The Billboard 1910-01-01: Vol 22 Iss 1 (1910-01-01)

24 The Billboard JANUARY 1, 1910. pays me forty dollars a week. I cannot neglect my regular patrons for a couple of uights’ ex hibition work, unless I get well paid for it.’’ The manager of the out-of-town rink bid the ta structor good night and put on a big carnival for Christmas week, Instead. + John Bell's Exposition Roller Rink, Pittsburg, is dving fine business, tiis season, and this clever manager is more than pleased to see the renewal of good business and the elimination of the Marathon rugners which rather handi capped the business of the Expo. last year. Billy Bratton is still in Pittsburg, and is ove of the big boys in the ice skating game, there. Billy Beatton was always some figure skater on the ice and is quite some skater yet. + Harry Simwons is kept busy all through the Esst, showing his skill on the rollers, and introducing new carvival novelties to managers, for attractions, when they are unable to get exhibition skaters of merit. The seme old story: Hamilton wins. I have many inquiries for you, Mr. Hamilton, from different parts of the riuking world. Let's Lear from you at your earliest convenience. giving me you perman nt: address. I will aduress you in care of The Billboard vifice, Scillier Buliding, Chicago, this week, so be sure to call there for a letter. + Earle Reynolds and Nellie Donegan sre playing this week at the Orpheum Theatre, Minne: spolis, Mina. The El Reys are still in the Lrovinces of Canada. Prof. De Mere is now managing an American reller rink for Crawford and Wilkins, in England. The Taylor Sisters are in New York, spending Christmas at their home, after which they will make a southern tour. McLallen and Carson are still in the West, on the Sullivan and Considine time. Eddie BRaasett and Belle Butler bave just finished the Pantages’ tour with their ice skating novelty. The towr ended at Oklahoma City last week Both skaters are now in Chicago, Miss Butler at her bome on the west aide, while Mr. Bassett will mike bis headquarters at the Saratega Hotel during the Xmas week. Mr. Bassett will be very much put out to see that the cold weather has kept the contractors from fiaishing the new Ice Rink on the west side. He had plannel a big skate feast with the Old Bey Blanch. Blanch hed promised Mr. Bassctt to show him some new figures he had originated during the last year. A new rink wil! be built at West Lake, Ind., 80 gaye a communication last week. Wonder if the town was named after the new president of the Western Skiting Association. Paddy Harmon was not a candidate this time for president of the W. 8. A.. As reported, Mr. Harmon's duties at Riverview occupy too much of his time to devote any of It to the welfare of the W. S. A. presidential chair. Manager Prior says rain, snow or hail, I am going to get the New Rink completed in short order. if I have to put on three hundred men at once. It is quite evident that Marager Prior did not fancy the slow, easy-going contractors they had on the job, for rumor has it they have made a change. The T. M. A. Lodge, Sioux City, Iowa, is composed of good fellows who are all skaters. They have a fine lodge room and cinh, where they strive to make all performers who visit the city welcome. In fact, the T. M. A. Club ix the proper thing in Sioux City, and yon can hear performers from all over, speaking of the good fellowship that ome meets there at night, after the shows are ont. A fine cafe ond bar is comnecte’d with the lodge and one does not have to go home dry or hungry after the show. The Billboard file is one of the most prominent issues on the large table. The Rillboard is the oficial organ of the lodge all over the wold. FITZGERALD'S LETTER. CARLSON AND MELZER WIN. Amid great excitement and thunderous applause of 3.000 spectators and after one of the most exciting finishes ever witnessed at Sans Souci rink. Carl Carlson and Nip Melzer won the one hour team race defeating Howarth Beau mont and Harry Palmer by about ten feet. The race for the first fifty minutes was like a proscession coming down a street, slow at times, and then followed by a sndden spurt due to some racer trying to steal to the front unnoticed. The lead wes taken by Melzer, who held it for several laps and then gave way to : From that time on until the last ten the leaders exchanged places nearly two minutes. The partners had just each and Carlson, Recker, NewColeman, Angellica, and Palmer were a group. Coming from behind, with a sndspurt, and nnnoticed, Harry Palmer stole ‘to the front with a lead of seventy-five feet, which he held for several laps. and then fight for first place was on. Carlson and the rest of the skaters started out in pursuit and in an exchange of partners Melzer soon canght the leaders