In 1874 he was with Emerson’s Minstrels in San Francisco and on tour, remaining several months. January 29, 1877, Rice and Hooley’s Minstrels opened in New York; later he rejoined Emerson, and the following year he became a member of Haverly’s Minstrels, with whom he continued several seasons.
In 1882 Rice and Hooley’s Minstrels again was formed, terminating as Billy Rice’s Minstrels the following January, when he opened with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels, and remained with them until 1887, when Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s Minstrels were organized. Rice and Sheppard’s Minstrels in 1888, and subsequently with Cleveland’s Minstrels; Primrose and West’s and a return to Haverly’s Minstrels in 1898 practically completed the minstrel career of the great end man and stump-speaker.
Mr. Rice married Blanche Carman, an actress, April 8, 1871, in Chicago.
Billy Rice was born in Marion, N. Y., December 12, 1844; he died in Hot Springs, Arkansas, March 1, 1902.
The Three Arnold Brothers were prominent in the 70’s and 80’s, but away back, March 21, 1862, there was another set with Mrs. Matt. Peel’s Minstrels; Herman, Frank and Richard Arnold respectively.
Wm. Henry Rice made his first professional appearance as a boy singer in Pittsburgh, Pa., December 6, 1856.
His first minstrel engagement was at Johnson’s Hall, Norfolk, Va., September 19, 1859, with Sanford’s Minstrels, where he sang in the first part, did a dance in the olio, and otherwise was useful.
At this time and until 1865 he was known as Master Lewis, and later, W. H. Lewis, the latter being the maiden name of his mother.