About Mr. Arlington’s last minstrel engagement was with Bartlett’s California Minstrels in November, 1898. Billy Arlington was born about 1836.
Ed. H. Banker, one of the old and tried, and “not found wanting” black-face performers, began his professional career at the age of 10 years with Sam Stickney’s circus as a drummer; later he did nigger business in the ring.
He made his first appearance in New York at “Daddy” Rice’s benefit in 1853, doing a bone solo.
Mr. Banker was with George Christy in 1865; and for some time stage manager at Harry Enoch’s Varieties in Philadelphia, and subsequently at the Olympic in New Orleans.
He was the author of several successful farces, notably—“Too Hot For Comfort,” the “Wig Maker” and the “Colored Policeman.”
Mr. Banker is also credited with being the first performer of changing from black to white and back again in a few seconds.
At the time of his death, which occurred under suspicious circumstances, he was with “The Night Before Christmas” Company.
Ed. H. Banker was born in New Orleans, La., December 23, 1836; he died at Minneapolis, Minn., October 3, 1902.
Japanese Tommy (Thomas Dilverd), was a colored man, whose height of 37 inches made him a valuable acquisition to the many companies he was associated with; he was not dependent on this for his success, for he was a good comedian, and played male and female roles equally as well.
Some of his principal engagements were with the minstrel organizations of Morris Brothers, Pell and Trowbridge; Kelly and Leon’s; Emerson’s and Sam Hague’s. His last appearance was probably with the Criterion Minstrels in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 5, 1887.