The Billboard 1904-02-20: Vol 16 Iss 8 (1904-02-20)

THE BILLBOARD LMA FALL. a ETT MAD, COMMUNITY OF INTEREST Something Likely to Occur Among Circus Proprietors, Timely Topics Discussed by Louis E. Cooke. That the circus proprietors are becoming more united in their relations and exercising « little good judgment in combating whatever ia against thelr mutual interests, is manifested by the fact that certain measures Lave recently been adopted whereby much of the opposition that hag heretofore existed will be largely eliminated. rhe next radical move in this direction seems to be the abolition of the street parade, which, if agreed upon by a few of the leading circuses, Would mean some big figures in the matter of economy, and at the same time creave a feeling of harmony that must ultimateiy lead to something more definite as to routes, Licenses, raliway routes and other dittcult problems which now confront the averape circus proprietor, A general movement of this kind bas been quietly working itself out for some time and bids fair to take definite shape before the road season begins. Practical observation discloses the fact that street parades are wore harmful than beneficial. There was a time when a circus proeession Was relied upon to attract the attention Of the ruralites, and a very ordinary show would sutlice to fill the tent, but recent experience las demonstrated that it is the ex cellence of the exhibition itself that induces the populace to lay down its ducats. It is also estimated that it costs the circuses of this country (and street parades are unknown elsewhere) something over $1,000,000 every year to maintain that free feature, while onefourth of this amount properly invested in perfecting the performance aud securing some e,traordinary attractions for the program woud double the receipts. Furthermore, there is always more or less risk attending a street display; besides it is a sort of anti-climax, ana the public hag come to realize that it is impossible to concentrate under canvas anything to compare in magnitude with the street parade Again, the time occupied in giving « parade could be far better employed in getting ready for the performance and waking the visitors more comfortable when they arrive. In fact, tnere are gO Many arguments against this useless expenditure for wagons, animals, trappings and additional transportation tuut there seems to be nothing left in the way of an excuse for it except trau...on. The matter of routes aud other advantageous plans for conducting shows of today in a business-like, gentlemanly manner is perfectly eas) and simple provided the various Managers wii! meet each other half way on the platform of reciprocity. My suggestion is to divide the competing shows into three classes or groups. which is about the proportion of their present importance. Each of these three groups cou.d then be routed to the best advantage irrespective of the other, and in the event of ciose proximity, by reason of necessary routing or time of season, let it be agreed that no direct opposition work or what is termed “fighting” shall be indulged in. This would put each show on its metal to excel in point of performance and attractive features, and in time earn the best contidence of the public. Tiere fg nothing in the world so good for business 4g public coofidence, and 1 kuow of no animal so timid. You simply have to pat it on the back and stroke its hair the right way, yet it will stampede like a herd of elephants at the sight of a nest of rabbits. Take my tp for it, if you want to gucceed, keep faith with the public. Bluff and bluster won't do, and this applies as Well to circus proprietors, managers as it does to paying patrons. Let them deal fair with each other. Discourage ail bickering and reward good results. Don’t let pecsonalities interfere with good sense and proper business interests. It is unnecessary to talk shop all the time in order to do a fine stroke of work, and if one will just listen to what the other fellow has to gay, he may get some valuable ideas. Many minds make intellectual! mouuments, and | am looking forward to the time when the whole circus fraternity will be governed by a community of interests. As things now stand there is no concerted actiou., and the ‘“‘rank outsider’ benefits by hig know!ledge of this fact, and Jack Robinson's ‘‘woif book’’ should be well edited, revised and kept up to date with valuable contributiong each season for every circus in the land. WALLACE WRECK FUND. “The Billboard” has started a subscription list to supplement that of the bosses with the John Robinson Show for the purpose of buying a tombstone for the anidentified victims of the Wallace Show wreck buried at Durand, M As a large amount is not required, we deem it advisable not to accept subscriptions larger thap $1.0. Amount previously reported ..........