The Billboard 1914-09-26: Vol 26 Iss 39 (1914-09-26)

SEPTEMBER 26, 1914. The Bitlboard 31 is suggested that the dear little town with such watchful Meutenants might furnish a little more protection by surrounding the city with a heavy ence, or perhaps it would be better to Ww t in like Pekin. And this indiscreet and unnecessary bews item in a city that houses half t va ir e crooks ang criminals sentenced in Penusy! nia! The Smith Family, palmists, are making headway op the Great Argyle Shows. Come again in reference to Paul Jeavine, Ali could pot make out your meaning. Dave Stevens was the busiest boy at Toronto; jn fact several of his fellow troupers claim that Dave put in the busiest week of his life. How about it, Stevie? Let's bear from you. The Narder Greater Shows were blown down at Hastings, Neb., Saturday night, September 12. While every show was hit, bo serious damage was accomplished. Ilayes, the Mystic Wonder, who entertained on tue Narder Shows all summer, will play vaudeville this winter under his regular ttle. He is booked out of Chicago, Harry Sanger pulled another in Marshall, Tex., a shut-out town for the last two years. One of the fire horses died and Sanger got in. as they needed another horse—So Loos plays Marshall. Renton, the high diver, fell and was badly stunned while making his dive from a 96 foot ladder into, a net at the Cherokee Carnival in St, Louis recently. He worked again on Monday and got away with it elegantly. George Fairley’s Midgets are talking Ger man, but George can't. "4 carnival playing Venice, IIL, lately had a live one among its concessjonaires. Weather was cold, ice cream was not in demand, 80 the Bedouln served oyster cocktails in his ice cream ¢ones, “Massey"’ Trowbridge insists that be used to be a scenic painter. He tried his hand at it last week, and now the boys see him daily making trips to the drug shops for Omega Oil and iodine. Wallace W. Herne, who made bis mark on the Hall & Latlip caravan this season, writes Ali that be would very much enjoy a connection with some other traveling outfit. Wallace is a crackerjack young showman. Ali knows this to be a fact. On the Hall & Latlip Exposition Shows Herne held down different positions. He was general secretary, press agent, Billboard representative and high diver under the assumed name of Lady Marion. His success in each of these four positions was unqualified, and Ali would be only too pleased to see Wallace catch on with some other show. He can be addressed care of Billybey's Cincinnati office. Warren Lewis was among the attractions at the Bay City Fair, beld at Bay City, Mich., September 7-11. J. Clint Wiseman whittled off the following for Ali: BR. R. Parker Shows started from Omaha, Kept on traveling fast and afar, Up to Canada, the home of the Canuck, Believe me we didn’t have much luck. We drove our pegs in Winnipeg's earth, Thence strutted to Calgary with little mirth; Then made many more fairs and made them fast, And at Seskatoon we arrived at last. From there to Edmonton, our last foreign stand, Then back to the States, for Canada the can; It made us all feel so happy and glad, When we saw Old Glory, our American flag. All has wind of a rumor that there is liable to be a double tie-up on the Nat Narder Shows, Thic certainly must be taken as an indication of prosperous times on thie caravan. Who are the nearly weds? Let's announce it. Advance best wishes from Ali to toe adventurers, whoever they are. How are you fixed for transportation? I am going home for the winter. Gee, you are lucky; most of us have no home. One of the prettiest doll wheel concessions {in the vicinity of St. Louls this season was owned by Claude Kampeter with the Interstate Shows, Six hundred babies have entered the contest for the Franklin avenue Merchants’ Carnival in St. Louis, week of October 5. No place for a doll wheel. Word comes that they are shaking up Tom Moss in the South. This is the country for chills, eh, Tom? Tl. R. Newman is tn St. Louls looking very presperens, having just left the Morris Miller Shows, Col. C. W. Parker is about the wisest ‘‘fish" that ever swam up “Carnival River’’—and