The Billboard 1915-01-16: Vol 27 Iss 3 (1915-01-16)

nt JANUARY 16, 1915, The Billboard 21 Pres. N. S. A., JOS. W. MUNCH, Milwaukee. February 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 National Skating Assn, World’s Championship Race Meet Vice Pres. N.S. A., EARLE REYNOLDS; also Ch’n Race Board. Secy. & Treas., LEO J. BRIMM, 48 Warren St., New York City. Bids for series of World’s Championship Roller Races—6 days’ racing—must be sent direct to EARLE REYNOLDS, Chairman Race Board, care Billboard, New York City, N. Y. Envelopes with bids must be marked BIDS FOR RACE MEET. The award will be to the highest bidder. All bids must have bank guarantee. amount bid goes in its entirety AS PRIZE MONEY TO THE RACERS. Bids opened Jan. 26. The ron. W. Va. Kerns is the young skater whom ! Jesse Carey bas been tuning up for several otis, and the boy he took to New York with » for the 24-hour race. Kerns won the half, e and mile sprint races from the best amateur s.aters at Madison Garden, SKATING NOTES. the Meadville Reller Rink, Meadville, Pa., is » & pow belng conducted by Peterson. Mr. etersen bas leased the rink for six months, roere is a big race meet being held at Roland Conls home town, Norristown, VPa., which started January 4. Harley Davidson, Jack Woodwerth, Arthur Launay, Willie Blackburn aod Cloni will compete in races all during the week with probably a few of the home boys mixed in the sport. . Butler, Pa., claims a new rink located over toe Shearer garage on West Jefferson street. It is owned and operated by the Shearer Brothers, and is fitted up in first-class style and new skates. At a meeting held recently in the clubhouse at Searboro Village, Ont., it was decided to immediately proceed with the work of building a new skating rink. The rink will cost $5,000, and the association organized for building the rink was to apply to the Government for a charter. John Spicak, roller skating professional champion of Nortbern Indiana, has challenged all Chicago professionals. He states that he is willing to back himself for any amount up to S00 for a series of three races, at two, three and four miles. Spicak, whose home town is Whiting, Ind.. is backed oy Michael Madero, manager of the rink. Tramill Pertable Rink Co., are now building rink No. Sl, at their branch factory at Paola, Kan. Tramill Rink No. 27, which was lcated at Edgerton, Kan., was moved to Yates City, Ill. The Great Holmquist, would like The McOlellands to write or wire him at once at Bonner Springs, Kan. Very important. One thousand five hundred skaters last week Witnessed the wedding on rviler skates of Carl Armstrong, age 25, New York and Akron, and Miss Edna Knotts, 19, of Akron, when they became man and wife at the East Market Street Rink, Akron, O. Rev. O. W. Slusser tied the knot. He refused to don skates, although the bride and groom wore them. Armstrong had written from New York to the fire chief some two weeks ago stating that he would like the chief to find bim a real nice girl for a wife. He used to be manager of a skating rink in Akron a few years ao, and stated that he would like to have a public marriage on skates. He won out and so did the rink. Al Ackerman, who conducted the rinks at Piqua, O., and Salamanca, N. Y., and elsewhere for the Interstate Operating Co., of which W. EB, Genno is at the head, is trying hard to get the new rink at Zanesville, O., in shape to open by January 15. Ackerman states that he will have one of the finest rinks in that part of the finest rinks in that part of the country when ready. He also states that every person connected with bis rink will be a member of the W. 8. A. The newspapers of Zanesville are with Al strong and if he doesn't make good in his new home dit won't be his fault. Kyron Pinkerton and Shellie Charles, of Waterloo. la., have leased one of the finest halls that could be obtained in the Iowa city, and have ned up @ new roller rink called the Arcade ll-A-Way. The new rink, which has been running a LUttle over a week. is doing a fine business, The management will put on special features weekly, and the first series of speed races will be started next week. Shellie Charles. is an exhibition skater himself and knows the xame very well, BUILDING PORTABLE BANKED TRACK. Jack Farrell, Earle Reynolds, Willie Blackburn and Wiliam Blackwell were appointed an « sanization committee for the promotion of a Racing Company for the building of portable m iple banked track, twelve laps to mile, adiustable to fifteen laps, to be transported from city to city wherever world championship races — Sanctioned by the National Skating Associaon, RINK NOTES. The good news has reached us that the Tuna Park Roller Rink in Cleveland, O., is having the hest winter season that it has experienced since the rink has been running, which ") goes to show that omy kind of meritorious vusement wiil draw the people ‘f handled property. Col. X. Zimmerman, general manager