Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-10
INCIDENTS IN CAREER
|oF \. PRICE WEBER

A recent issue of the Pictou, y. s,
Advocate contained an article by w.
r. Geldert of Windsor, \. s.. an old
time friend of Mr.. and Mrs. H. Price
Weber of Augusta, Me, which will be
of interest to their thousands of
friends all over the country. 1t fol-
lows:
To the Editor of the Pictou Advocate:
Dear Sir-Some weeks ago | read
of Price Weber being in Portland, Me.
The Express Advertiser of that city
characterized him as The Veteran
Gloom Dispeller, and related memoir
les of him dating back to 1875. Like
many other of the thousands who
knew Price personally I found true
pleasure in reading "reminiscences of
him and his deservedly esteemed wife,
whose stage name, Edwina Gray. re
mains as in years lang syne, with rep
iltation unsullied and ever honored.
Edwina Gray and Price Weber need
no euiogizing from my pen. They are
known personally by patrons of plays
staged in Pictou in the past half CEN
fury, with regulations ever second to
none in theatrical life.
| took my pen in hand with intent
to relate an incident in the life of
Price Weber It's one I have related
verbally when the doines Of Price
Weber create a topic of conversation
and | will now pen same with hope
| that it may prove a helpful suggestion
TO some reader of your appreciated
newspaper,
Full half a century ago two Serb
ner brothers. with other talented
banded themselves together. and AS
The Scribner Brothers Troupe" gave
minstrel and other entertainments in
st. John and vicinity. Encouraged BY
success they elected to visit more dis
tant places. The European and North
American railway was then opera ting
and Sussex with other places be-
tween st. John and Moncton, was Wis
tied. Enthused by receptions thus far,
they decided to visit Amherst, y. s.
giving entertainments al Dorchester
and Sackville en- route. Further sue
ccsses followed Then Oxford. Pug
wash, Wallace. Tatama souche. River
John and Pictou town We're added to
their itinerary in Nova Scotia. Halls
were engaged and posters announcing
their coming were put up. hnt mid
winter travel is not always as desired
and their time schedule was unavoid-
ably broken. Price Weber. then one
of the so-called Scribner BROTHERS
leaving his associates at Tatama-
eouche, journeyed ahead Of them ID
Pictou town. On arriving there and
stepping from the sleigh in which he
Travelled. he accosted yours truly. re-
nueStlnG information that was willing
~ given. Then he was plotted to
printing office and introduced to its
foreman. Price desired some printing
done quickly. That office STAFF
NlmltedD was too busily engaged in
preparatory work for the regular is
sue II its weekly paper to at once
do the work that Price described. bit
the ever resourceful Price made plain
to that foreman that he was capable
OF doing the work. and permission was
granted to him TO use that office and
its equipment after the regular staff
We're through, and one of the same
agreed to return after supper and as
sist. The next move was to see the
agent of the hall. and then to the
hotel for the night Price proved his
qualifications as an advertiser when
by using the largest block type then
in Plctou, he prepared poster some
three feet in length by one in width
with words on same as follows:
"SNOW BANKS AND SLUSH"
Then with bucket filled with
paste, a brush and a pilot he posted on
fences and other conspicuous places
allowable in and about town, his pre-
pared posters. Next morning when
Pctou awoke to- business the words
Snow Banks and Slush" were seen,
read and wonderingly discussed. The