the preef of the pudding ltes in the eating It only seems a few years back, when All knew of him borrowing $10 from a friend to buy material to pay for the making of a new striking machine. His friend very reluctantly loaned him the amount with the understanding that he should pay it back within three days, and it took him and a blacksmith one whole day and one whole night to build the striker, s> that he might have it ready for a little county fair that opened the next day. He made good and not only paid back the ten spot but bought out the half interest of his partner— and now look at him. Col. Parker owns the largest manufacturing plant In the world of Its kind and Leavenworth is {uetly proud of bim. A vague idea of the enormity of his plant can be formed when the following facts are mentioned: It requires 8% miles of private tracks within bis enclosure to handle his train cars—he owns more care than most of the circuses combined——he {s Dullding the largest number of merry-0-rounds, or as he calla them, carry-ne: alls, of any factory in the world; not only this, he manufactures everything known to the carnival business—fronts, wagons, railway cars, scenery, electric lighting apparatus, which reulres machine shops, paint shops, wagon shops, foundry bullding, brass and nickel-plating plants, ato: h 1 h yards, stables for horses, training quarters and winter quarters for the many caged animals, together with steam-heated steel arenas for training. Independent of all this he owns innumerable stock and grain farms of vast acreage and has just finished a palatial residence which cost over half million dollars, together with servant quarters, garage and other buildings. Could you imagine that he started on a_ ten-dollar (borrowed) bill, and not so long ago at that? Verily Col. Parker is a great man. The attitude assumed ty Joe Blockswell can't be mistaken, for he’s raking in the iron men nicely on the Nat Narder Caravan, Alexander's Ragtime Minstrels on this same outfit are also drawing big. “Badd’' Taylor bands the following one: “Martin F. Ross, after closing with the Con T. Kennedy Show last year, went to his home for a little rest up. When his Jewish relations learned he had been with a show one of them said: ‘Vell, Martin, vat are you doings mit the show?’ ‘I'm running a spot-the-spot game,’ answered Martin. ‘Vel, vat is spot-the-spot, thet’s an ector?’’ asked the relative. ‘No, no,’ exclaimed Martin, ‘that isn’t an actor. The spot isn't a performance.’ Then throwing his band in the air the surprised relative said: Oui, gevalt; then you are a faker, Martin! Dot's a fine business for a gentleman, oul, oui!’ ”’ How do you like your new five-passenger machine by this time, A. H. Brown? “Curly"’ Morris bas graduated from the stage and has become almost human. ‘“‘Curly’’ has left his position with the ‘‘Oprey’’ top of Foley & Burk and is assistant ‘‘stob driver’ with “Dutch’’ Duckman on Topsy Turvy ‘Town. Say, Cook, I know a chap who plays bass drum in the band, is company electrician, picks up paper, makes openings on a show, and now wants The Billboard privilege. Shades of pooh —bah—give someone else a chance. Happy Hi Hubbard hustles a line off to Ali. which reads as follows: ‘“‘Am on my way to New York City, where on October 1 I will have a phonograph record taken of my spiel. Will also work in moving pictures, and shall commence writing an autobiography on my twenty-five years in the show business.’’ Happy Hi bas bad many dreams in the past, but none seems quite so full of promise as this one. Happy—When are you going to stage that show on the top of the Woolworth Building steeple? The Aerial Stones closed their season with the Silver Shows, September 5, jumping to Cass City, Mich., where they played the fair, September 8-11. The Centerville (Mich.) Fair followed next in line, and this week, September 22-25, finds them at the Vassar (Mich.) Fair. After this engagement they will wend their way southwarm, opening on a seven weeks’ circuit of fairs through Alabama and Georgia. F. Ury, novelty concession man with Rice & Dore Shows, ran up to Cincinnati from Louisville last week, and