The Billboard 1920-10-23: Vol 32 Iss 43 (1920-10-23)

The Billbeard OCTOBER 23, 1920 THE CORRAL By ROWDY WADDY Could State or national champions be unquestionably and satisfactorly decided upon, without State and national organizaticns, respectively— if it can, some one please tell us how? Hazel Moran, of rope spinning fame, has played three engagéments in Boston, since last April—Keith’s and Boston Theater, and recently the new million-dollar Broadway Theater. If the results of any contests have so far failed to appear in this department it ig because the committees, or someone connected with the event, failed to gend them in, or, if they did send them, they did not reach The Billboard. L. T. Schutters writes that he recently closed with the Boone Wild West and joined Sam Dock’s Great Keystone Show at Hollister, N. C. Says he is doing bronk riding and roping, and going over fine. L. F. Foster asks: *“‘Can any of your readers give information in regard to a bucking horse contest, for a prize of $2,000, at Dallas, Tex., this fall, between Lee F. Moran, now of East Boston and an overseas veteran, and Buck Peters, of Bliss, Ok.?” The outlook is for several new Wild West Shows on the road next season, overland and by railroad. These will be shows, and Roundups, Rodeos, Stampedes, etc., will have to push the spirit of contest and out-of-the ordinary thrills to increase interest in their events. From Los Angeles, Oklahoma Rex (Thorpe) unlimbers the news that he is still on this mortal ephere and is dving Western leads with the Border Feature Film Corporation there. Says he meets many of the wild bunch out in thse diggings. (Write the ones you mention, care The Billboard, Rex.) Billie Binder made a recent business trip to Boston. He reports hard luck with his 185 acres of corn in Nebraska. He says the cutworm compelled him to replant three times. He has contracted with a party to manage his farm on tbe Hudson River, near Albany, N. Y., next spring, and he will go into the poultry business. Bill Penny, of K-Bar Wjjd West fame, says that after finishing some movies in the mountains of Colorado they held a roundup of all the horses on the Dot X-0, which were running wild on the range. They Shipped 27 head to the H. W. Campbell Shows at l’arsons, Kan., and one load to Eastern Kansas. to play independent fairs.. The outfit has lately been playing small fair dates in Colorado. Tex Young writes from London, Eng., that he gets a copy of Billyboy weekly, and it is like getting a whole pack of letters from friends, back in the States. Tex sends several programs, one of which shows that he was on a twelve-act bill, with his roping and talking, at the Lonaow Music Hall, week of August 23, and another, for the week of September 13, has him working with eight other acts at Barnard’s Palace of Varieties, Chatham. Says he hopes to return to the good old U. 8. A. soon. Larry Mack, of Wild West fame, is being Praised by numerous ones, especially with the Famous Broadway Shows, for the nerve and prompt action he displayed when a lion attacked its trainer, Scotch Bobby, while the latter was putting the beast thru its stunts with that organization at the Lancaster (Pa.) Fair. larry, armed with a prod, sprang into the arena and fought the anima] from the rear while the trainer wag releasing himself and firing blanks. Mack continued his attacks after the lion had backed away from its victim and drove it into an auxiliary cage. Reports from Los Angeles agree the debate between Will Rogerg and the Rev. Dr. Brougher, a popular minister, was a draw. Rogers asked bis audience who opened the country and answered it himself by saying jt was the cowboy. Then he asked who closed it, and replied Iikewise that it was the preacher. After that he @aid that in Zululand weakling boys are destroyed at the age of three, ‘‘and ‘you never heard tell of a preacher in Zululand.’’ Dr. Brougher retorted that if it had not been for the monks, the priests, preachers, rabbis and missionaries there would have been Do country for the cowboys to open. Also he said that the cowpuncher is so ignorant of things Biblical that most of them think the Epistles were the wives of the Apostles. The jury was, unable to come to an agreement, but we opine that the ministry could do with a lot more like Dr. Brougher. It is claimed that one of the longest lists of contestants at eveuts held during the summer was that for the Twin City Roundup on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds at Minneapolis, July 28-51 Following is the list furnished: BAREBACK BRONK RIDING (One Hand)— Soapy Williams, Powder River Thompson, Roy Schewdiner, Paddy Ryan, Ralph Smith, Kirk Grimes, Slim Rilley, Tex Cooper, Ray Kane, Adam Marshal, Chick Hanon, Buffalo Brady, Chas. Runnion, Jim Fitz Simons, Bob Askins, Tommy Dugias, Bill Coffman, Chas. Williams, Bud Timmons, John Magert, Walter Foster, Frank Meany, Curley Griffith. George Newton, Paul Bernard. TRICK RIDING—Tommy Kirran, Bea Kirnan, Princess Mohawk, Mayme Stroud, Leonard Stroud. STEER BIDING— Slim Riley, Tex Cooper, Ray Kane, Adam Marehall, Chick Hannon, Buff Brady, Chas. Runion, Jim Fitzmons, Tex Dawson. Pob Askins, Tom Dogleas, Bill Coffman, Charlie Williams, Buddy Timmons, John Maggert, Walter Foster, Frank Meany, Curley Griffith, Paul Bernard, Kirk stimes, Booger Red, Ralph Smith, Paddy Ryan, Wilkes, Powder R. Thompson, Soapy Wilns, Norman Mason, Roy Schwendiner, WILD ‘SE RACE—Chas, Williams, Bud Timmons, .COCKATOOS, MONKEYS, MACAWS... Large White Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, also tame and playful Ringtail Monk e's PET settes, as pet or companion, for Fancy Birds of all descriptions. stage or show SCHILLIN Rhesus Monkeys, MarmoAngora Cats and ttens, Parrots, Sone and SHOP, 28 Cooper Square, New York City. TWO BAREBACK HORSES WANTED Suitable for somersault riders. Tell the price, age and all in first letter or wire. Address W. H. MIDDLETON, care The Billboard, 1493 Broadway, New York. John Maggert, Walter Foster, Tommy Kirnan, Curley Griiiith, Bob Askins, Tex Dawson, Chas. Runion, Buff Brady, Chick Hanon, Adam Marshall, Ray Kane, Tex Cooper, Slim Riley, Kirk Grimes, Booger Red, Ed Herrin, Powder R. Thompson, Norman Mason, Roy Schwendiner, Jess Coates, Jim Wilkes, Paddy Ryan. TRICK ROPING—Chester Byers, Tommy Kirnan, Leonard Stroud, George Newton. ROMAN STANDING RACE—Leonard Stroud, Tommy Kirnan, Mayme Stroud. BRONK RIDING (Saddle)—Powder R. Thompson, Soapy Williams, Norman Mason, Roy Schwendiner, Jess Coates, Okla. Curley, Jim Wilkes, Paddy Ryan, Ralph Smith, Booger Red, Kirk Grimes, Slim Riley, Tex Cooper, Ray Kane, Adam Marshall, Chick Hanon, Buffalo Brady, Hippy Bermister, Jim Fitzimmons, Tex Dawson, Bob Askins, Tommy Duglas, Chas. Williams, John Maggert, Walter Foster, Reckless George, Tommy Kirnan, Yakima Canutt, Frank Meaney, H. H. Shaffer, Paul Bernard. BULLDOGGING— Paul Bernard, H. H. Shaffer, George Newton, Curley Griffith, Mike Hastings, Frank Meany, Yakima Canutt, Reckless George, John Maggert, Bob Askins, Jim Fitzimmons, Chas, Runion, Buffalo Brady, Chick Hanon, Slim Riley, Kirk Grimes, Booger Red, Ed Herin, H. M, Mathews, Paddy Ryan, Jim Wilkes, Jim Massey, Norman Mason, Powder R. Thompson. CALF ROPING— Leonard Stroud, Jim Massey, Okla. Curley, Chester Byers, Jim Wilkes, Ed Herrin, Frank Meaney, Mike Hastings, Kirk Grimes, Ray Kane, Frank Roach, Chas. Runion, Jim Roach, John Maggert, Tommy Kirnan, George Newton. CIRCUS PICKUPS By FLETCHER SMITH An early closing, it now seems, is the order for most, if not al] the larger circuses in the South. It is doubtful if any will be out later than the middle of November, according to my observances. The reason for this is the condition of the picking, ginning and sales of cotton, which at present is in a terrible shape, az well as the present low cost of that staple article. I understand the same conditions prevail in the tobacco sections of the South, the price being far off and the producers not marketing their product. Had a pleasant chat with Ernest Haag at Troy, Ala. His show is now in Southern Georgia and he expects to remain out until about Christmas, Said he had a fine season. Reports have it that the Rhoda Royal Circus will close its season about November 14, and will reduce to a 10-car show for ten weeks in Florida. My old friend and side partner, Charles Bernard, has closed with the Rhoda Royal Show, and is back with the Sparks Circus. When it comes to lmying out copy for ads. Chas. is there ‘forty ways.”’ Learned with regret the accident that befell Billy Reid, the well-known clown. Billy writes me that he has just been discharged from a hospital in Memphis, where he underwent an operation for blood poisoning, caused by the scratch of a rusty nail. It was necessary to amputate one of his legs below the knee. He would like to hear from his friends, care of the General Delivery, Memphis, Tenn. An interested spectator at the Walter L. Main Shows at Troy, Ala., was Hav-A-Laf Walker, of tab. show fame, He is making ‘em laugh and making money, as well, with the Milt Tolbert repertoire show, under canvas. J. Wilson Cliffee (Cliff Ross) has entirely recovered from his recent illness, and is at his home in Maramoneck, L. I. His sickness caused him to cancel a contract with one of the wheel burlesque shows, and ‘Cliff’? will now be spout| lines with a dramatic show. an Lewis, the former well-known circus cornetist, last with the Cole Bros.’ Shows, is now located at Birmingham, Ala., playing with a jazz orchestra. Van refuses to wear a toupee, and can Still sting "em up as of yore. Clarence Harmount, who actually has 42 drops and hanging pieces for his “Uncle Tom” Show, as well as a great snow effect, has closed his tenting season, and will reorganize to open in opera houses in the near future. Clarence reports the biggest season ever. ‘‘Dad,"’ George and Dennie are enjoying the layoff at Circleville and Columbus, Ga. Gardner Wilson, the rising young press agent with the Walter L. Main Shows, and William DeMott, the principal rider, now proudly wear the “‘anflers,”’ and are fullfiedged Elks. What twenty or more ‘‘Bills’’ with the Main Shows did to ’em was a plenty. Johnny Parker, who used to feed ’em the way they liked it with the Sun Bros.’ Circus, and who had the reserved seat tickets early this season with the Main Shows, is still playing the Carolinas with his own wagon show, and is making Sufficient ‘‘kale’’ to insure a pleasant winter at Norfolk, Va. Another young “‘oldtimer,”” Earl Johnson, who did about everything with the Rentz Bros.’ Show, from fixing to feeding the bunch, making announcements and side-show openings, is a comer with his own show and next season will discard trucks for two cars. Watch Earl grow; he’s a hustler and knows the game. COTTRELL BACK IN NEW YORK New York, Oct. 12.—Robert Cottrell, of the Cottrell-Powells, is in town for the first time in eight years. He has concluded his engagement with the Sells-Floto Circus, and sails for Cuba soon to open with the Pubillones’ Circus. BILLBOARD CALLERS (NEW YORK OFFICE) W. H. Middleton says that during the InterState Fair at Trenton, N. J., the Welsh Bros.’ Carnival played outside the grounds, opposite the main entrance, and it was there he again met Sig. Sautelle, who was with the company. Bert B. Perkins, who is collaborating with Elmer J. Walters on a motion picture story, the theme of which is woven from ‘“‘oldtime show Dusiness.”’ F. H. Moeler, radium expert, who plans to put on a show of radium and its by-products. Fred A. Danner is out, getting contracts for bazaars. Elmer Tenley, vaudeville author. “Yours Merrily’’ John R. Rogers, going in vaudeville, to do a monolog. He says E. F. Albee is arranging his trip. Lieut. Mark C. Hogue, aviator, and Frank Le Man, exhibition flyer. Both of the Mark C. Hogue ‘Aerial Nomads.” Play a long tour of South America, Harry C. Middleton, of the Great American Racing Derby, wag to leave for the Pacific Coast about October 15. Arthur Campfield has offers to go in the bazaar business. Burns O'Sullivan, advance agent. Le Roy Clemens, vaudeville author. Joseph Lacy, magician, who did magic with a Show on the “World at Home,” on the stage during the ballyhoos to entertain the patrons. Quite an innovation in carnivaldom. J. F. O'Donnell, of the Bronx Oval, looking for circus seats. Captain White, manager of “Zip,’’ Barnum’s famous **What is it.”” William Bremerman, of the Dominion Attractions, Inc., just back from a Canadian Exhibition tour, Charles Gibson, of Gibson Brothers, whirlwind riders of the ‘‘Globe of Death.’’ Past season at Columbia Park. Used the device of Dr. Clark. Will join a carnival motordrome. Jerry Barnett,, to announce that he and Eddie O'Brien. of the O’Brien Shows, would enter the bazaar business under the name of the O'Brien Amusement Company and that they will play dates in New Haven, Conn.; Holyoke and Northampton, Mass, already booked. Dr. A. N. Jaulus, of Coney Island, a friend of showmen. General Pisano, still on the Loew vaudeville tour. Este] Kahn, publicity agent. James W. Boyd has closed seyeral contracts for bazaars in New York State. Harry Francia is out, after a recent and very severe illness, Harry Bentum closed as manager Sandy Beach Amusement Company, Baltimore. Will put on indoor shows for the winter. Copenhagen Paul, of the magical act, of the Great Leon. Dan Duffy, formerly in the carnival business with Frank P. Spellman, is now in pictures. Expects to heave soon for Calgary, Can., and will be under the direction of Earnest Shipman Mystifying Gillett, formerly an assistant to Thurston. Is now doing a magical and illusion act in Long Island towns. He features his “Aqua-Flight.’* louis King, to make known that “Kermiss and Company’ cloged the present tour In Fall River, Saturday, October 9, and will return to the bookings in the big city immediately. Johnny J. Jones. Stopped at Hotel Astor. Bought costumes and other items for hig exposition. Will return to Atlanta, where his shows are playing. Alfred Hamilton, gon of George H., in from Washington, D. C. Closed with the WorldFamous Shows. Plans to promote bazaars. C. A. Bell, arranging dates for bazaars. E. M. Wicks, James William Fitzl’atrick. Charles Gerard; will stick to the riding device business. Fred Lanham is going to put ‘‘Zip,’’+ Barnum’s original *“‘What Is It,”’ in vaudeville and ig now making plans accordingly. *“*Tex’’ Cooper, to report the death of J. Frank Stanley, lecturer for Harlem Museum. W. J. Bloch has arranged with committees to give free admission tickets to the bazaars he books “Yours Merrily’? John R. Rogers has an act from the pen of Billy Jerome, James M. Hathaway bas closed a big deal that wil] interest the entire show world, SELLS-FLOTO MANAGEMENT Gives Farewell Dinner to Troupe —_—— Paducah, Ky., Oct. 15.—The management of the Sells-Floto Circus gave ite farewell dinner to the troupe here tonight. Fred Seymour, steward, served seven courses. Al Curtis acted as assistant. The tables were decorated with flowers, flags and souvenir cards. The menu included everything from oyster cocktails to ice cream, mints and cigars. General Manager Henry B. Gentry was toasted. On Friday night the executive staff of the show presented Manager Gentry with a fine watch, George Meyers, official announcer, making the presentation speech, with the people gathered in the connection, The SELLS-FLOTO (Continued from page 58) spectacle, ‘Cherry Blossom Time in Japan,’ marches into being at the Coliseum, opening on April 2. 1921." On the whole, Sells-Floto suffered few mishaps in its wide Journeyings this season. But two days were lost. The show, thanks to the perfect handling of Henry B. Gentry, general manager, moved easily, apparently without ef. fort, altho straining effort was required at times. The two stands lost—Sherbrooke, Quebee, Can., and Guthrie, Ok.—were lost thru accident, unavoidable accident. The loss of Lon Moore, the veteran clown, was deeply felt by the troupe. Lon has been missed. Ree Sweeney, who fell at Albany, and Theol Delno, who fell at Chicago, were both with the show long before the closing date. The men injured when the cookhouse wagon crashed thru the bridge at Gpthrie were soon recovered. Big Snyder, the tusker, greatest of all performing elephants, executed by a firing squad at Salina, had to go. It is better that it is gone. And there you have the 1920 mishaps, losses, sorrows. The rest was joy, The show traveled nearly 17,500 miles. In the East it more than repeated its astounding success of 1919. Huge business was the rule, and, for the fi:st time, all stands in the West jammed the