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...