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DAILY NEWS, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1912
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AERIAL POST IS PROVED A SUCCESS
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AVIATOR STUDENSKY CARRIES BAG OF MAIL TO LA MARQUE POSTOFFICE
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3,000 PEOPLE SEE FLIGHTS
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First Aerial Postal Service in the South Draws Large Crowds-Twelve Hundred Pieces of Mail Carried.
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Aviation in Galveston assumed new importance Sunday afternoon, when Paul Studensky in the Curtiss type biplane designed and built by Lester V. Bratton made a successful flight with a pouch of United States mail from the aviation field to La Marque and safely delivered the mail into the hands of Postmaster Bogatto at that station. This is said to be the first aerial postal service to be established in the South and attracted much attention from citizens of Galveston, as well as from other parts of the state.

The gates at the grounds of the National School of Aviation were opened Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock and within a short time fully 2,500 people were inside the grounds. The people came on the street cars, in automobiles and in vehicles of all kinds. The baseball game at Beach Park between the Sandcrabs and the New York Giants seemed an unimportant matter as compared with an aviation meet in which the now well-known Paul Studensky would make several flights, drop imaginary bombs at an imaginary battleship, execute all the fancy dips, curves, volplanes and other maneuvers of a skilled aviator and finally, with a bag of United States first-class mail, fly across Galveston Bay and land the mail at the La Marque post-office.

The Attraction of the Day.

This mail-carrying stunt was easily the attraction of the afternoon and the more than three thousand people who entered the grounds came more to see this one feat than all the other maneuvers, contests and races that had been announced. A special postal station had been established within the aviation grounds by Postmaster H. A. Griffin, which was in charge of Postal Clerk Shirley Forsgard. Postcards showing the little Curtiss type biplane in which Studensky was to make the mail-carrying flight, the special aerial postal station and Aviator Studensky in the act of receiving a bag of mail from the hands of a postal clerk were sold on the ground and many visitors availed themselves of this opportunity of sending some mail matter to their friends and relatives in other parts of the state, in other states or even in other countries, by the first aerial postal service to be established in the South. From the time the gates were opened to the time the mail bag was closed at 3:30 o'clock there was a constant stream of people purchasing postcards and stamps and writing brief messages. The several improvised tables used as writing desks were always crowded with those writing messages. A special stamp bearing the words, "Galveston, Tex., U. S. Aerial Mail, March 17, 1912," was placed on each piece of mail which went into the bag that Studensky carried.

The program as scheduled in advance called for the departure of Studensky with the mail at 3:30 p.m., but on account of several delays he did not make his get-away with the mail sack until after 4 o'clock. At 3:30 the mail bag was closed at the special aerial postal station and taken in charge by Postmaster H. A. Griffin and carried to the machine, which was then standing in front of the grandstand. Here, with appropriate ceremony, he delivered the bag of mail personally into the hands of Aviator Studensky and gave final instructions as to its delivery. Kodak men and camera fiends were numerous at the time of this delivery, and it is to be doubted if any man other than "Teddy" has been shot at more than Aviator Studensky without being hurt. The plucky little aviator says he feels real famous to see so many kodaks and cameras pointed toward him.

1,200 Pieces of Mail.

The mail bag when closed at the special serial station contained something more than 1,200 pieces of first-class mail matter, principally postcards mailed by those in the grounds. This amount of mail matter, together with the bag in which it was contained, weighed about thirty or thirty-five pounds. It was securely tied on the machine, just back of the aviator's seat, in such a way that it would not interfere with the operation of the controls. The machine was then rolled by the mechanics and helpers to the west end of the aviation field and all was in readiness for the first flight in the South with pieces of United States mail matter.

The first start of Studensky did not prove successful as he failed to get suf-
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yards. The target was only a small piece of canvas, about the size of an ordinary wagon sheet. The balls fell in line with the target and his flight, and had the wind been blowing a strong gale they would likely have struck the target. Circling the field once more, Studensky made a landing at the west end of the field. This was the only flight of the afternoon other than the mail-carrying flight made later in the afternoon.

The wind was treacherous, blowing in little gusts, which made the machines rock and roll in the air. This fact accounts for the failure of the other aviators to venture up during the afternoon. The crowd was somewhat disappointed that they did not see the big Beech-Farman biplane, said to be the largest heavier-than-the-air machine ever flown in America, but with the splendid flights of Studensky the could not complain.

