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https://www.branchdistrictlibrary.org/archive/files/original/1826231338c55d3fdbce689da672acd7.pdf
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Stephanie Burdick
Tiffin University
HUMA 600
Dr. Mary Grennen, TU Advisor
The Tibbits Opera House: 1912
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Table of Contents
I. Background/Introduction of the Study
II. John Jackson Management, 1912
A. Legitimate Drama
B. Concerts
C. Lectures, Campaigns, and Misc. Uses
D. Travelogues, Animated Illustrations, & Moving Pictures
E. Vaudeville, Minstrels, & Magic
F. Summary
III. Works Cited
IV. Appendix A-Advertisements of 1912
V. Appendix B-Press Release Photos of 1912
VI. Appendix C-Opera House Datebook of 1912
�Burdick, 3
I.
Background/Introduction of the Study:
The Tibbits Opera House, a Victorian opera house in Coldwater, MI, still
performs live stage-shows via children's theatre, community theatre, and professional
theatre. It also functions as a roadhouse for other entertainers like magicians, tribal
dancers, and musicians. The Tibbits was built in 1882 by Barton S. Tibbits and has gone
through several renovations in its time. Currently, the Tibbits Opera Foundation is in the
process of restoring the theater to the glorious opera house that it was over 100 years ago.
To date, only one book has been published on the Tibbits Opera House, which is a
history of the theater from 1882 to 1904. Compiled by Carolyn Gillespie, a Coldwater
resident who used the Tibbits as her dissertation subject in the 1970s, the book contains
information from 1904 to the present that was scattered around the Coldwater community
and in the newspaper archives in the Branch District Library.
When I began my research, I intended to compile information from 1905 to 1912,
when the archives of the early newspapers ended, or—depending on the amount of
research available—from 1905 to the 1950s, when it was used as a movie theater. As I
began researching, what I assumed was just a few folders of information and a handful of
newspaper clippings was actually thousands of newspaper articles and photos.
While I relied on the Holbrook Index, it quickly became apparent that the indexes
for both the The Courier and Republican papers were severely lacking, and no listing for
the The Daily Reporter was in existence. Instead of relying solely on this index, I began
scanning through every published issue of the The Courier newspaper, which is on
microfilm. Using this method, I was able to acquire over 130 additional newspaper
advertisements, photos, and articles that had not previously been archived for 1912.
�Burdick, 4
In Gillespie's book, A History of the Tibbits Opera House, she mentioned that by
1900, The Courier and Republican newspapers had such a poor relationship with John
Jackson, the manager of the Tibbits Opera House, that they furthered their "attack on
Jackson by not carrying Tibbits ads or providing pre-show publicity and reviews" (104).
This relationship must have remained the same until 1912, when The Courier finally
began documenting advertisements, photos, press releases, and critiques for the Tibbits
almost daily. Prior to that, press coverage regarding the Tibbits came only if it was
publicity for the YMCA, the schools, or local clubs that were holding fundraisers or other
events. Many times between 1905 and 1911, the coverage was as small as a sentence,
naming pertinent information, such as the event and date, which was easily lost in the
disorganized, text-heavy newspaper.
Meanwhile, The Daily Reporter consistently covered theatrical events at the
Tibbits by running advertisements, pre-show publicity, and reviews. In the entire year of
1905, The Courier mentioned the Tibbits only five times, and one of those was for a city
land auction that the powers-that-be decided to host at the Tibbits because of the
possibility of inclement weather. Compared to the 162 advertisements or articles found in
The Daily Reporter from January to May of 1905, it is evident that the coverage from
The Courier continued to be unfair and uneven.
Additionally, there was no set format for where theatrical information could be
found in The Courier. Some information was found under the "Local Happenings"
heading several pages into the paper, which at many times was a mere date and title of
the show or event, and other times it was buried elsewhere in the paper. Many times
there was no headline at all. Furthermore, when headlines appeared above the actual
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articles carried by The Courier, they did not lend much help in identifying what was
actually in the article. For instance, one front-page article was titled "Just Heard the
News," when it could have been better titled "Horses Spook: Corwin Pinned in
Accident." The Daily Reporter's formatting had a much cleaner look with specific
headings, such as "Things Theatrical," which was usually found on the second or third
page. Partway through 1912, John Jackson himself began submitting information about
what was happening at the theater, and he titled his column, "Tibbits' Opera House (By J.
T. Jackson)."
The information gathered for this project—specifically the year of 1912— was
compiled from The Courier and The Daily Reporter archives, both located in the
Holbrook Heritage Room at the Branch District Library in Coldwater, MI. Local historian
Randall Hazelbaker supplied some photos of the early years of the Tibbits Opera House,
in addition to the photos that he had published in his books Images of America:
Coldwater (MI) and Images of America: Branch County (MI).
�Burdick, 6
II.
John Jackson Management: An Overview of 1912
John Jackson assumed management of the Tibbits in the spring of 1894, soon
after his marriage to Huldah Henning, the daughter of Joseph Henning, who had
purchased the theater from Barton Tibbits (Gillespie, 99). Gillespie's research covers the
first ten years of Jackson's management of the Tibbits, when he helped his father-in-law,
Joseph Henning. This does not end the Jackson management era, as he was transferred
the property in 1904 by Henning, and managed until 1920, when it was sold to Dennis
Vanes (Gillespie, 99). As previously mentioned, research was lacking for the years 1905
through 1911, in the sense that only one newspaper, The Daily Reporter, covered Tibbits
events, and that newspaper was not indexed. While there is much information that could
yet be gathered from The Daily Reporter for those years, at this point in the researcher's
schedule, researching each day of the microfilm would require an inordinate amount of
time. Therefore, this section will be limited to the year 1912—just over halfway through
Jackson's management of the theatre with his wife—a period about which a plethora of
information from both The Daily Reporter and The Courier is available.
Like those who managed before him, Jackson brought in a vast array of
entertainment for the people of the Coldwater area. Gillespie mentioned that some of the
popular stars were unwilling to perform in Coldwater at the town's lower prices, so
Jackson found it necessary to raise admission prices in 1894, which led to complaints
from the press (Gillespie, 103). Some articles, like one titled "The Edward Doyle
Company," gave insight to the people of Coldwater regarding the cost of actually
mounting a show. The article delves into the fact that there are heavy royalties to pay on
up-to-date plays, that there are heavy company payrolls "whose combined salary in one
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week is equal to the entire pay of the old time companies for a month," and that along
with the full company of actors, a vaudeville show of four or five acts is carried ("The
Edward Doyle Company").
Booking the best shows at the Tibbits Opera House was something that the public
wanted, as mentioned in that same article, but a Courier article of Sept 6, 1912 p3, "An
Entertainment Worth While," also states that the public "want scenery and new plays."
Jackson tried to educate the public, while giving them the best pricing that he could.
From 1894 until the end of the research in 1904, many advertisements and press releases
were loaded with the phrase "Popular Pricing," for shows that were 50 cents and under.
Furthermore, for stock company shows that played for a week's engagement, Jackson
admitted ladies free on Monday nights, as long as they were accompanied by someone
who held a paid ticket.
Other advertising tricks, such as testimonials scattered throughout the newspaper,
were used in previous years. In regards to one YMCA lecture series event held at the
Tibbits, Mrs. L. J. Byers said, "I have heard Campanari on three occasions. I consider
him to be worth the price of the course" (No title. Courier, Oct 28, 1910 p2). Another
testimonial in a 1910 paper was by Mrs. L. Sloman, who said, "I heard Campanari last
spring. Am I going? Oh! Certainly. He is perfectly grand" (No title. Courier, Oct 28,
1910 p3). Between testimonials that told the public that the show was well worth the
price, and advertisements or articles educating the public about discounts or about
reasons for high prices (after all, they wanted quality entertainment), Jackson was able to
keep a high attendance at the opera house.
�Burdick, 8
A.
Legitimate Drama
The biggest draw for the Opera House was legitimate drama, whether through a
special one-night engagement from a traveling company or amateur event, or through a
stock company's week-long engagement. Throughout 1912, at least 67 plays or musicals
were produced onstage (see Appendix C-Datebook of 1912). Some additional shows
were mentioned in newspaper articles, but no specific dates were listed, omitting from the
datebook the dates of some 15 other shows.
Even though shows were, for the most part, well attended, as previously
mentioned, the audience wanted a high-caliber show. As early as 1882, the scenery that
was provided by the Opera House had lost its glamour, and by 1886, traveling companies
began bringing in their own elaborate sets (Gillespie, 67). The fascination with the set
pieces still continued in 1912, as many press releases touted how many railroad cars of
scenery were needed for each production. A revival of Uncle Tom's Cabin, which was
seen at the Tibbits in October, was advertised to require "two seventy-foot cars to
transport the special scenery, 30 head of horses, ponies, donkeys, burros, bloodhounds,
log cabin and other novelties to make it the largest production of Uncle Tom's Cabin ever
attempted" ("Martin-Kibble Big Company: Children's Night With Uncle Tom's Cabin").
In September, an Edward Doyle Stock Company production was promoted by saying,
"Not only do they carry all of their own scenery, but furniture, properties, draperies and
light effects ("The Rosary").
The audience's fascination with the technical aspect of productions must have
escalated because newspaper reviews began to include information on costuming as well.
