Charley Atkins, who has long since retired from active theatricals, and embarked in mercantile pursuits in New York City, was once the partner of Joe Fox, of Fox and Ward; this was in the late 60’s; though Mr. Atkins doesn’t look it.
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| SHER. CAMPBELL | J. K. CAMPBELL | J. C. (“POMP”) CAMPBELL |
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| TOM WILLIAMS | DICK RALPH | HARRY ARMSTRONG |
| THE “CAMPBELLS ARE HERE,” ALSO TOM, DICK AND HARRY. | ||
“Cincinnatus” (Michael O’Connor), one of the best neat song and dance men in minstrelsy, began life as a newsboy in Cincinnati. He was a regular attendant of Newcomb’s Minstrels in the Queen City; it was here that he first saw Billy Emerson, and at once became an ardent admirer of him. Young O’Connor attracted the attention of manager W. W. Newcomb, who gave him an opportunity to appear, which he did week of October 12, 1868, under his own name, as a jig dancer, but taking that of “Cincinnatus” in the songs and dances.
“Cincinnatus” made no secret of the fact that he imitated Emerson, which he did with great fidelity. He soon attained great popularity in the West. His next engagement was with Lewis and Murphy’s Minstrels, opening at St. Louis, July 24, 1869.
His first New York appearance was with Newcomb and Arlington’s Minstrels, April 17, 1871.
May 5, 1873, the “Cincinnatus” Minstrels took the road for a brief period, opening at Xenia, Ohio. April 15, 1878, he formed an alliance with John Hogan, and as Hogan and “Cincinnatus” they made their first appearance at the London Theatre, New York.
“Cincinnatus” died at Xenia, Ohio, April 25, 1882.
Booker and Canfield constituted one of the truly great song and dance teams of minstrelsy. Both performers were short in stature, and each began their careers in the circus business.
In 1871 they formed a partnership, doing an acrobatic song and dance, subsequently they went to South America with Chiarini’s Circus; returning to the United States they became members of Cal. Wagner’s Minstrels, where they were a sensation.
Their success was so great that several managers competed for their services; J. H. Haverly was the lucky bidder, and they joined his company in December, 1873, remaining five years at probably the highest salary ever given a song and dance team, viz: $300.00 per week, and 5 per cent. of the net profits, it is said.