- Détails
- Création : 19 mai 2024
- Mis à jour : 27 avril 2025
- Publication : 19 mai 2024
Edward SHIELDS
(actif en 1891-1928)
Jean-Claude SEGUIN
2
Les origines (<1891-1896)
Selon un article presse publié en 1913, Edward Shields serait le descendant d'un militaire :
While the name of Sherman has gained prominence as one of the proudest in American war annals, in the marriage with Manager Shields, Miss Sherman allied herself with the descendant of another warrior, General William Shields, the hero of Chepultepec, of whom it was once said that he was the only man with temerity to shallenge Abraham Lincoln to a dual which for obvious reasons never occurred.
The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer, Bridgeport, mardi 1er avril 1913, p. 3.
Il aurait également vécu à San Francisco :
Shields lived in 'Frisco for several years and has visited the Pacific coast metropolis for 18 years on a professional way.
News Journal, Mansfield, vendredi 20 avril 1906, p. 4
Edward Shields s'installe à Portland (Oregon), vers 1891, selon l'annuaire de la ville. Peu après, il épouse la jeune Effa M. Eaton :
MARRIED.-An interesting event occurred at the Taylor-street M. E. church last evening. It was the wedding of Mr. T. E. Shields and Miss Effa M. Eaton, in the presence of quite a number of friends. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Kummer. Mr. Shields is a well-known young business man, and his bride is an attractive and accomplished young lady, who recently came to Portland from Quincy, Ill. Mr. et Mrs Shields will go to California on a trip of two or three weeks.
The Oregonian, Portland, jeudi 18 août 1892, p. 5.
Vers 1893, il figure comme agent manufacturier dans l'annuaire de la ville. Par la suite, il travaille pour la Vaccum Oil Company (1894), puis comme vendeur pour l'entreprise W. P. Fuller & Co. (1895). On peut situer le début de ses activités comme conférencier vers l'année 1895. Ainsi, Edward Shields participe à des soirées où il propose des vues fixes, comme celle de la loge maçonnique dont il fait partie :
An Illustred Concert.
Anchor lodge, Degree of Honor, Nº37, A.O.U.W., of Sunnyside, gave a successful and largely attended illustrated concert and entertainment at Hunter's hall last Tuesday evening. It was the first entertainment of the kind given in this city. Every verse of each song and recitation was finely illustrated with appropriate colored views thrown on a large canvas with a dissolving stereopticon loaned the lodge by the calcium light works. The Columbia quartet, Messrs. Easton, Drake, Hunter and Reed, Miss Cora Douglass, soprano soloist, and Mr. Bert Van Cleve, comedian, were first on the programme, and each responded to a double encore. The affair was under the direction of Mr. T. E. Shields, a member of the lodge.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 6 octobre 1895, p. 11.
Quelques mois plus tard, il commente des vues fixes à Albany et il commence à se faire un nom grâce à ces travelogues :
STEREOPTICAN VIEWS.-The finest and grandest Stereoptican views ever presented to the public, will be given under the auspices of Degree of Honor A. 0. U. W. on Tuesday, March 17th. In connection with the views there will be a lecture delivered by Prof. Ed. Shields on the following views as presented. The famous Trilby song, Ben Holt and the following numbers of southern melodies, Swanee River, Old Kentucky Home, with the grand finale, Marching Through Georgia will be rendered by the quartet. Each and every one of these songs will be illustrated with magnificent colored views through a canvas 20x20, with a 2000 candle power Calcium light. Admission, reserved seats, 35 cents; general admission, 25 cents; children between 5 and 12, 15 cents. A complete program will be published at a later date.
Albany democrat, Albany, vendredi 13 mars 1896, p. 2.
Il présente à nouveau des vues à Portland en mai et dans d'autres villes de l'état de l'Oregon.
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| Statesman Journal, Statesman, mercredi 10 juin 1896, p. 4. | The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 28 juin 1896, p. 13. |
Parmi les représentations qu'il donne, il en est une qu'il organise dans le cadre de la campagne présidentielle de McKinley :
POLITICS ON THE EAST SIDE.
Illustrated Campaign Address on Major McKinley.
The U. S. Grant Republican Club had expected to open the campaign next Friday night, but owing to a hitch about the hall, it may be necessary to postpone the first meeting one week. This first meeting will be a union of the three clubs in the eighth ward. The principal speaker of the evening will be Mr. Edward Shields, who will give a complete history of Major McKinley, and illustrate his address with a. number of fine stereopticon views, showing the birthplace of McKinley, the different schools he attended, his complete war record, picturing him in the different acts of bravery on the field, that credited him with promotion; subsequent scenes in the halls of congress, the St. Louis convention, and of his home life at Canton. Copies for these views were obtained by Mr. Shields direct from original pictures, owned and treasured by Mr. McKinley himself, and it is the first time in history that such a speech has been completed for campaign work. Mr. Shields' popularity as an illustrator is sufficient guarantee that it will prove a success. Mr. Shields' address will be an illustrated political lecture. He will take up about an hour. The committee on speakers will arrange for a short address from some prominent republican. Also a plan for work will also be adopted.
The Oregonian, Portland, lundi 10 août 1896, p. 8.
Son soutien au candidat républicain le conduit également à participer à d'autres meetings en dehors de l'Oregon :
IS OPENED IN ILWACO
REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH-WESTERN WASHINGTON.
[...]
ILWACO, Wash., Sept. 2.-The republican campaign in Southwestern Washington was opened last evening at Ilwaco with great enthusiasm.
[...]
Then followed the life of McKinley from the cradle to the White House, illustrated by stereopticon, under the supervision of Edward Shields, of Portland. Mr. Shields is a good lecturer, and his lecture on the life of McKinley was full of patriotism, and from the moment he commenced with McKinley's ancestors, the large audience listened with the greatest attention, and every prominent feature of McKinley's life that was thrown on the canvas as a picture met with hearty applause.
One of the surprises of the evening was the compliment paid to Dr. Dalton by a few of his friends, by having his photograph arranged on glass, and when least expected Mr. Shields paid a tribute to the worth of the gentleman, and, to the surprise of the audience, flashed the picture on the canvas. The many friends of the candidate for representative were much pleased, and their enthusiasm was beyond bounds. Mr. Shields' illustrated lecture is a success in a political. meeting, and it should be adopted by the managers of the campaign, and shown in every voting precinct, if possible, in the state. The views are fine and distinct, and he has an eloquent delivery.
The Oregonian, Portland, jeudi 2 septembre 1896,p. 6.
Il présente à nouveau ses vues fixes à l'occasion de l'Exposition de Portland consacrée à Christophe Colomb :
PICTURES AT THE FAIR
FINE STEREOPTICON VIEWS OF COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
[...]
The special attraction of the entertainment programme last evening was Dr. De Kannet's colored pictorial reproduction of the world's Columbian exposition, at Chicago, in 1893. The slides were some of the finest ever seen in Portland. They were colored by Dr. De Kannet from original negatives of the picturesque features of the great fair. Mr. T. E. Shields, of this city, assisted with his fine stereopticon and contributed a considerable number of pictures from his own collection of slides.
The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 22 septembre 1896, p. 8.
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| "The stereopticon at the Exposition-Columbus' ships in the storm" The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 22 septembre 1896, p. 8. |
"Headquarters of Oregon Camera Club" The Oregonian, Portland, samedi 26 septembre 1896, p. 10. |
Au cours des derniers mois de l'année 1896, Edward Shields parcourt les états de l'Oregon, de Washington et de l'Idaho :
Mr. T. E. Shields returned yesterday from an extended tour through Eastern Oregon, Washington and Idaho, where he was gathering views for his new illustred lecture on "The Inland Empire." He was accompanied by his wife.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 6 décembre 1896,p. 20.