From that time the race proved to be the most exciting as but three teams were fighting desperately for first bonors. nameIy, Carlson and Melzer, Beaumont and Palmer, and Becker and Peattr. In the last two min ates of skating Melzer forged to the front, and other only two leps to go was relieved by his partner, Carlson, who hel the lead until the finish, winning by ten feet Second place went to Reanmont and Palmer who put up a great race, as did also Recker and Beatty who finished third, some distance behind. Other skaters who started were Angeliica and Garner. Gfllickson end Reed, MeCov and Coleman, Newfield and Grovetz. Mearnager Fried announces a ten mile relay race for next Friday, and already I!nterest In that race ts so great that twenty entries have been received. WESTERN SPEED SKATERS’ Members Hennessy, Recker and Hengst, who were losers of silver cups in the recent cup series of two mile races at Riverview rink. on account of a decision of one of the officials, whe @ -ijed in favor of Frank Neul, thereby dis CLUB. the | be | ing 30 minntes each afternoon and evening for qualifying Harry Mikkelson, have through an agreemeut reached between Manager Harmon and Secretary Kalteux, been given their prizes. | West and South sides. As a result all previous difficulties have bees cleared up, and ther will enter ja the coming series for three silver cups, to be run Christ mas and New Year's week, Al. Hengst, five | mile agateur champion, of Riverview, wishes to challenge any amateur from two to five miles, for any prize, providing within the West ern Skating Association rules same to be skated at the above rink. The Sleipner Derby, which will be run January 1, at Humboldt Park, will have several roller skaters entered, among them being Mikkelson, Magdefessel, Galligon an Henvessy. These boys have been working out several times and are anxious to make a good showing on ice as well as their record on rol lers, As the club is interested tn all rink epert, ice as well us roller, and as several rink managers have been thinking about forming a roller basket ball league in this city, member Koch is selectiug a team to compete in the leegue and have already had several workouts et Riverview rink. DUQUBSNE GARDENS, PITTSBURG. The first ice race of the season was held at Duquesne Garden, Friday, Dec. 10, with the following results: Oue-half mile scratch won by P. J. Kearney; 2nd, W. C. Swartz; 3rd, Wm. Hoffman. One mile bandicap won by J. C. Ebersberger; 2nd, W. C. Swartz; 3rd, P. J. Kearney. Ebersberger had 150 yards handicap, Swartz 75, and Kearney started from scratch. The time in the final heat in the half mile was 1:25 2-5, and in the handicap, 3:15. As this race was a great success the promoters have set Friday, Dee. 17, for another race night. MILWAUKEE SKATERS STILL AT WAR. The warring factions among the skaters in Milwaukee met Dec. 17, at Franklin Hall, in that city, Even the peace overtures of Allan 1. Blanchard and Julian T. Fitegerald, high officials of the Western body, failed to bring about a satisfactory agreement. At this time the fight stands Sbhusly: c. A. Rusch, claimant of the presidency of the Wisconsin Skating Association, and his allies, will continue to operate as an independent body. The faction opposed to Rusch has been offcially recognized by the Western body. This faciion elected new officers as follows: President, Norvall Barkdoll; first vice-president, Henry Sperber; second vice-president, F. J. Wilkum: secretary, E, G. Kuechenmeister; treasurer, Frank Howend: directors, E."C. Hill, E. W. Schallock, F. A. Schmidt, Fred Eichstedt, Harry Seymour, A. RB. Rittman and Oakley Fisher. The Western officials decided that the election of C. A. Rusch as president, was illegal, following a vote of the members prcesent, which resulted 26 against Rusch and 4 in lis favor. Rusch claims that his supporters were not notified to be present, as no such action had been anticipated. He says that if his followers had been present bis election would have been endorsed. Both Mr. Blanchard and Mr, Fitzgerald afterward declared that the faction led by Barkdoll would be recognized hereafter by the Western organization. They say thuit the rink managers and the leading skaters are enlisted on the side of BParkdoll anl, as they represent the majority, ther are entitled to the greater consideration. Busch in sixts that he is in the fight to a finish and promises more fireworks, To an impartial observer it looks like more trouble. REVIVAL OF HOCKEY IN MILWAUKEE. The Milwaukee Hockey League started its season Sunday. Dec. 19, at Riverside Park, in that town, and judging by the turnout of hock ey fans, great times are ahead for followers of the game. Three match games were played by picked teams to serve as a workout and from