100 Year Old Weblog ~ News From 100 Years Ago That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com

July 21, 1908

CIRCUS DRAWS THE SAME

SWEATING, HAPPY CROWDS.

That It Always Does in Its Far Be-

tween Visits -- Its Wonders

Remain Ever Fresh.

Little small boys and big small boys, little girls and big girls; whole families were happy yesterday, happy with that kind of happiness that comes only once or twice a year. The little ones were happy openly, the big ones in a proper, staid sort of way, but all were happy for the same reason. It was circus day. It doesn't make the little bit of difference whether one is in the old country town or in the city, circus day is circus day the whole world over. On that day nobody cares anything about anything but the circus. What's the use in denying it? Everybody knows how everybody else feels.

"The great and only Barnum and Bailey Circus" pitched the tents of its little city out on Indiana avenue, just south of Fifteenth street. They say they were the biggest tents in the world and nobody who was there yesterday denied it.

Of course the "cutest" thing in the whole show was the baby elephant. They had him in a cage where not even a peanut could be slyly smuggled to his everready, ridiculously small trunk. Then there was a baby camel and other baby animals and giraffes, sleepy, aristocratic looking animals, and zebras and just about every kind of animal that has ever been exhibited in a menagerie.

In the "big tent" all the old acts were in evidence and many more. The aerial and equestrian acts were exceptionally high class, the clowns were just as funny as ever, the hippodrome races were wildly exciting, the automobile somersault act, which brought the performance to a close, was beyond a doubt the most daring, most hair-raising feature ever presented in a circus tent in Kansas City. Two big automobiles are drawn high up onto a steep track. In each is a young woman. At a given signal both machines are released and, with a roar and a rush, start on their downward course. The first one leaves the track and, rising high in the air, turns a complete somersault, alighting on a platform some distance away. While it is in the air the other machine jumps across the gap in is well away. Only by the most careful timing and adjustment, it is possible for the one to clear the track before the other comes crashing down. A collision would mean a tragedy that would be frightful to contemplate. but the two young women who ride in the auto don't seem to mind in the least.

The Barnum & Bailey circus has come and gone At two performances it packed its great tents to their capacity and nobody has yet been heard to register a "knock." It's a great big, smashing good show, and it's probable that if it were to be here again today just as many thousands would go as went yesterday, and probably a lot of them would be the same ones who went yesterday, too.

Labels: amusement, animals, children, Fifteenth street, Indiana avenue

July 20, 1908

LITTLE RUSSIAN PRINCE

FINDS HIS AFFINITY.

BUT THE PRINCESS WEE-NEE-

WEE LOVED ANOTHER.

Case of Love at First Sight at the

Circus Grounds Yesterday --

Public Proposal by Midget.

"Big Top" is Up.

THE RUSSIAN PRINCE.
He is 32 Years Old, 26 Inches Tall, and Weighs 16 pounds.

It as a case of love at first sight with the Little Russian Prince. Often he had heard of Princess Wee-nee-wee, but he had never seen her until yesterday afternoon.

The Little Russian Prince is 32 years old, weighs 16 pounds and is 26 inches high. His affinity is a dark skinned young woman of similar dimensions, though somewhat smaller. Her height is 17 inches, she is 18 years old, and weighs 7 1/2 pounds. Princess Wee-nee-wee travels with the Barnum & Bailey circus. The prince is connected with the vaudeville circuit which makes the parks.

Last week the prince heard that Wee-nee-wee was to be in Kansas City yesterday and so delayed his departure from Carnival park in order to pay her a visit. Out at the show grounds the freaks' tent had just been raised when the prince walked in and inquired for Wee-nee-wee. When the princess's maid brought her out to see the prince they stared at each other for a moment, then the prince boldly put out his hand in greeting.

So struck was he with the midget's appearance that he immediately proposed marriage.

"How do you like me?" he asked. "Wouldn't you like to be my wife?" The prince had made his little speech without a blush and seemed dreadfully in earnest. Wee-nee-wee was painfully embarrassed and, despite her dark color, she even blushed. Meanwhile, a crowd had gathered about the midgets and the little woman was becoming very uncomfortable. She wasn't used to receiving proposals among so many people, so she took her suitor into another part of the tent. From behind the curtain, parts of their conversation could be overheard.

"I have lots of money," urged the prince, "and I can show you a fine time. You need not go with the circus any more."

PRINCESS WEE-NEE-WEE.
She is 18 Years Old, 17 Inches High and Weighs 7 1/2 Pounds.

"I have lots of money, too," answered the princess, "and I don't need you or your money. Anyhow, I am in love with Captain Jack Barnett, and he loves me, too."

