The Billboard 1902-06-28: Vol 14 Iss 26 (1902-06-28)

= SS oie THE BILLBOARD Work is progressing rapidly on the new Hancock Theater, Marquette, Mich. The remodeled Grand Opera House, Bellfoutaine, O., will have John W. Vogel's Big Minstrels as the initial attraction the coming season. A new stage is being put down at Heuck’s Opera House, Cincinnati, O., and improve ments in the scene lofts and dressing rooms are being made. Maneger Born, of the Grand Opera House, Lafayette, Ind., has signed a contract with Cox Brothers, of Chicago, for A complete equipment of new scenery for his house. ‘ The New York Herald estimates the amount of money spert by the American public for theater-going at $25,000,000 per year, $15,000,000 of which is spent in New York alone. V. B, Kemmery will manage the opera house at Portsmouth, O., this season in convection with the Auditorium at Parkersburg, W. Va. H. C. Gordon will be resident imanager of the Portsmouth house. KE. W. Hoskins and J. J. De Shane are overseeing repairs on the Hamblin Opera House, Battle Creek, Mich. Messrs. Hoskins and De Shane have lately leased the Belle Theater, in Benton Harbor, for the coming season. Afred J. Voyer, who has successfully managed the Empire Theater, Albany, N. Y., the past season, retires from the management of the house Aug. 1. It is understood the theater company and Voyer could not tigree upon terms. ‘The new lessee is Jos. Frank, who is said to be well up in the business. Vhe new Bijou Theater, in Atlanta, Ga., which will be opened about Sept. 1, will be devoted to vaudeville and musical comedies, and will be managed by Mr. Jake ‘Wells, in connection with his house in Richmond, Va. The house was formerly called the Columbia, but has been entirely remodeled, and the prospects are bright for a good seasen. BURLESQUE. Col. Edw. H. Butler, of St. Louis, is at the head of a movement to reopen Kenloch Park. Blossom Seeley is recovering from her recent accident. She has had several very flattering offers for next season, but will continue with Irwin’s ‘*Majestics.” Selkas’ Gaiety Company opened its season at Marion, Ind., week of May 20, and played to big business all the week. The roster of the company is: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Selkas, proprietors and managers; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Delmaine, Miss Emma _ Blewith, Merie Cole, Gladys Smith, Nellie St. Clair, the Delmaine Sisters, Mr. Harold Morand, Jack Gardner, Chas. Underwood and Kid Griswold. In view of the disposition which a certain few managers manifest to gloat over the fact that Jos. H. Barnes is not in “the wheel,’’ it might be well to state that he is not out of the running yet, by a good deal. He may get in in spite of the knockers. He has a lot of good friends fighting for him. Letitia Meredith, formerly the star in “The Dainty Duchess,’’ was reporter in a serious condition, as the result of a runaway accident at Coney Island, New York. ‘Her leg was badly hurt, and it may be necessary to amputate it. She was also internally injured. Tillie Cohen Valentine was granted a divorece from her busband, Isaac Valentine, at Cincinnati, June 17. They were married in 1895. She charged that he did not provide for her, and she was compelled to go on the stage to earn a living. She did not appear in court in person, but by -depositions which her attorneys, Jones & James, had taken. No defense was made to the action. She made her first appearance on the stage as:a member of the R. E. J. Miles Juvenile Pinafore Company, years ago. When she was married she left the stage, but was, as stated, forced to return to it to earn a living, and since then has appeared in a number of sketches as a mem ber of burlesque companies. She is a sister of Sallie Cohen, the wife of John Rice, the comedian. : FARCE-COMEDY. Five new parks in our list this week. Consult “The Biilboard’” when booking your route. Go where the crowds are. _ Sam Bernard, the comedian, was married June 16 to Florence Deutsch, daughter of a cigar maker in New York. Ramond and. Hart are, as usual, a hit in their line of work, where they are specially featuring ‘“‘Miss Hannah from Savannah” and the ‘Owl and the Moon.” Bernice Laroque, who was with the “Chaperons” last season, was recently married to one Mr. Barber, of Canton, O., a nephew of the late President McKindley. Joe King, of the vaudeville headline act, Mr. and