Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-03
WATERBURY ELKs MINISTRIES
Excellent Performance Given Last
 Night.

OluCI dudlGul AdS LL- tested to the fact that in this city there are many versatile artists who can place upon the stage almost any kind of an entertainment and win out. When some months ago the idea was conceived in the brain of Director Scott Snow that he would wander away from all the old styles of min- strelsy and present q new conception, there were very many of the members of Waterbury lodge who were not Sanguine of success. Scott Snow Is possessed of one thing, however, and that. is-sand, and he made up his mind that he would do as he planned or retire from the field of entertain ment for good Associated with him in this determination were . number of the best performers in the lodge and as week followed week and the daring plans began to unfold all the members fiocked around the director and things began to look brighter and when the night of the Bristol perform ance arrived the plans had matured and everybody realized that the show was going to be a go and good one, too. The success of last night should be given to Scott Snow of Hartford, who proved himself, what has already been Known, one of the best directors in the state of Connecticut
 Before the curtain arose on the hrst part Polls theater held Q large audi ence, perhaps as large as any that has been present at any minstrel enter- tainment since the theater was built. In the boxes and in blocks of ten and twelve in other parts of the house sat visiting Elks from Bridgeport, Dan bury, Derby, New Haven, Hartford, Torrington and some from outside the state. The Danbury delegation did not arrive until a quarter past eight and they took the house by storm as they marched to the box reserved Tor them headed by the genial hotel pro- prietor of the "Hatting' town John McGlynn. He was beating the Elks march on miniature drum while his companions were footing with all the strength of their lungs on tin whistles
 The Bridgeport members also made an impression for before the entertain ment had progressed minute, down the aisle came one of their number carrying a mammoth basket of flow CTS and this member in a brief speech DT0SGulGu IL " " kAlClpu1J AO0S A1AA7 closed also in the basket was a chal- lenge from the Bridgeport lodge base ball team for a game of ball to be played at the annual field day of Wa terbury lodge during the coming sum- mer. 1t is safe to say that this chal- lenge will be accepted and Bridgeport had better begin to practice right away for that event.
 When the curtain had ascended the audience was surprised to see no per- formers or singers on the stage. The scene was an old farm in New Eng land. A couple of farm hands with rake and fork were standing in view and listening to some of the farm hands singing. On the porch of the old house sat the owner of the farm we'll to do old man and he too was listening toNthe music. The song sung was "The Vacant Chair'' and at it's conclusion the old farmer who was known as Uncle Denman" and was represented by E. l.. Maloney address ed himself to the singers. He told them that there was a vacant chair but it would not be vacant long as his boy Jack was coming home from Yale college and he was going to bring along with him lot of his chums and crowd of Elks. Uncle Denman or ders the hands to get the farm in readiness and mistaking the crowd. of Elks to be animals he orders the barn put in readiness for their comfort, orders in the cidar and dispatches a servant to the village for Brigadier- General Thomas Funston Guest, play ed by Tommy Guest and his militia regiment. The sound of the drum is heard in the distance and in marches General Guest and his company all att tired in the regular Kahki uniforms. The drill which was participated in by twelve members of Waterbury lodge was one of the pretty features of the entertainment and was enthusiastical- ly cheered by those present At its conclusion they lined upon each side of the stage prepared to welcome Jack and his chums.
 A trumpet was heard in the distance and then the old Yale chorus "Boola Boola" was waited in through the trees. Suddenly on to the stage dashed an old stage coach drawn by two spanking horses. Seated inside and on top were the students, while liveried outrunners had charge of the coach. The students were all attired in straw hats and linen dusters covered their full dress suits. Uncle Denman greet ed his son and then asked for the herd of Elks as he had the barn ready for them. This created laugh and then James c. Butler of Hartford was call ed on to explain what the Elks were and this he did clearly and concisely The farmer now called for song and in marched the endmen attired in foot mems costumes and the first real part of the minstrel performance was off. 'The Military Maid' was the song and well sung it was.
 The endmen who sang so well and whose jokes took the house by storm were Frank H. Bradbury, George Rob- erts, John Gillies, John Hackett, Har- ry Durant ana zoph Pearsall. George Roberts sang My Girl from Dixie'' and he made a decided hit. Charley Miller had a novel introduction and one that will long be remembered. Uncle Denman had called for cidsr for the boys when Johnny Gillies told the old man that he had better watch out