ef? Luna Park, ts looking expectantly forward to the summery sexson and predicts a better year than lust. It Is his intention to equip the yink with new skates and decorations for the coming ae term. The Luna Park Rink has always ween one of the park's best attractions, for humerous reasons, among which none stand out more prom'nently than the gentlemanly manner in which it is conducted. Durmg the winter for te “ll sorts of attractions are furnished ma ‘e enjoyment of the skaters, and mask carnivals, block parties, races, etc., are of fre‘nent occurrence. One of the greatest amateur races ever skated in Cleveland, of five weeks’ Curation, was won recently by Marshall Smith, from a flela , ished An ae 40 starters, Ray Heberbin fin ‘ Touls Weigliu, champion amateur roller skater : Cincinnati, met and defeated Emery Mller, champion of Nashville, Tenn., and Harvey Hudson, former Southern champion, in Nashville on Christmas afternoon, Xmas night and Saturday night. Both of the Nashvilie boys showed good speed, and the races were interesting, but Weigiau proved to be superior to any of the speed merchants of the Tennessee city. On Saturday nght Weiglau defeated Harvey Wright, who was racing on a motorcycle, in a one-mile handicap race, as Wright could not make the required nine laps before Weiglau made eight. The Cincinnati skater exhibited much class, and won a post of fiiends in Nashville who are pulling for him in his future races. Manaxer Bordesier, of the Hippodrome in Nashville, is preparing to bring several of the most promising speed skaters of the country to match their skill in his rink. Negotiations are now uncer way with Harley Dav dsen, Frank Bacon, Joe Altman and Joe Sefferino. The Night in Japan Carnival at the Music Hall Rink in Cincinnati on December 31 was the most beautiful affair ever staged at this rink. Through a friend Manager Mooar secured a large amount of genuine Japanese decorations, and the big hall resembled a Japanese Garden to perfection. A large number attended in costume, which. added to the charm of the oceasion. Souvenirs were presented to all who were in the rink, and it was not until after the new year had dawned that the skaters wended their homeward ways, unanimous in the thought that it was the most enjoyable event ever attended at the Music Hall Rink. Carl Rogers, of Fairmont, W. Va., won the mile race in the Empire Rink in that city recently, with George McCray coming across the line second. Walter Galton, of Clarksburg, was third. The two-mile free-for-all race was won by L. E. Shields, of Fairmont, with Sam Lover, of Clarksburg, second; Oney Floyd, of Cincinnati, was third. Two excellent races were skated in the Empire Rink in Fairmont, W. Va., on January 2, wh‘ch proved unusually fast events, and which also drew the populace in large numbers. Herschel Austin, a Fairmont boy, had the misfortune to break his acm in the first race. placing the only mar upon the event. It is planned to hold the races the first of each month, with prizes for the winners. Arrangements are also being niade to hold a skating tournament in the rink in which six cities will be represented. The popularity of The Vernons knows no bounds. Owing to the big demand for their attraction in the skating fine they have decided to make a twelve-week tour. E. W. Knopp has sneceeded The Vernons as manager of the Novelty Rink in ‘Portsmouth, 0O., which the skaters have been successfully conducting. Their exhibition tour started on January 4, at Napoleon, O. Variety is the spice of life, it has been said. It must be so, for Jasper Fulton has been the busiest man in the South recently, making preparations to open a skating rink in Atlanta, Ga. It will open for business about the middle of January, representing an outlay of about $1,000. The title will be Fulton’s Palace Rink, and if business does not materialize it will be through no fault of Fulton's. Joe Jackson has opened his roller skating rink at Savin Rock. New Haven, Conn., which he has christened the Jarden de Danse. A feature of his rink is instructions in the late dances on roller skates. E. E. Ellis has opened a new skating rink in Princeton, Ill., and the venture is proving successful beyond a doubt. PARK NEWS| RIVERVIEW PARK FOR DES MOINES, Mes Moines, Ia., Jan. 9.