Now Mr. Morse is showing his “rube” to vaudeville lovers—and they seem to like it.
Taken all in all, Putnam, Conn., may well feel proud of its distinguished citizen.
Harry M. Morse was born in Woodstock, Conn., August 4, 1853.
Frank Cushman (Peter Clishman) was one of the very best singing comedians of minstrelsy; he possessed a peculiar voice, and could reach high C with ease.
At the outset of his career he gave impersonations of the old colored man, which ever after he made a feature of his repertoire; in these delineations he was exceptionally clever.
He made his first appearance with Professor John Hammond’s Company at Havre de Grace, Md., in 1874; subsequently he joined Tommy Jefferson’s company, where his success was pronounced.
After this he went to the Odeon Theatre in Baltimore, remaining a year; likewise he played stock engagements at the Grand Central Theatre, Philadelphia, and other houses. His first prominent minstrel engagement was with Carncross and Dixey, in Philadelphia.
October 21, 1878, made his appearance at the Adelphi Theatre, Chicago, as a member of Haverly’s original Mastodons. He went to England with Haverly, opening in London, July 31, 1880; he continued under this management for a considerable period.
About 1882 he formed an alliance with the “Only Leon,” playing star engagements in the variety houses and minstrel companies; during this period they made a trip to Australia, where they played several months; they separated in the Spring of 1887.
In the fall of that year he became a member of Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s Minstrels; he was likewise with Primrose and West’s; Cleveland’s, and Al. G. Field’s Minstrels.