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October 24, 1908

IT'S A SAD BLOW TO ARGENTINE.

Aileen D'Armond-Clemm Will Not

Vaudeville on Its Broadway.

If the D'Armond sisters, vaudevillians, attempt to sing in Argentine tonight, they will do so at their peril. At least this will be true in the case of Aileen D'Armond, or Aileen Clemm, 1515 East Twelfth, who is half of the vaudeville team. The first families of Argentine are doomed to disappointment.

The Argentine impresario who desired the services of the girls called up the Detention home again yesterday. He was told that Judge H. L. McCune had said, "nothing doing" in the case of Aileen. Grace Stafford, the other half of the team, being over age, may appear in Argentine, or Sugar Creek, if she pleases.

Incidentally, Judge McCune ordered Aileen brought into court again, to find out why her mother did not keep her agreement to move to Braymer, Mo., where the electric lights do not twinkle.

Labels: Argentine, detention home, Judge McCune, Sugar Creek, Twelfth street, vaudeville

October 10. 1908

TRAGEDY BREAKS UP

A VAUDEVILLE TRIO.

ALL BECAUSE AILEEN WROTE A

SWEET LITTLE NOTE.

It Was to a Married Man, and the

Forest Park Beauties, in Colors

Which Made a Noise,

Get Into Court.

Notice is hereby given that the partnership mentioned below, heretofore at Forest park, has been dissolved by order of court:

D'ARMOND SISTERS

Dorothy -- Aileen

Song and Dance Soubrettes

Vaudeville

A letter caused it all. This missive, couched in tender terms, was from Aileen D'Armond, otherwise Aileen Clemm of 1515 East Twelfth street, to F. K. Weston, or John King, manager of the flicker-flicker theater at Forest park, where the "sisters" gave afternoon and nightly exhibitions of terpsichorean and musical skill (See billboards for further adjectives.).

Dorothy, or, more properly, Grace Stafford, had nothing to do with the mailing of missives. It was companionship that brought her into the juvenile court yesterday afternoon with Aileen and Mrs. Henry C. Clemm, mother of one of the"sisters."

There might have been no trouble at all if Weston or King -- his wife called him King -- had not been married. But wives will see their husband's letters, and things began to happen shortly after Mrs. King got her eyes focused on the written page.

COMPLAINED AGAINST AILEEN.

To the probation officer for her with a complaint against Aileen, who confesses to being 14 and who, until last year, was a pupil at the Humboldt school. Result, the D'Armonds and the mother of half of them before Judge H. L. McCune. The case was heard in chambers.

Such an insight into theatrical life as was given by the two girls. For her part, Grace Stafford, or Dorothy D'Armond, had a word or two to say from the depths of a deep blue poke-bonnet-scoop combination, trimmed with blue and white feathers.

"How much do you make a week?" asked the judge.

"I have been offered $30, but would not take it because I would have to appear alone," she said with the wisdom of 19 years. "I make $15."

And then Grace, who is a comely girl, told the judge of how, as her parents wanted her no longer after she was 15, she had struck out for herself. She had done housework, and was making a success of it on the stage. In the end, as she expressed a desire to go home, but said in the same breath that she would not be welcome there, Mrs. Agness Odell of the Detention home was detailed to care for her and find her a home. Her parents live in Oklahoma.

With Aileen it was different. It developed that she was an impressionable girl. As her "sister" said:

""Mr. King was so influensive. He seemed to have Aileen hypnotized."

However, this could not serve as an excuse, Judge McCune being a non-believer in the occult.

It turned out that Mr. Clemm is at Braymer, Mo., where he has the management of a store. Mrs. Clemm expressed her disinclination to move to Braymer, preferring the city. In the end, choosing between rejoining her husband and having her daughter sent to Chillicothe, she voted for Braymer.

"I'M AFRAID SHE'LL KILL ME CHOILD!"