did not forget to drop into the office and say howdy to the Billytoy bunch. Edward Marsh, manager of the Fair Department, Western Vaudeville Managers’ Association, wishes to correct a recent misleading statement so as to obtain rightful credit for booking The Seven Abdallahs, The Royal Yeddo Japanese Troupe, Zeno, Jordan and Zeno and Kent's Seals at the Minnesota State Fair. All four acta were contracted direct with J. C. Simpson by the W. V. M. A. Some combination: Harry Ramish, Chas. Tate, Harley Foster and C. A. Barfield. Yes, Arthur Burson is etill doing his high trapeze and swinging wire acts on the Allmann Bros.’ caravan, which is now playing the Western fairs. Incidentally, Art says his wire act in vaudeville this winter will be a thriller, and it's no josh. Let's see. FOR THE LADIES. The boys on the Barney R. Parker caravan have always one bright little personality to appeal to whenever suffering from the blues. Yes, Mrs. Harry Meyers is some excellent little traveling companion. Muriel Browner—Some of your friends passed through Cincinnati last week, and took occasion to inform Ali of their esteem and regard for you. They request, however, that I not mention their names unless you write to me supplying your address in order that I may advise you direct. Therefore, take a trip to the postoffice and invest two pennies. Asa Levidow—They do tell Ali that Bennie Weintraub is thinking just as fondly of you as you of him, Essie Fay—You and Arabia are indeed welcome back to carnivaidom. Ali hopes that the moving bee has stung you for the last time. We need every clever showwoman we have, so stick with us from now on. Some talking front you had at Detroit, with O. M. Hunt, Slim Havis and George Tarbox doing the spieling; also some consumption of mileage jumping from Los Angeles to the Michigan metropolis. Mrs. Pav] (Myrtle) Zallee proved quite a favorite with her cat rack on the Midway at Spanish Fort, New Orleans. Some friend of hers writes Ali that in his opinion a more clever ball-game worker hasn't been born. Gossip has it that Myrtle is some singer also, Frances Lutz has quit carnivaling this season, and is back in her home town, St. Louis, Her last connection was on Walter K. Sibley’s Show, where she added -laurels to her reputation, Mra. Doe Reane has made a splendid reputation with her vase wheel. To watch her work is a revelation, Ali is glad to hear that Mrs. Harley Foster, wife of the agent on the Metropolitan Shows, is improving In health after a three weeks’ confinement to her room in Russellville, Ky. The boys on the Barfield Show are all anxiously awaiting your return, ..»WANTED... Concessions, Shows and a Ferris Wheel FOR COLLEGE CORNER FREE FAIR, SIX DAYS AND SiX NIGHTS, SEPT. 28 TO OCT. 3. All Shows on 15%. Will place Mcicrdrome or 15%. Never had one. Can place all legitimate Concessioas, Would contract with small Carnival Company. Write or wire Regards to Tadd & Paul. FRANK MARSHALL, College Corner, Ohio. WANTED—BRUCE GREATER SHOW 5 Carousel and Ferris Wheel, to join October 5, at Pulaski, Va., Parade and Sham Battle. Will book separately or jointly High Diver. Would like to book two more Shows. Monday night, Dog and Pony, Vaudeville, Working V Have opening for Knife Rack, Vase Wheel, Ruby Glass, Spot-the-Spot. WANT Plant and dance. Yes, we have Blacksburg Fair, Blacksburg, Va. Stay out all winter, ag usual. J Big Home Coming Trade Week. Military ly. Those writing before, write again. Want Net use Wild West, Motordrome that will get up foe Cat Vorld, Trip to Mars or money-getting Platform Show. People that can sing Wire or write . BRUCE, Manager, Blacksburg, Va., until September 30; then Pulaski, Va. KEEN & SHIPPY MODEL SHOWS WANTED—For the GREAT MILTON FAIR, SEPTEMBER 29, 30, OCTOBER 1 and 2, MILTON, PA., clean, money-getting Shows and legitimate Concessions of all kinds. Don’t write, but wire. Week of tember 22, Danville, Pa. WANTED WANTED WANTED FOR SULLIVAN’S BIG FALL MERCHANTS’ FESTIVAL. TO BE HELD AROUND THE PUBLIC SQUARE. FIRST ONE IN TWELVE YEARS TO BE LOCATED ON PRINCIPAL STREETS. WANTED—Good, clean, paid Attractions. Must have neat fronts and something