"Sheep Shearing in Eastern Oregon"
The Oregonian, Portland, samedi 19 décembre 1896, p. 8.
Les vues animées (1897-1906)
Au mois de mars 1897, Edward Shields commence à utiliser un projecteur de vues animées baptisé "Sceneoscope" dont on ignore l'origine. L'une des premières présentations a lieu à Dalles (Oregon). Selon la presse, l'appareil n'a pas donné satisfaction :
Last Night's Show.
The Carnita Company had a fairly good house last night, better really than could have been expected when it is considered that there has been something in the show line nearly every night for the past month. Mr. Whiting has a fine baritone voice, and responded to a deserved encore. Instead of Favart, the Taylor sisters did the dancing, and did it very well. The sceneoscope did not work well for some reason, and that part of the show was like several others-much of a disappointment. Carnita was all right, and her dance in the colored lights, when her gauzy garments seemed aflame, was a thing of beauty, and was well worth the money it cost to see.
The Dalles Weekly Chronicle, Dalles, samedi 13 mars 1897, p. 4.
C'est également à cette époque que le spectacle s'étoffe avec la collaboration de son épouse et du baryton Charles H. Whiting :
Men's Resort at the "North End."
A very pleasant and profitable hour was spent at the Men's Resort at the North End last Friday evening, listening to a lecture on the "Inland Empire," by Professor Edward Shields. who generously donated his services and the use of his fine stereopticon and views. Over 300 people were present and showed their hearty appreciation of Dr. Shields' very pleasing and patriotic lecture. He is a clever off-hand speaker and makes excellent points. Mrs. Shields was present and gave a fine rendition of the poem, "Jane Conquest,' which was illustrated with fine views. Mr. Charles H. Whiting, with his ringing, baritone, sang a number of songs and was compelled to respond to hearty encores. Three ringing cheers were given to show the appreciation of the audience.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 28 mars 1897, p. 8.
Le Sceneocope fonctionne encore au cours de l'été 1897 :
NEW SCENEOSCOPE AT CABLE PARK
At Saturday Evening's Concert.
Animated pictures will be given in connection with other views to illustrate the beautiful song, "In the Baggage Coach Ahead," by the new sceneoscope, rival of the vitascope.
If you want to see moving pictures free, take a ride on the cable line.
The Oregonian, Portland, vendredi 6 août 1897, p. 10.
C'est à la même époque qu'Edward Shields fonde la "Edward Shields Company", nom qu'il donne à sa petite troupe d'artistes, où figurent son épouse, le baryton Charles H. Whiting et dont le représentant est J. F. Mathews. Elle organise, à Dalles, un concert en octobre :
A Great Attraction.
Secretary Mack has been so fortunate as to engage the Edward Shields Company to give an illustrated concert, in connection with the Birgfeld orchestra, at the opera house each evening while the fair is in session, as a special attraction. These illustrated concerts are something new in the way of entertainment, and have proved a great success. They have just closed a fourteen weeks' engagement on Portland Heights to the largest audiences ever gathered in Portland.
The Dalles Chronicle, Dalles, lundi 11 octobre 1897, p. 3.
Les projections fixes avec le Stereopticon se doublent de projections animées avec un Projectoscope, nom qui évoque l'appareil d'Edison.
The Dalles Chronicle, Dalles, mercredi 13 octobre 1897, p. 3.
En cette fin d'année 1897, Edward Shields se lance, avec son épouse et Charles H. Whiting, dans une tournée au Klondike (Canada) et en Alaska avec l'objectif de prendre des clichés photographiques :
TO ADVERTISE PORTLAND.
Mr. Shields Goes East to Lecture on Klondike and Boom Portland.
Edward Shields, the well known illustrator, whose illustrated concerts on Portland Heights attracted and pleased so many people this summer, will leave for the East shortly, to talk on Alaska and the Klondike. His lecture will be illustrated with over 100 views, covering all points of interest on the trip to Dawson City, via Chilkoot and Skaguay passes, and St. Michaels and the Yukon. Mr. Shields had a number of these views on exhibition yesterday. The pictures showing the confused pile of goods and the miners landed on the rocks at Dyea, from the steamer Elder, on its first trip, and those covering Collector Ivey's first seizure of whisky; the town of Skaguay in July and again in October; the trip over both passes, to the boatbuilding yards at Lake Bennett; mining scenes on Bonanza and Eldorado creeks, and finally Dawson City itself, were very interesting, and attracted a great deal of attention. To these will be added a number of animated projectoscope pictures, recently taken at Skaguay and Dyea. He has had a tempting offer to travel East in the interest of Puget sound, but proposes to stand by Portland, if sufficient inducements are offered him. He has a very fine set of views covering Portland's growth from 1850 until the present time, which he has shown here on several occasions, and he is now at work adding views of the trading, manufacturing and business establishments. It is to be hoped that he will make satisfactory arrangements to advertise Portland as an advantageous outfitting point, for his knowledge of the subject, together with the plans he has outlined, will prove one of the best advertisements possible. He has received several offers to give a farewell concert and lecture here, before he departs, and it is barely possible that he will conclude to do so. He will be accompanied East by his wife, and also by Mr. Charles H. Whiting, whose excellent singing was a pleasing feature of the Portland Heights concerts.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 24 octobre 1897, p. 10.
Son départ est finalement repoussé au 15 novembre. Le voyage est prévu pour durée six mois. Edward Shields et ses deux complices entreprennent une tournée qui va les conduire aussi à Denver, Omaha et Chicago. À son retour, ils vont organiser des spectacles avec projections de vues animées dans l'Oregon. Un article du mois de juin 1898 fait un bilan de ce voyage et évoque la dimension publicitaire des vues animées :
PORTLAND TO DAWSON.
Shields Company Show the Trail to Eastern People.
Edward Shields, who gave such interesting entertainments in connection with Klondike views last fall, returned yesterday from a successful Eastern tour, on which he was accompanied by Charles H. Whiting and Helen Lamar, the successful entertainers. They started from Portland last November, and gave entertainments at all the principal towns from here to Chicago, including a week each in Denver and Omaha. The series of 150 animated views on Edison's projectoscope began with pictures of Portland and its shipping, and was shown as the starting point for Alaska. Then the series took the audience to the mountain passes and on down the Yukon to Dawson City.
At Hopkins' theater, Chicago, the views drew large audiences, and in connection with realistic representations of the battle-ship Maine and her destruction, they were the talk of the town.
Mr. Shields found that Portland needed more extensive advertising in the East, and says that the trip of the Oregon did a great deal to put the name of the state into the mouths of the people. The entertainments received good press notices, and an engagement of 20 weeks was made, to begin in September, in Chicago, New York and Boston.
The Oregonian, Portland, mercredi 29 juin 1898, p. 10.
Lorsqu'en juillet, il présente des vues animées, toujours à Portland, il est question de "wargraph", nom souvent utilisé non pour désigner un appareil mais pour indiquer que les films ont trait à la guerre hispano-américaine. Au terme de sa saison dans l'Oregon, Edward Shields se prépare pour son tour annuel qui va le conduire dans plusieurs états américains :
"WHERE ROLLS THE OREGON."
Edward Shields Offers to Advertise the State in the East.
Upon the close of the exposition and the arrangement of his business here, Edward Shields will leave for his annual Eastern tour, to play the leading vaudeville circuits of Chicago, New York. Boston, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and other large cities. While East last: season, he was "top-liner' over those circuits, with his illustrated "Tour of Klondike," and received many flattering endorsements from managers and the press.
