The Billboard 1911-11-18: Vol 23 Iss 46 (1911-11-18)

“wre r NOVEMBER 18, 1911. The Billboard 25 —_— CARNIVAL NEWS Without Exception Carnival Companies Report Good Business. Notes and Brief Items from Representative Amusement Companies—Hints and Suggestions by Red Onion WORTHAM & ALLEN NOTES. The Wortham & Allen United Shows played the Cotton Palace at Waco, Texas, to good business. The show at the present time consists of twenty high-class attractions. The train has been enlarged from fifteen to eighteen « 7 <“parney Parker, son of C, W. Parker of Leavy enworth, Kan., is spending a few weeks with e show. taarles DeKreko, with bis International Theatre, still continues to pack them in, Waco is Walter Stanley's home and bis many friends gave him a grand welcome. w. F. Wallace, manager of the 7 in 1, has enlarged his show by the addition of many new animals, The City of Yesterday, under the management of Charles Bell, is a drawing card for the ladies and children. Ewing’s Boy Zouave Band render concerts twice daily. Prof. Ewing contemplates quite an extensive tour of the United States this winter, playing all the first-class theatres in the Middl Vest. " James Dyer bas enlarged his animal show and Salina still does her hair raising act in the lion's den, Frederick F. hauled until the Untamed America a blaze in a fog. Tom W. Allen, general agent, has returned to the show, after a visit at Little Rock, Ark.. with friends. The shows went from Waco to Brenham, Texas, and then go to Beaumont for the Southeast Texas Fair. KRAUSE GREATER SHOWS. Columbia, Tenn., on the streets, proved very satisfactory. New Decatur, Ala., under the auspices of the Guards, was very good, considering the extreme cold weather that struck the show there. Fred A. Danner’s Ghost Show, Armstrong's Three-in-One Show, Ruick’s Ferris Wheel and Dixieland Show, and a number of concessions from the Greater United Shows, joined last week. W. W. Kirby is managing Mr. Ruick’s Dixieland Show and gives a big parade with his colored band and minstrel performers every Smith has had his front overlooks like ay. D. D. Daly is making them all sit up and take notice with his Queen Contests and programs H. Freedman, promoter, joined the K. of P. and Elks Lodges while in Hopkinsville, Ky. “ieperal Agent S. Solomon also was made a B. P. O. E. at Talladega, Ala. Oscar Cox, balloonist, who met with a bad accident at Carrollton, Ky., joined again and made his first ascension at Huntsville. The Krause Shows now carry 12 feature shows and three riding devices, and thirty-five concessions, with Miss Elma Meler, high and shallow water diver, and Oscar Cox. balloonist, as free attractions, making in all one of the Strongest organizations ever gotten together. Under the personal direction and management of Mr. Krause the show has had an exceptionally x0od summer season and so far the southern tour has been way ahead of expectations. The Krause Shows eXpect to be out all winter, Waking the larger towns of the South and some of mid-winter fairs, which have already been «entracted for. CLIFTON-KELLEY SHOWS. Although the City, Tenn., pected A. W. Casey and Geo. Downing retura1 to the show at Union City, and with C. M, Hayden are framing their show, Doe Jeneson joined at big Madagascar Show. orl weather was cold at Union business Was all that could be ex Union City with his Earl J. Jackson, formerly with the Famous Winslow Shows, has arrived and taken charge of the band. _C. H. Perry is framing two more concessions, Candy Wheel and Vase Wheel. Following is the roster: Clifton-Kelley, mon gets; A. B. Mitchel, promoter; Brelerwek, transportation; Earl Jackson, band leader; K. he ard secretary and treasurer. owing is the line-up of shows: Jolly Enter tainers, K. Beard, tickets; Chic. Anderson, Wanager; Mysterious Edna and Electric Tae atre, ¢ M. Haydn, manager; A. W. Casey, Tront; Grace Shipley, tickets; Big Madagascar Show, Doe Jeneson, manager; Col. Jake Stock ton, front and tickets; Big Five-in-One Show, Jim Green. manager; Col. J. D. Sweeney and J Broderick, front and tickets, and Earl Jack son's Big Jumping Horse Carousel, and twelve concessions, K. G. BARKOOT SHOWS. The season of the K. G, Barkoot Carnival Shows has been a remarkably pleasant one for | concerned in more ways than one. It has been one of the most prosperous seasons the ompany has ever