In June, 1878, they played a limited engagement with Neil Bryant’s Minstrels in New York. August 6, 1880, they were with Sweatnam and Dougherty’s Minstrels, and September 6, 1881, with Murphy and Morton, opened with George Thatcher’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, as Murphy, Morton, Griffin and Rice.
In 1883 Mr. Rice broke away from his black-face affiliations, and with Geo. S. Knight’s “Over the Garden Wall,” played a German comedy role.
About 1885 Mr. Rice formed a partnership with Geo. W. Monroe, and for several years they starred in “My Aunt Bridget.” Subsequently he was identified with May Irwin’s and other high-class farcical productions.
Mr. Rice excels as a neat dancer, and as a light comedian, leaves nothing to be desired.
CHARLES HILLIARD.
Of course, everyone knows that Sallie Cohen, of Rice and Cohen, is none other than Mrs. John C. Rice; as a guess, the author would say the change occurred about 1890.
James Griffin formed a partnership with Ned Ainsley in the late 60’s, doing black-face songs and dances, and as Ainsley and Griffin were together for several years.
In 1872 Mr. Griffin was with Purdy, Scott and Fostelle’s Minstrels.
After separating from Mr. Rice, Griffin played engagements with Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia and Lew Dockstader’s Minstrels, in New York City; in 1893, he made a trip to South Africa with Serrill’s Minstrels.