Chapter XIV: Introduction (14)

DAN. DALY, of the great Daly family, brother of “Cap” Bill, Tom, Bobby, Lizzie, Margaret and Lucy Daly, and a great comedian, did a black-face act with his brother Bobby, Barney Fagan and another, called the “Black Surprise Party,” at the Howard Athenaeum in Boston, Mass., week of January 31, 1876.

Dan Daly died in New York, March 26, 1904.

EDDIE MANNING (Egan) was the protege of Billy Manning, and a comedian of unusual talent. His first professional appearance was about 1870. About 1880 he joined Haverly’s Minstrels, and remained with them practically until his death. Mr. Manning was born in Columbus, Ohio; he died there April 25, 1892; age 32 years.

W. L. DOCKSTADER (Wm. Lee) is known to vaudevillians and others, far and wide, as the manager of the Garrick Theatre, Wilmington, Del.

In the late 80’s in conjunction with Charles Dockstader, they traveled as the Dockstader Brothers, doing a black-face act.

CHARLES TURNER (Trainor) made his first professional appearance with Sam Price’s Minstrels.

About 1874, with his two brothers, he did a black face act in the variety houses three years. About December, 1877, he formed a partnership with Charley Gilday.

He was with Haverly’s Mastodons; Rice and Hooley’s, also Carncross’, and Dumont’s Minstrels in Philadelphia.

In 1896 he formed a partnership with John Murphy, which lasted several years. Outside of minstrelsy, Mr. Turner has been with David Henderson’s Extravaganzas, also the “Twelve Temptations.”

Charles Turner was born in New York City, January 20, 1860.

EDW. P. GILDEA, a song and dance performer, and early partner of Frank McNish, died in Rochester, N. Y., July 28, 1890.

TOM ENGLISH is Irish, originally from Great Britain, now of New Britain. Wonder if he knows Charley Britting, the rotund restaurateur of New York?

Mr. English did a musical act of more than ordinary merit. His first appearance was as an amateur in Turner Hall, New Britain, Conn., in 1876. Four years later he made his professional debut with Heywood Brothers’ New York Serenaders.

In 1881 he joined Hi Henry’s Minstrels, where for five years he was one of the features of that organization.

After two years in the variety houses, Mr. English went to London, and subsequently most of the principal cities of Continental Europe.

Returning to the United States, he joined Hyde’s Comedians, September 5, 1892. Mr. English made several trips to Europe after his American engagement, and likewise met with success in Australia and South Africa.

His last professional appearance was at the Palace, on the Isle of Man, August, 1902. He is now an old resident of New Britain, Conn.

Tom English was born in Portarlington, Ireland, September 4, 1860.

FRANK MCKEE, the well-known theatrical magnate, was press agent for Leavitt’s Gigantean Minstrels in 1882.

ARTHUR JOHNSON, of the old song and dance team of Harrington and Johnson, is now with Mrs. Johnson’s Pickle Company. This is not a farce-comedy as one might believe, but a permanent organization with headquarters at Richmond, Va. The author hopes to sample those pickles on his next trip to the Old Dominion capitol.

CHARLIE HAYWOOD (Wilson B. Howard) was one of the original members of the Clipper Quartette, organized in 1879, of which he was the bass singer.

He remained with the quartette about three years.

He was born in 1861, and died at Peak’s Island, Me., July 12, 1889.

MATT MCELROY was a banjoist of uncommon ability. He made his first appearance with Hooley’s Minstrels in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1876.

In 1877 he joined George M. DeVere in a double banjo act, and continued with him two years, after which he worked with Harry Colby, as Devere and McElroy.

Subsequently he had various other partners.

In 1886 he married Nellie Mordaunt.

Mr. McElroy was born in Boston, Mass., July 16, 1861; he died in Pittsburg, Pa., July 6, 1894.

MARK MURPHY, the celebrated Celtic comedian, was not always thus. In the Spring of 1877 he was a member of Sargent’s Minstrels in California.

Mr. Murphy was not born in Cork--but knows how to use it.

(Courtesy of Byron Studio, New York)

PRIMROSE AND DOCKSTADER’S MINSTRELS;

Victoria Theatre, New York City, about March 1, 1902.

Reading from left to right--Neil. O’Brien, Harry Howard, Edw. Le Roy Rice, Geo. Sinclair, Harry A. Ellis, Fred. Gladdish, Franklyn Wallace, Jas. B. Bradley, Wm. H. Hallett, Geo. Primrose, ----, Wm. Scott, Charles Parr, ----, ----, Eddie Leonard.

Puzzle--Find “Slim Jim” Dukelan, “Mike” Latham and the Foley Twins.]

WM. S. CLEVELAND for several years held one of the highest positions in the realms of burnt-cork amusements.

It was of him that the late William H. West once said--“that he was the greatest executive that minstrelsy ever knew.” Like several of his contemporaries, he began his professional career in an humble capacity in his native town, and shortly after went away with a circus.

In 1882 Mr. Cleveland was lithographer with Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Minstrels; the three succeeding years he was with the Gigantean Minstrels; Barlow, Wilson’s Minstrels, Cal. Wagner’s Minstrels and Hallen and Hart’s Company.

July 30, 1885, he assumed the management of McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels at the inception of that organization, and continued in that capacity for two seasons.

July 18, 1887, he became manager for Haverly’s Minstrels, and one year later the famous Haverly-Cleveland Minstrels blossomed forth.

A few years later Mr. Cleveland launched the company that bore his name, and the trade-mark continued as Cleveland’s Minstrels for several seasons; at one time there was three or four minstrel companies on the road under his name.

In August, 1898, in conjunction with George Wilson, he organized the Cleveland-Wilson Minstrels, a splendid company that had a brief existence.

His next minstrel venture was in Chicago, where on September 28, 1901, at Steinway Hall, he opened with Cleveland’s Minstrels; the season closed December 21, following. Two years later he returned to Chicago, and on October 31, 1903, he opened a theatre on Wabash Avenue, giving drama and vaudeville; the Iroquois fire of December 30 following closed the theatre.

He re-opened March 5, 1904, with vaudeville and continued until December 10, at which time he bid adieu to Chicago, theatrically speaking.

In the Spring of 1907 he embarked in the vaudeville agency business in New York, where he is now located.

William S. Cleveland was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, about 1861.

ED. ROSENBAUM, the well-known manager, was press agent for Cal. Wagner’s Minstrels, commencing about December 1, 1873; and not only that, but on April 8, 1881, at Hartford, Conn., in the American Theatre, sang “Old Black Joe.” In black-face? Well, certainly not green.

