The New York Clipper (November 1913)

26 THE 3SHEW YORK CLIPPER. November 8 -runs is -the: year of* ballads, and ^WU have THB JBi£^llair<aL Words by ARTHUR L^MB ORCHESTRATIONS IN ANY KEY. wmm m MtiSic by ALFRED SOL MAN <&^*%€,< Is now writing exclusively lor us and v.ul be pleased to hear from all his Iriends. He has 'orac great VISS Songs now in p:ess JOE MORRIS MUSIC CO., 145 WEST 45th STREET, NEW YORK., MIKE L morris, ivier. ADDRESS ALL nOMMUNICATlONS TO NEW YORK OFFICE CHICAGO OFFICE: Grand Optra House Bldg. PHIl.A. OFFICE;. 136 N. 9th St. SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: 51 Grant Ave. GENE FLORINTINE, Mgj. N. B. IRA KESSNBR iviir>i> rnmuiMx wirli oiii- N. Y. Pi-nfWiminl Dopt. and will b« (jlnil <» .t.».hi>. friend' at. tbo uliova million.. ' ^ OBSERVATIONSJY JOE HEPP Live Tent Sbow News. Circus, Carnival, Wild West Gossip and Comment. Pertinent Paragraphs by our Special Correspondent. Joe Hoop'8 Pen Pictures of Notable Showmen. No. 3, VERNON C. SEAVER, "The Little Corporal." All the world loves a fighter, nnd tbla la an age of self-made men. Involuting from a humbla restauranteur In Chicago, scarce a decade ago, to the director general of one of America's greatest amusement organisations, Is Vernon C. Beavers record. Energy, perseverance, self-confidence and Initiative, coupled with a spirit of square dealing, is bound to bring success. I wish that I could And words, in my limited vocabulary, to adequately convey to the rtaders of Thb New York Clipper a real pen picture of this man. Ills success has been phenomenal. Some have termed It "Beaver Luck." But I do not placo much stock in that. There <a such a thing as luck, but as a rule our destinies are carved out by our own determination. Opportunities come to all, but all of us do not grasp them. Opportunities have come to Vernon C. Seaver and he has made the most of them. One opportunity came to him when the moving picture craze first struck Chicago. While there were scores of store shows operated In the environs, 6eaver Bensod the possibility of a big moving picture theatre In the Loop district. His Alcazar Theatre on Madison Street, I believe, was the first to be opened on that busy thoroughfare. He installed a pipe organ, utilized a first class film service and employed clever entert&'ners. With tbe result that, In spite of the fact that there are now numerous moving picture palaces in' tho immediate vicinity, tbe Alcazar turns scores of people away at every performance. But, not content to confine his operations to tho moving picture business in Chicago, he secui-ed possession of Al Fresco Park, in Peoria, III., which lie converted Into a miniature White City.' In addition to this he owns a half a dozen moving picture theatres In Tcorla, all of which arc making money. Then came his plunge in the Wild West Held as president and general manager of tbo Young Buffalo Wild West Show. Vernon C. Seaver has made himself a national character in the realm of tented amusements. He directs one of tbe finest, equipped shows of Its character In the world which, In spite of strenuous opposition, recently closed a splendid season. In tho meantime "Governor" Seaver has dabbled In theatrical business In a large way, converting the Lyric Theatre In Chicago to what Is now known as the Great Northern Hippodrome, playing high clues variety and circus performances to capacity business. Availing himself of an opportunity to dispose of his Interests In the Great Northern Hippodrome at a profit of $85,000, he withdrew from the directorate of that place of amusement, and with his associates has recently opened tbo Hippodrome In Peoria, 111. Small In stature, as many great men of the world have been, and are; with a tremendous mental capacity and a keen Judge of relative values when It comes to providing entcrtnlnmont for the masses; a bundle of ceaseless nervous energy; nover satisfied with Just what la, but ever seeking the better, there Is no telling to what heights Vernon C. Seaver will attain. Modest to a fault, reserved in manner nnd reticent in demeanor, which to the ordinary observer might be termed "cold," be has a heart brimming over with human kindness, and bis friends are legion. ' Keep