davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05
BY WILLIAM LeBARoN.

low should young play
III" wright 90 about it to get
his play produced on
N@ Broadway
IHxt4ENI That is the question and
Sa0alN | am afraid the only way
can answer it is by telling
some of the things / did which finally
resulted in the production of The
Very Idea"
Perhaps the first important step is
the selection Of college Here tn.
young author should be careful to
choose an alma mater whose faculty
approves of musical comedy. 1t is
really astonishing how many other
wise learned professors prefer the
works of Aeschylus, Euripides or
Shakespeare to the original output of
undergraduate librettists and COM
posers.
In this connection. l was very for
tunate in casting my lot with the
New York university, where the de-
mand for librettos was far in excess
of the supply. In writing my first
musical play for the annual varsity
show / had in mind the popular
motto, "The place to begin is at the
bottom" and the effect of this maxim
was eviden. all through the opera.
1t was called "The Isle of Skidoo,"
and, if l do cay it myself, it probably
touched the lowest point ever reached
by the American drama.
However. having started some dis
tance south Of the lowest rung of the
ladder, the only possible direction in
which to move was upward, and in the
incredibly shcrt time of three years,
| dashed off a musical comedy which
was sufficiently brilliant to attract the
attention of iour -ffths of the Broad
way Managers.
My partner in this unworthy work,
Deems Taylor, and myself, had never
considered the possibility of a pro-
fessional production. We had striven
only to place art on higher plane.
Accordingly we felt rather hurt when
the managers besieged us and at
tempted to snatch our child from US.
But in the end commerce overcame
art and The Echo passed into the
Globe theater.
At this time I began to realize that
writing plays was no sinecure and
that the life Of the tired business man
was much more enjoyable So
adopted advertising as a profession
and joined the staff of Golfers
Weekly, where there were no stage
directors, music publishers or chorus
men to annoy me.
After a time, however, the lure Of
the footlights or the smell of the
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05
Author Tells Hon. to Get q Play
Before the Public IN Neav York

grease paint or whatever it is, begsn
to take hold of me and at the same
time, Jesse L. Lasky offered me a
contract to write all of his one-act
musical comedies for vaudeville. At
first | resisted the temptation, but
then. after studying over the propo-
sition, | developed a formula where
by almost any idea could be turned
into a successful vaudeville act over
night. This eliminated all labor and
thought and the result was a series
OF acts, among them The Red
Heads" The Trained Nurses" "The
Beauties" The Antique Girl" etc.
Of course. l don't mean to advise
young authors 10 avoid all labor. but
| do think they will make faster
progress if they try to keep out of
the theatrical profession and earn an
honest living elsewhere. | don't know
why this is true, but 1t is. for some
how the Broadway managers seemed
TO pursue me much more earnestly
when | was settled down to live hap
PLY ever after in snug Office below
Fourteenth street. AS soon as /
would say to myself Now | have
escaped them and | need never write
another finale" the telephone would
ring and some managers voice would
say, Drop in this noon, will your I
have some new scenery and an old
idea. l want a book by tomorrow
morning"
You might cali this serving an ap-
premiership if you care to, but
don't care to. Still, il did finally have
an effect, for it taught me that the
only excuse manager would accept
was that | was already engaged and
had promised to deliver the first act
by week from next Monday.
After using that excuse for several
months, thought it would be a good
idea to make it true, so started to
write The Very Idea" At first |
paid little attention TO il. but after
while began to think how funny
Ernest Truax and Richard Bennett
would be in the parts of Gilbert and
Alan--then | came to like it. and II
wasn't until the day before the first
performance in New York that 1t oc.
Cured to me that perhaps had over
putted.
Oh, young author, profit by my
experience and never have a first
night on Broadway. Put in your con
tract that the play must open the Sec
ond night. Never let yourself in for
that guiltiest of all feelings when the
curtain starts towards the flies on the
first night. You may say that If your
play succeeds, you are richly repaid
for all the suffering. but-well, so
you are. That's why almost everybody
in the world wants to write, or is
writing a play.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05

