain quadrille, Tucker quadrille, French Four, Upper Reel, and some Danish dances. Then there was the Flying Dutchman, the Mazurka, the "Tyrola," Polka or Danish Glide, and many kinds of fancy waltzes too numerous to mention, but which were a great improvement upon the present "jazzy" movements in the sober judgment of old people
It will not do to omit the Judge, Hyrum Seely, from our list of fun-makers, because he always was on the job, full of vim and hopping, skipping, and shouting to the top of his voice, reminding you of the little song which our ever jolly Lars Nielsen used to sing, thus:
When I was a little boy,
My mother used to say
That she used to spank me up and down
A dozen times a day.
For I'd either be up in a tree,
Or rolling down the hill;
It's a fact that whether I sit or stand
I really can't keep still.
No, I really can't keep still,
I really can't keep still;
It's a fact that whether I sit or stand,
I really can't keep still.
Nor could the Judge-not for the fraction of a moment-and while the years have done something to tame and tone his ever-bubbling and youthful spirits, yet even now he would be willing to go back and live those joyous days over again. Who would not?
History of Mt. Pleasant p. 32 by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf
On page 49 of the History of Mt. Pleasant we see that C.C.A. Christensen donated 10 (hours or days) of labor 5 teams and 5 wagons for the building of the Mt. Pleasant Fort.
And page 173 we find: Madsen and Anderson continued to operate the theatre and dance hall on the second floor of the brick building, (Old ZCMI) and here the public witnessed Shakespearean plays by John S. Lindsay and Company, also other high-class companies, home dramatics, etc., as well as the C. C. A. Christensen's panoramas, minstrel shows, sleight of hand performances, hypnotism, etc., and many heated political rallies, setting forth free trade, a tariff on wool, etc. The scenery for the hall was painted by C. C. A. Christensen, a very popular artist. Music for the dances was mostly furnished by the Peter Almertz orchestra, consisting of John Waldermar, Rebecca Beckstrom, Bent Hansen, and others. Brigham Lee was floor manager and prompter. The east room of the building was used as the city council headquarters. On top of the building had been arranged seats, and at daybreak, on holidays the Brass Band assembled; their music could be clearly heard in the distance, as the stars and stripes were unfurled. It had been common for the band, in their bandwagon, to serenade the city, and they were usually treated with plenty of homemade beer and refreshments.
History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsorf p. 173
On page 49 of the History of Mt. Pleasant we see that C.C.A. Christensen donated 10 (hours or days) of labor 5 teams and 5 wagons for the building of the Mt. Pleasant Fort.
And page 173 we find: Madsen and Anderson continued to operate the theatre and dance hall on the second floor of the brick building, (Old ZCMI) and here the public witnessed Shakespearean plays by John S. Lindsay and Company, also other high-class companies, home dramatics, etc., as well as the C. C. A. Christensen's panoramas, minstrel shows, sleight of hand performances, hypnotism, etc., and many heated political rallies, setting forth free trade, a tariff on wool, etc. The scenery for the hall was painted by C. C. A. Christensen, a very popular artist. Music for the dances was mostly furnished by the Peter Almertz orchestra, consisting of John Waldermar, Rebecca Beckstrom, Bent Hansen, and others. Brigham Lee was floor manager and prompter. The east room of the building was used as the city council headquarters. On top of the building had been arranged seats, and at daybreak, on holidays the Brass Band assembled; their music could be clearly heard in the distance, as the stars and stripes were unfurled. It had been common for the band, in their bandwagon, to serenade the city, and they were usually treated with plenty of homemade beer and refreshments.
History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsorf p. 173
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When the Mt. Pleasant ZCMI was discontinued in 1898, Madsen and Anderson continued to operate the theatre and dance hall on the second floor of the brick building, and here the public witnessed Shakespearean plays by John S. Lindsay and Company, also other high-class companies, home dramatics, etc., as well as the C. C. A. Christensen's panoramas, minstrel shows, sleight of hand performances, hypnotism, etc., and many heated political rallies, setting forth free trade, a tariff on wool, etc.
The scenery for the hall was painted by C. C. A. Christensen, a very popular artist. Music for the dances was mostly furnished by the Peter Almertz orchestra, consisting of John Waldermar, Rebecca Beckstrom, Bent Hansen, and others. Brigham Lee was floor manager and prompter. The east room of the building was used as the city council headquarters. On top of the building had been arranged seats, and at daybreak, on holidays the Brass Band assembled; their music could be clearly heard in the distance, as the stars and stripes were unfurled. It had been common for the band, in their bandwagon, to serenade the city, and they were usually treated with plenty of homemade beer and refreshments. taken from History of Mt. Pleasant by HML p. 173
The scenery for the hall was painted by C. C. A. Christensen, a very popular artist. Music for the dances was mostly furnished by the Peter Almertz orchestra, consisting of John Waldermar, Rebecca Beckstrom, Bent Hansen, and others. Brigham Lee was floor manager and prompter. The east room of the building was used as the city council headquarters. On top of the building had been arranged seats, and at daybreak, on holidays the Brass Band assembled; their music could be clearly heard in the distance, as the stars and stripes were unfurled. It had been common for the band, in their bandwagon, to serenade the city, and they were usually treated with plenty of homemade beer and refreshments. taken from History of Mt. Pleasant by HML p. 173