$374.U0 E. Brannan .... adimeae. wean, ae CIRCUS GOSSIP. Ed Van Shaik is seriously ill w a Terrace Park, Ohio. we ght eens Wm. Ballinger left Denver, Feb. 12, to join Norris & Rowe's Shows, Schepp’s Dogs will be combined with Sipe’s Shows thig coming seuson. Joe Hustin was in Denver last Sunday on business for the Floto Shows. Nobby Clark and wife will be with the Sautelle Shows this coming season, Ed Stair, formerly with Golmar Bros., is Visiting J. W. Hettler at Dixon, IIL. Lash Bros., musicians, have signed with the Great Hobson Show for season of 1904. Ab Johnson goeg with the Wallace show this Stason as clown and rides comedy mule, Billy Dutton, Jr., and Willie Van Dee go with Forepaugh & Sells show this season. Chas. Gordon has joined the Great Floto Shows at Dallas, Tex., as car manager. J. W. Hettler, ‘of Dixon, Ill, is about to sign & contract with Golmar Bros. for next season. H. P. Hill, manager of Zazelle & Vernon, will go with Gentry Bros.’ Show this season. The Two Fly CIRCUS WILD WEST USEUM:-: MENAGERIE Jobn Kobinson bougit the big box car from the General Amusement Couipauy kev. 12, it is suid thag W. bk, Ferguson hag been reengaged as general agent of Pawnee Bill's Shows, Gentry Bros.’ show cars are at the ca 10) in Jeffersonville, Ind., being put in peg dition tor peat season. Edward Fagan, circus rider with Sells Bros. last year, died recently of typhoid fever at Aitooua, Pa., at the age of 19. Doc Bassett, of Little Rock, Iowa, offers a full line of second-hand show property for sale in another column of this issue. Mr. Jumes Swetnam and Mrs. Swetnam have signed for the privileges with the La Mont res. Circus for the coming season. Although conditions do not argue well for a good circus seuson, there will be more shows (han ever to take the road in April. Vincent C. Harig, talking and pantomime clown, has signed with Hargreave’s Railroad Shows. This makes his fifth season. Allen Leils bas purchased an interest in the Sells-Downs Shows. There are now four partvers, all of wuom are equal owners. Tobe Broderick, an old-time horse trainer and circus man of Chicago, died Feb. 4, at Ryburu Hospital, Ottawa, IlL, after a week's illness, Mrs. W. H. Harris writes from Carros de Cana, Cuba: “E. H. MeUoy, wife, daughter und myself are baving the time of our lives here."’ The Great Beno, high wire equilibrist, hus signed with the John Kobinson Ten Big Shows tor the coming season, this making his second season With the Ten Big. Chas. K. Lape, of Dunville, iu., has again signed with the Colorado Grant R. R. Shows as general contracting agent, making his sixt. season with the above show. Mr. J. R. McGee and Mrs. McGee have left for a trip to Denver, Colo. The business keeps a. New Yors, N. Y¥., Feb, 12, 1904. The Billboard Pub. Co. Gentiemen— a a oe oe ee a Mr. Bailey also instructs me to say that be greatiy appreciates the value a2 of your pubication ag an advertisa ing medium and shail always be Y giad to use it when requirements r~) may permit. Yours truiy, & LOUIS E. COOKE, The Barnum & Bailey Greates Show on OPPO Yr Oy gving on at the old stand—Willard Buffet. All troopers Welcome. Kegards to all friends. Mr. Haynes, who bas been in advance of the David Harum Company this season, retires Feb. 23, to go to New ork, where be goes out witu the advance guard of Barnuw & Builey’s shows. If tie Floto Shows really go to Culiforuia (his spring, there will be a most iuterestin, scrap out there. Norris & Kowe have declined to divide country. This mWeaus an opposition nght, The order for the monument to be erected over the graves of the unknown victims of tue Wallace wreck at Durand, Mich., bas beeu placed with the Barney Marble and Granite Works of Flint, Mich. E. O. Burroughs, city billposter at Winamac, Ind., writes that be has charge of the show grounds and park. ‘There are uo licenses to pay and Mr. Burroughs will give a reasonable treatment to shows which will make a stand there. Charles Mack, ticket seller op the annex with the Wallace Siow, abd who was injured by faliing into the railrowd turntable at Dixon, IIL, lust season, is again able to be about on crutches. He will go again with the Wallace Siow next season. The Barnum & Bailey Show has been made defendant in a damage suit for $5,000, brougat by hbiorence Sugrue, of Ausonice, Conn., anu widow of Michael Sugrne, who