The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-14
of the streets The wonderful contrast
admirably brought out in the souvenir.
ELKS In BLACK FACE.



When the curtain rose at English's Opera
House last night the auditorium was
crowded. even the aisles being blockaded
and on the stage, in a woods scene, sat
the semi-circle of prominent Elks. some in
black face and minstrel costumes and
others in dress suits, and above them,
seated amid the rocks and the bushes on
the side OF the snow-capped mountain, was
a bevy Of pretty girls in white dresses. The
opening chorus was a mixture Of coon
and sentimental songs and the opening
tones were drowned by the applause. James
F. Quigley, looking not at all like chief
Of police and a great deal like a chief Of
Zulus, sat on a throne in the middle OF the
semi-circle. On one side with bones were
Bert Feibleman. Harry Overman and Fire
Chief Tom Barrett and on the other side,
banging ''tambos." were Val Farbach,
Ed Seguin and Frank Ramps. The six OF
of them wore white jackets and trousers,
red waistcoats and lofty collars. After the
chorus Val Farbach sang Liza Skinner"
and introduced in a cakewalk Little Fri
day" pretty mite Of a girl who fioated out
on the stage like a fairy in white duck
trousers and red Jacket. Her grace and
beauty won a storm OF applause from the
cessful feature Of the entertainment. She
was called back again and again.
r., ~; walter ter Wilson sang 5I "A Hun M
der What Is That Coon's Came" Harry Y.
Mercer. Because Bert Feibleman, IF
that Aim. IT. Winnin a Home. and Louis
singers were recalled. Between the songs
Interlocutor Quigley and the end men
worked gags with professional ease"
Feibleman called the attention OF the house
RGVPFIlEG RaDrPEnnt
lands and others sitting in the front row,
by saying he was very glad TO see them.
BILLY" kotteman drinking a glass of beer
was like the last Legislature. it was said,
because both liked their Beverage. When
the interlocutor announced the Monroe Sis
tiers, two singers and dancers appearing at
the Empire Theater this week, there was
an apparent curiosity among the women in
the audience to see what an Empire Theater
actress looked like. When the two young
women in short skirts danced out on the
stage an incalculable number of feminine
eyes were fastened on them. They won gen.
erous applause and were presented with
flowers. In fact, every one who appeared
on the stage was presented with flowers,
as IL 1t were programmed that flower pre-
sentation were part or the performance.
The burlesque was interrupted by Tire APP
pearance OF Air Holt, a whistler and lTnita
tor. and a member Of the company at the
Park Theater. II was necessary for him TO
return to the show that paid his salary. He
amused the audience for d few minutes and
the burlesque was taken up again: Farbach,
as hlnS OunlSnutSklep introduced MS
daughter CBert Feibeman) as the fairest
flower that ever blomed on Indiana ave-
nue. There was more singing in solo and
chorus. Little Friday was again introduced
and gave several fancy dances TO the de-
light of the audience. Girard Leon and his
donkey, both members of Wallace circus,
appeared, but the donkey was aggravatng
ly stubborn. Mason Mitchell, the actor-sol-
dier-lecturer with the company at the EN-
pire rheater, told his story of Rough Rider
experiences and carried his audience with
him through his thrilling recital.
The Shelbyville Elks had the three boxes
on the left and a delegation of Elwood
Elks occupied n box at the right side of the
theater. The Shelbyville lodge presented the
indianapolis lodge with q floral tribute in
the form of an elk's head.