Steve Sarsfield, at last reports was in Chicago, an object of pity and commiseration.
Chas. R. Bugbee, the well-known agent and manager of several minstrel organizations, began his theatrical career as a member of Woodson and Allen’s Minstrels, about 1881; later he was with Haverly’s Minstrels; with this company he played a cornet solo in the band, and was known as Charles Baxter.
Mr. Bugbee was absent from minstrelsy for two years after the “Baxter” episode, when he was in the mercantile business in Philadelphia; after this came another two years in the same city as advertising agent of the Park and Walnut Street Theatres.
Subsequently he was with the Haverly-Cleveland Minstrels; Cleveland’s, William H. West’s and Haverly’s (Nankeville’s) Minstrels; with the last two he was manager.
Mr. Bugbee was general agent for Charles E. Blaney’s attractions for five years, and for a brief period in the Summer of 1908, was advance agent for Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels.
Charles R. Bugbee was born in Philadelphia, August 8, 1860.
Frank Casey, or little Frankie Casey, as he was known in the Fall of 1873 with the Sharpley, Sheridan and Mack Company, was billed as “the best song and dance artist living.”
A few years later he joined Everett Weslyn, and as Weslyn and Casey, the “Musical Wonders,” they played at Carncross and Dixey’s Minstrels in Philadelphia in the Fall of 1877.
Subsequent to the death of Weslyn, Mr. Casey formed an alliance with James Adams and Frank Howard, and as Adams, Casey and Howard they played many prominent minstrel and variety engagements, doing their comedy musical specialty; later Mr. Howard retired from the trio, and Adams and Casey opened with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels in July, 1885.
About fifteen years ago Mr. Casey gave a splendid interpretation of Pepat, the black-face comedy part in “Wang.”