The mother and foster mother got a scolding from the judge for dressing the girls, one in vivid blue and her own child in bright red.

"Red always was so becoming to her," she pleaded. The judge was obdurate in favor of quiet tones for dress.

Up to this point the hearing had progressed quietly enough. But when it was announced that Mrs. King was about to appear, the sisters and Mrs. Clemm plainly were flustrated.

"I am afraid she will kill my child," said the mother in genuine alarm. "She has threatened to take her life."

So Mrs. King, a frail little woman, testified with an officer of the court at each side, ready to stop any offensive maneuvers. She said her husband was now tractable and providing for her, paying no more attention to the girl.

"I did say to the girl that 'when I get through with you you won't be such a pretty soubrette behind the footlights," she admitted, "but nothing more, Aileen dear."

When it was all over, Mrs. King thanked the court, thanked George M. Holt, deputy probation officer, thanked everybody, and went her way. As for King, who had sat all afternoon in the courtroom, he was not called nor did he linger after adjournment.

Labels: children, clothing, courtroom, forest park, Judge McCune, juvenile court, marriage, oklahoma, theater, vaudeville, Weston, women

August 27, 1908

KANSAS CITY BOY AT CARNIVAL.

Earl Flynn, in Dancing Stunt, on

Next Week's Bill.

The stars of the free vaudeville at Carnival park next week will be Mazuz and Mazette, the comedy acrobats who have been seen several times at the Orpheum theater. Earl Flynn, the Kansas City boy, who has played the last two seasons with the Al G. Fields Minstrels, and formerly with the West Minstrels, Ward and Vokes, "Fiddle-Dee-Dee" and other companies, will have a novelty dancing stunt on the same bill.

Flynn was born in Kansas City and attended the Lathrop school. His father, William Flynn, was in business here and in Kansas City, Kas., for nearly twenty years. Flynn lives at 3334 Prospect avenue. Others in the bill are Clifford and Robbins, character singers, and E., J. Olson, banjoist, formerly of the Olson brothers. The bill is up to the standard of the Napanees, who are making a great success this week in the free vaudeville at Carnival park.

Labels: Carnival Park, Prospect avenue, theater, vaudeville

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, circus, police, romance, vaudeville, visitors

April 15, 1908

CARTOONIST'S FUN

WITH JOE STEIBEL

SAYS HE COULDN'T MAKE HIM

"LOOK PLEASANT."

"Apollo" Bergfield, the Big Copper,

Also Suffers at the Hands of

the Visiting Artist.

CARTOONIST LEVI'S LIBEL OF "JOE" STEIBEL, THE POPULAR PRESS AGENT OF THE ORPHEUM THEATER, WHOSE SMILE IS PERENNIAL.

"Behold the man who never smiles, or to whom it is at least painful to smile," said Bert Levy, as he pointed out one of his drawings of Joe Steibel, the affable pres agent of the Orpheum. "I tried every way in my power to make him even look pleasant, and at last he turned on me, serious as he could be, and said, 'Levy, I can't smile; I'm a sick man.' But I know the reason why he is so doleful -- it's because he has been working too hard this season.

"Why, just look what he has been up against all year, another vaudeville house in town, a bank suspension and lastly, Judge Wallace. It's enough to take the humor out of anybody."

"In this man you see the one who has made and unmade vaudeville stars and Kansas City. He doesn't care whether the actor was headliner in the last city or whether he was put in the most inconspicuous place on the bill; if his act has merit, Joe will pick him out and begin work on him at once. Honest, he is the busiest man about the Orpheum theater -- no wonder he can't smile. He hasn't had time to practice.

The other picture here with the cop as centerpiece is true to life," continued the artist. "I made a sketch of this picture while standing out in the foyer of the theater, and this is just what I saw. People look upon this genial officer of the law, Joseph Bergfeld, I believe is his name, with real fear in their faces. What there is for them to be afraid of is more than I can see, for during the three years that Joseph has watched the box office window to see that the ticket seller does not take in any bad quarters, not an arrest has been made. At least that is what Joseph himself tells me.

