The Saint Paul globe., 1905-02-23
CONV|CTS GO WILD
AT VAUDEVILLE SHOW
SuIIen Masks Are Quickly
Changed to Smiling Faces
by Performance

Nearly 600 convicts responded with
becoming alacrity yesterday at the
saltwater prison to an invitation from
Warden Henry Wolfer to give an evil
dence of their appreciation of a Wash
ington's birthday vaudeville entertain
ment which had just been completed
for their pleasure.
All those who wish to show that
they thank the ladies and gentlemen
who have come here and entertained
us please raise their hands," the war
den had said to the densely packed
room of men, and 800 hands as one
shot into the air.
Never did vaudeville artists enter
tain a more appreciative or demon
strative audience than yesterday at
the Saltwater penitentiary. Nor did
entertainers ever put their hearts more
fully into the pleasant task before
them. The result was that the Wash
ington's birthday entertainment at the
prison yesterday morning by members
of the Gay Masqueraders and Reilly
and Wood companies, playing engage
ments respectively at the Star theater,
St. Paul, and the Dewey theater, Min
neapoliS, was a signal success.
The entertainment, given in the
chapel of the prison, afforded oppor-
tunity for a study of faces that would
have been appreciated by the student
of human nature. The character of
vaudeville. The work was just such as
the rational man in ordinary walks of
life would enjoy in moment of relax
alton. 1t ranged from knock-about
and slap-stick to the ballads sung by
most engaging young women in even
ing dress. The Irish character, the
Hebrew comedian, the overpolite
Frenchman. the Weary Willie tramp,
all had their fling before the foot
lights.
Enthusiastic Applause
With the self-repression born of con-
finement under a rigorous discipline,
the 500 men crowded into the prison
chapel were disposed at first to be un-
responsive. But Gertie De Milt. young
and graceful, with a smile that was
winning and steps bewildering, broke
the reserve of the men, and she was
enthusiastically encored. Then Harry
Keeler and Joe Watson, in comedy and
parodies, appealed to their sense of
the ludicrous, and the men Numbered
their applause. Watson, as the guile
ltSS I1COAGNs was especially AoNOlC Cd-
After the first two numbers it was no
task to amuse, and the men encored
again and again. Warden Wolfer, gaz
ing over the sea of faces before him,
looked for two or three prisoners who
never smile. He found them laughing
heartily. The laughter was con-
tagious. Mike Fenton aroused the envy
of sundry young men of African ex-
traction "out in front" by executing
alax-Qr ffno "a Prnu-ninpr did
a number of original topical songs in
good voice and his singing of 'Alexan-
der" was mirth provoking. Pop"
Mitchell, in the character of man
who must have seen better days, and
his working partner. John ]. Cain, con-
tributed song and CAB fest that kept
the men busy untying language knots.
and Miss Camille Conde, a dark eyed
nightingale, sang sweet ballads of love
and the dreamy South. Frank Orth
closed the entertainment by doing
stunts on the piano, using his feet as
well as his hands to make the instru-
ment obey his will.
Are Allowed to Talk
When the prisoners had shown by a
hearty response their thanks for the
show, Warden Wolfer announced that
holiday privileges would be extended
in the shape of the freedom of the cor
ridors. The men filed out of the chapel
and to the cellhouse floors below. I'M
mediately a hum of voices came up
and the spectators looking over the
balcony ratings saw men throwing off
the restraint of months. Silence, i'm
posed throughout the year in the pen
itentiary except for holiday, was bro
ken and the men gathered about in
groups, calling each other by name.
Strong bands were grasped in other
hands, arms were thrown about neckS
in masculine caress, and friends among
the prisoners greeted each other with
words of affection. Soon a group drew
attention. A half dozen colored men,
forming a Eng by interlocking arms,
were humming The Lost Chord
"Suwanee River" and "Old Black joe
Scarcely had the last notes of the
sweet old melodies died away, when
into the circle was injected the form
of colored man. Feet began stamp
ing, hands clapping and heads waving.
1t was too much for the newcomer.
He gave the professionals. looking
down from above with critical eye,
something new in steps. The prisoners
were given a holiday dinner with a
number of extra dishes in honor of
Washington's natal day. The menu:
Roast Veal With Dressing.
Potatoes With Gravy.
Parsnips. Pickles. Bread =
Cake. Cheese.
Coffee With Sugar
The afternoon was given over to the
freedom of the corridors, and invalids
requiring fresh air. were given a turn
in the tiny park inside the peniten-
tiary walls.
The excursion of the entertainers to
suburban Saltwater and the giving
OF the holiday entertainment were con-
ceptions of j. G. Van Roo, of the Star,
and M. H. Singer, of the Dewey The
Dewey artists chartered a car Tues
day night after the evening perform
ance at the Dewey, and at ST Paul
the car took on the Star contingent.
"A group of st. Paul and Minneapolis
newspaper men accompanied the par
ty, as the guests of the managers Of
the Twin City playhouses, and at Still
water the entire company spent it's
first night behind prison doors. The
women were given rooms in the ad-
ministration building, while the menu
of the party were assigned to conven-
lent cots in the corridors. The outing
afforded the theatrical people, with the