"Hawaii and they Philippines" will be Mr. Shields' subject this year. Out of the nine months he will be absent, only 10 weeks remain to be filled, and he offers to devote those 10 weeks to the subject "Where Rolls the Oregon," which covers the scenery and resources of the state.
His idea is to give a series of: free illustrated recitals. in the above-named cities, provided sufficient support is given by the city of Portland and the state.
In his illustrated "Tour of the Klondike," Mr. Shields did some valuable advertising for Oregon and Portland last season. The average attendance for two performances. daily at the large theaters he plays is over 2000 people, and they are drawn from all parts of the country. His collection of Oregon views is very fine, many of them having appeared in special editions of The Oregonian, and his thorough knowledge of the country and easy style of explanation would not only make the subject beneficial to the state, but interesting to the audience as well.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 23 octobre 1898, p. 24.
Cet article confirme bien qu'Edward Shields n'est qu'un exploitant de vues animées, alors qu'il est bien le photographe des vues fixes qui constituent encore l'essentiel de ses spectacles. Tout comme l'appareil, le répertoire de films provient sans doute du catalogue Edison et à cette époque, Edward Shiels ne semble pas avoir encore tourné de vues animées. En septembre 1899, la troupe d'Edward Shields décroche un important contrat pour l'Exposition de Seattle :
WAGNER'S BAND WILL FURNISH THE MUSIC
Outside Attractions Will Also be Secured for the Exposition.
The management of the Seattle Exposition has arranged to secure Wagner' First Regiment Band for the two weeks the exposition will be run. Seven different propositions from musical organizations were under discussion for some time but Mr. Wagner reduced the amount of his bid, and the trustees Instructed the manager to close the contract with him.
In the matter of advertising privileges the trustees decided that no concessions would be sold. The exposition will publish daily a miniature newspaper in the exposition Building, to contains matters of interest to exhibitors and this paper will be in charge of W. M. Sheffield, press agent and assistant secretary.
"We have issued our posters," said Manager Armstrong. "and in day or two they will be sent broadcast throughout the state."
In the way of attractions the management has under consideration several very entertaining propositions. Saturday night it was decided to close the contract for one attraction and this has been done. The attraction is the Edward Shields Company, of New York, the leading members being Edward Shields, Helen Lamar and Charles H. Whiting. Their work consists of a large repertoire of illustrated concerts, including Mr. Shields' travels, Miss Lamar's recitals and Mr. Whiting's songs. Mr. Shields' leading subject in a complete history of the Philippine situation from Dewey's victory to date, picturing the battered fortifications at Cavite, the capture of Malate, surrender of Manila, and all of the latent battles in which the Washington boys played a prominent part. The Shields Company has played in eleven of the leading theaters of the larger cities and are highly recommended by the press. Miss Lamar has an act entirely new to theatricals, and Mr. Whiting is one of the best baritones in the business. In addition to all this Mr. Shields will exhibit a number of moving pictures taken in the Philippines by one of Edison's representatives, showing charges made by the Washington boys at Caloocan and Malabon. There will be changes each night.
The Seattle Star, Seattle, mardi 12 septembre 1899, p. 2.
Au cours de ces premières années et jusqu'en 1900, Edward Shields va principalement se consacrer aux vues fixes qu'il réalise au cours de ses nombreux voyages aux États-Unis ou à l'étranger. Les vues animées n'occupent qu'une place secondaire et le nom des appareils change fréquemment sans qu'il soit possible de savoir si cela répond ou pas à une simple stratégie commerciale : Sceneoscope, Projectoscope, Wargraph, Biograph, Cinématographe Lumière ou Sceneograph. À de nombreuses reprises, Edward Shields va mettre son stereopticon au service de ses idées républicaines conservatrices comme on peut le lire à plusieurs reprises dans la presse. Il continue de résider à Portland en 1899 (Annuaire 1899 Portland) et 1900 (Annuaire 1900 Portland).
Le début d'une collaboration entre Edward Shields et William Selig date du début de l'année 1901. À Des Moines (Iowa), le premier a été envoyé par le second pour organiser la prise de vues d'un film sur la brigade des pompiers :
MOVING PICTURES.
There will be an exhibition run by the Des Moines fire department Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock on East Grand avenue from Fourth street to the bridge. This run will be made by the entire department for the purpose of getting a get of moving pictures to be reproduced this summer at Ingersoll Park. Mr. Edward Shields of Portland, Oregon, is here now making the necessary arrangements for the taking of these pictures.
When completed these pictures will be exhibited all over the country, making a great advertisement for Des Moines. It will also be the first time that local moving pictures have ever been exhibited. Mr. Shields will have with him the Edward Shields company, Helen Lamar and L. O. Whittier at the opening of the Ingersoll Park.
The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, dimanche 26 mai 1901, p. 6.
William Selig se réserve le tournage, à proprement parler, du film :
Moving Pictures
A fine moving picture of the Des Moines fire department was taken Monday, W. N. Selig, of Chicago, took the pictures, and Edward Shields, who will exhibit the moving pictures at the parks during the summer, will reproduce it next week. Selig will also take pictures of Crocker school children leaving the building, and other Des Moines scenes for exhibition here. Mr. Shields said last night the picture of the fire department taken Monday was one of the finest things he had ever seen in that line.
The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, mardi 28 mai 1901, p. 3.
D'après un article de presse tiré du Sunday Oregonian, on apprend qu'Edward Shields est installé à Chicago et qu'il fait l'acquisition, vers le mois d'octobre, d'un Polyscope :
EDWARD SHIELDS IS HERE.
Will Take Moving Picture Films of Oregon Scenes.
Edward Shields, who is well-known in Portland through illustrated concerts given on Portland Heights for several seasons, arrived from Chicago this week, accompanied by his wife. They have been absent from Portland for over two years. Mr. Shields returns at this time to exhibit the polyscope at the Carnival, and Mrs Shields will visit her mother, Mrs. J. C. Butler, of 1067 East Morrison street.
Mr. Shields is now located in Chicago, where he is interested in the manufacture of the polyscope, and in moving pictures. He brought a moving picture camera to Portland and is making arrangements to take pictures of Chief Campbell and the entire fire department making a special run. He will also make several other moving picture films in the city and up the Columbia.
He was one of the leading spellbinders during the last National campaign, with his illustrated talk on the "Life of Mc-Kinley and the Philippines," and the Republican National Committee sent him on Bryan's trail through Illinois, Indiana and the East. Mr. Shields has traveled constantly for the past three years. He was employed by the Chicago Board of Education for two Winters to deliver free lectures in the public schools. He ran an amusement park in Des Moines for the street car company last Summer, and will conduct it again next season.
Mrs. Shields, whose stage name is Helen Lamar, accompanied him in all his journeyings and took part in the work. They return to Chicago November 1 and go to New York City later, where Mr. Shields will, fill a long engagement with the Board of Education. he will lecture on a "Trip Across the Continent" and "A Summer in Oregon."
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 13 octobre 1901, p. 24.
Il devient dès lors l'un des cinématographistes de la Selig Polyscope Company et réalise d'autres tournages :
MOVING PICTURE OF RIVER
Edward Shields Has Taken Fine View of Water Front.
Edward Shields, accompanied by his wife, left last night for Chicago, after a six weeks' visit with Mrs. Shields' mother, Mrs. J. C. Butler, of Sunnyside. They went via San Francisco and will stop there and at Salt Lake and Denver for several days, where he will gather illustrations for a lecture reading entitled "A Trip Across the Continent," which he wrote for a number of the large slide dealers in the East.