Some articles briefly mentioned the costuming, like one on the Edward Doyle Stock
Company: "Costumes and scenery were in keeping with the company, being much better
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than generally seen in the traveling stock" ("The Stock Co. Well Received: Large
Audience Attended First Production Last Evening"). Other articles, like one on the
LeBrun Grand Opera Company, dove into detail. Though the LeBrun Grand Opera
Company appeared in 1912, one particular article from The Courier that mentioned
costuming appeared at the end of December, 1911. This article expressed that this "finest
musical organization of its kind" used the best in costuming—costing over $5,000 for
their show. One $500 gown worn in the show was covered completely with solid silver
spangles and was imported from Paris. Another costume weighed 40 lbs and had metal
that was gold-washed, including the helmet and sword scabbard. Another costume was
made of heavy satin, and embroidered with gold lace. Still another was a tapestry,
trimmed in ropes of pearls. Finally, the jewelry worn during the production was
appraised at several thousand dollars ("LeBrun Grand Opera Co.: The Fourth Number on
Y.M.C.A. Course Next Wednesday Evening"). The same detailed costume report was
given for a local production of Fi Fi and the Toy Shop. One article touted, "The costumes
are pronounced dreams of loveliness, being attractive and artistic in appearance" and that,
"the paper dolls are most unique, dainty creations of crepe paper with large flower picture
hats to match" ("Costumes for FiFi are Here").
Local amateur productions, like Fi Fi, were appreciated as much as professional
shows. While there were only a few local productions per year, there was a good deal of
coverage leading up to the production, including coverage of how rehearsals were
progressing. The musical Fi Fi was a large local production with a two-night showing,
and it was said that, "It is probable that a more difficult dramatic production has not been
attempted by local people in the last 20 years" ("Characters in 'Fi-Fi' Difficult").
�Burdick, 10
Admission prices for amateur events topped off at 50 cents, which was higher than the
cost of some shows brought in by professional traveling companies. Fi Fi was even
compared to some of these professional companies. It was said that "those going to see
Fi Fi [would] be given a little idea of how close to the professional an amateur
performance can be made" ("Characters in 'Fi-Fi' Difficult"). Other amateur productions
in 1912 included Under the Stars and Stripes, which featured Lew Johnson, a Coldwater
boy ("'Under the Stars and Stripes' a Rare Treat"), and the operetta Sylvia, which drew a
large audience that showed its support by attending this high school production
("Operetta 'Sylvia' To-Morrow Night" and "Operetta a Great Success: 'Sylvia' Drew a
Good House and Delighted Everyone Fortunate Enough to be Present").
The variety of stock companies coming to the Tibbits drew the audience during
1912. Advertisements were placed in The Daily Reporter almost daily, and shows were
promoted with articles, ads, and photos at least a week in advance. If a show was coming
straight from New York or Chicago, that was always in the description. When the "great
American play" Paid in Full was shown in February, it was known that it was being
presented by a New York cast and production ("The Great American Play Paid in Full").
The Alvarado Players, who performed in April, were promoted with an article that touted
their stage achievements in other locations. They had "been having remarkable success in
the large towns of the middle west, having played a forty weeks engagement at the
Garrick Theatre, Grand Rapids last season" ("One Year in Grand Rapids"), which was
meant to stir up excitement about their coming engagement.
Though sometimes complaints about ticket costs arose, the audience was
generally forgiving, especially when the performing company was one of their favorites.
�Burdick, 11
When the Dixie Chorus had to postpone its performance until after 9 o'clock due to
baggage issues of the company delaying their arrival at the train station, the "audience
was patient and had forgotten the tiresome wait earlier in the evening" because the
entertainment was so excellent ("The Dixie Chorus: Gave a Novel and Excellent
Entertainment at the Opera House Last Evening"). The Shannon Stock Company, which
held a week's engagement at the Tibbits, was also a favored company, with reviewers
saying, "This company is far above the average one at small prices" ("Shannon Stock Co.
Good"). One particular show that was of great interest to the Coldwater audience was
Captured by Wireless, a play about the famous murder case of Coldwater native Harvey
Crippen, who was found guilty in England of murdering his wife and was hanged in
November, 1910. He was the first criminal to be captured by the aid of wireless
communication, hence the title of the play. The Alvarado Players presented it in April of
1912, a year and a half after Crippin's hanging. Critics wrote, "The play starts at the
point in the famous criminal case where the murderer is first discovered so that the
author, by using the many sensational incidents connected with Dr. Crippen's escape and
final capture by aid of the wireless telegraph, has written an intensely interesting play
without resorting to the more gruesome incidents of the crime" ("They Are Here
Tonight"). Prior to Captured by Wireless, one review of the company said that the
Alvarado Players "easily proved themselves one of the best stock companies that has ever
appeared in Coldwater" ("The Show Last Night"). There was no review given for
Captured by Wireless; however, newspapers went on to promote the next stock company
and its production of The Cat and the Fiddle, which had a company of 40 singers,
dancers, and comedians, along with a beauty chorus and the promise of "novelties, stage
�Burdick, 12
illusions and transformations, magic and beautiful stage settings" ("At the Opera House:
The Cat and the Fiddle").
Mutt and Jeff, a play based on Bud Fisher's original cartoons, was performed at
the Opera House one night in April of 1912, and was promoted with the fact that the
show was "undoubtedly the most talked of play in a number of years, not only among
theatrical people, but by theatergoers all over the country" ("'Mutt and Jeff' Next
Wednesday"). Later in April, the same company that brought The Cat and the Fiddle
returned with The Cow and the Moon. Reviews for it were favorable, but did not top
those for The Cat and the Fiddle:
Those who have witnessed The Cat and the Fiddle were delighted with its
numerous illusions, its variety of stage mechanisms and its wealth of
scenery and stage effects, were just as much delighted with The Cow and
the Moon. As a musical show, The Cow and the Moon is not the success
that The Cat and the Fiddle is. There are none of the pieces in it which
compare with those in the latter production. The general effect, however,
is good and the piece accomplished its main mission and makes the
audience laugh most o the time. The scenery used is gorgeous and there is
a great deal of it used. The properties of the production are enormous.
("The Cow and the Moon Good")
It is surprising that even though The Cow and the Moon had many special effects—such
as the company on stage in a replica of the latest sleeping car model, or an "approaching
locomotive, commencing with a tiny speck of light in the distance and gradually
approaching, little by little until the huge bulk of a giant engine appears and stops at the
�Burdick, 13
footlights, the grinding of wheels and the breaks hissing of steam and the clanging of
bell" ("The Cow and the Moon")—it was still incomparable to The Cat and the Fiddle.
In May, Beverly came to the Tibbits, with upcoming star Dorothy Howard, who,
"although young in years, is a thoroughly experienced actress, having as a mere child
played prima donna soubrette roles in comic opera and later an ingénue in leading stock
organizations of the principal cities" ("Seat Sale Tomorrow"). While the Ben Greet
Players were supposed to appear in June, their engagement was postponed until August 6,
which was the season opener. From May to August, the theater was dark in terms of
plays being performed.
With the opening of the new season came a successful start, as headlines boasted
about the Greet Players. Prior to their engagement, one article said that the players "seem
to possess a quality of freshness and spontaneity quite unequalled by any form of
dramatic production. It's been said that many people attend these performances, who
rarely, if ever, go to the regular theatre" ("Ben Greet Players: Big Advance Sale of
Seats"). Once the players presented their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the
reviews that followed were equally complimentary, saying that "last night's production
was the finest of its kind ever seen in Coldwater. It is certain that ne'er before has a
Coldwater audience been favored with such a perfect interpretation of the text of
Shakespeare as was the performance of last evening" ("Greet Players were Excellent").
The Margy South Stock Company (at other times referred to as Culhane's Comedians and
still other times referred to as the Arlington Stock Company) spent a week at the Tibbits
in August, with lead actress Margy South, "one of the youngest and best stock actresses
in the profession" ("The Straight Road the Play Tonight"). Special mention was also
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given to crowd favorites, such as Will Culhane, Clementina St. Felix, and Harry Warner.
Each production from that company got rave reviews night after night. One such review
appeared after the company's performance of A Final Settlement, which "delighted both
young and old and found approval on every hand" ("Stock Company is Well Patronized:
Production Last Evening at Opera House Brought Forth Many Favorable Comments").
With fall and winter came larger shows with larger admission prices. The top
priced shows of the year at $1.50 per ticket were in September and October, beginning
with The Flirting Princess starring Harry Bulger and several present stars who numbered
on the same program at Tony Pastor's New York Theatre ("Harry Bulger in The Flirting
Princess"), and The Littlest Rebel, which advertised a cast of 50 onstage during a battle
scene ("'The Littlest Rebel' Soon"). In September, The Rosary returned to the Tibbits
stage, and The Daily Reporter said, "The story is interestingly told with an excellent cast
and its scenic effects that are brilliant; the production is worth attending" ("The Rosary").
Even though Faust had appeared before at the Tibbits, it was also a hot-ticket show, with
admission prices topping off at $1 each. One article noted that because of the advanced
cost of living, this particular show actually had a reduction to the price of admission so
that the company would be guaranteed a full house ("Faust: "Will Be at the Opera House
This Week-Matinee and Night").
The White Sister, a production that was three years old, arrived in November and
was interesting in the fact that unlike other shows, this show had only one company
playing on the road. Also, with the exception of the lead, the cast remained original.
