In 1861 Edward Munn Burdick was born in Baldwinsville. He became known as the King of Conjurers. His stage name was Ed Reno and he was known to be a decidedly original individual. He entered the world of magic in a unique way, attracting audiences at a county fair as a drummer. He earned 10 cents per day but only lasted three days. The magician he played the drums for was Collier, who taught him how to spit fire, swallow knifes and other classic magic tricks. He never forgot those lessons and incorporated those skills for the rest of his life. After the county fair and Collier moving to another town, Reno carried on with magic by putting together a show he used at local schools. When he was 15 he was discovered by a promoter, who convinced Reno’s mother to allow him to travel to Australia and England to perform in small theaters. After that year of travel Reno spent the next three years travelling with a comedian named Vann. They called themselves “Reno and Vann’s Mystic Consolidation.” He travelled another eight years with the “Reno and Alvord Circus.” By the end of that time Reno became interested in the possibility of presenting a Lyceum magic show. Lyceum was an institution of “traveling shows of lecturers, acting companies, singing groups, and variety performers that brought “culture to a tent.” Reno decided to begin with the Southwestern Chautauqua Association of New York State. The magicians of that era performed in tuxedos and were well-groomed. This was something Reno never seemed to be able to do. After a performance in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin the writer wrote, “The general impression concerning Reno, who appeared here last night, was quite favorable. He gave a pleasant entertaining evening. There is one point I would mention: it would be much better if he would be more careful of his personal appearance, and if his props could be made more attractive. His clothes were soiled and grimy, and the trappings of his act were dirty and worn. We had him eat in our dining room and his table manners were atrocious.” One year later he sent this message to the Lyceum bureau: “I have an invitation to EAT with a businessman’s club in Grass Lake. Leave it to me. I endeavor to eat all in sight!” The King of Conjurors died in 1949, still performing at 87 years of age. No one from Baldwinsville has ever surpassed the magical, theater of arts, presented by Reno through magic, ventriloquism, or comedy. He was named one of the outstanding American performers of all time. He was given an honorary membership into the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He was the dean of the Society of American Magicians. He has been forgotten by many in Baldwinsville, but he never forgot Baldwinsville.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 01:19:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015