The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-17

clan, known as 1.-THE Fakir of Ava"
| Winston had taken up his business
from one DR.. Valentine, famous zone
man show of fifty years ago, and all
his characters and dialogues were the
Doctors, and clever, too. Valentines
creations and comic lectures were pub
lished in a pamphlet volume illustrated
with the authors inimitable impersona-
lions.
Another follower in the footsteps of
Dr. Valentine in the one-man-show
was the late Sol Smith Russell, who
managed to survive a strenuous exis-
tence in the far west of the day in Civ
ing single-handed performance in
small halls, school-houses and hotel
dining rooms. SOILS sun nearly set on
several occasions through the violence
of affronted patrons and once he was
not only run out Of the hall, but into
the river and obliged to swim for his
life. Sol always admitted that his ear
~ efforts were atrocious, but he was
bound to be an actor, because he was
named for his uncle, Sol Smith, the ia
nous player and manager. AS a lad
Sol took to management, and his am
bition was unlimited. Gale" the
scotfer, called his aims and intentions.
In time the boy Russell fell in with
the Peak Family Of Bell Ringers and
appeared with them for several seasons,
as did also the afterwards famous Ber-
gers. Besides the Valentine imperson-
atoms Sol sung comic songs and
dreamed of the day that he should head
his own shows.
In the summer of 1868 Sol Smith Rus
sell again essayed to tour upon his own
account and undertook the venture
with sparse capital and the enthusiasm
of youth His company was organized
lat New Haven and consisted of Sol
Smith Russell, "the humomst, facial
mimic and character vocalist, assisted
by the extensively known and accom-
plished musical geniuses, the Florences
and Mr.. j. e. Green, the gold medal
balladist, worldfamous as "Mocking
Bird Green presenting an encyclope-
dia of fun, wit, humor and song, re-
plete with mirth, melody and music"
Charles Fl. Day, Business Manager.
Sol expressed his hopes in card"
Mr.. Sol Smith Russell, having severed
| his longtime connection with the Peak
Family Bell Ringers, while with
whom he was wont to receive so many
fattering testimonials of the public APP
probation and appreciation of his eff
forts to amuse, has been tempted to
gather around him company of ar
lists of undoubted ability, and hopes in
his new sphere of manager to continue
to merit and receive the patronage of a
kind and indulgent public"
RusselPs hopes In his new sphere of
manager were not realized. The COM
pany opened in Birmingham, played
Waterbury, Wolcottville, Bridgeport
and Westbrook. made some stands in
New Jersey, took in few Of the Hol-
land Dutch towns of Pennsylvania and
got into New York state in time to run
up against red-hot political cam
paign which brought the speculation
to grief and its protector to a sick-bed,
where he was confined during the run
of fever. The proprietor Of the hall
IN Owego was one-man-showman
AAllAloClA anu llctQ IllclQG a I6dluI6 DIS LIZ.
Wilson, the medical lecturer, and he al
ways exhibited at his hotel an appeti-
2ing exhibit of tumors, tape-worms, ETC.
The business manager borrowed twenty
dollars of the doctor and had his trunk
sent G. o. D. to New Haven otherwise
he might have walked The Florences
and ]. E. Green also returned to this
city.
Long after Sol Smith Russell had be-
come a theatrical star Of fame and for
tune one of the old-time humorists of
New England, "Comical Brown" con-
tinued on tour, exhibiting In town halls
and keeping to the woods" as one
Sam Sampson his one-time advance
agent posted their towns. "Comical
Brown" had an enviable reputation as
an entertainer, although it is stand
you ever see Comical BROWNE"
Brown Travelled with his own teams |
as appropriately lettered as cage of |
''the Greatest Show on Earth" and at |
no remote period approached New Ha-
ven as near as Centerville, on which |
occasion the pupils of the Rev. Mr.. Ev- |
crest attended "the great moral enter
tainment" in body.
Comical Brown, with his rigs, was
far in advance of Sol Smith Russell |
with his effects done up in a pocket |
handkerchief, as far as outside display
was concerned.
And now "Comical Brown" of the OBJ |
solete -nan-show is to be made IA
nous by dramatist.
PUPILS TO HARTFORD.