Then came a riotous round of vaudeville, solid until 1906, when Al. G. Field showed him a handsome parade suit and the diagram of the Field private car—and something else and—well, the season of 1906—and 1907, saw Mr. Eldridge back among 11.45 boys for a period of about ten months; since then, vaudeville. Mr. Eldridge was married some years ago to Louise Sanford, from whom he subsequently separated.
Press Eldredge was born in Philadelphia; guess when.
George Horn, was sometimes called “Eph. Horn, Jr.” He was a comedian and very well known in Philadelphia, where he died June 28, 1904.
Burt Shepard, recognized as a clever female impersonator in his early career, commenced professionally with Haverly’s New Orleans Minstrels about 1874, and continued with them three years. In 1878 he became a member of Sweatnam’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, and at the close of the season joined Billy Emerson and the Big 4 Minstrels; season of 1879 and 1880 was spent with Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia; he then joined the Thatcher, Primrose and West Company, and was with them practically from their inception to their dissolution; later he was identified with Thatcher and Rich and Harris’ “Tuxedo” for two seasons.
1892-93 saw Shepard and Billy Rice’s Minstrels, while a year later Burt Shepard’s Modern Minstrels took the field.
In 1895 Mr. Shepard was with Cleveland’s Minstrels, where he officiated in the middle, in addition to doing a black-face specialty; season of 1896-97 was devoted to vaudeville. In 1897 he went to England, and subsequently to Paris, South Africa and Australia, all the time meeting with unqualified success with his monologue and parodies at the piano.
Burt Shepard was born; of that I am sure, but just when or where, he neglected to state.
Fred B. Malcolm, the “male soprano,” and an exceedingly clever one, was a protege of the late Jessie Bartlett Davis, and acquired his early musical education from E. L. Bartlett, father of Mrs. Davis.
His professional career began with the Bartlett Sister’s Concert Company, which was brought to a sudden termination by the death of Miss Arabella Bartlett. Two years were then spent in variety theatres.
His first appearance in female make-up was at the Queen’s Theatre, Toronto, Canada. Later he was engaged by J. H. Haverly for the latter’s new “Mastodons,” with whom he played for three seasons; after the consolidation of the two companies (Haverly’s), Mr. Malcolm continued with Mr. Haverly for nine months; a record of which to be proud.