reports some goo! players will be turned out this season. Permission was secured from the city, and all the games hereafter will be played at Riverside Park. as this is the most convenient lecation and so arranged that the games can be played at its best. After the season ends, in the latter part of February, an allMilwaukee team will be selected ard outside games will be played with the best teams in the country. President Foote has started negotiations with Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburg teams, and assurances have been already re celved from managers of these teams that they will meet the all etar team from Milwankee. Two of the most prominent hockey teams In the city are the Gordon and Corneil teams, and the former have not been defeated In two years. SIOUX CITY IN SKATING GAMES. Cc. E. Wetherbee, of the Princess Rink, Stonx City, Ia., writes a very interesting letter on the skating sports in his locality. He states that business is very good, and they have two polo games every week, and one push ball game, which are very popular with patrons. Mr. Weth erhee is one of the most enthneslastic followers of the game in the West. Hills latest addition to the sport is the pnsh ball game, whica is considered the most exciting and enjoyable game ever played indoors. One of the closest and moat interesting games of pushball played there since its Inception, was one that was won by the Polly’s Greens from Wetherbee’s Reds, last week, by the secure of 3 to 0. Al! the scoring waa done in the first half. Fach xide mace desnerate efforts to score during the second half. but the teams were so evenly matched that it was Impoxsible for either to gain much ad vantage. The game is fast gaining a among the fans of Towa. Mr. Wetherbee will put on a six-day roller race this week, ®kat prize every night to the at every mile to the one leading. and a prize will be given every eve ning to the person holding the Incky ticket admiasion. On Saturday night of the finish the skatere will receive 50 ner cent. of the receipte Mr. Wetherbee is q good speed skater himeelf. ar? will be seen in many of the races In his territory this winter. ROLLER RASKET PALL LAUNCHED. Roller basket ball is to have a big revival efter a period of inactivity. Teams have been formed among the skaters of the Edgewater, Rierview, Sans Souci and Madison Garden rinks, and a league of four rinks hee heen lannched, with a schednle tentatively arranged for Jannary. The first game will be played be six days, giving a leader, aleo a prize footing | | Mr of | | oling | Monday tween teams renresenting Riverview Rink, un fer the direction of manager Hermon, and Edgewater, managed by F. A. Renson, Two | teams that have played the geome for some time | are registered in Milwankee from the Hippe drome and Riverview rinks, while Anrora hae a feet team thet will aleo join the league. the iden of Manager Harmon to form a league of high school players, from all parte of Chi It ie) cago, and have the games played in the after noon, as high schools make a specialty of basket | ball at this time of che year, and most tre good roller skaters, It le thought no trouble wll be experienced in securlog teams from the Sans Souci Rink Is con ‘enlent for high school players of this game, us there are at least three schools in the vicinity, and as Manager Fried is a great enthu basket ball, prospects are brighter than ever before for the formation of the league. DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB. Application was received from the Detroit Ath Club fer a sasction to conduct the Mich Kan and Ohio ice skating champiouship, Decem players Siasit of leth ber 20, at Detroit, As a result of the Wolver Ine city’s determination to encourage skating, the Western Skating Asoclation will form a stute orgauization for Michigan. CALUMET, MICHIGAN, ICE SKATER. FP. C. Dube, of Calumet, Mich., who, by his records in that part of the couatry, lays claim fo the amateur championship of Northern Mich igan, called at the olfice of the Western Skat ing Association, and announced that he ix al ready in condition for the ice meets to be held in different parts of the country. He will jour ney to Detroit, where he is entered in the championship events in that city, and, later on, Will come to Chicago, when races will be held at the new Ice Palace. BASKET BALL AT HOT SPRINGS. A letter received from Henry Koch, of Hot Springs, Ark., states that the rink In that town is making quite a record this season, and one of the best attractions is roller basket ball. We are pleased to hear that the roller game is on the Increase in that part of the country, and that basket ball is the cause of the heavy attendance. AT HIPPODROME RINK, MILWAU Frank Bork, of Chicago, won the final of