Officer Joseph Bergfield as seen by artist Bert Levy

THIS IS JOSEPH BERGFIELD, THE WEST NINTH STREET APOLLO, CAUGHT IN HIS FAVORITE POSE BY CARTOONIST BERT LEVY, WHO LABELED THE DRAWING "INTIMIDATION."

"It may be that the reason for this is that the benign cop is put together in such wonderful and fantastic proportion that the 'con' men prefer to risk arrest in some other quarters. Just what would be your feelings when you march up to the box office window and have to pass between it and a ferocious looking cop, slowly balancing himself first on his heels and then on his toes, his heavy club swinging behind his back in time to the musical movements of his body?"

Mr. Levy is cartoonist on the New York Morning Telegraph. In speaking of his life work he said:

"My career as an artist began when I was but 13 years old, in the rear of a dingy little pawnshop in Melbourne, Australia. It was a pawnshop which belonged to my brother-in-law. I was put in to mark the tickets which we used in the show window, an I would delight in cutting them out in heart-shaped and different designs. The letters I would form as artistically as possible. This gave me a start, and as days went on I began to sudy the faces of the men as they peered in through the show window looking at the articles for sale. Then I began to copy them, and I am afraid let my pawnshop business pass iwth little attention. Soon my brother in law caught me at the drawing and I was forthwith discharged. I was them put into school, and after much pleading with my father I was allowed to take a course in art.

"Two and a half years ago I left Australia and came to America. When I arrived in New York I was penniless. I had nothing save my portfolio of drawings and a courage which was born of centuries of persecution. Immeidately upon my arrival in that great whirlpool of hope and despair I went to the editors of the New York papers and tried to find a market for my work, but because I was poorly dressed, and I was, for my shoes were almost off my feet and my coat was in rags, and because I was a Jew, I was given no hope, no chance to show that I could draw.

"For five days I wandered about the Ghetto, hungry and in dire want. My meals were picked up at the free lunch counters, and my sleep, what little there was of it, I got any place htat I could find. Then after many efforts, I succeded in getting a trial on the New York Telegraph, and, well, I am still on their staff, and do work for many other large publications. I won out after a terrible struggle, but I think of the thousands of talented artists, geniuses, who are almost starving in New York simply because fate wills it."

Labels: arts, immigrants, Judge Wallace, New York, Ninth street, theater, vaudeville, visitors

March 27, 1908

HE WAS A FAKE WILLIAMS.

Person Who Collected Money Here

Not the Veteran Minstrel.

After using burnt cork on his face for thirty-eight years to appear in almost every variety of stage performances, saving a small bank roll, raising a family and being comfortably well off, Billy Williams, the old minstrel, finds than an impostor had been visiting every city in the country, using the name of Billy Williams and depending on charity for support. Billy Williams, the original and only, is at the Auditorium theater this week with "The Way of the Transgressor."

A man who claimed to be Billy Williams came to Kansas City last fall. He said illness caused principally by drink, had forced him to quit the stage, and his wife and children, as well as himself, were in need of money to keep them from starvation A benefit was given for him and he secured a tidy sum from local sympathizers. He then disappeared and was heard of in other cities playing the same game.

The original Billy Williams is 53 years old and has been on the stage since 1870. Besides his minstrel career, he was seven years with the Gray & Steve company, five years with the "South Before the War" company, five years in vaudeville with his daughter, who is now the wife of a well known showman and five years with "The Way of the Transgressor" company which is now playing at the Auditorium theater. It will be remembered that the "Billy Williams," who was an object of charity here last fall, delivered a temperance lecture in a local church, and stated it was from his own experience that he was able to speak. The is one reason the real Billy Williams is indignant.

Labels: con artist, theater, vaudeville

January 12, 1908

ACTORS ON LONG JOURNEY.