In connection with the race to be pulled off next Sunday from Houston to Galveston between a locomotive, an automobile, a motor cycle and an aeroplane, it is planned by the National Aviation School to have Aviator De Kor, who is to pilot the air craft in this race, to land in their field on the Denver Resurvey[[edge of page indistinct]]. The matter has be taken up with Aviator De Kor, but as yet no agreement has been reached.
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AMUSEMENTS
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"The Barrier."

"The Barrier," a dramatization by Eugene Presbrey of Rex Beach's rugged novel of that name, was presented by competent people to a fair-sized audience at the Grand Opera House Sunday night.

Those who are familiar with the Beach book, of whom there were many among Sunday night's witnesses, remember that it is a particularly virile portrait of the great Alaskan wastes, where "red, red gold" has lured fierce men to pay it court, and the details of the struggles of strong men moved by primal emotions and restrained by little except their in-born sense of either chivalry or prudence are especially fascinating reading for those who love, actually or in imagination, militant virtue matched against equally militant vice on equal terms. The performers Sunday night gave a very acceptable picture. They loved and fought and laughed and cursed their ways through the four acts to the accompaniment of constant applause. Of course, the piece is melodramatic, but it is not crassly so. On the contrary, it offers a rather welcome relief from too much drawing-room tragedy and summer house-comedy.

Charles P. Bates as Poleon Darret, the French-Canadian woodsman, did a splendid piece of character work. Howard Nugent, Warren Ellsworth, Tom R. Collins, Sydney Diamond and Chet Withey were the masculine participants of most importance, and they came well up on the mark set for them. Lucretia del Valle was the Necia, and a thoroughly lovable and naïve and praisable little pseudo Injun she was. Her acting was perhaps not vigorously good, but it was admirably so, and there wasn't one who saw her that didn't think the handsome Kentucky captain with his wealth of blue blood and soft a's married his equal if not his superior.
Miss Henrietta Crossman, in "The real Thing," is the attraction at the Grand tonight.
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Henrietta Crosman.

Of the attraction for Monday night the New Orleans Times-Democrat says:

"Miss Henrietta Crosman is an accomplished, finished actress. "The Real Thing," in which she is appearing this week at the Tulane Theater, is a clever, refreshing comedy. And as Miss Crosman is assisting in the presentation of the piece by players worthy to be cast with her, the ensemble is excellent.

"Not a little of the success of 'The Real Thing' is due to Miss Crosman. Cleverly wrought though it may be, no one could possibly see it as a notable play. 'Effervescent' seems to be a good description--it bubbles and froths through its course and then is gone. The first of the three acts drags, being studied and laboriously polite, hardly more than a commonplace conversation between members of a reassembled family who haven't any but the usual things to say. In the other two acts there is action--sometimes lots of it--and they are much better. Really, they are the show.

"Four adult players and two children, besides Miss Crosman, are in the piece. They are all splendid, especially the children, who contribute well-practiced and rather captivating efforst.

"Statuesque and striking is Miss Crosman. She reminds one, because of her stature, carriage and wealth of golden hair, of Miss Lillian Russell, and also, like Miss Russell, she is by no means a novice on the stage. In 'The Real Thing' she has a part which gives full play to her artistry. This manifests itself chiefly in the distinction she gives to her role, for her manner is decidedly her own. Poise and grace mark her every movement and word. Everything she does is smooth polished. Her voice is of unusual quality, and remarkably well 'handled,' although there is little occasion for her to show just how much she can do with it. Miss Crosman was called before the curtain a half-dozen times to receive the plaudits of her audience.

"Fred Tiden and Albert Brown are true farce actors. They are really funny. Miss Josephine Lovett one finds to be a thoroughly - capable actress, and in a good part an important factor of the presentation. Miss Florence Short is pretty and vivacious. Audrey Ridgewell and Mac Macomber, the children, charm their audiences."
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Forbes Robertson.
An advance notice says:

"The Passing of the Third Floor Back," which Forbes Robertson brings to the Grand Friday night, is said to be one of the most daring plays seen in years upon
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maneuvers [[faded text]] ly, with a bag of United States first-class mail, fly across Galveston Bay and land the mail at the La Marque post office.

The Attraction of the Day.