Until it was staged in Coldwater, it had never been played in a city that had fewer than
25,000 people in population. This particular show had been performed in 14 different
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state penitentiaries and was the only play allowed to be shown in Sing Sing ("The White
Sister"). Advertisements for this show were heavy, as were articles leading up to the
performance. The same held true for The Only Son, featuring Thomas Ross, which was
said to be one of the "most discussed plays of the last two seasons" (The Courier Nov 28
1912 p3). Satan Sanderson was a show that touted the only woman stage director in the
dramatic profession, Miss Jessie Bonstelle, who was also a well-known stock actress in
over four hundred plays ("Hackett- 'Satan Sanderson' Tonight").
Jackson was finally given a nod in December for his efforts at the Tibbits, as
reviews from Satan Sanderson said, "Manager Jackson deserves great credit for being
able to give to Coldwater theatergoers the opportunity to see such productions." The
article went on to say that Jackson's "greatest accomplishment is bringing Thomas Ross
here tomorrow night" ("Last Night's Show was Fine"). In that same article, Ross was
acknowledged as one of America's greatest actors. Finishing out the year was The
Divorce Question, a play that was considered a little daring because it was an argument
against divorce. It was said to be morally strong— a "Wonderfully gripping play, and
one that ably portrayed sad conditions arising through the numerous divorces of the
present day." Even though it was the last play of the year, the audience was noted as
being "exceedingly poor," since fewer than half of the seats were filled ("The Divorce
Question Good").
B.
Concerts
Aside from legitimate drama, concerts were also popular (in terms of drawing a
crowd and creating excitement) at the Tibbits. Even though there were only seven
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concerts in 1912, they were with well-known musicians such as Grilley and Rogers,
Vanda Enos, the LeBrun Grand Opera Co., the Ellery Band, and the Sousa Band.
The first concert of the year brought a YMCA entertainment course, Rogers and
Grilley, who had previously performed in Coldwater. Articles prior to their engagement
claimed, "Mr. Grilley is a reader and storyteller of exceptional talent, while Mr. Rogers
has perhaps no equal as a harpist in this country" ("Y.M.C.A. Course Next Monday:
Rogers and Grilley will be the Attraction at the Opera House"). The Courier also gave
this promo, saying that Grilley and Rogers were "always a great treat" ("Always a Great
Treat"). After the performance, The Courier noted that it was a sold-out house and that
the program was "much enjoyed by all present" ("Saturday At Opera House: Good
Matinee and Night Performance Promised"). Vanda Enos appeared in March with her
violin as an attraction alongside a double show of comedy and vaudeville. Enos was
billed as "a brilliant and widely known music artist and violin virtuoso" and that those
who attended the program were witnessing "a unique and uncommon event [that was] of
great benefit to musicians, students of music, and music lovers" ("Three Days Only").
The LeBrun Grand Opera Co.was at the Tibbits for only a one-night engagement
and left the following day for Mount Pleasant, MI. Over the course of 30 weeks, it had
performed six entertainments each week, traveled 25,000 miles, and appeared in 28
different states. In May the company appeared at the Tibbits and delighted the audience,
as already mentioned with the article regarding their costuming. Reviews were favorable,
giving credit to Madame LeBrun for her "wonderful soprano voice" and acting ability "of
unusual ability." Miss Dorothy Wilson, the contralto, was also given credit for her
"splendid voice" and "clever acting." Fritz Huttmann, the tenor, and Arthur Deane, the
�Burdick, 17
baritone, were given credit for winning their "full share of applause" ("Entertained in
Fine Style: Large Audience Delighted with LeBrun Grand Opera Company").
The Ellery band, "recognized among the best authorities as being the foremost
concert band in this country," also caused a great stir in town ("Ellery's Greatest Band").
Numerous articles with accompanying photos advertised their coming, and after the
performance the reviews said that the band gave "one of the best concerts that the people
of this city have listened to in some time" ("Gave a Fine Concert"). Ellery's band had a
successful run in England and Scotland, and one notice published for the Glasgow
Exposition where the band played to tens of thousands daily said, "Never in history of
band music has a musical organization achieved such an amazing triumph in so short a
time as has the Ellery Band. Sousa had his victories and none will gainsay their worth,
but the Ellery Band has out-Sousa-ed Sousa…Mr. Channing Ellery, the founder of the
Band, has openly admitted that his aim in organizing it was to surpass the standard of
perfection set by Sousa" ("Greatest Concert Band"). Ticket prices for the Ellery Band's
engagement were in line with Sousa's band, which appeared at the Tibbits five months
later.
Having two bands of this magnitude in one year was a feat for Jackson, and he
was commended for "being able to secure for the citizens of Coldwater such a rare
musical treat" ("Sousa's Band Drew Crowd"). Much hoopla surrounded Sousa's coming,
and it was assumed that many people would find it impossible to gain admission to his
performance. Sousa, who had given more concerts than any other man in the history of
music, drew many people from out of town, exhausting the capacity of the Opera House
(No Title. The Courier, Oct 31, 1912 p3). There wasn't much of a review for Sousa in
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The Courier, but it did say that, "it is unnecessary to say that the program was excellent
and that it was enthusiastically appreciated, for Sousa is known better and appreciated
more throughout the civilized world than any other of the many famous conductors"
("Sousa's Band Drew Crowd"). The year was rounded out with smaller acts, such as the
Hussars and the Oberlin College Glee Club.
C.
Lectures, Campaigns, and Misc. Uses
Most lectures were brought to the Tibbits through the YMCA entertainment
course. The first of the YMCA lectures was in February, when Adrian Newens appeared,
having replaced Phidelah Rice, who missed his train connection (due to poor railroad
service in Toldeo, Ohio, according to The Daily Reporter) earlier that month and couldn't
make it to perform ("Adrian Newens Pleasing to All"). The audience was pleased with
Newens, who had previously entertained in Coldwater: "From the beginning to the end of
his work last evening, the audience was his. Mr. Newens is an impersonator of rare
ability and combines that gift with a rare good judgment in the selection of subjects with
which to entertain" ("A.M. Newens at Opera House").
The next number (and the last of the season) sponsored by the YMCA was Albert
L. Blair, whose topic was "The Whir of the Newspaper Press". Blair asserted that while
inventions such as the telephone, the telegraph, type setting machines, and high speed
presses now in use were wonderful, there would come a day with "still more remarkable
inventions." He affirmed that "the future holds still greater possibilities" ("Albert L. Blair
at Opera House"). Unfortunately, the reviewer for The Daily Reporter found his lecture to
be "the longest, driest, and most uninteresting discourse that was ever thrust over the
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footlights at a local audience. Facts were given as facts without any attempt to
garnishment in the way of figurative language or interesting detail. They were simply
piled up and thrown at the audience in chunks, much as cement blocks of good size
would be handled." The reviewer went on to say that while Mr. Blair knew what he was
talking about, no one else did, and that his hearers were so stupefied that they either fell
asleep or went home ("Gave Lecture on the Press").
Locals used the stage as a platform for their campaigns as well. In February, there
was a local option meeting hosted by the Branch County Anti-Saloon League, with
Senator Seaborn Wright speaking about whether or not saloons should be banished from
the state ("Meeting at Opera House"). In March, Mr. Woolley, a candidate for the
presidency on the prohibition ticket, spoke to a packed Opera House. The reviewer for
the newspaper said that his lecture was given "in a quiet and logical way, [presenting] the
cause which he champions, and [carrying] his arguments and illustrations through in such
a way that they are clearly understood and hard to combat ("Opera House Was Packed:
Hon. John G. Woolley Greeted by a Splendid Audience and Gave a Stirring Address").
Father Dennis A. Hayes, of the local Catholic church, spoke on two occasions to
influence the number of "Dry" voters, regarding prohibition ("Last Local Option
Meeting" and "Fr. Hayes at Opera House"). Interestingly, one article requested no
children be brought to the theater, that "Children can co-operate best in this campaign
next Sunday by giving their seats to the adults" ("Last Local Option Meeting"). This was
reminiscent of a request made by Barton S. Tibbits, when he asked in a Coldwater
Republican article titled "Darling Little Baby" that children be left at home so as not to
disturb the theater-goers who paid to see the show on stage, or the actors and actresses,
�Burdick, 20
who deserve to be given the limelight (Gillespie, 288). In October, both the Republican
and Democratic parties also held rallies at the theater. Other miscellaneous uses for the
Tibbits included holding a festival in May, and commencement ceremonies in June.
D.
Travelogues, Animated Illustrations, & Moving Pictures
Travelogues, animated illustrations, and moving pictures were also on the scene
during 1912. Though Lyman Howe brought his motion picture travelogues, or Travel
Festivals, regularly two times a year, documentation shows that three occurred in 1912.
These popular Travel Festival shows gave the audience an opportunity to see far-off
places that they might not otherwise have seen. January's travelogue was titled Reaching
the World's Highest Altitudes: Hunting from an Aeroplane. October brought a collection
of death-defying races in air and sea, the burial of the Maine, and a tour along Paris and
Versailles. With December came All the World's a Stage. In regards to the travelogues,
a December Courier article commented, "Superficial observers regard its success as
phenomenal. They are wrong because it is based on sound principles of actual merit:
Because it furnishes as inspiring and beautiful a form of entertainment as the human mind
could conceive ("Success is Based on Actual Merit").
