The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-02-17

man, a public spirited citizen, who has
often shown himself ready to give his
time and money to advance The welfare
Of Lexington. he engaged in business
here in 1882, but did not entirely give
up the show business till in 1884, when
his knee gave out, and he abandoned
the show business forever. While he
was in the show business he was the
champion acrobat of the world, and
Barnum offered $40, 900 for any acrobat
who could equal him. No one ever
accepted the challenge.
Mr.. Geyer was born At Newark,
n. j., December IL, 1861, but bis
parents soon after moved to Quincy,
illinois. The following biographical
sketch was published by US some years
ago, and is very appropriate at this
time.
Albert Geyer was born December ~,
1861, st Newark, n. j., but removed
to Quincy, ILL.,, with his parents when
quite young. AT the age Of six years
Albert conceived a liking for rambling,
which was a custom al that time las
well as at presently among the boys
who on their swimming excursions
frequented the straw stacks Of the
paper mill (now its the sawdust pile
up by the bridge, and soon became
very proficient. About this time he
attended bis first circus, which COM
pletely carried him away and filled his
youthful mind with germs that took
root Immediately.
At the old Ninth street gas house,
where the boys congregated TO practice
dancing, he surprised all who beheld
him. He was in attendance on all
~circuses, where be would perform for
the actors, astonishing them greatly.
On frequent OCCASIONS he was accom-.
panied home by them and his parents
urgently solicited to allow him to &C.
company them, but all offers were
refused.
In 1873 or "A, the manager Of a
variety company playing at Pinkham
hall for the season, succeeded 10 gain
ing the consent Of his parents, and be
made his first appearance rs q song
and dance artist, alternating as a o n
tortionlst and doing juvenile negro
characters. His next appearance was
In St. Louis, at Deogal's Theatre.
During this season a dancing tourna-
/. ment was held at the Theatre Comique,
in which q number Of noted PROBES.
SIGNALS took part. Our youthful con-
~testant was awarded first prize, and
engaged at that thester. After this be
appeared in all the principal theaters
: in the country as an acrobatic dancer
and contortionist, playing lastly at
HarrIgan q Harris theater, New York
. City. 1t was here that the manager OF
: the then famous Great London circus
was so charmed with him that be en-.
gagged him as an acrobat for one year.
By continuous bard practice be found
3 himself at the expiration Of two years,
on the very topmost round Of Fame's
3 bright ladder, being the undisputed
champion tumbler Of the known world,
I and receiving the highest salary sVer
!. paid this class Of performers. p. T.
Barnum issued a $4,000 challenge
that the world contained not bis equal
! He originated and introduced q mum.
Der Of new performances, among which
was the extremely dangerous feat Of
: continuous tumbliDg on a pedestal,
combining innumerable difficult feats
10 rapid succession. 1t was while 10
= this aot-which was acknowledged by
the profession 10 be truly marvellous
8 and without a precedent-that he mel
!. with an accident that neces,itated BIZ
I temporary retirement, and from which
E be has never fully recovered. 1t oc'
CURED while with the Fourpaugt
!. circus In Philadelphia. The conclu.
. sion Of bis act consisted Of turning
h q twisting double.bac somersault,
D alighting on a mattress below, but OF
this occasion 1t had not been properly
q located, and be struck the ground
= iniuring bis knee joint. After resting
! niue months, during which time hi
, placed himself under treatment Of the
: most skillful surgeons in New York, b
3 was informed that his immediate recOv,
cry was quite unlikely, unless be aban
doned his profession. DHregardInl
-, this advice, be appeared the two fol
loving seasons with Barnum and Four
paugh respectively.
Al this time Hegler, Of London
Rentz, Of Berlin, Salomonski, Of Mos
COW, aud the manager Of the world
renowned Champs Elysees, Of Paris
all offered him very liberal induce
ments to go abroad, but it was no
& deemed prudent TO consider any o
these hsttering propositions on &c
count Of the condition OF hls knee, an,
be returned home, remaining ther,
eighteen months.
His injuries in the meantime hat
improved to such an extent that b.
y returned ts his profession. The latte
!, venture was a slight deviation from BIZ
former style. He formed a copartner
n ship with VIM. Delhauer, the tw,
e appearing 10 Mr., Geyer's original con
ception Of the ''Clown aud Frog.
This strain, however, proved Too pnpl