Billboard advertising (Oct 1910)

20 Xtie Billboard OCTOBER 22, 1910, THE SELLS BROTHERS Pen Pktuies of a Famous Fainily'ci Showmen, DiawD from Memory, by Intimately Acquamted m By J. MILTON TRABER. Tbe BlUboaid, In pieseDtlng to its lefjlni of readen, portrays the 8]iowiiuui*s life of tUs funny of Central or Western State celebrities. One can not take a single life to give a picture, the wbole family as a wbole were so closely associated tbat tbe lives of the entire family most be given to make a successfoi nnit of completion, therefore I will give a - brief pen picture of each member. The Sells Brothers enjoyed the nnlqae dls- tinctton of being the oldest managers owning and managing one show without intermission (or a longer period than any other managers Jn the world. Xbej never, tram the. start nntll their death, fkfled to*, s^id ont-a show each year. Never a break, but one omtlnnoas sea- son practically speaking. Tbe Sells Brothers were bom on a farm near Colnmbns, Ohio. Their father was a very indostrions and earnest farm gardener of extraordinary mental capacity- and remarkable moral character. He was- a great bible student and acted dnring the later Sears of his life as a lay preacher in the [ethodlst Episcopal church. The sons all In- herited from him a rather serious torn of mind and an Inherent integrity that time iand busi- ness could not impair. WhUe the brothers were very young, the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1854, and oigaged In various pursuits, the two younger brothers, Lewis and Peter Sells, being con- ductors of the first street cars that were ever run in the city of Cleveland. After service In the civil war, and tiring of that vocation, they engaged in varions pnrsnits - IDr themselvea. ■ Hr. Peter Sdls engaged iia the - newspaper business and held various editorial and Imslness positions on one of the leading daily newspapers of Cleveland. ETestually the family returned to Columbus, where they engaged in the auc- tlmeer business, until in 1872, when they organ- ized the Sells Bros.' Show. The original owners were Ephraim Sells, William Allen Sells, Xewis Sells and Peter Sells. The entire family of boys have passed to that - land above where Bo troubles and cares are known. Tlie show was a small nndertaUng at the start, but It was excellent In quality, ; and successful in .business methods,, and ancceeded fmm-ttie very outset and did a very , profitable bnslness. It traveled from town to town for six years In wagons drawn by horses. In 1878, It abandoned the wagons for railway trains. They exhibited their show in all the Important; cities and towns In every state and territory of the United States and Canada. In November, 1891, they took their sliow to Australia, and returned to-tills coontiy In June, 1892, after having a most: anccessfoi season In i tbe Antipodes. - ' In the winter of 18T8. Sells Brothers im- -porteA the first pair of hippopotami ever brought into captivity here, and continued to exhibit them throngbont the Union, daring which time tliey grew to eaormons proportions. In Apm, 18S6, their show was consolidated .with tbe Adam Forepangh Show In a perpetual miioc. This consolidation brought together in one enterprise the fonr oldest, in. experience, greatest in wealth.- progressive : In : enterprise, and famons throogboot the wodd.- elreDB man- agers In existence. Messrs. James A; : Bailey, W. W. Coles, and the Sells Brothers. - Tbe career of the Sells Brothers is one that should Inspire every youth of the land with ambition to succeed In whatever he undertakes. They were entirely self-made men and have built their careers n|>an the solid foundation of honesty and incessant Industry. Their shows during the last days of the lives of the Sells Brothers were to tbem more a matter of pride than a means of profit. The four sons left each a fortune that Is now being enjoyed by their wives and danghters. '.; . lur. wmiam Sells, who died a fefw^jrears ago In New York City, and was Imown some