Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-04-04
IS AN OTTUMW A BOY
John Hirschauer is Now a Famous
Trap Drummer.
PLAYED BEFORE IMMENSE. AUDIENCES
Travelled With Many circuses-Now
With Grand Opera House at Kansas
City-Started at Con Lewis Old
Opera House-Well Known Here.

John Hirschauer, well known OF
tumwa boy, who plays the drums,
whistles, cymbals and other traps at
the Grand opera house in Kansas City,
Mo-, declares emphatically that there
is much pleasure in the circus life,
beneath the canvas, and he ought to
know, for he spent eleven years with
circuses, each of which, was the
greatest show on earth"
He says that the circus life is fas-
cinating and exciting and not attend
ed by the abuse and hardships that
the public generally attributes to it.
True, some of the roustabouts do not
have the easiest time extant, but bet
ter salaried employees, travel in COM
fort, and, if they are inclined, can en-
joy the novel life immensely. The
men classed as roustabouts are such
as the stake drivers, and for the
most part they are inclined to be
tramps, who follow circus life be-
cause it gives them rare opportunity
and plenty of wholesome food. But
the performers, handmen and others
holding good positions travel in pal
ace cars, dine we'll, and as all are a
part of the one big family, they enjoy
themselves.
An Old Ottumwa Boy.
Mr.. Hirschauer is former Ottum-
wa boy and the first job he ever had
was at the time when the old roller
skating rink, was in existence in this
city, which is remembered by the old
timers and many of the younger gen
Grafton. Johnnie" as he is known to
even all the small boys of Ottumwa
now, "beat the triangle" in the or
chestra at that time under the leader
ship of G. M. Woolworth. After be-
coming an expert on the triangle and
learning to keep the exact time with
the other music in the orchestra one
day a suggestion came to him, why
not try the piccolo." This he did and
mastered that instrument, after which
he gave his attention to trap drums.
A Good Pianist.
A fact that is not generally known
among our home people, is that Mr.
Hirschauer from a point of technique
is one of the most proficient pianists
that the people of Ottumwa have ever
had the pleasure of listening to-
Learned Every Instrument.
After careful study of almost ev
cry instrument in band at that time
Mr. Hirschauer became SO perfect
that Prof. Carl F. T. Schwabkey, the
veteran musician and leader, fount
this Ottumwa boy, and it was under
his leadership that he became the
player that he is today. He is con
sidered one of the best trap drummers
that the western country has evel
known.
At the time of the old Con Levi.
opera house, which was located OF
South Green street, where Grips &
Bros livery barn now stands, Johnnie,
showed his skill, in the art of ira,
drum playing. This famous youns
Ottumwan now delights in telling O
the fluttering canvas, bedecked will
myriads of flags, the dancing sleel
tunes, the freaks, the wild animals
the enormous crowds and his old lif,
fits like a panorama before hi
eyes.
In Many Theaters.
Mr.. Hirschauer has played the trap
before the t1ittering footlights of man,
theaters, and has seen nearly all tn
great actors and actresses delight aud
fences, but this, he says, is not nearl
as soul inspiring as it is to sit on
band wagon drawn by eight prou
horses in advance of circus parad
passing down a crowded thorofare. |
makes the blood tingle in one
veins to gaze into the faces of tn
happy throng, to see the sunny face
of the children and the astonishe
look of Reuben" and to feel that yo
are lending mite to the wholesal
happiness.
AT the circus tent, with its hustle
the hustling crowd. the enthusiasm
and excitement, the strains of music
!. the shouting of the "spielers," III
roaring of the Gagged beasts, and til
II plaudits of the great crowds of happ
~ people, there is little chance of mc
81 notony. In everything the observin
III circus man finds something of int
est. 1t may be in noting tn
costumes of the people, of di
ferent localities, or it may be j
sight seeing, for which he can fin
ample time.
His Different Trips.
In telling of the runs made by Iii
ferent circuses Mr.. Hirschauer says
The longest run between town
made on the extensive journey wa
800 miles, from Kansas City, Mo-,
Alton. H., while the shortest was frol