Shubert Discontinues Vaudeville and

Players Go East.

Last night closed the last week of vaudeville at the Shubert, and Kansas City was the scene of a "leave taking" among performers which was unusual. Vaudeville artists do not usually journey far between performances, but with the closing of the Shubert every performer was sentenced to a term on the Atlantic seaboard. Some of the longest "jumps" recorded in vaudeville were announced last night, when all the players had been placed by the syndicate.

It would be impossible for any of the Shubert performers to reach their destination for the regular Sunday show, but each will open with a Monday matinee. Long and Cotton go to New York. Vasco to Boston; Greene and Werner to Johnstown, Pa.; Quigley Bros. to New York; Barnold's dogs and monkeys to New York; Alexander and Bertie to Rochester, N. Y.; Lilly Fleximore to New York, and Newbold and Carroll to Syracuse, N. Y.

The performers, whose traveling expenses are paid by the theatrical syndicate, will travel in most luxurious appointment, but the dream will end at a half a score of stage doors when the curtain goes up on Monday's matinee in the East.

Labels: New York, theater, vaudeville

January 4, 1908

"LEGITIMATE" AT THE SHUBERT.

Its Days as a Vaudeville House

Numbered, Says Lehman.

Promptly at the beginning of the performance this evening the Shubert theater will pass officially from the control of the Klaw & Erianger-Oppenheimer regime into the hands of the Orpheum circuit management. Martin Lehman, manager of the Orpheum, will at that time assume actual control of the other playhouse and a new order of things will be instituted for the Shubert. After being buffeted about for more than a year, the theater will at last settle into what seems destined to be its future as a home of legitimate drama of the highest class. Its days as a vaudeville house are numbered.

To a Journal reporter last night, Mr. Lehman made a semi-official announcement that next week's bill would be the last of the vaudeville bookings at the Shubert. He declared that the one remaining bill had been contracted for and that after its finish the new engagements scheduled would be of the "legit."

"There remain three contracts to be filled after next week's show," said Mr. Lehman. "The first of these will be be Bertha Kalich in "Marta of the Lowlands," which will begin a week's engagement January 13. On March 9 Ibsen's drama of "Rosmersholm," with Minnie Maddern Flake, will begin a week's engagement, and the "Rose of the Rancho" will play the week beginning April 6. These three contracts will finish the bookings of the old company. Aside from them the bookings for the rest of this season will be entirely new.

"While our management has not instructed me to give out any advance notices of the rest of the season's engagements, I think I may safely say there will be no more vaudeville. We shall doubtless try to secure the best possible productions in the legitimate drama, and hope to offer strong bills for the rest of the season. I think there is little or no foundation for the rumor that the theater will be closed. There will be no changes in the working forces at the Shubert. All the old employees will be retained."

Labels: theater, vaudeville

December 8, 1907

211 THEATER INDICTMENTS.

146 Arrests Yesterday Afternoon

Did Not Discourage Managers.

Indictments were returned yesterday morning against 211 theatrical persons, including actors, actresses, musicians, managers, ushers, stage hands, and all employes.

The clerk of the criminal court prepared 211 warrants and delivered them to Al Heslip, county marshal, for service. The marshal then conferred with Frank M. Lowe and Senator A. L. Cooper, attorneys for the theaters. It was agreed that yesterday's afternoon matinees should not be disturbed. Judge Wallace said he was willing to accommodate them, but that he didn't wish to hold court far into the night in order to arrange the bonds.

The county marshal assigned two deputies to ever theater yesterday afternoon. The attorneys agreed to have everyone for whom there is a warrant to go the the criminal court immediately after the matinees and answer to Judge Wallace.

