Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-04-13
SHOW SCORES HIT,
ACROSS THE RIVER
Warm Reception Accorded Rock
Island Club Minstrels at
the Burtis.
FLOWERS FROM THE BUSINESS MEN
An Enthusiastic Audience in At
tendance--Purse for Mr..
McNish.

The Rock Island Club and those
who made up its second annual min
strel troupe have reason to feel proud
of the reception accorded them in
Davenport last night. an audience of
good-sized proportions gathering at
the Burtis opera house to witness the
performance.
The entertainment carried along
more smoothly than it did on the first
night, there was dash to it, the audi
ence from the start entering into the
spirit of the occasion, making the per-
formers feel that they were appreci-
| ated, and the result was that each one
did his best. The Davenport Repub-
lican, in the course of an extended
write up, pays The club and its min
strels the follow ny compliment in
this mornings issue:
For an amateur minstrel aggre-
cation the Rock Island Club takes the
| whole cake factory. There have been
a good many mirth-provoking COM
panIes in Davenport this season, but,
Judging from the sounds that ema
mated from the playhouse during the
evening. nothing has created such fuu
from start to finish as the 40 funsters
from over the river. The jokes were
J the features. They were terrific, and
every time one exploded someone was
hit. The iokers weren't bit particu-
lar or bashful. but they'll have to
cross the street when they meet some
| of the victims during the next month
People Turn Out Well.
Davenport people turned out we'll
to the performance, the seating capac.
ity of the Burtis opera house being
| very nearly taken in it's entirety. The
Davenport Business Mems association
acknowledged the visit of the sister
| organization with huge nosegay and
the audience kept up the acknowl-
edgment with round after round ofap-
plause as long as there was black
face in sight
The entertainment opened with a
grand chorus ny the entire compa y;
round of cake walking by the end
men, and an introduction of the pre-
mier sons of Menus, Willie Dumping
and Heinie Scratcher. Then followed
the songs and jokes out of Colt au-
tomato rapid-fire machine. IT some
CT TIE mem bers of the Rcck-Island
minstrels haven't had experience in
professional black face work they
| needn't hesitate to make beginning :"
Iuterlocutor Head acknowledged
the compliment from the Business
Mems association in an appropriate
little speech.
Testimonial to Stage Director.
At the conclusion of the show a
lunch was served for the performers
at the Rock Island Club During the
evening Gus Tegeler, in bshalf of
those who took part in the entertain
ment. presented Frank E Men ssh,
the stage director. with a neat purse
as mark of appreciation of his work
in drilling the company, and for the
valuable assistance he rendered in
contributing his services to the emf err
tainment when they were SO much
needed as result of the unavoidable
retirement at the last moment of
Abe Rosenfield. Mr.. McNish was
visibly affected by the testimonial and
thanking the boys heartily. coDgratu-
lated them and the club for the
splendid showing they had made.
He said the show both nights was a
credit to each and every one of them,
he had enjoyed his stay in Rock
Island, and would be glad to assist
the club again next season If his SER
vices were wanted. Mr.. McNish
leaves tonight or tomorrow for his
he is to be with William H. Vests
minstrel next season, having been en-
gagged to produce an after-plece.