The only animated illustration listed during 1912 was Dante's Inferno, which for a
10 cent admission fee, was said to be "impressive at many moments and disappointing at
others," according to the St. Louis Post ("Dante's Inferno"). The Brooklyn Standard
Union found it to be the "most elaborate film ever prepared in the moving picture world."
In their showing, they found that the audience was "much impressed with the vast amount
of work that must have been necessary to depict such a strange story with its wonderful
setting" (The Daily Reporter, March 5, 1912 p3). Motion pictures also included a
�Burdick, 21
September showing of Oliver Twist, with Nat Goodwin as Fagin. Goodwin had been
playing the character in New York, but was the only one of the "all-star cast" who
appeared in the revival to be seen in the pictures. Even so, "the other characters are
splendidly taken and the films themselves are remarkably clear and distinct" ("'Oliver
Twist' in Moving Pictures"). The final set of pictures shown at the Opera House were
shown for the Michigan National Guard in December, who used it (and the
accompanying lecture by Major M. M. Phillips of Owosso) to secure new recruits for
Company A ("Dandy Dixie Minstrels Soon").
E.
Vaudeville, Minstrels, & Magic
Aside from legitimate drama, other forms of entertainment held at the Opera
House included a variety of vaudeville shows, minstrel shows, and magic shows, among
others. Although only eleven vaudeville, minstrel, and magic shows are listed in the
1912 datebook (Appendix C), that is a very deflated number from what actually appeared
at the Tibbits, because with touring stock companies came vaudeville acts that
entertained the audience during intermission of the main feature. For our purposes, those
additional vaudeville acts will not be mentioned in this section.
In January, the Manhattan Gaiety Girls took to the stage, with the slogan
"Everything new, everything best," the company having replaced the "faded beauties"
with a new cast of "handsome young women" ("Manhattan Gaiety Girls"). However,
these beauties received no comment after the fact from either The Daily Reporter or The
Courier, as they were overshadowed by the publicity for J. C. Rockwell's Sunny South
Company, which was said to be a "first-class colored organization" in an article in The
�Burdick, 22
Courier ("J.C. Rockwell's Sunny South Co."), and "one of the strongest, brightest, most
complete and capable colored organizations ever sent on tour" with "more new songs,
new music, new ideas, new specialties, new dances than any similar organization and it is
brim full of laughable situations and charming musical numbers that are new and catchy"
in an article in The Daily Reporter ("J.C. Rockwell's Sunny South Co."). Apparently,
plantation shows were in vogue because later in February, Thomas P. Kelley's Colored
Carnival arrived at the Tibbits.
May brought two nights' worth of local vaudeville shows from the ladies of St.
Agatha's Guild, and while the attraction provided "a constant change of color, music and
singers that made the attraction most enjoyable," there was only a fair-sized audience
("The National Troubadours"). Other local vaudeville included two performances
sponsored by the Phi Gamma Sorority.
Other entertainment included Reno the Magician, who was met with the utmost
favorable reviews ("Reno is Certainly a Great Magician"). Reno was contracted in by the
YMCA committee as entertainment at no cost to the audience, in order to make up for its
last lecture that caused "great dissatisfaction" ("New Course of Entertainment"). The
next YMCA entertainment wasn't until November, when Miss Bargelt, an accomplished
crayon artist, took to the stage along with her company of musicians ("First Number
Excellent: Bargelt Company Opened the Y.M.C.A. Lecture Course Last Night").
Another type of entertainment was a dog and cat circus in October that was
coupled with a vaudeville show. It was given one sentence of publicity prior to the
engagement, and none thereafter (No Title. The Daily Reporter, Oct 15 1912 p3).
�Burdick, 23
The only true minstrel company to visit Coldwater was the DeRue Bros.' Ideal
Minstrels, which promised a clean, classic and honest show ("Minstrels Coming: We
Guarantee This Attraction"). Furthermore, a handful of the performers from this group
had the distinction of being some of the few acrobatic duos who had performed and
appeared before royalty ("DeRue Bros.' Ideal Minstrels"). Reviews indicated approval of
the group, and "it was the general opinion that the minstrel was better than many
attractions demanding a large entrance fee ("A Good Show Last Evening"). The local
Fortnightly Ladies Minstrel Club held a minstrel show just after the DeRue Bros. left
town, and reviews were equally favorable, boasting the show as "one of the best of the
kind that was ever staged in Coldwater ("Crowded House First Night"). The other local
paper commented that there was "not a weak point in the cast and the songs and jokes
were well chosen and well given. The chorus was especially fine and the dancing girls
were excellent" ("First Night of Minstrels was Success"). While the show might have
been good, it seems as though reviews for local productions were a bit more flowery than
reviews for traveling shows.
One of the final entertainments of the year was a vaudeville production by the
National Theatre, which had prices of up to 50 cents per ticket. Jackson explained that the
high prices for the show were commensurate with the performers' merit. "Recognized
vaudeville performers are expensive people" ("Vaudeville for Thanksgiving"). Gus Sun's
Ohio Vaudeville Circuit came for Christmas, and the final entertainment of the year (on
the 31st of December) was LeVard's Dixie Minstrels, another colored company who had
"won distinction on the vaudeville stage" ("From Fiske University").
�Burdick, 24
F.
Summary of Findings
Though the public demanded more, John Jackson had a successful year of
managing the Tibbits Opera House in 1912 by supplying Coldwater with a constant array
of entertainments. Admitting ladies free on some Monday evenings was a good business
practice, as was advertising "Popular Prices." Legitimate drama was seen most often on
the stage of the Tibbits, with successful shows starring greats like Dorothy Howard, the
Ben Greet Players, Margy South, Will Culhane, Harry Bulger, and Thomas Ross. Stock
companies would play a rotation of shows for a week's engagement. The audience was
fascinated with the technical aspects of the show, and newspapers reflected that with
articles on royalties, costuming, lighting effect, and scenery.
Some of the finest concerts were given at the Opera House, with popular
musicians such as Grilley and Rogers, Vanda Enos, the LeBrun Grand Opera Co., the
Ellery Band, and the Sousa Band. The most popular performers were Sousa and Ellery,
who was said to "out-Sousa Sousa."
Aside from drama and concerts, lectures, campaigns, and general local events
were held at the Opera House. Most lectures were brought there through sponsorship of
the YMCA lecture and entertainment series. When a dry, uninteresting program was
delivered to the audience in the way of Albert L. Blair, the YMCA tried to set things right
by offering a free magic show to make up for the disappointment of the lecture.
Candidates--both Republican and Democrat--used the stage for campaigns and rallies.
Meetings were also held to discuss prohibition and the role of saloons in Michigan.
Other local events included a May Festival and commencement ceremonies.
Travelogues allowed people to experience what they might not otherwise have
had the opportunity to, and they were popular, with showings at least twice a year. Other
�Burdick, 25
moving pictures shown at the Opera House included Oliver Twist, Dante's Inferno, and a
recruiting program for the local National Guard unit.
Vaudeville and minstrel shows were also popular. Colored carnivals and
plantation shows were booked several times throughout the year and were well-received.
Other varieties of entertainment included magicians, a crayon artist, and a dog and cat
circus.
In closing, Jackson provided entertainment for the community almost year-round
on at least a weekly basis, with the theatre unused during the month of July. He strived to
bring in a variety of plays, entertainments, lectures, and concerts, and also allowed locals
to use the theatre for their needs, such as school festivals, plays, and commencement
ceremonies.
�Burdick, 26
III. Works Cited
Gillespie, Carolyn L. A History of the Tibbits Opera House, 1882-1904. Kent State
University: June 1975.
"Adrian Newens Pleasing to All." The Courier 26 Feb. 1912.
"Albert L. Blair at Opera House." The Courier 27 March 1912.
"Always a Great Treat." The Courier 17 Jan 1912.
"A.M. Newens at Opera House." The Daily Reporter 24 Feb. 1912, p3.
"At the Opera House: The Cat and the Fiddle." The Courier 27 March 1912, p2.
"At the Opera House (St. Louis Post Dispatch)." The Courier 6 March 1912, p3.
"Ben Greet Players: Big Advance Sale of Seats." The Courier 4 Aug. 1912, p3.
"Characters in 'Fi-Fi' Difficult." The Daily Reporter 15 April 1912, p3.
"Costumes for FiFi are Here." The Daily Reporter 9 April 1912, p3.
"The Cow and the Moon." The Daily Reporter 17 April 1912, p3.
"The Cow and the Moon Good." The Daily Reporter 27 April 1912, p3.
"Crowded House First Night." The Daily Reporter 13 Nov. 1912, p3.
"Dandy Dixie Minstrels Soon." The Courier 28 Dec. 1912, p3.
"Dante's Inferno." The Daily Reporter 5 March 1912, p3.
"DeRue Bros.' Ideal Minstrels." The Daily Reporter 4 Nov. 1912, p3.
"The Divorce Question Good." The Courier 13 Dec. 1912.
"The Dixie Chorus: Gave a Novel and Excellent Entertainment at the Opera House Last
Evening." The Courier 8 March 8 1912.
"The Edward Doyle Company." The Courier 14 Sept. 1912, p2.
"Ellery's Greatest Band." The Courier 12 June 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 27
"Entertained in Fine Style: Large Audience Delighted with LeBrun Grand Opera
Company." The Courier 1 May 1912.
