Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 130, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1919 — “SKATES” COMES TO RENSSELAER [ARTICLE]

“SKATES” COMES TO RENSSELAER

FAVORITE SQN RETURNS TO UTOPIA FOR FEW HOURS WITH COUNTRY FOLK. ■ I ■■■■— •Spring radishes and onions, the ehalnce to get a glimpse at his barnyard pets and ito breathe pure old Indiana vacuum proved too great a lure for Earle Reynolds, peer of all those who do their traveling on skates, and before the final salvo of applause had died away at the close of the sensational Reynolds-Donne-gan act at the State-Lake theatre in Chicago, Monday night, the premier of skaters was out of his stage togs and bound for the Dearborn street station to catch a midnight flyer for dear old Rensselaer, Indiana, there once again to mingle with the plain country folk. Earle Reynolds loves anything that smacks of ruralism and would much prefer raising chickens and ’tending garden than to dazzle the crowned heads of other continents with his marvelous exhibitions of skating. That’s the reason his mother, Mrs. Hattie Nichols, hung out the latch string last night before retiring thait her wandering son might again come into the fold. “Fellow gets pretty tired traveling all of the time,” was the way the favorite son put it, “and it is indeed a pleasure to get back where it’s quiet and where one has a chance to follow his favorite diversions. Yes, sir, I long for the day to come when I can go into private life where, my life will be filled with something besides skates, irate stage managers, temperamental stage stars and grasping producers. The glare of publicity gets pretty tiresome and I have been before the public a great many years. Just as good as ever,” with a touch sf pride m his voice, “even though I am not what you’d term a youngster any more,” added the skating star; “Mrs. Reynolds and Helen are sort of shoving me out of the limelight, but what’s the difference as long as it’s in the family? ‘ Helen is going to take our place and ; keep the family in the enviable position which it has occupied for many years. As long as the family crown is safe • I can rest contented. Our spring engagement will close soon and then we are coming down to Rensselaer and stay during the summer months before again taking up our work.” All this conning from a man who at the age of twenty-one years was •acknowledged to be the fastest that ever drew on a skate. At the age of twenty-three Earle Reynolds had shattered all world’s speed records on skates. Since that time —twentyseven years ago—he’s fifty now, he has continued the same dizzy pace he established as a youth. Perhaps no longer the speediest, but undoubtedly the cleverest, he stands today the acme of grace among male skaters. He’s awfully proud of the records which are his, and you can hardly blame him. “Learned to skate on the Iroquois crick and whatever fame has come to me is the result of my efforts during my boyhood days in Rensselaer,” says Mr. Reynolds, in discussing his achievements. Few athletes are able to withstand the ravages of time past the thirty mark, which makes the record of the Rensselaer boy all the more marvelous when his age is considered. ’ “Oh yes, about that little affair to be staged in Toledo on July 4th, have been following the game pretty closely for many years and am right • here to state that this Dempsey is I going to bump Jess Willard off his throne when they meet. Have been studying for several weeks the chances of Jess running into one of

Dempsey’s punches, amd vice versa, and can see no reason why Jack shouldn’t win. Two weeks ago my opinions were published in 160 Sunday newspapers. Guess they must recognize me as a fight critic. My work ends a week before the fight and if I can make Mrs. Reynolds believe I have business in Ohio during that week and can get her to come to Rensselaer, I am going to see that fight. Wil have to use a lot of tact and diplomacy, I suspect. May go to South America next year with Tex Rickard» who is promoting the fight, and if I do see no reason Why I shouldn’t maike a mint of money. Tex Rickard is to the fight game what John D. is to oil and what Henry Ford is to automobiles. Tex is a great friend of mine and if I can sign with him, am going to give up the stage. ~~ J “Well, will have to ring off, now. Got to catch the 10:33 back to Chicago for my afternoon performance. Tell any of the Rensselaer people you see to be sure and look me up If they come to the city during the week. We are at the new theatre at State and Lake streets, and I promise all from here who come in to provide good seats for them. *Think they will agree with me that our act is really a marvelous, daring and spectacular one. Will be through soon now and will see you all then. Got a lot of work to dp here this summer looking after my houses and real estate. So long.” / And with that the receiver clicked as it sank into the holder.