Mr. Shields is taking with him the last lot of moving picture negatives made here, including a film of the "North Coast Limited" train running at a high rate of speed near Linton, and a panoramic view of Portland harbor, from Morrison street bridge to the Portland Flouring Mills. This last film will be a fine advertisement for Portland. The camera was placed on the bow of a steamer and every craft in the harbor will pass in view when it is projected on the screen. Over 200 feet of film was exposed in making the trip, and Mr. Shields says the picture has more kaleidoscopic effects and interest than any water subject ever taken, because there were so many large ships in the lower harbor at the time.
Upon his arrival in Chicago these negatives will be developed in the Polyscope Company's laboratory. Positive films will be produced and shown in a circuit of polyscopes in the leading cities of. the East.
Mr. Shields was employed by the school board of Chicago for two seasons to deliver his illustrated talks on "A Trip Across Continent," and "The Philippines," in the different schools. He has a similar engagement in York City for this Winter.
Mrs. Shields, who is billed as "Helen Lamar," is booked to appear in leading vaudeville theaters in a new transformation novelty, entitled "The Star and Lily."
Mr. Shields is very enthusiastic. over Portland's growth, and the Lewis and Clark Exposition.
Mr. Shields expects to do a great amount of advertising for the Lewis and Clark Centennial.
Portland needs just such advertising as the Oregonian Handbook and the Hotel Portland are giving. He said yesterday: "It needs the Lewis and Clark Exposition. It needs a few more liberal-minded property-owners like H. W. Corbett.".
The Oregonian, Portland, vendredi 22 novembre 1901, p. 10.
Ses activités ne se limitent pas aux prises de vues, puisqu'il donne des conférences dans les établissements scolaires où il fait connaître ses travelogues et occupe le poste de directeur adjoint du Columbia Theater de Chicago :
GOOD WORK FOR OREGON.-Edward Shields, formerly of Portland, who recently visited the city, taking photographs for moving pictures, is doing a good work for Oregon. he has been in Chicago since Thanksgiving, in the employ of the Chicago Dally News, giving lectures in the schools. he is also assistant manager at the Columbia Theater. In a personal letter he writes: "The Washington-street and the harbor pictures came out fine, and they will make a great 'ad' for Portland. I expect to return to Portland in April, and then I will take up matters with the Lewis and Clark people. I can give them a great deal of fee advertising."
The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 18 février 1902, p. 7.
À l'occasion de son retour à Portland, au printemps 1902, il donne quelques informations sur sa situation personnelle et sur ses projets :
EDWARD SHIELDS IS BACK
Has His Camera With Him and Will Use It.
Edward. Shields, a well-known ex-Portlander and now a resident of Chicago, arrived yesterday direct from his new home, accompanied by Mrs. Shields, who is a daughter of Mrs. J. C. Butler, of Sunnyside. They expect to spend the Summer here. In speaking of his future plans last night Mr. Shields said :
"I am simply here at this time seeking rest and to enjoy some of Portland's glorious Summer weather. After my short to the exposition last Fall I returned to Chicago and became Interested in the management of the Columbus, a new stock theater out on Wabash avenue. It was a hard pull to put it on a successful basis, but Charles P. Elliott, a very efficient showman, was at the mast and we succeeded. In addition to the arduous work connected with the theater I lectured several nights a week in the Chicago schools for the Daily News on 'A Trip Across the Continent' and 'The Life of McKinley.'
"Last Summer I managed an amusement park for the street car company of Des Moines, but the heat was something terrific, and I made up my mind then to Campbell's part, for I know from personal association in the matter that the proposition originated with Mr. Campbell: himself.
" I may take a hand in Summer amusements in Portland. I brought my moving picture camera and the same polyscope that I had at the exposition, with that end in view. I understand there has been no such entertainments since I ran Illustrated concerts at Cable Park three years ago."
An interesting member of the party to arrive was Mr. Shields' big red Irish setter. Flirt is her ladyship's name and she had the honor of taking first prize at the big dog show in Chicago in April. Flirt has posed in a number of pictures and several Chicago papers have extended her space under the caption, "A Famous Dog Model." In addition. to all this, she has acquired quite a reputation as a traveler, having been 14 times across the continent and in every state in the Union.
The Oregonian, Portland, mercredi 21 mai 1902, p. 14.
La presse locale publie également son portrait et celui de son épouse, "Helen Lamar".
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| "Helen Lamar at Shields Amusement Park" The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 22 juin 1902, p. 19. |
"Scene From Helen Lamar's 'Her Last Letter,' at Shields Park The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 15 juin 1902, p. 21. |
C'est finalement le 21 juin 1902 qu'Edward Shields va inaugurer son Shields' Park à Portland où plusieurs types de spectacles vont être donnés dont Her Last Letter dont l'interprète principale est son épouse, Helen Lamar. Si le polyscope est bien présent, il n'occupe en général qu'une place secondaire dans les programmes et les articles qui sont consacrés au Shields' Park.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 10 août 1902, p. 24.
Dans les premiers jours septembre, Edward Shields va répondre aux questions du journaliste de The Oregonian sur son avenir professionnel, le Shields' Park et la construction d'un éventuel théâtre :
A THEATER FOR SHIELDS?
HE SAYS HE WILL HAVE ONE BEFORE A GREAT WHILE.
Mysterious About His Exact Plans, but He Will Surely Stay in Portland.
Edward Shields, whose name has been connected, with the recent real estate transfer at Tenth and Washington streets, said yesterday that he was not interested In the property in question, and did not Intend erecting a theater there. He admitted, however, that he would build a theater in Portland, though not just now, and that he would continue to make Portland his headquarters. When asked about the Tenth and Washington street transfer and if he was Interested in it, he said: "The first I heard of the affair was through the columns of The Oregonian a day of two ago, and, really, I have been no busy arranging dates for my different attractions that I have not paid much attention to the matter."
"Will you remain in this city next season?"
"Well, I can answer that question both in the negative and positive. I intend making Portland my headquarters in the future, and my time is now being consumed with next Summer's business. I hope to have extensive park interests all over the Coast by that time, and if the people of Portland think I have given them good attractions this season, they should wait until next Summer rolls around, and admission won't cost them a cent more than it has this year, for I will have 20 weeks to offer and can get my talent direct from the East, including all the best acts in the business. What I mean by best acts, to use a manager's expression, are those who possess draught. I would willingly pay Jessie Bartlett Davis $1000 for next week, if I could get her, because I would have twice that much in my house over the ordinary receipts at the close of the week."
"Is there any truth in the rumor that you Intend building a theater?" was asked.
"It is my strongest intention to do so, but I am not at liberty to divulge any facts, for my plans are not fully consummated. Besides, there is altogether too much hot air about these new theater propositions. I will say, however, that one of Portland's wealthy men has pledged me $25,000 any time I care to take him in on the deal, but I am in no hurry until I can get everything arranged to suit me. The new theater will be announced in due time--and it will be built.
"I am not afraid that the big theatrical trusts will injure my chances in obtaining attractions," continued Mr. Shields, in answer to a question. "There is not as much patent in theatrical business as some people would like to make you believe. No one has a cinch on vaudeville acts, or a lariat on stock business, and many of the Eastern managers are changing their policy from traveling combinations to vaudeville and to stock companies, and I see no reason why I cannot trot along the same avenue."
"Don't you believe that your success of this season will place a dozen competitors in the field next year?"
"I don't expect anything else. When I opened the season it rained every night, and people thought I was crazy to start a resort anywhere; but at the end of a carline everything was lovely; but when the tide turned and business came my way members of the 'why-did-not-I-think-of-it' order began to worry, and two different parties came to me and said they intended starting opposition, but first came to tell me, so I would not feel sore about it, and that is as far as their park balloons sailed. The long-continued spell of sunshine cause more worriment, and an attempt was made to place my park inside the fire limits, so I could not put up a wooden structure. Three different parties have been to the owners of the property trying to lease it over my head; so with all these little remembrances I am not worrying the least little bit about any opposition. I will be in the race from start to finish.
