1907 Season

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1907 Season Season
Leadership Joseph W. Dusenbury, president
Will J. Dusenbury, secretary
The Olentangy Park Company
New Attractions Second Dancing Pavilion
Igorrote Village
Theater Manager Harry Demuth
J.J. Rosenthal

The Olentangy Park, Theater, and Zoological Garden opened for the 1906 season on Sunday, April 28, 1907.[1]... Band performed free concerts twice daily during the opening week. Harry Demuth was the theater manager.[1]

Notable Events

Religious Pushback

The Pastors' Union of between 30 and 35 ministers wanted to shut down aspects they did not agree with in the city such as baseball on Sundays. They also wanted to restrict Olentangy Park, its theater, and the new Dancing Pavilion.[2]

Arrests

James Bailey, a waiter at the park restaurant, was arrested in May for stealing small sums of money and storing it in his socks. He had been stealing money for a month. The arrest was made by John K. Good.[3]

In May, ride managers John H. Leonard and William Manning were arrested for embezzlement. They were charged with having embezzled about $15-$20 ($490-$653 in 2023) by taking the riders' tickets and then selling them back to the cashier, who divided the money. The cashier, an unnamed woman, provided witness testimony and avoided prosecution. The arrest was made by John K. Good.[4]. Manning pleaded guilty to embezzling $10 ($327) and was fined $25 ($817) and court costs. Leonard pleaded not guilty and was given a bond fixed at $15 ($490)[5].

Deaths

Actress Edna Wilson, 16, of the Kiralfy Ballet Company was found dead in the bathtub at the Bryden Hotel on the morning of Sunday, May 26, 1907. It was unknown if it was from suicide or from passing out from heart trouble, something she had suffered in the past. She and her husband, George, eloped in March of that year after knowing each other for four months and his father was the company's stage director. The couple performed a sketch and she also performed in the chorus. The husband was charged with embezzlement for stealing money from another engagement and was to go to trial in June. The members of the company said the actress threatened suicide often, but her mother believes her death was the result of foul play. The company canceled its Sunday night performance at the theater, disbanded, and returned to Pittsburgh.[6] A woman visited Columbus the following Wednesday looking for her daughter who ran away with the company. The woman and daughter's name is unknown.[7]

Rides and Attractions

Injuries

In May, Amy Wright, 22, was found unconscious while riding the Circle Swing. She was taken to her home on North 18th Street by Fisher's ambulance where she fully recovered[8].

Other Rides and Attractions

Olentangy Park Theater

Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater

Harry Demuth was originally the theater manager for the 1907 season. He was the theater manager when the company controlled both Minerva and Olentangy parks.[1] Later, J.J. Rosenthal, of Toledo, became the theater manager.[9]

Performances

Vaudeville

Week of June 16: "Shooting the Chutes," a "genuine farce comedy, with all its well known familiar surroundings of pretty girls, jingling songs, eccentric character sketches, clever dances and mirth-provoking situations."[9]

Music

The Columbus local of the American Federation of Musicians signed a contract to furnish a big band for the 1907 season. The contract said if an insufficient amount of members can be found, it can be an international search. Traveling bands were also sought for short engagements.[10]

New Dancing Pavilion

Main Article: Dancing Pavilion (Second)

The new Dancing Pavilion opened for the 1907 season.[1]

Stunts

Activities

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Olentangy Park to Be Opened April 28." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 29 March 1907. Pg. 16.
  2. ↑ "Ministers Union Prepares to Stop Sunday Baseball." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 1 April 1907. Pg. 6.
  3. ↑ "Used His Socks for Money Bank." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. 26 May 1907. Pg. 18.
  4. ↑ "Managers of 'Old Mill' Arrested." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 27 May 1907. Pg. 9. Retrieved from Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
  5. ↑ "Makes a Confession." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 29 May 1907. Pg. 6. Retrieved from the Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
  6. ↑ "Coroner Making Investigation of Actress' Death." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 27 May 1907. Pg. 1, 6.
  7. ↑ "Mother Searching for Her Daughter." The Columbus Evening Dispatch. 29 May 1907. Pg. 7.
  8. ↑ "Young Woman is Made Unconscious by Circle Swing." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 31 May 1907. Pg. 2. Retrieved by the Columbus Dispatch Digital Archives.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Olentangy Park: Shooting the Chutes." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 15 June 1907. Pg. 4.
  10. ↑ "Union Musicians for Olentangy." Columbus Evening Dispatch. 7 March 1907. Pg. 3.
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