enjoyed, financially. They 1 ‘ve galned the good will of the people in every “lly visited, and no disagreeable events have “ecurred to mar the same; but one serious Secident, that being the death of young John Br vie. the aeronaut, who met his death by a Toll of fifteen hundred feet in making a balloon ss ension at Tifton, Was th Pes! tio Ga., where the company ven playing at the Southern Georgia Ex n ’ The first blasts of winter struck the show “st week while in Meridian, Miss., just enough °f it to give notice that the season of 1911 wos rapidly drawing to a close Mr. Barkoot ‘ad under his management this season the a. " Ghost Show, an aggregation known as Days, A. F. Gorman's French Theatre, a Murlcal extravaganza interpreted by a bevy of Pretty girls who were competent singers, den ot and comediennes, and are now playing the a estie Theatre at Meridian for the same gen‘mean, Barkoot'’s Four-in-One, a museum of ving curiosities; Fanchaw’s Palace of Mysteries, the Beautiful Orient, California Prince, the educated equine; the City of Yesterday, Willlams’ James Boys Show and Wild Westerao pictures, Tiny Mite, the smallest horse on earth; Emo, the turtle boy; Betty, the alligator girl; Sako, the wonder; the Darktown Swells, a genuine negro comedy; Smith’s Katzenjammer Castle and Crazy House, Works’ merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel, the Strangest Girl Show, Miller’s Five-in-One, Aztec Children and last, but not least, Barkoot’s Big Hippodrome, within whose canvas walls were to be seen Oscar Babcock, riding the death trap loop and jump ing the flume, the Zaretzky ‘oupe of Russian dancers, the Randalls, premier rifle and pistol shots of the world; high-wire trapeze, contortion acts and a number of clowns. Angelo Hummulo’s Royal Italian Band, which has been with the Barkoot Shows all this season, has received the praises of press and public everywhere for the excellent music they have rendered. The Inter-State Fair, at which the show played last week, was one of the best that they have been connected with in the South, really big in conception, and carried out with lavish expenditure that has served to bring it out much more prominent before the people than has been done in any of the Southern Alabama or Mississippi fairs. Messrs. Stillman, Lillard and Rose, (Lew, of Old theatrical fame, own brother of Ike), the active officials of the Inter-State Fair, are deserving of all credit for its unquestionable success. The shows play here an engagement of two we ks, and then go to Mobile for a week at the Mobile Exposition, which in all likelihood will be the last week of the season, although a por tion of the shows may go out for a few weeks to other celebrations down in Florida, negotiations for which are now in progress. GREATER UNITED IN QUARTERS. Chicago, Nov. 11 (Special to The Billboard). —The Greater United Shows, which are operated by the United Fairs Booking Association of Chicago, closed November 3 in Jackson, Miss., after a successful season's tour. They immediately entrained for Kankakee, Ill., where they will go into winter-quarters on the fair grounds. CARNIVAL NOTES. The Will H. Weider Amusement Company is now playing its twenty-fifth week of the season, and is routed South for all winter. The company bas ten shows and two new riding devices. Harry Bartino is on with his big Five-in-One and also the Den of a Thousand Deaths. Dad Reed, with his beautiful Pauline Show, is making good. Lew Williams and his three shows are among the feature attractions. His shows are: The original Mamie or Dance of Night, and the James Boys in Missouri. His big feature is Lady Ruth, the smallest horse on earth, y. . Weider still has the old favorite Dixieland Show. Girdie May Davis, the largest girl in the world, has Mr. E. McCoy as her manager and is doing fine. General Coffey. the cigarette fiend and human skeleton, is on with a neat money-getter. Brown Miller's Minstrel Maids are creating a new path for girl shows La Belle La Mar is his dancing feature. Captain Joe Maloney, the half man diver, is doing a real high dive twice a day. The Cireling Herberts, in their free act, are still as big a drawing card as ever. Mecken’s uniform concert band of twelve pieces, create a merrmedley of good music. Fred Henchal has rejoined the show again as assistant manager, making it his fifth