Captain Jack Barnett is a midget just about the size of the prince. He is exhibited in the freak tent with the princess and they have been traveling companions for many months. So, when the prince learned that an ordinary captain had been the successful suitor for the little princess's hand, he gave up in despair.

As he left the tent he was heard talking to his manager who had gone with him to the circus grounds.

"I supposed that Wee-nee-wee would not be as small as they all said she was or that she would be mighty fat," he said. "But she is not fat and she is just as small as anybody can be. She just came up to my shoulders when she stood up by my side. Wouldn't we make the prize couple, though?"

Outside the freak tent there were thousands of persons who had visited the grounds to see the circus unload and to catch an occasional glimpse of the elephants and camels as they were being led to the menagerie tent.

Inside of the menagerie tent, or jungle top, as the circus men call it, the animals were being fed and the wagons polished for inspection which they will receive today. One of the most interesting sights inside the jungle top was a baby camel, 6 weeks old. When this camel was only two days old his mother stepped upon his left foreleg, breaking it above the fetlock. The camel would have to be killed, but since it was white and there is no other white camel connected with the circus, a great effort was made to save it.

It was placed in a cage and as much care taken of it as if it were a child. Every hour the little camel has to be given milk from a bottle, and he usually insists upon two bottles.

Next to the baby camel is a baby elephant, 2 weeks old. The baby elephant is also fed from a bottle and has a special attendant. These young animals created much excitement and amusement among those who were standing near the tent.

The circus train was late in its arrival yesterday morning and the "roustabout" gang worked overtime. Within fifty-five minutes after the tent gang as on the circus grounds, the menagerie tent had been raised. Quickly in succession were put up the cook tent, the stable tops and some freak tents. All day yesterday the gangs of men were busy getting the big tent in order and it will be stretched today. The tent for the big show i said to e the largest circus tent in the worked and from the looks of the ground which it is to cover it seems as if there were much truth in the statement.

It was necessary for five patrolmen under a sergeant to be present on the grounds yesterday in order to take care of the immense crowd which had gathered. The curious people insisted on getting in the way of the workmen and in taking an occasional peep under the menagerie, but the officers handled the crowd well and no more serious disturbance was reported.

Labels: amusement, animals, police, romance, visitors

July 19, 1908

FIRST OF THE CIRCUS TRAINS.

Will Arrive in Kansas City at 3

o'Clock Tomorrow Morning.

The movement of the Barnum & Bailey circus to this city will begin this evening and it is expected that the paraphernalia of the greatest show on earth will be on the Indiana avenue show grounds, where it is to be unfolded on Monday, by daylight tomorrow. The big show is to come here from Centerville, Ia., and it is expected that one of the show trains will be loaded and on its way here at 10 o'clock tonight. This train will be composed of the cook houses, horse tents and parade features. All of the men connected with this division are young and, owing to the speed with which they compelled to move, they form what is known as the "flying squadron." It is expected that this section will reach the unloading point about 3 o'clock in the morning.

Of late the tendency to see the circus come to town and unload has grown to a large extent, and for this reason it will not be surprising if there is a large reception committee at the unloading point to bid the elephants and "things" a welcome to the city. The second section of the show train will be made up of the menagerie; the third of horses, elephants and camels, together with the small tents used as workshops, and the fourth will contain the main tent and the performers. The four trains will contain eighty-six cars.

Labels: amusement, animals, railroad

July 16, 1908

BALLOONS AT FAIRMOUNT.

Air Navigators Will Race There for

a Silver Cup.

More balloon races at Fairmount park next Sunday and this time the contestants are to race for a silver cup offered by the park management. The cup is to be given the man who reaches the greatest height. L. M. Bales of Kansas City is to be one of the contestants, while the other is to be Calhoun Grant of Providence, R. I.

Now is the time when Fairmount park is at its best. And at the bathing beach there is work all the time. The crowd at the beach last Sunday was the largest ever known at the park. Old men, boys, women and children were in the water, and so great was the demand that there were not suits enough to go around.

Labels: amusement, fairmount park

July 14, 1908

ARREST MOVING PICTURE MAN.

Miss Beebe Thompson Says His

Show Is Very Naughty.

Following up the plan outlined some time ago, looking to the better morals of the children and youths, especially in the crowded tenement districts, the Franklin institute recently instructed Miss Beebe Thompson, a settlement worker, to make an investigation of the pictures shown by the cheap amusement companies throughout the city.