years ago as "MastCT-Willie, :the boy bareback rid- ing wonder," also in later yeara as i-a partner with tile Hmnmel, Hamiltbn and Sells Sliows, The SeUs-Gray Show, The Sells-Downs Shows, and last, bnt not least, the now famous Sells- Zfloto Shows, was considered as a yonng man- ager and. proprietor to thoroughly understand the drcns boraness, was an- adiqited .son of one of the' brotbera.' Sheldon HopUna Barrett was horn November 9, 1845, at AUllon. N. T., and removed with his parents to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1855. Here they became ni>Ighbors of the Sells family, the head of wliom (the father of the Sells brothers) and the elder Barrett became fast friends. Toong Barrett and the three younger Sells -Brothers (.Allen, Lewis and Peter), went to.pubUc schoor .together and were playmates; * When the Woodward avenoe street railway was established as the first street car line in Cleveland. Ohio, S. H. Barrett, I«wls and Peter Sells were employed as conductors. After nearly three years of this sort of service, Ur. Barrett was tak.-n Into the office of the com- Sany and became the cashier, wtdch position e coatinned to hold until 1880-. Se-reral years previously the Sells Brothers had removed to Columbus, Ohio, and In 1872. .they began their career as showmen, - putting.- ont a wagon show imder their name. In 1878, they Iionght the majority of the property of the Montgomery Queen Circns which WBB sMd at IjOaisvOIe, Ky., and converted the Selto^Biothers' Show into a:railn>ad show. Tbey ^sent out also their old wagon show, to which other property was added, under the name and direction of James A. -Anderson, of Colum- bus. ■ In 1880, Mr. -Andetsm retired from the man. agement of the show, and the Sells Brothers then Induced Mr. Barrett to resign his position with - tile railroad company In Cleveland, and aaaome the management, of the -Anderson show, which was changed from a wagon allow into a.railroad show : and.became known as the S. H.-Barrett and CO. SHow. Charlea Castle had been engaged as general agent for-this venture, bet tie was taken ill immediately prior to the starting ont of the Show in the seasOTi of 1880. Mr. Eugene A. Weiler, a wdl-fcnown agent was appointed car iiiaiia«!r and did good service with the com- Tbe writer was -also-.-associated -n-lth WeBer as his general assistant, having held a abnllar position under Weiler with the Mont- gomciy .Qneen Shows (which was the writer's first experience, actively. In the circns budness, 1878>. , Mr. Barrett never having had any experience in the show-business, assumed charge of the advance, and although the show continued under his direction for a period of six years, he al- ways remained In advance of it. - His. success and natural ability as general agent was made Clearly manifest nnder the circumstances. In ttie'^ring of 1888, the Sells Brothers and S. H. Barrett Shows were merged Into one, and Mr. Barrett became the general agent for them (wlilch in ISOd were further combined with tbe Adam Fbrepangh Show), which position be held until his death. Mr. Barrett, at the time of his death, was a member of the Tork Ixidge of Master Masons and the Webb Cliapter, Boyal Arch Masons of Cleveland, a charter member of the Aladdin Temple of Uystlc Shrine, and a charter member of 'the niew: Consistory of Blights .Templars,^ Columbus, and was also a member of the Thirty-second Degree : of : the Sicotttdi. Bite' Blasonry.