South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-06
Members of Press Club and
Guests Spend Merry Evening

audience in an uprOar during the
evening In addition 10 these minor
entertainment features nine vaudeville
acts were put on by both amateur and
professional talent. Each OF the acts
received long, loud and frequent com
mendation from the guests.
The Great Howard. ScOtland's pre-
mier ventrilOquiSt, who is playing at
the Orpheum, was one Of the princi-
pal entertainers. He exhibited the
fact that his ability lies not only in
the throwing Of his voice for he
brought out an assortment of humor-
Gus stories which were far from
ordinary. In addition he displayed a
knack with the musical bones which
were revelation in the art.
Eddie Burns OF the Majestic theater
opened the program with two vocal
selections in ragtime which served in
whetting the appetite of the guests
Dean Wilhelm and Mr.. Hunt. two
South Bend boys gave two numbers
on the xylophone receiving hearty ap-
plause for their efforts.
Duke" Ernest L. Staples and Mer-
lin Guthrie, both prominent in local
amateur theatrical circles, made dis
tinct hits in three different num-
bers- Mr.. Merlin as ''BiZzy Ivy, the
popular Hebrew comedian. sang THE
YiddiSh Wedding in a manner that
brought down the house.
If the room had been darkened not
person in the banquet hall could
have sworn whether or not il was the
real Billy Sunday speaking when
Duke" Staples gave an impersona-
ton of the evangelist. The proper
atmosphere for the number was ere
ated by the sound of Homer Rode
heavens voice from a Victrola. Then
"BIlys understudy''. as he was intro
duced by the speaker. gave a charac-
teristic demonstration of the famous
evangelist as he appears in action.
Guthrie and Staples also contrib
uted a sketch which was written by
W. w. Dunkle. The sketch closed
with a parody, 81 Didn't Raise Ny
Boy TO Join a Press Club. which add
ed the final touch TO the program
The sketch was in black face and was
carried off in professional style by
the two young men.
Miss Pearl Evans Lewis OF the Pearl
Stock Co.. now playing at the oliver,
gave two charming vocal selections
which were greeted enthusiastically.
One Of the pretiest numbers of the
evening was the dancing Of Miss
Irene Hatfield and Horace Genge.
They were introduced to substitute
MIR. and Mrs. Vernon Castle and the
guests showed Dy the frequent DurSJS
OF applause during the number that
the New York terpsichorean artists
have competitors in South Bend.
Frank Jefferies as THE Shade of
Horace Greeley" made a striking i'm
preston. In the guise of the famous
editor Jeffries stepped into the ban
quet hall and commended the club for
it's progress and told of some of the
changes that have taken place since
he Joined the press club of the other
world.
AS the enjoyable affair neared a
close Toastmaster Herring suggested
that the two men who were largely
responsible for the success OF the
banquet and the manner in which the
plans had been carried out namely
w. w. Dunkle and w. r. Armstrong,
be shown evidence of appreciation.
This suggestion was enthusiastically
acted upon. ToastmaSter Herring was
given q rising vote Of thanks for his
commendable assistance in the af-
fair.
During the entire evening piano and
violin music was furnished by Fred
Martin and Julius Stien.