The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-06

since they were boys. Likewise most
OF their people although as a side issue
aiihosl every trade and profession are.
troupe.
Harry and sport North "broke in
while playing Julius Caesar in high
school play at their home town. De-
troit, Mich. Sport" was playing
caesar" and Harry took the part of
"Brutus''
After the play a professional theat-
rlcaI manager gave them trial and
engaged them.
But the Norths were not content
with working for some one else. AT
ABOUT nineteen years of age when most
boys are playing in high school plays,
playing at love-making or looking for
trouble in other channels, the North
Bros. mad a company of their own
rms was about eleven years ago. They
were in the Uncle Tom show business
and had all of the ''slirgs and arrows
that outrageous fortune" is in the
habit of throwing among theater peo-
pie.
Now c. c., known as sport" North
owns a nice home in Topeka at 1412
West Eighth avenue and is in love
with Topeka 1t is in reality his home.
Harry North is managing another
stock company at Columbus, Ohio, in
the colonial theater, owned by the
Shuberts. He also has a farm near
that city.
Something About the Company.
Mrs. sport North, known as Cen
evieve Russell, likes Topeka as well
as her husband and is charmed with
her home life. She is much given to
horseback riding, but it is equally
fond of gardening and her sweet peas
vines are the pride of her heart.
Her home was in Beaumont, Texas,
but she was reared in a convent in the
east. Here she received a musical
education and was with the Shubert
concert company for several seasons
as vocalist and violinist. Later through
attending rehearSals in Chicago with
musical friends, she became interested
in dramatic work and finally went on
the stage.
Miss Ruth Robinson is practically a
Topeka girl, although she was born at
Lawrence. She came here with her
parents when a little CIR; and lived in
North Topeka for about eight years
She was great at speaking pieces"
but her first appearance on the stage
was at the old Crawford several years
ago when she did a juvenile vaudeville
stunt.
Robert Blaylock, who plays the
heavy" parts, is anything but that off
the stage. He is stage director and
the credit for the success of the pro-
duction is partly due to him. He is
also hero of the Spanish-American
war, although he is too modest to adj
NIT it.
Ira Herring, playing the Detective
Harrington this week, was formerly
a telegraph operator on Wall street
He tells about being there on the
Blue Thursday of 1897, when
through manipulations of Hartman,
Northwestern Pacific stock did a cir
Gus stunt and jumped from $97 to
$1,000 share between 10 a. m. and 1 ?
NJ. He draws a vivid word picture of
how men went temporarily insane and
ran about shouting, hatlass and coat
less. He is in the show business be-
cause he likes it and can't get away.
Edward and Albert Ferguson, say
they have been in theater work ever
since they were children-broke in
near Davenport, Iowa, in kid vaude
vile and have run the gamut of the
profession. They trace their dramatic
inclinations to an Italian count on
their mothers side who was a gentle
man, a scholar and an actor.
Orval Spurrier, the leading man,
was reared in Oklahoma City. He is
professional singer as we'll as an
actor and also has done newspaper
work on the side.
James Dennis, the stage manager,
who does clever work as Watson"
this week, was formerly foreman of
the ST. Joe Gazette and works at the
printing trade in vacations.
Miss Clara Lamar, the clever char
aCL6f woman is lTOIl the east. she
says she went on the stage because she
had studied oratory and because her
relatives opposed her dramatic inclina-
tions.
Miss Gene Fulmer, another favorite,
is an eastern woman. She took to the
stage because she liked the business.
r. E. Hillard, who does the old man
parts is of Pennsylvania German
parentage and was raised on farm.
He also went on the stage against the
advice Of relatives.
The work of Hugo J. Miller scene
artist, has added much to the effect of
the plays. VIM. Wilcox is stage car
penter, Oscar Gregg his assistant and
Charles Alexander is property man
ager.
Another Topeka girl. Miss Ester
Marie Watts, violinist. leads the or
chestra. She has studied under Carl
Busch OF Kansas City AMI also in Ber-
lin, Germany. Her work is that of an
artist.
Miss Ida Reiter of Kansas City,
who plays the trombone, is considered
one of the best woman trombonists
in the West. She is a sister of Miss
Nettie Reiter, who played with the
ladies' band at the state fair. Miss Ida