Deming graphic., 1920-02-10
.CHAUNCEY OLC0TT
A QUARANTINE GOAT
Famous Singer Shakes Dust Of Deming
From His Feet In Disgust and
Says "Never Again"
MANAGER WILCOX DEFIEs RULE
Keeps Theatre Open for Business. but
Sheriif and Deputies Were Too
Much for Mr.. 0leott

II was with mixed emotions that
Chauncey Olcott, singer of interna-
tional fame. shook the dust OF Deming
from his feet Thursday morning and
departed for III Pnso, where he had a
thrce-day engagement. At 3 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon Mr. Olcott was
informed by Sheriff w. G. Simpson.
acting under orders from District At.
torney j. S. vaught, that the theatres
of Deming were under quarantine and
that he and his company would he im-
medintely arrested should they attempt
TO play at the Majestic Theatre, where
Mr.. Olcott was billed to appear In
"Macushla" Wednesday night.
"a bit rough" commented Mr.. Ol
cott, but he did no: allow the matter
to disturb his equanimity. "Gc will
lose several hundred dollars, hut" and
he laughed, ~ guess we can stand that
all right. My visit with Aunt Milissa
referring to Mrs. NJ. Olcott Of this
city, ~ worth II and you do have
beautiful weather here and the best
water | have had since II became fash
ionable to drink IT,"
When asked by Graphisc represen-
tative why he did not make test Of
the quarantine, he answered: II
haven't the time nor the inclination Ia
dabble In small-town politics. More
than likely would have landed in Jail
and this morning would have been
picking cooties or myself Your sheriff
looks and talks like determined per.
son ana his two big deputies seemed
capable of most anything I'm told
that they can't put me In jail, but
don't want to he like the fellow who
was there in spite of the fact that his
lawyer said il couldn't be done. AnC
| dent want to come back TO Demini
for anything ever again, much less Il
attend term Of court. I'm law-abid
ing and I'm through. Deming cal
wash out its soiled linen without my
aid, feel quite sure sang nin'
songs for the boys out at the hospital
so | don't really feel that my coming
to Deming has been time missrent
Those fellows out there certainly neet
cheering up and wish It were m!
business to do nothing but sing 70
them"
In the meantime Manager W. W
Wilcox of the Majestic Theatre wa
busy in the box office refunding tn
money on tickets sold and gathering II
: advice and sympathy In large chunks
1t was quite evideu: that nearly every
body who goes to theatres In Denim
r was on hand to hear the great Chance
, Olcott and, secretly at least, hope
until the very last minute that the ran
e ous singer would be allowed to appear
!. Manager Wilcox held his theatre ope
$ until the county authorities at last ~
4 to Mr. Olcott and frightened him away
2 Mr.. Wilcox had retained counsel an
was ready to furnish bond when al
? rested. which contingency he quite eN
D pected.
; DIR. s. ID. Swope, city health office
I and DR.. i. NJ. Steed, county health OF
(; ficer, were in front Of the theatre an
: Informed Mr. Olcotts manager Of th
(; preparations made to enforce the qual
g antine. At that time warrants ha
: not been issued, but Judge G.. c. Rol
!, ers was at the court house and tn
:, sheriff and his deputies were ready
= serve the warrants as issued by hi
at the advice OF DR.. Swopc, who ha
g signed the quarantine order. Manage
:. Wilcox defied the quarantine. allegin
r that he had not been served with iegi
Il notice and that, anyway, II was illega
!. inasmuch as schools and pool room
: were allowed to remain open.
- The quarantine had been placed q
the city the day before by the cit
health officer, following the meetin
OF the physicians Of the city, who ha
l. found influenza to be spreading at Il
alarming rate. Up to that time nil
d eases were reported; 2l were reporte
I that night. A meeting Of the phys
: clans was called and they all decide
It 10 lend their moral support to enfor
&c ing the quarantine. However, II Wa
4 noticeable that there was no great e.
l. thusiasm when IL came to excludh
r. Mr.. Olcott from singing in the cit
DIR. Swope. however, was determine
n. He asked for the support of the cit
Il government and police force. May'
: Hamilton assured him thet he won
4. be glad TO enforce any legal heali
Il regulation, but that he would have
a Judge of the legality Of the measure
Ic taken. as he was responsible. At m
,e .me IL was hoped that the law cou
he fully vindiclted by the arrest
Manager Wilcox and the play above
10 20 ON. Thus would injured majes
be salved. the esprit des lois" uphel
= and the citizens he allowed 10 have
Y, little fun. However. It was not to b
II Dr. Swope declared that he won
x stop the performance, and In this
u had the unswerving backing OF the di
he trict attorney. who placed the coun
G. pdlice force at his disposal. The d
ID nduement was exceedingly interestiI
le ri the theatre-goerS, but they we