[[this text repeats the text of the first column!]]
This mail-carrying stunt was easily the attraction of the afternoon and the more than three thousand people who entered the grounds came more to see this one feat than all the other maneuvers, contests and races that had been announced. A special postal station had been established within the aviation grounds by Postmaster H. A. Griffin, which was in charge of Postal Clerk Shirley Forsgard. Postcards showing the little Curtiss type biplane in which Studensky was to make the mail-carrying flight, the special aerial postal station and Aviator Studensky in the act of receiving a bag of mail from the hands of a postal clerk were sold on the ground and many visitors availed themselves of this opportunity of sending some mail matter to their friends and relatives in other parts of the state, in other states or even in other countries, by the first aerial postal service to be established in the South. From the time the gates were opened to the time the mail bag was closed at 3:30 o'clock there as a constant stream of people purchasing postcards and stamps and writing brief messages. The several improvised tables used as writing desks were always crowded with those writing messages. A special stamp bearing the words, "Galveston, Tex., U.S. Aerial Mail, March 17, 1912," was placed on each piece of mail which went into the bag that Studensky carried.

The program as scheduled in advance called for the departure of Studensky with the mail at 3:30 p. m., but on account of several delays he did not make his get-away with the mail sack until after 4 o'clock. At 3:30 the mail bag was closed at the special aerial postal station and taken in charge by Postmaster H. A. Griffin and carried to the machine, which has then standing in front of the grandstand. Here, with appropriate ceremony, he delivered the bag of mail personally into the hands of Aviator Studensky and gave final instructions as to its delivery. Kodak men and camera fiends were numerous at the time of this delivery, and it is to be doubted if any man other than "Teddy" has been shot at more times than Aviator Studensky without being hurt. The plucky little aviator says he feels real famous to see so many kodaks and cameras pointed toward him.

1,200 Pieces of Mail.

The mail bag when closed at the special aerial station contained something more than 1,200 pieces of first-class mail matter, principally postcards mailed by those in the grounds. This amount of mail matter, together with the bag in which it was contained, weighed about thirty or thirty-five pounds. It was securely tied on the machine, just back of the aviator's seat, in such a way that it would not interfere with the operation of the controls. The machine was then rolled by the mechanics and helpers to the west end of the aviation field and all was in readiness for the first flight in the South with pieces of United States mail matter.

The first start of Studensky did not prove successful, as he failed to get sufficient momentum to rise from the ground high enough to clear the hangar at the east of the field. He shut his engine off as soon as he saw he could not clear the hangar and stopped the machine near the east fence. The machine was again rolled to the west end of the field and the second start was made. This time the aviator rose from the ground, and, clearing the hangar about twenty feet, flew away to the east, circling over the city to the north. Turning about over the interurban tracks he made another circle immediately over the field, all the while climbing higher and higher. As he passed over the field the second time he was flying at an altitude of about 1,500 or 2,000 feet. Swinging to the westward again after he had passed over the field, the little biplane as headed northwest and the flight to La Marque was begun.

Delivered at La Marque.

A party of men from the National Aviation School had gone out on the day before and had selected a spot near La Marque at which a landing could be made and had marked this spot so that it could be found by the aviator. As he flew away toward this spot all eyes watched him eagerly to see that he did not lose the precious United States mail. Many who had heard Postmaster Griffin's parting instructions to the aviator, "Deliver the mail into the hands of the postmaster at La Marque, but in your flight, if anything goes wrong with your machine, throw the mail overboard and save yourself," were watching to see if anything was going wrong with the machine. The wind seemed somewhat treacherous, and load the plucky little aviator could not make the flight. However, the machine kept going into the northwest, all the while growing smaller and smaller, until it appeared a mere speck in the distance and finally was lost to view altogether.

As the last speck of the machine disappeared from view in the distance many of the spectators left the grounds, but others remained to see his return. After landing the mail he returned to the field, making his landing before 6 o'clock, having been gone shortly more than thirty minutes.

Thus was the first "Southern aerial postal service," and it was pronounced an entire success by all who saw the flight.