numbers. Ramona Ortiz, billed as
queen of the wire, and Stone and
Manning, in comedy singing and
dancing act, complete the vaudeville
end of the program for the last half
OF the week.
Last Sunday night marked the
closing of the popularity contest
which was being held by the Bran
deis Hippodrome. The three prizes
which were to be awarded to the
most popular girls in Omaha were
given to the following: Kathryn
Keller, 2S4,4l0 votes, Dodge touring
car; Emma Jensen, 2il,775 votes,
Emerson grand piano; Monette
Lohrman, 196755 votes, a diamond
ring. The tickets that have been sold
by the contestants will be accepted
at the Empress theater.
"Step Lively, Girls is announced
tor the current week at the Gayety, it
being the closing attraction OF the
season. A new two.aet travesty called
The Corset Shop" will be presented
All Of the important principals OF last
seasons cast are in the organization,
including Rich. McAllister, Tiny
Henley, Harry T. Shannon and Dot
son, "The Midnight Stopper" In ad-
dition to these are Raymond Paine.
Rhea Hess and Nettie Hyde. Also a
chorus of carefully selected girls
whose beauty and sprightliness will
give charm and enjoyment TO the long
list of new and fetching musical num-
bers. Edward Bower, we'll known as
a producer Of high class musical
comedy, is responsible for the stage
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05

Recognized as one of the most pop
ular musical comedy stars. Cecil Lean
is to top the bill for the curren week
at the Orpheum. He is to be effect
lively assisted by Cleo Mayfeld, and
will present a fresh repertory OF
songs. In the program which she pre-
sents with Mr.. Lean are a number
of songs whose words and music were
written by him. Scharpiof and Var
vara are Russian boys, one being a
vocalist and the other a pianist.
Theirs will be one of the featured
acts Of the bill. In series of one
act comedies written by himself, J. C.
Nugent has compelled recognition as
one of vaudeville's favorite author
comedians. He is now being featured
in his newest oddity, "The Squarer.'
Smart songs of the most entertaining
type are to be presented by Donald
Kerr and Effie Weston. They offer a
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05

management and Catherine Crawford,
favorab!y known for her artistically
presented vaudeville act called "The
Fashion Parade" has designed the
costumes. Today's matinee will start
at 5. Beginning tomorrow there will
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05

be ladies' matinee daily all week,
the final performance Of the musical
burlesque season occurring next FRI
day night. Next Saturday will in
augurate the opening of the annual
summer run of "The Dark Secret"
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05
| W |
la|

best opportunities for a
career. From doing stunts in home
talent affairs it was but a step to the
professional stage, and very soon
the Astaires became local favorites
in the "small-time" vaudeville and
picture theaters in the middle west.
After the Astaire children had passed
the required age OF l6,, they immedi-
ately broke in" into the "big- time"
vaudeville, meaning by that the Keith
circuit OF theaters. the great Orpheum
chain of vaudeville houses and the
ttheaters controlled by the Western
Vaudeville association. When the
Messrs. Shubert were casting the
principals in "Over the Top which
is the attraction at the BOYD next
Sunday, the Astaires were brought to
their attention. through the medium
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05
Tced and E7eZe EszazNe m Uuea nx ka'

HEN Fred Astaire and his
sister Adele, Omaha kids,
reached the very mature
ages of s and 10, respec-
lively, they decided that
the stage offered them the
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05
~ ~' At THE
U1y1sm1sy eA'@v1

the Top"-the prettiest chorus girls
ever seen in New York.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-05
Nose Rings
Cleo Mayt3eld Thinks
Her Neav Fad Will Be
Fine Thing When 1t
| Comes Into Home Life

F CLEO MAYFEILD has
her way women will soon
be wearing rings in their
noses, Kafir-wise. This will
be q great convenience to
husbands who wish to lead
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
Miner TAKES Vim HEPATICA
and GETS WELL.
Recommends the Famous Vim Hepaiica
Prescription To All Who Suffer From
Stomach, Liver or Kidney Trouble.

