New Fella from Florida

[MysteriousSmith]

Hi there, I'm glad you took up Sourdough Jim's invitation! Looking forward to seeing/hearing more from you. As an aside....when I was a kid there was a western movie titled "Whispering Smith", still remember the title, not a whole lot of the movie.

That’s a good name too, I gotta check it out. I took my handle from a old advertising broadside that I found. It’s quite large promoting a SENSATIONAL COFFIN ESCAPE for an early 20th Century magician named MYSTERIOUS SMITH. Best as I can find, he was a small and refined Frenchman doing a traveling show in the Midwest.  Not much in the history books but I have the cool poster framed!

[sourdough]

Historically, there was a Mysterious Dave (Mather). His story is quite interesting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysterious_Dave_Mather

[MysteriousSmith]

Hey sourdough, that’s some story.  A Yankee gunslinger becomes a repeat-lawman between committing crimes and running dancehalls and a brothel? A few murders, too. Different times for sure.  Thanks for sharing!

Mysterious Smith - the Continental-mannered Frenchman - lived in Cedar Rapids and was known for his grand illusions show. He took the name “Smith” as it impressed him as being typically “American.”  His wife did a mind-reading act as Madame Olga. He quit performing in 1932 due to health issues after moving to Warrenville, IL. All else is lost to history.

[Pustic]

I’m in St. Petersburg. If you lived in Lakeland, you know it’s a short drive from I-4; a very uncivilized road! Mmm, it’s actually Florida drivers.

I always liked going to St. Pete, but I didn't like I-4. Is the giant Confederate flag still flying on I-4 near Tampa?