ORIGINAL BIG FOUR—LESTER-ALLEN-SMITH-WALDRON.
Billy Lester (Albert Manasse) made his first appearance as a clog dancer with Sam Colville’s Variety Company, at the age of 13.
His first partner was John Turner, and as Turner and Lester they played the principal variety houses, also an engagement with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, in 1874.
About October 1, 1875, he formed a partnership with Paul Allen, and in the fall of 1876 the team consolidated with Smith and Waldron; this was the original Big 4.
February 28, 1878, saw the first performance of Billy Emerson’s and the Big 4 Minstrels; which continued several months; Lester and Allen joined Tierney and Cronin, and were known as the 4 Aces; this, however, was not the original act of that title.
About 1884 Lester and Allen’s Minstrels took the road, and continued as an organization for three years.
Shortly after this they appeared in “A Plug Hat”; later Mr. Lester separated from Mr. Allen.
Mr. Lester’s first wife was Viola Clifton, whom he married in 1876. November 24, 1887, he became the husband of Annie Hart.
Billy Lester was born in London, England; he died at Fair Haven, N. J., July 11, 1893; age 40 years.
Paul Allen (Kayser) joined Billy Lester in 1875, and while the major portion of his professional career was identified with Lester’s, it was not entirely so.
In 1880, with Dan Waldron, William Smith and Master Martin the Big 4 Minstrels were on the road.
After separating from Mr. Lester, he did a black-face monologue, and as “Mayor of the Ohio River” met with unqualified success.
Mr. Allen married Louise Montague (Laura Keene Stewart) at San Francisco, in 1877.
Paul Allen was born in Baltimore, Md.; he died in New York City, February 23, 1896; age 43 years.
William Smith associated himself with Dan Waldron in the middle 70’s, doing black-face songs and dances. In 1876 Smith and Waldron joined Lester and Allen, and were associated about three years.
In 1879 the Big 4 consisted of Smith, Waldron, Morton and Martin, and a year later it was Smith, Allen, Morton and Martin.
In 1898 with Haverly’s Minstrels, the Big 4 was Smith, Waldron, Daly and Martin; and at the time of his (Smith’s) death, it was Smith, Waldron, Peasley and Martin.
Mr. Smith was the brother of Helene Smith, the beautiful danseuse of a generation ago.
William Smith died (suicide) in New York City, April 16, 1900.
Dan Waldron (McQuinny), the last of the original Big Four, joined William Smith in a black-face song and dance act about 1875, and continued a member of the various combinations of “Big 4’s” longer than any of his associates.
After severing relations with them he appeared with many prominent minstrel companies, notably George Thatcher’s, and Haverly’s (Nankeville’s) Minstrels.
Dan Waldron was born in New York City; he died April 1, 1905, at Washington, D. C.; age 47 years.
They tell this one about the famous Billy Manning—Manning’s Company and that of Dan Bryant met on one occasion on the road; in the course of the conversation it turned out that Bryant’s Company was to follow Manning’s in at a certain town; Dan Bryant requested Manning to “announce” the coming of his (Bryant’s) troupe; which of course, Manning promised to do.
About ten days later the minstrels met again, and Manning informed Bryant that he (Manning), had played the previous evening in the town already referred to.
Did you “announce” me said Dan? I was just going to, said Manning, when the fellow got up and went out.
Billy Bryant (Wm. Thos. Hanson). Who among theatre-goers of twenty years ago who recall Bryant & Richmond in the act “Imprisoned,” cannot see Billy Bryant as he carefully felt the topmost portion of his anatomy, ruefully exclaiming—“O! my coco.” That was comedy.
Bryant’s career began in 1868 with the Walter Bray Company, where he joined hands with Arthur Hegeney, under the team name of Hanson and Hegeney. It was Bray that suggested a change, and forthwith Hanson became Bryant, in honor of Dan Bryant, and Hegeney was thereafter known as Williams, after the famous Barney Williams, whose early days were spent in minstrelsy.