season with Mr. Weider. Carnival Company has dissolved partnersh' with Mr, Lenhart. The company will now be known as the Great Martin and Togo Southern Carnival Company. Having played to good business at the fairs in the North, the show has E. Mr. Martin, the manager of the Great Martin With the Voice,” gone South, opening at the Jackson (Tenn.: County Fair. The company carries five shows: | Capt. Sandago, high diver; Eddie Hearts and his aeroplane. Joe Togo’s Japanese Theatre is one of the main attractions, Miss Edna Gallaway and her sister, Miss Fay MeNight, foined the Clifton-Kelley Shows last week for the Great White City Show, now being built by Alex Downing and C. M. Hayden, with A. W. Casey as business manager. The show will consist of vaudeville and pictures. Mysterious Edna will be featured. Doe Jensen is doing big business with his snake show with Jake Stockman on the front. Col. Sweeney is still with the show, The Atwood Shows, under the management of D. M. Atwood, are playing some of the good ones in Mississippi. Last week the shows played Water Valley under the auspices of the Trades and Labor Council for the benefit of the men who are out on strike on the I. C. at that place. Five good shows and ten concessions, two free acts, and the Italian Band and Keen's jumping horse carry-us-all are carried. The Spalding Grays (Soldier Boys) will hold a carnival in Griffin, Ga., on the main streets, week of November 20-25. The Weider Amusement Company will furnish all attractions. George Wallace is no longer connected with the advance of this company, The roster of the band with H. W. Campbell's United Shows follows: R. C. Beaning, bandmaster: Sim Carter, Glenn Welty, Fred Wolf Fred Willlams, George T. Bateman, Joe Talman and Jack Hattersly. McElwee Brothers closed with their large three-abreast Parker carry-us-all with the New Exposition Shows at Herrin, Ill., and jumped to Baton Rouge, La. They will work all winter as usual, W. H. Miller will handle the Electric Show with Littlefohn’s United Shows thie winter, featuring Ida. the Transparent Girl. A. V. (Kid) Ackley and his trouping dog, Rowdy Bill, are at home at 2555 EB. S4th Street, Cleveland, 0. CARNIVAL CONVERSATION. By “RED ONION.” Listen to reason. The carnival business is not in a state of frenzy as some are wont to believe. Improvement in the future as well as in the past is up to the individual more than it is to any trust or combination. Are you lacking in your conception of what the business is? Direct your attention and efforts toward giving it individuality and distinctiveness. Carnival companies were originally called midway companies, That does not mean half way. This must be remembered by showmen. I wil! leave the rest to you. Eugene P. McKenna now registers from P. X. Ranch, Del Rio, Texas. I saw Eugene when he was on a visit to his family in Connecticut this summer. McKenna operated a _ Ferris Wheel and concessions several years ago. He is now retired from the carnival business, He looks like the first = of prosperity. Managers and Concessionaires—Do not sign contracts if you have no intention of keeping them. Have more regard for your word, either by word of mouth or signature. I was on a train going to make a fair this fall and a man sitting in the seat with me pulled out sixteen contracts from his pocket and tore them up. I asked him why he did this. He said “Because I didn’t intend to play them.”’ I then asked him why he signed them. To thi: he gave me no answer. Make it a rule that if you make a contract that nothing short of a railroad wreck shall “— you from fulfilling it Ed. T. Byrne, ‘‘The Man in Front,’’ versatile press agent, publicity promoter, talker and lecturer, was the past season identified with one of the big attractions in Luna Park, Coney Island. + Press Agents—Mrs. (Aunt Lou) Frank R Blitz can hold her own with any of you when it comes to writing and placing press stories, Mrs. Blitz has been in the business something like twenty years. Her experiences and years of service outnumber that of any other lady in this line of work. Long may she live and prosper. + Al. F. Gorman, general agent of the K. G. Barkoot World's Greatest Shows, can contract with any general agent in the business, Arthur Borella, the past season producing clown with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, was at one time a talker, and a good talker. He bad the other fellows beat because he could make his own “ballyhoo.”’ He did it with a trick violin. * Carnival Managers—Cut out that railroad gap. Quit making long jumps. Pay your coal bills. Pay more attention to the billing of the show. Get a press agent and do the other things that you have been forgettine to do. By the way. you might pay some attention to routing yourselves properly. J. H. (Jack) Cullen knows how to run an old plantation show. I might further add that he does it. * Rudolph Brothers have become famous as concessionaires and by inventing and manufacturing clever and saleable articles for other concessionaires. Owners and Managers of Independent Shows— Some of you have been in the business for fifteen years or more. Why you will go to these “fly-by-night’’ booking offices to have them give you your season's route Is more than any reasonable man can understand. Unless you can give your booking to an established and recognized booking firm, it will be better for you to do your own booking. It would at any rate be better for you to book direct or identify yourself with a reliable traveling organization. The latter is possibly the best in every instance. R. Dozier, the talker, known as ‘‘The Man is reported to be in the aviation business. Because you are an old-timer is no reason that you should be out of date. ke That man George H, Coleman must be some queen contest promoter if all reports be true. George W. Rollins—Are you coming back into the business next season It needs you. The carnival business needs another Fran! W. Gaskill and one or two more Bostock-Feraris. E. F. Carruthers of the United Fairs Booking Association, is getting ready for next season. It has been worrying some people to find out when he sleeps, or if he ever goes on a vacation From all appearances it seems that Dana Thompson has permanently retired from the car nival business. Some seasons ago he was classed with the most successful in this line, Joe E. Rickards as a press agent and talker is in a class by himself. The last I heard of Joe he was in the aviation business, When Ed. Mozart was with the Ferari Bros.’ United Shows, he was considered to be the best queen contest and program man in the game at that time. The last I heard of Mozart he was connected vith the Monopol Film Company of New York. All sar agent, and “dney Wire is some carnival press then some more. \eCord, (known at the Seattle Exposition »s the Twenty-eight Thousand Dollar Kid) globe ‘rotter, lightning ticket seller, pro gram promoter and a general all around good fellow, leaves Chicago sometime soon to conquer unexplored territory in California and Mexico. MeCord is neither dead nor asleep. Albert J There is a reward out for the man who saié Kingston and Troy, N. Y., were good carnival towns. I hate to do it but I have to class these places with Petersburg, Va. George T. Hewitt in seasons past connected with Layton, Barkoot, Smith, Swanson and others, retired permanently several years ago from the carnival business. He has for a number of years been successful in the electrical business in Baltimore, F. A. Brigham of Elizabeth, N. J., Is a suecessful carnival promoter. Am told that during the winter his time will be devoted to building and organizing a carnival company. If Brigham does it, it’s very — be done well. Nothing adds more to the holiday spirit of a fair or carnival than gay decorations. Flags, bunting and electric lights help wonderfully in effecting the holiday spirit. The Lynchburg (Va.) News on behalf of the fair recently held in that city, editorially in part says: ‘‘Preparations for the occasion have been carefully made and an unusual degree of diligence and foresight exercised with a view of making the fair this year a record breaker. It is hoped that our merchants, keeping pace with the enlargement of the fair’s pretensions, will exert themselves to the end of affording even more elaborate decorations of their buildings than in years gone by. Let’s make this the greatest event of the sort ever witnessed in Lynchburg; let’s so adorn the city with bunting, banner and electric glitter, that all who come will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of it all; let’s get down to the work, too, in ample time, so that the first day of the fair may witness our streets as gayly and beautifully attired as the last. Our people, generally, owe it to the fair management that has so {ndustriously and at so much cost gotten things in shape for a magnificent exhibition at the fair grounds, and above all they owe it to Lynchburg to co-operate in every reasonable way to insure a brilliant success to the undertaking.’’ Veedersburg, Ind., claims to be the first town in America to hold a street fair. This is their twenty-second year. Does any other town object to this claim? I’m quite sure I don’t. F. A. Lovelock, secretary of the Lynchburg Interstate Fair, has a motto which reads: ‘‘Do it today; do it well—then it’s done.’ That sounds pretty good, "Lovelock. Carnival Managers and Owners of Independent Shows—Merit wins. Have yon no standard of merit? Have you no moral standard? Is there any reason why it is necessary for city officials and fair secretaries to tell you that your show must be strictly moral and refined? Your individual pride as a showman should be sufficient, without having this reminder forced upon you. Kemp’s Wild West is said to be a real fair ground Wild West. I believe it is. Many so-called innovations are nothing more or less than revamped obsoletes. So be careful when you apnounce innovations that they are so in fact. When the paint rubs off, they may show their true color. Johnny J. Jones is the name that is a household word in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Many people in the business wonder why he plays the same territory each year. The fact that he is still in the business is just about the answer. A certain circus agent claims to have been the first to ‘‘banner crossroads,’’ claiming to have introduced it this season. I want to say that the Smith Greater Shows, a carnival or ganization, has been doing this, to my know!ledge for five years. Take that, Mr. Circus Agent. % K. G. Barkoot seems to be pursuing the even tenor of his way. Barkoot knows the carnival business. He seems to know it well. Along with the public I take great pleasure in endorsing the following free acts—acts of a dependable standard: Six Flying Banvards, The LaCroix, Granada and Fedora, Winston's Sea Lions, Flying Baldwins, Mile. Adjie and Performing Lions, Edwin Hoddie, Holzer and Rezloh, Achelle Phillion, James E. Hardy, Lionel Legare, Thomas Quincy, Harry Six, Marvelous Melville, Osear V. Babcock, Holland-Dockrill Troupe, Albers’ Bears, The La Noles, The O’Kura Jap Troupe, Merzello & Wolff, Rose & Ellis, Fink's Mules and Dogs, The Whittakers, The Wiziarde Trio and there are others, too. Carnival Managers—Pay particular attention to the selecting of your general contracting agents this next season. Get one who is not dependant upon the regular scheduled events— get one who can create events—get one who can take the initiative—get one who has _perspicacity. This las word is a good one, so I though I. would use it. Bert B. Perkins once had some carnival experience. It was half-past five o’clock in the morning and he hadn't finished telling me about it then. Bert is a friend of Bobby Newcomb and Bobby is a friend of Bert B. Perkins. They took out a show together last spring—ene of those hall show propositions, in which they featured Miss Della Fox. The latter only added to their experience. What kind of a man is the man who can create the evil and then suggest the remedy for it? Will some one please figure this out for me? ¢. V. Blum, one time well known as a talker with the Ferari Brothers United Shows, is now in Chicago, where he has a very profitable advertising business. He is handling the advertising for forty moving picture theatres, also does the advertising for Bart, the clothier. Blum is getting quite a hold in Chicago. Where is Casey, the talker? Where is Windy Hughes? Where is Ralph Pierson? So many people have a habit —. lost! In former years showmen and concessioners used to look forward to the Chattanooga Spring Carnival as the season's big opening event. At one time this was the big annual event with the local merchants. It should be revived. Glens Falls, N. Y., Clinton, Ia., Knoxville, Tenn., Hontston, Tex., Winona, Minn., Meridian, Miss., Coldwater, Mich., Milwaukee, Wis., Wichita, Kan., Wilmington, N. C., Pittsfield, Mass., Fort Smith, Ark., are all good carniv towns, but you must give them a good show. t+ “eae % * Fi % : p