The Billboard 1906-04-28: Vol 18 Iss 17 (1906-04-28)

a AP UI FONE me Re Oe ee eae ee ee a ees — ot meee: | i | | : ee er ee er 34 The Billboard APRIL 28, 1906. W. H. GARDNER — --— Succumbs to Attack of Pneumonia Great Circus Agent Survives James A. Bailey by Only a Week ILLIAM H. GARDNER, part owner and general agent of the Carl Ha genbeck Greater Shows, died at his home in West 78th street, New York City, at 5:30 A. M., Thursday, April 19, of acuce pneumonia, which he contracted while attending the fun:tal of the late James A. Bailey, his former chief and lifelong associate. The deceased was ill only four days, and at the time of his demise was attended by his wife and a son, William S. Gardner, a practicing physician of New ‘York. The funeral services, of which an account is given in the New York correspondence on page 18 of this issue, were held at Gardner’s late home, Saturday evening, and interment was made at Woodlawn. Born a showman, reared in the a here of circus life and capable of filling any position in the execut’ve forces of a tented exhibition, Mr. Gardner represented a type ef showman in which he had few equals. He was mild and genteel in manner, yet a stubborn and determined fighter; he was a diplomat of the shrewdest and most efficacious type, a loyal friend and a nobleman among bis fellows. William G. Gardner was born in New York City, July 19, 1840. His father was Dan Gardner, a clown with and part owner of the Hemmings, Whitney & Gardner Shows. Young Gardner did not wait to» absorb mwuch more than an ordinary city school education, when he hastened to join his father in the circus business. Though only seventeen years old, he was made g.aeral agent of the Hemmings, Whitney & Gardner Shows, and remained in that capacity until 1868, when after a stormy conflict of opinion with his father over a matter of business policy, he left the show and struck out for himself, becoming identified with the Gardner & Kenyon Circus, another wagon show, in the capacity of general agent. The elder Gardner came after him in a year, but the son had turned his face to the world and determined to battie on alone. About this time be devoted his attention in winter to theatricals and became general manager for the late Col. Sinn, of Philadelphia. But theatricals did not appeal to him with the fervor of the circus, and he soon gave up his interest in this line, to devote all his time and thought to his first love. In 1870 and ‘71 was connected with the John O’Brien Circus as general agent. It was in 1872 that the late James A. Bailey Was general agent of the Cooper & Hemmings Show, and, when the following year, the great showman, his ability then in the embryo, took an interest in the show, and changed the title to the Cooper & Bailey Show. Mr. Gardner was engaged to succeed him as general agent, attencng the organization upon its tour of Australia, New Zealand and Peru. When the show returned to the United States crippled in finances because of the heavy expense of transportation, Mr. iley became an agent as well as one of the proprietors, anc M~. Gardner, together with George Middleton, took charge of the privileges. The year 1879 found Mr. Gardner general agent of the Anderson Show, tn which Jawes Anderson and the Sells Brothers were jointly interested, Lewis Sells being the manager. This circus afterwards became known as iLe Barrett Show. Mr. Gardner joined the great Adam-Forepaugh Show, as general agent, in 1880 and in the following year allied himself with the Barnum & Bailey Shows and served continuously with the latter, as general agent, until the autumn of 1892. In 1893 and 1804 he was interested in the Pawnee Bill Show, six months of which time was spent in Antwerp. Belgium. He was general agent of the Buffalo Bill Show during the years 1895, ’96 and ‘97, and in 1898 Mr. Gardner went to Europe as general agent of the Barnum & Balley Show, where he remained until 1901, when he returned to take up his duties as general agent of the Forepaughs & Sells Bros.’ Show. This relationship continued until 1903, when he again joined the Barnum & Bailey Show, which had returned from a triumphant tour of five years in Europe. The capable manner In which Mr. Gardner directed the executive details in the advance of the Barnum & Bailey Show, on its return tour through the United States, is too well known to showmen to require favorable comment. After a well rounded out career as general agent of nearly all of the big shows, suecessively, Mr. Gardner retired at the close of the 1904 season with the plan of devoting the balance of his life to a well earned leisure. But absolute rest was not compatible with his active spirit which had found happiness in directing big enterprises. Seeing. as he believed, great possibilities in the Carl Hagenbeck Show for the present season, he bouglt an interest In it and took the position of general agent. The recent death of his long time associate James A. Bailey affected him deeply. and. it is believed, this grief made him an _ easier prey to disease than he should have otherwise. From the moment be learned of Mr. Balley’s grave illness and after the latter’s death, his spirits @rooped, and it was