back of them. This will be the biggest celebration in Southern Indiana this year. People are hungry for good outdoor amusement. Billed and advertised within a radius of one hundred miles. Excursion rates on all steam roads and interurban lines. No attraction too big nor too good for this event. Would like to hear from the following people: Jack Shields, Jim Sherry, Harry Thurston, with motordrome; Harry Long, W. M. Gaus, A. B. Miller, Todd and Paul. good, sensational Free Attractions and all kinds of Concessions. Also Also want to hear from Decorators. City will be well illuminated, so don’t fail to be here. Week of October 5. Address Cc. H. STRATTON, Secretary Carnival Committee, Sullivan, Indiana. HARRIS AMUSEMENT CO, Oakville, W. Va.. Sept. 17.—This is our lasv stand in West Virginia. We make a long jump Sunday to Timmonsville, S. C., where Mr. and Mrs. 0. E. Trout joined with their merry-goround. Preston Harris, sole owner and manager, does his own booking. The line-up follows: Harris’ Plantation Show, Harris, on the front; Ed Hartman, tickets. Harris’ Five-in-One, Herbert Thomas on the front; Master Arthur Harris, tickets. Harris’ midway lunch counter, glass and vase wheels, managed by Mrs. P. Harris; Harris’ high striker, Henry Jones in charge; Harris’ hoop-la, Miss Sadie Jarvis in charge; long range shooting gallery, W. M. Miller, pillow top, Teddy bear and dog wheels, Chas. Blackwell and son; eat rack and baby doll games, Herbert Thomas; candy wheel and photo gallery, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Nolen. Willie Mason's eight-piece colored band furnishes the music. The Billboard is handled by Master Arthur Harris. “REUBING’ NEW YORK AND ELSEWHERE. New York, Sept. 19.—The New York office of The Billboard was considerably brightened for a few moments yesterday while Mr. and Mrs. Bert Davis were making a call in compliment to the paper they read every week, no matter where they are. “Hiram Birdseed’’ and his gracious wife have been all summer on the boardwalk and in the ocean, advertising Young’s Million Dollar Pier. They heard there was a beardwalk in front of the Putnam Building (while subway construction is under way) and came up to give it the ‘‘once over.’’ They were disappointed to find that George Hamilton had already corralled the rolling chair privilege for the west side of Times Square, but disappointment soon gave way for two tickets to Jacksonville, Fla., where they will make headquarters during the next six months, They are under engagement to advertise the various theaters in Florida on the Frank Montgomery Circuit. They will probably be back in Atlantic City again next summer. FRATERNAL ORDER OF COMIQUES. An organization, known as the Fraternal Order of Comiques, was formed at the Centaur Film Co., in Bayonne, N. J., September 7, for the purpose of bringing together the comedians now engaged in motion picture work or pantomime performance in any amusement enterprise, either in the legitimate drama, vaudeville or under canvas, for secal and fraterna] benefits. Harry LaPearl, one of the foremost circus clowns of the workd, is the president, while Tommie Mullens, the great English pantomimist and now director of the ‘“‘Comique’’ brand of Centaur Comedies, is secretary and treasurer. The charter members, numbering ten, are all Centaur comedians. They are: Murray Blumay, Johnnie Mayon, Charley Johnson, Spooks Hanson, George Zammett, Bob Jordan, Nat Berk, Jimmie Corbley, George Williams and Jimmie Hyland. Many of the world’s greatest rib-ticklers, such as Marceline, Dippy Diers, Slivers Oakley and Fidem Wirth have been invited to join the order, and, it is said, they have signified their Willingness to “‘come in.” The meeting rooms for the present are in the Centaur studio at Bayonne. TENT SHOW NOTES. Doe Fred J. Jenkins has again organized his company, and will make week stands in North Dakota until] the holidays. The roster of the show is as follows: Ed Holloway, Mrs. Ed Holloway, pianist; Dr. Jameson, George Thuger, comedian; and Doc F. J. Jenkins, manager. The Dashington Vaudeville Co., under canvas, will close their tour, October 3, having