The Billboard 1913-03-22: Vol 25 Iss 12 (1913-03-22)

me So 3 ake ye aa AION Re _* Ts PR “See = a —~on rete. e £ > amet ae ™ Ss 124 : The Bi llboard MARCH 22, 1913. ' WHY THE WIRTH BROS. WON. Longitude and latitude are the final test of a circus’ success. The show known and liked thruout the largest stretch of territory is the one bound to produce the greatest wealth for ite owners; the one destined to mark the heaviest imprint on the records of fame. Beginning with absolutely @othing save the uncontrolable ambition of four talented brothers willing to work, developing into the best-known circus organization in far-off Australia, their name imparting the same efithusiasm to Australians the cherisht name of Bgrnum arouses amon: Americans, the Wirth Bros.’ Great Australian Circus has tern aside the curtain of space and, by exciting favorable comment on this side of the ocean, stands as a triumfant example of the longitude and latitude requirements of success. In every great saccess there is an underlying moral. Contemplation of the fact that the Wirth Bros. organization is taking rank with the world’s greatest circuses by adding hippodrome to hippedrome, crowning a list of spectacular achievements by erecting the new Sydney Hippodrome, while planning similar enterprises for Adelaide, Brisbane ani Perth, may lead the casual spectator to grasp the wrong moral. “A wonderful exhibition of the might of money,’’ one may say But, instead, it is an exhibition of ambition triumfant. The wealth was unessential and merely incidental to a predestined success. But ambé lay the foundation—and put itself in evilone before there was an iota of the that followed in the trail of success. tion dence wealth The Wirth Bros.’ activities originated on the site of the Old Paddy's Market, in Sydney (the city now about to receive their latest hippodrome achievement that will form a monument to their memory for all time), in 1880. Philip, George, John and Harry Wirth conducted a one day per week entertainment, from one till eleven p. m., on Saturdays, the brothers personally contributing all numbers on the program, including acrobatic acts, horizontal bar performances, club-swinging, hat-spinning and wire-walking exhibitions. Their first performance netted a little over two hundred dollars. After continuing this arrangement for six months they earned sufficient capital to purchase half a dozen horses and wagons (a large outfit in their estimation at that time), and started on the road with the nucleus of their present gi gantic organization. In four eventful years their show grew to 100 horses and 24 wagons. four years more found their organization so big that the horse and wagon method of transportation was abolisht and all subsequent moves were made by railroad. Success smiling upon all their efforts, Harry went to America and organized a real Wild West show in 1890, while the other brothers toured Australia with a circus. The Wild West investment proved a failure and the cost of maintenance was 80 hich for the Australian organizatien that the brothers determined upon a boid stroke to recoup their shattered fortune. This was in the form of a South African tour with a typically Australian form of circus. The Boers were highly pleased with the show, particularly the riding-goat. Beverley, and substantially supported it, until the war broke out with England, when patriotism proved the better part of pleasure. A trip thru South America was hastily decided upon. Despite the fact that a fire broke out, while they were playing in Monte Video, deetroying everything except the horses, which, fortunately, were quartered some little distance the supply centers, leaving the troupe devoid of wardrobe and unprotected by insurance, the two years’ tour proved very profitable. Of course al! kinds of adventures were encountered in South America. The wavering disposition of the natives, friendly one day, possest of violent enmity the next, evidenct it self in the support accorded the circus. No little excitement was caused in one instance when the circus proprietors were accused of kidnapping a 16-year-old boy. When the au thorities found there was no basis for the accusation, the boy was releast, but, instead of rejoining the circus, he was compelled to enlist in the army and join one of the rebellions constantiy arising in Latin-American countries. It seems strange that people who will remonstrate with a youth for joining a circus, (a safe jife at its worst), permit young blood Mito take part in dangerous revolutions. An exceptionally profitable English tour fol Fiowed, during which the circus played before King Edward VIE. South Africa was again ventured into, two years later, in 1899 while the Boer war was at its heimht and the circus narrowly escaped destruction at the hands of the Roers when the bridge crossing the Mod Ger river was destroyed. India, China and Java were then covered and, in 1900, the home sick guard returned to beloved Australia. It was then that the organization met with the supreme test to prove its mettle. They imag ined their constant touring was carefully noted by Australians and that a glorious welcome would mark