probably as much the effect of this grief as that of disease that killed him. It is a remarkable circumstance that these two men, £0 closely associated for so long a time, should have eventually become business rivals, for a brief period, and then, by the Irrexistible hand of death, have been rendered careless to the cares and ambitions of this life jn«t one week apart. In fact, the survivor was by the fatal malady et the of the been — In his own field Mr. Gardner was as great a general, as skilled a diplomat, as thorough a master of detail, and as forceful and effective an executive of big affairs as was James A. Bailey. ! Mr. Gardner was twice married. His first wife died in 1890, two children of the three she bore having preceded her to the mysterious beyond. The surviving son is now a doctor of medicine with an extensive practice in New York. In 1892 Mr. Gardner was married again. His wife lives to mourn him. In the death of William H. Gardner, the circus fraternity has suffered a loss which takes rank with the recent death of James A. Bailey. HEARD IN THE COOKHOUSE. The advance force of the John Robinson Show is as follows: Oliver Scott, general agent; George Alken. trafic manager; M. C. Service, speclal ageut; Gilsey Abrams, route rider; H. I. Ellis, contractor; L. H. Heckman, manager Car No. 1; F. F. Smith, boss bill| poster; Geo. Nelson (Local No. 30), B. F. Miller (5), Edw. Kindley (11), C. Hayes (3), Frank Rockefeller (22). C. H. Richards (12), Robert Mann (probation), E. H. camp (probation), Harry Huber (3), E. H. Lake (4), Phil W. Stinson (5), Geo. Massonne (16), J. L. Spenger (Alliance), Frank Smith (Alliance), Harvey Bell (11), W. Brown (11), Jas. | Neeves (11), | place H. Jess Nolan (11), Herbert Glan| E ers, sensational acts; Prof. Thomas Clark's Dog and Pony Circus, and the Reigler & Zeigler Trio of Head Balancers. Prof. Antonio Oliveto and his Royal Italian Band Roma left New York, April 23, for Lancaster, Ohio, to join the John Robinson Show. His No. 2 band opens with Francis Ferrari the first week in May. No. 3 goes with the Great Chapman Show, opening in Pittsburg May 7. Good Friday was unlucky for the James Shelby Shows, for on that day the well-known circus suffered a blowdown, which did considerable damage to the sidewalls. However, they made their Saturday stand and enjoyed their Easter dinner just the same. Frank A. Goldie, the magician, who was contracted to go with the Gollmar Bros.’ side-show, has been forced to cancel his engagement on account of kidney trouble. He will undergo an operation, and will likely be confined in the hospital for some time. W. T. S. McCleary has a fine zoo and wonder world at Van Wert, Ohio. The proceeds this month go to charity, and the is doing an immense business. People who have visited the Zoo say it is the finest they have ever seen. . Kid Koster has signed as special opposition agent with the Great Cole Show. Brigade No. 1 is as follows: Foster McLeod, . C. Monce, Milo Edwards, Clyde Kant, Jack THE LATE W. H. GARDNER (Courtesy U.8. Litho. Co., Cincinnati, 0.) : * Died in New York City, April 19. ton (probation), and Willard Chapin (proba-| Nohle, M. Whallen, Harry Raymond, M. K. tion). Nick Cook is pastemaker and Elmer | Jones and W. T. Murphy, manager. Perkins is programmer. Gollmar Brothers’ Car No. 1 is composed of the following people: W. UL. Delley. ear manager: E. L. Marden, oss billposter; Cc. PD. Bewder, lthographer; Ira Shrock, programmer; E. Coll, boxs country route; J. dD. Andrews, contractor; and Wm. Swan, Carr, Wm. Eaneckson, Geo Recker, Lemke. G. Longnecker, 8S. Slayton. E. Davidson, Fred. Keller, C. Garnett and H. W. Morton, billposters. It is seldom that an event in the Hippodrome races of a big show performance attains the prominence of a “*feature act,.’’ but there are exceptions to all rules. John Agee is putting on a rengh riding number with the Ringling Bros.’ Shows that bears the mark of superiority. There is no trick or torn In the rengh riding line that Agee has not fully mastered, and his act this season is greeted with applause at every performance. Harry Clark, who for many years clowned with the Walter L. Main Show. hase signed with Comming’s Wild West. Mr. Clark has also secured the adcvertixing privileges with the Wild Weet and he promises to Intrednce some novelties In thie line. He will he assisted in the latter work by J. E. Zimmerman. Andrew Mackay, Mackay’s Enropean Circus, writes: We have signed the Reed Sixtera, equestriennes; Mme. Leona Bonne, aerialist; Four Pulaski Broth proprietor of The roster of advance car No. 1 of the Great Cole Show is as follows: Harry E. Curtis, manager; Chas. E. Martin. head billposter: F. W. Brusso, assistant billposter; C. D. Anderson. bannerman, and F. J. Krause, head lithographer. Chas. E. Tripp, for several years with the Barnum & Halley Show, i« with them again this seasen, and as the armless wonder is proving a big drawing attraction. He re sides in Wichita, Kan., during the winter months. O. H. Loe, the well known acrobat of Fostoria. Ohlo. wae so badly injured a few weeks age that It will be tmpossiple for him to act this seasen. The tendons of his wrist were cut and bis wrist is permanently