As a result, one proprietor, J. J. Dunn, who conducts the "Fairyland" show at 1329 Grand avenue, has been cited to appear in police court this morning and answer charges of exhibiting immoral pictures. Others have been found at various places which to not tend to elevate or instruct the youth or older persons, and complaints will be lodged with Mayor Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., and an effort made to suppress all such pictures as "The Young Model," the "Thaw-White Tragedy" and others of like nature. It is not the object of the workers, they allege, to suppress the moving picture shows, for these are the amusement places of the poorer classes, and, if properly regulated, will prove a benefit.

The report submitted by Miss Thompson is thorough and covers every amusement place of moving picture class in the city. Those pictures which were found to be pleasing are complimented, and those of immoral nature censured. The mutoscope comes in for most of the censure, for it is in these "penny-in-the-slot" machines that most of the pictures which are disapproved are found.

Labels: amusement, Grand avenue

July 4, 1908

TRIPOLI TO BE DESTROYED.

Fireworks Will Represent Siege at

Fairmount Park Tonight.

"The Siege of Tripoli," a representation of the bombardment of the ancient city, is to be the special attraction at Fairmount park tonight. The "city," on the side of the lake opposite the boat house, is finished and all is in readiness for the display tonight.

H. O. Wheeler's band is to play a special programme this afternoon. Miss Pearl Warner, the band soloist, will sing.

Labels: amusement, fairmount park, fireworks

May 21, 1908

TO TEACH THEM TO SKATE.

Free Instructors to Be on Duty at

Forest Park Rink.

The management of the new St. Nicholas roller rink at Forest park will introduce an innovation that should prove popular with those who have not thoroughly mastered the art of being graceful on rollers. Commencing tomorrow the services of courteous and expert instructors will be given free at the rink every afternoon and evening. The band will give two concerts every day and the check room will be operated without cost to the patrons.

Labels: amusement, forest park, skating

May 20, 1908

PARK MANAGERS TREMBLING.

They Don't Know What Grand Jury's

Going to Do to Them.

A rumor to the effect that the grand jury would investigate amusement devices at the parks gained ground yesterday morning and the fact that managers of the parks were summoned before the body lent color to the rumor. For the past two Sundays deputy marshals have been sent to the parks to take the names of persons connected with the amusement devices and it is generally believed that indictments will be returned against those managers who are alleged to have violated the Sunday law. No indictments were made public yesterday.

Another matter to come before the grand jury is the charge against Wilford B. Smith, that he caused to be printed and circulated scandalous and immoral matter. Smith is a sidewalk inspector. His paper is called The Pitchfork. Alderman E. E. Morris was called as a witness in the case, but was not heard yesterday.

Smith has been arrested on a state warrant sworn out by Morris, and is t present under bond.

Labels: amusement, criminal court

May 11, 1908

MARSHALS AT THE PARKS.

Will Report Their Observations to the

Grand Jury.

Names of employees connected with pay attractions at Forest and Fairmount parks were taken yesterday by the county marshal's men and will be given to the Wallace grand jury when it meets this week.

Al Heslip personally visited Fairmount park and saw men and women dancing and gliding on roller skates. Also he witnessed a man selling tickets to the Angora goat farm and the lake.

"If the jury thinks it is wicked to use roller skates and witness a dog show downtown on Sunday," the marshal argued, "it will believe it equally unlawful to skate, ride in a boat or watch the goats on a Sunday in the park." So the marshal put down all the keepers' names.

Deputies Joseph Stewart and Henry Miller made out a complete list of men they caught working and playing at Forest park.

The blue Sunday downtown was brightened a bit by the reopening of the Shubert theater.

Labels: amusement, animals, County Marshal Heslip, dancing, fairmount park, forest park, Judge Wallace, skating

May 11, 1908

BIG CROWD AT FAIRMOUNT.

And It Was Busy Enjoying Itself Un-

til Driven In by the Rain.

There was one of the biggest opening day crowds that Fairmount park ever saw at the amuseent place yesterday -- until about 7 o'clock last night. Then the crowd suddenly dwindled because of a rain that insisted on falling in quantities almost large enough to drown one.

A few minutes before the heavy rain came a slight drizzle began to fall. But the crowd wouldn't go The ticket sellers remained as busy as ever, the merry-go-round music box kept up the same familiar tunes and the man at the boathouse almost wept as he looked at the crowd waiting for boats and then remembered that every boat was out on the lake. Then the big excitement came. It didn't fall gradually, that rain. It insisted on coming down with a sloshing sound that resembled the overturning of thousands of barrels of water And the crowd scattered. Those near the pavilion made a rush for shelter and stayed there while others ran to the roller rink, the hotel, the annex -- anywhere to get out of the rain. Every place with a roof on it had all the person it could hold. For a few minutes the concessions that were enclosed did about as big a business as they'll ever do. At the car loop there was a crowd that reached fro the tracks to the fence of the park, a crowd that jostled and scrambled -- almost fought to get on cars.