JOE HART (Boudinot), now rated as one of the foremost vaudeville producers, but recently as one of the firm of Hallen and Hart, was a good black-face performer more than thirty years ago.

For instance, January 24, 1880, at the Bowery Garden Theatre, New York, Mr. Hart was doing a song and dance called “My Little Treasure.”

Also on the same bill appearing with Charles Allen, as Allen and Hart in a musical act.

August 16, 1886, Mr. Hart joined Charley Reed with the Chicago Minstrels, in that city.

September 11, same year, he opened with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, where he met with conspicuous success with his banjo solos.

Joe Hart was born in Boston, Mass., about 1861.

NAT. HAINES (Wm. Vincent Frazee). And now comes Nat. You know Nat, do you not? Well, here’s the story of his life. He made his first appearance “acting up” at Dramatic Hall in his native city, in 1875, doing an acrobatic “Essence.”

In February, 1876, he went to Harry Hill’s, also New York, where many a prominent performer of to-day received some of their best schooling; Mr. Haines hibernated at Hill’s for one year at $2.00 per--not year, but night.

In 1877 he played his first minstrel engagement with Whitmore and Clark’s Company, and continued throughout the season. The next two years Haines was with Haverly, after which he rounded out a season with I. W. Baird’s Minstrels.

Mr. Haines next “doubled” with Bob Richmond, and later with Hap Ward and Jim Brevarde they formed the Four Diamonds; this act was a glittering success, and like all good diamonds, was worth the money.

Haines and Vidocq formed a partnership in 1884, and continued three years, after which Mr. Haines was one of the “American Four” for two seasons. In 1889 he again joined Vidocq, and were together two years. In 1891 he formed an alliance with Joe. Pettergill, and as Haines and Pettergill they played all the principal vaudeville houses for seven seasons. The famous “Pool Room” act performed by this duo, was one of the funniest skits ever seen.

Mr. Haines again rejoined Vidocq, and continued with him until 1904, after which he performed a black-face monologue for several seasons with flattering success.

About a year ago Haines and Vidocq for the fourth time united, and are at present together.

Nat. Haines is unique in his particular line; always original and spontaneously funny.

He was the first performer that conceived the idea of “planting” a hatchet in the head; since extensively copied.

Nat Haines was born in New York City, June 16, 1861.

TOM MARTIN, a well-known black-face performer, entered the profession at an early age, and at various times had as partners Johnny Ray and Tom Lewis.

He had been stage manager at Pastor’s Theatre in New York about five years prior to his death. His last appearance was made there.

He was born in Boston, Mass., in 1861; he died in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 3, 1901.

JOHN E. KELLERD, one of our leading actors, played “Uncle Tom” at the Academy of Music, New York City, for several weeks, commencing March 18, 1901.

Mr. Kellerd was born in London, England, May 14, 1861.

LARRY DOOLEY was a genuine comedian, and although he looked funny because of his excessive avoirdupois, he was nevertheless legitimately humorous.

At the immature age of 17, he enjoyed a local reputation as a song and dance performer in Galveston, Texas, where he had been for several years. He first appeared professionally at the Comique, in the above city, about 1874 with Barry Maxwell.

A few years later he formed an alliance with James Ten Brooke, doing a black-face act. He continued with the latter a few seasons, and then formed a partnership with Ed. Sheehan, which lasted a year.

Subsequently he played a long engagement with Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia; other prominent organizations were Moore and Burgess in London, England; Primrose and West, and Primrose and Dockstader’s Minstrels.

About fifteen years ago he created a black-face comedy part with Hallen and Hart in “The Idea.”

Later he played in white-face with the “Volunteer Organist,” in which he was equally successful.

About 1898, he rejoined Ten Brooke with Primrose and Dockstader, when they renewed former successes.

Mr. Dooley was one of the greatest singing comedians in minstrelsy.

Larry Dooley was born in Harrisburg, Tex., January 19, 1861; he died in Galveston, Tex., July 30, 1904.

W. W. BLACK, the well-known basso who achieved prominence in such productions as “Isle of Champagne”; “Jack and the Bean Stalk”; also with Lillian Russell, Donnelly and Girard and other noted stars, early commanded the attention of the late Col. Mapleson, who desired to send Mr. Black abroad to have his voice cultured. Before this period, however, he had a thorough schooling in that best of all institutions, minstrelsy.

Mr. Black was a member of Austin and Weir’s Minstrels in the late 70’s; subsequently he was associated with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels and Simmons and Rankin’s Minstrels; likewise he was with McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels in 1885-86-87; this was his last appearance in black-face.

W. W. Black was born in Irvington, N. Y., August 10, 1861.

WM. G. NEWMAN, the popular manager of the Garrick Theatre, New York City was billed as the “infant wonder,” singing a ballad at Sam Hague’s Minstrels in Liverpool, England, July 13, 1874.

Mr. Newman was born at sea, March 24, 1861.

GEORGE HALLEN (Smith), a brother of Fred Hallen, and of the black-face team of McAvoy and Hallen, was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., November 14, 1861; he died in Denver, Colo., November 27, 1888.

JOHN E. CAIN is one of the cleverest delineators of the negro character before the public, and it is a distinct loss to minstrelsy that some such organization does not have him on their roster.

His first stage appearance was at the Apollo Theatre, St. Louis, Mo., in September, 1874, with the Future City Minstrels, an amateur organization. Two years later he professionalized himself by joining Johnson’s Dixie Minstrels.

In the Fall of 1876 he joined hands with Billy Wolf, doing a double Irish and Dutch specialty. Mr. Cain subsequently returned to his first love, and did the old-time act of changing from white to black, which he did in ten seconds.

WM. EWERS

DICK. ESCOTT

CHAS. C. PALMER

“SLIM JIM” DUKELAN

CHAS. F. WARNER

FRANK MEYERING

PROMINENT MUSICIANS OF MINSTRELSY.]

June 3, 1883, Mr. Cain opened at the Bella Union Theatre in San Francisco; his success was so pronounced that he remained one year; ultimately he remained on the coast for ten years, playing legitimate and variety houses, including engagements with Oliver Doud Byron, with whom he played principal comedy roles.

Mr. Cain was promoter and builder of the Powell Street Theatre in the big coast city, which opened December 15, 1890. He next engaged as comedian with the C. D. Hess Grand Opera Company. In 1891 he joined hands with Harry Orndorf, and as Cain and Orndorf they did an old-time “nigger” act that was simply great; Mr. Cain, of course, doing the black-face part. They continued as a team for several years.