"I have received a letter from the W. C. T. U. asking me to close my park Sunday. It reminds me to close my park Sunday. It reminds me of one thing, and that is: You will never see my name connected with any theatrical enterprise where liquor is sold. To the sings, "No Liquors Sold in This Park," is due much of the success of my place. This does not signify that I will close my park on Sundays--not until after September 14th, at least."
The Oregonian, Portland, samedi 6 septembre 1902, p. 16.
Quelques jours plus tard, la saison du Shields' Park est terminée et la troupe entame un nouvelle tournée :
INDIAN RACES AT YAKIMA
Manager Shields Tells of Interesting Features of Sate Fair.
Edward Shields, manager of Shields Park, returned home yesterday after a three week's trip with his troupe of Japanese acrobats. Mr. Shields visited a number of cities in the Willamette Valley, and also in Eastern Washington, and he speaks entertainingly of his tour.
The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 14 octobre 1902, p. 8.
Au cours des mois qui suivent, Edward Shields et son épouse vont continuer à parcourir les États-Unis en donnant des spectacles où le Polyscope continue d'avoir un rôle secondaire :
Edward Shields, Portland's well-known park manager returned yesterday from an extended three month's trip to the East. He left Chicago two weeks ago, and came home via New Orleans and Southern California. Most of his absence was spent in Chicago, where he did great work for the Pacific Northwest with his illustrated talk, "Where Rolls the Oregon," which he gave in the schools for the Chicago Daily News.
The Oregonian, Portland, lundi 16 mars 1903, p. 10.
Comme il l'a fait antérieurement, Edward Shields va bientôt tourner une nouvelle série de vues toujours pour faire la promotion de l'Oregon, à l'occasion de la venue de M. Roosevelt :
BEAUTIES OF OREGON COUNTRY
To Be Reproduced in the Bleak East.
O. R. & N. Company Will Outdo the Efforts of James J. Hill.
That this section of Oregon is to be extensively advertised throughout the East is now assured by officials of the Harriman system. Arrangements have been perfected by which a complete series of moving pictures will be taken illustrative of the many beautiful stretches of scenery with which Oregon abounds. Especially will places along the lines of the O. R. & N. be illustrated, and the scenic beauties in proximity to Portland will be bought out. The Selig Company of Chicago has the contract for the work and will begin next week to select spots made beautiful or sublime by nature and so prepare them that unrivalled panoramic effects will be shown in cities of the East.
Pictures of Roosevelt.
Edward Shields of this city, who is connected with the Chicago company, will have charge of the work and about Portland, and he says he will add to the value of his collection by taking a series of moving pictures of events which will occur in connection with President Roosevelt's visit to this city in May. He will secure polyscope scenes of the President in the act of dedicating the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and also other movements in which Mr. Roosevelt is prominent.
When speaking of his plans as now outlined, Mr. Shields said: "A more extensive scheme to advertise Oregon, and especially that part of the State traversed by the O. R. & N. has not been contemplated. Probably a hundred sets will be produced before the contract is satisfied, for it is the intention of the Harriman management to offset any attempt made by Jim Hill merger system to advertise the Puget Sound country.
Portland Street Scenes.
"There will be up-to-date ant metropolitan pictures taken of street scenes in Portland, and every one of them, as well as the rural Illustrations, will be exhibited in the East and other points where they will do the most good."
Mr. Shields says that the complete serles will be shown at the Lewis and Clark Fair, and will become a feature of the Exposition, for during the next two years the collection will be augmented greatly by additional pictures to be taken at different times.
The Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, jeudi 19 mars 1903, p. 11.
Il développe ses activités et s'apprête à ouvrir un nouveau Shields' Park à Salem qui doit fonctionner du 15 juin au 15 septembre sous la responsabilité d'E. C. Patton, puis un autre à Tacoma (Lyceum Theater). La venue du président Roosevelt à Portland est l'occasion de préparer un tournage exceptionnel avec deux appareils de prise de vues :
TO TAKE MOVING PICTURES
Edward Shields Ready for the Visit of the President.
Edward Shields is in receipt of a new French moving-picture camera, which came through the Custom-House direct from Paris. The machine was brought here for the express purpose of making moving pictures of President Roosevelt laying the corner-stone of the Lewis and Clark monument. and also to take scenes along the Columbia over the Q. R. & N. Co.'s lines.
The camera is equipped with all modern appliances, the alone costing $150. The outfit is a very compact affair, and weighs less than 30 pounds.
Mr. Shields will test the lens some day this week, and a portion of the exposed film will be developed in The Oregonian photographic department, to see if everything is in good working order.
One of the first local pictures to be made will be that of crowd leaving Cordray's Thenter the afternoon of Shields' big vaudeville opening-Sunday, May 3.
A second camera with an expert photographer will arrive in time to have two machines photographing the President while he is here.
The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 21 avril 1903, p. 10.
L'expérience d'un tournage avec deux appareils de prise de vues n'est pas nouvelle mais elle indique qu'Edward Shields est considéré comme l'égal de Thomas Clark, lui aussi cinématographiste pour la Selig Polyscope Co. :
Both Mr. Nash and Mr. Shields will each have a camera, taking the President, so there can possibly be no slip, even if the weather is stormy.
The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 19 mai 1903, p. 16.
Quelques jours plus tard, les deux hommes vont intervenir dans le tournage de plusieurs vues le long de la rivière Columbia. En parallèle, Edward Shields mène sa carrière d'homme d'affaires dans le monde du spectacle et il doit prendre en charge la direction d'un théâtre en construction à Portland, le futur Arcade Theater, en octobre 1903 :
NEW THEATRE IS NOW BEING BUILT
Continuous Vaudeville Show to Start at Seventh and Washington Street on or Before October 1.
Theatre is Built and Backed by S. Morton Cohn, and Edward Shields Will Be Manager-Cost Will Be $8,000.
Portland is to have a new theatre. It is being built now in the rear of the Arcade, near the corner of Seventh and Washington streets. S. Morton Cohn, proprietor of the Arcade, is behind the enterprise. Work on the theatre building has been going on for about two weeks. Edward Shields of Shields' Park will be its manager.
The Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, samedi 22 août 1903, p. 5.
Un différend va vite surgir entre Edward Shields et le propriétaire du théâtre :
Edward Shields, who successfully conducted Shields' Park and numerous other amusement attractions during years past, is denounced by S. Morton Cohn as an incompetent manager Mr. Cohen makes this statement as part of an affidavit which he filed in the State Circuit Court yesterday afternoon in response to the suit of Shields asking for the appointment of a receiver for the Arcade Theater.
Shields demands that he be allowed to continue as manager of the Arcade for a year, contending that he has a contract to that effect. This Cohn denies and states that Shields' services were unsatisfactory.
The Oregonian, Portland, samedi 7 novembre 1903, p. 12.
Ces difficultés conduisent Edward Shields à se lancer dans un nouveau projet, à savoir la constitution d'un réseau :
Edward Shields of Portland, is organizing a new theatrical circuit for eastern Oregon and Washington, and will send out his first show over the line next week. The circuit has been formed for vaudeville purposes only, and towns in the circle are the most prosperous throughout the Inland Empire. The towns on the circuit are Walla Walla, The Dalles, Pendleton, La Grande, Baker City and Sumpter. As these towns cannot support a show for seven days every week, Manager Shields has arranged to make short stands instead of long engagements.