Luther Collier, well-known miner
Of jacksonville. Ky, writes in this
note regarding his relief from rheu.
matte pains, stomach, liver and kid
ney trouble.
II feel very much improved as a
result OF taking Vim Hepatica. ] had
been suffering with liver and kidney
trouble, but since taking Vim Hepa-
tica | am relieved Of the rheumatic
pains, my digestion is good, and my
liver and kidneys are not bothering
me any more.
IL recommend this valuable rem
edy to anyone troubled with stomach
liver inactivity, or rheumatism.
Come in and get bottle of this
wonderful nature prescription and
try it on our recommendation.
z. E. MeRoBERTs, Lancaster, Ky.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
MT. HEBRON

Mrs Sam Dalton is with her sister
Mrs. Felix Lane near Judson.
Mr. and Mrs. r. L. Grow spent last
week with relatives in Covington.
Mr. S. G. Vanderpool of Lexington
was in this locality Saturday buying
hay.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thos. Barker are very
happy over the arrival of baby girl,
christened Birgie B.
Mr. Author Preston sold his place
located near Bourne to Mr. Malcolm
Osborne, Of Coy, for $4,000.
Mr. Spencer Scott who has been
with his sister, Mrs VIM. Onstott, re-
turned to Cincinnati, Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thos. Hicks and little
daughter, Hazel Ruth, and Miss Ruth
Broaddus, Mrs. Ed Grow and daugh-
ter, Zelda, were in Danville, Saturday
afternoon.
Miss Ruth Montgomery Of Nc
Creary. Misses Mabel Montgomery
and Elva Jennings of this place spent
Friday night with Miss Lillian Mont
gomery at Lancaster.
Mr.. Taylor Preston and Miss Fan
ME Tinsley motored to Lexington
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
What Do You Think Of That1

Their" Is IN aspect of spider and rs
relation which fabulists and natural
lists alike have overlooked. An Oh.
server has brought the microscope to
bear IN many house flies and finds that
che parasite upon that hateful insect
Is often an immature spider. Too
weak yet tn spin It's web II mikes the
fly its winged palfrey, and courses
from place 10 place nj the will Of its
captive; either until Pegasus per.
fishes naturally or presumably until the
rider has grown up aud is able To make
n meal ~ his charger.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19

For sheer duration General Gordon's
heroic defense of Khartum excelled all
modern sieges, for II lasted 317 days,
or just nine days shorter than the Rus
sian retention Of Sebastopol. Unfor-
tunately, as we all know. Its termina-
tion was a tragedy, embittered by the
fact that a very few days later the
would-be army Of relief arrived. only
In time to pick up the threads Of a
pltiful disaster
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
GanuWaY.

Sign In Maine: Bumpus and Catch.
ell.-Boston Transcript.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
Fog Maonifes.

II you see person In fog he seems
to he much bigger than usual. The
same thing happens when you see men
or cattle ON the top of hill against
the horizon In twilight. In both cases
you Judge them TO be farther away
than they really are. and consequently
they appear uncommonly large.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
Knows Only Ion Well

The query "Why does a hen cross
the roadf' never presented any dIfi-
Guilty to the man who has n garden on
the opposite slde.-BOston Transcript.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
Can Shape Own Destiny.

Nothing Is more certain. humanity
speaking, than this. that what man
Wills himself TO be, that he will be-
Jacob A. Riis.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19

ut kind O. rifles man dat prides his
self on SEEM how much work he kin
do" said Uncle Eben, ITO hear some
man braggin' cause he doesn't have to
do no work at ALL"
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19
Old Enouuh.

The bagpipe was known in England
and ireland as early as the twelfth
century, and is believed to have been
in existence before the Christian era.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19

Too much Of tie rift of prophecy"
said Uncle Ehen. as dangerous. DE
man dat knows in advance whut hand
he's gwineter Kit In II poker game ain
no fit associate"
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-09-19

Monday and were united in marriage,
the groom was called into service and
left Friday for Macon, Ga.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12
HUN METHODS IN POLITICS.