your eyes on Vernon C. Seaver, for he is bound to do big things, and he Is an ornament to tho profession of entertainment. In Chicago for several weeks to come, and It would not be surprising if he had an an- nouncement to make some of these days which will make show folks sit up and take notice. Jm McNulty, side show manager of the Sells-Floto Shows, arrived in Chicago last week with bis wooden headed family, and is making the rounds on tbe Rialto renewing old acquaintances. When James was asked how bis season had been be said: "Fine, only tbe trouble is that they have stopped making thousand dollar bills, so It will bulge my pockets to carry around the b. r." MeNttlty will be identified with the SellB-Floto-Biiffalo Bill aggregation next season in an official capacity. Dat by day the old guard is gathering in the Windy City. One by one the white tops ore being folded away for the Winter. Thb season for tbe majority of the tent ■how aggregations Is over, and it is a pleas- ure to welcome to our midst the boys. Boon we will be shaking hands with Al. W. Martin, "Solly" Wise, "Reach-Over" Sweeney, George Dynan, Harry Earl, Fred J. Worrell. Fred Morgan, C. D. Mclntyre, 6teve A. Woods, Al. Lottos Tom W. Allen, George Donovan, Barney Pratt, Frank J. Noetnen, Ralph Lane, Fred Gollmar, "Slim" Havls, '"Doc" Miller (with a new overcoat), Nat RelsB, Harry S. Noyes, Harry W. Wright, A H. Barkley, H. S. Bowe, Al. G. Campbell, Herbert A. Kline. Frank C. Cooper, Joe Rosenthal, "Nobby" Clark, Bob Terry. X. Y. Z. Hennessey, James Duffy, Low Morris. Charles Bell, C. W. MeCurrcn, M. 8. Bobkln, "Ikey" Gaul. Hiram Slim, L. B. Backenstoe, "Tubby" Snyder, Mark Wesscott, B. C. Talbot, Al. F. Gorman. Thos. Rauklne, John B. Warren, Walter K. Sibley, Cali- fornia Frank Haley, Bill Rice (W. G. P.), Frank L. Albert, A. T. Wright. James W. Seattle, W. M. Moseley, Harry Kellev, Hiram Q. Smith, T. M. Warren, Warren B. Irons, George Atkinson, W. E. Wells, James P. Dwyer and Ed. C. Knupp. Vxl Vino will close his third season with Rlngllng Bros.' Circus at Okamulgee, Okla., Nov. 1, after a successful tour aslhe orator In the big annex, under tho direction of Lew Graham and has been ro-engaged in tho same capacity for season 1014. During the Win- ter Val Vino will appear in vaudeville as Arthur Krona. Mrs. Krona formerly Bessie Saarle Is convalescent, after on Illness of six years' duration. Barry F. Hofer, proprietor of Highland Park, Qulncy, 111., ono of tho directors and owners of tho Qulncy Three I baseball team, and for nlnotccn years identified with the Cbatnberland, Bnrhydt & Busby Illinois and Iowa circuit, breezed Into tho Western Bureau of Tun New York Clipper last week, In company with Louis W. Buckley, with whom he roccntly projected tho "Made In Qulncy" show, which was an unqualified success, considering tho Inclemency of tbe weather during three or four days of the ten days' engagement. Qi'i.scY owes a debt of gratitude to Hofcr, for ho helped to put It on tho map. He is one of tbe most delightful chaps who ever attempted to do things in an amusement way. And by the way, In bis own town be is known as "The man who does things." You know it wouldn't surprise me If our friend, Hofor, would decide somo of these days to engage In the amusement game In a larger way, and certainly it he does it's a cinch that he will make good. He Is not backward in acknowledging that, through the tuition of his friend, Louis W. Buckley, ho has assimilated considerable show atmos here, and believes that, should lie undertake amuse- ment ventures In a larger way. that, ns a result of his association, bo will make tho show folks sit up and take notice. Louis Buckley Is sure that it ho can keep Harry Hofer away from Al. Tlernay, presi- dent of the Three I League, long enough when he Is In Chicago, that he will be able to lead him up to the High Shrine of The Showmen's League of America, put blm through the paces nnd come forth with a League button on his cent, and If ho ever does it's dollars to New England doughnuts that he will take Tlernay and tho other beys with him through The Showmen's League. Now, our friend Buckley has a peculiar faculty of not only saying nice things about folks with whom