^ : In 1868. he was nnited In maixlage with Miss Bebecca F. Sdls, a-sister of the Sola Brothers, who, with two sons, snrvlves him. Mr. Barrett died May 16, 1900, at the tTnlted States Hotel, Boston, Mass., from typtaold- pnenmonia. His remains were embalmed and taken to his home In Colnmbns, Ohio, for In- terment. This ended the worthy career of one more of nature's noblemen. Mr. Willis P. Cobb, the famous monkey, dog and pimy trainer,: married , one of .tbe Sells Brothers' slaters, who now Is: well and alive in Coinmbiis, - Ohio. The Xong Family of'horse and animal train- ers, composed of Charley, Montgomery and Edward, who were associated with -the Sells Brothers^ • Shows for the past thirty years, are still In harness and working every day. CIRCUS OR SHOW? San Francisco, Oct. 15 (Special to The Bill- board)^—There-would liave been serious trouble fOr'Baflalo Bin's Wild West show If Supervisor O'Dowd, chairman of the license committee, coold have had bis way dnring .the' stay of the show in this city last weak. The - wild-west show paid In advance to the tax collector a license fee of- tS a day, the nsnal diarge for any ordinary show. However.- Snpervlsor O'Dowd,- who had been looking over the governing ordi- nances, noted that -a circns was charged a license fee of $100. a: day. There could be no donbt, he insisted to felloir membeis -of the lioard, that the wild west show, however named, was to all intents and purposes a circns. Bepresentatives of the show, hearing what was going on, made a hurried visit to the Super-; visor's office and voiced energetic protests against any increase of - the rtinrge, insisting that the' show -was no circus, but simply what its name conveyed, a "show," and differing In no other particular from any of the IS-a-day-IIcense shows except in its extent. O'Dowd ■ was not satisfied, and, with tbe acquiescence of his colleagues of the license committee, referred the matter to the city attorney -with a -warning to the showman that if his contention in tbe premises was sustained the extra money would have to be pald,> arrears and all, or steps wonld be taken to have the sheriff -dose the sliow.. The dty attorney rendered an opinion to the effect that as the tax collector had already accepted the f5 license fee, -so establishing the status of the show, nothing more coold be done about the matter. Supervisor O'Dowd declared himself still misatlsfied, and aimounced that at the next meeting of the board he would intro- doce a resolution or ordinance, whichever may be the more advisable, defining the exact sta- tus of the show, so that hereafter the city will not be In danger- of losing any money on It. As a mere statement of fact, and not as any- thing, having a bearing on tbe proceedings in this matter, it may be set forth that the Buf- falo Bill management, for some reason or other, lias, this year, entirely- forgotten' to send around to the: office of the.snpervlsots, .tbe usual thlek bundle of- complimentary admission tlck- eta.'"--'-'-■ SUIT AGAINST BUFFALO BILU . Bedding. Cal.. Oct. 13.—^Bnllalo Bill was made a defendant last Thursday In a |2,500 damage salt, brought here by Mrs. Angnsta l>om,--..'wbo claims that snm because one of the Imlfalaes : belonging -to the Two Bills' Show, while being driven. from the show grounds to the train here, Sept. 26, tossed her on Its horns. -She was conducting: a-lon^' counter on the side walk and the herd stampeded as It passed, her place. Mrs. Dom claims that she has been under the care of. a physician, and as the result of wounds Infilcted, an operation was fonnd nec- essary. NOTES FROM LOCAL NO. 10, MIN- NEAPOLIS J^B, P. B. A. Our <dd friend, Charles Dnffy, who for the past 2S years has been with the Breslauer Posting Service, has left thst firm and win now be connected with the Dnffy Iron Works of St. lAuls; of which his brother Is presi- dent. Dnffy left for St Louis October 10. P. O. BoEsman, by the looks of things, will 'Winter In Ciiicago Instead of managinic a bnr- lesque show. The crew at tbe Lyric fg Deacon Holmes, W. J. Brickson and W. J. "Grip" McDonald. John Carr is expected In next week with two bill posters who will winter here. Carl Munson, who Is with the Wallace-Hag- enbeck Show will return home at tbe close of the season, and get -ready for a five-day deer hunt around Ed. Clark's farm. In Clam Falls. "Erick'.' Erickson left for Winter, Wis.. In behalf of a Swedish society to try and -fret a peacefal settlement with John Dletz, tbe Cam- eron Dam ontlaw. Our business agent, Hariey White, Is busy looking for men he expects to put on an extra IVIURRAY & COMPANY (iNCORPOEATBD.) BARGAINS—: ISxSO. bin roof ends; red and white stripe; 8-ft. wall: used one week: price, tSS.00, 20x60 bin roof; 6M ounce drill; 8-ft. wall; used one month: price. $00.00. 