davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14

Berlin, Oct. 1.-THE international
balloon race which started today from
the suburb Of Schmargendorf was the
occasion OF a thrilling accident, two
American aeronauts having a miracu-
lous escape from death. The Ameri-
can balloon Conqueror. the only Amer
lean built craft in the contest, having
on board A. Holland Forbes and Au-
eustus Post, less than two minutes
sfter the start burst at an altitude of
1000 feet. For 1000 feet It shot down
like bullet. and then the torn silk
bag assumed the shape OF a para-
, chute. thus checking the rapidity of
the descent. Coming close to the
earth, however. the basket smashe 4
into the roof Of a house, but the
two men escaped with but slight in
juries.
The race. in which % balloons par
;icipated, representing Great Britain,
France. Germany. the United States.
switzerland. italy. Belgium and Spain,
| started at o'clock this afternoon In
| the presence Of at least $4,000 specta-
tors. The first balloon sent away wis
the America II. under command Of
James c.. Mccoy, who was accom-
panied by Lieut.. Voghmann. The bal.
loon was decorated with the Stars and
Stripes, and 1t sailed away to the
southeast at rapid pace, the aero
nauts waving their hats.
A representative Of each Of the 9th.
er nations followed the American bal
loon In succession at intervals OF two
minutes. the national hymns of the
| respective countries ringing forth as
the ropes were cast loose.
The second batch Of eight balloons
was led by Forbes In the Conqueror.
which reached a high altitude in AN
incredibly short period. the basket
fwaying violently. Then almost in
stantly a cry of hirror arose from the
crowd. who saw the silk collapse, and
shouted: "The ballon Is ripping up"
The thousands who had gathered
there stood for a moment petrified.
Some turned away fainting. as they
saw the balloon falling with light
n!nglike rapidity. At the same time
showers Of sand and appurtenances
Of the balloon shot downward with
equal rapidity and then daylight was
seen through the envelope. great rag
ged edges of the silk showing on
either side.
"They are killed." went in a hushed
whisper through the crowd. but
shortly the remainder Of the envelope
was seen to take, first, a triangular
shape. and then was transformed into
sort Of parachute at tn. top Of the
net and the speed of the wrecked bal
| loon was considerably arrested. It
came down slower and slower, mean-
while being swept by the wind far to
the southeast. and finally disappeared
from view behind block OF houses
The suspense among the crowd was
terrible. But a few minutes later a
! telephone message was received from
Friedenau. which announced that the
men had landed and had not been se-
riously injured. The other balloons
were sentu after n brief delay with
out further accident.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14

Occasional shipments are now being
made from Africa to the United States
Of the mahogany nut. the kernel Of
which is sweet and resembles the al
mond In flavor.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14
FREAK CALF IN CHEROKEE.
Monstrosity Appears at the Farm of
Mr.. John Harmon.

Gaffney, Oct. 6.-Another freak Of
nature has been developed in Chero-
kee county. Mr.. John Harmon, a
well known farmer living about nine
miles from the city, had cow to de-
liver calf that is a combination Of
several things altogether out Of the
ordinary. The calf has two heads,
one at each end of it's body two tails
and six feet. Both sexes are also de-
veloped in 1t. The animal is quite a
wonder and has caused a good deal Of
establishment.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14

when 1T thunders, the thief becomes
honest.-French.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14

II Is easier to prevent III habits than
TO break them.-German.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14
lERONlUT'S NARROW ESCAPE.
AMERICAN BALLOONISfS MIRAC.
ULOUSLY PRESERVED FROM
DEATH.

