News Items from The Kansas City Journal ~ Old News That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com

January 15, 1910

NOSE PARTY AT HIPPODROME.

Finding Matching Nose Was

the Problem.

Another novelty entertainment was given at the Hippodrome last night in the form of a nose party. False noses in pairs were given out to all skaters, one of each pair to men and women. The problem was for the man to find the wearer of the temporary nose matching the nose worn by him. This feature provoked unlimited fun and the evening was spent skating after the grand march had been negotiated by the nose-matched pairs.

Labels: amusement, hippodrome, skating

December 7, 1910

SKATING ON ALL PARK LAKES.

Length of Season for This Sport

Breaks All Records.

There has been consecutive skating on Penn Valley and Troost park lakes and the Parade since December 12 last, and if there is no unusual change in the weather the outlook for this winter entertainment continuing indefinitely seems promising.

"All skating records on the park lakes have been broken this winter," said W. H. Dunn, general superintendent of the system, yesterday. "Old timers tell me that this has been the severest winter Kansas City has had for years, and two feet of ice on the park lakes seems to bear them out. In the early part of the winter of 1908 there was no skating.

"The lakes were more adapted to boating, and the only skating last winter was from January 6 to 10 and from January 29 to February 5, twenty days, all told. There is a fine sheet of ice at the lagoon at Swope park, but thus far very few skaters have taken advantage of it. The downtown lakes are more accessible, and they are crowded afternoons and nights."

Labels: Penn Valley park, skating, Troost avenue, weather

December 9, 1909

TIME TO GET OUT SKATES.

The Parade, Fifteenth Street and

Paseo, Will Be Flooded Today.

The Parade, Fifteenth street and Paseo, will be flooded today, preparatory to the formation of ice for skating. The ice in Troost and Penn Valley lakes is not strong enough yet to hold skaters and the park board issued orders yesterday that skaters are to be kept off until the ice gets to be four inches thick.

Labels: Fifteenth street, Park board, Paseo, skating

October 14, 1909

SKATING RINK DESTROYED.

Kansas City, Kas., Building Burns.

Total Loss $20,000.

The Rainbow skating rink at 832-34 Minnesota avenue, Kansas City, Kas., was burned to the ground last night, with a loss of $20,000, including a blacksmith shop nearby and a cottage partially burned. No lives were lost, although Mrs. Sol Sparks, aged 87, had to be carried from the damaged cottage at 836 Minnesota avenue. Several were in this cottage, but all escaped without injury. The burned blacksmith shop was occupied by H. F. Wood and H. A. Ketler.

The rink was first built as an auditorium and contained a gallery and a mechanical pipe organ. It was erected in 1907.

W. D. Brant, manager, placed its value at $18,000. Of this, $14,000 is covered by insurance. Robert Hamilton, a fireman, suffered from a falling brand which burned his hand and blistered his head.

Labels: blacksmiths, Fire, Kansas City Kas, Minnesota avenue, skating

September 26, 1909

NEW ACTS AT HIPPODROME.

East Side Place of Amusement Opens

for the Season.

The Hippodrome, at Twelfth and Charlotte streets, opened for the season last night and nearly 5,000 persons attended, the roller skating rink and the dance hall, both remodeled and redecorated, drawing the most patronage. Last night's visitors saw a brand new Hippodrome. There was a greater floor space, better illumination and a bigger variety of attractions than ever before. The new ball room, which has been latticed and banked with satin roses and artificial shrubbery, aroused the admiration of the Hippodrome dancers.

Last night's visitors found plenty outside the dance hall and the skating rink to interest them. There was the Vienna garden, a new permanent feature, which seems destined to meet with favor. Free continuous vaudeville is offered in the Vienna village, which is laid with tanbark and inclosed by lattice work. Elston's dog and pony show was another new attraction that offered many novelties.

The Great La Salle, one of the most daring of roller skate experts, was the big arena attraction last night. La Salle makes a thrilling descent on a 60 per cent incline from the roof of the Hippodrome, and his exhibition belongs in the division of hair raisers.

Numerous concessions along the Hippodrome "Boardwalk" offer plenty of diversion. The place will open this afternoon at 2 o'clock and the performance will be continuous until midnight.

Labels: amusement, Charlotte street, dancing, daredevils, hippodrome, skating, Twelfth street, vaudeville

March 24, 1909

EPPERSON'S AUTO HITS BOY.

Chauffeur, 17 Years Old, Was

Making Trial Trip With New

Touring Car.

