MORE ABOUT LOUIS THIEL - MYSTERY MAN PHOTOGRAPH IN THE HIGH COLLECTION

LOUIS THIEL
Six Years of Drama Castle Square Theater Dramatic Stock Company 1897 to 1903

Mr. Thiel before coming to the Castle Square Theatre
played with many different travelling and stock companies,
among which were The Wife for Wife Company, New Do-
minion Company, Humanity Company, Blue Jeans Company
and Lost in the Desert Company. His principal work is in
comedy and characters, being unusually successful in negro
and dialect parts. As *' Uncle Poly" in "The New Dominion "
he **was far above the average as a colored man and was
deserving of all the applause he received." One of his best
character parts was that of a tramp in "Side Tracked" and
proved a bit of mimicry that would be hard to duplicate. In
the play the humorous side of tramp life is shown, and, as'is
told by the title, he is side-tracked while trying to beat his
way on a freight car, and while thus detained he becomes a
prominent feature in a tragedy.

When " Quo Vadis " was put on Mr. Thiel was speci-
ally engaged to do the part of ** Nero," and all who saw the
piece have a vivid recollection of his work in that character.
He received great commendation from the critics at that time
as being fully in the spirit of the play and era. Mr. Thiel is
almost always in the cast, and although not usually called
upon for principal parts he makes the most of his opportuni-
ties and gives satisfaction at all times. As " Manasses
Marks" in "Humanity" he made a hit, playing the part
in an amusing manner. Mr. Thiel is a pigeon fancier of
some reputation and enjoys the study and care of these
familiar birds.

MYSTERY MAN IDENTIFIED AMONG THE ANTIQUE PHOTOS IN THE HIGH COLLECTION

2009 The Year of Valley History
High Collection signature of Louis Thiel
Signature of Lousi Thiel - American actor from a photograph in the Billy Rose Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library.
Following my own lead, I googled "Louis Thiel Actor", I found this. Compare it with the signature on the High Collection photograph! Ole!!!!! Now the question is, how did this photograph get among the High Collection photographs?


Photograph of Unknown Man - Gift to The Museum from Dave High - July 2009.

I had pretty much made up my mind that the person in this photograph, of which I made a black and white image to clarify his signature, was named Louis Huel. (It may still be) But, in the light from a lamp over my left shoulder, the signature just might be Louis or Lorian Thiel. Is this fellow some sort of minister? I thought so at first, but religious habits are made with greater care, due to their sacred nature. Sooooo, what's up here? I have a new guess. Suppose he's an actor. "At the mercy of Tibereus (?) Co. Can the "Co" refer to Company. In the late 1800s CO would not have been used, I believe, for Colorado.

What is your guess. Email your Museum or put your opinion in the "comment" section.