Subsequently he became identified with the Rice and Barton Company, with whom he has mostly since been identified.

Mr. Cain is happily married to Blanche Newcomb, the youngest daughter of the famous minstrel.

John E. Cain was born in St. Louis, Mo., August 20, 1862.

JENNIE YEAMANS, the famous daughter of a famous mother (Mrs. Annie Yeamans) played Topsy in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in New York, October 20, 1879.

Miss Yeamans was born in Sydney, New South Wales, October 16, 1862; she died in New York, November 28, 1906.

BOB CARMICHAEL was well-known as an able and popular minstrel leader. In the Summer of 1886 he was with Haverly’s Minstrels, and in the Fall of the same year he joined “Nobody’s Claim” Company; the following season he was with Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s Minstrels, and in 1888 with Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels. Subsequently he was associated with Primrose and West’s; his last engagement was with Harry Davis’ Minstrels in Pittsburg, Pa., commencing October 9, 1899.

Bob Carmichael was born in Salem, N. C., where he died November 27, 1899; age 32 years.

EDDIE MARKS (Peter E. Kenny), famous as one of the team of Griffin and Marks, whose “Silence and Fun” act is well remembered, played with his partner in all the principal variety halls of Europe, as well as engagements with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s; Haverly’s, Gorton’s and other well-known minstrel organizations.

He had been in the profession about twenty-five years.

Eddie Marks died in Jersey City, N. J., December 28, 1898; age 36 years.

JAS. B. GENTRY whose performance as the rube sheriff in “Hoss and Hoss” is yet remembered, began his career about 1881, at Yorktown, Va., doing a black-face song and dance with George Leslie; they continued as partners for one year.

About 1883 with Jack Noon he formed an alliance, and for one and a half years they played principal variety houses, doing black-face songs and dances. Another year and a half with Charles Johnson ended Mr. Gentry’s black-face career, since which time he has devoted his talents to characterizations which have placed him on a high place in his profession.

James B. Gentry was born in Richmond, Va., October 8, 1862.

JAS. B. BRADLEY, well and favorably known as one of the best lyric tenors in present-day minstrelsy, began his professional career in 1884 at Memphis, Tenn., with the Ford Opera Company, in the chorus; following this came an engagement of five years with “The Hustler.”

His first minstrel engagement was with Barney Fagan’s Minstrels; subsequently he was with such well-known companies as Al. G. Field’s; Primrose and Dockstader’s; Dockstader and Cleveland’s (Chicago, 1901).

Mr. Bradley has been quite successful with a tabloid minstrel company in vaudeville.

James B. Bradley was born in Charleston, S. C., November 9, 1862.

LEW SULLY (Chas. Sullivan) began “cutting up” in theatres at Omaha, Neb., about thirty years ago; after he learned all about Omaha, he went across the river to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and engaged as stock comedian.

Mr. Sully’s first minstrel experience was with the Beach and Bowers Company, and it sure was an experience. His salary was to be $15.00 per week and “cakes” if he was _good_. While he really went _bad_ in Dixon, Ill., he stood on the streets and told the population how good he was.

Mr. Sully candidly admits that at that period he was a profound drinker; subsequently he became a profound thinker. Later he played successful minstrel engagements with Al. G. Field’s; Primrose and West’s; Primrose and Dockstader’s; Wm. H. West’s, and Dumont’s Minstrels. Also did he spend a period of five years intermittently with Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia, and a season with Haverly’s Company.

Mr. Sully is the author of “Hesitate, Mr. Nigger, Hesitate”; “I Don’t Love Nobody,” and other well-known songs.

Lew. Sully was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., March 28, 1862.

FRANZ VETTA (Louis R. Newmayer), the famous operatic bass singer, was also known as Frank Wetter in minstrelsy.

He first appeared with Geo. Thatcher’s Minstrels in Philadelphia about 1881; subsequently he played engagements with Haverly, and the Standard Minstrels in San Francisco.

He was the husband of Lizzie MacNichol, the well-known opera singer.

Franz Vetta was born in Camden, N. J., in 1862; he died in Riverside, Cal., July 15, 1892.

GEO. W. CUNNINGHAM made his first professional appearance with Tommy Curran, as Cunningham and Curran, at Fraley’s Garden, Jeffersonville, Ind., in March, 1875, doing a black-face act; subsequently he formed an alliance with Ed. Talbott. In 1890 Mr. Cunningham and Ed. E. Grant became partners in one of the most amusing black-face acts on the vaudeville stage; for four years as “The Brutal Brothers” they played the best variety houses and combinations.

Cunningham and Grant dissolved partnership in 1894, after which Mrs. Cunningham (Geneva Smith) and Mr. Cunningham did a white-face act for several seasons.

July 20, 1908, the new firm of Geo. W. Cunningham and Herman Marion was born, and at two years of age is doing splendidly.

George W. Cunningham was born in Brookville, Ind., May 18, 1863.

BILLY PEARL (Jacob Allgier) was known from one end of the country to the other as one of the team of Marion and Pearl.

Mr. Pearl’s first partner was Burt Marion, now of the team of Marion and Dean; subsequently he formed an alliance with Herman Marion, now of Cunningham and Marion. Mr. Pearl had been associated with Vogel’s; Cleveland-Wilson’s; Haverly’s (Nankeville’s); Primrose and Dockstader’s, and other first-class minstrel organizations, including Marion and Pearl’s Minstrels.

Billy Pearl was born in New York, November 27, 1863; he died at Paterson, N. J., June 24, 1908.

BILLY VAN (Van Name), famed far and wide as one of the most unique monologuists, began his professional career at Jeff. Staley’s in Jeffersonville, Ind., doing a black-face song and dance, about thirty years ago.

Subsequently he doubled with Billy Bitt, a midget, and did a break-neck song and dance, and later was of the team of Van, DeVaney, Haley and Flynn. Following this he did a musical act with May Wilson for five years.

Mr. Van’s next partner was Bob Turner, also in a musical act. Separating from Mr. Turner, he joined Haverly’s Minstrels.

Subsequent minstrel engagements were with Al. G. Field’s; Gorman Bros.; Primrose and West’s; Haverly’s (Nankeville), and Wm. H. West’s (Ricaby).

He also played feature engagements with Hopkins’ “Transatlantiques,” Fulgora’s, and Sandow’s Vaudeville Company, of which he was manager.

About 1895 he toured with Billy Van’s Minstrels.

Billy Van was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 25, 1862.

