Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1921, Thomas G. Moses traveled to San Francisco to paint scenery for the San Francisco Shrine Circus. Sosman & Landis were renting the shop at Edwin H. Flagg’s studio. He wrote, “After four hard weeks of hustling, we got the big show ready. In the meantime, I took a run to Los Angeles for two days, to look after some Masonic work. We got the big Shrine show opened October 17th and it was certainly a big hit. Thousands could not get near the building…I think I have laid the foundation for a good job, but you can never tell.”
At this time, Moses was reunited in work with his former business partner, William F. Hamilton. The two had partnered in 1900 to establish Moses & Hamilton. Located in New York, their firm was quite successful in painting a variety of projects, including Broadway shows and many attractions for Fredrick Thompson at Coney Island. Moses & Hamilton closed its doors in 1904 when Moses returned to Chicago, becoming vice-president of Sosman & Landis.
Born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Hamilton moved to New Jersey in the 1890s. Like many scenic artists, he worked all over the country on a variety of projects. He spent most of his early years on the east coast before moving to San Francisco. Hamilton saw the potential for an ever-increasing number of opportunities along the coast. The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine became one of Hamilton’s biggest clients, and he became the director of the Oakland Shrine Circus in 1920. The Shrine needed an experienced personality, such as Hamilton, to secure the various attractions and appropriate staging requirements for the event. The Shrine circuses were monumental fundraisers that generating a substantial amount of capital.
By 1921, Hamilton was featured in a “Variety” article (Vol. IXIV, No. 11. Nov. 4, 1921). The article, “Hamilton’s Special Events,” credited him with creating “an abundance for special scenery” for the Shrine that year.
The following year, Moses returned to work in California again. In 1922 he wrote, “Our work progressed very nicely, in addition to our regular contract, we had some extras and some work for Hamilton to be used at the Shrine Circus at Oakland.” Hamilton was again the director for the Oakland event, as well as delivering the opening address for the Sacramento Shrine Circus that year. (Sacramento Star, 2 Nov. 1922, page 8). The “Sacramento Star” reported “W. F. Hamilton of San Francisco planned and managed the circus.” Over 40,000 people attended the Sacramento Circus in 1922, with all proceeds “turned over to the Shrine treasury for charity and other work.”
Of the Oakland Shrine Circus in 1922, “The Oakland Tribune” reported, “Making good on their promise to offer a program entirely different features in connection with their Mardi Gras and circus, the Oakland Shriners have arranged a real old southern Mardi Gras festival for this evening. Stress is laid upon the fact that the festival will be identical with that which is held every year in New Orleans and other southern cities. W. F. Hamilton, who has produced Mardi Gras spectacles for the southern cities will have personal direction of the event” (28 April 1922, page 15). The article continued, “Hamilton Praised. W. F. Hamilton, the director, is given credit for his achievement by the members of the Shrine.” Hamilton was again hired as director for the 1923 circus too. The “Oakland Tribune” reported, “W. F. Hamilton, the director of last year’s event has been placed in charge of the circus and he declares that from every standpoint the show will be staged on a more lavish and pretentious plane “6 April 1923, page 22). In 1923, proceeds from the circus financed a trip of the Oakland Shriners to Washington. This included securing a special baggage car for the trip, “filled with literature to distribute en route and wherever the occasion offers lectures will be given in Oakland and Alameda county” (Oakland Tribune, 20 March 1923, page 4).
Moses continued to visit with Hamilton whenever he was working near San Francisco. In 1925 he wrote, “I ran into San Francisco for a day or so, met my old pal, Hamilton, had a nice visit, then went to San Jose.”
I am sure that throughout the 1920s, Hamilton placed pressure on his old friend to move west, urging him to leave Sosman & Landis for better opportunities. Near the end of 1921, Moses wrote, “Letters from the Pacific Coast, which offered me all kinds of inducement to come west are all very good, but when I consider my age, I hesitate to make the plunge.” His hesitation would turn into regret as the years passed. If Moses were to jump ship; upend his life in Chicago and move west, it had to happen in 1921. Unfortunately for Moses, he stayed on the sinking ship until the bitter end.
To be continued…
