Richard Golden (Frank Golden), whose fame as “Old Jed Prouty” will long live, did a black-face song and dance with Lew Davis (later Chace and Davis), in the late 60’s; he was also with Sharpley’s Minstrels.
Mr. Golden was born in Bangor, Me., February 6, 1853; he died in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 10, 1909.
Harry M. Morse. It would be a difficult matter to say off-hand whether this gentleman is best known as a minstrel or as a delineator of “rube” characters; in the one he has been associated with several famous organizations; in the other he is as readily recalled by several well remembered characterizations.
He first appeared professionally with Rice’s “Evangeline” in 1877, where his splendid bass voice was used as a member of a quartette.
In 1881 he played his initial minstrel engagement with the Haverly Mastodons; the following year with the new Mastodons saw his first appearance as “middle man.”
In 1883 he was with Sam Hague’s Minstrels, under the Haverly management. Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels had him for a member in 1884, and the following season he was with the inaugural performance of McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s Minstrels, and remained with them until the dissolution of the company at Washington, D. C., May 19, 1888.
Right here Mr. Morse’s inherent Yankeeism asserted itself; carefully sealing up his box of cork, he placed it in storage, and went in for “rube” characters exclusively.
From 1888 to 1892 he played Zeb in “Old Jed Prouty”; Mr. Morse was great in this character; so was the wig.
“Rush City”; Pete Dailey’s “Country Sport”; Joe Hart’s “Gay Old Boy” and four years as the Giant in “Jack, the Giant Killer,” followed; a return to “Old Jed Prouty” and Mr. Morse began to repent.
Primrose’s Minstrels, Dockstader’s Minstrels and Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels, the latter in 1908, followed the repentance.