Montgomery and Stone, who achieved fame as the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” as well as “The Red Mill” respectively, and subsequently “The Old Town,” made their first joint appearance with Haverly’s Minstrels at New Orleans, February 16, 1895. Later they did a great song and dance act for several seasons, appearing in black-face as real gallus coons.
About ten years before they formed a partnership, Mr. Stone played Topsy in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”; he was the best Topsy in the show.
Dave Montgomery was born early in 1870.
Fred. Stone was born later.
Billy B. Van (Wm. Webster Vandegrift), the famous “Patsy” comedian, was a member of the “California Minstrels” (not the originals) during the season of 1882-83.
The man who owned the show also owned a bird and fish store (live birds and fish); well, anyway, the “tour” suddenly closed in Mechanicville, N. Y.; Mr. Van not being a mechanic, could get no work in that prosperous little town, and sadly wended his way to New York, where the “manager” agreed to pay Van on his arrival in the metropolis; he did. Van’s “salary” was two canaries, ditto goldfish and one Belgian Hare.
Mr. Van had plenty of hair at that time, so one more made little difference to him; being Friday, he ate the fish, and presented the canaries to a cat who promised to take good care of them. Mr. Van has used grease paint ever since.
Clarence Marks. Whether Mr. Marks’ name and fame will be handed down to posterity as a vocalist or a comedian, time alone can tell.
His first professional appearance was made with a circus in 1888.
In 1897 he joined the Irene Myers Stock Company, where for about six years he appeared in varied characters, including a “stag” after the show one night in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in September, 1903, Dan Hart presiding.