The theaters and theatrical companies, for whose players and employes indictments were reported, are: Auditorium, "Texas," Gilliss, "Gay New York;" National, vaudeville; Grand, "Dion O'Dare;" Century, California Girls' Burlesque company in "The Sultan's Wives;" Shubert, vaudeville; Orpheum, vaudeville; Majestic, Gay Masqueraders in "Mr. Dopey's Dippey Den."

None of the players at the Willis Wood was indicted, because Walker Whitesides Company that played there last Sunday, had only a half week's engagement and left the city Thursday.

Although there were 211 indictments, only 145 actors, actresses, managers, and other theatrical persons, including the orchestras, were arrested yesterday afternoon, but every theater in Kansas City except one, the Majestic, will be open to-day. The difference between 211 - the number indicted - and 145 - the number arrested, represents the players of several degrees who left town to avoid arrest.

The Majestic gave no matinee yesterday and no performance last night. The company playing there left the city about noon, Clinton Wilson, the manager, said, without telling him anything about it. "And this house," the manager said, "will henceforth and forever be closed on Sunday while Judge Wallace reigns. Glory be."

All other managers said their theaters would be opened every Sunday in the future, or at least until it had been decided that to have them open would be illegal.

NOW FOR A LAW TEST.

With the first arrests disposed of, the attorneys for the theatrical interests will begin at once to try for an opinion from the supreme court as to the constitutionality of the law, creating Judge Porterfield's division of the criminal court. They hope in this way to bring few of the indicted persons to trial immediately. With a few acquittals, which the attorneys predict as the result, they believe the attempt to close theaters will cease.

Judge Wallace allowed the deputy marshals so to time their actions yesterday so that none of the performances was interrupted. In the future, he said, he will not be so considerate.

"It is not the fault of the attorneys that many of the players ran away," the judge said, "but in the future I will not accomodate the theaters. They will have to time their actions with the court. As soon as indictments are returned and the warrants prepared, the marshal will be instructed to serve them immediately and bring the offenders into court, no matter if a performance is in progress. The court will take no more chances on players running away."

Managers and actors and actresses and other theater employees began coming into the criminal court room shortly after 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Judge Wallace has promised to be there then to accept bonds. By 5 o'clock the courtroom held a queer looking crowd. Chair space was exhausted. Men sat in windows and others pushed a way within the railing. The aisle was crowded and the latest to arrive from the theaters got into the room with difficulty. The crowd was estimated at 300.

"I am ready to take up this bond matter now," the judge said.

There was much interest in this announcement. The actresses grasped one anothers' hands and the men leaned forward nervously expectant.

THE SAME ARGUMENT.

First came ten employees from the Willis Wood theater. There were no players from the theater because the company that opened an engagement last Sunday played only a half week and ran away before the grand jury returned indictments. Frank M. Lowe, Senator A. L. Cooper, attorneys for the theaters, tried to file applications for change of venue, a proceeding that would have prevented Judge Wallace from hearing the pleas or fixing the amount of bond.

"The arraignments first will be filed and the bonds fixed," the judge said. "Then you may file your applications for change of venue."

Then Mr. Lowe said to all who were indicted, "Don't any of you make a response when the prosecutor asks you if you are guilty or not. Stand mute."

The attorney, then addressing the judge, said, "We wish to withdraw the plea of 'Not Guilty' and refuse to plead. Our position is that we have filed a plea in abatement and an application for a change of venue. That is our course in every case. We think that by reason of the application for the change of venue, this judge has no right to fix the bond or take any further action in these cases."

BUT THEY WERE MISTAKEN.

"That might be right," the judge said, "if you were running the court. It's a poor judge who doesn't control his own court. You may think you have filed the motions, but you haven't. This court decides when motions and papers shall be filed, and they are not filed until the court instructs the clerk so to do. You may file your applications for a change of venue after the arraignments, and after the prisoners have said whether they are guilty or not guilty. That's the practice and the rule in all criminal proceedings, and that's the way it is in this court."

The actor from the Auditorium was the only person who had a speaking part in the proceeding. All the others stood mute while the attorneys did the talking.

