New Britain herald., 1928-06-09
LITTLE JAY Ward
every BIT A BOY
Six Year Old Lad at Strand Is
A. E. F. Mascot

WGll-mannered boy, Who might
belong in anybody's home. who is
unspoiled in spite of all the atten-
ton he has received through his life.
Such is -year-old Jay Ward who
was chosen official mascot of the
American Legion at the gathering of
the second A. E. +. in France last
summer.
He is taking New Britain by storm
at the Strand theater this week In
a vaudeville act which includes his
parents Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Ward.
known in the theatrical world as
Ward and Dooley. He sings and
sings we'll, does comedy patter, rope
tricks and gags like Will Rogers and
dances. handsome as Greek god
and smart AS a whip he gathers the
audience right up and il is held there
until he runs off the stage.
Last summer Jay was chosen
Typical American Boy" and was
taken to Fra nee as the A. F. F.. mas
cot Later he was made official mas
cot. There are but few Of the hon
ors which have befallen him. He
has collection of police badges, fire
badges. and keys to cities that will
fill room. Besides this he has been
made honorary member of hundreds
Of clubs, patriotic units, and boy
scout organizations.
He has a vast collection OF scrap-
book material with newspaper clip
pings from leading papers through
out the country. Included also are
photographs taken of him when he
was IN France and on occasions
when he visited hospitals and chill
dren's home to cheer the inmates.
A Herald reporter called to inter-
view him after his first performance
thursday afternoon. 1t did not take
long to discover that Little Jay is a
typical American boy, an intelligent
manly and unassuming little fellow
who has a charming personality.
One matter to his credit is the re-
sp"ct in which he holds his parents,
One does not have to talk to him for
any great length of time to note the
excellent manner in which he is be-
ing reared
Feeling that the interview wou]d
be with the parents, the Herald re-
porter addressed his first question to
the group as they were relaxing
after their turn on the stage. TO
ms surprise it was the boy who an
swered. Later his father attempted
to answer the question but he was
Interrupted with the remark. LET
me give him the dope, Pop"
All three, the mother. father, and
boy. seemed to have deep spirit
Of friendship toward one another
and toward visitors.
His parents always tried to Lccp
him normal especially in the matter
of food and play. Although he has
to work late nights he gets nine
hours sleep.
His greatest interest is in aviation
and just before Clarence Chamberil7
started on his flight to Berlin he
took the boy up with him.
Jay has many interesting stories
to tell of his trip abroad. lie re-
members the notables. His eyes
teamed as he told of meeting Mar
shall Foch. He said he liked the
marshal very much, and he des-
eribed in an amusing way the kisses
given him by the French leader.
There are hundreds of things
which may be told about the boy,
but they would fill several volumes.
One of the most interesting side
lights was his early years.
He was born in Chicago, but 1t
was In Fort Worth. Tex. that he
made his first vaudeville hop" eight
weeks after that interesting event.
One of the bottom drawers of a
steamer trunk which is still in use
by jays parents Graded the boy
while the mother and father were
doing their turn. The drawer Is
now filed with toys which are for
Jays amusement between shows.
Ward and Dooley want little Jay
to go to the front. be a real
"trouper" and live up to the great
mark set by them when they We're
top-notchers in the vaudeville field.
This will be Jays last appearance
in vaudeville in the east. After the
performance tonight he will leave
for New York City where his par
ents will make plans TO tour in the
direction of California where Jay
will take part in the movies 1t is
not unlikely that in the near future
he will make a return trip to this
CITY but this time on the screen.