The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-16
ROGERS SPRANC
TO WORLD NOTE
ALMOST IN DAY
Famed Comedians Rise
Was MeteoriC; Started
With ZiegfeId FoIIieS.

stage COulECldIl anu A4CNoP0FSA ~
umnist, was born at Claremore,
Okla.-then Indian Territory, on
Nov. 4, 1879. The homespun philo-
sopher who became famous for his
homely comments on national and
international events was the son OF
Glen Y. and Mary (Schrimpsher)
Rogers, both of whom were part
Cherokee Indians.
Mr.. Rogers father owned a horse
and cattle ranch and was a men,
Der of the convention that drafted
the present Oklahoma Constitution
The boys early years were spent on
the ranch, where he became an ex-
pert -puncher and lariat
thrower.
He received a scanty education
by attending the Kemper Military
Academy at Boonville, Mo, for
part Of two terms.
Gifted from the beginning with
unlimited good nature and sense
of humor, Mr.. Rogers became the
chief entertainer for the surround
ing countryside.
Reputation as Comic Spread
His hobby consisted in working
out unusual and difficult feats with
his lasso. Deity twirling a rope, he
cracked jokes at his own and his
pals expense.
His reputation as humOrist
and entertainer spread and he final
ly accepted an offer to become a
public entertainer. First he trav-
eled with a circus and Wild West
show. Then he tentered vaudeville
He first appeared in New York at
Keith's Union Square Theater in
1905.
Flo ziegfeld, producer of the Fol
lies" witnessed the rise of the
young humorist, and in 1915 made
Mr.. Rogers a feature performer with
the "FollieS."
Went Over Big
He was a big success and in 1915
Samuel Goldwyn offered him mo-
ton picture contract which he
signed. After a meteoric rise in
Hollywood, Mr.. Rogers returned
briefly to his first love, the Fol
lies" for the year of 1921 and then
devoted another year to picture
making.
In 1924 he rejoined the "Follies'
at a weekly salary reputed to be
larger than that paid to any other
player of the spoken stage. After
a season he returned again to Hol-
lywood, where his stage fame be-
came greater than ever and Mr.
Rogers produced series Of sue
cesseS such as Happy Days." Am
bassador Bill" Estate Fair" and
Judge Priest"
Mr.. Rogers talents also extended
to authorship and politics. He once
was named for Governor of Okla
homa, but declined the nomination
Despite his long residence in Cali
fornia, he was a persistent press
agent for his native state and
spread the fame of Claremore far
and wide. He also served as mayor
of Beverly Hills, exclusive screen
land suburb.
Talked in Common Language
In his newspaper comments, linn
tied generally to rs words, MI.
Rogers talked in common language
of the news events of the day. Crit
iciSm sometimes was pOked at his
ordinary folks" mannerisms as as
sumed and unsuited to one of the
richest men in the amusement bust
ness.
Among the humorous books writ
ten by Mr.. Rogers are Letters of a
Self-Made Diplomat" and THE IL
literate Digest" which again re-
f1ected the country background of
an everyday American.
He was married to Betty Blake
on Nov. 25, 1908. They had three
children-Will Jr., Mary and James.
In his later years, one Of Mr.. Rog-
ers' hobbies was playing polo and,
forming a team with his children,
he became one of the most ardent
enthusiasts OH the Pacific coast. AS
a poloist, he maintained his aver
age" attitude, wearing blue denim
trousers and a white sweat shirt.
Any Thing Served to Chew
The comedian was an inceSsant
talker. And as fast as he talked,
his Jaws kept time with a wad OF
gum. He refused to dress up-his
best wear was blue serge, double
breasted suit and this he wore even
when he served as toast-master at
the most formal banquets.
Mr.. Rogers gum-chewing, how
ever, was part of his act. He
chewed chiefly to keep from smok-
ing. Of stage and screen, he chews
the tips Of his spectacles.
He often claimed that he had
chewed 1S pairs of spectacles up in
two years. If spectacles weren't
~,,nI,o,. eor1,aJ