been on the road since May 23, meeting with a profitable Season, Vie Sanberg, canvasman, and Bill Brandom, song and dance man, left the show about six weeks ago, and with these exceptions no changes were made in the company, which at present includes the following: J. J. Dashington, acrobat and contortionist; Geo, 0. Leggott, character comedian, musical and POST CARDS, 90c to $3.50 per 1,000. All kin Big bargains. Samples and price list, l0c. Also Razors, Pennants and Novelties GROSS ONARD Co., 2112 Lafontaine Ave., New York City. 7 a FOR SALE—Complete set scenery, 20x30 feet, in water color: One ball tableau, one parlor, one garden, with two-leg drops, one street in city, two set pieces; can be used with either. Also one Ha’ Spark Light. As advertise, $60.00. MB. WEBER, Lamar, Mo. WANTED QUICK!—Piano Player, double stage og band, if possible; Blue Shirt Lead to double cornet, trombone or bass drum. Join on wire. Ticket? Yea: Address TOM CASEY’S “ON THE FRONTIER CO.,”* Correctionville, lowa. WANTED—MED. PERFORMERS For two Shows, Sketch Teams, Silent Acts, B. F. Comedians, S. & D. Soubrettes, Piano Players, ong 1. Lecturer that can get the money. Open September 2 Salary sure. H. & V. SHARPSTEEN, Marshall, Mich. ADVANCE AGENT WANTED For AMERICAN FLOATING THEATRE; travel in river experience. Must understand gasoline engines and not afraid to work. Must join on wore. also use good Medicine Show people who do H. E. STEINER, Manager, Mokane, Sept. 24; Chamois, 25; Portland, 26; Hermann, 28; all in Missouri. AT LIBERTY—Motordrome Rider. On account of Hunter Shows closing, would like to join drome going South. Ride tricks and speed. Can furnish single machine. Can join on wire. Ticket if too far. Address FRED GERBERA, better known as The Flying Dutchman. Answer to FLUKE & DAVIS, 1003 18th St., Altoona, Pa. POSITION WANTED Clarinetist and Piano Tuner; just finished season wi Al Sweet; am member A. F. of M. LEONARD F. WOLF, Ansonia, Ohio. ; travesty artist; Frazer and Klein, sketch artists; Eddie Maurice, quick change artist; Earl Kennedy, electrician. J. Dashington is pro prietor and manager; Mrs. J. J. Dashington, treasurer, and Miss Alvera Dashington, musicaj directress, Dashington Society Canine Circus, and ‘“‘Sparkle,’’ the high-school pony, are als¢ carried with the show, with which Mr. Dashington will appear in vaudeville. Geo. O. Leggott also has some splendid vaudeville bookings with his original travesty act. The Foster Comedy Co. report playing te packed tents at Bowman and Royston, Ga, Sam Mack and Peter Packer are furnishing the comedy. Abbeville, Ga., is next on the route. Mort Steece’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company closed the tent season on September 12 and will open in opera houses on the 19th. This show carries a band of ten pieces and five wagons. A feature of the parade is a relic of the ante-bellum days. This is the private carriage that was the property of Gen. Forest of the Confederate Army. Business has been very good with this show, Byron Spaun’s Tent Show has been out since April touring New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania to good business. Mr. Spaun has just purchased a 3%-ton auto truck for transportation. The show also carries a five-passenger touring car. James Shropshire is now the owner of Miller Bros.’ Show and has changed the name to Shropshire’s Greater Show. Ayer's Auto Overland Show is now playing to good business in Oklahoma. The show hag just secured a new 50x80 top. Among the vaudeville acts are: Sandy and Loomis, Bill Trammell, Mark Duplay, Ayers and Ayers, and Doe Jones. Geo. M. Bragg, manager of the Bragg & Bragg Show, writes that they are meeting with success in Northern Michigan. Leslie Mitchell rejoined the show after a three weeks’ rest at his summer home in Highland Park, Mich. Geo. W. Christy’s Hippodrome Shows are now playing the county fairs in Montana, after a successful season in Washington and Idaho. MEDICINE SHOW NOTES. Bill Arnold rejoined the Dr. William He of Life Medicine Show at Bellevue, Ia. ehow will travel through Iowa for about four gy weeks, then head for Texas for the rtyer, S