Contestants In Big Event-Gas Envel-
ope Bursts at Great Height Soon
After Start Of International Balloon,
Race.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

mimic" at the Auditorium Wednesday
afternoon, but the substitution of "Bo-
hemian Girl' for the Paulson opera
of course will make that impossible.
Several weeks ago, in the course
of a talk with Manager Leffingwell,
Mr.. Wilson CHANGED to remark that he
never had seen performance of "Er-
mimic" from the front of the house,
though he himself created the role of
one of the two thieves. At the same
time he expressed a desire to see the
opera IL the opportunity should ever
offer
Consequently when Mr. Leffingwell
heard that the Edgar Temple company
expected to present "Erminie" at the
Auditorium during the week of Mr..
Wilson's engagement here, and that
they would play Wednesday matinee,
he promptly wired his star to that eff
feet. Mr.. Wilson at once telegraphed
back instructions to reserve a box and
expressed his delight at the prospect.
Then Temple changed his plans. And
so Francis Wilson Is to be disappointed.
There is a possibility that Florence
Stone. who in private life is Mrs. Dick
Ferris, will abandon stock work next
winter to tour the country as a star,
perhaps in the Sardou repertoire in
which she gained her widest success.
To friend the other day Miss Stone
conhded this plan and said, further
more, that Dick had consented. Fer
ris himself, however, does not view the
project with any great enthusiasm.
He would prefer to come back to Los
Angeles or else to pass the winter in
travel abroad. Dick wants to see Eu-
ter then the winter after that; and he
doesn't banker after "trouping" pro-
fessionally.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ferris, by the way,
leave for Minneapolis this week to pre-
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

the British metropolis. where 1t was
hailed as remarkably accurate and
amusing delineation of the true Ameri-
can character. MRS. Wiggs of the
Cabbage Patch" succeeded abroad for
pretty much the same reason: though
plays which are American in the
broader sense have failed consistently
and almost invariably. Queer people,
Londoners; but then, New Workers are
just as queer. The average New York
mans idea of Los Angeles, for in
stance, is quite as funny as anything
the comic papers ever print; but the
Joke isn't on the city, It's on the
easterner.
James X. Hackett has entered into
a contract with Mrs. Elinor Glynn UNI
der the terms of which he agrees TO
present a stage version of Three
Weeks" next season, the leading roles
to be played by an English actor and
a French actress. Mrs. Glynn Is said
to have insisted upon this before she
would agree to a dramatization OF her
story. It is difficult to see how an act
able play can be made from. this
neurotic and unhealthful novel. but
doubtless the notoriety attained by the
book will make the experiment a sue
cess financially in any event.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

able to sing and dance as we'll as to
weep. Miss Hall has set a difficult
standard of versatility for her success
sor to follow. Really it has scarcely
been kind of her.
1t takes a good deal to give theat-
rical manager pause, but the thing can
| be done. Last week, when Manager
! Blackwood of the Belasco playhouse
talked me into attempting to play a
part in 1.-The Critic" at the managers
charitable fund benefit, he agreed to
write a criticism OF my acting, and to
write it for publication. When the
time arrived he confessed himself in
competent for the task. Instead of
writing as he had promised he gave
me some silly twaddle about not want
ing to hurt my feelings. Real actors
of course, aren't supposed to have any
feelings, so far as published criticisms
of their work are concerned.
Personally, however, I am like Black
wood to this extent: that I have no
opinion on the matter to offer for pub
lication. There Is, though, this conso-
lation: One of the charming young wo-
men Of the Belasco company assured
me that I wasn't $50 awfully bad"
Judging from that speech 1 am quite
certain that I must have come nearer
to a success in her profession than she
could come In mine. At any rate
have no delusions regarding my own
histrionic quality.
Herr L. A. Fischer's new Chrono-
phone theater was opened to the pub
lie for the first time yesterday, follow
ing an invitation performance given to
city officials, members OF the press and
invited guests last Friday evening.
Yesterday the pretty little playhouse
was crowded all day long and the au-
diences seemed to be greatly pleased
with the entertainment provided.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

