By Danny Crownover
May 10, 1881, the walls of Kyle’s Opera House had just been completed and the roofing was going on. Much credit was being given Col. R. B. Kyle for putting up this place of entertainment. It was for citizens of Gadsden to enjoy some of the greatest actors and artists on the American stage.
They were not disappointed, for the old opera house was the scene of many dramatic triumphs before it was abandoned as a theater.
The building fronted 50 feet on Broad Street and had a depth of 125. It was three stories high.
The first gas plant of any kind to be installed in Gadsden was put in to light the stage and the auditorium.
At this time the local newspaper had made frequent mention of the proposal to build a Catholic church here. It said “: “we learn that sufficient money has been appropriated for this purpose, and under the supervision of col. R. B. Kyle and Pat Walsh the work will commence next week. The building will be erected on the corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets and will be a small frame building.
There were very few Catholics in Gadsden, but these few wished a place of worship, and as soon as they made their wish known, Gadsden’s citizens gave them all the help they needed. This spoke very encouragingly of the kindness and benevolence of the citizens.
When a community is based on such love for one another as this, there is no knowing to what point of excellency it may ascend. May the god of heaven reward those who have so bountifully given their time, attention and money to this glorious work.”
Deputy Marshal John D. Culley, who was one of the most interesting characters in Gadsden was forced to kill a man, John Liddell, to save his own life. Culley went out to arrest the person and the latter flourished a dangerous looking knife. Culley knocked the knife out of Liddell’s hands but the latter picked the officer up and tossed him across a fence.
He climbed over and choked the officer. Culley pulled his gun and called to a man named Green for help. Liddell threw both men around as if they were straws.
When Culley hit him with a club he knocked the club out of the officer’s hands. Finally, the man seized an axe, knocked the officer down, straddled him and was about to chop his head off when Culley fired his pistol. The man died that night. This is said to have been one of the most terrifying battles any police officer ever had in this city.
R. H. Casey announced he would open a photograph gallery in Gadsden. He was one of the most interesting characters this city ever knew. He was an alderman when the whiskey interests ruled. He was the only anti-ring candidate to be elected and to be sure that he was always against the ring he voted “no” on every question it presented, good or bad.
He wanted to be sure, he said, that he was not lined up with “that gang.”. He belonged to a very strong political group, however, and was with the goldbug faction in the three Bryan campaigns for free silver.
Contact The Vagabond at dkcrown@bellsouth.net