The Evening Statesman, Walla, Walla, mardi 10 novembre 1903, p. 8.
À l'été de 1904, s'ouvre la nouvelle saison du Shields' Park sous la responsabilité d'Edward Shields. Si les images animées ne constituent pas l'essentiel des spectacles qui sont donnés, les films en font malgré tout partie, même si la disparition du polyscope va contrarier ce numéro :
Moving-Picture Machine Stolen.
Edward Shields, proprietor of Shields' Park, at Thirteenth and Washington streets, would like to know who stole a moving-picture machine from the park las Thursday night. The machine is called a polyscope and had the top off when stolen. The case was reported to the police yesterday morning and Detective Weiner was detalled on the case, but up to this time has found no trace of the missing machine.
The Oregonian, Portland, mardi 21 juin 1904, p. 14.
En réalité, les affaires ne fonctionnent pas très bien cet été-là, même si Edward Shields a également une autre salle sous sa direction, le Cordray's. Il est également question d'un départ pour six semaines en Europe. À cela s'ajoutent des ennuis de santé qui conduisent son épouse à reprendre pour un temps les affaires. La presse finit pas annoncer la fermeture du Park. Outre ses activités de manager, ses convictions politiques le conduisent à soutenir de nouveau le camp républicain :
Edward Shields, a lecturer on the staff of the Republican National Committee, spent the day in the President's home town gathering pictorial material for his fall work. Mr. Shields will illustrate his lectures with a stereopticon.
New York Tribune, New York, samedi 10 septembre 1904, p. 6.
The Huntington Herald, Huntington, lundi 3 octobre 1904, p. 4.
Dès 1904, Edward Shields va se spécialiser dans les prises de vues de manœuvres de pompiers réalisées à sa demande. Il tourne ainsi celle de la brigade de Muncie, en décembre 1904 :
DASHING ON WAY TO FIRE
AND AT A BREAKNECK SPEED
Muncie Fire Department Will Be "Snapped" at Noon Wednesday, Provided the Day is Clear; Quite a "Stunt" Is Promised.
Edward Shields, of Oregon, is here to make moving pictures of Fire Chief Casey's men. He is in the city making final arrangements for a run of the fire department which he is to photograph tomorrow noon on one of the principal streets. It is necessary and in case the weather is cloudy tomorrow the moving picture will be made Thursday. Not only will the department be taken on the run, but the new truck will be taken in operation.
The street will be roped off, so the crowd that is sure to gather to see the excitement, will not interfere with the making of the picture.
Mr. Shields is to make similar pictures of the Anderson, Marion, Kokomon and Indianapolis departments.
The Star Press, Muncie, mardi 27 décembre 1904, p. 8.
Ces tournages se font en étroite collaboration avec la Selig Polyscope Co. et Edward Shields semble bien livrer ses négatifs à cette société :
PERFECT PICTURE MADE OF MUNCIE FIRE LADDIES
[...]
He was in Chicago Saturday and saw the developed negative of the Muncie fire department. He says of all the fire run moving pictures this is one of the very best he has made.
The Muncie fire run will be but a small portion of the entertainment to be given at the Grand. The entire life of a fireman, showing the boys asleep, coming down the pole, hitching, the run, rescuing women and children, working of the aerial truck, jumping into nets, and other thrilling acts will be shown.
The Star Press, Muncie, mercredi 11 janvier 1905, p. 6.
The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, dimanche 8 janvier 1905, p. 16.
Dans les mois qui suivent, les tournages se multiplient dans l'état de l'Indiana où les brigades de pompiers se mettent volontiers sous ses ordres afin de tourner des vues de leurs manœuvres comme on peut le voir à Huntington :
A NOVEL ENTERTAINMENT.
Moving Pictures of Local Fire Department to Be Shown.
Edward Shields, the vaudeville promoter, is planning to give a novel entertainment in this city some time early in September. It will be given as a benefit to him prior to his departure to engage in theatrical work at the opening of the fall season. Mr. Shields is an expert photographer, and he will make arrangements to have the Huntington fire department, under Chief Hessin, make a series of exhibition runs, showing all departments of the service in action. Pictures will be taken of the engine station when the alarm comes in; the automatic release of the horses from their stalls, and the hitch, followed, by their departure for the run. To make the equipment more complete in the pictures, a special rig will be provided for Chief Hessin and driver, and if possible a team will be secured for the utility steamer. Then on some thoroughfare, pictures will be taken of the rigs in full swing. The entire series, together with other scenes about the city, will be reproduced in moving pictures. Similar features have been successfully presented here, but such an entertainment as planned by Mr. Shields will be of much more local interest.
The Huntington Herald, Huntington, vendredi 21 juillet 1905, p. 8.
Mais, en l'occurrence, une mauvaise manipulation des négatifs tirés à cette occasion sont malencontreusement détruits lors du tirage, et Edward Shields est conduit à refaire une prise de vue, quelques jours plus tard, avec la complicité renouvelée de la brigade d'Huntington. S'écartant de ses films sur les manœuvres de pompiers, il envisage de filmer le combat qui va opposer Jimmy Britt et Battling Nelson à Colma en septembre :
SHIELDS MAY SEE THE BRITT-NELSON FIGHT
[...]
The new camera the is using goes to San Francisco to photograph the Britt-Nelson fight Sept. 9. The film making firm. in Chicago with which Mr. Shields deals has the contract for making the fight pictures. Four moving picture cameras will we be trained on the ring, It may be necessary for Mr. Shields to make the trip. The work of photographing a fight is a difficult task and the company has only one experienced man to send. Mr. Shields has promised Mr. Selig he will go if he can postpone some of his benefits.
Chronicle Tribune, Marion, samedi 26 août 1905, p. 7.
On ignore si le projet a finalement abouti. En revanche, on sait qu'Edward Shields organise dès l'été ses tournées automnales :
Mr. Shields has arranged seven more benefits, including Indianapolis, Terre Haute, South Bend, Kokomo, Muncie and Huntington.
Chronicle Tribune, Marion, mercredi 6 septembre 1905, p. 1.
Il travaille de façon étroitre avec la Selig Polyscope Co. comme on peut le lire à l'occasion du tournage des manœuvres des pompiers de la ville de Lafayette :
GREAT FIRE SCENE
Hundreds of People Watch the Process of Taking Moving Pictures
Nearly two thousand people waited for two hours yesterday to see a moving picture made of a "Fire in Darktown" in which the fire boys from No 1 took a prominent part. President Selig of the Selig Polyscope company, Chicago, came down to assist Mr. Shields in the work and the delay was caused by his train being behind time.
The Lafayette Journal, Lafayette, vendredi 22 septembre 1905, p. 5.
Ces tournages permettent à la Selig de renouveler ses vues qui se combinent parfois pour renouveler le succès de Life of a fireman en modifiant et en actualisant les fragments au fur et à mesure des tournages ainsi qu'on peut le lire dans l'article suivant :
The Firemen's Benefit.
The "Life of a Fireman," given, by the Edward Shields' company, at the new theatre Friday evening, as a benefit to the Huntington fire department, was not a disappointment. Manager Shields had a well selected moving picture program and this was interspersed with pleasing numbers by Miss Sherman, the talented vocalist and reader. In the fire scenes the pictures were exciting action. The exhibition run made last Tuesday by the local department was reproduced and elicited a general applause, as the horses, excellent equipment and familiar faces of the fire laddies and other local characters were seen on the canvas doing their stunt. Following came the pictures illustrating an alarm being turned in at Appleton, Wis., and the dressing of the firemen at the station house, the hitch of the horses in a Milwaukee department house, and also in Chicago, and runs made by the excellent departments in Denver and at Lafayette. Several actual fire fighting scenes were shown with wonderful accuracy, all in all giving the phases of the daily experiences of the fire fighters. Several beautiful illustrated songs were rendered by Miss Sherman, including that pathetic ballad, "Its the Man with the Ladder and the Hose." Miss Sherman also won plaudits in her rendition of "Ben Hur." The description of the chariot race commanded the closest of attention, in the portrayal of characters mentioned. Besides, several comical series were shown by the polyscope. Manager Shields gave again his pictures on "The Passion Play," which closed the program. The production was greeted by a large attendance and the fire laddies will clear a neat sum for their library fund.
