Mr. Buckley retired from active theatricals in 1907, after sixty years of active theatrical life; truly a remarkable record.
R. Jean Buckley was born in Williamsburg, Va., November 24, 1834.
Billy Carter was not the father of the banjo, but he adopted it at an early age, and has had it in his possession ever since.
Mr. Carter first appeared in New Orleans as a performer, in the early 60’s; he did black and white-face business at three dollars per evening, which wasn’t bad for a raw amateur. In 1865 your Uncle Bill sat in the middle and played the banjo with the Louisiana Serenaders; this was his first minstrel troupe, and “Codfish Aristocracy” was the soul-inspiring ballad that stirred his auditors.
After the affair in which he sang about the “Finny 400,” he joined the Great Western Opera Bouffe Company; this sounded good enough for a four years engagement, but the truth of the matter is, it flopped in Lynchburg, Va., in nearly four years less than that time; subsequently Mr. Carter and dear departed Luke Schoolcraft (who was a member of the company) arrived in Philadelphia in somewhat distressed financial circumstances; fortunately our banjo comique had a relative in the Quaker City; an uncle, I believe, and hunting him up, he took a violin and showed it to him. * * * With this 85 cents they arrived in New York (Mr. Great Western had considerately purchased transportation to the metropolis), and shortly after, he secured an engagement at Hooley’s Minstrels in Brooklyn, where he met with instant success.
His next important minstrel engagement was with Simmons and Slocum in Philadelphia, where he opened February 16, 1874. In 1878 he joined Haverly’s Minstrels in Chicago; two years later he engaged with the latter’s Mastodons for the London invasion, but William was a bad sailor, and at the last minute renigged. Subsequently he appeared with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s and with Barlow, Wilson & Company’s Minstrels.
Mr. Carter was several years with Harrigan and Hart’s Company in New York; with this company he originated the famous “Skidmore Guards,” that had such a vogue for a long time. He has played all the principal variety houses, and most of the prominent vaudeville theatres. Will somebody please notice this nice distinction?
Billy Carter was born at Parish St. Bernard, La., December 16, 1834.
Fred Abbott, a well-known and clever female impersonator, associated for several seasons with Hooley’s Minstrels in Brooklyn, Chicago, and the road tours; died in Boston, Mass., May 28, 1871; age 37 years.
Tim. Morris, an old-time performer who achieved recognition for his delineation of the plantation “darky,” was with many minstrel troupes prior to his death in Providence, R. I., March 6, 1880. He was about 46 years of age.