JAMES COOK, of the favorite vaudeville duo of Cook and Lorenz, did a black-face act with Mort. Emerson, in Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s Minstrels, about 1885.

Besides being a good Cook; he can sing and dance and tell comical stories. Fact.

JOHN W. VOGEL is the most prominent of non-playing minstrel managers of to-day.

In 1901, after the death of Col. Haverly, Mr. Vogel assumed the title of “Minstrel King,” by which he has subsequently been known. Like so many successful minstrel executives, Mr. Vogel’s earliest training was with the circus; his first experience was with Sells Bros.’ “Millionaire Confederation of Stupendous Shows”; this was in March, 1882. In the Fall of that year he joined Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels at Cleveland, Ohio, as assistant agent; Mr. Vogel’s executive abilities showed to such advantage that he was subsequently made manager of the organization. Afterwards he piloted successfully such well-known minstrel companies as McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s; McNish, Ramza and Arno’s; Primrose and West’s and McIntyre and Heath’s.

ARTHUR MORELAND

FRANK DUMONT

JOS. M. NORCROSS

HARRY M. MORSE

WM. H. HALLETT
(Scherer Studio, New York City)

VAUGHN COMFORT

“MORE MEN OF THE MIDDLE.”]

He also owned and managed Vogel’s Afro-American Mastodon Minstrels, and “Darkest America.” The present year of 1910 is the fourteenth season of John W. Vogel’s Big City Minstrels. He likewise managed the Al. G. Fields’ Minstrels for seven years.

Mr. Vogel’s success is attested by his elegant Summer residence at Vogel’s Beach, Buckeye Lake, Ohio, and a Winter home in Columbus, Ohio.

John W. Vogel was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, May 16, 1863.

GEO. W. LEWIS is a dancer, is a producer and likewise an innovator; and there you have it all.

Mr. Lewis made his first appearance with the I. W. Baird’s Minstrels, season of 1881-82; he was 25 per cent. of the “Midget 4”; the Whippler Twins and Stone constituting the other three quarters.

From 1882 until 1883 he was a member of the Barlow, Wilson Minstrels; the next year he was with the Haverly troupe, followed by a season in the variety houses with the aforementioned Stone.

McIntyre and Heath’s Minstrels followed the separation of Lewis and Stone, and in January, 1886, he transferred his allegiance to Wilson and Rankin’s Minstrels; at the end of the season he joined Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Company, and continued with them two seasons.

Subsequently he was associated with Geo. Thatcher’s various companies for a period of four years. After this Mr. Lewis entered vaudeville and continued in it for several seasons, but returned to his old love in 1897, when he went with Primrose and West’s Minstrels. The associations were so pleasant that the following year he joined Jack Haverly in his last minstrel venture.

In the Spring of 1900 Mr. Lewis was with Primrose and Dockstader’s big minstrel show under canvas; here he produced the various dances and marches.

Subsequently he was with “Simple Simon Simple” playing a “Rube” character; and with other well-known companies where cork was not used--except after the show. Mr. Lewis was with the Cohan and Harris Minstrels at their inception in July, 1908.

He is now in vaudeville, and may go to Pottsville.

George W. Lewis was born in Easton, Pa., August 28, 1863.

THE ORIGIN OF “DIXIE.”

At various times the authorship of this immortal melody has been attributed to various authors, but many years have passed since it was conceded that Daniel Decatur Emmett, one of the members of the original minstrel organization, was its legitimate sponsor.

Conflicting dates have been given as to when it was first produced. Here is the only true version that was ever published:

“At the request of either Dan or Jerry Bryant, on the tenth day of September, 1859, Dan Emmett was asked to write a ‘Walk Around’ for Bryant’s Minstrels, then located in New York City, at Mechanic’s Hall, 472 Broadway. The next day (Sunday) it was put together, and the following night, September 12, 1859, ‘I Wish I Was in Dixie,’ was sung for the first time on any stage.

A reproduction of the programme is shown elsewhere.

This is absolutely the first time the proper date has been furnished.

JOE HUGHES (Sovey) was raised in St. Louis, Mo., where he entered the profession as an amateur, doing a black-face single turn in 1882; as partners he had in turn a schoolmate whose name was Chamberlain, and later Billy Gray, playing his first engagement at Ninth and Pine Streets, St. Louis, for Howard and Alton, here taking the name of Hughes; subsequent partners were Billy Hart and Tom Glenn. In 1887 he doubled with Jack Symonds, and a year later a clever colored boy, known as “Rastus,” who was quite a dancer, was taken into the act; together they played all the principal variety houses as Symonds, Hughes and Rastus; their minstrel engagements were with Goodyear, Elitch and Schilling’s; Haverly’s; Carncross’, and Lew Dockstader’s; the trio separated in Philadelphia in July, 1895. Mr. Hughes then worked single for a year, and in 1896 he joined Frank Riley, an excellent old darky impersonator; as Riley and Hughes they remained a team for seven years; then one year with Jack Hallen, and on September 24, 1907, and ever since the firm has been known as Golden and Hughes.

Mr. Hughes has a rich dialect, which he knows exactly how to use.

Joe Hughes was born in Chicago, Ill., March 21, 1863.

FRANK V. CHASE formed a partnership with Dan Swift about 1881, and made their first appearance at the Front Street Theatre, Baltimore, Md., doing a black-face musical act--and an exceptionally good one.

They played engagements with Johnson and Slavin’s, Primrose and West’s, and the Cleveland-Wilson Minstrels; they were with the latter in August, 1898.

Frank V. Chase was born in Baltimore; he died there February 11, 1899; age 36 years.

ANDREW MACK (Wm. A. McAloon), the favorite Irish singing comedian and actor, joined Thatcher and Ryman’s Minstrels in Philadelphia December 27, 1880, and as Master Will Le Mack, singing “A Violet From Mother’s Grave,” met with phenomenal success.

Other minstrel engagements followed, notably Cushman and Leon’s, 1883; Haverly’s, same year, and Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s, about 1885.

Mr. Mack was married December 2, 1887; and since then.

Andrew Mack was born in Boston, Mass., about 1863.

LOUIS BALDWIN, a well-known black-face comedian, who with J. Arthur Coburn formed the musical team of Coburn and Baldwin, began his stage career in his boyhood days, and played with well-known minstrel organizations.

His last appearance was with the Barlow Minstrels, under the management of Mr. Coburn.

Louis Baldwin died at Bloomington, Ill., January 9, 1903; age 40 years.

CHAS. SHARPLEY, the junior member of the Three Sharpley’s, was an exceptionally clever musician, and gave promise of a brilliant future when death intervened.