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| LEW DOCKSTADER | P. J. NILES | |
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| CHAS. DOCKSTADER | WILL OAKLAND, The Famous Contra Tenor | CHAS. E. EVANS |
| DOCKSTADER BROS. (1879) | NILES & EVANS (1878) |
Bryant and Williams played the best variety houses in the country until 1876, when he married Lizzie Richmond, and as Bryant & Richmond they gave “Imprisoned” for many years; afterwards they produced “Keep it Dark”; for seven seasons they played it with much success.
Alice Hanson, an unusually clever and vivacious soubrette, is his daughter.
Billy Bryant was born in Platteville, Wis., October 12, 1853; he died at Chicago, Ill., July 22, 1902.
Bob Slavin was one of the most brilliant comedians in the minstrel firmament; a natural wit; a great entertainer.
About 1874 he did a specialty with George Nelson; and a year or so later he doubled with “Buck” Sheffer; the partnership continued about two years. Subsequently he appeared with unqualified success with Haverly’s, the San Franciscos, and Emerson’s, in San Francisco.
In July, 1885, at Paterson, N. J., McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels gave their first performance; they continued as an organization for three seasons; Mr. McNish retiring, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels took the road; the partnership dissolved in June, 1889.
July 17, 1890, Mr. Slavin opened for a limited engagement with Wm. Henry Rice’s World’s Fair Minstrels, and closed September 2, at Elmira, N. Y. September 10, he opened with the Howard Athenaeum Company in Troy, N. Y., doing his specialty in white-face; sad to say, this engagement lasted only about a month.
Mr. Slavin subsequently appeared with the May Russell Burlesque Company. On November 19, 1892, he began an engagement with Crawford Brother’s Minstrels in South Bend, Ind.; Mr. Slavin made his last appearance with this company about Christmas, the same year, at Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. Slavin married Agnes Louise Laurence, a non-professional, in 1878.
Bob Slavin was born in Baltimore, Md., November 28, 1853; he died in Toledo, Ohio, December 29, 1892.
William J. Carroll, known as a first-class banjoist and negro impersonator, came to this country at a very early age, and began his professional career while yet in his teens; in 1873 he joined William Harris, and as Harris and Carroll remained with him until 1879; they played various variety engagements. December 20, 1880, he joined Thatcher and Ryman’s Minstrels at the Arch Street Opera House, Philadelphia, doing his specialty, and sitting on the end, opposite George Thatcher; he remained all season. Subsequently he was with Primrose and West, and other organizations.
William Carroll was born in Ireland about 1853; he died in Chelsea, Mass., January 25, 1896.
John F. Fields made his first appearance with the San Francisco Minstrels in New York City, December, 1865, as a boy vocalist. It was in August, 1874, that his professional career began when he formed a partnership with Fred Sharpley, who died in 1879.
His next partner was William F. Hoey, later known as “Old Hoss,” the team name being Fields and Hoey, doing a black-face musical act. Mr. Fields played an engagement with Cal. Wagner’s Minstrels while a member of this alliance. In 1878 he formed a partnership with Frank Hanson. As the straight man in these acts, Mr. Fields excels, and after thirty-six years we find him as good as ever.
At the termination of his partnership with Mr. Hanson in 1885, Mr. Fields’ took another partner, the team name of Fields & Hanson was retained and is still a valuable trade-mark. Since 1885 “Fields and Hanson” have been with Haverley’s Minstrels; Cleveland’s Minstrels, Gus. Hill, Hyde’s Comedians and Reilly & Woods Company; and for five years he had on tour Fields & Hanson’s Drawing Cards.
Mr. Fields and his present partner are now in vaudeville.
Jno. F. Fields was born in Newark, N. J., October 17, 1853.
Frank Hanson worked a year with a performer named Billy Phillips, but only as amateurs. He left Phillips in 1877, and joined a party by the name of Smith, with whom he worked several months, making their first appearance at the Boylston Museum. Then came Hanson and Rich, and a short time after, the famous team of Fields and Hanson was formed in 1878.