Squadron" They were, of course, mis-
leading.
The Grand, however, was not the
only offender. Fake paper" as it is
known in the theatrical world. was sent
out from the east to advertise 1.-THE
was put up, but after it's character
was discovered what was left was de-
stroyed. This week Richard Jose is
at the Los Angeles theater with a
piece called Don't Tell My Wife"
His autographs were originally printed
for some other show, and unless his
piece has been written to fit the paper,
the colored atrocities must be mis-
leading.
Miss Blanche Hall, who, in August,
will have completed four consecutive
years as leading woman with the Bur-
bank Stock company, will retire from
the organization at that time in order
to make a prolonged trip through Eu-
rope. This European tour is a project
Miss Hall has long desired to put into
execution. She probably will remain
abroad a year or more, but she VIII
retain her residence in Los Angeles and
she will return here after her travels
are over.
1t will not be an easy thing to secure
Miss Halls successor Just at present
leading women are scarce. or course
the situation in this respect may
change before autumn-and it probably
will, as this is a presidential year; but
the western manager always has to
contend with the lure of Broadway. In
other words. leading women ordinarily
are tremendously reluctant to "accept
engagements" which will take them so
far from New York as the Pacific
coast.
This statement requires no further
proof than is provided by the recent
experience of the Belasco company. |
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03
OBSERVATIONS BY
A FIRST NIGHTER

billboard immortality seems to
n have reached a point locally
where it is deserving of rebuke.
In one recent week no fewer than three
Los Angeles theaters called attention
to their attractions by paper" printed
originally for some other play and
which was not, in the least, suited to
the pieces for which it was used. One
of these houses, the Grand, went even
farther and used "lithos." not from one
play alone, but from three. Thus we
had the edifying spectacle of 1.-The
White Squadron a melodrama the
scenes of which are laid in Brazil, lad
vertised" through the medium of gayly
colored posters depicting stirring in
cidents in Turkey and in Cuba. The
Turkey poster was designed to exploit
a melodrama founded upon the alb
duction of Miss Ellen Stone; the Cuban
poster to announce the presentation of
a Spanish war thriller. All
of these Autographs had attached to
them a line reading: "The White
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

pare for their summer season at the
Metropolitan opera house in that city.
Harry Earle. who is to be a member
of the company, departed for the east
last week, but before going to Minne-
apolis will make a business trip to
which he is interested and which is
in the probate court in that city.
William Hamilton Cline's sketch,
Name" was not presented at the
theatrical managers benefit matinee as
had been announced. The reason
therefor was misunderstanding
which arose between the playwright
and Miss Maude Gilbert. 1t was said
that the playlet had been written for
Miss Gilbert and Miss Gilbert herself
understood that she was to have the
first rights to its use, provided the
trial performance proved satisfactory.
Meantime, however, Mr.. Cline gave
another player an option on the sketch
and when Miss Gilbert heard of this
she refused to play In it. Regardless
of the merits of the controversy, II Is
a matter for regret that we did not see
the play, as it has been highly praised
by those few privileged to read 1t.
Manager Morosco last week made ar
with James Neil and
Edythe Chapman for special engage
ment in "Pudd'nhead Wilson" at the
Burbank next week. Miss Blanche Hall
and William Desmond will play in
genue lead and Juvenile lead respec-
lively while Harry Mestayer will be
the Tom Driscoll, Neil playing the title
role and his wife the part of Roxy.
The play has not been seen here for
some time and the revival should prove
a strong attraction. It will run for only
one week, however. as the Neils must
leave for their st. Paul engagement at
the conclusion of that time.
The local theatrical colony at Glen
dale was augmented last week by the
arrival at their home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Harry Mestayer, who were married in
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03
HARRISON G. FISKE
MAKES SUGGESTION

