In the Summer of 1875, Delehanty and Hengler separated in Pittsburg. Mr. Delehanty then formed a partnership with James Cummings, and as Delehanty and Cummings they made their first appearance at the Theatre Comique, New York, August 23, 1875.
December 4, 1876, Delehanty and Hengler, who were something more than business associates, again formed a partnership, reappearing at the Howard Athenaeum in Boston; the alliance was broken by the death of Delehanty.
William H. Delehanty was more than a good dancer; he was a thorough musician, and a man of intellect. He composed most of the songs and dances that the team used, notably “Little Bunch of Roses,” “Apple of My Eye,” “I Hope I Don’t Intrude,” “Strawberries and Cream” and many others. Delehanty and Hengler were the original “Happy Hottentots,” though this act was extensively copied.
T. M. Hengler came to this country at the age of three months, and at the age of two years his family settled in Albany, N. Y., where ten years later he made his first public appearance at the Green Street Theatre; subsequently he was with W. W. Newcomb’s Minstrels for three seasons; later he was with Sharpley’s Minstrels.
He joined W. H. Delehanty in 1866, and continued as his partner until 1875, after which time he did a single act, and was known as “The Merry Minstrel.”
In December, 1876, he rejoined Delehanty, and continued with him until the latter’s death.
When Mr. Delehanty died, Mr. Hengler seemed to lose all ambition for the stage; he mourned his old friend sincerely, and played infrequently; in the name only was he the “Merry Minstrel.”
Tom Hengler was likewise the author of several songs, notably “Sweet Aleen” and “My Pretty Little Kittie,” also the musical sketch “Fun in the Kitchen.”
Mr. Hengler married Miss May Fanning in 1870; they had two daughters who have helped to perpetuate their father’s name and fame—Flo and May Hengler.
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| FIRST PERFORMANCE OF “I WISH I WAS INDIXIE” | OLD LIVERPOOL, ENG., BILL |
| TWO RARE PROGRAMMES. | |