—A_ magnificent amusement resort, to be known as Riverview. is speedily taking shape on the site of the old Zoo Lake Park in this city, and it is confidently expected that the park will be fully prepared to initiate its various glories on Decoration Day, May 30. The tract of ground upon which Riverview will be located is practically surrounded by water, thus affording all the pleasures of aquatic sports as well as the terra firma kind. Among the delights which wil greet the lovers of the water will be a bathing lagoon with a long sand beach, a canoe course of considerable length, and then nearby is the Des Moines River. On the land will be a beautiful Japanese Garden, a huge and mafestic-apnearing band shell, reller coaster, dance pavilion, theater, skating rink, pienie grounds, children’s playgrounds, carousel and an endless array of amusement concessions. The plan which is being followed in laying out the park is most admirable, as the arrangement of the different Duildings and amusements will be excellent. The park is situated so that eight minutes on the street car from the business section will bring one within the gates. It is not too far for pedestrians, if walking is desired. Then there is also the boat which will land directly at the park. With its natural beauties, added greatly by the hand of man, Riverview should enjoy 4a great season. FINE PARK FOR WYOMING. Torrington, Wy., Jan. 7.—The Platte Valley Amusement company has secured a_ ten-year lease on 60 acres on the Platte River, near the Nebraska I'ne, and.it ia understood that Wyoming ‘s to have a first-class summer resort. The park, Which will be situated seven miles east of here, will be known as the Little Moon Lake Amusement Park, and the actual work has OUR Fibre Rollers Make for a clean floor, pure air and satisfied customers, which means money in the manager’s pocket. We can re-wheel any equipment of skates and supply repair parts for them. CHICAGO ROLLER SKATE CO. 1123 Washington Boulevard, CHICAGO, ILL. already been started. Forty summer cottages will be constructed, lighted with electricity from the electric light plant which has already been installed. An ice house has also been built. The grounds offer an excellent location for an ideal park, as the Little Moon lake is in the center of the plot. Shade trees cover the grounds in abundance, through which the Platte River fows. Boating, bathing and fishing, of course, will not be forgotten, as the company has made arrangements for boats and bathing suits. A dance pavilion, baseball park, an automobile drive and many concess‘ons will complete the amusement features of the park. The opening has been set for May 15. TILYOU'’S PROPERTY TO WIDOW. New York, Jan. 9.—The will of the late Geo. (. Tilyou, who operated Steeplechase Park at Coney Island, when read recently, pamed the widow, Mary E. Tilyou, as sole executor of the estate, valued at $1,200,000. More that $1,000,000 of the estate is in personal property. At the death of Mrs. Tilyou the estate is to be divided among the four children. A_ peculiar item of the will is the fact that the larger part is devoted to an itemized account of the testator’s debts, which, at the time when the will was written, 1800, amounted to less than $20, JAMES O’NEIL SECURES SOFT BERTH. Chicago, Jan. 9.—James O'Neil, auditor for Riverview Park, has been appointed upon the executive staff of the Panama-Pacific Exposition. He will be in charge of the office of the director of concessions. ADOLPH LINICK RETURNS. Chicago, Jan. 9.—Adolph Linick, one of the heaviest stockholders in White City Amusement Company, returned last Monday from a visit to New York City. While there he was the guest of Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players Film Company. Mr. Linick is preparing to select a well-known theatrical man for the managership of White City Amusement Park. , THEATRICAL NOTES, The Stoddard & Wallace Comedy Company and Mack’s Comedy Company have combined their interests and will play through Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Tom and Billie Saunders have signed up for their third season with Ketrow and Trover’s In Arizona Company as principal comedian and soubrette. Homer Sweetser and Master Frank Peters have also signed up for their second and third seasons, respectively. S. E. Trover has been ill at his home in Beaver Falls, Pa., but is improving nicely. Fire destroyed a three-story brick building at Cannonsburg, Pa., owned by Morrie Bernstein, of Pittsburg. The building was leased to H. 0. Renz. who conducted an amusement arcade. The loss is placed at $18,000. Gns Hill has secured the rights to William Anthony MeGuire’s play, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary. It will open on Fetruary 1. The principal role is Allen Doone, who is wrongfully accused of being a traitor and a spy. around whom evolves the interest of the story. The last act depicts a war scene. It is Mr. Hill's intention to have one company, composed exelusively of English actors, to tour Canada from coast to coast, with three or four additional companies to play the United States. A letter mailed to The Billboard, signed by Roy Reverly. Pete Mackey. Grace Farnum and F. L. Gunderman. conveys the information that the manager of the Don’t Tell My Wife Company owes them five weeks’ salary and left them stranded in a -hotel at Syracuse, N. Y.. and that throngh the assistance of the management of the Park Theater, Bath, N. Y., they were able to jump from Syracuse to Bath, where they plaved a vandeville engagement. Mr. and Mrs. FE. F. Clark. of