When Dr. Frank L. Flanders appeared before the clerk, the assistant prosecutor asked him where were the members of his company.

"They skipped," he said. "There was no one to make bond for them and they left the city."

TOOK THEM IN BUNCHES.

The arraignments were made in bunches. The whole company from a theater lined up in front of the clerk at one time. As the bonds were made for one crowd and they were released, one of the theater attorneys called the next theater on the list, and its players and employes came forward.

An actress from the Century entered the courtroom carrying a dog. She gave it to a friend to hold for her while she was being arraigned. The dog jumped to the floor and someone stepped on it. The dog yelped piteously and the crowd, or some of it, laughed. The judge admonished the marshal to keep order and the court bailiff beat his desk with his mallet. An intense silence prevailed for fully a minute. In such circumstances the judge usually threatens to clear the courtroom of spectators, but this was impossible yesterday because it was impracticable to weed out the spectators from the prisoners.

Walton H. Holmes qualified on 9 bonds and Bernard Corrigan on ten for persons from the Century. The other theaters had these bondsmen: Majestic, John W. Wagner; Orpheum, Andrew J. Baker and Charles Wiel; National, Dr. Frank L. Flanders; the Grand, Leo N. Leslie; Shubert, C. S. Jobes; Gilliss, Edward Costello; Willis Wood theater and Auditorium, E. F. Swinney.

Labels: attorney, burlesque, County Marshal Heslip, criminal court, Judge Wallace, Texas, theater, vaudeville

November 3, 1907

HOUDINI AND MARTIN LEHMAN.

The Orpheum Manager Gave the "Hand-

cuff King" His Start in Vaudeville.

Harry Houdini, the feature attraction at the Orpheum theater this week, got his start in vaudeville in Kansas City. In the early days of his career Houdini was a contortionist, trapeze performer and general utility man with the Jack Hoefler Circus, and later a member of a company of barnstormers.

One of his turns was to permit himself to be tied to a chair with ropes, from which he would extricate himself. One day while playing in Chetopa, Kas., with a small traveling show, Houdini asked for volunteers to come up and tie him. A sheriff, who happened to be present with a pair of handcuffs, cried out, "If you let me come on the stage I will tie you with these so you cannot escape." Houdini had never seen a pair of handcuffs before. The idea of using them as a feature suggested itself to him and he hence took up the study of locks. He acquired several pairs of handcuffs and in a short time acquired the faculty of extricating himself from them.

He went to Chicago where he met Mr. Walters, then president of the Orpheum circuit, and importuned him to give him an engagement on the circuit.

Mr. Walters, impressed with the young man's eloquence, sent him to Kansas City with a letter of instructions to Martin Lehman, manager of the Orpheum. Instructions in the letter were to "try this Houdini, and if his act was good to book him on the circuit." On receipt of the letter Mr. Lehman coached Houdini thoroughly and put him on the bill. Houdini met with such pronounced success he was given a contract over the entire Orpheum circuit. Since that time he has traveled all over the world.

Labels: arts, Chicago, circus, daredevils, theater, vaudeville

October 7, 1907

ALL OF THEM OPEN

THEATERS DO BUSINESS SAME

AS USUAL.

SOME ARE PACKED TO DOORS

POLICE PREPARE TO REPORT TO

GRAND JURY.

Penny Arcades Put on Passion Play

and Sacred Music -- Judah Says

There Are Sermons in His

Bill -- Cigars Sold

as Usual.

Kansas City theaters really give Sunday performances. Bold policemen, acting under orders which came directly from the police board, found this out last night. Such a rumor had reached police headquarters, but Chief of Police Ahern diplomatically sent out policemen to learn the truth after the police board pledged support to the criminal court in putting on the Sunday lid.