He died in New York City, December 29, 1879; age 16 years.

DAN ALLMON, one of the younger generation of black-face performers, was prominent with Cleveland’s Minstrels in the middle 90’s; as an end man and monologuist he was first-class. His last appearance was with Nankeville’s Haverly Minstrels.

Dan Allmon died at Vancouver, B. C., November 2, 1901; age 38 years.

DAN QUINLAN (Daniel Cullinan) worked in his native city for several years in the rolling mills, and kept on rolling until he got his first professional engagement as property man with the Barlow, Wilson Minstrels in 1883. From this humble beginning Mr. Quinlan rose successively and successfully to the positions of stage manager, interlocutor, manager and finally proprietor. He was identified with such prominent minstrel organizations as McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s; Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s; McNish, Ramza and Arno’s; Geo. Wilson’s; Billy Van’s, and Primrose and West’s Monte Carlo Company, in which Geo. Wilson was starred. He was for six years with Al. G. Field’s Minstrels, serving in the capacity of interlocutor, stage manager and manager. Early in the present century Mr. Quinlan organized the Quinlan and Wall’s Imperial Minstrels, of which he was the proprietor, and conducted for several seasons.

Mr. Quinlan’s first appearance in the “middle” was with Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s Minstrels at Philadelphia, about 1888; subsequently he broke away from the conventional style of the interlocutor, and instead of keeping his seat during conversations, he would walk about, to and fro on the stage, leaving it entirely at occasional intervals; this was a unique departure, and was apparently well liked.

He likewise produced some original first parts, notably “A Reception to the Diplomatic Legion,” “A Day and Night at the Pan-American Exposition” and “International Military Bivouac.”

Mr. Quinlan played vaudeville with Keller Mack, with whom he was associated since January 16, 1905. August, 1910, he formed an alliance with Vic. Richards.

Dan Quinlan was born at Elmira, N. Y., April 21, 1863.

OTIS SKINNER, the representative romantic and Shakespearian actor, during the week of February 18, 1878, at the Philadelphia Museum, played Jerry Blackburn in Frank I. Frayne’s production of “Si Slocum.” There is a suspicion that this was not Mr. Skinner’s only appearance in black-face.

TOM LE MACK (McAloon), well known as a comedian and dancer, as well as the composer of such songs as “Phoebe,” “Little Johnny Dugan” and “The Wedding of the Lily and the Rose,” made his first appearance in minstrelsy at Heuck’s Opera House, Cincinnati, March 18, 1885, with Haverly’s Mastodons.

Subsequently he appeared with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels and other well-known companies.

About fifteen years ago Mr. LeMack formed a partnership with Tom Lewis; they played vaudeville engagements, and a season with Donnelly and Girard in “The Rainmakers.”

JNO. F. FIELDS

FRANK HANSON

(THE ORIGINAL FIELDS & HANSON.)

CHAS. REYNOLDS

GEO. REYNOLDS

(REYNOLDS BROS.)

EVERETT WESLYN

FRANK CASEY

(WESLYN & CASEY.)]

Mr. LeMack was a brother of Andrew Mack, the famed singing Irish comedian.

Tom LeMack was born in Boston; he died in New York City, February 26, 1899; age about 35 years.

RICHARD F. CARROLL, the well-known comedian, and a son of the famous R. M. Carroll, was a member of the great “Carroll Family” for several years in the 70’s, during which time he frequently appeared in black-face.

Mr. Carroll was born in Boston, Mass., October 27, 1864.

SAM BERNARD (Barnett), the favorite German musical star, was not always an assassin of the King’s English--not he. Away back during the season of 1883-84 at the Museum in Providence, R. I., he played the wench part in “The Fellow That Looks Like Me,” and played it so artistically that he received an offer of marriage from Henry White, a colored citizen of Providence, who thought Mr. Bernard was a real darky lady. Honest.

J. HARVEY BRIGGS, a well-known singer, and composer of “Dear Old Stars and Stripes,” began his career with Robinson’s Circus while yet a boy; subsequently he was with the Barlow Minstrels for a season, and later joined the Gorton’s Minstrels, with whom he continued for five years.

Mr. Briggs was married to Marguerite Eleanor, an actress.

J. Harvey Briggs was born at Huntington, W. Va.; he died in New York City, March 30, 1904; age 40 years.

SAM LEE is from the South; so there’s nothing extraordinary in the fact that he is a good black-face performer, which no one disputes.

His first professional appearance was in 1883, with King, Burke and Company’s Circus; Mr. Lee played in the band, which recalls the additional fact that he is a skilled musician.

After the circus came variety houses, where he first put on cork; this was in 1884.

Mr. Lee’s minstrel career began in 1885 as a member of I. W. Baird’s Company; he continued with them for two seasons. The following year he joined the Goodyear, Cook and Dillon’s Minstrel Company.

At Andover, N. Y., July 26, 1889, he allied himself with Gorton’s Minstrels, and remained with that organization twenty years.

The season of 1909-10 Mr. Lee was with the Cohan and Harris Company, where he made a conspicuous success; his playing of the “bad nigger” in the afterpiece of that company was a clever bit of acting.

Mr. Lee, while with the Gorton Minstrels, was associated with the late Joseph Gorton, Jr., for nine years in a musical act.

Sam Lee was born in Lexington, Ky., November 24, 1864.

TOMMY DONNELLY, or Thos. H. Donnelly if you want it all, is a comedian--no one ever said he wasn’t.

He made his first appearance with Heywood Bros.’ Mastodon Minstrels at Athol, Mass., in 1885; it was Donnelly and Markham then.

The next season he joined Hi Henry’s Minstrels, and subsequently appeared with such well-known organizations as George Wilson’s; McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s; Carncross’, in Philadelphia; Al. G. Field’s, and Donnelly and Hatfield’s Minstrels.

Tommy Donnelly was born in Springfield, Mass., May 10, 1864.

AL. CAMERON, formerly known as Alex Cameron, a prominent singer of latter-day minstrelsy, made his first appearance as a Madrigal Boy in Haverly’s Minstrels in 1888; subsequently he joined the Gorman Bros.’ Minstrels, remaining with that organization for six years.

Mr. Cameron afterwards was identified with Primrose and West’s Minstrels for seven seasons, also with the Al. G. Field’s Minstrels.

Al. Cameron was born at Grenoch, Scotland, October 21, 1864.