No more cowardly and unfair attack
could be made upon public official, than
the yelled charge brought by Nonpartisan
league speakers tnat John Steen, as state
treasurer, is trying to retain some 81 300
in interest on money deposited with the
state by insurance companies.
Mr.. Steen is simply doing his duty as
careful guardian of the states money. This
deposit money belongs to the insurance
companies, and there is legal question
as to whether the interest belongs to the
state or the companies Mr.. Steen is trying
to have the courts decide that question
definitely and finally. When it's ownership
is determined he will pay the money over.
If he paid it to either party now, he would
be personally responsible if the courts held
it had been wrongly paid.
Yet the leagues speakers are making
use of this situation, and twisting the facts
to make it appear he is trying to pilfer
$1,000 from the state. Those are not the
methods of fair fighter, They are Hun
methods.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12
The Editors Mail Bag
To the Editor of The Forum:

To the Editor Of The Forum:
June day that will go down In Amer
lean history. One year ago ten million good
loyal and true Americans registered In the honor
roll Of our great and glorious country, today
there will be at the least estimate "one million"
registered who will follow in their footsteps.
1t has taken US some time to waken to the
real spirit of war, but let us thank God that
we are making up for our long sleep with the
greatest speed that the world has ever seen.
You hear very little from anyone these days
about laggard here and there, every branch
Of our government is keyed up with all the
power that our great God has given us. Speed,
speed. that is what we are getting. and we are
going to keep 1t UP, we are out to win.
YIN: Dao you get tnat II not read 1t asa3ns
real truth, whether you like it or not. Win we
will. II it takes every last man OF us, ana we
let 'Old Glory" fly to the winds this day in honor
of our brave lads. our soldiers who would make
the world safe for all let us quote a line from
Shakespeare:
20 war, thou son Of hell.
Whom angry heaVns do made their minister,
Throw in the frozen bOsoms Of part,
Hot Goals OF vengeancs-Let no soldier ny;
He that is truly delicate to war,
Hath no self-love he that loves himself"
And those men entrusted the care OF our coun-
try to at home, to protect their homes, honor
our government, and our state. and last but not
least remain loyal. 1t is our most conscientt-
Gus duty to these men to see that our state re-
mains loyal to them, loyal to government, and
last, but the most important, loyal to the cause
that fighting for, world safe for de-
mocracy, the election draws nearer. we
are to get prepared to go to the polls and stand
behind these men. A man that will not vote this
coming election would not shoot Hun in self
defense. Our vote shall not be lost to a worth
less cause. Every man that has spark Of man
hood in him should vote, and viii not stand to
have any stabs made at the backs of our SOL
diers while they are over there fighting for our
liberty This Is an issue where we must be
squared toed, and let any petty grievance drop
should we have any. We must give our undivided
support to the Loyalty Ticket" in the coming
election, we do not care who or how many
takes the stump for the opposition we have this
great duty to fulfill, let every do his part
II we cant fight we vote.
Fargo, June s. J. Kavanaugh
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12
HOW WOULD PERSHTNG VOTE9

General Pershing sent the message home
to America that he and his men would try
to take care of the Hun in Europe, II
Americans would take care Of the Hun
propaganda at home.
How do you think General Pershing
would vote in Minnesota next Mondays
Would he vote for Charles A. Lindbergh
who wrote "Why your country is at war?''
or would he vote for Governor Burnquist
whose only sin has been that he gave no
thought of votes when question Of 10y
atty was at issue.
How do you think he would vote in
North Dakota on June 262 Would he vote
for Governor Frazier and Townleyism, or
for John Steen and the Minot PLATFORM
If every voter in North Dakota would
ask himself that question on June 26, and
vote as he honestly believed General Perish
ing would vote, The Forum would be more
than willing to abide by the result.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12
THE FuTuRR on THE sTORFs.

Suppose the Nonpartisans gain com
plete control in North Dakota this year,
electing governor and majority in both
houses of the Legislature;
Suppose the Consumers United Stores
prove less profitable than they are expected
to be by their supporters, and about as
much Of financial rathole as level headed
business men foresee;
Suppose their owners-and remember
the farmers are not the owners-decide to
unload their property on the state.
Knowing the high handed methods of
the league, leaders, does any North Da-
kotan, league member or not, doubt for
one minute that Mr.. Townley could "put
it across, given complete control at Bis
marck?
1t could be done over night, and the tax
payers of the state would be left with the
stores on their hands.
Every New England town has its mem
cries of cooperative store. The move
ment failed there. If the farmers of North
Dakota want to experiment with cooper
alive stores, they should do it for them
selves, and have a really cooperative en-
terprise. But the Consumers stores have
nothing cooperative about them. They are
privately owned chain stores, started on
the farmers capital, donated for nothing,
absolutely nothing, but the privilege of
trading at the stores for cash.
Think Of that situation, you hard-headed
farmers and business men Of North Da~
kota. It is inconceivable that such a
scheme should be even seriously consider
ed. It's very efrontery saves it. 1t is hard
for farmers who haven't studied the plan,
to believe that the foregoing is true
statement Of the case. But it is, and has
never even been denied. The store man
ayers won't debate the subject, but meet
all attacks with abuse Of The Forum or
Farmer Ingle, or "Big Biz.
That one brazen scheme should be suf-
fcient to bury the whole league ticket from
Frazier down to the last legislator, on June
&c.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12
In The Open Forum
A Column Devoted To The Task OF Keep
Ing UP With North Dakota Editors

