Mary Van Doren was her real name.
Her Belgian father was Charles Van Doren (known to billiard players everywhere as "Professor Kaarlus") and was one of the world's greatest 'fancy' shot exhibitionists at the turn of the century.
The son of a wealthy banker, but not a fan of the business, Professor Kaarlus was actually a language professor and spoke four or five dialects. He eventually made his way to America and began teaching billiards at various clubs and academies. (
example: Benjamin's Academy 116th & Lenox NYC ) He also toured the country showing off his skills as an expert cueist.
The professor also adamantly taught his daughter (Mary/May) to shoot masterful billiards at an early age. Something that she did very well*, but not very willingly. She seemed to resent the prospect of becoming a professional billiard player. In 1915, Maurice Daly wrote:
"
The most remarkable thing about Miss Kaarlus was she lacked enthusiasm and seemed always to be working against her wishes. Otherwise I think she would have excelled most of our professionals. She was only 17, with an athletic figure, beautiful and unassuming, and it was was a great pity for such talent to be indifferent... ...The personification of women in billiards was May Kaarlus. Billiards lost in her the greatest star that ever crossed the billiard horizon. "
* May Kaarlus was ambidextrous and could shoot equally well with either hand
Sadly, Professor Kaarlus developed cancer and began to suffer from extreme pain. He commited suicide early in November of 1921, his lifeless body having been discovered on a beach in Ocean Grove N.J., with his legs wrapped in 53 feet of iron chain. (he believed the chains helped to thwart the cancer)
As for "
what shot did May make" - Personally I dont think there was one in particular. She made many kinds, which she all learned from her father...
Jan 22 1901
The article below offers some clues as to exactly how some of Prof Kaarlus' shots were executed. The assumption is that his daughter would have been taught the same shots, so to learn about his, is to learn about hers..
Link:
Wonders With The Cue - Remarkable Shots By Prof Kaarlus May 9 1892