Commencing in that year with I. W. Baird’s Minstrels, he remained two seasons. In 1882 he became a member of Haverly’s Mastodon Minstrels, and in 1883 Robinson and McAllister’s Minstrels took the road, but gave it back the following year.
July 30, 1885, Mr. McAllister opened with McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels in his native city, at the initial performance of that company; early in 1886 he joined Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia, sitting opposite to Lew Dockstader.
Mr. McAllister has been a prominent citizen of Troy, N. Y., where he has been engaged in business for more than twenty years.
Billy McAllister was born in Paterson, N. J., March 15, 1843.
Frank Bell (Peter Jaggers), best known as a unique stump-speaker, made his first appearance in Olean, N. Y., in September, 1864, and shortly after joined Wood’s Minstrels in New York, as a clog dancer.
Subsequent minstrel engagements were with the original New Orleans Minstrels, Simmons, Slocum and Sweatnam’s, Armstrong Bros., George Clapham’s Minstrels, Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s, Haverly’s, Harry Robinson’s, and Lester and Allen’s. The crowning success of his career was with “Way Down East,” in white-face, playing the constable, and singing “All Bound Round With a Woolen String;” Mr. Bell also played a character part with Otis Skinner in “Your Humble Servant,” in 1910.
Frank Bell was born in Thurle, Can., September 17, 1843.
Major (John E.) Burk, known far and wide for his famous gun drill, has been with many prominent minstrel organizations in the United States and England, usually appearing in black-face, the act seemingly being enhanced in appearance at least, by the addition of burnt cork.
He first appeared with Hooley’s Minstrels in Brooklyn, in 1868, also played engagements there in 1869 and 1870. Subsequently he was with San Sharpley, season 1872-73; first appearance in England at Hague’s Minstrels, London, April 17, 1876; also played at Hague’s, Liverpool, and Moore and Burgess in London; Hooley & Emerson’s Megatherians, season 1879-80; Livermore Bros. in England; Frank Moran’s Minstrels, Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia, and the Big 4 Minstrels, 1880-81.
Major Burk was born in New York City, June 21, 1845, and now resides there.