The trial trip of U. S. Epperson's new touring car yesterday afternoon resulted in the serious injury of Jesse Bridgeman, 13 years old, who was run over at Eleventh and Holmes streets. J. C. Collins, 17 years old, the chauffeur, was arrested. He was released at police headquarters, Mr. Epperson signing his bond.

The Bridgeman boy, who lives with his mother, Mrs. Gertrude Bridgeman, 1416 Locust street, came out of the Humbolt school, put on his roller skates and coasted down Eleventh street. A moment later, as he attempted to cross the street, he was struck by the car and hurled to the pavement. The machine passed over him, although he was untouched by the wheels.

Collins, who had thrown on the emergency brake, stopped the car and ran back. It was almost impossible for J. M. Maloney, a patrolman, to break through the hundreds of excited pupils to the spot where the child lay. Collins offered to take the boy in the motor car to the emergency hospital, but Maloney called the ambulance, which hurried to the scene. Dr. Fred B. Kryger found the child's left leg fractured in two places. He was also bruised about the head and body. He was sent to Dr. H. B. McCall's private sanitarium at 1424 Holmes street, where his condition was little improved last night.

The boy chauffeur has been in Mr. Epperson's employ about three weeks. He says the accident was unavoidable.

Mr. Epperson hurried to the emergency hospital as soon as he heard of the accident, and listened to the child's story. He said he did not believe Collins was exceeding the speed limit.

Labels: accident, automobiles, children, doctors, Eleventh street, Holmes street, Locust street, police headquarters, skating

March 22, 1909

INJURED WIFE'S MOTHER

DOESN'T BLAME HUNTER.

MRS. SCANLON TELLS SON-IN-

LAW SHE IS HIS FRIEND.

Husband Declares Reform School

Was Suggested as Place for

Girl -- Tells Story of

Marital Troubles.

Charles Hunter, 19 years old, who shot and dangerously injured his wife, Myrtle Hunter, Friday morning, yesterday told visitors of the trouble that led up to his crime, and which is causing his detention at police headquarters. He said he loved his wife, but her waywardness caused the trouble.

When the boy and his child wife were married by Michael Ross, J. P., the mothers went to the court house with them to give consent. The girl's mother called at police headquarters yesterday afternoon to see Hunter. She told him she was still his friend and would do all she could for him.

"Even if Myrtle dies, Charles, we won't blame you," the prisoner was told.

The reform school was suggested by Mrs. Scanlon as the best place for the girl wife. Hunter informed a visitor yesterday. But he said he loved her and wanted to keep her at home if possible.

THREAT OF REFORM SCHOOL.

She left home one day and the mother announced her intention of having the police find the girl and sending her to reform school according to the story Hunter tells. Instead he asked her to wait and allow him to give her another trial. Hunter promised to find her and keep her at home.

After four days' search he declares he found her at a house on East Eighth street in company with another young woman and two men. While Hunter was in the room a rambler placed his arm around his wife and caressed her, which made him frantic with shame and anger. From there he took his wife home and she promised him she would remain away from her former haunts.

Then he says a clerk in a clothing store began to pay her attentions. Hunter said this clerk went to the Scanlon home last Thursday and asked for Myrtle. He made a second trip to the house in the afternoon. Mrs. Hunter opened the door, but refused to allow him to come in. Hunter said he was at the head of the stairs on the second floor and upon asking who the visitor was started down. The man left and his wife and Mrs. Scanlon prevented Hunter from following him.

WAS DRIVEN TO DESPERATION.

From the trials he had with his endeavors to keep his wife at home and the attempts by the clerk to take her away, Hunter claims that he was made desperate and driven mad. The climax was reached Wednesday night when the man is said to have collected a gang and announced his intention of going to the Hippodrome and going home with Mrs. Hunter.

Hunter and his wife were standing near the skating rink when the persistent admirer came up and spoke to the wife. She tried to avoid him and when she was unable to do so Hunter says he objected.

"I'll take her home if you have to go home in the undertaker's wagon," Hunter said he was told.

According to Hunter, his uncle, Claude Rider, 1728 Troost avenue, stepped up and said he was going to take a hand in the affair. As his uncle came up Hunter declares friends grabbed him and took him across the street while the other men fought. The police arrested them and took them to No. 4 police station where they were charged with disturbing the peace.

"I believe my mother-in-law was trying to arrange to send Myrtle to the reform school when I shot her," Hunter remarked.

He said he got the pistol at the Scanlon house and that it belonged to his wife's father. The condition of Mrs. Hunter was worse yesterday, but it was said that she still has a chance to recover.

