1910 Season

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1910 Season Season
Leadership Joseph W. Dusenbury
Will J. Dusenbury
New Attractions Dear Old Coney Island
The Destruction of Johnstown
Aerodrome
Theater Manager Harry O. Stubbs
Charles H. Wilson
Stock Company Stubbs-Wison Players
Band(s) The Columbus Rifles Band
Purger's Orchestra
J. Wylie Powers Band

The Olentangy Park opened for the 1910 season on Sunday, April 17, 1910.[1] Ads for the park said "the big park" was 100 acres with 100 amusements.[2] The park opened for daily access on May 8, 1910.[3] The theater opened on Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 1910.[4] The Columbus Rifles Band played free concerts during opening day[1] along with Purger's Orchestra playing in the Dancing Pavilion.[5] The theater closed for the season on September 10, 1910.[4] Joseph W. Dusenbury and Will J. Dusenbury were the park managers with John Miller, from Pittsburgh, acting as Assistant Manager.[6]

Park Improvements

A six-foot cement sidewalk was added that went from the main entrance to the north end of the ravine and a space at the attractions. On High Street, a new automobile and carriage entrance with a fancy gateway entrance was constructed just north of the ravine. A space at the west end of this driveway was set aside for parking automobiles.[1][7] A new power house was erected on the site of the old animal house of the Zoo.[8]

July Robbery

Around 1 a.m. July 5, six bandits entered into the Olentangy Park office building and stole an estimated $1,000 ($33,071 in 2024) in silver[9][10] from a safe. The criminals tied the night watchman, William Erwin[9](or William Irwin[11] or William Edwin[10]), to a pillar in one of the rooms in the theater[9]. They knocked the wicker door to the park office off its hinges using a sledgehammer. The safe-crackers then used the same hammer to losen the hinges and eight charges of nitro-glycerin[9] to get the inner door of the safe open. The explosion damaged furniture and fixtures in the office. The night watchman said it sounded like a cannon and was surprised no one heard it in the city.[9]

The crackers only stole the silver, passing over a tray of watches nearby. Dusenbury took the paper money home the night before. They originally stole Erwin's watch, revolver, and about $12-$15 ($400-$500 in 2024), but returned the items and cash after securing the currency.[12] The watchmen told them it was all the money he had and the revolver did not belong to him. The robbers said they were after Dusenbury's money, not the watchmen's, which they said he worked for. They also dressed a wound he received in the scuffle and loosened his ropes before leaving. After freeing himself, Erwin used the Western Union notification box to raise the alarm.[9]

They stole a horse and buggy[9] from a nearby stable owned by J. E. Rhoades.[12][13][14] A crew of an owl car saw the buggy followed by an automobile holding six men believed to have been the robbers. Park manager J. W. Dusenbury called Lancaster and arranged to have two of Ray Miller's bloodhounds sent to seek out the vehicle. The bloodhound team and motorcycle officers Reisland and Mahoney started their hunt about 6 hours after the incident. The vehicle was found on Leonard Avenue later that day. Miller's bloodhounds traced their scent to the Pennsylvania railroad tracks, and it was thought they boarded a freight train headed eastward.[9]

There were rumors in the following days that the robbery was a "press agent frame-up for advertising purposes" planned by Wilson, manager of the Stubbs-Wilson Players. Dusenbury explained in the Dispatch that the story was true and a serious matter. The silver that was left was there to pay the employees the following day and Dusenbury did not want to transport it back to the park. After investigation, the amount stolen was lowered to about $870 ($28,772 in 2024). It was found that the robbers attempted to steal a horse from a barn a square away from the Rhoades stable, but it got away. A bottle of what was possibly nitro-glycerin was found by park staff and deposited in the Olentangy River.[15]

Other Notable Events

Streetcar Strike

The streetcar barns across from the park were not largely affected by the streetcar motormen and conductors on strike in late April 1910.[16] However, the play, "Sweet Innisfallen," to be shown at the theater, was canceled due to the streetcar strike.[17]

Other Events

The park was closed the week of April 27 due to inclement weather.[18]

The members of the Stubbs-Wilson Players played a series of polo matches in the Arena against the performers in the Wild West Show starting June 15.[19][20]

Rides and Attractions

New Rides and Attractions

The new attractions for 1910 included The Destruction of Johnstown, also known as Johnstown Flood, and Dear Old Coney Island.[1] "Johnstown Flood" was over 100 feet long and extended from the Scenic Coaster, under the tracks of the Loop-the-Loop, to the Circle Swing. The cars of the Loop-the-Loop traveled over the building.[7] "Coney Island" opened on May 1, a week after "Johnstown Flood."[21]

A "new colonnade" was built near the Dancing Pavillion with several new amusements, but they are not named.[22] This could be the Midway built the previous year.

