and the patrons of the library were required to pay one dollar per
year for permission to read them. Dr. T.D. Simonton was the first
librarian. Subsequently this library was consolidated with the St.
Paul Mercantile Library association and the number of books more than
doubled. A regular librarian was then installed with the privilege of
reading the library's books raised to two dollars per annum.

* * * * *

The People's theater, an old frame building on the corner of Fourth
and St. Peter streets, was the only real theatrical building in
the city. H. Van Liew was the lessee and manager of this place of
entertainment, and he was provided with a very good stock company.
Emily Dow and her brother, Harry Gossan and Azelene Allen were among
the members. During the summer of 1858 Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Wallack came
to St. Paul and played a two weeks' engagement. They were the most
prominent actors who had yet appeared in this part of the country.

"The Man in the Iron Mask" and "Macbeth" were on their repertoire.
Probably "Macbeth" was never played to better advantage or to more
appreciative audiences than it was during the stay of the Wallacks.
Mrs. Wallack's Lady Macbeth was a piece of acting that few of the
present generation can equal. Col. R.E.J. Miles was one of the stars
at this theater, and it was at this place that he first produced the
play of "Mazeppa," which afterward made him famous. A.M. Carver,
foreman of the job department of the St. Paul Times, often assisted in
theatrical productions. Mr. Carver was not only a first-class printer,
but he was also a very clever actor. His portrayal of the character of
Uncle Tom in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which had quite a run, and was fully
equal to any later production by full fledged members of the dramatic