was run down by one of the pole wagons and instantly kil.ed Uct. 17, last. Canada Frank, proprietor of Canada Frank's Railroad Shows, writes: “Il am a regular subscriber of “The Billboard,’ and look for it «as auxiously and ag regularly as 1 look for my meals when I am bungry. No better paper, in my estimation, bag ever been printed.” Lucky Bill writes that his shows open the season March 28, apd that workwen bave commenced to get everything in readiness. Climate of Quenenio ig deliguttul, and a better place could not be found for winter quarters, aud the birds, monkeys and ponies have passed a very fine winter. Some of the performerg have also made Quenenio their headquarters. The Roberts family, acrobats, have closed their vaudeville company after a season of sixteen prosperous weeks in Wiscousin aud Minnesota. They are pow at home at Evansville, Wis., where they remain until the opening of the Forepaugh-Sellg Bros. Suows, having signed with that show last August. After the coming circus season closes this fall Ed Roberts puts out « gmail minstrel show over big established route, with about seventeen people in the company. Notes from Jethro Almand’s Bible Show and Moving Picture Exbibition: At our winter quarters in Albemarle, N. ©., work is being pushed forward to our opening date here April 22. This will be our fourth season. We will travel in our own private car, make three-night stands, carry latest make moving picture machine, with good collection of films, illustrated songs, etc. We will use brand new tent nearly twice the size of last season, will add more seats, and also carry reserved seats. Altogether thig will be one of the best equipped shows of the kind to be seen on the road during the tenting season of 1904. C. EB. Beyerle, while in Chicago recently, pucchased from the Pullman Car Company a very fine seventy foot car. This car was in tbe Pullman service itself at the time of the | chase. This makes two fine cars ip Mr. erle’s possession. The coming spring will see a new tent show im the field, the same being Daly's Ten Nights in a Bar Room Com pany, ©. E. Bererle, proprieter. The Burk Uncle Tom Tent Show wll also go out as usual under the same ownership. These will be two of the best equipped tent shows on the roud this summer, and special consideration has been made for the comfort and welfare of the people with the shows. The permanent address for the two above shows is C, E. Beyerle, Lincoln, Neb. Notes from the Great Barlow Show: Harry Wintermute, of Wintermute Bros. Show, paid our winter quarters a visit recently. ‘hig season trained animals will be featured, the shew will travel over Ohio and Indiana. All our stock is in fine condition, and every day is busy with the dogs, goats and ponies. Our outfit will be ali newly painted and our large, new top will be shipped in March by J. C. Goss, Detroit, Mich. Howe and Decker will have charge of the dressing room, making their third Season. Harry Williams will be the principal clown; Frank Girard leader of orchestra; Mrs. Edna, organist: Guy Failer, musician: Frank Shidler and Frank Dunifan, hostlers. Edna and Emma Barlew are adding to their dance. The advance will be in charge of Walt A. Andrews _ Notes from Sells & Downs’ winter quarters, Topeka, Kuus.. The ring barn is now open and the work is being pushed right along. Cc. P. Foregraves and J. L. Butler have signed as billposters on excursion cur No. 2. The Santa Fe car shops at Topeka are remodeling and reHuishing two excursion cars for Sells & Downs great shows and no doubt they will be two of the finest and most thoroughly equipped cars on the road when finished. Mr. MecCurren, wie has charge of the animals at winter quarters is spending his entire time preparing some novel acts performed by his trained elephauts. He hus three young lion cubs hardly one year old and five lion cubs hardly two weeks old in his barn. The winter quarters are kept clean and neat and a most interesting place to visit. The entire crew is kept busy, us everything is to be greater, grander and more complete this season. Some people engaged for season of 1904 with Jobn Robinson's Ten Big Shows are: Olion Scott, George Aiken, J. Ellis, L. H. Hickman, Wm. Dale, Cuddy Service, in the advance; Fred Fisher, George Stupf, Buggy Stupf, Wm. Cartis, Red Carroll, Wm. Marshall, Chas. Davis are heads of the departments. It will be absolutely necessary for all people engaged for 1904 with the John Robinson Shows to bring a doctor's certificate that they have been vaccinated during the year 1903 or later. This is done as a safeguard both for the