New Bandstand

Main Article: Aerodrome

The Aerodrome was a performance space that replaced the old bandstand. Built in the north end of the park,[23] it had seats for over 1,000 people and showed concerts, moving pictures, illustrated songs, Franz Rangler's troupe of 20 Tyrolean singers, and more. It was a free attraction at the park.[24]

Dancing Pavilion

Main Article: Dancing Pavilion (Second)

The Dancing Pavilion was enclosed with glass windows to provide comfort in all types of weather.[7] It was open from 2-11 p.m. daily.[8]

Ocean Wave Collapse

Main Article: Ocean Wave

During the North Side Chamber of Commerce outing in 1910, the Ocean Wave collapsed from the weight of a hundred children. James Higgins, 13, suffered from four broken ribs and Forest Husten suffered an amputation of his right thumb. Warren G. Harding was at the park at the time.[25]

List of Rides and Attractions

Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater

The 1910 theater season began May 30, 1910. Charles Dillon returned from working with Vaughan Glaser over the winter to resume his position as carpenter at the theater, a role he has been in for several years.[26]

The interior was rehabilitated this season by the Lee Lash Studio from New York City. The old curtain was replaced with one with an "old apple tree" in the center. Touches of red were applied, and stands of pictures outside each had its lights updated to better light the performers.[27]

Bernard Daly

The theater planned to open on May 2, 1910. The Knights of Columbus planned to present Bernard Daly and his Irish play, "Sweet Innisfallen,"[28] but it was canceled due to the streetcar strike.[17]

Stubbs-Wilson Players

Harry O. Stubbs, stage director, and Charles D. Wilson, manager, of the Brady forces, created a new stock company, the Stubbs-Wilson Players, for the 1910 season. Before the stock company began its season, the theater featured vaudeville performances and motion pictures.[4][1][29]

The theater season opened May 30, 1910, with a performance of "Ranson's Folly."[18]

Members:

  • Sue Van Doren
  • Paul Dickey
  • Robert Conness
  • Helen Strickland, wife of Robert Conness
  • Frank Sylvester
  • Edward Poland
  • Williard Bowman
  • Beverly West
  • Beulah Watson
  • Dorothy Wilson
  • Olive West
  • Helen Strickland
  • Herbert Reese
  • Sylvian Dell

Performances:

  • "Ranson's Folly" by Richard Harding Davis
  • "Liberty Hall" by R. C. Carton[30] and originally produced with Violet Allen, Henry Miller, J. E. Dodson, and more
  • "Zira"
  • "The Usurper" made famous by Nat Goodwin and Maxine Elliott
  • "The Ghost Breaker"
  • "The Crisis"
  • "Mrs. Temple's Telegram"

Stunts and Outdoor Shows

Aeronaut Walter Raub, known as the "Human Torpedo,"[31] performed balloon ascensions and double parachute leaps during the opening week.[1][2] His act consisted of being enclosed in a huge bomb attached to a balloon that would explode in the air and Raub using his parachute to descend to the ground.[32]

Although two men almost died during a similar stunt, Herr Grenada and Madame Fedora performed "The Elephant Walking the Rope," "Chanticlear," sliding on their heads, carrying one another, wheelbarrow, and other high-wire acts at the park from May 21-28.[33][34]

From May 22-June 19, Hill and Flournoy of Oklahoma put on a Wild West show at the park. It was its first performance in Ohio and had broncos, outlaw horses, Texas steers, and Western cowboys.[35][27]

For the Fourth of July, people on the grand stage of the new Aerodrome read round-by-round progress of the historic Jeffries-Johnson fight over a special wire ran to the park for the event. Vaudeville and moving pictures were also shown that week.[36]

Music

The Columbus Rifles Band, led by Gus Bruder, played free concerts during opening day[1] along with Purger's Orchestra playing in the Dancing Pavillion.[5]

Once the new bandstand was completed, Franz Ranier's troupe of 20 Tyrolean singers performed.

