Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
For quite some time I have been exploring the life of James H. Cragg, manager of the Tabor Opera House from 1882-1894. He was a musician, theatrical manager, and scenic artist. During the 1890s he was also the assistant manager for the Silver Circuit, as well as an assistant manager at the Vendome Hotel. Tomorrow, I will post quite a lengthy article about this fascinating man.
Cragg oversaw two stage renovations at the Tabor Opera House and multiple scenery additions, yet little is known about his personal life. In 1875, he married Annie W. Parmele and the two moved to Leadville by 1882.
In 1887, Annie passed away and Cragg fell ill. For a time, he sought solace with his family in Louisville. When he returned to Leadville, a lovely memoriam was written by his childhood friend in Kentucky and published in both Louisville and Leadville. It says so much about the couple and their deep love for each other.
“In Memoriam.
Mrs. James H. Cragg, died on March 1, 1887.
“On November 10, 1875 , I witnessed the marriage of Mr. James H. Cragg to Miss Annie W . Parmele, in the Broadway M . E . church in this city. The good Rev. Dr. Schon, whom death has long since removed from our midst, performed the happy ceremony in the presence of a large crowd of relatives, friends and acquaintances. A happier pair were never made—
“Two souls but with a single thought, Two hearts that beat as one-“
and a fairer and more beautiful bride than Annie never blushed before the altar of hymen, as she stood beside the man she loved, and the venerable minister solemnly joined them together in the holy bonds of happy wedlock. Together they started out upon the broad road of life, hand in hand and heart in heart, to share each others joys and sorrows, to live to love and cling to one another with fond affection true, until they were separated by the relentless and cruel hand of death. The bright sunshine of peace, love and happiness smiled upon them, and their pathway had never been shadowed by clouds of adversity and sorrow. They seem to have been born for each other, to live for and love one another. He kind, generous, loving and true; she generous, faithful, patient, warm-hearted, and blessed by nature with all the Christian traits of human character, that constitutes a true woman and makes her lovely and beautiful in the sight of God and in the eyes of man. But, alas! Death is no respecter of persons, and loves a “shining mark.”
The cup of happiness has been suddenly snatched from their lips by the relentless and cruel hand of the destroying angel, and, with a sad and sorrowful heart, the friend of my boyhood stands holding fragments in his trembling hands as he laments the loss of her he loved with fond affection true.
On the evening of March 1, 1887, just when the bright eye of day was closing in the distant west, when time, with its nimble fingers, had commenced pinning up the curtains of the night with the beautiful stars across the cheerful face of day, the light of the lamp of a beautiful and useful life went out, and the soul of Annie put on its wings of immortality, and winged its flight to God and Heaven, to dwell forever and forever with the angels. She died as she had lived – a true Christian.
The remains were brought from Leadville where she died, to Louisville, where she had lived, and her form now rests in its newly made tenement of clay, over which loved ones shed tears of sorrow to the memory of one whom to know in life was to honor, respect and love. Like the bird who has lost its mate, and returned to its nest home to find it vacant, so, the bereaved husband has returned to his house in Leadville to mourn the loss and absence of his loved one. It was a sad and cruel blow to him, but the angels smiled to know that God had called a wanderer home to dwell in Heaven with the angels who stand before the Throne of Grace. And sound their harps with tuneful lays. Who smile upon our Savior’s face. And sing their songs of sweetest praise.
To the lonely and bereaved husband whom I have known from his boyhood, I tender my sincere and heartfelt sympathy, and extend to him the consoling thought that what has been his loss is her gain. She has left him to battle with life alone, but she has also left him that which is as dear to his heart as her memory is sacred – her love. And as the bark of his life goes drifting across the stormy sea of Time, let him fear not, but look Heavenward, use that sacred love that will live forever with him, for his compass, and God will see that he lands safely in the harbor of eternity, and meet his loved one again in the port of Heaven – where there is no sickness, sorrow, death of parting – nothing but everlasting life, love and happiness.
Oh May some bright and dazzling star, Be as a frame hung up in spaceBy angels from the “gates ajar.” In which you will see sweet Annie’s face.Dear friend, look up and be content, And don’t forget her dying prayer,You try and go where she went, She loved you here, she’ll love you there.
-Will S. Hays,Louisville, April 8, 1887.
