As a delineator of the negro character he is alone and without a peer; there is but one Sweatnam, nor is it likely we will ever have another. During the present season of 1910 he played a black-face part with the “Summer Widowers.”
Willis P. Sweatnam was born in Zanesville, Ohio.
Frank Howard (Martindale), famed as one of minstrelsy’s greatest tenors, and who was with McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s; Thatcher, Primrose and West’s, and Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Minstrels in the 80’s; is said to be living in Chicago.
Charles Fostelle (Stephens) of late years was best known for his portrayal of eccentric female characters, but long before—well, just read on.
His first appearance was made in Detroit, Mich., in dramatic stock. The year following he made his first appearance in black-face with Cal. Wagner’s Minstrels, as a wench dancer.
Subsequent minstrel engagements were with Billy Arlington’s; Dingess and Green’s; Harry Robinson’s; Simmons and Slocum’s, (Philadelphia); (Wm. Henry) Rice’s, in Cincinnati; Purdy and Vincent’s; Arlington, Cotton and Kemble’s; Allen, Delehanty and Hengler’s, and his own company, Purdy, Scott and Fostelle’s Minstrels, opening at Denver, Colorado, March 4, 1872. His last minstrel engagement was with Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s Minstrels, season of 1887-88.
Since then Mr. Fostelle has appeared with Corinne for ten years; starred in “Mrs. Partington” for five years, and for a season was located in New York City with the Weber & Field’s Company.
Charles Fostelle was born in New York City, and he’s there now.
John S. Stout (Shafer) is one of the best-known singers in minstrelsy.
He first appeared with Rumsey’s Minstrels in 1864, and has appeared successfully, if not successively with such well known companies as Skiff and Gaylord’s; Buckley’s; Simmons and Slocum’s; Haverly’s; Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s; Sharpley’s; Duprez and Benedict’s; Cal. Wagner’s and many others.