Donna Darling Collection – Part 45

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Don Taylor

 

Treasure Chest Thursday
Vaudeville
By Don Taylor

Lyceum Theater, Canton, Ohio

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at another news clipping from the Donna Darling Collection.

Newspaper article from 1922 - Valerie Bergere Tops Program at Lyceum Theater

Valerie Bergere Tops Program at Lyceum Theater

…. Donna Darling the well known musical comedy star….

… Miss Donna Darling, the musical comedy star assisted by Murry Walker and Jack Finney will appear in a song and dance cocktail “As you Like It.” Miss Darling will wear in one number a costly gown on which there are more than 20,000 pearls. This is one of the most elaborate gowns ever worn on the American star. Each number of this lavish offering has its special sets and costume effects. A cloth of gold drop is used. The three sing some of the comedy numbers from the Floradora sextette and a number from the musical comedy “Sally,” do some dances to “Irene” music, and other musical comedy hits are introduced with special settings and costumes. The three are exceptionally good dancers as well as singers.

One of the features of the offering will be a burlesque of an Egyptian dance.

Miss Darling is well known to Cantonians as she played here as the prima donna of “Chin Chin” two seasons ago when this big musical comedy played at the Grand. [April 1, 1920 – Canton, OH – Grand Opera House]

Key features:

  • The venue is the Lyceum Theater.
  • The show is the “As You Like It” starring Donna Darling assisted by Murry Walker and Jack Finney.
  • Also on bill
    • Valerie Bergere was the top bill in a new Japanese comedy-drama, “O Joy San.”
    • Lew Hoffman displayed his skills with hats in “The Hattery.”
    • Miss Lillian Conroy & her brother John used a 5500-gallon water tank for an aquatic show.
    • Jean McCoy & Ralph Walton present “A Few Minutes with Ouija.”
    • Joe Rome & Lou Gaut show “When Extremes Meet” as dancers, singers & storytellers.

Analysis

I always love it when Donna writes the source information on the clipping page. In this case, she wrote “Mar 12 – Sun Repositor – Canton, Ohio.” This matched perfectly with a show I already knew about. On March 12-16 she played at the Lyceum Theater in Canton Ohio.

The article included some interesting tidbits. In particular, I had not previously known that her dress had “over 20,000 pearls.”  Wow, that must have been quite the dress.

Conclusion

Added a note about DDC to the previous entry:

March 12-16, 1922 – Canton, Ohio – Lyceum – Donna Darling – Genealogy Bank – DDC – Part 45.

 

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Chin-Chin in the News – Orpheum Theatre – York, PA

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Don Taylor

28 May 1920 – York, PA

Vaudeville/Chin-Chin
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.My grandmother was a vaudeville star and I am following her career, trying to learn of her many performances. In October 1919, she joined the cast of the Charles Dillingham production of “Chin-Chin” “Chin-Chin” played across the US and Canada until June 1920. I monitor several newspaper services watching for new venues that the show played at while she was a cast member.

This week’s entries are from The Evening Sun (Hanover, PA) on May 25th, 26th, and 27th and come via (Newspapers.Com).

Article transcription:

Orpheum – One Night Only – May 28TH
Friday
York, PA
THE BIGGEST SHOW IN YEARS
Charles Dillingham’s Gigantic Musical Comedy

“CHIN CHIN”

The Only Company

Ad showing "Chin Chin" to play at the Orpheum Theater on May 28th [1920].

The Evening Sun – Hanover, PA – 25 May 1920

WALTER WILLS
ROY BINDER
COMPANY OF 70
MOSTLY GIRLS
THE FAMOUS TOM
BROWN’S CLOWN
SAXOPHONE BAND
INDOOR CIRCUS
LOTS OF FU

Mile. Falloffski
Inimitable Paderewski
Marvelous Ventriloquist

Grotesque Dancing
and the Screamingly
Funny Laughing Horse.

Two Car Loads of
Scenery and Most
Startling Effects

New Venue Added:

28 May 1920 – York PA, Orpheum Theatre, “Chin-Chin”

 

 

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Donna Darling Collection – Part 44

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Don Taylor

The Lindo Theatre

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at two clippings from the Donna Darling Collection where she played at the Lindo Theater. The first is a newspaper clipping which advertises The Donna Darling Revue playing for 4 days at the Lido. at the same time as “The Savage” a comedy novelty movie. According to IMDB, the film was released on 18 July 1926. Sadly, the film is apparently lost, with no known copies left. From the ad, it looks like a really funky movie. “One wild man—many wild animals—a naughty dinosaur—and a society deb looking for a thrill. Oh, spare us—we can’t mention it without laughing.” It is hard to think of the film’s story without laughing. Ben Lyon went on to star in the 1930 version of “Hell’s Angels.” May McAvoy went on to be in “The Jazz Singer” with Al Jolson.