Of late years Hunter has been following the skating rinks and in the summer has had charge of the rink at Fairmount park. At one time Hunter was an office boy for an afternoon newspaper and later became an advertising solicitor.

Labels: domestic violence, Eighth street, fairmount park, hippodrome, marriage, No 4 police station, police headquarters, skating, Troost avenue

January 11, 1909

LAST-MINUTE CHANGE AT

THE HIPPODROME.

Australian Trick Skater Repla-

ces Vontella and Nina.

Owing to the fact that Vontella and Nina, who were to appear at the Hippodrome this week, were called away at the last moment, the management secured for a free attraction Hector De Silvia, the champion trick and fancy skater of Australia. De Silvia accomplishes all the tricks that the skating devotees are used to seeing and then goes them one or two better and introduces several of his own origination.

De Silvia will introduce his coast of death at tonight's performance. In this act De Silvia coasts from the top of the auditorium blindfolded, on the toe rollers of one skate.

As an additional attraction, Signor Frisco, a Mexican aerial performer, does some very clever work.

In the wild animal show, Captain Cardona introduces a new leopard act. Ricardo has staged one of the new acts in which he uses pumas and leopards. Miss La Rose continues with her lions, and is this week working all six of the beasts in the arena at the same time. Professor Snyder continues with the Rocky mountain goats, and "Hess," the wrestling bear, is meeting all comers. The management has offered $10 to any one who will throw the shaggy grappler.

In the vaudeville theater, illustrated songs, music and motion photography make up the bill.

Labels: animals, daredevils, hippodrome, skating, theater, vaudeville

November 24, 1908

ROOF OF HIPPODROME FELL.

Accident Was Due to Workmen's

Lack of Foresight.

Owing to the carelessness of workmen on the building a portion of the roof of the Hippodrome, Twelfth and Charlotte streets, fell at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. The accident was due to the moving of two of the supports to the main beams upholding the roof. The work was being done to make room for an aerial act which is to be put on, and the two supports were moved at practically at the same time, thus leaving the heavy beams without support. The walls of the old street car barn, where the Hippodrome is located, are of unusual thickness, and were not damaged to any extent. The floor likewise was built to stay and, although the mass of timbers crashed down on the skating rink, this portion was not damaged. No one was injured.
It was stated yesterday that the building would be repaired in two days, and would be opened for the Thanksgiving crowds. The loss is estimated at about $200 and is covered by insurance. Owing to the way the building was originally constructed, no other portion was damaged in the slightest.

The building inspector inspected the building yesterday and pronounced it absolutely safe.

Labels: architects, Armourdale, Charlotte street, skating, thanksgiving, theater, Twelfth street

November 2, 1908

SKATING KIDS PUZZLE COPS.

Youngsters Smuggle Themselves On

Viaduct Under Farm Wagons.

"I had to do somethin' a few days ago that I hated worse'en anything I've done for a long time," said a member of the police force a few days ago. "You know the kids have been just crazy over this roller skatin' business. Course, we try t' let 'em have all the fun they kin, long as they don't bother nobody. A few days ago the people in charge of the intercity viaduct got to complainin' 'bout three kids that managed to git onto the viaduct some way, an' stay out there the livelong day doin' nothin' but skate.

"Well, I couldn't see how that was hurtin' the viaduct, but we got orders to keep the kids off. Well, sir, I laid for them kids for 'bout a week tryin' to catch 'em, but we couldn't find where they got on. We'd put a man at each end an' keep a careful watch, even looked in two or three wagons, but never found no boys. Just the same they'd show up and keep on skatin. I finally give it up, 'cause it didn't amount to much, anyway. Just by accident, two or three days ago I got onto the scheme. You see, the kids git up about Fifth and Minnesota avenue in Kansas City, Kas. They wait till a farm wagon comes along. Then one of 'em sneaks under the wagon, just sits on his skates and is hauled out onto the viaduct. The watchman never thinks of lookin' under the wagon. Of course I had to put a stop to their fun, 'cause orders is orders, but I hated to do it."

Labels: children, intercity viaduct, Kansas City Kas, Minnesota avenue, police, skating

October 24, 1908

STADIUM RINK OPENS TONIGHT.

One of the Finest Skating Floors in

the Entire West.

The Stadium, one of the most perfectly appointed skating rinks in the West, will open its doors to the public tonight at Thirty-third and Troost. A balcony covering 500 feet has been provided for the accommodation of spectators. The Stadium boasts of a new impropved floor, measuring 300 feet, which is hte only one in the city having corners and ends raised. The auditorium will be brilliantly lighted. Music will be furnished by the White Star band of ten pieces, lately returned from a tour through England.

