Adams and Lee were a prominent black-face musical team who formed a partnership in the 70’s. In 1878 they were with Haverly’s Mastodons.
Mr. Adams was subsequently of the team of Adams, Casey and Howard.
Mr. Lee later did considerable concert work with Billy Huntley. As a banjoist Mr. Lee excelled.
James E. Adams died in New York, December 4, 1897.
John H. Lee died in San Diego, Cal., September 7, 1890.
John E. Henshaw, famous for many moons for his comedy work in various successful productions, played the tambourine on the end with a minstrel show in June, 1871.
The following year he was with Harry Robinson’s Minstrels, and for several seasons was of the black-face song and dance teams of Henshaw and Lawton, and Henshaw and Ginniven. In 1879 he was with the California Minstrels. So you see Mr. Henshaw has qualified to become a permanent resident of “Monarchs of Minstrelsy.”
Wally Gibbs, a well-known black-face comedian, who was with the Megatherian Minstrels in 1879, died in Warwick, Mass., April 22, 1893.
Barney Fagan (Bernard J. Fagan) is justly recognized as the world’s greatest general dancer; as a producer, he ranks second to none.
Mr. Fagan made his first professional appearance in his native city at the famous Howard Athenaeum in 1860, as the Cabin Boy in the “Pilot of Brest.” He remained at this theatre several seasons. In 1865 he played his first minstrel engagement with the Morris Brothers in Boston. In 1870 Mr. Fagan went to St. Johns, N. B., and appeared with Pete Lee’s Minstrels.