Clipping of Donna Darling & The Savage at the Lindo Theatre

Clipping – Donna Darling & The Savage at the Lindo Theatre

I had previously seen articles in Newspaper Archives and Newspapers.com indicating that the Donna Darling Review played at the Lindo Theatre in Freeport, IL on August 3, 1926. The clipping clarified the dates as being August 2nd through the 5th. Donna’s show was “One of those big acts that seldom gets to small towns” and “Missing this [show] is like losing one of life’s treats.”

A clipping of an ad of the Donna Darling Review playing at the Lindo Theatre

Ad showing the Donna Darling Review playing at the Lindo Theatre

I have cropped, edited, and sized the photos for the web.

Key features:

  • The venue is the Lindo Theatre.
  • The show is the “Donna Darling Revue.”
  • Also on the bill
    • Ben Lyon and May McAvoy in “The Savage”

Sources

Internet: IMDb – Entry for “The Savage” (1926) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017348/

 

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Long – Surname Saturday

Posted on February 9, 2019 by Don Taylor

Long – Surname Saturday

Howell-Hobbs-Long

Long Surname Meaning

The European surname Long is a descriptive term regarding the stature of the original bearer of the name.[i] Think of it in terms of a “long tall” individual. The Chinese surname “Long” derives from the name “Yu-Long” meaning “resistor of dragons.” Finally, there is a Cambodian variant of the name which is unexplained.[ii]

Geographical

Worldwide there are approximately 516,166 people who bear the Long surname.

It is most prevalent in the United State where over half of the people with the Long surname live. Interestingly enough, Cambodia has the greatest frequency of the name where it is the 19th most prevalent name in the country.

In the United States, the greatest incidence is in California. North Carolina is 4th in incidence (people with the surname) and number one in frequency where 1 in 666 people have the surname.[iii]

Earliest Long Ancestors

Annie Deborah Long was born in Martin County, North Carolina in 1846 and died in Martin County, North Carolina in 1913.

Her father, Samuel Aquilla Long, was also born and died in North Carolina.

I don’t know where Samuel’s father, John Long, or his father’s father, Aquilla Long, were born or where they died.

In 1920 there were 1272 people with the Long surname in North Carolina. Twenty-one of those people are known descendants of Aquilla Long. I haven’t had a chance to research John Long or his father, Aquilla Long yet. I expect many more Long relatives to be found when I do that.

Direct Long Ancestors

Known relatives.

My records have 187 descendants of Aquilla Long identified; 21 of them have the Long surname.

Sources:

Endnotes:

[i] Internet: Forebears – Surname Search Results for “Long” on 30 January 2019. See: https://forebears.io/surnames/long

[ii] Internet: Ancestry – Name Origins – “Long Family History” accessed 30 Jan 2019. See: https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=Long

[iii] See Endnote #1 above – Forebears.

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William Hunt Scott (1834-1903)

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Don Taylor

Ancestor Sketch
Roberts-Scott Line
By Don Taylor

Roberts Research 2019 – Ancestor #36

List of Grandparents

  1. – Grandfather: Bert Allen Roberts (1903-1949)
  2. – 1st Great-grandmother: Clora Dell Scott Roberts Adams (1883-1945)
  3. – 2nd Great-grandfather: Samuel Vaden Scott(1862-1931) & More
  4. – 3rd Great-grandfather: William Hunter Scott (c. 1834-1903)
  5. – 4th Great-grandfather: Samuel Kinkade Scott (1809-?)[1]
  6. – 5th Great-Grandfather: John Scott (1784-1856)
  7. – 6th Great-Grandfather: William Jarvis Scott (? – ?)
  8. – 7th Great-Grandfather: James Scott (1719-1783)

William Hunt Scott (c.1834-1903)

Birth

William Hunt Scott was born in Turkey Hill, St. Clair County Illinois about 1834. His father, John Scott, came to Illinois with his father in s1797 and along with five brothers and one brother-in-law established the “Turkey Hill” colony in present-day St. Clair County. This was the first American settlement in the county.

In other news of the times, The Black Hawk War had ended only two years before his birth. John Reynolds resigned as Governor of Illinois to become a Representative to the US Congress. William Lee Ewing took his place as governor for about three weeks until newly elected Joseph Duncan became the sixth governor of Illinois, and the first, and only, Whig to that office.

