Oscar Eliason - The Original ‘Dante the Great’
CHAPTER 7 - FRANK ELIASON, POST-1899
It is clear that Frank Eliason continued in show business for many years to come, under the names Frank Dante, The Dantes, and then Frank Frazee. Whilst the many countries he visited makes it difficult to compile a full trail of his journeys, the following references trace the major stages of his career, post-Oscar.
Frank’s death notice is yet to be found. A genealogical website states it as 1923 but without any supporting evidence. The Latter Day Saints genealogy page states only that his death was ‘before 1940’.
Two scarce images of Frank Eliason
The tour made of New Zealand with Edmunda in early 1900 has been documented in Chapter 6.
A news story which received considerable re-publication was printed in the Otago Witness (NZ) on January 25 1900. “It is not generally known that Frank Dante (brother to Dante the Great) many years ago tutored Dante in the art of conjuring, and, being the elder brother, did not take to the black art professionally, since he was entitled to the family estates. He is also the inventor of the many illusions that made the name of Dante the Great famous. The new Dante (the Greatest) commenced a Moaland tour at the Thames on January 10, under the management of Mr Edwin Geach, Mr Adam Cowan in advance.”
While this may be been a useful means of giving Frank some stage credibility, it is substantially untrue, since Oscar was the elder brother (born 1869) and Frank was six years younger (born 1875). Also, as many of Oscar’s illusions were the work of others including Herrmann, this story is more of a publicist’s blurb than fact.
Upon their return from New Zealand, Frank went out on his own account, and from March 29 until August 2 he performed as “Dante” daily at Hudson’s Royal Waxworks in Adelaide, South Australia.
From September 29, 1900 until October 22, Frank appeared in Brisbane, Queensland, with the Royal Burlesque and Specialty Co.
In 1901, Frank started an extensive and exhausting tour of many small townships in New South Wales. At the same time Edmunda was engaged in her own separate appearances. Frank’s business seems to have been up and down, with attendances sometimes reported as poor. A list of his tour dates 1901-1905 is appended to this chapter, as far as can be discovered. However in 1903 there are several almost total gaps in his newspaper advertising, except a limited number of brief notices saying “Dante touring Queensland”, and if that is the case he must have been travelling to some very small towns where mainstream newspaper advertising was pointless.
His NSW travels were in the company of “Mdle. Camille”, and much later reports state that Frank’s wife was a “Sydney girl”. However, at this stage we have no information as to the identity of M.Camille, and it is not certain that this was the same lady who travelled overseas with Frank and married him in 1906.
The major overseas magic magazines occasionally commented on Frank’s whereabouts; however there are several notices which do not correctly line up with advertised dates, so these have been omitted here.
‘Mahatma’, May 1901 - Dante, the Marvelous, (brother of the late Dante the Great), has been touring through the country towns of New South Wales.
‘Mahatma’ July 1901 - Madame Dante is not doing well with her show. Frank Dante (brother of Dante the Great) is touring for himself in Australia. Unfortunately, he has encountered many reverses.
Conjurers' Monthly Magazine, April 1903 - Frank Dante, brother of the late Dante the Great, is still in the East, and doing exceedingly well. Dante's great forte is "making good" in every place, and the public does the rest.
Stanyon's Magic, June 1902 - (From G.Anderson, dated April 1, New Zealand) Madam Dante, widow of Dante the Great, started on the road with a conjuring show but could not make it pay. She is now doing the halls with an illusionary dance, and is at present in New Zealand. Frank Dante, styling himself as "Dante the Marvellous", set out with a variety show doing a magic act but has had no luck. He is at present in West Australia. [This does not match with April dates showing he was in NSW]
The Sphinx, July 1903 - F.Dante, brother of the late Dante the Great is touring N.S.W and is assisted in The Beggar's Dream, the Simla Séance and his many mystifying feats by Madame Camille. Madame Dante (widow of the late D.) is about to return to America, and will probably be tendered a well-deserved benefit before she leaves. She has made hosts of friends in the colonies.
The Sphinx, August 1903 - Dante the Marvellous is reported to be doing well in Queensland.
The Sphinx, January 1904 - Dante, the wonderful is still touring Queensland.
‘Mahatma’, January 1904 - Dante, the Marvellous, is reported to be doing well in North Queensland.
The Sphinx, April 1904 - Frank Dante, who has been presenting his entertainment of 'Magic Up To Date' for quite a considerable time in North Queensland, goes to Manila and the East.
Stanyon's Magic, May 1904 - (From Robert Kudarz). Frank Dante (brother to the late Dante the Great) is also bound East after finishing Queensland.
The Sphinx, August 1904 - Dante the Marvellous is still in Queensland, doing fair. He will visit Manila, after finishing there.