The Casselton Reporter has this pertinen
comment on the public appearance Of suspected
and convicted disloyalists:
Leo Horst the Nonpartisan speaker, about
whom so much has been said lately, in con-
nection with addresses in the state after
being charged with dsloyal remarks has
been cleared by the federal grand jury and
the statement is due him. j. w. Brinton,
the general manager OF the chain Of stores,
also before the jury, has been indicted and
his trial will occur at the Bismarck term of
court about the middle Of June. Another
Nonpartisan Of some prominence, Halvor p.
Halvorson OF Sheyenne, who 10 chairman Of
the committee that organized the Non
partisan paper in Eddy county, Is under
indictment. What means this constant
holding of league men by federal 1uries, If
there 10 not a laxness in the loyalty OF the
leaders Of that organization? If loyalty
was necessity in the league program and
its organizers were required to talk 1t and
preach 1t from the stump there wouldn't be
the constant flow into the courts that there
is nowadays.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12


Baldwin, "held down" the claim. They were
charter members Of the First Presbyterian
church and donated to 1t the site on which the
church stands, 1t being a part OF their home
stead.
COL. CHARLES A. MORTON, 1880 from ST.
business. Was president Of the Exchange Bank
Of Fargo from 1888 to 1892 He also inter
ested in farming operations to a considerable
extent.
NEIL CAMPBELL 1877 to Cass county and
took claim but disposed Of it in 1880 going to
lope township. Married to Miss Katie E. STnythe
Of Whapeton April 22 1888, Filled several offices
in township, including chairman of board Of
supervisors. Mr.. and Mrs. Campbell were among
the most active members ,of the Congregational
church
GEORGE VAN ARNAM, 1881 from Illinois to
Barrie township, Richland county. Took claim
and engaged in farming until 1898 when he es-
tablished The Walcott Reporter, and moved to
Walcott to reside Was for several years presi-
dent Of the Old Settlers association Of the coun
ty and is now president Of the Red River Valley
association. Has been several years judge Of the
county court and resides in Wahpeton.
MILO F. VAN DE BOGART 1879 from Wis
consin to Cornell township, Cass county, where
he was one Of the first settlers. Mr.. and Mrs. Van
de Bogart members Of the Baptist church
OF Tower City and active in temperance and pro-
was editor Of The White Ribbon Bulletin until
her death in 1904 Mrs r. NJ. Pollock of Fargo
succeeded her as editor
RICHARD WKEY 1880 to Mayville. En-
gagged in hardware business. To Sykeston in
1884 and at the organization Of Wells county,
that year, he appointed superintendent OF
schools. He is retired and living the
farm with his daughter Mrs. James c. Heron.
Mr.. Wikey has also done considerable farm
ing.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-12

Nonpartisan league money being used to
help elect Socialist mayor Of Minneap,
olisi ......
Can the policy of the farmers be
damned go any further than that
Mr.. ToWnley tells the farmer it is F'none
of their damned business what he does
with their money. Even Mr.. Townley
probably wou1dn' I have the nerve to face
them and tell them he is spending part Of
it to elect Socialist mayor in Minneapolis.
Funny stories wouldn t explain that away.
Socialism, Of course, has for one Of its
aims the end of private ownership Of land.
DIR. Townley collects money from the land
owners of North Dakota to further this
propaganda in another state, and then tells
them III ID none of their damned business
what he does with it.
The situation Is funny despite It's e1as-
perating features, but it will lose lot of
ifs huuaor as far as the farmers Dc North