Childhood

William grew up as the oldest of six children.  His five siblings included:

Name Born
Sarah 1836
Mary 1839
Francis/Franklin 1840
Emily 1845
Rachel 1849

All were born in St. Clair County.

The 1840 Census indicates the Samuel Scott family of St Clair, Illinois consists of himself, apparently his wife and three children including William. The other two are presumed to be Sarah and Mary.

The 1850 Census indicates the Samuel K Scott family of Turkey Hill, St. Clair, Illinois consists of Samuel, apparently his wife and six children. The 16-year-old William is farming, and four of his younger siblings (Sarah, Mary, Francis, and Emily) are attending school.

Marriage to Emily Hendricks.

Sometime between 1850 and 1860 (probably between 1850 and 1856), William located to Washington County, Illinois.

There, in 1856, when he was about 22 years old, William married Emily Maples Hendricks.

They had four children together.

Name Born Location
Viola 1860 Washington Co.
Samuel Vaden 1863 Washington Co.
Francis Perry 1870 St. Clair Co.
William Alonzo 1871 St. Clair Co.

Adult

The 1860 Census indicates they lived in Township 3S, Range 4W. Today that township is now known as Elkton Township. The towns of Elkton and Oakdale (Ayers Point Post Office) lie within it. Both are about 5 miles southwest of Nashville, Illinois. The family consisted of William, Emily, and their oldest child, Viola. William was a farmer.

I have not found evidence, yet, regarding William and the Civil War. I would expect a 27-year-old of the time to have served. There are hundreds of “William Scott’s” who served in Illinois and determining if this William Scott served is a future project for me.

The 1870 Census showed the family back in St. Clair County and enumerated in Freeburg. The family consists of William, Emily, and three of the children, Viola, Sam, and 3-month-old Francis. William is working as a “Wagon Maker.” Viola and Sam are attending school.

On 27 October 1878 Emily died.  What happened to William after that is mostly unknown. Samuel married Amanda Jane Haley in May 1879. Viola married Charles Monroe Kansas Galloway two months later, in July 1879. I have been unsuccessful finding William in the 1880 Census. It appears that the other children may have been scattered as I’ve been unable to find them either.

Marriage to Matilda T (Cooper) Elkins

Several researchers indicate that William Hunt Scott married Matilda T. Elkins (nee Cooper) on Dec 16, 1885, in Franklin County, IL. That seems likely, but I haven’t found compelling evidence that the William Scott that married Matilda was this William Scott.

I’ve been unable to find William or Matilda in the 1900 Census.

Death & Burial

Finally, some researchers indicate that William H Scott died 13 May 1903 in Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri. Again, I’ve been unable to verify that this William H Scott is my William Hunt Scott. There is a William Scott buried at the Glenda Cemetery, buried at Glenda Cemetery in Farmington. If you have evidence indicating this William Scott is the same one as above, I would love to hear from you.

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Do a Family Study looking for William’s children post 1878.
  • Do a Family Study looking at William’s siblings.

————–  Disclaimer  ————–

 

 Sources

William Hunt Scott is person LYQC-SF4 on FamilySearch.

  • “United States Census, 1840,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBJ­5WZ : 15 August 2017), Samuel Scott, St Clair, Illinois, United States; citing p. 280, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 70; FHL microfilm 7,644.
  • “United States Census, 1850,” Census Place: Turkey Hill, St Clair, Illinois; Roll: M432_126; Page: 359A; Image: 360
  • “United States Census, 1860,” Census Place: Township 3 S Range 4 W, Washington, Illinois; Roll: M653_235; Page: 942; Family History Library Film: 803235
  • “United States Census, 1870,”
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6WN­2W2 : 17 October 2014), Sam Scott in household of Willin Scott, Illinois, United States; citing p. 18, family 122, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,778.
  • Chris H. Baily, The Jehu Scott Family (Eustis, FL, Chris H. Baily), Files (Personal), Person 10 – William Hunt Scott. Bailey, Chris, “The Jehu Scott Family” dated 7/16/16.
  • Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 January 2019), memorial page for William H. Scott (unknown–13 May 1903), Find A Grave Memorial no. 13568645, citing Glenda Cemetery, Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Clara & Terry L. Luster, Sr. (contributor 46485785) .
  • “Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFKW-85D : 3 March 2016), Samuel V. Scott and Amanda J. Haley, 24 May 1879; citing Franklin, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,005,307.
  • “Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFKW-26N : 5 November 2017), Patience Marshall in an entry for Francis P. Scott and Florence E. Roberts, 24 Mar 1901; citing Franklin, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,005,307.

Endnotes

[1] I have not independantly confirmed the ancestors of Samuel Kinkade. I am, however, confident that Samuel was William Hunt Scott’s father.

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