the Christmas handicap race at the Hippodrome rink, Milwaukee, last Thursday night, from the twenty yard mark, in 3:19, defeating Matty McCormick of the sixty yard mark by five yards, while Rodger Coleman of the forty yard mark was third. The three scratch men, Jack De laney, George Devine and Olly McKone, finished fourth, fifth and sixth in the order named, Rork skated in fine form and showed good judgment in everything he did during the race. The first heat was won by Olly McKone from seratch, in 3:35, while the second went to Jack Delaney, from scratch, in 3:18 1-2. There were two falls in the first heat, Ray Wehfert went to the floor in the eleventh lap, while In the second, Ar — Maloney went down, three laps from the nish. VANDERGRIFT, PA., RINK. Maneger Jonas Riggle, of the Vanilergrifr. Pa., Roller Rink, writes under date of December 26, as follows: “This is my third season and business is splendid, far better than it wes last season I have a skating surface 160x770, am located tn the center of the city and can seat two thousend people. I have been effering my patrons several local as well as professions! attractions, all of which hove proven a success. “On December 24 and 25. was a especial attraction. His exhibitions mavdle an immense bit, the best act ever seen in thi« section. Xmas matinee and night he played to capacity business. “IT am looking for good skating acts at al! times and those that can deliver the goods, can find an engagement with me."’ CAMILLE DeVAUDRAY AND MATE CHALLENGE. Hamilton, Ont., Dec. To The Rillboard. Cincinnati. 0. Dear Sire:—Throngh the columns of your val E. Frank Vernon 2, 19009. nable pertodical, myself and team mate hereby chellenge Hayes and Rurke. of New Tlaven Conn., to a five mile purenit race, best two out of three, for $50 a side, purse offered by pulled off, and percentage of rink where the series are to he A challenge wae isened two week's ago to both skaters threngh the local papers of their native towns where both skaters are credited with such an enviable record. To this date no answer has been received by their man ager. If Burke and Hares mean business let them send a deposit of $25.00 with The Rill board and same wil! be covered in a ‘‘jiffy.”’ ‘ Respectfully yours, Camille 498 Rarton street, E. and Canada, 1908-09. MRS. CHAS. O. WOLFE DEAD. Mrs. Chas. 0. Wolfe fe Vandrer. Champion of France died at St. Luke's hos pital, Cedar Rapids, In.. on Friday Inet. from trphold fever. The fnoeral was held from the residence of Mr. Wolfe's parents, 1001 Park avenne. Rev A. M. Levack. of the Firet Ran tiet Church officiating: Interment at Onk TH! Meny floral remembrances showed the high e« teem in which deceased waa held by the friends she had made here. among othera heing one sent br the Prthian Sistera of Emmete lurg. of which a brother of the deceased wae a member: another hr the membera of Star of the West Lodge, K. P.. of that cits Veeta Tilllan Vanghen wee bern at Rrant ford. Can.. Inne 28, 1881. and wae married Wolfe at Emmet«burg. the home brother Decemhyr 19, 190% Mr. and Wolfe were well known vanderifle artieta, trav noder the name of Wolfe and Vanghan They came to Cedar Ranida to apend the hol! fave at the home of his parente, when Me Wolfe wae taken 111. and wae remored to St Inke's, where everything that could be done was done to avert the final enrtatn. NEW AMERICAN, DAVENPORT. The New American Theatre, Ta... was formally thrown at Davenport, open to the publiie, evening. December 29. to a ecanacity and appreciative honse The New American ta one of the finest nlarhonses In the Middle Weet helng medern and unto date in all reaperta, alen a high-class vandeville theatre, which Day ennport hee long needed Thie new plarhonse hae already grown popular onder the manage ment of Chas, Perkell, It wae Mr. Rerkell who firet Introduced vandevil] in the Tri-ities, alent five years ago. He hae aince changed lo cations and enlargin his plavhonse§ several times, and now itn t American he has | a theatre which the Tri Cithes can feel for this house are Mortis Rowking Agency. The opening bill Was comprined of the following acts: James F. lelan and Ida Lenharr aod Company, in the playgoing public proud of, All secured from of the attractions the William Iligh towed Burglar; Magnaul Musical Four, ia The Musical Barber Shop; MeGrath and Yoeman, slugers aud dancers; The Aldloes, acnolate; Mike Grace Belmont, comedienne; John W. Barr, Ulustrated songs. The above comprixe au excellent Dill, as Was showo by the loud aml frequent applause which the performere = recelved, by the capacty audience Which Wa» present on the opening night, DIXIE LEADS THEM ALL. Is Officially Proclaimed First in American Songs. Dixie finally has as first in Amevsican been officially proclaimed songs