The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-29
THE ELKs AT wILKEs-BARRE.
What the Papers Down Dilley's Way
Think of Them.

Below are printed excerpts from the
Wilkes Barre papers notices Of the
Elks' minstrels. They indicate that
our local black face comedians are not
altogether like unto the proverbial
prophet outside his own bailiwick:
at was regular minstrel performance
with a first part of more interest than
many professional show and followed by
u number Of good specialties. The first
part setting was very effective, the stage
being draped in bunting and two big
American flags overhead. The loud shirt
ed, high colared, black face artists num-
bered sixteen, and an equal number of
white face performers were seated while
Bauer's band, on tiers of seats, furnished
the music. The opening was clever
dance drill by the black face men, and the
encores of the evening started with It..
Then followed vocal selections by d..
stevens, John Jones, John r. Evans,
PM Warren, w. L. Allies, Emil Schimpn,
W. Weichel and Leo Coyne, all of which
were well given and were encored. The
musical speciality, 'McGilligan's band,
ended the first part and caused lots of
laughter, the performers being grotesquc-
ly attired as colored women.
"A couple of very clever boy tumblers
opened the olio. They were called out
three times. William p. Ely, the famous
whistler, gave the intermczzo from I'll
Trovatore,' and Just One Girl and was
vigorously applauded. Then Bauer's band
played the overture from Lovely Galatea
delightfully."- and Thomas d. Van Osten
gave an excellent imitation of Sousa,
leading the band in a couple of two steps,
The Elks' quartette sang delightful and
then came one of the chief features of
the evening, the cake walk, by six far
tastically dressed couples, which was
oxcellently done and caused lots of
laughter and applause. J. ]. Lotus and
V. A. Slmrell took the cake.
Next an additional featr~e was pre-
sented, Mr.. Daniel L. Har;, of this city,
in his premier original Monologue, in-
spired by the occasion and the audience,
not to speak of two massive bouquets, all
OF which kept the house in a roar, es.
pecialy some clever hits at Scranton.
Charles Hartley, n professional, gave
a wonderfully clever exhibition of ven.
triloquism, and Miss Inez Mecusker, the
opera singer, was called out four times
and sang chArmlngly.
1.-THE conclusion was = clever skit called
The Darktown Swells' Initiation in
which a number of local people were i'm.
personated and some clever hits made. -
Record.
"It could easily have been a larger audi.
ence, but 1t is certain it could not have
been more in sympathy with the per.
formers. Every gag was received will
generous applause; every song was en-
cored and everything that the performers
did was encouraged in every way posi-
ble There were several bouquets handed
across the footlights and the whole even
ing evidenced the brotherly regard ant
sisterly affection felt for the antleret
monarchs from Slocum Hollow.
THE first part spectacle, Our Ameri
can Gentlemen, was the usual minstre
| opening with the stage setting in the ma
| tional colors, giving a very fine effect
| The jokes were nearly all localized anC
made a big hit. The singing of the
| Elks' sextette was a pleasing feature
and the solo work of d. Stephens, Johr
| Jones, John Il. Evans and Phil Warrer
was exceptionally good In the song
| It's a Good Thing, Push 1t Along by w
| Weichel, the introduction of little col
| ored baby and baby carriage frightened
the effect and tickled the risibilities o.
| the audience. Leo Coyne as the coloreC
dude, gave Il good impersonation and hi
song, Hello My Baby with chorus by
| the company, was one Of the hits of th'
| evening.
"The finale to the first part. Polly Nc
| Gilligan's band, was decidedly origina
and eXcruciatingly funny, and the aero
| batic work of two little l0-year-ol(
| boys, called Wright and Wrong, was ex
| ceptionally clever. Bauer's band dem
| onstrated their skill in an overture, ant
the Elks' quartette. John T. Evans, Phi
| Warren, John Jones and Dave Stevens
\ delighted everybody. The cake wall
| with Alex Dunn as master of ceremonies
created prolonged laughter, and tn
| ventriloquism and mimicry of Charlie
| Hartley were the best of their kind hear
| in this city for some years.
| "But the star of the evening was Mis-
| Inez Mecusker, a prima donno soprano
formerly soloist with Sousa's band. Mis-
| Mecusker sings as though she likes II
| and her whole soul seemed to be in he
voice as she gave the song which ou
| own Joe Atkins has made immortal ii
| Wikes-Bar
| "But IL seems Scranton can never Se
| along without Wilkes-Barre, and las
night they borrowed Dan Hart from Be
Dilley for three minutes. Dan went o
| and gave a talk on Yesterday, Toda
and Tomorrow He had lots to say, an
| said it in such "A way that the hous
roared with laughter. For every jok
| the Scranton men had perpetrated at IN
| expense OF Wilkes-Barre Mr.. Hart CAV
back with interest, and closed his tai
with an impersonation of Roland Rec
| reciting THE Aesthetic Kiss
1.-THE finale of the show, called "Fh
Darktown Swells' Initiation was We
done, and on the whole the performanc
was most creditable. News Dealer.