GEO. W. DAY. When a man can be a member of a prominent minstrel organization for a whole season without the knowledge of the proprietor of said organization, that man must have talents that are nothing short of abnormal. Such a man is Geo. W. Day, or such a man he was in 1892, when appearing before Leopold Fuenkenstein at the Central Opera House, New York City, told that gentleman in response to the question as to whom he had been with the previous season, Mr. Day says he joined Al. G. Field’s without a moment’s hesitation; he might have also added “without a moment’s salary.”

Such was the beginning of the black-face career of Geo. W. Day, which has been devoted mostly to vaudeville, though light operas through the mediums of “The Pirates of Penzance” and “The Mascotte” saw him; he also appeared in “The Finish of Mr. Fresh” and “The Wooing of Mrs. Van Cott.”

Mr. Day’s effusions are always given in neat, straight make-up, which has a tendency to enhance their value.

Geo. W. Day was born July 29, 1864; that’s the very day.

AL. REEVES is one of the greatest living examples of the “13” hoodoo killer.

Right off the reel he started the thing going by getting born at No. 13 Catharine Street; and there’s lots more to come; but all in good time.

Mr. Reeves’ career started at Bunnell’s Museum and Theatre in Brooklyn, N. Y., about 1878; later he worked for Bunnell at Coney Island, N. Y., twelve shows a day, seven shows a week, receiving the princely sum of 17⁶⁄₇ cents a performance.

His debut as a minstrel was with the Healy and Bigelow Company, where he did an act with the late Tommy Mott.

Mr. Reeves then spent several seasons with real shows, and later a year at Carncross’ Minstrels, in Philadelphia.

Then came Al. Reeves’ Specialty Company, and then the hoodoo. Mr. Reeves took over the Criterion Theatre in Brooklyn with the avowed intention of running burlesque companies within its portals. The intention was good, but at that time the “boss of the banjo” wasn’t aware that the house was in its thirteenth season, nor that he was its thirteenth manager; he found this all out at the end of thirteen weeks, when he gave up the management; the thirteen who had purchased tickets had their thirteen half dollars refunded.

Nothing daunted, Mr. Reeves and his Big Beauty Show started on its way, and success has been his; so “give him credit, boys.”

Al. Reeves was born in New York, May 30, 1864.

EUGENE STRATTON (Ruhlman), who is at the present time one of the most pronounced favorites in England of any man that ever blacked his face, began his stage career about 1878 as one of the Four Arnold Brothers.

On the 21st day of October, that year, he opened at Chicago with Haverly’s Original Mastodon Minstrels. He was a member of that company when they opened at the Drury Lane Theatre, London, England, July 31, 1880.

Shortly after this event he went to Moore and Burgess’ Minstrels in the same city, where he remained about ten years.

In addition to being a good song and dance man, he also developed into a fine comedian.

Eugene Stratton was born in Buffalo, N. Y., about 1864.

MACLYN ARBUCKLE, the comedian, who may one day play Falstaff, was a member of the “Lambs’” Minstrels at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, May 31, 1909.

The story that Mr. Arbuckle had blacked nearly his whole anatomy before the veteran minstrel, Raymond Hitchcock, intervened and told Arbuckle that only the face, neck and chest needed the burnt cork, is a fabrication, pure and simple.

ALBERT GUY has long been a member of the Guy Brothers Minstrels, where his superb baritone voice is heard to excellent advantage. As an interlocutor he ranks high.

Mr. Guy has been associated with his brothers professionally practically his entire career.

He was born in New York, January 7, 1865.

CHAS. J. STINE, the well-known capable character comedian, whose efforts in some of the more prominent productions have brought him the prominence he deserves, made his initial bow as a performer as a member of J. N. Gilbert’s Minstrels--we all know Charley Stine, but--“has anybody here seen Gilbert?” This occurred at Ridott, Ill., in 1878; later Mr. Stine did shine as one of the stars of Horace Herbert’s Grand Constellation. Things were “Nip and Tuck” for a season, then he “troubadoured,” and then joined Goodyear, Cook and Dillon’s Minstrels.

After several farcical affairs, Mr. Stine allied himself with George Thatcher’s “Tuxedo” and “Africa” companies.

About 1893 he married Ollie Evans, and as Stine and Evans played vaudeville in this and foreign climes for several seasons.

In 1901 he once again “blacked up” with Dick Jose’s Minstrels in San Francisco.

Mrs. Stine died in January, 1908; subsequently Mr. Stine married Miss Barbara Daub, a non-professional lady, February 24, 1910.

Mr. Stine’s most recent engagements were with Joe Weber’s Company and Max Rogers, of the Rogers Brothers, in “The Young Turk.”

Charles J. Stine was born in Freeport, Ill., August 19, 1864.

ANDY McKEE

STEVIE ROGERS

(McKEE & ROGERS.)

GEO. W. CUNNINGHAM

HERMAN MARION

(CUNNINGHAM & MARION.)

BILLY CHACE

LEW. DAVIS

(CHACE & DAVIS.)]

CHAS. K. HARRIS, the famous author of the famous song “After the Ball,” and other famous successes, did a black-face banjo act for the Elk’s Minstrels in Milwaukee, Wis., about 1898. Mr. Harris was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., May 1, 1864.

ARTHUR DUNN, the abbreviated comedian of many a lengthy musical success, was a black-face song and dance boy with Haverly’s Minstrels in 1881. But that was not the only black-face work that Arthur Dunn.

Mr. Dunn was twenty-three years old, February 23,--1887.

STUART BARNES, the well-known monologist, was formerly a black-face performer. Billed as the “Kings of Ethiopian Comedy,” in a plantation act called “Fish Heads,” Mr. Barnes and his partner played an engagement at the Harlem Museum, New York City, week commencing September 28, 1891. Be it understood that “Fish Heads” was simply the name of the act of Clements and Barnes.

WILL VIDOCQ (Murray), of the favorite, featured, furiously funny team of Haines and Vidocq, contracted the actor fever in 1876, when he was one of the three Vidocqs, a white-face act. Subsequently he was of the well-known acts of Shannon and Vidocq; Hughes and Vidocq; Vidocq and Evans, and Thompson and Vidocq. But long before these he did a black-face turn with Dan. Lester, the old-time clown; this was about 1879.

He first formed an alliance with Nat. Haines in 1884; afterwards they rejoined each other in 1889, 1898 and 1909.

Mr. Vidocq was born in New York, April 22, 1865.

HARRY LEIGHTON, the well-known vocalist, made his first professional appearance at a Sunday concert in New York City, at Wallack’s Theatre, in 1886.

His initial appearance in minstrelsy was with the Haverly Company, at Joliet, Ill., July 18, 1887.

