The Billboard 1901-01-05: Vol 13 Iss 1 (1901-01-05)

7° let, ~ = Sobriquets of Showmen. Nearly all the prominent circus men of the country have some nick-name or sobriquet by which they are known to their friends and the profession. Among them are: Col. W. F. Cody—‘Buffalo Bill.”’ B. E. Wallace—*Uncle Ben.”’ John F. Robinson—**The Governor.” W. E. Franklin—‘‘Watseka Bill.”’ W. E. fet Ferguson—**Bob."’ E. M. Burk—‘The Big Fellow.”’ J. P. Fagan—‘‘The Irish Prince."’ Dan R. Robinson—*‘Col. Sellers.”’ G. H. Robinson-—-*‘Gil.”’ J. R. W. Hennessey—*‘Pop. W. H. Harris—‘‘Nickel Plate Harris.”’ Ringling Brothers—The Ding-dongs.’’ Major G. W. Lillie—*Pawnee Bill.” Louis E. Cooke—*' Boniface.”’ Jas. A. Bailey—The Little Man.” Lewis Sells—‘*‘Uncle Lew.”’ Peter Sells—‘‘Pete.”’ W. W. Cole—*'Chilly Billy.” E. DP. Colvin—**The Doctor.” Ralph W. Peckham—*‘The Cynic.” S. H. Seamon—"'Si.”’ John G. Robinson—‘‘Young John.” R. G. Ball—**Dick.”’ Cc. Sivalls—‘‘Charlie.”’ Wm. Powley—‘‘Canada Bill.”’ Barnum Show Directors. As a result of the annual meeting of the shareholders of the “Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth,’ which was held in London, England recently, the shares, which had been selling as low as eight shillings, have advanced to ten shillings on the London Stock Exchange, and confidence has been restored to such a degree that further advances may be looked for from time to time. These shares, which are of a par value of $5 each, have sold up as high as $6, 3, and even $7.50. The story of their decline is interesting, and is best told in a report of the shareholders’ meeting which we copy from an exchange, viz.: t The annual meeting of the shareholders in Barnum & Bailey's ‘“‘Greatest Show on Earth’ was held under the chairmanship of Geo. J. Starr, one of the directors. He expressed a disappointment at not being able to announce a dividend for the year, but held out good hopes of a favorable future for the enterprise. Since the concern was turned into a public company it has had an existence of nineteen months and one dividend has been paid. This was at the rate of fifty cents a share, or, say, 7% per cent on the purchase price of the shares sold to the public, for, although the shares have a par value of $5 each, the show had done so well during its first season in England that the proprietors felt justified in selling the 266,667 shares offered to the public at a premium of 25 per cent, or at $6.25 each Mr. Bailey retained as a part of the purchase price of the show 133,333 shares, and some of these he gave to his fellow directors as personal gifts, and he and they agreed not to take any dividends from the profits of the business for the first three years for the shares in question until the ordinary shares held by the public had received dividends of 20 per cent in each of the three years. Therefore, they did not get the fifty cents a share which was paid to the ordinary shareholders at the close of the company’s first season after its reorganization. Mr. Starr said that the outbreak of the war in South Africa hastened by a year the departure of the show to the continent of Europe, as it was felt that under the circumstances England would not be a profitable field. The cost of the wintering, together with the transportation to Germany, and the preliminary expenses for the summer in that country, amounted to the very considerable sum of $159,950, and at the end of the German season there were profits of $58,755 to be dealt with. It had been resolved by the directors not to distribute this small sum in dividends, but to carry it forward to the next year’s account, and it was stated that hereafter the annual accounts will be made up in November, at the close of each summer season. The position in which the enterprise now stands seems to be a sound one. The entire cost of the winter spent in idleness— so far as the public is concerned—and of the transportation of the show to the continent has been wiped out. although, as Mr. Starr very truly said, the directors would have been justified in spreading that indebtedness over the three years which have been planned to spend on the continent. The expenditure of the $155,000 in that way had enabled the show to reach Vienna for its winter season, now im progress, with fair prospects of success, free of debt. and with the profit balance of $55,000 carried there was over $225,000 to the credit of the show in the bank, and its indebtedness did not amount to more than $17,000). If the winter season at Vienna paid no more than its bare expenses, the next summer season on the road should enable the shareholders to have a handsome distributicn of profits when the next annual report was submitted The show had been kept in perfect condition, in the matter of equipment and properfles, out of its revenues during the German tour In regard to the history of that tour, which commenced at Hamburg, April 15, and ended at Passau, Nov. 10, Mr. Starr was averse to telling the real story. I mean he was very sensibly averse to making more than a general allusion to the tremendous drawbacks that were met with at the hands of the local authorities im many of the