Mr. Corbin may soon mingle midst the mirthful and merry monologists.
Edmond G. Corbin was born in Troy, N. Y., May 23, 1877.
Will J. Davis, the popular and efficient manager of the beautiful Illinois Theatre in Chicago, writing to the author from Hot Springs, Ark., March 27, 1909, said: * * * “Lew Dockstader is billed for a night here about the middle of April. Wish I could stay to see the performance.”
Of course, you did, Mr. Davis, for you haven’t forgotten your associations with Jack Haverly, and when you took his famous Georgia Minstrels to California in 1876. They were the first real colored troupe to visit the coast; their success there was in no small way due to your executive ability. Then there was a “Will Davis’ Minstrels” that toured Canada, some years ago. Wonder who that was?
“Coal Oil Johnny” (John W. Steele), whose extravagances of about 45 years ago while “financial manager” of Skiff and Gaylord’s Minstrels, are yet recalled by many in and out of the profession, is said to be living quietly in Hazleton, Pa.
“Coal Oil Johnny” was a poor boy in the 60’s, when his foster parents, who had suddenly acquired fabulous wealth through the finding of oil on their property, died and left their all to young Steele. Then came a riotous round of dissipations and extravagances. It was a common thing for Steele to buy a carriage and team, and a few minutes later give it away to any stranger he happened to meet. It is said he gave a hotel away in the same manner. Mr. Steele furnished the money for the minstrels, and diamonds for the promoters, on the sole condition that his name should be used on all printing as “financial manager,” as already stated.
It is said that he has seen no minstrel show in late years.
Chauncey Olcott, the favorite singing Irish comedian, was many years a minstrel.
On the 21st day of February, 1876, Mr. Olcott, full of hope, became a member of the Alabama Serenaders, a minstrel company, which closed at St. Thomas, Canada, at the end of the third performance. Had the treasurer of the organization been as good as the show, they might have still been traveling.
In the Fall of the same year he joined Lew Benedict’s Minstrels. Mr. Olcott’s banner year as a minstrel was in 1879; here’s the record. September 13, opened with Simmons and Slocum’s Company in Philadelphia; November 27, he played a full season with the Three Rankin’s Minstrels, opening at Columbus, Ohio, on the above date, and closing with the company (which also closed) November 27, 1879, after a consecutive run of one consecutive night. Was Mr. Olcott discouraged? Not much; he became a member of Haverly’s Mastodons at Buffalo, N. Y.; prior to which he was with Hooley and Emerson’s Megatherians. July 31, 1880, he opened with Haverly at the Drury Lane Theatre, London, England.