"An Entertainment Worth While." The Courier 6 Sept. 1912, p3.
"Faust: Will Be at the Opera House This Week-Matinee and Night." The Courier 10 Nov.
1912, p3.
"First Night of Minstrels was Success." The Courier 13 Nov. 1912.
"First Number Excellent: Bargelt Company Opened the Y.M.C.A. Lecture Course Last
Night." The Courier 16 Nov. 1912.
"Fr. Hayes at Opera House." The Courier 1 April 1912, p3.
"From Fiske University." The Daily Reporter 30 Dec. 1912, p3.
"Gave a Fine Concert." The Courier 19 June 1912.
"Gave Lecture on the Press." The Daily Reporter 26 March 1912, p4.
"A Good Show Last Evening." The Daily Reporter 7 Nov. 1912, p3.
"The Great American Play 'Paid in Full'." The Courier 7 Feb 1912.
"Greatest Concert Band." The Daily Reporter 10 June 1912, p3.
"Greet Players were Excellent." The Daily Reporter 7 Aug. 1912, p3.
"Hackett- 'Satan Sanderson' Tonight." The Courier 3 Dec. 1912, p3.
"Harry Bulger in 'The Flirting Princess'." The Courier 21 Sept. 1912, p3.
"J.C. Rockwell's Sunny South Co.". The Courier 31 Jan. 1912.
"J.C. Rockwell's Sunny South Co.". The Daily Reporter 3 Feb. 1912, p3.
"Last Local Option Meeting." The Courier 29 March 1912, p2.
"Last Night's Show was Fine." The Courier 4 Dec. 1912.
�Burdick, 28
"LeBrun Grand Opera Co.: The Fourth Number on Y.M.C.A. Course Next Wednesday
Evening." The Courier 22 Dec 1911.
"'The Littlest Rebel' Soon." The Courier 8 Oct. 1912, p2.
"Manhattan Gaiety Girls." The Courier 29 Jan. 1912.
"Martin-Kibble Big Company: Children's Night With Uncle Tom's Cabin." The Courier
16 Oct. 1912, p3.
"Meeting at Opera House." The Courier 28 Feb. 1912, p3.
"Minstrels Coming: We Guarantee This Attraction." The Courier 2 Nov. 1912, p3.
"Mr. Hackett Coming." The Courier 28 Nov. 1912, p3.
"'Mutt and Jeff' Next Wednesday." The Courier 1 April 1912, p3.
"The National Troubadours." The Daily Reporter 22 May 1912, p3.
"New Course of Entertainment." The Daily Reporter 5 April 1912, p4.
No Title. The Courier 28 Oct. 1910, p2.
No Title. The Courier 28 Oct. 1910, p3.
No Title. The Courier 31 Oct. 1912, p3.
No Title. The Daily Reporter 15 Oct. 1912, p3.
"'Oliver Twist' in Moving Pictures." The Daily Reporter 21 Sept. 1912, p2.
"One Year in Grand Rapids." The Daily Reporter 4 April 1912, p3.
"Opera House Was Packed: Hon. John G. Woolley Greeted by a Splendid Audience and
Gave a Stirring Address." The Courier 25 March 1912.
"Operetta a Great Success: 'Sylvia' Drew a Good House and Delighted Everyone
Fortunate Enough to be Present." 13 March 1912.
"Operetta 'Sylvia' To-Morrow Night." The Courier 11 March 1912.
�Burdick, 29
"Reno is Certainly a Great Magician." The Courier 27 May 1912.
"The Rosary." The Daily Reporter 14 Sept. 1912, p3.
"Saturday At Opera House: Good Matinee and Night Performance Promised." The
Courier 24 Jan. 1912.
"Seat Sale Tomorrow." The Daily Reporter 30 April 1912, p3.
"Shannon Stock Co. Good." The Courier 28 Feb. 1912, p3.
"The Show Last Night." The Daily Reporter 11 April 1912, p3.
"Sousa's Band Drew Crowd." The Courier 2 Nov. 1912.
"Stock Company is Well Patronized: Production Last Evening at Opera House Brought
Forth Many Favorable Comments." The Courier 14 Aug. 1912.
"The Stock Co. Well Received: Large Audience Attended First Production Last
Evening." The Courier 10 Sept. 10 1912.
"The Straight Road the Play Tonight." The Daily Reporter 12 Aug.1912, p3.
"Success is Based on Actual Merit." The Courier 22 Dec. 1912, p2.
"They Are Here Tonight." The Daily Reporter 8 April 1912, p3.
"Three Days Only." The Daily Reporter 12 March 1912, p3.
"'Under the Stars and Stripes' a Rare Treat." The Courier 8 Jan. 1912.
"Vaudeville for Thanksgiving." The Courier 26 Nov. 1912, p3.
"The White Sister." The Courier 20 Nov. 1912, p3.
"Y.M.C.A. Course Next Monday: Rogers and Grilley will be the Attraction at the Opera
House." The Daily Reporter 16 Jan. 1912 p3.
"You Will Like Louise," The Courier 4 Sept. 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 30
IV. Appendix A:
Tibbits Opera House
1912 Newspaper Advertisements
�Burdick, 31
January Ads
The Man on the Box. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, Jan 1 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 32
Our Navy. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, Jan
1 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 33
Under the Stars and Stripes. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Jan 9 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 34
February Ads
Paid in Full. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
Feb 6 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 35
Kelley's Colored Carnival. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Feb 9 1912.
�Burdick, 36
Shannon Stock Company. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Feb 22 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 37
The Village Gossip. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, Feb 27 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 38
March Ads
The Flower of the Ranch. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 18 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 39
The Cat and the Fiddle. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 23 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 40
The Missouri Girl. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 26 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 41
Dante's Inferno. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 4 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 42
Vanda Enos. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 9 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 43
The Power of the Cross. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 15 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 44
April Ads
Mutt & Jeff. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 3 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 45
Mutt & Jeff. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 29 1912, p6.
�Burdick, 46
The Alvarado Players. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 4 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 47
Fi Fi of the TOYSHOP. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 13 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 48
The Cow & the Moon. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 24 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 49
May Ads
May Festival. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, May 24 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 50
Beverly of Graustark. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, May 1 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 51
June Ads
Ellery's Band. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, June 12 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 52
August Ads
Ben Greet. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, July 31 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 53
The Straight Road. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Aug 7 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 54
Victor E. Lambert Ad. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Aug 24 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 55
September Ads
Culhane's Comedians. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 27 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 56
Louise Brown. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 5 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 57
The Rosary. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 11 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 58
Nat C. Goodwin. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 25 1912, p5.
�Burdick, 59
October Ads
Big Republican Rally. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 6 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 60
Rally. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Oct 15 1912
p3.
�Burdick, 61
Great Republican Rally Ad. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 17 1910.
�Burdick, 62
November Ads
Ladies' Minstrels Ad. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater.
Courier, Nov 5 1912 p3.
The
�Burdick, 63
Evelyn Bargelt Concert Co. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Nov 10 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 64
Sousa and his Band. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Oct 29 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 65
Ladies Minstrels. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 08 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 66
Faust. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, Nov
13 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 67
Ideal Minstrels. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 5 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 68
Satan Sanderson. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 29 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 69
The White Sister. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 21 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 70
Vaudeville. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
Nov 29 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 71
December Ads
Thos. W. Ross. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, Nov 30 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 72
Oberlin Glee Ad. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room], Coldwater. The Courier,
Dec 18 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 73
The Divorce Question. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Dec 07 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 74
V. Appendix B:
Tibbits Opera House
1912 Press Release Photos
�Burdick, 75
The Opera House
Tibbits Opera House 1. Circa 1900. Photograph. Randall Hazelbaker Personal Collection,
Coldwater.
�Burdick, 76
Tibbits Opera House 2. Circa 1900. Photograph. Randall Hazelbaker Personal Collection,
Coldwater.
�Burdick, 77
Tibbits Opera House 3. Circa 1900. Photograph. Randall Hazelbaker Personal Collection,
Coldwater.
�Burdick, 78
Tibbits Opera House 4. Circa 1900. Photograph. Randall Hazelbaker Personal Collection,
Coldwater.
�Burdick, 79
Tibbits Opera House 5. Circa 1900. Photograph. Randall Hazelbaker Personal Collection,
Coldwater.
�Burdick, 80
January Engagements
Lew Johnson. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Jan 8
1912.
�Burdick, 81
February Engagements
The Dixie Chorus. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Feb 29 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 82
Scene from 'Paid in Full'. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Feb 5 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 83
Lorene Shannon. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, Feb 27 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 84
Scene from 'Paid in Full'. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Feb 7 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 85
March Engagements
Frank F. Farrell. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
March 29 1912.
�Burdick, 86
The Sailor Boys. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
March 27 1912 p3.
Courier,
�Burdick, 87
Bunch of Beauties. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, March 20 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 88
The Missouri Girl. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 29 1912, p6.
