Dorsha Hayes ( January 2 , 1897 - November 27 , 1990 ) , born Doris Bentley , was a stage actress and dancer during the early 20th century . She was born in Galesburg , Illinois . She made her debut appearance in Pierre Loti 's '' Daughter of Heaven '' in 1912 . She continued to perform until suffering a case of rheumatic fever in 1936 , and thereafter became a published writer . Her works include the novels '' Mrs. Heaton 's Daughter '' and '' Who Walk with the Earth ? '' , and the non-fiction works '' An American Primer '' and '' Chicago , Crossroads of American Enterprise '' . She died in Manhattan of complications after a stroke , at age 93 years . Anthony Hatch , in his book " Tinder Box , " mentions Dorsha Hayes as a young girl visiting Chicago with her family from Galesburg . Among other things , the family was to see " Bluebeard " at the Iroquois Theater , until her mother had a premonition and they skipped the performance . The theater burned down during that performance , killing 605 people . He did not mention the actress in his book , but it is understandable she might have taken her stage name from a local girl who escaped a theater disaster
Iroquois Theater
Iroquois Theatre fire
Dorsha Hayes