Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to date

by Edw. Le Roy Rice

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.

COHAN AND HARRIS’ MINSTRELS, 1908.

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.

Ernest Tenney, one of the famous Tenney family who gave series of concerts some years ago, began his career as a member of the family August 6, 1882; the company comprising father, mother, sister, and four brothers, in addition to the subject of this sketch; he remained a member of this organization until 1889; engagements followed with an Uncle Tom troupe (no, reader, Mr. Tenney did not play Eva); after Tom came the Daniel Boone Company and a return to the family fold for a brief period; then an engagement with Gray and Stephen’s “Vesper Bells” Company, after which he joined Harry Whiting in a comedy musical act. In August, 1893, he joined the Four Emperors of Music, and in September, 1893, “Emperors” joined Cleveland’s Minstrels for a few months; June 15, 1895, he left Three Emperors and immediately joined the Waterbury Bros.

Waterbury Bros. and Tenney have played the principal vaudeville houses since their alliance in 1893; also engagements with Cleveland’s, Primrose and West’s, Wm. H. West’s and Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels, also two seasons with Harry Williams Company, and a season with Sam Scribner.

Weber And Fields, the famous German comedians, who for many years did all they could to disintegrate the King’s English, did a black-face act at Turn Hall, in New York, about thirty years ago.

They were each born in New York City; Mr. Weber, August 17, 1867; Mr. Fields, December 31, 1867.

Arthur C. Rigby ranks with the best of present day monologists. Mr. Rigby has a unique style of delivery, pleasant address and excellent enunciation, all of which spell success.

His first appearance was made in Paterson, N. J., as a member of St. Joseph Cadets Temperance Society, under the management of Con. Tracey. His debut professionally was made at Newark, N. J., in 1883, doing a black-face banjo solo.

A few years later Mr. Rigby made his initial appearance with a minstrel company as a member of the Gorman Bros. organization; subsequently he appeared with Cleveland’s, Al. G. Field’s and Vogel’s Minstrels.

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And not only that, but he played black-face parts with Joe Weber’s “Hip, Hip, Hooray” Company; “Natural Gas” and “The Rainmakers;” with the latter originating the “darky” role in the play.

Of late years Mr. Rigby’s talents have been displayed in vaudeville exclusively.

Arthur C. Rigby was born in Macclesfield, England, April 4, 1867.

Sanford B. Ricaby had his first experience in amusements as a bill-poster with Whitney’s Family Circus in 1884.

Two years later he assumed the management of the Opera House in his home town, and continued in that capacity for three years.

Subsequently he was identified with several well-known attractions until about ten years ago, when he became associated with Wm. H. West’s Minstrels; after the death of the latter, Mr. Ricaby purchased the show from Mrs. West, who had been requested by her husband to continue the minstrels with Mr. Ricaby as manager, after Mr. West’s decease.

Sanford B. Ricaby was born in Hillsdale, Mich., May 26, 1867.

Wm. D. Hall, author, actor, playwright, manager and other things theatrical, says he had a serpentine career, although never having done a dance of that name.

Mr. Hall’s stage career began as a “prodigy” at the age of ten; city, Baltimore; theatre, Odeon. Musical Comedy, drama, variety, vaudeville and minstrelsy has he also been associated with.

He wrote the life of “Dan” Emmett, the immortal composer of “Dixie” and a play for the late Ernest Hogan; he also wrote several letters to the author.

Mr. Hall began the present season of 1910 with Dumont’s Minstrels in Philadelphia.

He is a son of George L. Hall, the oldest living minstrel vocalist.

Wm. D. Hall was born in Washington, D. C., December 25, 1867.

Willie Collier (I always call him Willie), the favorite comedian, is just as funny in black-face as in white; at least he was on the night of October 12, 1896, when as a colored damsel he sang and danced in the performance of “Miss Philadelphia,” at the Park Theatre, Philadelphia.

Mr. Collier was born in New York City, November 12, 1867.