ho comes In contact, but he has built up a tremendous following through- out the land in arranging unique amusement events. But I have a sneaking idea that my friend Buckley Is to be Identified In an official capacity with the Panama-PaclOc Ex- position in San Francisco. It would not be at all surprising If this should prove the case, for Buckley has been Identified In a prominent way with all the big ones, Includ- ing Chicago, Buffalo, Seattle, Atlanta, St. Louis aud Omaha. Bucklky overflows with effervescence, and It's might j good, too, but what I want to say is that whatever Buckley attempts to do I believe will be well done. Messrs. Buckley and Hofer, after spend- ing a few days in Chicago, will leave for the Pacific Coast to look over the field, and t would not be at all surprised It we bad a very interesting announcement to make as a result of their Far Western trip. Melville Kbllogu. of the National Show Print, honored the Western Bureau of The New York Clipper with a call upon his re- turn from New York to Chicago, last Fri- day morning. Ho Informed us that his in- tuition Is to remain in Chicago, and we heartily welcome blm back to our midst. Kellogg enjoys a very wide acquaintance in the enow business In all of Its branches, and has the faculty of making good. Of course, Broadway will miss him, but, as he confesses, the Chicago Held offers tremendous possi- bilities, nnd he will take advantage of them. Col. Harry W. Wright, promoter of amusement events, who arranged- for the Midway attractions now being presented at the National Conservation Exposition, in Knoxvllle. Tenn., arrived In Chicago Satur- day'morning, Oct. 25, and honored the West- ern Bureau of Thb New York Clipper with a call. While the genial colonel was a bit reticent regarding bis future plans, he Inti- mated that it was not Improbable tbnt he would effect arrangements for the presenta- tion of a series of exhibitions, zoological and otherwise, in a chain of department stores In the metropolitan cities. It will be recalled that Colonel Wright was very successful In this direction last Winter. He is imbued with original ideas and Is accustomed to making big money. Colonel Wright Informs us that be will moke bis headquarters here ANTHONY KOVELH, Of tbo Klelnc-Clnes Forces. On, well, what's the use, they'll all be here. Well, with stories of tbe big doings of the past Bcason and making ready for the new one, there will bo plenty of conversation to enliven the meetings of The Showmen's League of America, In Chicago. What a panning Canada will get, and right now, If I were making book, I would lay 100 to 1 that somebody Is going to pro- fosc a tour of Alaska next season. I don't now how they're going to get there, and neither do they, but it's almost certain that It Is contemplated right now. One thing is sure, no jump is too long for a carnival company to make, especially In the Winter, when tbe show is being promoted. I remember last Winter two prominent pro- moters decided to put one out. One said, "I open In Bangor, Me." The other reviled, "That week I am In Dallas, Tex., but you can make It with a Sunday run, and open With me in Houston." And the finale of it was that one took the Pit Show with a carnival company, and the other promoted tho Quern Contest, but that was all right, for their Intentions were good. One circus, that was Intended to bo a thirty-car show, opened with a brass band and closed with a sheriff. 'History tells us that most of the great things in this world are evolved in a garret, but like in a gome of euchre, sometimes the right bower doesn't take tbe trick. But to come right down to cases, there has been a lot of changes in tbe circus game this past year. John O. Talbot and John B. Warren have become recognized factors, In a man- agerial way, and If Dame Rumor ias It right, these gentlemen, and their associates, are going to do some big things next season. In the meantime It Is said that Uncle Ben Is becoming mighty restless in Peru, in spite of the fact that he has the largest country estate in Indiana. - • Tub downfall of the Two Bills' Sbow, after many vears of unprecedented success, came as a bombshell, but It is safe to predict that tbe "Little