Mrs. Joe King, has sold his lates farce-comedy, “Murphy’s Masquerade,” Copyright No. 15,575, to W. W. Truesdale, a manager in Estherville, Ia., who will produce it next season. Next season P. P. Craft, press agent of Pawnee Bill's Wild West, will manage Con. roy & Mack's Comedians, and states that the attraction will be one of the best on tour, and the highest salaried company playing at popular prices. Their season opens at Salem, N. J., on Sept. 27. The boys at Centreville, Ia., got together and formed a branch, No. 3, of the order of ‘Jolly Puffs,’’ that order that is so fast coming to the front in the circus world. The members are Geo. Motz, president; Bert King, vice president; Geo. Jennier, Jr., Albert Orton, Barney Shea, Claud Orton, Alex. Bowls, Fred. Green, Geo. Brouse, Geo. Parento, Lew. White, Henry Sifley, Billy Mencer, Arthur Herman and Frankie Harris. Paul Woodworth Hyde’s new musical comedy, ‘Mamselle Pique,’’ which goes out under the direction of Goyert & Maysee, of Greensburg, Ind., will be known as “A Jolly Man’s Troubles,’’ Messrs. Goyert and Maysee fearing that the public might exverience some difficulty in getting around he pronunciation of the name “Pique” (v’. K.). They are preparing to give the pece an elaborate production. Two more of Mr. Hyde’s plays go out next season, a new version of the old play, ‘““Damon and Pythias,”’ and “The Fatal Thrust,’’ the latter under the direction of Charles Whitesides, father of Miss Ethel and Master Fred. Whitesides, two young people who bid fair to become topnotchers. They are to be featured in the piece. Arrangements are already under way for a trial production of the new “Damon and Pythias’” during the annual convention of the Knights of Pythias in San Francisco. FOREIGN. Julie Opp, the well-known London actress, as secured a divorce from her husband, Robert Lorraine, because of the latter's alleged misconduct in New York. Bernhardt was given an enthusiastic reception upon her reappearance in London, at the Garrick Theater recently. She appeared in Marcel Schwob’s translation of F. Marion Crawford’s drama, ‘‘Francesca di Rimini,’ which provided the actress with splendid dramatic moments. Since Sarah Bernhardt arrived in London it has been finally decided that she is to yroduce “Romeo and Juliet’? in the United States during her tour, which begins next October. Maude Adams will take the part of Juliet. Mme. Bernhardt and Miss Whliams will play in French, while the supporting company will use the English lan uage. The combination will appear in vondon during the season of 1903 at one of the Frohman theaters. PROFESSIONALS, ATTENTION! Bingaman & Co., diamond importers, Sixth and Vine, Cincinnati, Ohio, give special reductions to members of the theatrical and circus professions on all diamond purchases, NATURAL BEAUTY. The Principal Feature of Lovell’s New Park. A new pleasure resort, recently purchased by the Lowell (Mass.) syndicate at Canobie Lake, will open about the middle of July. A great season is in prospect. The park is mn model of natural beauty, with lanes, shrubberies and rockeries im evidence everywere. Te Japanese Theater overlooks the lake. It has a capacity of 3,000 people, the seats being arranged in ampitheater style. A ping-pong building is being erected. The distance of the park from Haverhill, Mass., is about ten miles. Haverhill has a population of 40,000. Laurence, with a population of 65,000, is eight miles distant. Lowell, whose population numbers 110,000, is thirteen and one-half miles’from the park, and Marshall, with its population of 24,000, is fifteen miles from it. From this, it is evident that the park has a considerable poulation to draw upon, and if managed wisely will, no doubt, be a very paying venture. NEW PARK. Street Car Company Has One at Attleboro, Mass. It was decided by the board of selectmen of Attleboro, Mass., that the street car company might finish and open their park. The decision had been pending some time. The park is a beautiful resort, with winding walks and shady trees and seats scattered at intervals through it. There is a theater, with a seating capacity of 1,200, a stage and all concomitants, and _ refreshment booths are also under process of construction, and the privileges have been let. E. M. Bevins, of Gloucester, an experienced vaudeville manager and for a number of years the prosperous manager of the Long Beach Theater at Attleboro, has