Dr. Sweet has been practicing his profession for many years, but is always glad to recall “Auld Lang Syne.”
Dr. Sweet has passed the allotted three score years and ten—and some more.
Theodore Jackson, the old-time interlocutor, who in his day was prominently identified with many famous minstrel organizations, is said to have died in Brooklyn, N. Y., a few years ago.
William Castle (J. C. Reeves), the great operatic tenor, and long prominent in musical circles in Chicago, was with several famous minstrel organizations, notably Hooley & Campbell’s in 1860-61, and George Christy’s in 1862. Mr. Castle was born in England, December 20, 1836; he died in Chicago, Ill., March 31, 1909.
Jake Wallace, the famous old banjoist and black-face performer, is said to be living on a ranch in Southern California, in the neighborhood of San Diego.
The author is willing to admit he envies Mr. Wallace.
S. S. Purdy was a well-known and prominent comedian; he excelled in the song and dance of “Nicodemus Johnson,” and as early as February, 1868, in a controversy, he claimed to have been the originator of it.
In 1867 he was co-proprietor of Purdy, Coes and Converse’s Minstrels, and in 1872 of Purdy, Scott and Fostelle’s Minstrels.
In 1863-64 he was with Hooley’s Minstrels in Brooklyn, and in 1867-68-69 with Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels.
About February 1, 1876, he took out a company called the Purdy Combination, which had a brief existence.