Regarding the rumor of Sunday performances -- the policemen found "It is even so." They will report to their superior officer today the evidence they collected in the playhouses. The supreme court decisions, shipped in from Arkansas, do not say it is a crime for an actor or an actorine to act, any day of the week. But with the managers it is different, and the police caught 'em red handed last night. The manager who includes Sunday performances in his contracts with the public "works" during the show.

Down at the Grand a policeman caught A. Judah working -- smoking numerous cigars and nodding "yes" or "no" to the doorman when a friend of the house applied for free admission. Judah is a long-headed manager. He saw the reform cloud on the theatrical horizon and send down East for a fitting show for the first tabooed performance. "Arizona" is the bill, and Mr. Judah's public flocked to the show like girls to a marked-down carnation sale. The house was sold out before 7 o'clock for the night performance, and half an hour before the curtain went up the "admissions" were exhausted, too.

SERMONS IN HIS SHOW.

"Did you ever see such a turn-a-way," said Harry S. Richards, manager of the show.

"No," answered Judah. "But it's the show which brings 'em out this Sunday night. There's a good sermon in 'Arizona' -- the kind that sends the public home with better thoughts to dwell upon through the week. For a show with a sermon coupon, 'Arizona' is a scream."

"But does Judah really own the Grand?" asked a uniformed policeman of the ticket seller early yesterday morning. He was getting the evidences for the police board. It was his first stop. He finally departed with the information that the place is managed by Mr. Judah.

Policemen did not visit many of the theaters until after the matinee hour in the early afternoon. They then called at each of the first class houses and later made the rounds of the penny arcades and moving picture shows, taking names of manager and locations of the places of amusement.

HE HEARD A HYMN.

At many of the arcades the policemen, who are to make a report also on the character of the performances, were astounded to find the "Passion Play" in progress. Down on Main street an officer put a penny in the slot, adjusted the tubes to his ears, and then turned pale when the phonograph struck up a hymn instead of the ballet medley he had expected. He did not want the proprietor to think he did not like the place, so he ground his teeth and heart it "clean" through.

The officer assigned to vaudeville houses got blind staggers before he caught the right tip and performed the duty assigned him. At the Orpheum he found that Martin Beck is a Chicagoan. He went over to the Shubert and found a vaudeville service in progress, but a kindly disposed man outside told the blue coated officer that Mr. Klaw isn't expected here for a fortnight at least. No, Mr. Erlanger wasn't in town, either.

"Well, who is manager of this house?"

"I'm trying to be," answered Walter Sanford, the local representative of the theatrical syndicate of Klaw & Erlanger.

INSIDE INFORMATION

Chief of Police Ahern at first assigned regular theater patrolmen to bring in the evidence wanted. The men had the information already, and did not bother the managers, but they did "peep in" to see that the show really went on. Others, drawn to the theaters by curiosity, questioned employes. A policeman in uniform stood in front of the Willis Wood last night with the negro attendant who looks after the carriages.

"Who does run this house?" asked the policeman.

"The manager is Mr. Buckley, sir," answered the employe.

"Well," said the policeman, I thought Frank Woodward runs the house."

"No, sir, Mister Frank is business manager, and Mr. Buckley is the manager, sir."

"What's the difference between a manager and a business manager," asked the bewildered policeman.

"That's easy. Mr. Buckley, he runs the business. The business manager signs checks."

"Where does O. D. Woodward come in?"

"Why! He's the governor. He runs the whole business."

HIST! SAID HE.

When two officers in plain clothes applied for admission last night at the Century, Manager Joe Donegan stepped to the door of his office. Then he turned and said:

"Hist! We're pinched." He had forgotten he had occupied the office alone and was only talking to an empty room. But the officers merely wanted to see if a show was in progress, and they soon departed to round up the arcades and outlying playhouses.

Cigar stands continued yesterday to sell newspapers, cigars and other stock. It's alright to sell newspapers, but it's considered Sunday labor to sell cigars, and the cigar stands which stay open to sell newspapers are preparing to put the lid on everything else if the grand jury so orders. But the police made no attempt to close either cigar stands or grocery stores.

