Frank Sheppard (Fash) began his minstrel career about 1882 with Leavitt’s Gigantean Minstrels, as a cornettist. In 1885 he joined Lester and Allen’s Minstrels, here he formed a partnership with Billy Wood. Sheppard was a superb “straight” man, and a splendid musician; and as Wood said “A better fellow than Frank Sheppard never lived.”
Frank Sheppard died in London, England, December 30, 1899; age about 37 years.
Wood and Sheppard began their joint careers in 1885; shortly after Fred Bryant’s death they went to London, England, and played an unsuccessful engagement. So far as the writer knows, where the performer is concerned, this was “the first and only unsuccessful engagement on record.” The intelligence is from the most authoritative source, from Billy Wood himself. Subsequently they played five seasons with the Howard Athenaeum Company; also successful engagements with Tony Pastor’s road show; Leavitt’s Gigantean Minstrels and Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels, two years, and in 1895, a feature with “Town Topics” Company.
Shortly after this they went to London, and this time success was theirs, their engagements being extended on several occasions, after which they were equally successful in the principal cities of Continental Europe.
Dan. E. Lyons entered the profession at the age of twelve years, subsequently joining James Leary, and as Lyons and Leary did an entertaining black-face specialty. They joined Hooley and Emerson’s Megatherians in 1879, and in 1882 in conjunction with Kelly and O’Brien, were with Billy Rice and Hooley’s Minstrels as the Megatherian Four.
Lyons and Leary separated about 1886, and Mr. Lyons subsequently appeared with the Hyde and Behman Company.
He was the author of several prominent songs, among which were “Cigarette McCarthy,” and “It’s A Long Lane That Has No Turn.”
Daniel E. Lyons died in Boston, Mass., January 3, 1890; age 31 years.
Chas. Gilday entered the profession as a partner of Frank Bennett; subsequently forming a “four” act with Charley Seamon, Tom Sommers and Billy Ginniven.
Later they separated, and he and Ginniven formed an alliance which continued practically up to the time Mr. Gilday married Fannie Beane, August 1, 1877, at Deadwood, Dakota, after which and until his death they were known as Beane and Gilday.