�Burdick, 89
Vanda Enos. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 12 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 90
George Harris. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 21 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 91
A Scene from 'The Cat and the Fiddle'. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room,
Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, March 26 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 92
A Scene from 'The Cat and the Fiddle'. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room,
Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, March 27 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 93
Miss Phyllis Jackson. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 11 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 94
Miss Margaret Rose. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 11 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 95
Clyde Doerr. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
March 8, 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 96
William Alt. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
March 8 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 97
Roscoe Stewart. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, March 9 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 98
Mrs. Fern Doerr Broughton. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, March 9 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 99
A scene from 'Flower of the Ranch'. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room,
Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, March 22 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 100
William Alt. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
March 11 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 101
A scene from 'The Flower of the Ranch'. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room,
Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, March 23 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 102
The Missouri Girl. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, March 28 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 103
April Engagements
Cow and the Moon. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater.
Courier, April 26 1912 p3.
The
�Burdick, 104
Dorothy Howard. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
April 29 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 105
Mutt & Jeff. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, April 1
1912 p2.
�Burdick, 106
Avarado Players. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
April 10 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 107
Alvarado Players. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
April 8 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 108
Andrew Waldron. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 8 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 109
Mutt & Jeff. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
April 3 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 110
Florence Radinoff. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, April 30 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 111
The Minister and the Maid. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 5 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 112
A scene from 'Mutt & Jeff''. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 2 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 113
The Cow and the Moony. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 25 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 114
Cow and the Moon. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, April 24 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 115
Mutt & Jeff Tonight. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, April 3 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 116
No Title. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter, April
25 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 117
LeBrun Grand Opera Quartette. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater.
The Daily Reporter, April 30 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 118
Margaret T. Shayne. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, April 29 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 119
June Engagements
Ellery's Greatest Band. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, June 12 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 120
The Ellery Band. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
June 17 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 121
The Ellery Band. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
June 14 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 122
Joseph Giulii. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, June 17 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 123
Making out a Program. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, June 17 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 124
August Engagements
Alma Kruger. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Aug 4
1912 p2.
�Burdick, 125
The Servant in the House. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Aug 23 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 126
The Drain Man. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily
Reporter, Aug 27 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 127
The Servant in the House. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Aug 26 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 128
The Servant in the House. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Aug 28 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 129
The Servant in the House. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Aug 25 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 130
September Engagements
Margy Southwell. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Sept 28 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 131
Harry Bulger. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 24 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 132
Miss Louise Brown. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 4 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 133
Miss Melra Clanton. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 7 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 134
Prof. Rego. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Daily Reporter,
Sept 11 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 135
W.E. LA Rose. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Sept 6 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 136
J.F. Marlow. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Sept 7
1912 p3.
�Burdick, 137
The Flirting Princess. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Sept 24 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 138
Margy Southwell. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Sept 29 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 139
American Beauty Chorus. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Sept 25 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 140
W.E. LaRose. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Sept 10
1912 p3.
�Burdick, 141
The Rosary. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Sept 15
1912 p2.
�Burdick, 142
The Rosary. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Sept 17
1912 p2.
�Burdick, 143
Edward Doyle Stock Co. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Sept 8 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 144
Miss Louise Brown. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Sept 5 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 145
October Engagements
Miss Virginia Root. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Oct 31 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 146
Sousa and his Great Band. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Oct 28 1912, p4
�Burdick, 147
Charles E. Townsend. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Oct 3 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 148
The Shepherd of the Hills. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 5 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 149
Preachin' Bill. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Oct
8 1912.
�Burdick, 150
The Shepherd of the Hills. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 6 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 151
The Littlest Rebel. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Oct 10 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 152
The Littlest Rebel. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Oct 9 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 153
Mr. Farnum. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater.
Oct 11 1912 p3.
The
Courier,
�Burdick, 154
Sousa. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Oct 27 1912
p3.
�Burdick, 155
Lyman Howe Travel Festival. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 22 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 156
Chameleons Tongue. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Oct 26 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 157
When Horse and Lion Meet. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 24 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 158
Apollo Concert Companyn. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 31 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 159
Maine Burial. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Oct 27
1912 p4.
�Burdick, 160
Miss Nicoline Zedeler. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Oct 29 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 161
November Engagements
She Stoops to Conquer. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Nov 8 1912 p2,
�Burdick, 162
Norman Hackett. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 30 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 163
Mohala and Floyd. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 6 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 164
Sylvester A. Long. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Nov 7 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 165
Scene from Faust. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 10 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 166
George G. Wakefield. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 12 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 167
Scene from Faust. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 14 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 168
Faust. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Nov 14 1912
p3.
�Burdick, 169
The White Sister Ad. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 20 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 170
The White Sister Logo. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Nov 27 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 171
The White Sister. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 23 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 172
Miss Clara Lewis. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 24 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 173
The White Sister. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Nov 26 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 174
December Engagements
Lizzie Hudson Collier. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Dec 5 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 175
Reno B. Welbourn. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Dec 12, 1912, p2.
�Burdick, 176
The Divorce Question. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Dec 11 1912, p3.
�Burdick, 177
The Glee Club. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Daily Reporter, Dec 10 1912, p4.
�Burdick, 178
The Divorce Question. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Dec 11 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 179
The Divorce Question. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The
Courier, Dec 8 1912 p5.
�Burdick, 180
The Only Son. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Dec
1 1912 p3.
�Burdick, 181
The Hussara. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater.
10 1912.
The Courier, Dec
�Burdick, 182
Norman Hackett. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier, Dec
3 1912 p2.
�Burdick, 183
The Only Son Scene. 1912. Microfilm Archives, Holbrook Heritage Room, Coldwater. The Courier,
Dec 5 1912 p4.
�Burdick, 184
VI. Appendix C:
Tibbits Opera House Events
1912 Datebook
�Day
Date
Year
Mon
Jan 1
Tues
Tues
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
Type of event
1912
The Man on the Box
Trousdale Bros.
Play
Jan 2
1912
Lyman H.Howe
Travelogue/
Travel Festival
Jan 9
1912
"Reaching the
World's Highest
Altitudes/ Hunting
from an Aeroplane"
Under the Stars and
Stripes
*originally listed 1912
for Jan 16, but
again listed in
the Feb 14 &
Feb 20 papers
as "coming
soon" with no
further articles
Mon
Jan 22 1912
Sat
Jan 27
1912
Tues
Jan 30
1912
Sat
Feb 3
1912
Ticket
price
Play: War
Drama
Matinee: 25
cents adults,
10 cents for
children;
Evening: 2535-50 cents
Matinee: 1025 cents;
evening:
25-35-50
The Hobo and the
Lady
Rogers & Grilley
Concert: Vocal
& Harp
J.M. Hill
Musical:
Farcical
Comedy in 3
Acts
Manhattan Gaiety
Girls
J.C. Rockwell's
Sunny South Co.
Variety/
Vaudeville
Director
Performers
Mr. Will H.
Dorbin, Miss
Bernice Trousdale
Company A
2nd Infantry
M.N.G.
Play: 4 Act
Comedy
The Country Boy
50 cents
upstairs, 75
downstairs
Sponsored
by
Henry B.
Harris
YMCA
Locals George H.
Hoskyn, Lew
Johnson, Mrs.
Susan Hoskyns
Alfred Cooper,
Frank McCormack,
Dean Borup, Frank
E. Jamison, George
Svaheffer, Olive
Templeton, Elda
Furry, Charlotte
Langdon, Nellie
Fillmore
Van Veachton
Rogers, Charles F.
Grilley
Billy
Ward
Variety: Singing,
dancing,
specialties of
Negro
Burdick, 185
�Day
Date
Year
Ticket
price
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
cents
Type of event
Sponsored
by
Director
Performers
characteristics
Fri
Feb 9
1912
25-5-75
Paid in Full
cents and $1
25-35-50
cents
50 cents
Tues
Feb 13
1912
Wed
Feb 14
1912
Fri
Feb 23
1912
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Sat
Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 28
Feb 29
March
1
March1
and 2
March
2
March
5
1912
1912
1912
1912
1912
1912
No charge
March
7
1912
"Epic of the Negro- a
story of 300 years"
Fri-Sat March
8-9
Tues
March
12
1912
50 cents
downstairs;
75 upstairs
10 cents
25-35-50
cents
Sylvia
C.S. Primrose
Play: American
Thos. P. Kelley's
Minstrel/
Plantation Show
Colored Carnival
Phidelah Rice *missed Impersonation
YMCA
Marvelous Craig
train connection/show
SatSun
Sun
Tues
Thurs
10-20-30
cents
Based readings on
"The Singular Life"
The Last Round Up
The Village Gossips
The Banker's Child
What Money Will Do
The Price He Paid
1912
Old Farmer Allen
1912
The Girl From the
West
"Should saloons be
banished from the
state?"
1912
"Dante's Inferno"
Adrian Newens
*in place of Rice
Shannon Stock Co.
Lecture/
Impersonation
Plays &
Vaudeville
YMCA
Dickinson's
orchestra; Seaborn
Wright, speaker
[Orchestra prior
to ] Lecture/
Meeting
Branch
Co. AntiSaloon
League
St. Charles Catholic
School orchestra,
vocal solos by locals
Mrs. Fern Doerr
Broughton, William
Alt, Mrs. Alliene
Claxton, Mrs. W.A.
Grifith.; sax solo by
Homer Dickinson
YMCA
Mr. Henry F.
Coleman, Mr.
Louis Johnson
Dixie Chorus Concert Play: Musical
Animated
Illustration
Play: Operetta
in 2 Acts
Harry, Hazel,
Lorene, and Harry
Jr. Shannon
Coldwater
High
Phyllis Jackson,
Mrs.
