Remembering Myer Myers: Candy salesman to millionaire to florist

Photo: Wellcome Collection

He was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1893 with the name of Meyer Rothbaum, the son of Austrian immigrants. His father was a bootmaker, but in his book The Lives and Loves of Violet and Daisy Hilton, Dean Jensen writes that Meyer was beaten and whipped by his father for the slightest misbehavior. This led to a thirteen-year-old Myer escaping the temper of his father, by running away and joining a traveling circus.

According to Sarah Miller in her book Violet and Daisy, he abandoned the name Rothbaum after being found guilty of auction fraud, choosing to be called Myer Myers. This then became his legal name in 1927 when he became an American citizen.

In 1913, the famous “Brighton United Twins” were touring Australia as part of a troupe of performers brought together by the showman J.D Williams. The conjoined twins, Violet and Daisy Hilton, had made their debut Down Under at Luna Park in Melbourne on Friday the 13th of December, 1912.

Violet and Daisy Hilton….Pinterest

Other headliners in the show were Le Vant, the Great Australian Illusionist, Baby Ben, a twelve year old boy referred to as “The World’s Fattest Boy.” He weighed in at 351 pounds. Also on the bill were Electra and Electro, a man and woman who delighted crowds when they made sparks arc between their bodies whenever they embraced.

Despite a massive advertising campaign, it quickly became apparent that the appeal of the twins, who were the main attraction of the show, was not what Williams had anticipated….or budgeted for. The show closed after only a week, and the twins, their mother Mary and sister Edith were soon abandoned in Australia by the promoter.

Because of this less-than-stellar introduction to Australian audiences, nobody wanted to employ them…until Mary agreed to take the twins with a traveling circus throughout the outback for a percentage of the receipts. This was a desperate decision as the searing heat of summer in Australia was a challenge to anyone, especially five-year-old twins and their family, making their way from town to town in a caravan of horse-drawn wagons.

This turned out to be a brutal summer, so farmers and laborers had little spare money to take their families to a circus. Consequently, the performances took place to a mainly empty big top.

Along the way, the Hilton family came into contact with Myer Myers, a balloon and candy seller in the traveling circus. He took an interest in older sister Edith, and soon a romance blossomed between the shy Edith Hilton and the extrovert Myer. It wasn’t long before he asked Mary for Edith’s hand in marriage.

In interviews throughout their lives, Violet and Daisy often remembered their immediate dislike of Myer Myers, and the way he took over control of their lives. He insisted that they call him “Sir,” and when they were not on exhibition in the circus, he insisted that they spend their days doing school lessons, and practicing their violins, saxophones and clarinets. They were also kept away from other children. Their adoptive mother Mary at this time was convinced to turn over the management of the twins to Myer Myers.

Over the ensuing years, he signed the twins to traveling circuses in both Australia and New Zealand, and they also played some small theaters, but Myer Myers had his sights on a far bigger prize….the bright lights of America.

So, in June 1916, the family sailed to San Francisco. Myer Myers had set the expectations to American promoters that he was bringing the next “big thing,” and soon after their arrival, the twins became the star attraction with the “Great Wortham Show” a traveling carnival that was about to tour the United States. People around the country flocked to see the young girls, based on the intrigue and mystery that had been drummed up by the ambitious Myer Myers.

Violet and Daisy being tutored by Edith along with Clarence Jr and Max Wortham…Carol Wortham Anspacher

Photo: Burlington Gazette

At the conclusion of the summer tour, the carnival based itself in San Antonio, known to the performers as “Worthamville.” Sadly for the twins, life returned to what it once was, and they were not allowed to associate with other children, and the family rarely went out.

Because they were born in Brighton, England the girls were now known as the “Royal English United Twins,” and at the 1917 San Jacinto Fiesta in San Antonio, Myer Myers secured a prominent pavilion right across the road from the Alamo where onlookers could see the twins.

Myer Myers made sure the twins were noticed. Their pavilion was an impressive structure that resembled a medieval English castle, complete with turrets, and the illusion that it was made from stone. Ushers were decked out in Beefeater uniforms. The speaker out the front blasted out from a megaphone, ”Ladies and misters…girls and boys. Miss out on this one-time opportunity to see the world-famous Royal English United Twins and, mark my word, you’ll regret it until the day you begin your eternal sleep.”

Myer Myers also proved himself to be a master of promotion and publicity. When the twins were touring, he would ensure that they paid a visit to the mayor of the city (and if it was a state capital, the governor) He had realized that the press were always buzzing around these leaders looking for a story, and consequently, because of these high profile visits, Violet and Daisy were constantly rewarded with spreads in these newspapers.