Labels: amusement, music, skating, Thirty-third street, Troost avenue

September 10, 1908

STOLE GLASSES OFF HIS NOSE.

Unusual Robbery of a Skater at For-

est Park Rink.

"He just reached around from behind when I was not looking, took my gold eyeglasses off my face and walked away." Paul J. Drescher, 2415 Myrtle avenue, so reported to the police last night, and the report constitutes one of the most unusual robberies ever recorded in the police annals of Kansas City.

According to Drescher, he was in the skating rink at Forest park when the robbery occurred. Drescher says he was skating around the rink and having a good time. He says the man approached him from behind, and although he did not get a good look at him, owing to the absence of the glasses, he was able to give a partial description of the thief.

Labels: crime, forest park, Myrtle avenue, skating

August 20, 1908

SKATERS MUST BEHAVE NOW.

Park Police Will Arrest All Boister-

ous Rollers Hereafter.

Orders were issued to the park policemen yesterday by William H. Dunn, general superintendent of the parks and boulevards, to maintain better order and conduct among the roller skaters using the sidewalks and boulevards.

Complaints are received daily by the park and police commissioners of rowdyism on the part of roller skaters. Men and even women have been pushed off the sidewalks and abused by the skaters when their conduct was such as to demand remonstrance on the part of the older people. It is also claimed that the roller skates damage the concrete walks and ruin the wearing surface. As the skaters are breaking the city ordinances they will be arrested when they misbehave in any manner.

Labels: Park board, skating

August 4, 1908

POLICE TO WATCH SKATERS.

Park Board May Forbid Roller Pas-

time If Children Don't Behave.

There is an ordinance against roller skating on sidewalks and boulevards, and the park board is going to enforce it strictly wherein it relates to boulevards unless roller skaters demean themselves in a more orderly manner. Complaints are daily reaching the board of the disorderly habits of some roller skaters, and at yesterday's meeting the board was on the point of forbidding roller skating when a member made an appeal to give them one more chance.

"Notify the police," he pleaded, "to insist on decorum among roller skates and if they persist in their mischief and misconduct, I'll vote to forbid the pastime at the next meeting.

Labels: children, Park board, skating

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, music, skating

May 12, 1908

MAY STOP SIDEWALK SKATING.

Property Owners on Linwood Boule-

vard Complain to Park Board.

At a meeting of the park board yesterday, a communication was received from property owners along Linwood boulevard that roller skaters have taken possession of the sidewalks to the annoyance of pedestrians, and that some of the skaters are real hoodlums in their conduct. The general superintendent was directed to look into the complaint and to devise a method for stopping the alleged nuisance.

Labels: Linwood boulevard, Park board, skating

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

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 27, 1908

ROLLER SKATING VICTIM DEAD.

Chester Caughey Fatally Injured by

Fall on Sidewalk.

Chester Caughey, the 13-year-old boy, whose back was broken in a roller skate fall on the sidewalk last Thursday, died yesterday at his parents' home, 3944 Terrace street. The doctors called his trouble spinal meningitis, but ever since the accident it has been commonly understood that the little fellow's back was broken. Much of the time the boy was delirious with pain.

No one saw the accident and the victim was never sufficiently free from distress to describe it himself. The father, Robert C. Caughey, is manager of the Eagle Manufacturing Company.

Within a week of young Caughey's accident three other young people in the same neighborhood suffered serious bone fractures from falls taken in roller skating on sidewalks.

Labels: children, death, skating, Terrace 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, nurses, 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

October 23, 1907

"BABY RUTH" SCORES A HIT.

Shetland Pony on Roller Skates

Performed Diffucult Tasks.

The roller skaters of Kansas City had a chance to see a new rival for skating honors in the person of "Baby Ruth," a Shetland pony at the Convention hall rink last night. The pony's trainer, James Benefield, first showed the crowd that "Baby Ruth's" skates were of the regulation kind by sending one of them rolling across the floor. When the pon came into viuew a moment later it was wearing four skates, each of which had four rollers, with the customary ball bearings.

The pony made a tour of the rink floor, keeping close to the outer edge, and then began to move about gracefully in small circles and "figure eights" in the center. If the going was any different from that to which any pony is used, "Baby Ruth" did not give any evidence of it, for all the strokes were made with apparent ease. A well educated dog introduced some clever tricks which furnished a comedy element.

Labels: animals, Convention Hall, skating

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