Clyde
Doerr,
Broughton
Burdick, 186
�Day
Date
Year
Ticket
price
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
Type of event
Sponsored
by
Director
William Alt, Fern
Doerr Broughton,
Roscoe Stewart,
Margaret Rose
School
Thurs
March
14
March
15
1912
March
16
March
23
1912
1912
25-50-75
cents, $1
and $1.50
March
24
March
25
March
27
1912
No
admission
Sat
March
30
1912
Sun
March
31
1912
Wed
April 3
1912
Fri
Sat
Sat
Sun
Mon
Wed
1912
10-20-30-50 Pardners
cents
Power of the Cross
1912
1912
25-50-75
cents, $1
and $1.50
Matinee:
children 10
cents, adults
25 cents;
Evening: 2535-50 cents
35-50-75
Vanda Enos Players
& the Camiljo Co.
Musical:
Western
Comedy
Mr. Woolley
Alert L. Blair
Lecture/
Meeting
Lecture
Play: Musical
Review
Joseph E.
Howard
Jess Harris, Miss
Betty Caldwell,
house musicians to
augment the
orchestra
YMCA
Charles A. Harry B. Watson,
Nellie Waters,
Sellon
George E. Wakefield,
JO. Campbell,
Lawrence Gotthard,
Matty Martz
Play: Comedy
The Missouri Girl
Influence toward
increasing the
number of dry voters
Mutt & Jeff
Vanda Enos,
violinist
Play: Comedy
Play: Pastoral
Comedy Drama
in 3 Acts
Play
The Girl of the
Sierras
The Flower of the
Ranch
Fighting the liquor
traffic
"The Whir of the
Newspaper Press"
The Cat and the
Fiddle
Performers
Father Dennis A.
Hayes
Local Option
Meeting
Play: Musical
Gus Hill
Mssrs Gray and
Burdick, 187
�Day
Date
Year
Mon
April 8
1912
Tues
Wed
April 9
April
10
1912
1912
Thurs
April
11
April
12
1912
Fri
Sat
Sat
Tues
&
Wed
1912
April
1912
13
April
1912
13
April
1912
16 &17
Ticket
price
cents-$1
10-20-30
cents
Parquet
circle, 30
cents;
parquet, 20
cents; upper
two floors,
10 cents
10-20-30
cents
First floor,
30 cents;
dress circle,
20 cents;
gallery 10
cents
10 cent
matinee
25-35-50
cents
Name of
show/lecture topic
The Minister and the
Maid
The Price of Silence
The Tie that Binds
Company name
Alvarado Players
Type of event
Play: Comedy
Captured by
Wireless–a play
founded on the
famous Dr. Crippen
(of Coldwater) case
Play
The Girl of Eagle
Ranch
FiFi of the Toy Shop
Director
Performers
DeWitt
Andrew Waldron
Comedy
Play: Rural
Comedy Drama
Play
Play: American
A Runaway Match
?
Sponsored
by
Play
Play: Western
Play: Musical
Comedy in 3
Acts
Presbyterian
Sisterhood
Director
Mr. Harry
Emmet
Munsey,
musical
directoress
Miss
Warsabo
Locals; 150 people:
Mare Welch, Clare
Wise, Mrs. Alliene
Claxton, Frank Ott,
Edward Hutchinson,
Chas Hendricks,
Miss Luella Taylor,
Miss Dorothy Pray,
Miss Esther Sloman,
Miss Mae Miller,
Hugh VanAken ,
Guy Finca, Charles
Burdick, 188
�Day
Date
Year
Ticket
price
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
Type of event
Sponsored
by
Director
Performers
Daniels, Mrs. Foy
Shattuck, Miss Sallie
Smullen, Clyde
Doerr, Margaret
Rose
Fri
April
26
1912
Prices 3550-75 cents,
$1 and
$1.50
Martha and Il
Trovatore
Charles A. Cast of 40+,
including Ed
Sellon
Play: Musical
extravaganza
Cow and the Moon
Tues
April
30
1912
LeBrun Grand Opera
Co.
Concert: Opera
YMCA
Musical
director
W. H.
Humiston
Fri
May 3
1912
Prices 2550-75 and
$1
Beverly
Play
Thurs
May 9
1912
25-35-50
cents
Across the Rio
Grande
Play: Mexican
Comedy Drama
Coldwater
Lodge
Fraternal
Order of
Eagles
Mr. &
Mrs. Mac
Dowell
Tues
&
Wed
May 21 1912
& 22
The National
Troubadours
Variety:
Character
Sketch, Drills,
Dance Steps,
Solos
St.
Agatha's
Guild of
St. Mark's
church
Miss
Geraldine
Parrotte
Oscar
Eagle
Gilmore, Wm.
Gross, Clarence
Sterling, Walter
Wilson, Hazel
Rice, Maude
Amanda Scott.
Mme. Antoinette
LeBrun, soprano;
Miss Dorothy
Wilson, contralto;
Fritz N. Huttmann,
tenor
Dorothy Howard,
Florence Radinoff,
Lawrence Evart,
Boyd M. Turner
Local talent: Lewis
P. Johnson, S.C.
Creighton, Herbert J.
Revello, W.A.
McDowell, Wm. J.
Roach, W.O.
Larabee, Lulu M.
Newton, June Mack,
Vina M. Noel
Neva Kennedy,
pianist; Grace Jones,
Sallie Smullen, E. L
Miner, Dr. Cook,
Miss Parrotte, Miss
Charlote Brewer and
Burdick, 189
�Day
Date
Year
Ticket
price
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
Type of event
Sponsored
by
Director
Performers
Maurice Payne. Guy
inch, Hugh
VanAken, Dorothy
Pray, Hugh
VanAken, Marion
Nestl
Sun
May 26 1912
Fri
May 24 1912
May Festival
Thurs
Wed
June 6 1912
June 12 1912
Commencement
Play
SatSun
June 15 1912
& 16
Tues
Reno the Great
Magician
A Midsummer Night's
Dream
**rescheduled for
August
Magic Show
Ben Greet Players
Vaudeville
June 18 1912
50-75 cents
and $1
Aug 6
******
1912
$1, 75 and
50 cents
1912
10-20-30
cents; ladies
free.
Ellery's Greatest
Band
Concert: Band
A Midsummer Night's
Dream
Ben Greet Players
Play: Musical
Drama
The Straight Road
Margy South Stock
Co./Culhane's
Comedians
Play: Comedy
Drama in 4 Acts
SEASON
OPENER
******
Mon
Aug 12
YMCA
Fern Doer
Broughton,
musician &
instructor;
Neva
Kennedy,pia
nist
Local talent
Phi
Gamma
Sorority
Director
Taddeo di
Girolamo
YMCA
Pupils of different
grades of city
schools; Stone's
orchestra
50+ people; Croce
Margadonna,
Joseph Giulii,
Antonio Decimo
25 players,
including Ruth
Vivian;
accompanied with
Mendelssohn's
exquisite music.
Miss Margy South
Clementine W.
Felix, Lottie
Burdick, 190
�Day
Date
Year
Ticket
price
Name of
show/lecture topic
Tues
Aug 13
1912
15 cents
downstairs,
10 cents
upstairs
The Final Settlement
Play
Wed
Thurs
Aug 14
Aug15
1912
1912
Play
Play
Fri
Aug 16
1912
A False Friend
The Lights of New
York
Du Barry
10-20-30
cents
**replaced previously
announced show**
Sat
Aug 17
1912
Sat
Aug 17
1912
**All of these shows
were originally listed in
the paper as well for the
week's engagements with
the company, but specific
dates were not.
Matinee: 10
cents
evening
10-20-30
cents
Wed
Aug 28
1912
50-75 cents,
$1, Box
chairs are
$1.50
Mon
Sept 9
1912
Tues
Sept 10 1912
10-20 cents,
upper
floors;
Little Miss Nobody
Company name
Type of event
Sponsored
by
Director
Performers
Weston, Harry
Warner, Art
Atkins, Robert
Coe, Edwin Ness,
Will E. Culhane
Play: Historical
French
Margy South Stock
Co./Culhane's
Comedians (cont.)
Play
Billy's First Love
That Real Show
For Love and Honor
Play: Comedic
Play
Play
The Midnight Express
Play
St. Elmo
Nedra
The Fighting Chance
Play
Play
Play
Lena Rivers
No Mother to Guide
Her
The Servant in the
House
Play
Play
Alice of Old
Vincennes
Everybody's Doing It
Play
Play: Miracle
and Morality
Edward Doyle Stock
Play: Comedic
Musical
director,
Robert Coe
Henry
Miller,
director;
Merle H.
Norton,
producer
Victor Lambert,
Blanche Morrison
Louise Brown, star;
J.F. Marlow,
leading man;
Burdick, 191
�Day
Date
Year
Ticket
price
Sponsored
by
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
Type of event
Wed
Sept 11 1912 30-50 cents
Thurs Sept 12 1912
*Originally scheduled for
Thursday night
Fri
Sept 13 1912
Sat
Sept 14 1912 Matinee:
10-20 cents
Sat
Sept 14 1912 10-20-30-50
cents
Tues
Sept 17 1912 25-50-75
cents and $1
The Parish Priest
Last Night
My Wife's Gone to
the Country
The Country Girl
Sapho
Company
Play
Play
Play
The Factory Girl
Edward Doyle Co. (cont.)