J. Wylie Powers returned to direct the park band.[37][38]

The Channing Ellery Band gave five concerts beginning May 27 at the theater.[39][40]

Activities

List of Activities

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 3 April 1910. Pg. 5.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ad. The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 3 April 1910. Pg. 5.
  3. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Dispatch. 6 May 1910. Pg. 20.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "At Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 1 April 1910. Pg. 22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 12 April 1910. Pg. 14.
  6. ↑ Columbus Evening Dispatch. 4 June 1910. Pg. 10.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 10 April 1910. Pg. 5.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Dispatch. 16 April 1910. Pg. 10.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 "Olentangy Park Safe-Crackers Get $1000 Cash." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 5 July 1910. Pg. 1, 3.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Olentangy Park Safe at Columbus Robbed by Gang of Cracksmen." Telegraph-Forum (Bucyrus, Ohio). 5 July 1910. Pg. 1. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-forum-olentangy-park-safe-at-c/152522353/
  11. ↑ "Bloodhounds Out For Safe-Crackers." The Marion Star (Marion, Ohio). 5 July 1910. Pg. 1. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-bloodhounds-out-for-safe/152522598/
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Safe Cracked; Cash Taken." The Cincinnati Enquirer. 6 July 1910. Pg. 4. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-tied-watchman-to/152518875/
  13. ↑ "Tied Watchman to Post Then Amusement Park Robbers Secured $1,000 in Currency." The Daily Times (New Philadelphia, Ohio). 7 July 1910. Pg. 2. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-safe-cracked-cash-taken/152509799/
  14. ↑ "Safecrackers Get Thousand." The Bucyrus Evening Telegraph (Bucyrus, Ohio). 8 July 1910. Pg. 4. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bucyrus-evening-telegraph-safecracke/152509700/
  15. ↑ "Olentangy Safe Robbery No Joke, Says Dusenbury." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 8 July 1910. Pg. 7.
  16. ↑ "Early Bulletin on Situation At the Various Car Barns." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 29 April 1910. Pg. 3.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Performance Called Off." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 April 1910. Pg. 2.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Olentangy Stock Company." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 28 April 1910. Pg. 14.
  19. ↑ "Polo at Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 15 June 1910. Pg. 13.
  20. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 17 June 1910. Pg. 20.
  21. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 1 May 1910. Pg. 5.
  22. ↑ "Olentangy Park Open for the 1910 Season." Columbus Dispatch. 18 April 1910. Pg. 6.
  23. ↑ "Olentangy Park.: Columbus Evening Dispatch. 2 June 1910. Pg. 14.
  24. ↑ Columbus Evening Dispatch. 19 May 1910. Pg. 14.
  25. ↑ "Mechanical Swing." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 25 May 1910. Pg. 8.
  26. ↑ Columbus Dispatch. 14 May 1910. Pg. 10.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 23 May 1910. Pg. 12.
  28. ↑ "Daly at Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 26 April 1910. Pg. 14.
  29. ↑ "Olentangy Stock Company." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 7 April 1910. Pg. 14.
  30. ↑ "Olentangy Park: 'Liberty Hall'." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 5 June 1910. Pg. 5.
  31. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 23 April 1910. Pg. 10.
  32. ↑ "Olentangy Stock." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 24 April 1910. Pg. 5.
  33. ↑ "Olentangy Park: The Elephant Will Walk." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 21 May 1910. Pg. 10.
  34. ↑ "High Wire Walkers." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 22 May 1910. Pg. 5.
  35. ↑ Columbus Evening Dispatch. 18 May 1910. Pg. 16.
  36. ↑ "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 30 June 1910. Pg. 16.
  37. ↑ Columbus Evening Dispatch. 20 May 1910. Pg. 20.
  38. ↑ "Olentangy Park." The Union County Journal. 23 June 1910. Pg. 4. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-union-county-journal-olentangy-park/152521537/
  39. ↑ Ad. Columbus Evening Dispatch. 26 May 1910. Pg. 6.
  40. ↑ "Channing Ellery Back for Brief Concert Series". Columbus Evening Dispatch. 28 May 1910. Pg. 8.
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