In 1885 after the team broke up, Mr. Hanson went in the hotel business in Boston, in which he has been ever since.
Frank Hanson was born at Ossipee, N. H., March 13, 1860.
Fields and Hanson joined hands in 1878, playing variety engagements for that season. Seasons of 1879-1880, 1880-81, were spent with Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West, followed by seasons with Leavitt’s All Star Specialty Company, and Barry and Fay’s organization. In 1883 they began an engagement with the Howard Athenaeum Company, at the conclusion of which they played a season of sixteen weeks in the larger cities of Europe; returning to the United States, they began their last season as a team, with the Howard Athenaeum Company, at the conclusion of which in 1885, they separated.
Manchester and Jennings worked harmoniously as a team for eighteen years, during which period they were associated with some of the best minstrel organizations traveling. As a black-face comedy act they were among the leaders.
Their first joint appearance was in 1870. About 1874 they joined Washburn’s Last Sensation, remaining two seasons.
September 27, 1875, they made their first appearance with Hooley, Haverly and Maguire’s Minstrels in Chicago.
Subsequently they were members of Kelly and Leon’s Company, and then—and then—unable to wait another day—they launched forth Manchester and Jenning’s Minstrels in the Spring of 1878. Without going into details, it may be said that the season was a backward one that year.
The partnership lasted until the death of Johnny Jennings.
Bobby Manchester made his debut on the stage in 1865 with Newcomb’s Minstrels. September 24, 1886, he gave the first performance of his “Night Owls” Burlesque Company; since which date he has been prominently identified with the burlesque world.
Johnny Jennings was an exceptionally clever dancer; he made his first appearance in his native city at old Farrar Hall about 1864. About a year later he joined Morris Brothers, Pell and Trowbridge’s Minstrels in Erie, and subsequently appeared with them in their Boston theatre. He continued with this company for an extended period, part of which time as Collins, Queen and Jennings, they did an act called the “Alabama Triplets.”
Mr. Jennings is reputed to have been the original skate dancer, in which he was marvelously adept.
Bob Manchester (Aaron Mills), was born in Gloversville, N. Y., July 2, 1853.
John Jennings was born in Erie, Pa., about 1857; he died there, November 7, 1888.
George F. Campbell was one of the original members of the Clipper Quartette, who made their first appearance at Tony Pastor’s Theatre in New York, in 1879.
Subsequently he separated from his partners, and organized a Clipper Quartette of his own.
Several years ago Mr. Campbell retired from theatricals, and entered the mercantile business, in which he is now engaged.
George F. Campbell was born in Baltimore, Md., March 6, 1853.
Fred Huber was a well-known black-face performer more than thirty years ago. In 1878 Huber and “Boots” Allen did a black-face musical act; 1879; Huber and Glidden were known as the “Oyster Can Mokes”; subsequently he married Kitty Allyne, and for many years Huber and Allyne played the principal variety houses. About seven years ago he formed a partnership with John King while with the William H. West’s (Ricaby’s) Minstrels.
Mr. Huber was also well-known as an excellent “bones” manipulator.
He was several years with Gus Hill in an executive capacity.
Fred Huber was born in St. Louis, Mo.; he died in New York City, April 3, 1904; age 50 years.
Fred Oakland (Wright) had the distinction of being one of the leading tenors of minstrelsy about twenty years ago. He had a remarkably fine cultivated voice which he used mostly in concert work until about 1878, when he left England for South Africa, where he played leading tenor roles with the Victoria Loftus Troupe and other organizations, visiting Ceylon, India and other countries.
About 1883 he came to the United States, and joined Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels, remaining several seasons; subsequently he became a member of Primrose and West’s Minstrels, and while with this company he formed the acquaintance of William H. Thompson, with whom he joined George Thatcher’s “Tuxedo” Company.
