The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-04
MINSTREL TOUR.
Troupe From 314 Sanitary
Train Makes Good.
Brings Back About 5000 for
Band Fund.
By FLOYD WAMBEAM.

The fifteen soldiers who make up
the 314 sanitary train MINISTRIES took
four southeastern Kansas towns by
storm last week, returning from this
expedition with booty consisting of
some $SSs to swell the band fund of
the train.
Everywhere on the trip they were
met by loyal Kansans who showed the
honor they feel for the olive drab.
Since their return the newspaper
clippings, personal letters, and verbal
have been all that the soldiers could
desire. At most of the points they
were entertained at the homes of citi-
zens, social affairs were held in their
honor. and every courtesy shown them
during their stay. Above all, the ap-
fled that their show was a success.
Emporia, Chanute, Fredonia and
Neodesha were the towns visited.
The program consisted of four big
acts breathing the wholesome, but
strenuous atmosphere of the army
training camp. In these, both the fun
of the co1ored comedian and the skill
of the artist were given fullest express
sion. AS result of this happy COM
bination, the Funston entertainers
have been pronounced the equal Of
the best in current vaudeville. They
have toured southeastern Kansas twice
before, junction City. Winfield. WE'LL
ington, Newton and Arkansas City
being among the towns, at which de-
cided hits were scored.
One of the big features of the eve
ming of fun, which above all the rest
typifies the everyday life of the men
in the company, "A Day in An Army
Training Camp" is built around a
poem written by F.. Gale Mogle,
adapted from "Une Journee Dams
70 =,
Sheets and Bugler Victor Maui blew
all of the calls used in the army every
day while the rest of the cast acted
out the days work, including gas ard
litter drill.
Sergts. Dave M. Allan, jr., and
Charles Truman Collins and Pvt
Samuel Harding Church, jr., the near
great Ambulance Company 356 Trio"
of musicians and composers, presented
a serious act of their own. At no
roint did they fail to win their usual
success.
Solos and jokes make up the great
err part of act 1, one in which Sergt.
Ralph HI nderson was lnterlocutor,
and Sergts. Candy" Cunningham
and F. Gale Mogle were end men. All
three of THESE men have had expert
ence as vaudeville comedians. Ser
Private Church are soloists of this
act, while Sergeants Sheets and
Charles Truman Collins and Pvts.
Victor Maui, William Wolff. Paul
Cross, CLAUDE Johnson, Church and
v o. Patton make up the orchestra
and the chorus.
The final act, Raw Recruits" is a
mirthfui scene in recruiting station
where Sergeant Henderson takes the
part of Colonel Pullemin. recruiting
officer; Mosle appears as Charles Lee
Green, almost persuaded to enlist;
Cunningham as George Washington
Brown. Karin to 60"
In this scene. Maui plays seven diff
ferent Instruments. Cunningham,
Mogie, Bevis and Johnson comprise
the Rocky Quartette." which has
never failed to please its audience,
the human calliope" being the. best
OF their numbers.
The arrival of more than $500
worth of new band instruments for
the Sanitsry Train band is tangible
evidence o. the profitableness of the
trip. Two drums fbaSS and snare).
a cernet, Hefican bass. two altos a
saxophone and a trombone have been
purchased.