been made manager of the theater. Contracts have been made with Lothrop and Tolman, of Boston, purveyors of talent to the Keith Circuit, to furnish attractions. Only the best will be offered. CLEVER CHILD ATHLETES. Weiss Brothers, Ages Respectively 5 and 6 Years, Box and Wrestle Like Veterans. Baltimore has the distinction of being the home of a pair of the tiniest athletes on record. They are the little Weiss boys, sons of Charles J. Weiss, of Baltimore, Md., and are probably the cleverest boxers and wrestlers for their age in America. They inherit their athletic tendencies from their father, who is also an athlete, and besides a manager of wrestlers of local fame. These boys have given public exhibition of their skill in Baltimore, Washington and vicinity. They have also appeared on severa! special occasions, name ly, Mrs. Robert Garrett’s Newsboys’ Christmas Dinner, a benefit performance given for Zoo fire sufferers, and also a per formance given for the sufferers of the Martinique Island catastrophe. One of the boys, John C,, is five, and the other, Alcuim J., is six years old. They have remarkable’ physical development, and neither has been known to be sick for a day. They are born athletes, and they have played at the ‘‘game’’ from the time they were able to pick up small wooden dumb bells. They have a_ well-equipped gymnasium at their home, where they exercise to their heart’s content. There are no holds in wrestling with which they are not familiar, and they box much better than some professional fighters. The little fellows generally play together, though they are friendly with all the boys in the neighborhood. The boys have never engaged in a street fight. They are affectionate until they meet on the mat or in the ring, and then they go about their work as earnestly as though the world’s championship depended on the bout or setto. Neither shows anger when the other inflicts a bruising blow. They retire every night at 10 o'clock, and are up at 7a. m. Then they don their sweaters, and walk to Druid Hill Park, where they sometimes take a run. They return in time for a bath and breakfast. John is a strict vegetarian, as he has been all his short life. He does not care for tea or coffee, but must have a glass of pure fresh water with each meal. Following are the measurements of the boys: The New Queen City Bathing Beach at Bellevue, Ky., opposite Cincinnati, O., was the scene of a very pretty marriage dast week, The resort is becoming very popular. Mr. and Mrs, Joe King have been very successful with their act, playing summer perks. They -have an ad. In this week's “Billboard.” Invitations were sent out for the opening performance of Bostock’s Animal Arena, Incorporaed, on the Boulevard, Revere Beach, Mass., June 12. Billie Robinson's Troupe of Glass Blowers, With one of the largest glass engines on the road, is temporturily located = at Jacob's Park, Louisville, Ky. If you can not get “The Billboard” at your news dealers, take a minute and a postal and tell us about it. The paper is returnable and he ought to keep it on sale. Vaudeville performers, write for dates to Frank H. Wilson, manager park, Frank fort, Ky., address general delivery, care of Wilson Trio Dutch act, enclosing program. Rita Redmond starts on her Ohio circuit of parks on May 12,and will make a spe cial feature of Witt & Roden’s “Convent Bells’ and “Down by the Summer Sea.” Capital Park, Hartford, Conn., opened June 9, to good business. Guy Bros." Min strels was the attraction for the opening week of the theater, and gave satisfaction. A national reunion of the Northwestern Association Department of the Pennsy! roe Ri Dad Pate TWO LITTLE PUGILISTS. Alcium J.--64% years; weight, 55 pounds; reach, 44 inches; chest (normal), 23% inches; chest (expanded), 2644 inches; calf, S inches; forearm, 6% inches; wrist, 4 inches. John C.—5 years; weight, 50 pounds; reach, 41 inches; chest (normal), 22 inches; chest (expanded), 25% inches; calf, 9 inches; forearm, 6 inches; wrist, 4 inches. _PARK NOTES. An ad in “The Billboard’ will sell your privileges. Fairview Park, Indianapolis, bas an electric fountain. Wolfe's Casino, at will open June 30. Glen Forest Park, at Laurence, Mass., is now open for the season. Hand’s Silver Lake Park, Fairmont, Minn., recently opened to big crowds. A street car line is being built from Laurence and Methunen to Canobie Park, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Joe King have a few open weeks. Their route is always in ‘The Billboard.”’ Harvest Home festivals will ee at the parks during August and September, this year. If you want fireworks, advertise for pro— in ‘‘The Billboard.’’ All the manuacturers read it. Buckskin Ben's Show will open the season at Montpelier, Ind., with everything new and up to date. Pine Rock Park, a charming spot overlooking the Housatonic River, Ansonia, Conn., was opened recently. They gave a “Ragnerian Concert” (ragtime) concert at the Cincinnati Zoo last week. Not half bad when you think of it. Our park list is revised and corrected each week. Readers will oblige us by bringing any corrections or omissions to our notice. If you want a brass band or musicians of any sort, advertise in “The Billboard.’’ All hbandmasters read it in order to keep posted on the fairs. James R. Banta has taken the management of Woodland Park at Lexington, Ky., and announces that he wil! cater to lady audiences. The Columbia Park Amusement Company, Trenton, N. J., has leased Cochran Park, and the place will soon be opened as an amusement resort. Lake Royer Park, Winchester, Va., has been leased by C. L. Gardener and A. P. Conner. The new management will make many improvements, Why not give a carnival week at the park? It will pay. You can get all the attrac tions, paper, ete., by inserting a small ad in “The Billboard.”’ J. Victor Graybill, proprietor of the Palace Shooting Gallery at Norristown, Pa., Jacksonville, Fla., will have charge of the shooting gallery and amusement privileges at Rorick’s Glen Park, Elmira, N. Y. The Weiss Brothers, aged respectively Five and Six Years. vania G. A. R. will be held at Monarch Park, Elmira, N. Y., Wednesday, Sept. 10. Highland Park, near Shelden Station, Houghton, Mich., will soon be opened. Manager J. H. Oakley has closed a deal for several attractions. Some good vaudeville companies have been secured, Every balloonist in the United States and Canada reads “The Billboard”_ewery week. So does every wire walker, aerialist, cycle whirl rider, snake eater; in fact, all manner of outdoor or open-air attractions. If you are in need of any, an ad in “The Billboard” will procure them. Westhampton Park, Richmond, Va., is now a beauty. It seems all of the $100,000 which was appropriated for improvements on this park will be used. Mr. Thomas, manager of this park, says: ‘“‘When_ this park was being constructed eyery one predicted failure for us, because we were.so far out. Now it seems that this is one pf cur Following is the roster of Advante Car No. 2 of the Gollmar Brothers’ and Schumen’s Show: Geo. F. Cable, advertising agent, in charge of three advertising wag ons; Geo. Baldwin, boss bill poster; H. Thomas, Ed. Marsden, Ed. MeCabe, Jim Black, Chas. Butts, Wm. Ward, Wm. Bowen, Geo. Singer and Walt Long, bill posters; Grip McDonald, lithographer; Chas. Stanson, programmer. The Eastern and Western circult of parks known as Edward Shayne’s Summer Park Circuit opened to big business under favorable weather conditions. The different shows have all been highly successful. The local managers of each park has. written Mr. Shayne complimentary letters regarding the different shows, the way that they have been put together each week, the merits of the different artists, and, in fact he has received no communications that did not contain praise in the highest terms. When the balloon got ready to go up at Lakeside Park, Webb City, Mo., it seems there were several aeronauts in the crowd. Fred. Ambrose, of Carthage, Mo., put in his bid at $5, but another man present said he would risk his life on the ay for $2. He landed the contract. The balloon was not fully inflated and just barely scraped over the tree tops, then floated off horizontally foward Webb City, near which town the balloonist is sald to have landed safely. About 6,000 people attended the opening of Hampden Park, Springfield, Mass., last week, and Messrs. Casey and Shea, mana gers, can congratulate themselves in seeing their efforts to please the people crowned with success. All the latest park necessi ties have been put on at Hampden by these nuinigers, and an entertaining program is promised for the entire summer run. The Temple Opera Company gave “Sald Pasha” under difficulties, as the stage and dressing rooms were not quite fluished, An Indian village is one of the features at the park.