people and the show in general, as there is no telling when one is liable to be thrown in contact with -the disease. This would be a good rule for all shows to adopt, as it may save a lot of trouble, and by attending to it now it will save a lot of unnecessary talk later on. W. S. Dunnington has been engaged to manage . Advertising Car No, 1 of the Norris & Rowe Show. The car will leave winter quarters Feb. 17 with the following, men: Harley Cunningham, boss bDillposter; Kid Raymond, boss lithographer; Tony Clark, banners, Vic Stout, Pete Collins, Lithographers; Jack Siegrist, programmer; Harry Mosbur, W. 8. Simpson, Chas. Dblerey, Ernest Francis, Wm. Buffin, N. C. Webb, H. Jackman, W. F. Reid, Thos. Earmoise, Louis Jackson, John Miller, Fred Robins, Wm. Scott and Tom Moore, billposters. Chris. O. Brown will have charge of the box brigade, with the following men: Louis Robinson, Dan Reiley, Harry Thompson, Jack Morgan, Frank Kelly and Harry Schubert. Norris & Rowe's Show will open at San Jose, Cal., Wednesday, March 2. The performance this year will be given in two rings and an elevated stage and will include some of the strongest acts in the circus business. Ed C. Warner will be with Norris & Rowe again next season as general agent. This will make Ed’s fifth season with this show. He must be making good. Norris & Rowe have secured a pew importation in the Qka Japanese Troupe. They landed at Sun Francisco recently, and will make their first American appearance with that progressive Western show. The Marvelous Belfords will put in a casting act in addition to their acrobatic act next season. They go with Norris & Rowe. Th: Flying LaVans will be with the Norris & Rowe Show the coming season. They are now practicing at the winter quarters at San Jose. MORGANTOWN, W. VA.—Swisher’s Theatre Miss Bob White, 3; standing room only; good team. Vandyke & Eaton Stock Co., in A Lion's Heart, 8; Across the Desert, 9; Under Sealed Orders, 10, gave general satisfaction. Coming: Mary Emerson in Hig Majesty and the Maid, 13: Innecent Maidens, 15; Human Hearts, 19; Cutter & Williams Co., 22-24. Cc. EVERETT CASTO. STEVENSON & /[IcGEE MANUFACTURERS OF AWNINGS, TENTS, FLAGS AND ‘VERS. Yacht Safle 4 Specialty. Tents and Covers for hire. Oid Canvas Covers for Sale or Hire. We have experienced Show Tent Men in our employ. 212 Light Street, Baltimore, Md. BUILT TO SHOW CANVAS ®&1r 3 On short notice. Write for particulars. Illustrated catalogue free. Can mildew proof tents built by ue at small cost. Send us your inquiries. J.C.GOSS & Co., ich” Side Show Paintings SIEGMUND BOCK, 62 Blue island Ave., Chicago, lil. Phone 255:. Thomson & Vandiveer MANUFACTURERS OF CIRCUS TENTS TENTS FOR RENT. ~ 230-232 E. 3d St., _ CINCINNATI, 0. Petadlishea +544 ¥ F CANVA Poles and Stakes, SFATS, Flags, Ete. BLACK TENTS For Moving Picture Work. SIDE SHOW PAINTINGS. | Fronts and Banners tor Street Fairs. | Seeats tor KIDD'S PATENT CIRCUS LIGHTS 11 North Ann S&t., CHICAGO, ILL. Take Lake St. Elevated anywhere onthe loop. Ann &8t. station is fourth stop over the river—five minutes ride from centre of city. TENTS ALL KINDS AND SIZES. Indianapolis Tent & Awning Co. "INDIANAPOLIS, IND. : afarx' PS ean ain , Luna ~ | _ AUN | SHOW TENTS Equal to any in workmansnip. shape and quality, Get pe oar before buying. Agents for Kidd's ights and Baker's Torches. Black tents for moving ictures. Good second hand tents from 85x50 to 1255 »),at Bargains. BAKER & LOCKWOOD, Succee aors to C. J. Baker, 415 Delaware Street, Kansas The World Over CANVAS LUSHBAUGH Nothing too arge or too smart TENTS Shows use the best tents and we make them. Balloons and sporting tents of every description made to order. 2d-hand tents forsale. Write for particulars Ww. H, LUSHBAUGH, The Practical Tentmaker. COVINGTON, KY Manufacturers of All Kinds of Tents. Show Canvasa Specialty. Black Dents toorder. Second-hand Tents bought and sold. JOHN HANLEY, ‘Terre Haute, Ind. Detroit Bag & Mfg. Co. Successuto [Tae T. W. Noble Co. 129-139 Fourth &t., Detroit, Mich. CIRCUS CANVASES And Tents of all kinds. 80 foot Tops and under carried in stock. Tents rented to state and County Fairs. ESTABLISHED 1858, WM. ARMSTRONG Manufacturers of Show Canvas, Balloons, Parachutes, Black Tents and all Canvas Goods. Office, 6100 Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Telephone Garficid 1098, JOHN HERFURTH, No. 2183 Boone St., CINCINNATI, 0. FOR TENT LIGHTS .-AND OUTSIDE LIGHTS... GEO. TAYLOR, : =: 97 Cliff Street, New York Sentien “The Dilbeard’' whan anewsring ods, Mention “The Billboard" when answering ada, Scenery and Show Paintings!