Napoleon" and his multi- millionaire associate will evolve a form of exhibition for next season which may eclipse anything In the way of a circus Wild West combination ever attempted. Lbt'3 not forget our friend Tom Weldeman, who possibly has gone through more this season than any one manager. The Kit Car- son-Buffalo Ranch Wild West Show opened in a snow storm, bumped into Spring floods, backed up Into a parched country, was forced to take the leavings of other shows, and went South nnd launched Into a flooded dis- trict, whleh might well appall the most in- domitable manager. But Tom Is still out. and has not announced his closing date, and you may be aure that It wilt not be neces- sary for him to sell any horses or 'para- phernalia to Winter his sbow, and that when the band plays next Spring, Weldeman will be on the lot and ready to open. I understand the Gentry Bros, have had a very good season, and they should have, for thev present an exhlbtton distinctively Individual and unique. They cleaned up a lot of money on the lots In Chicago, as they do every Bummer, and left a splendid reputa- tion. Althovgh some twenty-six tent show at- tractions were In opposition to Al. G. Barnes In the territory ha played this oast season, it Is gratifying to record tbe fact that he "cleaned up," as usual. He has gone Into Winter quarters at Portland. Ore., and Is making ready for tbe season of 1014, promis- ing to present a trained animal circus next vear, such as the world has never seen. The tact that Lorenz Hngenbeck has been in con- ference with Mr. Barnes during the past fortnight would seem to Indicate that the zoological collection will be materially aug- mented. The Yankee Robinson Show has certainly profited on the season. Fred Buchanan always did say thot it would be only a mat- ter of time when he would be ono of tho big ones, and he is fast fulfilling his prophecy. Fred Is' a keen showmen, ana his spirit, "I will," seems to pervade every department of tho Yankee Robinson Show, and materially helps to spell "success." while our old friend. Al. G. Campbell hasn't made much noise tbis Summer, we are pleased to say that the Cole Bros. Show, under bis direction, is still out, and tbe Indi- cations are that It will make a "Garrison" finish on the Coast and bob up as a virile fac- tor In the arenlc field next season. Speaking about the Coast, our old friend, Ed. BurSte and his partner, Foley, seem to have the rlgbt Idea of the carnival game; for If reports are true, and I have every rea- son to believe they are, they have played to more real money than any carnival organiza- tion that ever traversed the Pacific Slope, and have more contracts offered them than thev can possibly fill. Thb Downie-Whecler Shows, according to report, will split at the close of this season. Messrs. Downle and Wheeler take out their own Individual aggregations next Spring. Sio. Sautelle has made a world record during the past three years when you stop to think: that leaving the wagons and going on rails, to a twenty-flve-car sfhow right off the Jump, he has taken the East by storm. Everybody down East knows Slg., and they still sflinke bands with him when they meet him at the runs and on the lot in the morn- ing. It sekmb as though Frank A. Bobbins can't get over the Eastern fever, as he Is back in Jersey City, and next season will tour -his old stamping ground In the New Englontl States. The 101 Ranch Wild West Show opens al Madison Square Garden, New York City, next Spring, following the Barnum & Bnlley engagement. Miller Bros. & Arlington have had a wonderful season, according to all re- ports, and It Is to be presumed that whll) the 101 Ranch Show has always been of su- perior calibre, that. Inaugurating Its 1014 tour in llic metropolis of America, the exhi- bition will be made better than ever. Accord- ing to rumor, after two weeks in Madison Square Garden, the 101 Show will Jump to Philadelphia to play on n lot, with Washing- ton nnd Baltimore to follow, and then to Brooklyn for a week. Considerable Interest ii being evinced In the West, in the Arlington-Chandler Wild West Show, which Is to ploy South America, Baling from New York Nov. 1. Just what will become of the Oklahoma