six-pole big tep. Only ai few dates in the South fell below par, and these were in the cotton country, Never was there a better spirit on a cirens than on the ‘‘second largest’’ this season. The big troupe rallied around Hetry B. Gentry to the last man, woman and child. Nothing was -asked of it that wasn’t done and Mr. Gentry was happiest when he was making things pleasant for his people. This reciprocity made for morale, and, during the days when help was short, the staff, the various departments and se performers moved the show, and moved it ast. The show is routed to the winter quarters at Denver, Col, over the ‘‘Burlington,”’ and the latter part of the week will see it stowed away at Hazel Court, in the yards and out at Overland Park. The troupe and the advance are glad that it ‘Was a great season; glad that the results were happy for the game man at Denver, whose heart has been with them at every turn of the long road. From Edward Arlington and Henry B. Gentry to the last program boy and the last property boy, the advance and the show are glad that H. H. Tammen was laughing when he said, “‘Au Revoir."" That was worth while—the sight of the big, little chief leaving the lot with Otto Floto, with a joyous smile for all. And it was good when Otto Floto tried to thank the troupe and couldn't. Everybody understood He, too, had to be content with ‘“‘Au Revoir.” And it was ‘‘Au Revoir,”” for the Sells-Floto “family,’’ augmented vastly, of course, will be Ttenunited when the bands play again and the whirl of bluebirds’ wings is heard in the springtime, FRONT PORCH REMINISCENCES WITH “GUV” JOHN F. ROBINSON (Continued from page 59) and made money with it. He became a partner with James Cooper, and thus was formed the Cooper & Ba'ley Great London Circus. Afterwards he bought an interest in the Barnum Show and assumed the management of it, and died as the controlling owner of the largest and most progresvive circus that the world ever saw, up to the present time.” That wag the gist of the conversation on Mr. Robinson's front perch in Miami that splendid night under tropical skies. And here let it be recorded thar the Robinson Circus in the old days was ag big and as great as any of them. It was the first to exhibit a group of giraffes, the first to travel] on a train of cars, and down South it was so formidable that few showmen had the courage to have opposition with them. ‘“‘Uncle’’ John Robinson, the founder of the John Robinson Circus, was a power in the show business and was a “‘large man,” and after he had told an employee to leave the lt that meant ‘go, and never come back.”°—SAM M. DAWSON, BARTELS SELLS LIONS William Bartels Company reports the arrival of a number of monkeys, boa constrictors and agoutas and the sale of its celebrated lien act, cons'sting of ten large male African lions, to Mauriilo, of Mexico. This is the great collection of trained lions which last year appeared with the Pubillones Circus of Havana, Cuba. ESCALANTE BROS. Play Return Engagement at Frisco and Fare Big fan Francisco, Oct. 13.—The Escalante Bros." Shows have just completed a successful return engagement here, and incidentally made a cleanup, according to the statement of General Agent Lee Teller. The show, which carries a new and attractive big top, had an attractive spot at Powell and Chestnut streets, in the heart of the Latin quarter and a different bill was offered during each of the four days it ran here. Featured among the Escalante offerings are Stella Escalante. four years and three months old, single trapeze and tumbling; ‘*Dynamite’’ Edwardo Escalante, eleven years, single and double trapeze, tumbler and acrobat; Filameno Escalante, eleven years, tight and slack-wire performer and tumbler; Alex, Aciveda, tight and slack wire; Aurora Aciveda, tight and slack wire, trapeze, juggling and tumbling; Mariara Escalante, trapeze and clown; Marcos Escalante, clown; Pedro Escalante, rings, ladder and animal trainer; Angela Escalante, contortion!st, tumbling and revolving frapeze; Amporo Escalante, double trapeze, tumbler, ginger, dancer, iron jaw; Fismin Oliva, tumbler and acrobat; Bloida (Continued on page 61) oat