But outside of that everything was lovely. The management was pleased, even if the crowd did have to leave about four hours too early -- pleased that the park should be attractive enough to draw the crowd it did after the rain of the morning. During the sunshiny hours of the afternoon the concessions, the walks, everything was crowded.

H. O. Wheeler's American band was enjoyed by many yesterday. Mr. Wheeler is one who does not believe in playing only classical music. On all his encores he plays music of a light character that goes well after a classical number.

And every one said that the park was prettier and more capable of furnishing amuseent than ever before -- even when they were coming home, wet and tired, after the rain.

Labels: amusement, fairmount park, streetcar, weather

May 1, 1908

SHE WANTED TO KISS THEM.

An Apparently Demented Girl An-

noyed Penny Theater Patrons.

A 12-year-old girl, unable to say anything but "da-da" and believed to be feeble-minded, was taken out of the Electric penny theater on East Twelfth street yesterday afternoon by Patrolman Thomas Keys of the crossing squad, after she had annoyed several visitors in the theater by climbing up on their backs and trying to kiss their cheeks and ears. She is being held at the detention home until she can be identified or someone calls to claim her. She has blue eyes with red lids, yellow hair an wears a checked gingham dress and black shoes. Her stockings are ragged and she has no hat.

Labels: amusement, children, detention home, mental health, police, theater, Twelfth street

April 29, 1908

THOU SHALT NOT

SKATE ON SUNDAY.

JUDGE WALLACE HANDS DOWN

ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

He Wants the Rinks Closed -- Sends

Deputies Out to Get Names of

Offenders -- The Philoso-

phy of Kimbrell.

"Thou shalt not upon a Sunday move thy feet with a gliding motion when thou hast roller skates attached to thy shoes!"

This commandment has been handed down by Judge W. H. Wallace to his twelve tried and true grand jurors, passed on to the deputy marshals and was read with a thud yesterday afternoon by County Prosecutor I. B. Kimbrell, who was signing indictments against theater folk, in the form of an indictment against S. Waterman, charged with managing "a place of amusement for pay, otherwise known as the Coliseum roller skating rink at Thirty-ninth and Main streets, Kansas City, Mo."

After reading the missive three times, the prosecutor, who some weeks ago swore off smoking, was so excited that he absent-mindedly lighted a cigar presented to him a week or two since by a voter who had called for free legal advice. When Mr. Kimbrell had coughed the rancid smoke out of his lungs he recovered composure, threw the cigar away and remarked:

"Well, it's not a matter of great importance at this time of year, anyhow, as very soon the boys will be going barefoot and can't wear roller skates. Besides, next Sunday they can go to the baseball game."

The prosecutor picked up his pen and started to sign his name to the indictment. He hesitated. He said:

"I believe I'll talk this over with the grand jury first."

"I wouldn't write anything about it," suggested Charles Riehl, deputy prosecutor, to reporters. "We don't know for sure yet whether the jury will return the indictment against the rink."

Joseph Stewart, veteran bailiff of the criminal court, and Henry Miller, custodian of the criminal court building, were the trusted men, who Sunday went forth and searched the city for roller skating rinks. They were told to report to the prosecutor's office the keepers, ticket sellers and employes of all rinks found. After tramping all day they could locate only one rink, the one at Thirty-ninth and Main streets.

"Waterman was exceedingly kind to us," Miller says. "He offered to have a boy strap skates on our feet and let us use the skates all afternoon free. I was tempted. There were about 200 people in the rink, boys and girls, young men and women and all were laughing and happy. I wanted to jump in and skate, but Joe advised me not to and I didn't.

"We saw many kids skating on the sidewalks and streets over town Sunday, but we hadn't any orders to take their names. They weren't indoors and, so far as we knew, didn't buy or rent their skates on Sunday."

The Sunday skating question will come before the grand jury this afternoon. The usual 140 theater indictments will also be returned by the jury today.

Labels: amusement, cigars, Judge Wallace, Main street, Prosecutor Kimbrell, skating, Thirty-ninth street

April 26, 1908

FAIRMOUNT TO OPEN MAY 10.

Some New Features Will Be

Added to the Old.

There will be several new features at Fairmount park, which is to open May 10. Workmen are busy now, remodeling the bowling alley into an open air skating rink which, it is said, will be the largest outdoor rink in the city. The floor capacity of the bowing alley is being doubled. The rink will be convenient to the car lines entering Fairmount park. A nurse will be in charge of the children's playground in the park this summer and will have two assistants who will aid her in caring for the children. There will be new playthings of the kind that children like. Aside from the amusements which are being added, the ones that were in the park last year will be retained.

