The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1911-04-15

Inc nVe musical ByrOnS played
at the Bijou this week to crowded
houses each time. The highest
type of the colored legitimate ac-
tor, playing in all about fifteen
different instruments, including
the Italian harp, double guitar,
and a double set of chimes. De-
catur people seldom have an op-
portunity to be entertained in this
manner and by their own people,
for the reason that there are not
many such acts, and for the rea-
son that this kind of acts dc not
appear for a small salary. Man
ager Sigfried said that he never
saw such an "act that | never
saw" While here the Byron boys
were entertained by the Decatur
Forum correspondent, who knew
them in Chicago Mrs. Clanton
graciously turned over the entire
spacious residence at 81 Spring
avenue to the boys for the night
and after the theatre, Decatur S
young male elite assembled there
and occupied the remainder of the
evening and great part of the
morning in swapping" stories,
singing, playing, eating and smok-
ing Charlie Byron did most of
the playing for the boys, while
Herbert Byron and Clarence sang
for the assembly. Herbert Hur-
ley contributed to the musical pro-
gram, as did several others of the
home boys. But on the whole, our
boys seemed to be little back
ward as to the singing, owing to
the fact that probably they were
in fast company and professional
company at that, but they did
their part nevertheless. After this
had gone on in the parlor and
library for some time, the boys
then retired to the dining room
for the refreshments. 1t was dur
ing this time that the home boys
showed their talent Marcellus
Polk and Chas. Long called re-
peatedly for "pot-licker," while
Lunie Jackson was very much
disappointed because the host had
not supplied the table with cab
bage and beans. Nathaniel Rogan
filled his pockets with cigarettes,
while John Brown did homage to
the cigars; John has been giving
away cigars ever since. Brown
also went under the table when
asked to make speech, and re-
NAMED there until every one had
spoken. Harvey Watkins made,
probably, the best speech of the
evening, telling the needs of the
young colored men and praising
the Byron boys for their work in
their particular line. Ballard pro-
posed a toast to the Byrons and
made a delightful little speech to
the boys as a consequence. When
it came to Lunie jackson he said
that he felt that he was under no
obligation to make "a speech, but
since the audience was so insist
ant, he might say something for
their edifcation, which he did.
Other notables" also spoke in
the behalf of the Decaturians.
Charlie Byron spoke for the Byron
boys and showed good training
and Judgment, that he knew how
to talk and when to talk and what
to say, as his speech seemed to
please every one who happened to
be present. The Forum CORES
pondent was then called on to
make speech, and it was said
that the resason he hesitated so
long was in order that he might
be begged and so seem important,
but this probably was not the
case. Any way, having been
called upon, the correspondent
arose to speak He didn' t get very
far before he was called down and
forced to quit by Chas. Long,
Polk, Rogan and some others, who
interrupted the speaker with "Sit