Donna Darling & Girls at the Columbia Theater, Columbia, MO, on Sept 21 & 22, 1925.
Donna in the News
by Don Taylor
“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week from the Columbia Missourian(Columbia, MO) newspaper dated 21 and 22 September 1925, I learned that Donna returned to the Columbia Theater about a year after her 1924 shows.
Columbia Missourian Sep 21, 1925 – Courtesy of Newspapers.com
I have only found advertisements for Donna’s shows on September 21st and 22nd, 1925. Donna had been in Columbia about a year previously and returned with her new show, Donna Darling and Girls – “4 of ‘em 4 Singing and Dancing.”
Prima Donna Tells Reasons Why Girls Seek the Bright Lights
Donna in the News by Don Taylor
“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week from the Columbia Missourian (Columbia, MO) dated Sep 6, 1924, I learned that Donna played at the Columbia Theater in Columbia, MO. I also learned Donna may have won additional beauty contests. The article also contains known fabrications.
September 6, 1924
Prima Donna Tells Reasons Why Girls Seek the Bright Lights
Columbia_Missourian Sat, Sep 6, 1924.
“Girls leave home because of some sheik, usually, and they are often content, for a time at least, to [??]ve quietly away from the world,” says Miss Donna Darling, prima donna, whose bathing beauties troupe played at the Columbia Theater the last two nights.
“Why do bathing beauties leave the beach to go on the stage?” and Miss Darling’s eyes twinkled brightly. “Do you want the real reason, or just some press agent stuff?
“Well, the reason bathing -beauties leave, the silver sheet for the stage is because they like to hear the applause and see their audiences. They get tired of the dull silence and absolute quiet which, on the beach, greet their efforts to do their best. In the movies, every scene is ‘shot’ ten times at least, and the best selected. When we start out the applause seems too good to be true.”
Miss Darling and her girls left Los Angeles just six weeks ago. They are working toward Chicago, where, beginning October 1, they will start a seven months’ opening with the Orpheum circuit and work back to the Pacific Coast.
Miss Darling is the winner of several beauty prizes, one conducted by Mayor Curley of Boston in 1921 and another at Madison Square Garden, New York City, a short time later. In 1919 she had also won another such contest, conducted by a New York theater.
It was the winning of the beauty prizes which really paved the way for Miss Darling to enter the movies. She has been with Vitagraph in New York and Universal in California and has spent eight years in vaudeville and on the screen. She is a sister of Miss Grace Darling. During the staging of “Chin Chin,” which was written and directed by her sister, she played the leading role.
Miss Darling and Mr. Earle also did a song and dance act Monday and Tuesday, which was very popular. Miss Darling’s rendition of one of the operas on the violin was a masterpiece.
Mr. Earle, her dancing partner, is the originator of two or three dance steps but says it does not pay to spend time working them up, as someone always steals them. One of his steps, however, “Over the Top,” has won him fame.
“Most dances now,” he said, “are combinations of the old steps done in such a way that the actor is able to put them over with the aid of his personality and acting.”
I added New information to her career list. On September 4 & 5, 1924, she was in Columbia, MO, at the Columbia Theater.
I also learned that Donna left LA about Jul 25.
I learned Donna would be working in Chicago on Oct 1.
I learned that Donna would be working in the Orpheum circuit and would travel back to the Pacific Coast.
The article suggests Donna won three different beauty contests:
1919 – Conducted by a New York theater.
1921 – Conducted by Mayor Curley of Boston.
1921 – Held at Madison Square Garden shortly after Mayor Curley’s contest.
The article suggests she worked with Vitagraph in New York and Universal in California. I’ve long known about her being in “Birth of a Nation.” That she worked with Vitagraph and Universal is new to me and can lead to some more research areas.
I have proven previously that Grace Darling was not Donna’s biological sister[i] , although she may have been “stage sisters.”
“Chin Chin” was written by Anne Caldwell and directed by William E MacQuinn during its 1914 Globe Theatre run. Also, “Chin Chin” did not have a leading female role, although Donna did play the Lady of the Lamp for the latter part of the show’s road tour.
Grandpa Brown found himself in the news again. He had abducted my 3-year-old mother from Illinois and brought her to Minnesota. There he was arrested and returned to Illinois to stand trial. Here is the result of the trial.
Chicago—Clifford Brown, of Brainerd, show trooper, today was fined $1 (without costs) and sentenced to six months in the house of correction. He was charged with a misdemeanor.
Brown was first charged with abducting the daughter of Mrs. Donna Clark, also in the show business.
Both Brown and Clark testified that while trooping they lived together as man and wife. Brown said Mrs. Clark’s daughter was his own child but this was denied by Mrs. Clark.
Subsequently, DNA testing has proved that the child (my mother) was Clifford Brown’s. His daughter by another woman has proved to be a half-sister to my mother. Also, many other descendants of Durwood and Mary (Manning) Brown have tested as close DNA matches to my mom. So, Mrs. Donna Clark either lied about the parentage or the newspaper got it wrong.
I’ve tried to find documents about Clifford’s time at the house of correction without success. If Clifford was released after six months, he had changed his name to Richard Durand and married Dorothy Wilhelm about four months after his release. I have no idea why he chose the name Richard Durand. If someone has any ideas where it might have come from, I’d love to hear about it.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Alice Rogers, circa 1934.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alice Rogers, 501 Congress St #237.”
Alice Rogers, circa 1934
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Moustakis Bros. confr (confectioner) at 501 Congress St. It lists an Alice Rogers as a waitress at 139 High and residing at 769 Congress.
Neither the 1933 nor 1935 Portland City Directories list Alice Rogers.