‘Mahatma’, January 1905 - Dante the Second (Oscar Eliason's brother) who picked up the business at the death of poor Oscar, is evidently progressing as favorable reports are in circulation regarding his show in West Australia.
[Quite why Frank would have travelled far west to Western Australia, and then had to journey way back east to New Zealand is not known, but it may indicate that his plans were in flux].
‘Mahatma’, February 1905 - Magic in New Zealand is represented by Kellmann, Zamoni, and Victor; Western Australia by Dante the Wonderful; and by Lazern the Mystic, in Tasmania...
‘Mahatma’, June 1905 (New Zealand Notes) - Mr. Percy Dix informs me that he has engaged a most wonderful conjurer, "Dante the Great," and that he arrives here next week from Australia. Let us hope that our newcomer will be more successful than any of those that have appeared under the Dixan banner of late.
The Sphinx, June 1905 - Dante, the American conjurer, is in Auckland [New Zealand] with Rowley's wax works and is well spoken of by the press. Abomah, the African giantess, is also with the show, as is also Dr. Rowe.
‘Mahatma’, September 1905 - Dante has gone to Manilla where most likely he will be on the lookout for a "Plugger".
The Sphinx, January 1906 - Dante, the wonderful, writes me from Shanghai, where he is successfully presenting magic up-to-date and Shadowgraphy at the Lyceum Theatre.
The Sphinx, July 1906 - Dante, the Wonderful, is in India doing well, so much that he was unable to cope with the receipts single-handed, and wisely called in Cupid, who did the tricks. Congratulations, Frank, from Maoriland. [The obvious message is that Frank had married, but whether this was to the former “Mdle. Camille” has not been confirmed.]
Tom Selwyn, globe-trotting magician who was the mentor to Les Levante and ultimately settled in Australia, wrote a short reminiscence of meeting Frank in Rangoon, presumably around this time:
“I was performing in Rangoon, Burma, when Frank and his wife came to my hotel to see me also to ask my advice as to towns to play, routes, etc. Frank's wife was a Sydney girl and she played the piano while Frank put over his two hours of small tricks. I soon put him wise as to his best places, etc. to show. There was at that time only one place for any small show to play and that was to the soldiers and there were barracks in almost every town or cantonment.
I left Rangoon but met Frank in Mandalay shortly afterwards and he told me he was doing well and had quite got into the ways and habits of the English Tommy, who usually lets you know whether he likes your show or not. Frank told me all about the tragic death of his brother Oscar (Dante was accidentally shot in Dubbo, NSW) and about Australia in general.” [From a series of articles titled Pleasant Magical Memories, in the Australian magician’s magazine “The Magic Circular” c.1941]
The Sphinx, June 1907 - Frank Dante while in India got laid up in the Sassoon Hospital at Poona, with enteric. Glad to say he all right again and doing business satisfactorily, alike to himself and his audience. After Rangoon he proceeds to Penang and the Malay states.
Magic Mirror (magazine of the Australian Society of Magicians), March 15 1909 - Frank Dante has left Manila and is touring Southern Islands with a good show.
Edwards Monthly, September 1909 - Before this appears in print, Frank Dante will have jumped from the East to the West, having left Yokohoma, Japan, for Seattle, Wash., U. S. A., en route to Alaska, where he is engaged to present the remarkable performances he has been giving for this long time in the East. Frank must indeed be quite an Oriental scholar by this time.
Daily Alaska Dispatch (Juneau, Alaska) October 7 1909 – A large sized house greeted the Dante-Durwood performance at the Natatorium last night. The bill was given as advertised and the spectators all speak highly of the program. The same company will appear at the Natatorium this evening. 
Bellingham, November 19 1909 – A Man Creates Quite a Sensation. At Pantages theatre last night the management had on their program an act that created quite a sensation. The audience was very much surprised and stunned, but nevertheless, whether it is real or a trick, the Dantes are very clever in their act of Semla Sceance [sic] which they are presenting the last part of this week.
Anaconda Standard, Montana, December 26, 1909 – The ‘Empire’ bill for this week will be headed by the great Dantes, styled English wonder workers. The Dantes have just returned from a highly successful tour of New Zealand, Australia, India, Philippines, China and Japan. The papers in these countries speak in the highest terms of the Dantes, whom they declare to be the most wonderful people in their line ever seen on stage.
It appears that Frank had married (refer The Sphinx 1906, above), possibly to the Madame Camille mentioned in The Sphinx 1903, but no details are currently known. The title being used for their version of the Séance Act, the “Simla Séance”, was also in use by others before and after, so at a later stage the name was changed to the “Fujiyama Séance”.