and wusic in Patriotle popularity, Such is the verdict of O. G. T. Sonneck, Chief of the Division of Music of the Library of Congress, who has just issued from the Government) press au exhaustive Teport op four famous American musical compositions, “Yankee Doodle,’ be says, though no luager A Ostlonal song, ts still a national alr, and second ouly to Dixie in the popularity contest, The origin avd evolution of Yankee Doodle, Star Spangled Banner, Hall Columbia and Amerjoa are treated in full in Mr. Souneck'’s volume, and fac-similles of the original mapnu scrip are given ‘lhe history of Yankee Doodle is described as “a perfect maze of conflicting stories and countless additions to and variations from the original. As many as fourteen variations of Spangled Banner are noted gradual process of polishing The year in which Awerica first was sung in public is given at IS$2. but the exact place and date were pot defialtely ascertained. Hall Columbla is strictly a product of the United States in both words and wusic, in coatradistinction to America aud the Star Spangled benner, both of which partly originated ike. land. UNCLE SAM’S GRAND OPERA. Government May Pay for a Presidential Box. the Star accompanied by a and modification. Grand opern, with the United States Government as a patron, is one of the loteresting possibilities of the near future In order to encourage the plan of Oscar Hammerstein to erect an opera house in Washington, it hae been suggested by society leaders—and the suggestion is being seriously cousidered by Representatives and Senators who are active ip social life at the capital—that $5,000 be added fo the annual appropriations for the White llouse, that amount to go toward defraying the eapenses of a President's box in the proposed new opera house, It is understood that Hammerstein made fair progress during bis recent visit in securing pledges to the amount of $200,000 annually “hich be requires in order to make a grand opera Venture here. Ameng the gen who have eegteed to subscribe, according to report, are Verry Belmont, who heads the lixt with $26,000; Thomas F. Walsh and Edson Kradley, $10, each; Senator Depew, General Willlam PF. Draper, Mrs. Mary Scott Townsend and Sena tor B. Elkins, $5.000 each, aud others whose yearly subscriptions are te range between $2,000 and $5,000. . SHAME ON YOU, SARAH. “Live together, but don't get married.’ is the ster*ling advice Mire. Sarah Bernhardt gives to yming men and Wouwen who have geen touched by Cupid's dart. ‘When a man feels thet he tx bound to a@ women.” the eminent actress angoes, “the onion tn test cases beeon irksome As long es both are free they continue to lowe for the vers uneertainty of retaining a coertshed posltion makes one guard tt more carefully, Men expecially should not marry until they have had experience in domestic life. " appreve of experlmental unions which may result in marringe if beth partis are willing 1 consider It wisest for men and wouen to Hee together before they marry." This advice wae given as a sort of Intro ‘netion fer a play which Mine. Nernhardt has written, depleting on artixt'« paxslonste love for a womau Whe has net married The play Was protuesd inst week in Ceris and had fale success, Dut the erities sre not enthusiastic about the merita of the drama. EMPLOYEES REMEMBER JOSEPH HOPP AT CHRISTMAS. Joseph Hopp, president of the Standard Film Exchange, was presented Inet week with «a gorges nupholetered office chair by his employees, Mr. Hlopp fa one of ‘the happleset men In the Chicago business circle’ todar, as he will no longer occupy his late cane bottom etool, when weary. put Insterd will reset in the soft enehions stuffed with o«trich plumes, trimmed with damond-«tndded tacks and rolled on ball bearing« of silver and the whole set in a bane of ebony, as it seema to him. As a matter of fact the chair is atrinmph 4f the upholaterer’s art and t« beautifully equipped with every idea of nttiitartan comfort The gift came as a surprise and ta indeed a dacllehtfal compliment such as may well be apprectated, A BILLBOARD BRIDE. Charles Kendall and Mtw« Maldee Nowlin were married under romantic eirenmetances at Toledo, 0.. on Obriatmas day. The conple were some ten rears ago, plavere with one of Jacob Litt'a companies end at the end of the season reparated witn the reet of the company. A few weeks ago Mr Kendall eaw ber name tn the rente Mat of The Rillhoard and writing her, fornd that she wae effll enioving single hleasedness A proposal anickly followed, which wae necepted. The couple met in Toledo, Misa Nowlin coming from Pitte»org and Kendall from Detroit, and were married within an hour after thelr arrival Mr. Kendall extends hie hearty thanke to The RBillthoard for being the happy medium that caused the reunion,