fifty-five towns and cities in which Gates were to be filled The fact is, that red tape frequently well nigh strangled the great shc-, and in addition to the most unfortunate weather conditions, there were many times when the rules of the local authorities played the very deuce with THE BILLBOARD. the financial results. No fewer than fortythree performances were -missed for these reasons or from very bad weather. “In Brunswick,’ said Mr. Starr, ‘‘after all permissions had been granted, demands were made upon us for such alterations that it would have been impossible for us to comply with them and maintain the safety of the public entrusting themselves to our care, and consequently we felt bound to refuse to open our doors, notwithstanding the fact that we had given our street parade and had sold nearly all the reserved seats for the opening performance. The sea7on there was to extend over three @ays, thus necessitating our returning the money in preference to incurring the liabilities that we should have been exposed to had an accident occurred, owing to the mis onceived requirements of the local authorities. 1 have no hesitation in saying that this one, out of several instances, has depleted our profit and loss account by several thousands of pounds. During the latter part of our tour we bave, I am glad to say, been better understood and appreciated, an@ this has fully reflected itself in a very substantial increase of takings we have experienced during the latter part of our season Indeed, I am bound to state, with a view of showing you how much vitality this show contains, that had I been called upon to address you three months ago I should have had a much worse report than it is my pleasure to-day to submit. I will not heavily labor the difficulties we bave experienced, because in the interest of the future it is best to let bygones be bygones, and I do not wish publicly to make any other reference to them, as it would be against our policy for the future.’’ And then, as the best of good evidence that Mr. Bailey and himself were not at all nervous about the future of the big show, Mr. Starr announced that the d rectors would change their original agreement in regards to the withholding of dividends from their 133,333 shares until the public 266 667 shares had received 20 per cent in each of the first three years, and would bind themselves not to receive dividends im any future year until the Same very bandsome returns had been distributed to the other shareholders. Dan Robinson’s Pony. Danny Robinson, the hustling little circus agent, believes that it is a mean man who won't make a promise whether he expects to keep it or not. For a long time Dan assured Mr. Whalen, of the Pennsylvania Road, and Mr. Bailey, of the L. & N., in Cincinnati, that he would get them a pony. Dan's intentions were all right, but the ponies were never forthcoming. The other day, at the Stag Cafe, Whalen and Bailey handed Mr. Robinson a toy circus pony mounted on a pedestal, with the remark, ‘‘Here is that pony. We are tired of taking care of him, and we give him back to you.’ There was a big laugh at Dan's expense,” and he set ‘em up all around. Ziemer’s Plans. In a letter to ‘‘The Billboard’’ from his winter qudrters at St. Louis, King E. Ziemer, proprietor of the Royal American Shows, says: ‘Our season will open April 27, either in Carondolet, Mo., or St. Louis. I will have a new campus, an eightyrfoot round top with one forty-foot middle piece, a new dressing top twenty feet in diameter, and a cook tent 12 by 16 feet. My horse tent of last season will be used again the coming year, as it is in good condition. My people will be well cared for, and receive the same treatment as I do myself. We will all sleep at hotels. I wish to say to ‘The Billboard’ that it is bright and newsy and a guide for everybody in the amusement world.”’ Brister Promoted. Circus agents will learn with pleasure that Clas. J. Prister, chief clerk to Freight Traffic Manager Cost, of the Big Four Railroad, has been promoted. He has been promoted to the office of assistant general freight agent, and placed in charge of the tariff bureau. He will still continue to figure the rate for the shows. Engagements for 1901. Lew Graham, as side show manager with Ringling Bros. Ben Bowman, as sideshow manager with Wallace Shows. Circus Routes. BARNUM & BAILEY Austria, indefinitely. FRANK BOSTOCK’S ZOO—Week of Jan Indianapolis, indefinitely. RHODA ROYAL SHOWS—Brooksville, Fla., Dec. 31; Torpon Springs, Fla., Jan. 1: St Petersburg, Fla., Jam. 2; Clearwater, Fla., Jan. 3; San Antonia, Fla., Jan. 4; Dade City, Fla., Jam. 5. 5, SHOWS—Vienna, Capt. F. B. Wilson, press agent of the John Robinson's Shows, has just issued a handsome and valuable route book, which contains a great deal of information for showmen. Copies of the book can be obtained from the Captain by addressing him at the Marquette Building, Chicago. An advertisement of the book appears in this issue of “The Billboard.”’ Gossip. The Robinson Show closed Dec. 25. W. H. Gardner arrived at Columbus, O., Dec. 27. Fred. Beckman is ahead of Litt's “In Old Kentucky.” Doc. Parkhurst spent the last day of the year in Cincinnati. Edward Shipps’ winter circus opens Dec, 21 at Bloomington, Il. Robt. O. Fehnel cam be addressed at 115 N. Eighth street, Easton, Pa. Frank (Kid) Raymond is ahead of “A Stranger in a Strange Land.’ Tom Fay: Hugh Harrison wants your address. Wire him as per route in this paper. We want your advertising—not on account of the price—but because of the recognition. Chas. Lee is am invalid. He is partially paralyzed, and living on his farm at Canton, Pa. Miss May Lillie is spending the winter with her parents in Philadelphia. She does like Oklahoma. ““The Billboard's" great success is probably due to one fact more than any other—we like show people H. W. Link writes that “Down on the Farm" is doing nicely, but he likes the show business best W. E. Franklin and wife spent Dec. 24 to 29 at their home in Terrace Park, returning to Ch.cago Dec. 30. Shott Bros.’ Big City Shows use the following line for a sub-title, viz.: “‘The Great New Idea Exposition.’ Henry Hobble (Dutch Henry), after two months’ steamboating om the Mississippi, is back in Cincinnati Dick Jefferys is home in Columbus, 0. He says that the Sells-Gray Shows have had a tremendous season. W. H. Gardner was a “Billboard” caller Dec. 29. He came to Cincinnati chiefly to place his order for his paper. Jchn and Otto Ringling returned from the East, Dec. 22. They are negotiating for the purchase of six new sleepers. Geo. Clark, late of the opposition brigade of the Great Wallace Show, is mow on the door at the Walnut Street Theater. It is rumored that Robt. Stickney, Jr., now with the Robinson Show, is to take a small show South for the winter. James J. Brady, press agent, back with the show for Ringling Bros. last season, spent a few days in Chicago last week Henry Richards ‘“‘chef de cuisine’ of the Wallace Show, is spending the winter as clerk cof luen’s Hotel at Terrace Park, O Dick Jefferys and Geo. Tyler, both of circus fame, have opened a saloon at 1 and 102 West Spring street, Columbus, O. W. H. Gardner, general agent of the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, is now in the West looking after the affairs of that concern. F. M. Myers, proprietor of the Little Giant Shows, will open his next season May 4. It will be the tenth season. He is wintering at Tipton, Ind. W. H. Horton, agent for Ringling Bros.’ Show, now known as the ‘“‘Witch,”’ will be a professor now, as a hypnotist. The company will tour Indiana Wm. Juencks, better known as Bill Jinks, the boss animal man, is wintering in Columbus, O., having resigned his position with the Robinson Show The fact that Ed and Sam Hutchinson spent Christmas in Columbus and laid the minstrel company off, bas given rise to the belief that the show has closed. Ww. D. Coxey, the genial press agent of Ringling Bros.’ Show, bas fully recovered from h.s late operation, and states he never felt better in his life Ike Shipley, privilege man of the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, is conducting a news stand and cigar store in Chicago on Wabash avenue, near Twelfth street George Fisher, an old-time showman, who was with Robinson for many years and last season with Buckskin Bill, is open engagement as Manager or agent Ben Cullen, who recently closed with the Robinson Show, left for Indianapolis to assume a position in the advertising department of the Grand Opera House in Indianapolis. It is said that the Barnum & Bailey Shows paid no dividends last year, but instead carried over @ surplus of £125,000. Part of this will be expended in refitting and wintering in Vienna. John F. Robinson says that he finds ‘The Billboard’’ very interesting He has been kind enough to give us several valuable pointers by following which the paper will be greatly improved Lewis S. Barrett has been re-engaged as the excursion agent for Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and he will soon leave Columbus, O., for New York to take up bis line of work under direction of Mr. Cooke. The famous (Aurora (Ill.) Zouaves are to sail from New York, Jan. 5, 1901, to fill a long engagement with the Barnum & Bailey Shows and afterwards to tour the Continent under the same management. for an The No. 2 advertising car of the Robinson Show, in charge of Mr. Wm Dale, arrived at the winter quarters at Terrace Park Mr Dale left for his home, Washington, Ind., where he will spend the winter Lewis Sells made a flying trip to New York to consult with his partners, Jj. A Bailey and W. W. Cole, and it is understood that these great show magnetes devised some magnificent plans for the coming season. Up im Indianapolis there is a trio of i), for the various theaters that can not be by Jersey of the English, Mason of the Empirs and Ben Cullen of the Grand Things w hum at the Fields Club this winter. “Hojx; In all the annals of journalism you wi}! hot find an instance wherein a paper bas forged to the front and established itself in a fleid as quickly as “The Billboard” has in tho circus fleld. It is nothing short of wond rfu B. E. Wallace, accompanied by his wifs sister-in-law, spent the week before Chric; mas in Chicago. Mr. Wallace spent his ¢); at the stock yards buying