Labels: cigars, grocers, police, police board, theater, vaudeville

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, vaudeville

January 5, 1907

HOW TO STOP EM.

HOTEL GUESTS WHO SWIPE

LINEN AND BRIC-A-BRAC.

THE BANE OF THE BONIFACES.

SUSPECT EVERY MAN, WITH OR WITHOUT BAGGAGE.

Members of the Missouri-Kansas Hotel Men's Association

Relate Their Grievance Because of

Souvenir Collecting Guests.

It was late yesterday afternoon. The Kansas-Missouri Hotel Men's Association was nearing the close of its annual session at the Midland hotel. Discussions of various kinds, following papers, were had.

"Any unfinished business?" asked Charles Wood, of Topeka, proprietor of the National hotel.

Mit Wilhite, famous in Kansas because he runs the Mitway hotel at Emporia, and because he is one of the biggest baseball fans in North America, and usually runs a team of his own during the summer to entertain himself, caught the chair. "There is a question that I want to ask of this convention," he said. "My wife has asked me to solve it. I can't. What do you do when guests at your house swipe towels? We have lost just an even six dozen since October 1. What in the name of Charles Cominskey do you do to get them back or get some sort of redress?"

There was a shout of laughter from all over the hall. The 100 or more dellegates appreciated the situation. They just threw back their heads and shouted.

Allen J. Dean of htis city is president of the association. "I can give you a dead certain relief," he said. Name it, shouted Wilhite. "I'll pay you for the prescription."

"Buy six dozen more," answered Dean. Then there was more merriment.

It's a funny proposition," said Dean, "a mighty funny one. Just last week I got a big package from a town in Wisconsin. I opened it and found a sugar bowl, of an old colonial style that we used about six years ago. Accompanying was a letter but unsigned. The writer said: "I have been attending revival meetings, and have experienced a change of heart. I herewith return to you a sugar bowl which I took from your hotel when a guest there a number of years ago. It is with me a matter of principle."

"But over at the Hotel Baltimore we had a strange experience. A guest there bought a new trunk, had it taken to his room, filled it with all the stuff from the room that he could cram into it, blankets, carpet, rugs, dresser scarfs and knick-knacks and he got away."

"The Bellvue-Stratford hotel has a remedy," said a member. "On every floor is a glass lookout. A young lady is placed in each one of these day and night, and can see, without being seen, all persons who come and go. When a guest leaves a room an inventory is immediately made of the room, and if anything is missing, the guest can be caught before he gets his bill paid at the office."

"In my hotel at St. Joe," said George Boone, "I had some gas stoves. One day I missed the silver ornament from one in room 11. I found that the occupant had just checked out, but that his grip was still at the check stand. It was not locked. I opened it, took out my ornament, but it back on the stove and closed up the grip. That guest never stopped at my hotel again."

"I got an envelope here a few days ago," said Frank Miller, of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas eating houses. "It contained $5. The note was unsigned, but the writer said he owed me that much for something he had taken. I never knew what it was or who took it."

And so they related experience after experience, but the final verdict was in harmony with that of A. J. Dean: "Go out and buy; six dozen more. That is the only sure remedy."

The meeting opened yesterday morning. Mayor H. M. Beardsley made the welcoming address. Reports of officers and a great deal of routine business was transacted. Frank Miller and D. C. Smith, of Kansas City, read papers. A number of other papers were read from members on the programme, who were unable to attend. The delegates will be here over tomorrow, and are down on the programme, as printed, "For good fellowship."

The banquet was held last night at the Savoy hotel. James A. Reed was the principal speaker. A programme of vaudeville from local theaters was put on.

Labels: Hotel Baltimore, hotels, James A. Reed, Mayor Beardsley, Midland, Savoy, Texas, Topeka, vaudeville