24x76, round end front and gable end back: 8 ounce khaki: side wall 8-tt. Ugh la frost, 14-ft. high In back: used one week: price, flSO.UO. \. ^ «^ „ 30x40, hip roof; red and white stripe; 10-ft, wall; uied onejireekrprice. (70,00. , 80x00, round and gable end; led and white stripe; 10-ft. side wall; used; two weeks; pclet> *^ata75. ronnd and^^j||^e end; OK onnee drill; 10-ft. :wall:; ted; wUta^^^ ^^T^^rhlp'^frlO-"?!!* wall: 8 ounce drill top; e?4 ounce drill wall; nsed three weeks; pries, *^6Chtt. ronnd top, SO-ft. middle, and 10-ft. wall; evi bimee drtU; osed two weeks; priee. $UOM, 648'648 MsinllaB StiMt^ MUmO.- Sand at once fw our big lirt SwcmAAand Tmtai. E X c E i» XI o pa AI-. BARGAINS IN PYTHON SNilKES 7 Feet .S7.50 Each 15 Feet .... .$75.00 Each 8—9 Feet.... .10.00 10 Feet 15.00 12 " ...25.00 14 " 60.00 LOUIS RUHE, ' 16 " 100.00 " 18 " 125.00 " ' 22 " Regal..........200.00 " ' 25 " Regal.300.00 « 248 Grand St., New Yortc UMiroRMS For Bands, MIBtaiy/ Minstrel First Part^ Minstrel Parade, Usbers, Bell Boys, Base BaU, Foot ftiH, Basket Ball, etc., ete. ScHhrUTAlN. 0 WistsniUniforniGo. •MS.«M«RST. CHICAGO GOSS' SHOW ^ CANVAS \^^^ J BLACK TENTS CIRCUS FLAGS Waterproof Covers Ihe J. C. GOSS CO. Fhoae Cioal 866* EiUblishad 1865 Thomson & Vandiveer MANUPACTUBERS OP CIRCUS TENTS TENTS FOB BENT. 816 East Pearl Street, CINCINNATI, O. TENTS SHOW TENTS, BLACK TENTS. CANDY TOPS, MEEBY-GO-KOUND COVEBS and CTerythlnsr In canvas. Send for catalogue. BODGIERH BROS. TENT V AWNINB CO. TENTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION Now ia the time we need the work and can give quick action and close price. QUALITY THE BEST THE COUMBK TENT ft AffMNG CO. COLUMBUS, OHIO VTE SAVE FOB IXASE, CABS, SO ft. lODS, for shipping scenery, antomoblles, adrance, bsn*(*' privilege, stock and merry-go-rounds. DenrSble for show and circns companlea, rates. TB£ ABKB PALACEHOBSE OAB 00., Boom 614. 188 IDoUcaa AmnoSk CUoage. TENTS SOxieO, 80x120, 50x80, 30x60, 30x50. 20x50, black, 300 camplns trats and 2.000 ft. of 10-ft. side wall. D. X. KEBB XFO. CO., 1007 W. Hadison St. (Old Ko. 2S0), Chicsgo. long Si>- tance Phone, Monroe 2448. WILLIAM BARTELS CO. Sealers in Wild Animals, 160 Oreenwioh Street, • Vew Teik OilT> IMPROVED ACrryLENfE THE AtEXANDEI HIIBIIIN CO. S07 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, Md. SHOW PAINTINGS E. J. HAYDEN A CO., 106-10 Brsadwiy, BBOOKLTll', IT. T. lOB-ll Soath Kjun Street. St, X.ouiB, Ho, SGEl>iERY THE FIHEST SHOW FAINTHfaS AT LOWEST FBICE8. Toll us what you need and we will Bend LOWEST estimate and Illustrated catalog. ENEEBOLI. ABT CO., Omaha, Nehr. SideShowPaintiiigs SIEGMUND BOCK 723 Blu* island Ava.,Chleaso, Ills. PORTABtE LIGHTS FOR ALL PURPOSES THE BOLTE tWEYER CO. 8 E. MIohlaan Straat, CHICAGO. ILLINOIS B I I M P V SHOW PRINTCm RUN E Y Clnolnnatl, Olila ThMtrleai-Citeus miotograpMra. Circus and Juggilng Apparatua Clubs, Batons and Noreltles. Stamp for cata- logue. EDWABD TAH WTOK, Cinelnnstl, 0. BEARS, SNAKES, MONKEYS, BABOONS Freaks, Monster Snakes. ChanwIeonSi POT- MAM'S Wnj> AHIMAL BIOBE, «W WaSUnCtoa 8tnst,Baaato.l(.'T. SCENERY AND SHOW PAINTINGS JOBV HBUrUBXR, tUS Boose atieet. MONKEYS—ANIMALS and all kinds of pet stock and song hirds.for sale. Also special sale DadElng Bnesus lion- keys. Good money-getters. With hameas, com- picte, «1S.00; $5.00 cash with order. Write JJMT further particulars. ATIiANTIO AND PAOIBIO BIRD STORE, 238 Kast Msdison St., Chicago. AUrra—Snotteil Ijrnx, tl2; Monkey-Ftsced Owls, 88; White Opossum, |6i Qrer OpaasDm, $3; Odorless Skunk (black). , 85; Bhesns (ac- climated) Monkeys, $10; Obbiese Dragon, M; Tame Bear Cubs, MO eachrmrslrla Dogs> ,^8I> pair; Chipmunk, 76e; poteaploea and otbsr animals In stock. LINVOOD FUNT, Nortb Waterford, Maine.