Ranch Wild West Show, which has gone into quarters at Lake View, N. J., Is problematical. Nothing has been heard of late regarding the Edward Arlington-John G. Robinson Wild West and Circus Combination for next sea- son. TitH Mighty Haag Show broke Into new territory this season, and did well. Tiiu John Sparks Show flirted with big city territory this Summer. But Charlie Sparks said "never again 1" "Chicago is a good town to go shopping In. but for us hereafter. It will be a case of window wish- ing." Nat Kkiss, with his famous carnival com- pany, played Chicago lots for a number of weeks and made money. "Oh, You Teddy Beara 1" Thb Cllfton-Kellcy Carnival Shows played Chicago suburbs to good business. Wortbtam & Allen have bad an excep- tionally good season. Thb Con T. Kennedy Shows are doing a good business In the South. Tbey broke all carnival records at the Canadian National Exhibition, In Toronto. iS. W. Brunoagb Is to be congratulated upon his showing for his first year in pro- jecting a big aggregation. From all accounts he has done remarkably well, and the Brun- dage Shows have created a favorable Impres- sion in the territory played this season. Herbert A. Kline Shows have broken records this Summer in tbe way of making long Jumps, and are now rounding out the 1013 tour in the far South. The Jobnny J. Jones Exposition Shows, which have not closed for tbe past six years, aro meeting with success in the South. While the publicity department of the Great Patterson Shows has been a bit reti- cent this season. I understand tbat the sen- son on the whole has been a satisfactory one. Wb would be remiss In our duty If we did not give due space to the motordrome, which really is the only innovation that Sas lieen introduced this past two seasons In the way of a riding device and carnival otractlon. The fact is J. Frank Hatch has seven motor- dromes, snd E. C. Talbot and Ed. F. Cor- ruthcrs have at least half a dozen of these amusement devices In' operation, and a num- ber are now being contracted for Australia, the Orient and South America. It Is not Improbable, In fact it Is certain, that ono of the largest circuses will have a portable motordrome on tbe lot next season. A wonderful money maker with the car; nlvals this year has been the "Teddy Bears. We have information tbat with some shows. Teddy Bears haw played to as high as $0,000 a week. . , , The carnival managers arc awakening to the fact that "gllley" acts don't go any more. The fair secretaries and the public at largo have been "wised up" to perch acts, and de- mand something different. , , _ .. So that now the up-to-date carnival man- ager will spare no expense In furnishing tin. very beat of attractions. It is a cwnmjn thing to see a *500 "free" act with even the smaller carnivals. GO TO IT. JOE. I was certain that my friend, Joe Boxen- thai, would land a good berth. He Is anni« of Hatch & Bcatty's Mirth Makers, and .»ik- ing good. It is to be presumed that J»e will be In advance of some leading tent s.ow next season. Johnny J. Jones writes me a very Inter- esting letter from the South, telling me it ' tho business of the Jobnny J. Jones gap "» tlon Shows In Dixieland has beeni very in en better than he expected, and that he una great confidence in the route ahead. The Johnny J. Jones Exhibition Shmrl play Key West, Fla„ Just before Chr stows, the best time of the rear, when the folks are making plenty of money. Miami *■•■«■ booked for weeks Jan. 6 and 12 for the big celebration. Johnny Is a hustler, and iw, surrounded himself with a capable execii ie staff. He plays the year round, nnd has.mm up an enviable reputation for his organic F*am In receipt of a very cordial Miff from Prince NelBon. with tho Al. F. Gorman Shows. Informing me thnt they expect >° stay out all Winter, and that the orgnnM tlon is first class In every way. . v . The Gorman Shows arc exhibiting at J-"» son, Tenn., week Nov. 3. JOB IIBIT'B PHILOSOPHY. "Toll Is no hardship when your heart is in it You don't count the hours when you love your work." SAM C. HALLER SUPERINTENDS BUILDING OF "TOYLAND." Sam C. Haller writes me from Snn Fr*n- Cisco, under dato of Oct. 23, that he i*as busy as a. bee looking after details in comic