Sam Cole, the real old-time black-face comedian, is in no way related to the old king of that name; though he has associated with them for many years; also queens and jacks.
Mr. Cole is said to be amongst the living. But who has the address?
Lew Simmons has the distinction of being the oldest active black-face performer in the world.
He commenced his career as an amateur in Warren, O., in 1849, playing the banjo, in black-face.
In 1857 Mr. Simmons went to Jake Beler’s Music Hall in Detroit, Mich., where he did his little turn for one dollar per night, and four beer tickets; which being a minor, he was unable to use.
In December, 1859, he made his first New York appearance at the popular Melodeon. In 1861 he joined Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels, and early in 1863 in conjunction with Bob Hart organized a minstrel company bearing their names.
Subsequently he played an engagement with the Morris Minstrels, and on August 22, 1864, made his first appearance at Carncross and Dixey’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, where he became a great local favorite. He remained with that company until within a few months of the opening of Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels at the Arch Street Opera House in Philadelphia (which was built for them), August 29, 1870. Mr. Simmons continued at this house intermittently until 1878. In the fall of 1875, Billy Sweatnam was admitted as a partner, under the firm name of Simmons, Slocum and Sweatnam’s Minstrels; in October, 1876, Simmons and Slocum withdrew. September 11, 1886, Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels again opened at their old home in Philadelphia. In 1878 Mr. Simmons visited England and South Africa professionally.
About twenty years ago he played Uncle Eph., an aged negro, in “Shiloh.”
He left the profession in the 80’s, vowing never to return, but he did, in the early 90’s; Clark Gibbs, Tommy Harris and Frank H. White, with whom he is now playing vaudeville, were his partners at various times.
Did I say that he was one of the owners of the Athletic Club of the American Association, which won the championship in 1883? Well, he was.