Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-17
Becomes Manager of Gentry
Bros Dog and Pony Shows,
Bought For Millionaire
TAKES IMMEDIATE Ct
CHARGE
Biggest Thing That Has Como to a
Marshalltown Man in a Long Time,
and Follows Extensive Negotiations
on the Part of Mr.. speers-M. w.
Savage the New Owner.

Following negotiations that have
been pending for several months in
which a mammoth amusement under
taking was involved, Ike" c. Speers,
formerly manager Of the Odeon theater
In this city, and a Marshalltown boy,
becomes circus magnate, and genera.
manager of the famous Gentry Bros.
consolidated dog and pony shows. Mr..
Speers has just closed the gigantic deal
on which The has been working so long,
and turns over to M. w. Savage, of
Minneapolis, millionaire owner of THE
International Stock Food Company. the
property which he purchased. Mr.. Saw
age, who knows nothing whatever of
the show or circus business, and who
was interested solely from an Invest
ment standpoint, places the entire
mana cement of the shows in Mr..
Speers' hands. He becomes general
manager of the business at a large sal
airy, and aside from his salary is to
receive certain percentage of the BUSH
ness done. With only ordinary sue
cess Mr.. Speers will be afforded a
handsome income annually. The posi-
ton is the biggest that has come to a
Marsha ltown man in a long time.
There are four of the Gentry boys,
Henry B., William, Walter and Frank.
Until within a few years ago they had
ON the road four shows, each one un-
der the management of one of the
brothers. The shows were later consol-
idated into two, as the business had SO
grown that 1t required the time OF the
brothers For office management and
! general supervision and direction. with
| out the cares incidental to road life.
The Gentry Bros. have become mill
ionaires, and their fortunes have been
| made in the dog and pony circus bus
iness. In fact they are the only peo-
| pie who have ever been successful in
strictly a dog and pony show business.
AS illustrations the Sipe show, with
much money behind 1t, went to the wall
after a few seasons. The Blake show
also failed, as did the Sipe, Dolman and
Blake show, which followed the other
two. The Gentry shows began in q
small way, and have grown into Won
derful proportions, being the largest of
their kind in the world. The home OF
the Gentrys is In Bloomington, Ind,
| where the four brothers own practic-
ally the entire town Henry, the elder
brother, DIN particular, is an extensive
property owner, both in business and
residence blocks.
History Of the Deal.
The history of the big deal that has
just been closed will be interesting to
Marshalltown friends Of Mr.. Speers.
It dates back almost year, when the
Gentrys, who for years have been
warm personal friends Of Mr. Speers.
intimated to him that they would like
| to retire from the business providing
they could find purchaser who would
maintain the standard of excellence.
and preserve the reputation that they
had built up for their shows. Mr..
Speers made an offer to take over the
shows, and finally secured an option
for sum which the T.-R. is in honor
bound not to give. Mr.. Speers interest
! ed Mr.. Savage with the purchase as
| the final outcome.
One Of the principal REASONS for the
| u VA S1AO PalI VI LILO NOAeA .
was the desire Of Mr.. II. B. Gentry, the
eldest brother, to be at home more of
the time, owing to the continued ILL
health Of his wife. Two Of the broth
ers, however, will be associated with
Mr.. Speers during the first season un-
der the latter's management.
"Ike's p. g." Again.
In a. statement concerning the future
policy Of the management Mr.. Speers
has given out his personal guarantee, >
SO familiar to Marshalltown amuse-
ment lovers, in the following state
ment:
There will be no change of name or
methods. ."I shall act as general man
ager, and shall endeavor in every way
to keep up the standard Of the shows
and to improve them in accordance
with Mr.. Savage's well known progress
sive methods. Partly thru my long
friendship with the Gentry brothers,
and partly thru their respect for the
new proprietor of the shows, we will