1.-THE folIowinw editorial appeared In a re-
cent issue OF the Dramatic Mirror. which
is conducted by Harrison Grey Fiske. who
is also a theatrical manager with extensive
interests1:
DURING the present season some
eighty odd theatrical productions
~ of the first class have been made
in New York UP to April 1. OF these.
at least half have failed utterly. The
figures for last season covering a like
period seem to be practically the same.
yet the percentage OF failures on the
merits this year really Is much larger,
because managers this season have
kept productions on in spite of appar-
ent failure in order to prevent the clos
ing of theaters for which no promising
material whatever could be provided.
And in spite of this maintaining of
failures in the face of public apathy,
this season has seen what no other sea-
son In recent years in New York has
known -theaters dark" again and
again. at a time when. according to ali
precedents, business should be at its
maximum. Two theaters were closed
for longer or shorter periods no less
than four times this season. And late
In December, Just before the holiday
period, no less than six theaters were
all without attractions at the same
time.
The theater stands apart from mere
practical and necessary enterprise, yet
on the whole II usually feels the effects
of a general depression more certainly
and more quickly than other activities,
because It is in the nature OF a luxury.
Why, then, should not the theater meet
conditions openly. fairly and in good
faith, as other enterprises are forced
to do? Why, by one device or an
other, should management seek TO
maintain the highest rates for admis-
sion when all other things--the better
as well as the poorer-are forced to
lower ranges OF value?
1t would seem that managers should
meet conditions as other business men
meet conditions. Yet in New York and
Philadelphia, two great cities in which
has exercised every
scheme possible to make the public be-
lieve that prosperity prevailed where
the reverse was the case, this device
and that, aside from actual "papering."
has been resorted to in order to give
theaters the aspect of a large legiti-
mate patronage when, In fact, the pat
ronage was in q measure fictitious
The management of several first class
theaters in New York has repeatedly
this season, for example. issued through
divers quiet channels large numbers of
tickets "good aor so cents" toward the
maximum price of 81 a seat, in order
to make a showing of good business.
Would IT. not be wiser to bid for the
public at a lower rate Of admission?
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

The chronophone offers us canned
opera, canned ballet and canned plays.
1t is, as you doubtless know, COM
bination of the moving picture machine
and the phonograph; but combina-
ton SO cleverly contrived that the two
are operated with absolute synchro-
aistic accuracy.
The program this week includes an
excellent selection from the opera, II
Pagliacci," in which one of the best
known arias from this work is sung In
excellent voice and with fine effect,
while the singer is pictured upon the
scene, in costume, acting the song just
as he would act 1t upon the grand
opera stage. Then, too, there Is bal
let, bit from "Pinafore" and another
bi. from 1.-The Mikado:" a xylophone
duet, the picture machine showing the
instrumcntalists in action, a song and
dance trio, presenting "This Little Girl
and Th"t," and other entertaining num-
bers.
The long-continued run of 1.-The Girl
of the Golden West" at the Belasco
theater has resulted in protracted va
cations for Misses Florence Smythe,
Dorothy Bernard and Eleanor Carey.
There are only two feminine roles in
the melodrama, and one of these is
scarcely more than a bit. The men of
the company, however. are all en-
ployed. Miss Smythe is passing much
of her vacation in horseback riding
about the country, while Miss Bernard
is playing at keeping house, quite as
she used to GO a very few years ago,
when her dolls were the individuals
most concerned in her domestic manag-
ing Miss Carey is accustomed to be-
ing out of the bill. and I imagine she
is taking things easily, in no very great
hurry for the run to terminate.
On the authority of his manager I
can tell you right now that Francis
Wilson will meet with disappointment
in Los Angeles. Mr. Wilson had ex-
pected to attend a performance of Err
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

Bakersfield a few days ago and who
thus escaped an elaborate shivaree
planned in their honor by their friends.
Both Mr.. Mestayer and his bride have
been married before. His first wife
was known professionally as Victory
Bateman, while the present Mrs.
Mestayer was Mrs. Jessie D. Lock-
wood, young widow who is well
known socially in Los Angeles, where
she has made her home for some years.
I understand, also that Cupid is
threatening still further incursions
into the ranks of the Burbank bache-
lors. Charles Eyton, treasurer of the
house, is reported to be on the verge
Of matrimony, while for several months
past rumor has been busy with the
names Of H. j. CHM and Maude Gill
bert. In fact there have even been
stories of a secret marriage uniting
the CHM and Gilbert families, though
these reports are denfed by the two
persons most directly concerned.
Martin Beck has issued an order
against boosting" by Orpheum per-
a practice that has become somewhat
in vaudeville houses of late
and which consists of a performer ex-
plotting some SON in which, presum
ably, he is financially interested. In
the past the Orpheum has not been so
great an offender in this regard as
certain other houses. but there have
been weeks when the Orpheum stage
was used for advertising purposes. and
not on the curtain either.
I recall comedy quartet which is
low headed this way again and which
ipon their last appearance featured
hat unmusical inanity Cheer Up. |
Mary" They sang the thing through |
several times They used lantern |
Ilide They threw the wnrds Of the
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03
THEATRICAL NEWS