With Mr. Thompson he went to England in January, 1895; they remained four years; the partnership was then dissolved.
Mr. Oakland married a Miss Stratton, of Swampscott, Mass., in December, 1887.
Fred Oakland was born in London, England; he died there October 5, 1900; age 46 years.
| J. C.—HARRINGTON & JOHNSON—ARTHUR | JAS.—CONNORS & KELLY—JAS. (Portraits reversed) |
| ED.—KELLY & O’BRIEN—JOHN | C. W.—COGILL & COOPER—FRED |
Charles Queen (Kane) was one of the best clog dancers in minstrelsy. January 26, 1882, at Montreal, Can., he performed for the first time in public on a pedestal fifteen inches square and six feet high, on which he turned somersaults and flip flops; this was while a member of Haverly’s Minstrels.
He was born in St. Louis, in 1854; he died in Kansas City, Mo., June 29, 1886.
The Diamond Brothers were well-known as clever song and dance performers.
They generally played joint engagements, and at various times had been with such well-known minstrel companies as McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s, Primrose and West’s, Haverly’s, Big Four, Gorton’s, Hi Henry’s, and Al. G. Field’s; with the latter organization they had been associated several seasons. A few years prior to their deaths they headed their own organization.
Matt. Diamond died at New Castle, Pa., June 14, 1907; age 53 years.
Lawrence Diamond died at New Castle, Pa., December 15, 1906; age 42 years.
Charley Young began young, and is still young. His career commenced at the Palace Varieties, Cincinnati, about 1865, as Call Boy, remaining two years. Being a natural born dancer, he took the place of Johnny Collins when the illness of the latter prevented him from appearing in the Challenge Dance, a feature of most variety and minstrel shows of the early days.
In 1868 he doubled with Billy Reed, and played variety houses for two years; after which he worked single for some time.
In 1875 Tony Pastor sent him to Albany for five nights; he remained two years, which was much better than going for two years, and remaining but five nights. Mr. Young was so pleased with this two-year engagement that he went to Heuck’s in Cincinnati, and played there two years. Then came a spell of traveling and a season at Leadville, Colo.
In 1880 he formed a partnership with Sage Richardson, and shortly afterwards they joined Cal. Wagner’s Minstrels.
Subsequent minstrel engagements were with Billy Rice and Hooley’s; McIntyre and Heath’s, and J. H. Haverly’s; remaining three years with the latter.
Other companies were Murray and Murphy, seven years; a four-year starring tour in “A Soap Bubble”; four seasons with Bobby Gaylor; in conjunction with Charles A. Mason, one season with Gus Hill’s New York Stars; and a season each with Nellie McHenry; Edna May; and Ward and Vokes. Mr. Young then starred four seasons in melodrama under the management of Percy G. Williams.
Charles Young was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 3, 1854.
Billy Conway (Marble) the well-known comedian, first appeared professionally about 1871, with Mart. Healy, known as Healy and Conway; this was in his native city; he was with Whitmore and Clark’s Minstrels several seasons, where he joined the late Johnny Mack; afterwards Healy, Saunders (Ella) and Conway formed an alliance; subsequently he rejoined Mack, and they went with I. W. Baird’s Minstrels, where they remained about eight seasons. He separated from Mack about three years before his (Conway’s death), and appeared with McIntyre and Heath’s; Dockstader’s, and Wilson’s Minstrels.
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| JAS.—McINTYRE & HEATH—THOS. K. (1874) | THE “GEORGIA MINSTRELS” | JAS.—McINTYRE & HEATH—THOS. K. (1910) |
| McINTYRE & HEATH—YESTERDAY, TO-DAY and TO-MORROW. | ||
Mr. Conway was one of the Four Invincibles—Conway, Mack, Gardner and Clark.
His last appearance was in New Haven, Conn., February 29, 1892.
Billy Conway was born in Hartford, Conn.; he died in Boston, Mass., March 8, 1892; age 38 years.