The Huntington Herald, Huntington, samedi 23 septembre 1905, p. 11.
Si Edward Shields travaille en collaboration avec la Selig, il a également son indépendance, organise ses propres circuits, et bon nombre de ses films ne figurent pas dans les catalogues connus de la société de Chicago.
Depuis déjà quelque temps, Edward Shields a une nouvelle partenaire, Sadie Sherman à laquelle il semble être lié de façon plus intime. Par la suite, il sera même question de Mme Shields bien qu'il soit toujours marié à "Effie" Mae Eaton.
Muncie Evening Press, Muncie, samedi 4 novembre 1905, p. 3.
Les projections cinématographiques semblent avoir pris une place plus significative, et la presse parle même de la "Shields Moving Picture Company". Quant à ses activités liées au monde du spectacle et du vaudeville, elles ont périclité au point que le Shields' Park de Portland n'est plus que ruine :
The work of tearing down and removing the seats and stage of Shields' Park, at the northwest corner of Thirteenth and Washington streets, has been in progress during the past week. This resort was built by Edward Shields for the purpose of giving open-air vaudeville when the popularity of this kind of entertainment was at its height in Portland. For several years Mr. Shields did a thriving business, but two years ago the patronage decreassed, and after running a few weeks the park was closed. Since then it has been entirely abandoned and has been an eyesore on this part of Washington street. The property is owned by the Lewis estate. The structure will be entirely torn down and removed, but no building will be erected upon this corner the present.
This is only one of several changes that are to be made in this vicinity. Edgar Lazarus and Paul Van Fridah are to erect a three-story brick block on the 100x100 immediately adjoining this property, on Washington street. The work of excavation for this building will begin within the next few days.
The Oregonian, Portland, samedi 28 octobre 1905, p. 10.
"Workmen tear down Shields' Park at Thirteenth and Washington Streets."
The Oregonian, Portland, samedi 28 octobre 1905, p. 10.
En revanche, les tournages se multiplient dès le début de l'année 1906 dans l'Illinois et l'Ohio : Champaign, Urbana, Anderson, Sidney, Lima, Piqua...
Piqua Leader Dispatch, Piqua, mercredi 21 mars 1906, p. 5.
Dans un article publié dans la presse de Zanesville, où il semble utiliser un Vitascope pour la prise de vue, on parle de 23 brigades qui auraient été ainsi filmées rien que dans l'Ohio entre janvier et mai 1906 :
FIREMEN TO BE POTOGRAPHED
WILL BE GROUND OF A VITASCOPE
Moving Picture Man Will Catch the Department on a Parade Run.
The efficient Zanesville fire department is to be immortalized in moving pictures.
Edward Shields, the big benefit promoter, is here with his camera and will catch the entire department on Main street Thursday at 3:30.
This will be the twenty-third department Mr. Shields has photographed in Ohio since January 1st.
He carries a company of several artists and gives benefits. his company will appear early in June at the Weller, the proceeds to be given to the pension funds of the police and fire departments. The local moving pictures will be one of the big features of the show. As the local firemen are pretty well fixed in the way of pension funds, the police department was declared in on the deal.
The entire police force will head the parade that preceeds the fire run and they will also be caught on the move by the rapid camera.
Chief Tanner will head the department with dancing, prancing "Dick," and all seven houses will turn out. The run is made at 3: 30 so all school children can see the fascinating spectacle.
The camera will be stationed at the court house and every team will be caught racing by.
The Zanesville Signal, Zanesville, mercredi 23 mai 1906, p. 2.
A-t-il filmé, comme l'annoncent certaines publicités, le tremblement de terre de San Francisco ?
EDWARDS SHIELDS CO.
Presents
Frisco Quake and Fire
Moving Pictures and Slides
These pictures were made by Edward Shields personally and are the only authentic illustrations of the great desaster.
The Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, mercredi 30 mai 1906, p. 6.
The Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, mercredi 30 mai 1906, p. 6.
Quoi qu'il en soit, il poursuit sa route en filmant de nouvelles brigades dans le Michigan.
Et après... (1907-≥1928)
L'année 1907 est encore consacrée à de nombreuses prises de vues dont une de la brigade de pompiers de New Castle (Pennsylvanie)
The New Castle Daily Herald, New Castle, vendredi 19 avril 1907, p. 4.
Il fait également un incursion au Canada où il filme avec son équipe la brigade la ville de Windsor (Ontario) :
The moving pictures of the Windsor fire department taken by operators for the Edward Shields company last Saturday have been developed and are clear and distinct, one of the best, in fact, that this company has taken. This picture will be shown at the performance.
The Windsor Star, Windsor, jeudi 8 août 1907, p. 1.
Ses multiples tournages de vues de manœuvres de pompiers lui valent le surnom de "The Firemen's Friend". À partir de 1908, les tournages se font rares, même s'il participe, toujours avec Sadie Sherman, à celui d'un film de la Selig Polyscope Company:
In the automobile ahead, the occupants of which had seemed so indifferent to the beauty in distress, were H. Reimers, camera operator for the film company, who took the picutres of the runaway, and miss Sherman's manager, Edward Shields.
The Pensacola journal, Pensacola, samedi 25 avril 1908, p. 2. [The Morning World. New Orléans].
Il est possible de faire un lien entre le nouveau désintérêt d'Edward Shields pour la chose cinématographique et la constitution de la Motion Picture Patents Company, également connue sous le nom d'Edison Trust, en décembre 1908. En effet, en février 1909, Edward Shields consacre un très long articule à cette question dans le journal The Kalamazoo Gazette d'une rare virulence :
Edward Shields
The Kalamazoo Gazette, Kalamazoo, mercredi 10 février 1909, p. 3.
Moving Picture Trust is Due For a Cyclone "Finish"
Edward Shields, Victime of Unholy Merger, Sees End of Robber Combine... Driven Out of Business Himself... Tells Stratling Story... Murdock Avening Angel.
A victim of the moving picture trust and a man who has been practically ruined by the band of robbers back of this unholy merger is Edward Shields, who is managing tour of Miss Sadie Sherman, the beautiful and talented young woman who is appearing at the Majestic this week in a character impersonation sketch. Mr. Shields is one of the most versatile men in the show business today. He is a former brilliant newspaper man and saw service in the Philippines during the Spanish war as a correspondent for Seattle, Spokane and Portland papers. For six years after returning front the Orient ho was a lecturer in the Chicago public schools in the Daily News educational course. During four presidential campaigns he was one of the chief spellbinders of the Republican party, being employed. by the Republican National committee to spread the gospel of the G. O. P. Mr. Shields is a genial, polished, scholarly gentleman and already has made many friends in Kalamazoo."Knocked out twice in one round is an undisputed record I hold," said Edward Shields, the pioneer moving picture man to a Gazette representative last night at the Majestic, where he is guiding the destinies of Miss Sadie Sherman, the charming artist, who is presenting "At the Photographer's."
"Although I was Corbett's sparring partner in the early 'Frisco days this double quietus did not occur in the ring, but more unfortunately in the moving picture arena.