Subsequent engagements were with Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia; Cleveland’s; Dockstader’s, in 1893; Thatcher and Johnson’s, and Vogel’s Minstrels. With the latter organization he has been ten consecutive seasons.

Mr. Leighton has a peculiarly pleasing high-tenor voice, which he uses to the best advantage.

Harry Leighton was born in Bradford, England--and that’s the best the author could get.

BILLY JEROME (Flannery). Everybody knows that Mr. Jerome wrote the lyrics for some of the biggest New York successes, as well as such popular songs as “Rip Van Winkle Was a Lucky Man”; “He Never Came Back”; “Bedelia”; the “Volunteer Organist,” and scores of others; but everybody don’t know that “Billy” sat on the end with Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s Minstrels in 1885, opposite to J. Marcus Doyle; nor that five years later with Billy Buckley did a good black-face talking and singing act. But he did, he did.

Billy Jerome was born in Cornwall, N. Y., September 30, 1865.

JOHN QUEEN (McQueen) achieved equal success as comedian and a song writer. He entered the profession in the early 80’s, and later as Queen, Stowe and Randall was the inventor of the trick house act used by them. He was a long time associated with Cleveland’s, also Vogel’s Minstrels.

He was the author of “Get Your Habits On,” “All Alone,” and many other coon ditties that attained more than usual prominence.

John Queen was born in New Orleans, La.; he died in New York, February 23, 1902.

“HAP” WARD (John O’Donnell) and HARRY VOKES, the famous farceurs who have headed their own organizations for several seasons past, have used burnt cork copiously and freely.

Mr. Ward was a member of the Four Diamonds, a black-face act of about thirty years ago; and Mr. Vokes paraded in many a one night stand while with the Barlow, Wilson Minstrels about the same time. If you don’t believe it, ask Ward and Vokes.

CHAS. HORWITZ, the well-known vaudeville sketch writer and collaborator with Fred Bowers in the production of many great song successes, did an “end” for one night, July 4, 1893, at Long Branch, N. J., with “Barney Fagan’s Minstrels” _without_ Barney Fagan.

Mr. Horwitz was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and looks it.

JOE. CAWTHORNE, one of America’s foremost comedians, played many black-face and minstrel engagements in his varied career. For instance, he and his brother Herbert opened at Sam Hague’s Minstrels in Liverpool, England, December 1, 1879. Doesn’t time fly?

JAS. T. POWERS (McGovern), the popular light opera comedian, played “Useless Maguff,” a _nig_ in hard luck, in the drama of “Wide Awake” at Aberle’s Theatre, New York City, week of March 22, 1880; and he’s proud of it.

GUS. PIXLEY. It’s not hard for him to be a happy Hobo--on the stage.

It was just as easy on March 19, 1883, at the Standard Theatre, San Francisco, with Emerson’s Minstrels, to play Lady Angela, in the burlesque on “Pinafore.” Of course, he was a black Lady Angela; for those were dark days.

DE WOLF HOPPER, the altitudinous comedian, was one of the features of the “Lambs’ Gambol,” in their minstrel first part of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, May 31, 1909. He said, “Gentlemen, be seated,” and they did.

LUCILLE LA VERNE, the favorite character actress, played Judith Clancy, the negro “mammy” in “Clarice,” at the Garrick Theatre, New York, October 16, 1906. Sounds more like an Irish “mammy,” don’t you think?

ARTHUR DEMING is one of the most entertaining black-face performers before the public to-day. He has made St. Louis, Mo., his home for many years, and it was there he made his first professional appearance at McKinley’s Museum, October 7, 1888, in a black-face monologue. A short time afterwards he formed a partnership with Eddie Powers, together they joined Geo. De Haven’s Circus as clowns, also working in the concerts.

In the Fall of 1889 his regular minstrel career began with the Vreeland Company, remaining two seasons. The next two years was Arthur Deming’s Minstrels, allied with Edwin De Coursey’s “A Stranger” Company. In 1893 he joined Cleveland’s Minstrels, closing with that company; he made his first appearance with Hi Henry’s Minstrels, Christmas, 1893, at Carbondale, Pa.; he remained with the Henry Company until the end of the season of 1895-96. Arthur Deming’s Minstrels took the road season 1896-97, and 1897-98 he was with the Haverly’s Minstrels. Vogel and Deming’s Minstrels, 1898-1900; “Don’t Tell My Wife” Company, 1900-01; a return to Hi Henry, 1901-02; a tour of vaudeville, 1902-03, and once again with Hi Henry, 1903-04; Geo. Primrose’s Minstrels claimed him for their own from 1904 until 1906; and vaudeville ever since, where he has met with universal success. Mr. Deming is now playing with much success the black-face comedy part in “Lower Berth, 13,” in Chicago, at the Whitney Theatre.

Arthur Deming was born in Green Bay, Wis., May 20, 1866.

RICHARD CARLE, the famous elongated comedian, author and producer, says he appeared several times as an amateur in minstrel shows, recalling one in particular at the Winthrop Yacht Club in Winthrop Beach, Mass., in the Summer of 1889. Mr. Carle did a capital “end” on this auspicious occasion.

HARRY BULGER, famous for his comedy creations in many Broadway productions, was one of the original members of the Al. G. Field’s Minstrels, whose initial performance was given at Marion, Ohio, October 6, 1886; he was of the team of Bulger and Jenkins.

Subsequently Mr. Bulger joined forces with Sherrie Matthews, doing a black face act.

EMIL HEUSEL, of the German comedy team of Heusel and Walsh, played many black-face parts with Harrigan and Hart in the 70’s and 80’s, and was also a song and dance man with Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s Minstrels in 1885. He was born in New York, April 17, 1866.

AL. HART, famous for his impersonation of Wang, in the opera of that name, as well as other prominent companies, came to the United States about 1880, and made his first appearance with Tuck’s Minstrels in Buffalo, N. Y., shortly after.

In 1884 he was with Lester and Allen’s Minstrels as interlocutor. About February, 1885, he became a member of the famous Clipper Quartette, with whom he appeared for eight years, mostly in black-face. Mr. Hart was born in Liverpool, England, December, 1866.

GREG. PATTI (Gregory Patti) is widely known in social circles in New York, Philadelphia and their environs as the “Little Comedian.”

Mr. Patti defied all theatrical traditions by making his initial professional appearance on the thirteenth anniversary of his birth.