Because of the reception they received in San Antonio, Myer Myers decided to base his family here, buying a ranch on the outskirts of the city. After investing in a few more properties, he purchased a vacation home on Medina Lake, and a large 300 acre farm near Poteet. He befriended Emmett Sweeney, a prominent attorney and businessman, and his daughter Camille became the only playmate that Myer Myers would allow access to the twins, who were living in what one could describe as solitary confinement.

Camille Sweeney later went on to become a San Antonio celebrity herself when she married and owned a much-loved bookstore in town. She was then known as Camille Rosengren.

Camille Rosengren…San Antonio Express News

Even after the success of the twins in the traveling carnival, Myer Myers found that trying to get the girls into vaudeville proved to be a difficult task as they were perceived as “freaks.” He could not get a meeting with the booking agents around the country. However, finally The New York Evening Journal published a lengthy article about Violet and Daisy’s visit to the Big Apple. The report gushed about the girls, and soon after that, Myer Myers received a call from the owner of one of the country’s largest vaudeville theater chains. He was open to giving the twins an audition. 

However, totally overwhelmed with the size of the auditorium, the sixteen year old twins froze, and although they tried to sing and play their instruments, it was a disaster with the agent’s representatives and the manager of the theater, storming out in disgust. Myer Myers was furious.

Soon after, Terry Turner, a publicity director for the Loew theater chain called, and even though he heard about the catastrophic audition, he was willing to see what the sixteen year old girls could do. This time, they performed in a small office. Terry Turner was charmed, signed Violet and Daisy on the spot, and proceeded to arrange for new singing, dancing and music coaches to sharpen their act. The Loew theater chain had 350 venues across the country. This was the break that Myer Myers had dreamed of.

Their debut was at the State Theater in Newark. Their appearance caused traffic jams and outside there were lines of people trying to get into the theater.

Photo: Norwich Sun

They began with the twins singing some popular duets of the day, and these were followed by some tunes with the girls playing both saxophone and clarinet.

Photo: Wellcome Collection

For a grand finale, the twins were joined onstage by two sixteen year boys in tuxedos, and the foursome performed a pas de quatre, gliding all over the stage locked together in a unique dancing performance.

Photo: Wellcome Collection

This brought the audience to their feet, and the auditorium was filled with cheers and applause. As soon as the curtain dropped, the Loew group, who had signed them on for $1,000 a week, raised it to $2,800 a week in fear the girls may be poached. Myer Myers was basking in his intuition.

From there it was to Broadway, and as their popularity grew, so did the bank account. The SOLD OUT signs went up, and Violet and Daisy soon found themselves meeting with, or sharing the stage with, stars like Jack Benny, Jackie Coogan, Sophie Tucker, Robert Montgomery, Fanny Brice and the great illusionist Harry Houdini.

However, in their private moments, they would secretly express a desire to each other to escape from the Myers’ clutches, and take control of their considerable wealth. Violet and Daisy had become friends with Harry Houdini during their time together, and after learning that they were essentially broke while the Myers’ lived a luxurious lifestyle, he had strongly encouraged the girls to take control of their public persona and media profile. They carried this advice with them for years to come.

It was around this time that Violet and Daisy found new dance partners…the Dancemedians, which featured a young Leslie Townes Hope…later known as Bob.

Dancemedians ( George Byrne and Leslie Townes Hope)…Dean Jensen

With the twins bringing in over $4,000 a week in 1926 ( approximately $66,000 today ), Myer Myers and his wife Edith decided it was time for a new house, and wanting to become a true socialite in San Antonio, Myer Myers desired a home and estate that showed off just how successful he had become. He began by purchasing land on Vance Jackson.

Photo: San Antonio Light

The home that was subsequently built by Myer Myers was designed by local architect Harvey P. Smith and was a palatial mansion, with large entertainment rooms, 4 huge bedrooms, a tea house, and fittingly, Australian red gum flooring. In 1926 it was valued at $100,000. Today that would be around $1.6 million. The home was also filled with a large collection of Japanese porcelain, and other Japanese items estimated to be worth $40,000 at the time.

The home that Myer Myers built…Pinterest

Even as famous as they were, and bringing in mountains of money, Myer Myers kept the sisters on a tight leash. No associations with other kids ( apart from Camille ) and he totally controlled their lives, especially their wealth. Although the girls constantly asked for some of their earnings, he replied that they were already enjoying an envious lifestyle, and didn’t need any money. He told them that he was seeing that they had everything they needed.

According to Dean Jensen in his book The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton, the twins requested some freedom on their own like going out on shopping trips, and Myers repeatedly told them that if they were seen in public, they would lose the mystique they had achieved onstage. He also reportedly threatened that he could send them back to England where they would be committed to an institution for the rest of their lives. At this time he also became their legal guardian.

