Ben Cotton, who was a son of the noted minstrel of that name, married Mrs. Mary E. Marshall in London, June 28, 1877, and about a year later returned to the United States, and appeared with Ward and Webb’s Minstrels in the Spring of 1879, and Norcross’ California Minstrels in the Fall of the same year.
As early as 1865 he was with Cotton and Murphy’s Minstrels as Master Bennie.
Birdue and Wayne formed an alliance and played with Hague’s Minstrels in the Fall of 1878.
Bob Birdue had various partners before associating with Ben Cotton, notably Richard Golden and Edw. B. Daily, well-known now in Boston.
Burt Wayne (Bout) died in Liverpool, England, March 13, 1879.
Joe Lovely died at Manchester, England, May 21, 1882; age 35 years.
Ben Cotton, Jr., died in Bristol, R. I., October 26, 1880; age 26 years.
Bob Birdue died in Liverpool, England, October 8, 1879.
Harry Watson, one of the funniest Dutchmen on the vaudeville stage, began his professional career in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1859, doing a black-face song and dance for John Ryan. Mr. Watson worked for his board only, and got it.
Subsequently he played many engagements in black-face; we’d like to see him do it now.