Labels: amusement, fairmount park, skating

April 23, 1908

THEY'D HAVE LAW ON SKATERS.

Independence People Want to Regu-

late the Rollers' Hours.

Roller skating after 11 o'clock at night is to be prohibited on the streets and sidewalks of Independence if an ordinance now in preparation passes the city council. The new law is proposed by men and women of the residence wards of the city, whose beauty sleep has been rudely yanked from them by gleeful skating parties of men and women, passing by on the sidewalks as late as 11 o'clock of nights. Roller skating parties are all the rage in Independence now, having put in the shade hayrack rides, barn dances and even charade parties, and old folks whose slumbers have been disturbed are many.

The proposed law will not apply to those skating in their own houses or to men skating to work in the morning. One may skate downtown as early as 4:30 o'clock, provided he has rested since 10 o'clock of the night before.

Labels: amusement, Independence, Independence city council, skating

September 19, 1907

"THE FALL OF FRISCO."

Campbell's Earthquake and Fire-

works Spectacle Coming.

Kansas City will see something new in Campbell's earthquake and fireworks spectacle, "The Destruction of San Francisco." This production, which has never been presented here before, comes on Wednesday, the 25th, for ten nights. The exhibition will be on the circus lot at Fifteenth street and Kansas avenue. The exhibition consists of San Francisco as it was before the disaster, with 350 people on the busy streets, then the earthquake, followed by the fire, laying the city in ashes and ruins, while the people rush for the ferries in their attempt to escape from the city.

The scenic picture is 400 feet in length and is an accurate reproduction of Market street, showing, among other buildings, the city hall, the Call building and and the memorable Ferry building as they were both before and after the earthquake and fire. There are fifteen carloads of scenery and fireworks, making up this production, and counting the mechanical staff, 450 people are required in the production.

A magnificent display of fireworks fills out an evening's entertainment.

Labels: amusement, arts, Fifteenth street, fireworks, Kansas avenue

September 11, 1907

HAD HARDEEN GUESSING.

'Handcuff King' Worked 57 Minutes

Getting Free of Boyle's Contribution.

Theo. Hardeen, who styles himself "The Handcuff King" and is playing this week at the Shubert, worked 57 minutes last night before he was able to release his wrists from a pair of handcuffs which Detective E. P. Boyle put on him. Hardeen's act is supposed to last only 20 minutes and after he had worked 15 minutes in vain to free himself from the cuffs, he came out to the front of the stage and tugged away at the cuffs in full view of the audience, meanwhile keeping up a running fire of conversation.

"These cuffs were sent here by the manager of a rival vaudeville booking agent," he said. "I'll bet a thousand pounds, no I mean a thousand dollars, that this officer cannot say otherwise."

For half an hour longer Hardeen kept up his talk, working his wrists in the cuffs, as he paced back and forth on the stage. At last, when he freed himself, the audience, which had waited without wearines, broke into cheers.

Detective Boyle said last night that the handcuffs were his own.

Labels: amusement, detectives, theater

August 23, 1907

WANTED -- A DENTIST.

Only Those With Courage Need Apply

for This Bit of Surgery.

If there are any veterinary dentists in this vicinity who want to earn $50 for completing a single crown, they will have the opportunity during the big Inter-State fair at Elm Ridge this fall. The work of crowning a tooth in the mouth of one of the performers has been incomplete and Captain Dyer , manager of the wild animal department of the Parker amusement shows, offers $50 to the dentist who will complete the job. Incidentally, it may be remarked that the patient is Prince, the big African lion who is the star feature of the menagerie connected with the shows.

The Greater Parker Amusement shows will furnish some of the greatest exposition acts of the season and will attract thousands of people to the fair. There ar a gerat many separate shows combined into the one big aggregation. Prominent among the features, outside the wild animal show, are the Sunflower Belles, who give an up-to-date musical comedy show that has received great praise. These girls have a full-fledged organization among themselves for mutual protection, sick benefits, etc. The "Flying Valentines" is another act which has created enthusiasm wherever the show has been given.

Labels: amusement, animals, Elm Ridge

August 14, 1907

WILL NOT RACE AT ELM RIDGE.

No Sanction Can Be Secured From

American Automobile Association.

Overtures by the management of the fair that is to be given at Elm Ridge for a series of automobile races have been brought to an aburpt termination by the American Automobile Association.

"Our governing board would not permit it," said President W. W. Cowen, "and there are other rules which make it impossible for us to go into any such show as a side issue. We will have automobile races here this year, and they will be the best we ever had. However, they will be under the auspices of our own society and under our own rules."