In 1928, the entertainment industry changed in such a way it sent shockwaves through the business. Two years earlier, the first talking movies hit the screens, and now they had become so popular that vaudeville theaters were wiring up their buildings for movies, and live stage shows were threatened. Thousands of acts disappeared practically overnight, and Violet and Daisy Hilton saw their bookings decline along with their income. Now they would only be receiving $400.00 a week, and Myer Myers began to panic. By 1929-1930, the twins were spending most of their time in the mansion in San Antonio.

One of the girls’ biggest fans was Harry Hertzberg, a lawyer who had two passions in his life. The first was circuses, and he established a legendary circus museum on the banks of the San Antonio river , which is now the home of the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

The second passion Harry had was carnivals, which attracted him to the Hilton Sisters when he had seen them in San Antonio years earlier.

Photo: Wikipedia

Hearing of their financial plight, Harry Hertzberg befriended them when they came for their rehearsals at a downtown studio…out of the earshot of Myer Myers. He also offered them some free legal advice about possibly gaining independence from the Myers. That’s how they met Martin J. Arnold who had the reputation as a very successful defense lawyer.

They were dealing with him over another legal matter and one day, and after he ordered Myer Myers out of his office, (the girls were 21 years of age and didn’t need a guardian present) the twins were able to have a private conversation with Arnold. He listened intently as the girls told him about their life away from the spotlights. According to Sarah Miller in her book Violet and Daisy, they told him they were “practically slaves” and upon hearing this, he offered his help.

Hilton twins with Martin J. Arnold….Pinterest

A few days later Martin J. Arnold arranged for the girls to be whisked away after a session at their rehearsal studio, and he had them booked them into a suite at the St. Anthony Hotel. The girls then made headlines when, under the guidance of Martin J. Arnold, they began legal proceedings against Myer and Edith Myers.

Photo: San Antonio Express

It was January 16th, 1931. The crowds had gathered outside the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio, and inside the Ninety-Fourth District Court, an estimated 500 people crammed into the courtroom that day to witness the proceedings. Even some 50 lawyers had put their work away to attend the trial. The only ones seemingly missing out on the spectacle were Myer and Edith Myers who were noticeably absent.

Bexar County Courthouse….Author

During the proceedings over the next few days, not only Violet and Daisy, but also Myer Myers and his wife Edith testified as to how the substantial income of the twins was managed over the years. According to author Dean Jensen, there was a lot of emotion expressed by those present. He wrote, “throughout Myer’s testimony, spectators hissed and snorted at the witness’s repeated claims that Daisy and Violet so disdained money that they would refuse it even if it was offered to them.”

There was no jury, and immediately after the conclusion of the closing arguments, the final decision was handed down by Judge W.W. McCrory.

He began by prohibiting the Myers from involvement “in any fashion” in the future affairs of the twins. He ordered that the Myers and their legal counsel return to the court to produce details of the earnings of Violet and Daisy from the previous six years, and to also provide records regarding real and personal property, along with stocks and bonds in their names.

However, he did have some words to say about Myer Myers. The Judge said, ”Jack Dempsey was nothing but a ham-and-egger until Jack Kearns took hold of him and developed him into a national champion. The Hilton twins would not be where they are today had Myers not managed their affairs and proved himself to be a good promoter.”

After reviewing all the documents placed before him, the Judge ordered Myer and Edith Myers to hand over $100,000 to Violet and Daisy, which was made up of cash, securities and personal property. That would be equivalent to $2,025,000 today.

Myer and Edith Myers were permitted to retain ownership of the mansion on Vance Jackson and its furnishings, as well as their 300 acre farm.

Myer and Edith Myers….ebay

But…the twins had their freedom. You can read more about the ensuing life of Violet and Daisy at :-

Violet and Daisy Hilton, San Antonio’s conjoined twins. Their uplifting story facing the odds and adversity.

Not much is known of Myer and Edith Myers following the sensational trial. They did remain in San Antonio, and Myer Myers changed his profession entirely.

Leaving the management of entertainers behind him, he instead turned his attention to managing a nursery. It was located on Fredericksburg Rd.

Photo: San Antonio Express

Photo: San Antonio Express

Photo: San Antonio Light

Photo: San Antonio Express

Today a Burger King restaurant occupies this site.

Myer Myers died 80 years ago this month in his palatial home on Vance Jackson. The house no longer exists.

Photo: San Antonio Light

His wife Edith passed away 35 years later at the age of 96.

Photo: Author

Sources:

San Antonio Light

San Antonio Express

The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton…Dean Jensen

Violet and Daisy…Sarah Miller

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