the New Roland Theater, Marion, Tll., entertained their friends and the theatrical peonle with a bean supper on New Year's Fve. Among those mresent were Professor and Lady Silvo. handenff manipniators; Mr. and Mrs. TL. A. Strang. and little Roberta Strang: Miss Harriett Rentley. C. C. Stone. George Kelton. Fred Peebles. Jane, the Wonder: Mr. and Mrs, (lark, Master Edgar Clark and PF. F. Tawley. Mr. and Mrs. Clark will he remembered as being connected with the Gaskill Carnival Company. Mr. Lawley is manager of the Alberta Lorene Trovne of Hawattan mnsiciana, During the evening the cuests took nart in the spectalty. W. 1. Zimmerman cave a New Year's party at ;“ home, in New York City, in honor of Cyril entertainment, each one doing some SKATES FOR SALE 500 pairs Winslow Fiber Wheel Roller Skates, used last season. Will sell in lots of 100 pairs or more. Grab them quick. $1.25 per pair. Address ©. B. MATTHEWS, Luna Park Roller Rink, Cleveland, O. CAESAR MASERATI & CO. 92 NEW CHAMBERS ST., NEW YORK. Manufacturer of Cylinder Pianos, single action, and with mandolin attachment. Nickel-in-the-Siot Automatic Pianos. “OUR GREAT NOVELTY, THE MANDOLIN CYLINDER PIANO, WITH ORUM AND CYMBAL ATTACHMENT,” for Skating Rinks, MerryGo-Rounds, Movies and Tent Shows, etc. ADELAIDE D’'VORAK The Skating Artist that 13 an artist. 10709 Earle Ave., Cleveland, O. H. A. SIMMONS Greatest Skater and Rink Entertainer in the business. Write 73 Broad St.. New York City. BUY & SELL NEW AND USED ROLLER SKATES (None Such) Roller Rink Floor Surfacer, which makes the floor clean and skates from slipping. No Dust; 4 per pound. American Rink Supply Co., Sandusky, 0. Smith, of the Hazel Dawn Co., now appearing at the Knickerbocker Theater. Johnny Galvin has disbanded his company, His Doll Girl, for the season, stating that it would be impossible for him to play with another appearing in his sister Ella’ part. William H. Baker, manager of the Baker Theater, Dover, N. J., was vindicated in the suit brought against him ty Daniel Stevens, who received injuries in a fall at the Baker Theater, May 29, 1913. Judge Lloyd. sitting in the Camden Circuit of the Supreme Court, at Camden, N. J., decided in favor of Mr. Baker. Mr. Stevens claimed damages by reason of a broken arm and leg received by him in falling from the baggage platform of the right of the stage. Mr. Baker stated that Stevens had contributed to his own injury, that proper exits had been provided at the theater, but instead of using the exit door he had used the baggage door and stepped out on the baggage platform, and fell te the ground from this platform, Charlies Prentice, an old-time actor and showman, still in the business, called at the Cincinnati offices of The Billboard last week. Prentice is in Kings Mills, 0., for the winter. Doe Jenkins, well known as a medicine worker, has one of the finest equipped shows on the road. Doc has changed the old black-face afterpiece to a musical comedy composed of s ven people. It is his intention to put ont a tent show after he closes the regular opera house season. He is negotiating for a ten-piece ladies’ band and orchestra and a chorus of twelve girls. The roster of the show is F. J. Jenkins, sole owner: Tom WDavis, advance man; Irene Little, Lenoris, Jimmie Dowling and Joe Dunn, principals; Josie Do is, Helen Cain, Gene Moore, Bobby Harmon, Billie Mitchell, Jennie Dowd and Bernice MeClennan, chorus. Seven Keys to Baldpate, Freckles, The Firefly, The Whip and Black Patti have all canceled their dates at the Prince Theater, Houston, Tex. Raymond Hitcheock, HWirb Jinks, Trail of the Lonesome Pine and George Evans and His Honey Boy Minstrels are the only attractions to appear at the Prince during January, which is an unusual situation, as January is considered the best month at this house. Murphy’s Comedians No. 3 celebrated Xmas ‘in Jennings, La.. a dinner for twenty-five be ing served by Manager Bert Melville. Fred Mitchell left for his home in Harr’sburg. Mich., for a few weeks. Cliff Swan has his entire new outfit stored in Jennings, and will organize his company in a short time. Messrs. Swan, Manning and Maxwell paid a vy'sit to the No. 5 company, and met their friends, who practically include all the members. Bert Melville has one of the best heating systems foe his tent shows, known as the Glenn Heating Apparatus. Ide Weston Rae and her Man and His Mate Company are still touring the Northwest. Miss Rae is also sending out a new company, under the management of W. ©. Smith, producing her latest play. Ole, the Fall Guy. Mr. Smith has been associated with the Rae attractions for nine years. John G. Rae is putting cut 4 second Lend Me $200 Company, under the management of Mr. Hitch, of Baker, Mont., an oldtime actor and manager. The T. M..A. Lodge No. 36, Portland, Ore., held memorial services Sunday, December 27. Among the speakera were George L. Baker and K. Kubli. ANIROE Tg eM TTS i | | }