stiffeved. Henry Nichols, a young man quite well known to show people, having been with Robinson and Forepangh-Selle for several seasons, died at bie home In Jackson, Mich., April 13, of tuberculosis. See Obituary notice. Lee Parmalee, acrobat and aerialist has joined the Freed & Perrine Consolidated Shows, making his third season with them. Parmalee has been very successful in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. The McCarver Bamboo Trio opened for «a six weeks’ engagement with the Orrin Brothers’ Show, April 15. After this time Is filled the trio returna to the United States to play parks. Hi ‘Trout, the jovial old clown, has epened a restaurant in Penn Yan, N. Y.,, where he would like to meet his eld circus friends when they are in that section. F. B. Schneider, of the Seibel Bros.’ Dog & Pony Show, renewed old acquaintances and made new ones during the recent engage ment in Birmingham, Ala. There was something doing around (Decatur, IL, last week. The great Cole Brothers’ Show plays there April 30, and the Wallace Show on May 0. The Snyder Wild West Show will open at Rosedale, Ind., April 25. Everything Is sald to be In fine shape and a prosperous season is looked for. Seibel’s Dog and Pony Show enjoyed good business during its three days at Birmingham. The show made many friends in the southern city. Jack Auslet, formerly connected with the Rapides Theatre in Alexandria, La., is business manager for the Geo. HM. Milam Wild West Show. Carterville, Ill, a town of 4,200 population, wants a circus this season. It is in the heart of the coal belt and money will be plentiful in July. Rhoda Royal’s menage stock, in charge of Capt. Sharp, with the Hagenbeck Show, is receiving some high praise from the patrons of the show. Harry Green, who has been managing the Garrick Theatre, Burlington, Ia., for the past six months, has joined the John Robinson Circus. Dan K. Rice, the well-known aeronaut, has doubled with his brother George, and together they are putting out a one ring circus. Frank Southall has the peanut and popcorn privileges with Siebel Brothers’ Show. Frank is a hustler, and, of course, gets the money. Berndt Spaler, clown and jockey, goes with The Forepaugh-Sells Bros.’ Show again this season. He was with them last season. T. J. McCreary has given up his position om the Hagenbeck No. 1 car on account of illness and returned home to Latrobe, Pa. Jas. Duval, the well-known clown, has closed with the Van Amberg Shews, and is resting a few days in Cincinnati. Marissa, Ill., wants a circus this season. All tent shows that have played in that town have done a great business. The Three Olifans, Fink, Phone and Shrimp, are meeting with unqualified success with the Hagenbeck Show. Andrew Adams, known as Kokomo, is en route with the Mighty Haag Show, having the balloon privilege. Araminta May writes that she has signed to go with Campbell Bros.’ Great Shows for the season ‘ Chas. Clarke, better known probably as Buckskin Will, has signed with the Campbell Bros.’ Show. Fen Brothers.—The Murray Co., 61 W. Washington st., Chicago, wants to correspond with you. W. H. McFarland, manager Great Wallace Side Shows, Peru, Ind., wants to hear from The Burtons. J. Dan, of Jackson, Mich., has purchased the Bentley Show outfit, which he is having remodeled. Topsy and Flora Mitchell have sold their business at St. Louis, Mo., and joined the Sells-Floto Show. L. C. Zelleno has a brother living in ‘Frisco, but he has not heard from him since the disaster. Ed. Bluski left Cedar Rapids, Ia., April 14 to join the Wallace Show. The Cummins Wild West was given a full page in the Cleveland Plain Dealer of April 15. Earl Krim has joined the Fore paugh-Sells Bros.’ advance forces. The Warrens, Jimmie and Agnes, have signed with Hale’s Fire Fighters. The Hagenbeck Show had turnaway business at Pittsburg and Baltimore. COL. CODY’S DONATION A special cable dispatch to The Billboard from Alexandria, says: ‘‘Colonel Cody and Manager Fred. Hutchinson, of the Buffalo Bill Wiid West, to supplement their contribution for the Vesuvius victims are cabling one thousand dellars by Mayor MeClellan, of New York, to be forwarded to the proper authorities benefiting California earthquake sufferers. If necessary, more will follow." FIRE AND FLAMES The Fire and Flames Construction Co., Incorporated at Minneapolis, Minn., for $50,000, will put on a big Fighting the Flames production at Wildwood Park, St. Paul, for four weeks, going to the Twin City Rapid Transit Co."s new park at Big Island, Lake Minnetonka, for the balance of the season. B. FE. Gregory, the well-known Chicago fireworks man, Is vice-president and general manager of the new company, and his forces are now building the production In St. Paul. The port able grand stand ts being constructed by P. A. Melfugh, of Cleveland, 0.; the enclosure 1s furnished by the Delta Manufacturing Co., of Chicago. M. W. [Merong, formerly of the ain Dyrotechnic Co., has joined the Gregory forces and willl have charge of his Chieago offices this summer. Colonel Wm, A. LaValle, L. 8. Horthe, Charles Caudel, Robert Fleming, Joseph Casey, Fiddes Page, and Robert Campbell have enlisted under the Gregory banner.