In 1881 he returned to America, and on October 17, he opened with Emerson’s Minstrels in San Francisco, closing in January, 1882; subsequently sailing for a Trans-Pacific trip with a variety company, opening at Honolulu, May 13. The company disbanded in Shanghai, China, in August, and “Eugene” returned to the United States in March following.
A year later he began his final engagement with the Leon and Cushman company, and in May, 1884, he made his last appearance on any stage.
Thus after a successful career of exactly thirty-one years, this brilliant luminary of the minstrel firmament retired to private life.
 |  |  |  |
| ARCHIE HUGHES | HARRY TALBOTT | PETE LEE | JOHNNY ALLEN |
| THEY TICKLED THE TAMBOURINE. | |||
 |  |  |  |
| “KERRY GOW” JOE MURPHY (1865) | DAVE REED | E. F. DIXEY | FRED HUBER |
| THEY BANGED THE BONES. | |||
“Eugene” was born in New York City, June 4, 1836; he died in Brooklyn, N. Y., January 18, 1907.
Dick Parker, whose “banjoisms” attained wide popularity in the Metropolis more than thirty years ago, began his professional career about 1854.
He was stock comedian at various times in New Orleans, Baltimore, Washington, St. Louis, Boston and New York.
In 1871 in conjunction with J. E. Edwards and Jack Talbott, he formed a minstrel organization bearing their names.
In 1889 he went to Paris, opening there with the American Circus. Appearing in evening clothes, preceded by four supers, and announced by the ring-master, Mr. Parker created a sensation.
In 1879 he opened what is now known as Keeney’s Theatre in New York, and controlled its destinies about four years.