"One hour after I received the ultimatum from the Eastman company that through the edict of the Picture Patents' company they could furnish me no more negative films I fell on a slippery stairs in Terre Haute and received a compound Pott's fracture of my right ankle, which put me on crutches for nearly six months.
"I have about recovered from the Pott's edict and from developing clouds on the horizon I think the Patents company's graft will soon be 'fogged' out existence.It is the most pernicious trust in the world with the exception of the Standard Oil and meat combines.
Would Take All Profits.
"My firemen benefits with a local fire-run picture grossed over $40,000 a year. I made and developed my own pictures. Now if I wanted local pictures I would be obliged to pay some licensed maker $1.15 per foot and to make a picture of sufficient length it would take all the profits of the show.
"'In last Sunday's Chicago Tribune a film supply house advertised that there was more money invested in the moving picture business than in the Standard Oil industry, and you can place last year's celery crop on that bet and not lose a stalk.
"The Pictures Patent company has placed a license of $2 per week on every picture machine operated in the country and on machines, too, that have been the property of the users for years. That means an assessment of over $100,000 a week. Furthermore they only lease the films to the different exchanges, and they also have absolute say which exhibitors can enter or stay in business.
Worse Than in Russia.
"Talk about Russia! Or about Spanish extortion in the Philippines!"
Shifting his injured pedal to a more easy position Shields continued: "Edison has no license, himself, to create this picture trust. Moving pictures were invented in France long before Edison brought out his clumsy Vitascope in the early nineties.
"The Biograph company proved in all courts that they were not infringing on Edison and for years Selig, Lubin, et al., made pictures practically unmolested. This later day combine or trust was formed to freeze out new manufacturers that were springing up everywhere.
"I built a plant in Detroit two years ago and a score of similar ones sprang up like mushroons only to be closed by Eastman joining the trust and refusing to furnish film stock. There was too much profit and the old liners wanted it.
Half Million Profit Yearly.
"I know one firm that turns out 200.000 feet per week, which means. a profit of over $10,000 or a half million profit yearly. But as Frank Mostyn Kelley says in his sketch: 'There's a storm coming up!'
"J. J. Murdock, the famous vaudeville king with $2,000,000 capital incorporated as the International Producing and Supply company of Chicago, forms the cloud I speak of and I look to see the trust's plate not only fogged, but broken, in the next four weeks. I had a straight tip to that effect while in Chicago Monday.
"Murdock's company has secured the exclusive agency of all European managers except Pathe and Gaumont and they will climb on the new band wagon, for the trust has a third house in Washington lobbying to advance the duty on imported films to kill off Murdock.
Murdock Backed by Millions.
"That will be a hard job, for back of the Murdock, who is general manager of the Western Vaudeville 'Managers' association, stand Martin Beck. Percy G. Williams, Knohl and Castle and other vaudeville magnates, who practically control all the vaudeville theaters with $50,000,000 at their command.
"The Murdock company has a new sprocketless camera and projecting machine that in no way conflicts with Edison, and the Eastman company agrees to furnish them with stock. Their machines and films are placed on the market without license on restriction.
"I have been in the moving picture business since its inception, but I am through with it now with the exception that I intend to root for the opposition. There is an inborn hatred rankling in me against trusts, anyway.
"Twenty years ago I was western manager for an eastern independent oil company. One day I received word from the general manager that our company had been absorbed by the Standard and I was to report for the balance of my five years contract to the Standard manager.
"I stood about a month. One day this pompous manager called me a liar. By the time he was able to leave the hospital I had become an 'angel' for a show and I have followed the footlight game much of the time since. I started an independent circuit on the western coast. Here was where another Casca sword punctured my theatrical toga and I heard Klaw and Erlanger give me the count of ten. And then to have all these lasting injuries heaped on me in the past year. It is really too much.
"Like Stanley Ketchel I refuse to be a has-been and I intend to keep on fighting the trusts until such a time as they get a corner on the quill industry and prohibit an Irishman fro:n using his gift of gab."
The Kalamazoo Gazette, Kalamazoo, mercredi 10 février 1909, p. 3.
Désormais, Edward Shields se consacre à ses activités de manager et on le retrouve directeur d'une salle de Cincinnati :
CINCINNATI, O.
[...]
Edward Shields manager of the Empress, left this week to become manager of the Princess and Avenue, St. Louis. Howard W. Robinson has been appointed manager of the Empress.
Variety, 5 novembre 1910, p. 28
Les activités ne semblent plus aussi florissantes, et c'est à la rubrique des faits divers que l'on retrouve le nom d'Edward Shields et de Sadie Sherman, cette dernière ayant été la témoin, à New York, de l'assassinat du bookmaker Herman Rosenthal, le 16 juillet 1912. S'il ne fait guère de doute que les deux associés sont en couple depuis de nombreuses années, ce n'est pourtant qu'en février 1913 qu'est prononcé le divorce d'Edward Shields et de son épouse légitime Effa Mae Eaton :
Divorce Decrees Granted.
OREGON CITY, Or., Feb. 25.-(Special.)-Decrees fo divorce were granted by Circuit Judge Campbell today in the following cases: Effa M. Shields against T. Edward Shields.
The Oregonian, Portland, mercredi 26 février 1913, p. 13.
À peine quelques jours plus tard, un cyclone s'abat sur la propriété de Marion où Sadie Sherman s'est réfugiée pour échapper à la violence des éléments. Par la suite, les noms des deux associés n'apparaïtront plus ensemble dans la presse. Celui d'Edward Shields figure encore quelque temps dans la presse américaine où il continue avec ses talents de conférencier à proposer au public ses travelogues illustrés.
The Twin Falls Times, Twin Falls, mardi 9 décembre 1913, p. 4.
Sadie Sherman, pour sa part, va poursuivre sa carrière avec un certain succès avant d'épouser, en 1918, le culturiste connu, Rudolph Ottomar Santell. Quant à Edward Shields, qui a quitté Washington pour la Californie, il reste un fervent républicain qui se met toujours au service du parti :
LIBERTY DAY SPEAKER
One of the principal speakers of the afternoon will be Edward Shields who come to California recently from Washington, D. C., where he was connected with the Republican National Committee for a number of years.
He took part in four big national campaigns including the two times McKinley was elected and has a national reputation as a public speaker. Mr. Shields has been in Selma recently in the interest of the Banker's Life but for the past two weeks has been speaking throughout the country for the Liberty Loan drive.
Mr. Shields will use patriotism for his theme Friday afternoon and will be able to give a talk that will be interesting to both old and young for in addition to his political work he gave illustrated travelogues in the schools of New York and Chicago for a number of years.
The Selma Enterprise, Selma, jeudi 25 avril 1918, p. 5.
On le retrouve peu après directeur de la "Edward Shields company of California" à Fresno à partir d'octobre 1919 :
VISITS COMPANY'S LOCAL OFFICIAL
Edward Shields, general manager of the Edward Shields company of Fresno, was a guest of H. H. Youell, local representative of the concern, on Christmas eve. Mr. Shields says that his company plans to enter the Kern county field on an extensive scale. He is an old time newspaperman having formerly been news editor of papers in Portland, Oregon.
Bakersfield Morning Echo, Bakersfield, vendredi 26 décembre 1919, p. 3.
The Fresno Morning Republican, Fresno, dimanche 18 avril 1920, p. 14.
La "Edward Shields Company" of California est toujours en activité en octobre 1928, alors que la presse diffuse encore ses annonces, puis semble disparaître.
Sources
LABOSIER James, "From the Kinetoscope to the Nickelodeon: Motion Picture Presentation and Production in Portland, Oregon from 1894 to 1906", Film History, vol. 16, 2004, p. 286-323.