Dropping Imaginary Bombs

Before the mail-carrying flight Studensky made an exhibition flight over the field, during which he dropped baseballs at a target on the ground. The baseballs were imaginary bombs dropped at an imaginary battleship, and had the target been as large as a battleship it would doubtless have been blown to atoms. Studensky rose from the field, flying straight away toward the east into the teeth of the wind until he had attained an altitude of perhaps 1,000 or 1,200 feet. He then circled to the northward over the city and back to the west of the field. Making a straight flight over the field he passed over the target which was a piece of canvas spread on the ground, and dropped two baseballs. One ball struck within ten yards of the target and the other within twenty 
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[[column 4]]
French Canadian woodsman, and a splendid piece of character work. Howard Nugent, Warren Ellsworth, Tom R. Collins, Sydney Diamond and Chet Withey were the masculine participants of most importance, and they came well up to the mark set for them. Lucretia del Valle was the Necia, and a thoroughly lovable and naïve and praisable little pseudo Injun she was. Her acting was perhaps not vigorously good, but it was admirably so, and there wasn't one who saw her that didn't think the handsome Kentucky captain with his wealth of blue blood and soft a's married his equal, if not his superior.

Miss Henrietta Crossman, in "The Real Thing," is the attraction at the Grand tonight.
[[short line]]

Henrietta Crosman.

Of the attraction for Monday night the New Orleans Times-Democrat says:

"Miss Henrietta Crosman is an accomplished, finished actress. 'The Real Thing,' in which she is appearing this week at the Tulane Theater, is a clever, refreshing comedy. And as Miss Crosman is assisting in the presentation of the piece by players worthy to be cast with her, the ensemble is excellent.

"Not a little of the success of 'The Real Thing' is due to Miss Crosman. Cleverly wrought though it may be, no one could possibly see it as a notable play. "Effervescent' seems to be a good description--it bubbles and froths through its course and then is gone. The first of the three acts drags, being studied and laboriously polite, hardly more than a commonplace conversation between members of a reassembled family who haven't any but the usual things to say. In the other two acts there is action--sometimes lots of it--and they are much better. Really, they are the show.

"Four adult player sand two children, besides Miss Crosman, are in the piece. They all are splendid, especially the children, who contribute well-practiced and rather captivating efforts.

"Statuesque and striking is Miss Crossman. She reminds one, because of her hair, of Miss Lillian Russell, and also, like Miss Russell, she is by no means a novice on the stage.  In 'The Real Thing' she has a part which gives full play to her artistry. This manifests itself chiefly in the distinction she gives to her role, for her manner is decidedly her own. Poise and grace mark her every movement and word. Everything she does is smooth and polished. Her voice is of unusual quality, and remarkably well 'handled,' although there is little occasion for her to show just how much she can do with it. Miss Crosman was called before the curtain a half-dozen  times to receive the plaudits of her audience. 
"Fred Tiden and Albert Brown are true farce actors. They are really funny. Miss Josephine Lovett one finds to be a thoroughly capable actress, adn in a good part an important factor of the presentation. Miss Florence Short is pretty and vivacious. Audrey Ridgewell adn Mac Macomber, the children, charm their audiences."
[[short line]]

Forbes Robertson. 

An advance notice says: 

"The Passing of the Third Floor Back," which Forbes Robertson brings to the Grand Friday night is said to be one of the most daring plays seen in years upon the New York, Chicago or London stage. It is daring because it tries to represent the enormous power for good which reverence for others may exert even on the basest and meanest of mankind. There is, unfortunately, nothing daring or unusual in representing immorality or frivolity on the stage and in portraying their fascination. The daring thing is to attempt a representation of 'Christ-likeness and to show the kind of influence which the Christ-like spirit will exert.
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FORBES-ROBERTSON

[[image - black and white photograph of Forbes-Robertson playing golf. He wears a dark suit, white shirt collar, well polished dark shoes, and a light coloured hat with a band around the brim. He holds a golf club to the ground and is looking possibly at the camera.
[[caption]]AT GOLF[[/caption]]
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The public will attend for a time such definitely moral and religious plays as "Everyman." But these plays are far removed from ordinary practical life. The play, however, to which we now refer, "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," is entirely modern in its characters and situations. 

The first act introduces us to a boarding house, with all the vulgarity, meanness and self-seeking prevalent in such places. It is not, of course, a fair description of all lodging houses, but it is true enough of a certain type. The landlady is a worn and bitter woman, who has learned to cringe and cheat in self-defense. She is a lonely woman, fighting for a livelihood against the hard and selfish world. There is no room for love or kindness. The lodgers are worse than the landlady. Backbiting, scandal, greed and graft-every one for himself and every one against all the rest is the prevailing spirit of the place. All are selfish, mean and sordid. All the wit is unkind, all the amusement at the expense of some one else.
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[[vertical right margin]] ^[[The Galveston Daily News]] [[/margin]]

Transcription Notes:
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