Also on the same bill appearing with Charles Allen, as Allen and Hart in a musical act.
August 16, 1886, Mr. Hart joined Charley Reed with the Chicago Minstrels, in that city.
September 11, same year, he opened with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, where he met with conspicuous success with his banjo solos.
Joe Hart was born in Boston, Mass., about 1861.
Nat. Haines (Wm. Vincent Frazee). And now comes Nat. You know Nat, do you not? Well, here’s the story of his life. He made his first appearance “acting up” at Dramatic Hall in his native city, in 1875, doing an acrobatic “Essence.”
In February, 1876, he went to Harry Hill’s, also New York, where many a prominent performer of to-day received some of their best schooling; Mr. Haines hibernated at Hill’s for one year at $2.00 per—not year, but night.
In 1877 he played his first minstrel engagement with Whitmore and Clark’s Company, and continued throughout the season. The next two years Haines was with Haverly, after which he rounded out a season with I. W. Baird’s Minstrels.
Mr. Haines next “doubled” with Bob Richmond, and later with Hap Ward and Jim Brevarde they formed the Four Diamonds; this act was a glittering success, and like all good diamonds, was worth the money.
Haines and Vidocq formed a partnership in 1884, and continued three years, after which Mr. Haines was one of the “American Four” for two seasons. In 1889 he again joined Vidocq, and were together two years. In 1891 he formed an alliance with Joe. Pettergill, and as Haines and Pettergill they played all the principal vaudeville houses for seven seasons. The famous “Pool Room” act performed by this duo, was one of the funniest skits ever seen.
Mr. Haines again rejoined Vidocq, and continued with him until 1904, after which he performed a black-face monologue for several seasons with flattering success.