Already preparations are being made for the parade that is to be given during carnival week.

"That will be a public affair," said President Cowen, "and one of the most delightful features that can be produced. Many women have told us of their intention to enter the parade, and they have raised the question of whether they must dress their cars in flowers or bunting. We will allow both, or either. This parade will have nothing to do with the Elm Ridge fair or anything else, but it will be given in alliance with the managers of the P. O. P., as part of their week's entertainment.

Labels: amusement, automobiles, Elm Ridge, flowers

August 11, 1907

BALLOON RACE AT FAIRMOUNT.

Many Other Features There to At-

tract the Pleasure Seekers.

The return balloon race between L. M. Bales and A. L. Curtiss, postponed last Sunday on the account of unfavorable weather, will be held this afternoon at Fairmount. The balloon race today will be an interesting feature in that considerable rivalry exists between the two aeronauts, and their meeting today will be one that each has looked forward to for several seasons.

Fairmount offers, besides its regular part attractions, a place for a quiet, restful outing close to the beauties of nature. The expanse of shade and grass and waterway presents a pretty scenic display, while on the lake boaters may find enjoyment and sport, while the bathing beach meets all requirements ofr the enjoyment of swimming.

Picnickers are offered every facility and accomodation for a pleasant outing on the picnic grounds in the north section of the park, near Cusenbary Springs, and where check stands are provided for baskets and other luggage.

Each afternoon and evening concerts are given by Hiner's Third Regiment band. For this afternoon and evening's concerts, two programmes of standard, popular and classical numbers will be given.

Labels: amusement, fairmount park, picnics

August 9, 1907

PICKS ONE PLAYGROUND.

Park Board Decides on Fourteen

Acres in North End.

At a special meeting of the board of park commissioner yesterday afternoon a resolution was unanimously adopted asking the council to proceed to have fourteen acres of ground condemned for a North end playground. The site runs from Troost to half a block beyond Forest and from First to Fifth streets. This tract is divided by a small bluff. The intention of the park board is really to make of the site two playgrounds, one for negro children and the other for whites. There will be two sets of apparatus, two instructors and two sets of custodians. The district from which the playground is to drraw is inhabited by whites and negroes.

The site agreed upon for the playground is to be known as Guinotte square, having on it the old Guinotte homestead. It is expected to cost about $120,000. For only eight acres of ground two blocks further south, which had previously been thought of, the estimated cost was put at $200,000.

Labels: amusement, First street, Forest avenue, Park board, race, Troost avenue

August 5, 1907

CARBOLIC ACID KILLS.

DRANK IN THE DARK BY

BECKETT FOR WHISKEY.

Second Man Who Took Swallow of

the Poison Will Recover -- Dead

Man Leaves a Widow and

Seven Children.

Two pint bottles of the same shape, one containing whisky and the other carbolic acid, caused the death of James F. Beckett in Sheffield early yesterday morning. The bottle of whisky was put into a wagon bed which also contained a bottle formerly used for whisky filled with carbolic acid. John Eveland, another laborer, who put the whisky into the wagon bed, also drank of the acid, but he will recover.

John Thomas gave a dancing party Saturday night at his home in Sheffield. About forty men and women were present, and at midnight the dancers decided to continue the party indefinitely until morning.

Beckett had been invited, and after he arrived he was prevailed upon to furnish the music. He sat in the parlor, and from 8 o'clock until midnight played waltzes and two-steps, and occasionally a tune for the Virginia reel, with scarcely a rest, while the tireless dancers encored him again and again.

About 11 o'clock Eveland, who lives only two blocks from Thomas' house, heard the music and the laughter of the young men and women, and decided to see what was going on. I had been drinking a little," said Eveland yesterday, "and I had a pint bottle of whisky, about half full, in my hip pocket. Thomas invited me to come in and dance. I didn't want to take the liquor with me on account of the women. So I slipped out to the shed back of the house and put the bottle in the bed of a wagon. Then I went in and danced until about midnight.

"When the decided to keep on dancing for an hour or two more, Beckett, who was one of my friends, said he was tired. I told him about the whiskey I had put in the shed, and asked him to go have a drink to brace himself up. We took John Burris, one of the other men with us, and all went out to the shed.

"When we got out there it was dark, and I reached into the wagon bed and got out what I supposed to be the bottle I had put there. It was a regular pint whisky bottle, and seemed to be about half full. I had some trouble getting the cork out. While I was trying to draw it, the women were calling for Beckett to play for another dance.

