Mr. Schoolcraft formed a partnership with George H. Coes, in 1874, and on August 31 they opened with Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels in Chicago. They played various minstrel and variety engagements until April 2, 1877, when Schoolcraft and Coes’ Minstrels gave their first performance; the tour was of short duration. January 14, 1878, the team joined Emerson’s Minstrels at the Olympic Theatre in New York, and in the Summer of the following year they opened with Hooley and Emerson’s Megatherian Minstrels.
Season of 1881-82 they were with Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Company; a year later they joined the Barlow, Wilson & Co.’s Minstrels, and on September 3, 1883, they opened with the San Francisco Minstrels in New York City.
Schoolcraft and Coes dissolved partnership in 1889, and in the Spring of that year Mr. Schoolcraft joined Dockstader’s permanent minstrel company in New York City; this was his last minstrel engagement.
About a year later he became a member of the famous “City Directory” Company, under the management of John Russell, and continued with that organization until the time of his death.
Beyond all dispute Luke Schoolcraft ranked high with the great black-face performers of the land; he is one of the immortals of minstrelsy. While he was great in everything he ever did, his “Mrs. Dittimus’ Party” was a gem of purest ray serene.
Luke Schoolcraft was born in New Orleans, La., November 14, 1847; he died in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 10, 1893.
Bobby Newcomb (Robert Hughes) stood alone in his particular line in minstrelsy, inasmuch as he wrote all the songs and dances he executed so admirably, as well as producing for many other performers, notably the “Big Sunflower” for Billy Emerson, which did so much to establish the popularity of that great artist.
The earliest record of Newcomb’s professional appearance was at Quebec, Canada, where on May 3, 1856, he appeared as Master Hughes with Perham’s Great Ethiopian Minstrel Opera and Burlesque Troupe.
The following year he was with Buckley’s Serenaders in New York; it was here that he attracted the attention of W. W. Newcomb, who, with Hy. Rumsey was about to organize Rumsey and Newcomb’s Minstrels; and Bobby Newcomb became a member, and continued with them for about five years; between seasons accepting other engagements with Geo. Christy’s (Hooley) Minstrels, in June, 1859, and a year later with Minor’s Ethiopian Minstrels. Early in 1861 he went to England with Rumsey and Newcomb, subsequently to Germany and back to England, where the company disbanded.
Mr. Newcomb joined Wood’s Minstrels in New York, March 9, 1863, as “Little Bobby,” the ladies’ pet. In 1860 he was billed as Master Robert Langlois.