There is a little poem by Eugene
Field, almost colloquial in it's humor-
Gus unrestraint, as most of Fields pro-
ductions age. entitled "Take 1t Out to
Providence and Try 1t on the Dog"
1t shows strong sympathy and an un-
derstanding of stage things on the part
of the gentle Chicago poet. Every
generation has its dog-town, and in
Fields day Providence was It, Now
Providence is scarcely mentioned save
now and then by George M. Cohan's
press agent, and then in terms of op-
probrium.
1t seems that Providence was the
scene Of Mr.. Cohan's earlier youth
Mr.. Cohan will always be young-and
falls to recognize his achievements as
meriting either red fire or brass band.
The author comedian is not content to
wait, like Homer, for cities to contend
for the honor Of being his birthplace.
He resents the indifference of the old
folks at home and lambasts the Rhode
Island metropolis every chance he gets
Possibly the weight of his influence
has helped to diminish the importance
OF Providence as first night center.
The poem, If written for today, would
have to read Take 1t Down to Wash
ington and Try It on the Dog" The
quarters for crucial experiments in
matters of dramatic art as well as
oratory and pure food.
For once the -four hundred" and
their maids and Wallets have met on
terms of equality. The occasion was a
recent benefit in aid of charitable in
stitution. Mrs. william K. Vanderbilt,
jr., bought out the entire house where
: The Merry Widow is being played In
New York. She then sold the boxes and
Eeats at fancy prices, donating the sum
realized to this charity.
Many of the women in society who
had bought tickets gave them TO their
servants. The result was a leader OF
society sitting next to her friends maid
OF a cotillon leader rubbing elbows with
q valet In the lobby. One prominent
society woman was not overjoyed TO
find her neighbog to be a maid who the
PREVIOUS night had waited on her.
TO say the sense of equality
was aggressively enjoyed by the arms
OF the employed.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

chorus on screen and invited the
audience to join in. They stationed
agents in the lobby who besieged the
audience upon it's departure with re.
quests to buy ."the latest song hit,
and their crowning achievement was
performer the week after they left
town. In justice to Manager Drown
1t should be said that he was away
from the city when all this occurred.
Edgar Temple, who sang a minor
role in "The. Geisha" at the Auditor
ium last week, will this week alternate
with Alfred McGahan in the part OF
Thaddeus in bohemian Girl" a role
which will give his many Los Angeles
admirers their first opportunity in
some time to enjoy his singing. the
small hearing of his voice we had last
week proved that II had lost none or
its old time vigor and sweetness and as
Thaddeus is a role he has sung many
times the tenor director of the Edgar
Temple opera company should give
highly enjoyable performance.
Mr.. Temple was for several years
a prominent member of the old "Bos--
tonians,' and after that was identified
with the Henry w. Savage operatic
organizations. singing both In grand
opera and in operas of the lighter
school.
The Earl Burgess melodramatic stock
company which comes to the Los An
geles theater next week will present
''The Queen of the White Slaves as
its opening attraction and will follow
that play with such thrillers as DAN
gers of Working Girls" Nellie. the
Beautiful Cloak Model" mo Mother
to Guide Her." Darkest Russia"
king of the Desert" How Hearts
Are Broken" For His Sisters Honor"
Her Fatal likeness" ION Thanks
giving Day." and other mellowdram-
mers of similar thrilling quality.
The arrival of this company will
give the Ulrich players at the Grand
their first taste of competition in a
field hitherto regarded exclusively as
their own. The leading woman Of the