" 'Hurry up,' cried Beckett. 'I've got to get back to the house. '

" 'Give me the bottle,' said Burris. 'I'll get the cork out with my knife.'

"Burris pulled the cork, and raised the bottle to his lips to take a drink, when they called Beckett from the house again, and Beckett grabbed the bottle quickly. He took two long swallows. Then he ran back to the house, and Burris went with him, without waiting for a drink. I then drank a little, and put the bottle back into the wagon."

Eveland says it was about twenty minutes later before the acid pained him, so that he knew he had been poisoned. Beckett, who continued playing for the dancers after taking the acid, began to feel ill about the same time Eveland did.

Dr. R. Callaghan was sent for, and treated both men. Beckett died about 1:30 o'clock. The whisky which Eveland had drunk before he came to the dance saved his life. The reason Beckett did not feel the effect of the aid sooner is believed also to be due to whisky before he went to the shed. The whisky is thought to have counteracted the effects of the acid to a certain extent.

Thomas said yesterday that he always keeps acid in the shed for use as a disinfectant. He keeps horses and hogs there. The bottle was plainly labeled. Had the men struck a match they could not have made the mistake.

James F. Beckett was 39 years old. He lived at 410 Denver avenue, and leaves a widow and seven little children, the youngest being only two months old. The body was taken to Blackman's undertaking rooms in Sheffield, and a coroner's inquest will be held this morning.

Labels: alcohol, amusement, dancing, death, Denver, doctors, laborer, sheffield, undertakers

July 28, 1907

HAD BUG IN HIS EAR.

Billiard Hall Man Felt a Buzzing

of the Head.

When the Royal billiard hall at Eight street and Grand avenue closed early yesterday O. R. Bruns, the proprietor, felt a buzzing in his head. He finally located it in the neighborhood of his ear when that organ began to pain him severly.

"I never did have a bee in my bonnet," said Bruns, "and I don't know what this means."

When the buzzing reached the extent of a miniature thunder storm in his head he hied himself to the emergency hospital in city hall. there Dr. Ford B. Rogers removed a small green bug.

Labels: amusement, billiards, city hall, doctors, Eighth street, emergency hospital, Grand avenue

June 22, 1907

ANSWER OF CITY OFFICIALS.

Contended That Music in a Park Bars

Sale of Liquor There.

D. V. Kent, city auditor, and A. E. Holmes, city treasurer, who were served with an alternative writ of mandamus from the circuit court to compel them to issue a dramshop license to J. J. Norton at the new Electric park, filed their answer yesterday. They contend that the board of police commissioners has authority to refuse to issue dramshop licenses and to decide whether the owner of a license may change the location of his drinking place. The point of the mandamas suit was that such power lay in the mayor and council.

The city offices also contend that a license cannot be legally issued to J. J. Norton because he is the agent of a brewery; because he plans to allow music within hearing distance of the drinking place, and because he does not define the portion of the park in which the intoxicating liquor is to be served.

They further claim that the board of police commissioners does right in refusing to issue dramshop permits for places in the residence section of the city.

Labels: alcohol, amusement, breweries, circuit court, Electric park, police board

June 2, 1907

A BIG CROWD OF CHILDREN.

Several Thousand Took Advantage
of Bargain Day at Forest.

Yesterday was "bargain" day at Forest park and several thousand children took advantage of the reduced rate to concessions. The park was opened at 9:30 o'clock in the morning and a crowd of youngsters were on the outside awaiting the opening. It was the first children's day of the season and a special coupon ticket was issued. It admitted to the theater and nearly all of the concessions in the park. It sold for the usual price of admission to one concession.

All day various attractions were filled to overflowing with children and it was 6:30 before all of them had finished using their coupons. Children's day is to be made a periodical feature this season as it was last. Prizes and games will be offered at the next one.

Labels: amusement, children, forest park

May 14, 1907

WANT A SALOON AT FAIRMOUNT.

Park Management Still Trying to Override Public Sentiment

It was announced in the churches at Independence Sunday that the matter of an application for a saloon license at Fairmount park would come before the county court Tuesday. The ministers requested taht as many of the members of the congregation as could should go before the court and protest. This is the only park near Independence where family, Sunday school and church gatherings can be held. The church people regard the place wehre liquor is sold in a park as a menace3 and very objectionable to park patrons. There is every indication that a strenuous opposition will be made to the granting of the license, which to be legl must have a two-thirds majority in the township, and the township of Blue is quite large and densely populated. For nearly a year Fairmount park has been trying to get a saloon license.

Labels: alcohol, amusement, churches, fairmount park, ministers

May 6, 1907

GONE AFTER ATTRACTIONS.

President Horton to Bring Them to

the Carnival Park.

