There were many projects completed at Sosman & Landis that were not mentioned by Thomas G. Moses in his memoirs. In 1912, Sosman & Landis delivered scenery for “The Little Homestead.” The “Idaho Republican” described, “The entire production is the work of those famous artists, Sosman & Landis of Chicago” (Blackfoot, Idaho, 12 Jan. 1912, page 8). “The electrical effects for the production were provided by the General Electric Co. of Pittsburg, Pa.”
As W. B. Patton’s play toured the United States, advertisements promised “A Big Scenic Production. SEE the Famous Old Southern Mansion. SEE the Black Gorge of Virginia. SEE the James River in Winter. See the Great Fields of Ice” (“Daily Appeal,” 5 Feb. 1912, page 4). The production was a southern play about old Virginia, staged in picturesque settings. The “Montpelier Examiner” reported, “There are four big acts in this production, showing some of the most beautiful scenery, such as Old Black top mountain of Virginia in winter; the famous James River as it flows down from the mountains with its great fields of ice; the great black gorge where lies “Little Homestead;” Colonel Fairfax’s grand old southern mansion near Richmond, Virginia; and the battlefields of old Virginia (12 Jan 1912, page 5).
The “Oakdale Leader” commented, “This play has been the rage in the eastern states for the past three years and produced for the first time in the west by Messrs. Droffops & Jack. The management guarantees this to be a strictly first class production in every respect, a mammoth scenic production. The play ran for over 300 nights in Chicago and 200 nights in Boston”” (15 Feb 1912, page 1).
To be continued…