Ten years later he organized the “Greg. Patti Minstrels,” since which time he appeared at various functions of the elite, among whom may be mentioned Mr. Pembroke Jones, Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, Mr. William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., Mrs. James Speye, Mr. Roy Rainey, Mr. Paul Rainey, Mr. Juilliard, Mrs. Murray and many others.

In addition he has shown with his merry little band at many of the bon ton clubs, notably, the Metropolitan (known as the “Millionaires”), Union League, Equestrian, at Sherry’s, all in New York City.

Also at the Tuxedo, at Tuxedo; Fort Orange at Albany, N. Y.; Algonquin, at Bridgeport, Conn.; Lakewood Club, at Lakewood, N. J., and numerous others.

Like his illustrious namesake and relative, Mr. Patti reaches for the high notes--and gets them.

Greg. Patti was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 23, 1866.

BOARDMAN CARNES was one of the best known vocalists in present day minstrelsy.

He was long a member of the Quaker City Quartette, and had developed into being a fine interlocutor.

He was associated with several first-class minstrel companies, notably Al. G. Field’s, with whom he was associated at the time of his death, which occurred at Pt. Pleasant, W. Va., December 29, 1907. He was about 35 years of age.

MATT. KEEFE. Minstrelsy has produced some very good Yodlers in the past; but old-timers, who should know, say that Mr. Keefe compares favorably with any of them.

If Matt. Keefe had developed into a comedian instead of a vocalist, no one would have been surprised, because the honor of having been born next door to the house Mark Twain used to live, belongs to Mr. Keefe.

He made his first professional appearance at Leadville, Colo., in 1887. Al. Fields Company was his first minstrel engagement; he was with Primrose and Dockstader, and Dockstader’s Minstrels, totaling six years.

Season of 1908-09 saw him with Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels; and for two years he was with Tony Pearl in vaudeville.

Matt. Keefe was born in Hannibal, Mo., August 13, 1867.

EDWIN GUY, one of the famous Guy Brothers, has been a member of that minstrel organization many years. Mr. Guy is an eccentric comedian of unique methods.

He was born in New York, May 4, 1867.

TIERNEY and WAYNE formed a partnership in the early 80’s, doing black-face songs and dances.

In 1885 they were with Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s Minstrels; they continued in black-face until 1888 when they played white-face parts with “Zig-Zag.”

Mr. Wayne subsequently married Anna Caldwell, and as Wayne and Caldwell they traveled several seasons.

Mr. Wayne is still in vaudeville--with another Mrs. Wayne.

Charley Wayne was born in Ft. Wayne, Ind., August 10, 1867.

James B. Tierney died in New York, October 18, 1891; age 30 years.

JOHN W. EARLY, a capable baritone singer, of late years with burlesque companies, was with Billy Rice’s Minstrels in 1897, and the following year became a member of Haverly’s Company; the last that famous manager ever exploited. Subsequently he was with Lew Dockstader’s Minstrels.

In December, 1904, Mr. Early and Miss Late formed an alliance to do sketches; since then they have been playing--Early and Late.

John W. Early was born in Dayton, Ohio, September 29, 1867.

BERT MARION (John Ryerson) made his first appearance at the old Wigwam in Paterson, N. J., 1877, playing boy parts in white-face; shortly after doing black-face songs and dances, being known as Master Ryerson.

At the age of 16 he joined forces with Dave Zimmer, doing a black-face act with him until 1890, when he formed a partnership with the late Billy Pearl, and as Marion and Pearl continued more than eight years, playing with such well-known minstrel companies as Haverly’s (Nankeville’s); Barlow Bros., Gorton’s, Cleveland’s, and two seasons under their own management with Marion, Pearl and Pendleton’s Minstrels.

After separating from Mr. Pearl, Mr. Marion formed an alliance with his wife, Sabel Dean, and as Marion and Dean have played all the prominent vaudeville houses for more than ten years.

Bert Marion was born in Paterson, N. J., August 7, 1867.

HARRY “SCAMP” MONTGOMERY, well and favorably known as a capable delineator of black-face characters, with his brother Dave, now of Montgomery and Stone, appeared as one of the Montgomery Bros., the “Pullman Porters,” about 1888; a short time previous he had been with Forepaugh’s Circus. In 1889 he was with Beach and Bowers’ Minstrels, and subsequently with Crawford Bros. (Topeka, Kan.) Minstrels.

Several years ago he joined Tony Pearl in a musical act, and as Montgomery and Pearl they played all the first-class vaudeville houses, as well as many high-class combinations.

Mr. Montgomery created the negro part of Eaton Ham, in George M. Cohan’s “Geo. Washington, Jr.,” and played such other black-face character parts as Low Down Smith, in “Cape Cod Folks,” and Sylvester Q. Nightingale, in “Mary’s Lamb.” For brief periods he was “Sheppard,” of Wood and Sheppard, likewise “Bogert,” of Bogert and O’Brien; now Neil O’Brien, the great black-face comedian.

During the World’s Fair in Chicago, he was the drummer in Sousa’s Band.

The present season of 1910, Mr. Montgomery was especially engaged by Geo. M. Cohan to create the part of Abe. Gunther, in Mr. Cohan’s latest play, “Get Rich Quick Wallingford.” Needless to say, Mr. Montgomery made a decided hit--and in white face.

“Scamp” Montgomery was born in St. Joseph, Mo., April 2, 1867.

REES PROSSER sings a ballad in a manner that is entirely his own, and thereby hangs a tale; it’s a simple enough story; the answer being “He’s always engaged.”

His first appearance was in his native state, in the city of Terre Haute, as a member of the Wabash Minstrels twenty years ago. Beach and Bowers was the first professional minstrel engagement; others were Al. G. Field’s, nine years; Cleveland’s, and Dockstader’s.

June 1, 1910, “Rees Prosser” was murdered; some place in the far west. We ’uns in New York thought it was _our_ Rees Prosser; Mr. Prosser indignantly denied that he was ever shot; north, east, south or west; and his reputation for veracity is so good that argument was unnecessary.

Rees Prosser was born in New Albany, Ind., September 13, 1867.

WATERBURY BROS. made their first professional appearance with Vreeland’s Minstrels doing a straight musical act in 1892; the same year they played their first vaudeville engagement at Shea’s Music Hall in Buffalo. In 1894 they were joined by Chas. Kenna, the comedian, the act then was known as Waterbury Bros. and Kenna.

In the Summer of 1895 Ernest Tenney replaced Kenna, and as Waterbury Bros. and Tenney they have since been known.

Geo. N. Waterbury was born in New York City, December 14, 1867.

Edw. M. Waterbury was born in Stamford, Conn., May 27, 1871.