Lexington Herald, September 6 1910 (Hippodrome) – The Dantes introduce an illusion which makes those in the audience feel in their pockets to make sure their cash is safe. Dante, shut in a cabinet, bound to a chair, hands and feet tied, with no possible chance of using either, rings bells, shoots a pistol and does various strenuous stunts while a committee brought on for the express purpose of finding out just how the stunts are worked, look on dumbfounded. He closes his work by freeing himself from his bonds in the merest fraction of a second.
Lexington Herald, September 8, 1910 (Hippodrome) – … the Dantes, who are presenting an innovation in the shape of a shadowgraph production…
Now, the stage name “Frank Frazee” makes an appearance in connection with Frank’s (solo?) shadowgraphy routine.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 8, 1910 - Frazee's shadowgraphs were artistic. Jack Brown had a hilarious time on roller skates.
Pittsburg Press, November 8, 1910 - The bill was headed by Prince Albene and May La Brant in a clairvoyant offering ... Frazee shadowgraphs proved very diverting.
Sun, Baltimore Maryland, January 29, 1911 – The Dantes advertisement promising ‘Hand Silhouettes, Fujiyama and mirthful mystery.’
Daily News, Greensboro, North Carolina, March 10, 1911 – The Dantes appearing at the Bijou.
Winston-Salem Journal, North Carolina, March 21 1911 -Last night the Pickwick was packed to the doors at each show and many went away on account of not being able to gain admission.
The marvellous and mysterious work of the Dantes is already the talk of the town, in spite of the fact that they have only given three performances.
"If this is not spiritualism you will certainly give me credit for being mighty quick", remarked Dante at the close of the performance yesterday afternoon. And his was the general opinion of the audience, for he certainly gave a more entertaining exhibition of mysterious work than was ever before witnessed in this city.
He enters a cabinet standing in the middle of the stage and raised but one foot from the floor, with a rope tied in many knots which had been previously examined by a committee from the audience. In less time than it takes to tell it the curtain of the cabinet is pulled back by the lady attendant and Dante is seated in a chair bound hand and foot. Each time the curtain is drawn cow and sleigh bells are rung, horns are blown and all sorts of tricks performed, but the committee on the stage closely watching the cabinet and being permitted to draw the curtain back the instant the least noise was heard, was unable to detect the least effort on the part of Dante as being the cause for the ringing of the bells and the blowing of the horn. To make his work more mysterious he has the committee seals his hands with court plaster and while the horn was being sounded he had a mouthful of water.
Dante will be at the Pickwick Tuesday and Wednesday.
Magic Mirror, August 15 1911 - Frank Dante in United States. He styles himself "Cunning" and has some startling billing out. This is unclear in meaning; there is no indication that Frank was billed under the name “Cunning”, and there were others performing as 'Cunning', ie Cunning the Jail Breaker; in fact, it is most likely that the Magic Mirror had heard of the joint performances by Md. Edmunda and Cunning during that time, and mistakenly assumed that Frank was the male performer.
Washington Herald, April 6 1911 – One of the novelty acts of the season is billed for the Cosmos for next week – the Dantes in their own creation, a “Fujiyama Séance.” The act is said to be a complete mystery and would seem to be a combination of black art, magic, and humor.
Evening Star, Washington, April 9 1911 – Fun, magic, mystery and illusion are combined in the “Fujiyama” séances as they will be given by the Dantes this week at the Cosmos Theater. Their methods are original and the quickness and dexterity with which the tricks and effects are worked will excite interest. No occult claims are made for the work. Whatever merits it may possess in the mystery line are said to be overshadowed by the comedy elements, which reign supreme.
Player, January 12 1912 - Mrs. Frank Dante, of The Dantes, sailed for Sydney, Australia, from San Francisco, on Jan.10. Mrs Dante lost her health while touring through India and China and sails for Australia in the hope that the climate of that country will help her to regain her health and strength.
[Nothing more is known of Mrs. Dante at this stage, and there is no indication that Frank ever returned to Australia after this date].
New York Clipper, April 13 1912 - [Proctor's Twenty-third Street] As a shadowgraph artist, Frazee performed some clever and amusing work. His pictures of animal and well known persons were watched with interest. He closed with a comedy playlet, in one scene, which received hearty applause.
Boston Herald, January 9 1913 - Frank Eliason of Salt Lake City, U. who was discharged from the City Hospital yesterday after a siege of pneumonia, will today be asked by the police of station 5 to swear to a warrant asking for the arrest of a hospital orderly. This orderly is alleged to have appropriated $35 belonging to Eliason and to have decamped for parts unknown.
Eliason, who is a vaudeville performer and whose stage name is Frank Frazee, it was learned yesterday, went to the hospital on Dec. 23. The orderly assigned to assist him in undressing, he charges, took all but 15 cents of his money, saying he was going to deposit it in the office for safe keeping. He then disappeared, it is alleged. The authorities at the hospital say the hospital will stand responsible for the loss.