their return. But, instead, they had been away for such a long time that they were almost forgotten. Exceptional attractions were summoned and an elaborate press cam aign waged in order to reinstate the show n the good graces of its home community The resolution to remain at heme and “‘ecapture Australia’’ proved a wise one. Philip and George were at that time the sole directing beads of the organization, as their elder brothers, John and Harry, had past away in 1894 and 1895, respectively. While some of the dreams «f the elder brothers were never coneummated, they little thought, while imagin ing world tours the highest pinnacle of suecess, that their younger brothers would surpass their fondest dreams by making the organization a household word in Australia. Now the brothers devote their world tours to the sole purpose of securing newer and grander attractions for the Australian organization. The standard maintained has been so high, the treatment accorded entertainers so ifberal that feat-~ure acts of all kinds are writing in from al! parts of the world—anxious to join the great eircus. Each year the inner organization has been @uperior to that of the year previous. Bach year the profits have been larger. Each year— and this is the most interesting point—the Wirths have added new hippodromes to the list. until they ~ have dotted Australia with build and ks owned or controlled by the rths. Th rapidly growing list inclades, besides those mentioned previously in this arbe Wirth’s Park, fe me — all kinds A the ippodrome, i fa and Plazatoo. In Sydney they have the Betas market and the negotiations for new Mepetsemes ke~ Wirth organization one of the greatest the world bas ever known. three-ring “The gun never sets’’ show. It covers a territory extending thru New Zealand, Tasmania and Austrailia. The Melbourne season is played in October for six weeks, the Sydney season in March, for the same ‘length of time. Many American feature acts are constantly recruited by May Wirth and the Wirth family, American representatives of the circus. Tae Wirth family has just completed eminently satisfactory vaudevil engagements, for May Wirth’'s reputation has preceded her all over the world and great interest is being evinced in the woman repeatedly declared to be the greacest on the Wirth Bros.’ rider that ever lived. The Wirth family is being [.altured again this season with the Ber num & Bailey Circus, which connection will be of inestimable value to the European organization. The success of the Wirth Bros.’ Circus is a grand testimonial te beard work, persisteurly continued thruout years of fluctuating fortune. It is no story of a family ‘‘born with a go'den spoon.’’ It is rather an example of thar rare touch of alchemy. that makes gold from dross. Prosperity has ever followed in its train and most of the employes are re-engaged year in, year out. The surviving brothers are extremely democratic in disposition and delight in telling stories relating to their adventures while touring the world. Some of these are highly amusing and appeal to the American sense of humor quite as strongly as to the English conception. For instance: At Birkenhead in 1896 one o: the ladies of the company inquired the price of lamb chops at a nearby market. When told the price, she declared it more expensive than in Australia. ‘“‘Australia?’’ cried the astonished butcher, ‘“‘do you really come from Australia?’ She told him she did and that she had only been in England three weeks. “My word,’’ cried the butcher, “‘you have picked up English very quickly."’ After their return from South Africa, while playing in Durham, England, a crowd of coal miners were watching the circus forces pitching tents and listening to the boss canvasman giving his commands which were, of course, in English. Both Philip and George Wirth were assisting in the werk. At about 1 p. m., George shouted to his brother, in Spanish: ‘Signor Don Philipa, commeda sta _ pronto.’’ This is Spanish for ‘Mr. Philip, dinner is ready."’ Philip politely replied, in Spanish, saying he was coming. “This circus is a big fake,"’ said one miner to another, shaking his head. “They call themselves Australian, whereas there are only two Australians among them, that’s yon two men,’’ pointing to the brothers who aa conversed in Spanish. Another sté?¥ narrates how they escaped death—announcing that they were Australians, white in Brazil at a time when Brazil and England were at swords’ ends. The leader of the invading party assured them of their safety, saying: ‘“They are not the ‘cursed Eng lish, but Australianos.’ All these stories clearly demonstrate how little the rest of the world, even England, knows of the heart of Australia. The very name, Australia, seems to have a far-off sound for the Yankee which precludes further investigation. Beasipg this in mind, the manner in which the Wirth Bros.’ have attracted the attention of the entire civilized world by their wonderful! activities makes their achievement more commendable, their triumf more complete. America, particularly, does not interest itself in unimportant foreign accomplishments. Nevertheless, extreme interest has been manifested in the work of the Wirth Bros. by everybody allied with amusement events in America. Thus a propesition, by virtue of gigantic deve) oom bas become well-nigh universal. y our’ hardworking brothers behind this great work have contributed more to the circus world than can be appreciated at present, more than will ever be realized. Their organization far from taking on the character of a gigantic speculation, a rash gamble, has been a development unexcelled anywhere in the annals of business history. Great as is the fortune they have amassed for themselves and their estate, it is exceeded by the fortune gleaned by their native land and the world at large. They have shown that arduous labor, supported by honest policy, is bound to triumf, despite lack of finan cial support, temporary failures and unforseen obatartes. Their career is a chapter in the cireus’ history of the world which all showmen should closely study. They are an Australian ment of the universal spirit of the circus. THE GREATER NEW ENGLAND SHOWS. New York, March 17, (Special to The Bil! board).—Herman ‘“‘Ike’ Freedman, genera! agent of The Greater New England Shows, re turned to the offices of the shows here en Sat urday, and reports excellent success with thr promotion of events and the making of con tracts. The shows are bookt thru the New Eng land States and in to the Maritime Provinces of Canada, opening the season at Ossining, N Y.. under the auspices of the local fire department. The next stand will be made at Stamford. Conn., Elks while the majority of the contracts to fol low are under such reliable auspices, as the B. P.. 0. E., the National Tuberculosis Assoeigtion, Toval Order of Moose. The Greater ew England Shows, whose New York offices are located at 1440 Broadway, will include a big midway of 12 shows, two up-to-date riding Wheel’ Birds WILLIAM BARTELS CO., 42-44 Cortland St., N. Y. THE KUNKELY TENT & AWNING CO . of New York Manufacturers of Circus and Show Canvases Also Aeriai Nets and Prampoline Boarde 163 South St., New York City DID YOU READ OUR “AD” ON ANOTHER PAGE? LIGHTING furnished for Fairs and Exhibitions. R. F. HARVEY, Brooktyn, WN. Y. If you see It In The Billboard, tell them so. under the auspices of the local lodge of Side-Show Banners 42=F!GHT They increase the business on the Kid Show. Write for special prices. UNITED STATES TENT & AWNING CO. EDW. P. NEUMANN, Jr., P ‘EDWARD R. LITZINGER Seon” ey Sune: Payee. CHICAGO, ILL. Mantles For Inverted and Upright Gasoline Lighting Systems The new patented Block inverted Rag and Upright Cap Mantles are made to fit any Burner. They are specially constructed to stand Shaking and Vibration. Give a Sun Color Light from every fiber and’are Portable. All Sizes in Stock. BEWARE of the unsightly bunched tied bottom mantles, which deteriorate your light”’about fifty perceat. Ours is the only cross or single cut patented{mantle that has a smooth sur face at the bottom, insuring full illumination when’ mantle is lighted. Write for samples and particulars. J. FRANKEL Exclusive dealer in all articles made and sold by THE BLOCKELIGHT;CO. Manufacturers of Incandescent, Gasoline, Gas and Kerosene Mantles, Burners, Etc. 224 N. Fifth Ave., CHICAGO, ILL. Orders shipped the same day received FACTORY: Youngstown, Ohio. ELEPHANTS Lions, Leopards, Tigers, Pumas, Hyenas (Spotted and Striped) Polar Bears, Russian Bears, Gnus, Kangaroos, Dybowsky Deer, Cranes, Ornamental Land and Water Fowl PYTHON SNAKES 1000 MONKEYS Louis Ruhe 248 Grand St., New York None genuine unless on each mantle. ers will be vigoro’ prosecuted. Gasoline. Tame, 4% to 5 ft to arrive April 15 640-648 Meridian SWorw Established Since 1870 CHICAGO, ILLINO! One 25x45, pound end front, gable end back, 10-ft. wall. Used two months. Price .... $65.00 One 20x50, round end front, gable end back 10-ft. wall, used two months. Price ...... 75.00 One 20x50, round ends, 10-ft. wall, used two months. an . hakhGhaan@etieie oon hacia ie .00 One 20x60, round and gable ends, 10-ft. wall used two months. ED opecesoceveccesces 00 One 20x60 round end front, gable end back " 10-ft. wall, first-class black peat, lined al! 7 through, used three weeks. Price.......... 5.00 CIRCUS CAN VASES Oe ee Re cn Sood a Se FD “eden Nise ovens cocaness 5.00 one Poles and Stakes, SEATS. Flags, Ete. Hee Fh, Pop,” 80-8 pe Se nee 60-ft. Round Top, 30-ft. middle, 10-ft. walls, 8-02. Govern sirill, sidewall 6%4-o2 aril ’ Sep, Beant Sen, 20-4 top ment trill, sidewall 6%-oz —_ $hnse> 060008660 Erw00s 7 10002000400 0"0 26hd56abeensess oes Cocerccecces 225.08 Mail deposit with order. LIONS, LEOPARDS, CAPYBARA, YAK, Monster Man Monkey, Monster Snakes. Chacma Baboons, Group three young Lions, all perfect, quite tame, $600.000. Pit Snakes, Smal) Animals B. J. PUTNAM, 50 Genessee Street, Buffalo, WN. Y. Wanted For Tompkins’ Wild West « ; Cooper & Whithy’ § Circus SIDE SHOW MANAGER; prefer man and wife hot several acts; hand tameadie Lion Ponies, ote.; Chandelier Man; Assistant Boss Canvasman who can Dandie B” A. w. ightes . —4 Cook, Cireus Acts of all knds; Musicians for Cowboy Band. W: five more sober, hustling Wagon Show Billposters. Addrees ALF WHEELER, Oxtea) Pee OND eee