horses, while +), ladies were occupied with Christmas shoy ping Bh. L. Bowman, the side-show manager the Great Wallace Shows, presented has wi: with a magnificent OChristinas present in th. shape of a handsome home on Pulte aveny, Cincinnati. It is luxuriously furnished, troy, top to bottem Indian Bill's Wild West will open the; season near Philadelphia about May 1 Th. show will be enlarged six cars. It will hay: fifty head of stock, two buffaloes and fy, Texas steers, and will be entirely new. from Stakes to canvas James F. Smith, the well-known showma: whose address is 1309 Main street, Kansas Cit), advertises in this issue of “The BE board’’ that he will entertain a proposition + sell a half interest im the great Syndicat: Show, now wintering at Kansas City It a ten-car show, with everything complete F. V. Peterson, traveling passenger agen: of the Sea Board Air Line, formeriy cho: clerk to General Passenger Agent Pope of th. S A & M. R. R., would make an excepti ally good excursion agent for some show Hi is capable, bright and quick, and furthermor: theroughly acquainted with excursion work All of the Barnum & Bailey canvas, whic! is now being made by Wm. Lushbaugh. th. well-known Covington (Ky.) tent maker. w be shipped direct from Covington to Vie: Austria, by the American Express Company The shipment will consist cf something ov: 100 cases and will weigh fully 60,000 pounds One of the features of Edward Shipp's |: door Circus at Bloomington will be an ex position of the training quarters in a barn, showing the “‘mechanic and demor strating bow riders are manufactured \ prize will be given to the boy who maintains bis position on the borse’s back three times around the ring roe Edward Shipp*s indoor circus, winter.ne at Petersburg, Ill, will open in Bloomingto Ill, Jam. 21. He will carry twenty-five pe« ple, six ring horses and one mule He w play Port Huron, Mich., for the Elks, week of Feb. 18; Ann Arbor, Mich, for a hight fantry company benefit, week of Feb. 25. and for the Detroit Light Guard, week of March 4 The paper for Edward Shipp's Indoor Circus at Bloomington, Ill, soon goes out, and there is plenty of it. The show opens Jan. 21 for one week. It will be held in the New Col seum, whch has a seating capacity of 2,500 Louis J. Seybold is the manager. The regu lar prices for adults will be 25 and SO cents There will be a school children’s matinee Sat urday, Jan 26, at which the price of ad Drission will be reduced to 10 cents Julian's Amphitheater, a winter circus. Mrs Linda Jeal Julian proprietor and manage opened their third regular season, De« . 4 Havana, Ill, to a packed house) The men bers of the company are Professor Trumpy s Band, the Carrolls in a comedy musical act Bernard Orton, dancing tight rope; Sam Ber nett and Miss Dollie Julian, in double carry ’ ing act; William Siegrest, clown: Miss Netti: Carroll, bigh-wire bicyclist, and others Mr. J. A. Bailey, the great circus man. who has been in New York for the last few days attending to some of bis personal invest ments, as well as to look after his various show enterprises, is to return to Vienna Austria, om the 26th During Mr. Bailey s short stay in this country he has really cor summated a vast amount of work and laid out his plans so that his various partners and staff of experienced agents will be able to carry on the great projects without difficulty ©. C, Wilsen, of Harris’ Nickel Plate Show was associated with the management of t Chicago Athletic Club cireus, Dec. 19 They pulled off the beet show of the kind ever held in America People participating wer: Blanche Sloan, Dollie Julian, LaBelle Car men, the St. Leons, Dan Castello, Gus Lee and Macart's dogs and ponies. They also used Barney, a small « lephant, and four lions belonging to W. H. Harris. The papers di: voted columns to the affair and, taken alto Kether, it was the most notable function of the kind on record Col. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) arrived in New York, Dee. 21 from his extensive ranch in the Big Horn Basin, at Cody, Wyoming and is quartered at the Waldorf-Astoria, with Mrs. Cody and their charming and stately daughter, Irma, who is now attending one of the fashionable Fifth Avenue schools for young ladies. ‘The last of the great scouts is in fine fettle, and, as he expresses it, ‘ful! of the ozone of the far West,”’ where he has been spending a beneficial vacation and pre paring a new programme for the Wild West which will open its annual tour at Madison Square Garden early in April George H. Wyman, of Grand Rapids, Mich will have charge of the advance of Ed. P Barlow's Show. W. D. MelIntire ha» been re engaged as a talking and singing clown; Jesse Saurs and wife, contortionists and acrobats Barlow Sisters, Edna’ and Emma, statuary and lightning change artists, are among th« people who will be with this show the coming season. Mr. Barlow, in a letter to “The Bil! board,’ compliments it very highly as a cir cus paper, and says that all showmen should make it the medium for giving their wants and for placing their advertisements. He says that he gets better and quicker returns from “The Billboard’ than any other paper.