THE DEMONS CLUB

It was the fall of 1911 when America's first magic "union," The Society of Baltimore Magicians had disbanded.  Arthur D. Gans, Thomas C. Worthington III and a few others however decided to form a stronger union among magicians.  The Demons Club was inaugurated on December 7, 1911 at Gan's home in Roland Park.

 Arthur D. Gans

 Thomas C. Worthington
Learn more about him right here...
http://themagicofbaltimore.blogspot.com/2013/08/thomas-worthington-iii-baltimores.html

 Frank P. Knight and Charles Ziegler were elected President and Vice President. 
It was Zeigler who in fact came up with the name, The Demons Club. Early meetings were held at Lafayette Hall and at members home until the finances of the club were stronger.

 THE DEMON'S ORIGINAL CLUBHOUSE 
700 Lafayette Avenue (downtown Baltimore)


 The Demons Club was the first magic club in the world to have its own club house and moved in here on September 17, 1917!   The Demons met bi-monthly and would occasionally had an open house, welcoming all to come visit and be amazed. 

Those early years were of many opportunities and the club progressed rapidly in membership and activities. On March 26th, 1914 the first Demon’s banquet to Howard Thurston, America’s foremost magician, was held.

The officers for that memorable year were:

Arch Demon Supreme 
Harry Kellar

Honorary Arch Demon Supreme  
Howard Thurston

Arch Demon  
Thomas C. Worthington Jr

 Vice Arch Demon 
Charles Fulton Oursler

and Demon Scribe and Treasury Imp Louis Smith  (see below)

 THE DEMONS CLUB 
Wearing their red and horned Imp caps
(left to right) 
Woben Smith, George Most, Ed Yeyl, Louis "Imp" Smith, Harry Watkins, Seymour Ziegler and Joe Bruno.

Magicians that have appeared on the stage of The Demons Club

ALEXANDER
 JOHN CALVERT
 THEO BAMBERG
 HOWARD THURSTON
HARRY BLACKSTONE SR.
HENRY RIDGELY EVANS 
 HARRY HOUDINI
  DANTE


    In those days, if you asked a magician anywhere in the world if he knew of the Demons Club, the answer would most likely have been “YES!”

December 13, 1923

Arthur Gans performing his renowned billiard ball routine for a banquet at Mount Royal Station organized by Gans and the B&O railroad in the “Martha Washington” diner and club car!

How cool is that?

The tickets said “KELTHURMA”

(the name derived from Kellar/Thurston/magic)

DEMONS CLUB MEMBERS
OF THE PAST
 (UNDER DEVELOPMENT)

Bruno, Joe

Dane, Jack

Hambuger, Dr. Louis (noted doctor at John Hopkins)

Kellar, Harry

Oursler, Fulton C. 
Price, Harry 
Smith, Louis "Imp"

Smith, Woben

Test, Robert W. (Director of Baltimore's better business bureau)
Thurston, Howard

Watkins, Harry
Worthington, Thomas C.
Yeyl, Edward
Zerr, William 

Ziegler, Seymour