John C. Horton, president of the Carnival Park Company, Kansas City, Kas., left Sunday morning for an extended tour of the East to investigate vaudeville attractions and other amusement propositions. He expects to be gone at least two weeks, and will visit the parks of Chicago, Buffalo, New York and Charleston, S. C. Mr. Horton may also take a hurried look around the Jamestown exposition grounds for new features and ideas in park building.

Although the rain fell with scarcely an intermission all day Sunday, work of construction on carnival buildings was carried on as usual. Officials about the grounds say the doors will open at the scheduled time, May 18.

Labels: amusement, Carnival Park, Kansas City Kas

April 29, 1907

FOR CHILDREN WHO DANCE.

Two Afternoons to Be Given Them at

Electric Park.

It has been decided to devote two afternoons of each week to children's parties to be given in the fine new ball room at Electric park. Miss Gertrude Wagner, a dancing teacher, has been engaged to oversee these parties, and there will be free dancing lessons for all children who come to them. Until school is out the childrens' parties will be given on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, but when the school year is over the parties may be more frequent. The instruction in dancing is to be entirely free to juvenile pupils. After the little people get to dancing, there will be more childrens' cotillions, and masquerade parties. Miss Wagner, will, of course, be the superintendent of these parties though the children's parents may come as spectators.

Labels: amusement, children, dancing, Electric park

March 19, 1907

ASK FOR ONE MORE DAY.

Automobile Owners Want to Use

Cliff Drive on Sundays.

The Kansas City Automobile Club, which, by virtue of permission of the board of park commissioners, has unlimited possession of Cliff drive each Wednesday of every week for the use of autos, yesterday petitioned the board to have Sunday added to its privileges. The communication accompanying the request set forth that busy business men owning automobiles cannot avail themselves of Wednesday to use the drive, and if they are to enjoy it they must have Sundays when they are not occupied with commercial responsibilities. The request was laid aside until all the members of the board can be consulted.

Labels: amusement, automobiles, Cliff drive, Park board

January 24, 1907

THE DIRECTORS SKATED.

Bumps Were Frequent at Convention

Hall Last Night.

One of the most noticeable things at a skating rink is the strong attraction of the Human body and the floor. --Bill Nye.

Zip-plunk-plunk-boom.

This was heard around 8 o'clock last evening above the steady rumble of skaters gliding over Convention hall floor. It was J. A. Runyan, who, for the first time in twenty years, put on a pair of roller skates at the skating party given by the directors of Convention hall to members and the families of members of the Commercial Club, the Mercantile Club, the Manufacturers and Merchants' Association and the Kansas City Athletic Club.

There were more than 3,000 who attended this gathering and more than 900 disported themselves on the floor--some like Mr. Runyan. In the crowd were old men with bald heads, fat men, young men and boys, as well as girls and women of many ages, sizes and proportions.
An exhibition in fancy skating was given by Miss Lucille Landsdowne, a professional, and a game of broomball was played between two picked teams, neither of which scored. "Kid" Nichols, of baseball fame, refereed.

A match race between George H. Teftt, president of the Manufacturers and Merchants' Association, and O. V. Dodge, president of the Commercial Club, was scheduled, but Mr. Dodge was out of the city. The party was given as an opening event after the two weeks' cessation of skating at the hall while the Implement Men's convention and the Chicken show was in progress.

Labels: amusement, Commercial Club, Convention Hall, Kansas City Athletic Club, skating

January 5, 1907

PROSPECT LINE TO 37TH ST.

Extension Will Not Take It to the
Swope Park Connection

With the announcement that in extending the Prospect avenue line this year the Metropolitan Street Railway Company will take it no further south than Thrity-seventh street, there will be disappointment along Troost avenue. The expectation that big crowds will go to Electric park every night, and many thousands on Sunday, most of them using the Troose avenue line, has distrubed Troost residents for a long time. In addition, the Troost avenue people realize that there will be thousands going over their line to Swope park. A negro park was started last summer just beyond the new Electric park and hundreds of negroes went nightly out on Troost aveune.

The negroes will still have to use the Troost avenue line to reach their new park. The Woodland avenue line is to be extended to Electric park, but will go no further south than Forty-fifth street. General Manager C. N. Black said yesterday that the Metropolitan would make ample arrangements for handling the crowds which will patronize Electric and Swope parks. "They will have," he said, "the Rockhill, the Troost, and the Woodland avenue lines. This will be good service. I do not think it will crowd the Troost avenue line."

Labels: amusement, Electric park, Metropolitan Street Railway Company, Prospect avenue, race, Rockhill, streetcar, Swope park, Troost avenue, Woodland avenue