The 1940 US Census lists Alice M Rogers, a 24-year-old nurse living at 511 Cumberland. In 1935 she was living in Rochester, New Hampshire.
Alice Martha Rogers was born on 4 March 1916 in Fryeburg, Maine, to Elwyn and Edna (Cressey) Rogers.
I believe this photo is likely Alice Martha Rogers (1916-1970); however, I am not 100% confident. As such, I’ll post a photo to Dead Fred and three more pictures to my Flickr Photostream. Ancestry has 13 public trees that refer to Alice Martha Rogers.
Flora Robinson, Feb. 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Flora Robinson, 5 Weymouth St #277- Feb 2, 1935.”
Flora Robinson, Feb. 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1933 Portland City Directory lists Flora M Robinson, a clerk at 518 Congress, residing at 5 Weymouth.
The 1930 US Census lists Flora M Robinson living at 5 Weymouth with her parents, Charles and Emily Robinson. Flora was 18 years old and was born in Maine.
I am confident this is a photo of Flora about 1935 when Flora was about 23 years old.
Ancestry has 24 public trees that refer to Flora May Robinson (1911-1988). Family Search has profile LR1F-1D2 for Flora Mae Robinson. I have uploaded two photos of Flora to her Family Search Memories.
Myra Ross, circa 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Myra Ross, 2 Mechanic St. #183.”
Myra Ross, circa 1934.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Myra L Ross, residing at 2 Mechanic Pl. Also at 2 Mechanic Place are Emery S. and his wife Beatrice, Ross.
The 1930 US Census lists Emery S Ross, his wife Beatrice, and 16-year-old daughter Myra living at 64 Oak Street, Ellsworth, Maine.
I am sure this is Myra Louise Ross (1913-1945) about 1934 when she was about 21 years old.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Charles E & Mildred J) Ross living at 8 Weymouth, Apt 4.
The 1940 US Census lists Charles and Mildred, and their 5-year-old daughter, Joan A Ross, living at 25 Deane Street.
I am sure this is Joan Adelle Ross, daughter of Charles Edward and Mildred Jeanette (Cousins) Ross. Joan married Weston Arynold Shaw on 26 January 1952 in Rochester, New Hampshire.
I have not found Joan in Ancestry trees; however, her father, Charles E Ross, is found in two public Ancestry trees. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Joan either. So, I uploaded a photo of Joan to Dead Fred.
The 1935 Torrington City Directory lists Warren A & Beatrice Roper living at 259 S Main.
The 1930 US Census lists Warren and his 35-year-old wife Beatrice at 255 Main. Beatrice was born in Maine.
Beatrice Evelyn Bishop married Warren A Roper on 23 June 1915 in Portland, Maine. Beatrice’s parents were William L Bishop and Cora J Strout.
Looking at other photos of Cora (Strout) Bishop on Ancestry, I’m sure this photo is of mother and daughter Cora (Strout) Bishop and Beatrice (Bishop) Roper, about 1934.
Ancestry has 39 public trees that refer to Cora Jane (Strout) Bishop (1862-1941) and 13 public trees that refer to Beatrice Evelyn (Bishop) Roper (1893-1981).
Family Search has profile M6SH-2J3 for Cora Jane Strout (1866-1953) and profile LB6G-DHY for Beatrice E Bishop (1893-1981). I have uploaded two photos of Cora and Beatrice to their Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one more picture of them to my Flickr photostream.
Confirmed to be Cora (Stout) Bishop and Beatrice (Bishop) Roper by a 2nd great-granddaughter (and great-grandniece).
Conclusion
I identified six individuals this week. Four have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two did not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their photos to Dead Fred.
I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
Endnotes
[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.
[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.
Status of Brown – Detailed Letter – Local Attorney Title
88 Years Ago Today By Don Taylor
Grandpa Brown found himself in the front page news once again. He had abducted mom and was being held by the Chicago Police. However, he was illegally removed from Minnesota by the Illinois state police and brought to Illinois. Because of that, the two governors were in a battle of letters about what to do with Grandpa.
Question of the burden of safeguarding an alleged fugitive, precipitated by the apparently illegal removal of Clifford Brown. Brainerd, to Chicago on a warrant charging child abduction, today brought the opinion that local authorities to whom the warrant was sent *or execution are responsible.
The opinion was shared by Gov. I Floyd B Olson and Gov. Henry Horner of Illinois, who held an exchange of letters investigating the removal of Brown. William J. Swanson. Brainerd attorney and counsel for Brown, said following receipt of a letter from Gov. Olson’s office.
Swanson said the letter quoted the law saying that the alleged fugitive should be given ample time to consult counsel before being removed. The law, he said, also provides penalty for violation. Swanson said Brown was moved without being given opportunity to consult counsel and despite his demand to fight extradition.
The warrant provides for an opportunity to apply for writ of habeas corpus to the local court and although Brown requested of the police officers here the right to see his attorney and his folks before he was taken away, he was refused that right, which the law affords him. Brown also requested extradition hearing, which was refused him.
Brown’s case has been postponed! until April 29 and he is represented by counsel in Chicago. In the meantime, the governor of Minnesota and the governor of Illinois are in communication with reference to the removal of Brown to Chicago. The governor of Illinois is of the opinion that it is doubtful whether there is any legal way to return Brown unless the charge is dismissed. He is, however, having an investigation made and the question of Brown’s return is held in abeyance pending the investigation and the further action of Minnesota authorities.
________________
Key fact learned: Clifford Brown’s case was postponed until April 29th, 1935.
“Donna in the News” reports newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s. 