Play
The Rosary
Rowland & Clifford
Play
Wed
Sept 25 1912
50-75 cents,
$1 and
$1.50
The Flirting Princess
Play: Musical
Comedy
Fri
Sept 27 1912
Oliver Twist
Motion Pictures:
Photo Play
Mr. Nat Goodwin
Mon
Tues
Sept 30 1912
Oct 1
1912
The One Girl
Thelma
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Oct 2
Oct 3
Oct 4
Oct 5
1912
1912
1912
1912
10-15-25
cents
10-20-30
cents. First
Night
Courtesies
to Ladies
Play
Play: 4 Act
Comedy Drama
Play
Play
Play
Play
Sat
Oct 5
1912
Margy Southwell,
Harry Warner,
Clementina St.
Fleix Sally St.
Felix, Lottie
Watson, Andrew
Ness, Art Atkins,
Wm. H. Chase,
Harry Cue, Will E.
Culhane
Matinee: 10
cents
Evening:
Director
Rego the famous
Italian harpist;
Doyle Bros,
jugglers; and Miss
Melba Glanton,
W.J. Vance, W. E.
LaRose
Play
Play
Culhane's
The Mountain Girl
Comedians/ the
Lena Rivers
The Turn of the Road Arlington Stock Co.
Tempest and
Sunshine
The Trail of the North
Play
Performers
Mort H.
Singer
Blosser Jennings,
Florence Wright,
Eleanor Rella, Harry
Price, Nettie De
Goursey, Reginald
Knorr, Henry Garron,
Thos. Kilday, A. C.
Van Slyke
Harry Bulger, Helen
Darling, Fileen
Sheridan, Dale
Fuller, Herbert
Heywood, Harry
Dickerson, large
chorus of "American
Beauties."
Burdick, 192
�Day
Date
Year
**All of these shows
were originally listed in
the paper as well for the
week's engagements with
the company, but specific
dates were not.
Mon
Oct 7
1912
Ticket
price
10-20-30
cents
10-20-30
cents
Name of
show/lecture topic
Company name
Sponsored
by
Director
Play
Republican
Rally
Tues
Oct 8
1912
Thurs
Oct 10
1912
Fri
Oct 11
1912
25-50-75
cents, $1
and $1.50
The Littlest Rebel
Play: 4 Act
Civil War
A.H.
Woods
Thurs
Oct 17
1912
25-35-50
cents,
Children
w/parents, 15
cents
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Play
Kibble
and
Martin
Fri-Sat Oct 18- 1912
19
The Shepherd of the
Hills
Performers
Play
Play
Play
Play
From Sire to Son
For Home and Honor
The Story of Life
The Girl from Smoky
Hollow
Money (Honey?) Mad
Senator Charles E.
Townsend,
candidate/speaker
25-50-75
cents & $1
Type of event
Rowland & Clifford
Play
Woodbridge Ferris &
Claude Carney,
candidates/speakers
for governor and
congress
Democrat
Campaign
Lecture
Mullen's (Hellman's?) Circus,
Dog and Cat Circus
Vaudeville
Producers
Messrs
Gaskill
and
MacVitty
Music by
Coldwater male
quartet and city
band
Margaret O'Brien,
Louis Ramsdell,
Thomas Fitzgerald,
Halley Myers, Lew
Silvers,
Montgomery
Holland
Violet Savoy, Mr.
Farnum, Mr.
Walter Ryder (a
local boy)
Wellman the
magician
Burdick, 193
�Day
Date
Year
Thurs
Oct 24
1912
Mon
Oct 28
1912
Thurs
Oct 31
1912
Fri
Nov 1
1912
$1-75-50
cents
John Phillip Sousa &
his Band
Concert
Thurs
Nov 7
1912
25-35-50-75 A Fountain of Mirth
cents
DeRue Bros. Ideal
Minstrels
Minstrel Show:
Vaudeville
Acts,
Impersonator,
Jokesters
TuesWed
Nov
12-13
1912
Fri
Nov 15
1912
Ticket
price
25-35-50
cents
Name of
show/lecture topic
Whaling, Paris, and
Nature
He Fell in Love With
His Wife
Company name
Type of event
Hon. John M.C.
Smith
Lyman H. Howe
Rally
Evalyn Bargelt and
her company
Sponsored
by
Travelogue/
Travel Festival
Play
Director
Performers
Mr. Gus
Bothner
Charles R.
Johnson
Minstrel Show:
Singers,
Dancers
Fortnightly
Ladies
Variety:
Crayoned
Drawings &
Readings,
Musical
YMCA
Virginia Root,
soprano; Nicoline
Zedeler, violinist;
Herbert L. Clark,
cornet virtuoso
Billy and Bobby
DeRue, Fox
Brothers, Gold Dust
Twins, Leo Dube,
Vonder and Delmare,
the Golden City
Quartette, the Empire
Musical Trio
Locals: Laura Pullen,
Charlotte Dunks ,
Alliene Claxton,
Nina Cocks, Florence
Beers, Celia Hurley,
Fern Broughton, Ella
Spofford, Mabel
Hilton, Mrs. Roy
Shattuck, Four
Gnomes, Misses
Root, Calkins, Moore
and Brewer, Mrs.
A.B.Walker, Fern
Broughton
Burdick, 194
�Day
Date
Year
Sat
Nov 16
1912
Wed
Nov 27
1912
Thurs
Nov 28
1912
Fri
Sat
Nov 29
Nov 30
1912
1912
Tues
Dec 3
1912
Thurs
Dec 5
1912
Fri
Wed
Dec 6
Dec 11
1912
1912
Thurs
Dec 12
1912
Ticket
price
Evening: 2535-50-75
cents, boxes
$1; Matinee:
25-35 cents,
children 15
cents
25-35-50-75
cents and $1
Name of
show/lecture topic
The White Sister
35-50-75
cents and $1
Type of event
Dan Cupid & Co.
Play
National Theatre
Vaudeville
Satan Sanderson
Play: Drama
The Only Son
Play
A Hungry People
Scientific
Demonstration
The Divorce Question
Sponsored
by
Program
Play
Faust
10-25 cents
matinee
Evening prices
are 25-35-50
cents.
25-35-50 cents
(other article
says 10-20
cent prices
matinee, night
10-20-30
seats)
35-50-75
cents and $1
35 cents to
$1.50
Company name
Sylvester A. Long
Prof. Reno B.
Wlbourn, scientist
Rowland & Clifford
Lecture
Lecture
Play
Director
Performers
Messrs.
Manley &
Campbell
Mr. George
Wakefield, Mina
Manley
Miss Clara Lewis,
Laura Jean Libby,
Dorothy Dix
Jessie
Bonstelle
Norman Hackett
Thomas W. Ross
and the original
company
YMCA
Willis Hall,
Edmund Caroll,
Douglas Lawrence,
Barbara Douglas,
Grace Nile
Burdick, 195
�Day
Date
Year
Company name
Type of event
Sponsored
by
Fri
Dec 13
1912
The Hussars
YMCA
Dec 18
1912
Oberlin College Glee
Club
Musical
Program
Concert
Wed
Dec 21
(?)
WedDec
Thurs 25-26
Fri-Sat Dec
27-28
1912
1912
10 cents
Tues
1912
10-20-30
cents
Dec 31
Ticket
price
Name of
show/lecture topic
"All the World's a
Stage"
1912
Lyman H. Howe
Gus Sun's Ohio
Vaudeville Circuit
Michigan National
Guard
A Holiday in Dixie
LeVard's Dixie
Minstrels
Director
Performers
J.E.
Wirkler
L.A. Cok, J.G. Gray,
C.W. Johnson, E.U.
McKee, R.S. Sargent,
D. Bradley, R.L.
Curtis, B.R. Gibler,
A.S. Sprunger, R.I.
Watkins, H.D. Haas,
C.T Habegger, R.F.
Kimball, T.O. Wedel,
E.R. Kimball, W.T.
Martin, W.W.
Swisher, J.E. Wirkler
Travelogue/
Travel Festival
Vaudeville
Military
Movies; Lecture
by Major M.M.
Phillips of
Owosso
Minstrel Show:
Comedians,
Creole Dancers,
Vaudeville
Burdick, 196
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tibbits Opera House
Description
An account of the resource
Miscellaneous items related to the historic Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater, Michigan
Document
A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text.
Original Format
If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
196 pages
90 megabytes
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Tibbits Opera House: 1912
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>Table of Contents</h3>
<ul>
<li>Background/Introduction of the Study</li>
<li>John Jackson Management, 1912</li>
<li>Legitimate Drama</li>
<li>Concerts C. Lectures, Campaigns, and Misc. Uses</li>
<li>Travelogues, Animated Illustrations, & Moving Pictures</li>
<li>Vaudeville, Minstrels, & Magic</li>
<li>Summary</li>
<li>Works Cited</li>
<li>Appendix A-Advertisements of 1912</li>
<li>Appendix B-Press Release Photos of 1912</li>
<li>Appendix C-Opera House Datebook of 1912</li>
</ul>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Stephanie (Hemker) Burdick
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
September 2011
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
(c) Copyright 2011 by Stephanie Burdick, all rights reserved. Posted here with permission of the author.
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concerts
drama
John Jackson
minstrels
Stephanie (Hemker) Burdick
Stephanie Burdick
Tibbits Opera House
travelogues
vaudeville