Subsequent minstrel engagements were with Wilson’s Minstrels in St. Louis; Kelly and Leon’s; Newcomb and Arlington’s; Skiff and Gaylord’s; Sharpley’s; Simmons and Slocum’s, and the San Franciscos, in New York, where he remained thirteen years.
Ike Withers was born in Palmyra, N. Y., July 29, 1845; he is now a guest at the Actors’ Home, Staten Island, N. Y.
James Sharpley was the last surviving member of the three Sharpley’s; Fred, Charles and James; a prominent musical act of the 70’s.
Mr. Sharpley, who had been blind some time previous to his death, was an exceptionally clever performer on the concertina.
He was born in Liverpool, England, and died in New York City, May 12, 1902; age 57 years.
William H. Crane, one of America’s foremost legitimate comedians, appeared in black-face with an amateur organization called the “Young Campbell” Minstrels; Mr. Crane fixes the date in the fall of 1860.
The little band were offered $2.50 a piece to play the small town of Stoughton, Mass., irrespective of the fact that the comedians services might possibly be rated higher than one of the musicians. Nevertheless the juvenile “corkers” accepted; the $30.00 went into the coffers of the most popular restaurant to be found that same evening.
William H. Crane was born in Leicester, Mass., April 30, 1845.
R. G. (“Boots”) Allen was an excellent banjoist and in conjunction with Fred. Huber in 1878-79, played the principal variety houses.
In the Spring of 1880, with Harry Woodson, he formed Woodson and Allen’s Minstrels, which continued at intermittent periods for about two or three years.