The Sphinx, November 1913 - Frank Dante, brother of Dante the Great (accidentally shot in Australia some time ago), is doing shadowgraphy at several of the local theaters.
Harrisburg Telegraph, June 18 1914 - The third act on the bill is a silent one, but nevertheless pleasing. It is an exhibition of shadowgraphy by Frazee.
Variety, November 1914 - [possibly appearing at Princess Theatre St Louis?]
Variety, May 13 1921 - Ill and Injured - Frank Frazee, vaudeville, fell, fracturing his skull. Taken to Bellevue Hospital in a serious condition.
The Sphinx, March 1942, page 15. - An article by Eugene Laurant. [referring to a date which appears to be 1898] In Salt Lake City, I met Oscar Eliasson [sic], a young, well-informed magician who had taken "Dante" as his stage name. At that time he was assisted by his brother, Frank, in presenting a so-called Spirit Séance - a feature which aroused much comment. He was enthusiastically preparing for a tour of Australia, where he hoped to make a double reputation for himself as magician and hunter. Not long after our chance meeting, word came from Australia that Eliasson [sic] had been killed in an accident while hunting kangaroos. Years later, I met his brother Frank again; he was performing the Spirit Séance in vaudeville. It was a beautiful act, thoroughly mystifying. Even today I can say I have never seen the Séance more artistically presented.
Frank’s Australian / NZ Tour Date listing, 1900-1905
1900
New Zealand to February
March 29 - August 2 at Adelaide Hudson's Royal Waxworks.
September 31 to October 22 Theatre Royal, Brisbane
1901
February 13-15 Tobin's Hall, Bourke
Heading to Nygan and Cobar and 'down the line' on February 18
February 27-28 Australian Hall, Orange
June 7-8 School of Arts, Nowra
September 17 Temperance Hall, Hobart TAS through to Oct 26
November 15 Town Hall, Oatlands TAS
November 29 Anchor Hall, Lottah TAS
Returned to Sydney late December
1902
January 18 heading towards Cootamundra
January 29 School of Arts, Bombala
February 3-4 School of Arts, Cooma
February 11 Protestant Hall, Queanbeyan
February 12 Bungendore
February 20-21 Literary Institute, Braidwood
February 28 and March 1 Crookwell Hall, Crookwell
March 14-15 Oddfellows' Hall, Adelong
March 16? Walker's Assembly Hall, Gundagai[?]
Quinlan's Victoria Theatre, two nights around Easter
April 3 Excelsior Hall, Wyalong
April 4-5 Oddfellows' Hall, West Wyalong [attendance was said to be poor]
April 30 Town Hall, Mudgee
May 13 Empire Hall, Torbane
June 20, 26, 27 Oxford Hall, Inverell
No advertising seen until September
September 3-4 Federal Hall, Lismore 
September 12 School of Arts, Byron Bay
September 27 Bridge St Hall, Coraki
October 3-4 School of Arts, Maclean
October 30 Coopernook
October 31 Harrington
November 1 and 3 Belmore Hall, Taree
November 5 Wingham [very poor attendance]
1903
February 13 Araluen
February 14 Major's Creek
February 16 Literary Inistitute, Braidwood
March 21 Oddfellows' Hall, Adelong
March 24-25 Victoria Hall, Tumut
April 18 School of Arts, Canowindra
April 27-28 Peak Hill
May 19 Tobin's Hall Bourke
Reported to be travelling to Louth, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Hungerford, Cunnamulla.
May 29-30 New Hall, Wilcannia
No advertising seen until July 8,when advertisement says "Dante touring Queensland"
Again, no advertising until October 28, then same brief "Touring Queensland"
October 27 Bridge St Hall, Richmond
1904
January 13-14 Cairns, QLD
March 7 School of Arts, Mackay QLD
March 16 reported at Rockhampton
March 20 "coming to Claremont Town Hall"
March 29-30 Shire Hall, Barcaldine
May 14 approx. - Mount Perry
May 20 School of Arts, Charleville
May 24-25 Oddfellows' Hall, Toowoomba
July 8? St. George contemplated
July 21-22 Oddfellows' Hall Roma
September 1-10 King's Hall Newcastle
November 5-December 10 Palace Gardens, Cremorne W.A.
1905
February 4 - New Zealand opening with Rowley's Waxworks, Palmerston North
February 16-20 - Drill Hall Wanganui
March 1 - Theatre Royal, New Plymouth
March 12 - Federal Hall, Auckland
Apparently returned to Sydney but returned to NZ in May
May 11 - June 9 Theatre Royal Wellington with Dix's Gaiety Company
From here, Frank departed to Manilla