Mr. Marks’ first appearance in minstrelsy was with the Quinlan and Wall Company in 1904; subsequently with the following well-known organizations—Culhane, Chace and Weston’s; Primrose’s; Dockstader’s; Murphy and Gibson’s; Wm. H. West’s (Ricaby’s); and Dumont’s in Philadelphia.
Season of 1909-10 he was with the George Evans’ Minstrels. One night the “Honey Boy” came back on the stage with tears in his eyes (that being the regulation place to have them); “I’m short an end man,” said the newly-made minstrel magnate, “who will volunteer?” “I will,” said little Clarence; and he did, and for the balance of the season Mr. Marks’ ponderous bass voice told every one of the trials and tribulations of one Casey Jones. And so our story ends. But Mr. Marks is still a “Honey Boy.”
Clarence Marks was born in Philadelphia, December 12, 1871.
Jas. J. Corbett, pugilist, actor and vaudevillian, made his first appearance in black-face as a member of George Evans’ Minstrels at Plainfield, N. J., August 10, 1910. Mr. Corbett as interlocutor, was a splendid success.
He commenced an engagement at the City Theatre, New York, August 13, 1910, and says, “he will come back.” But will he?
Geo. W. Chirgwin, the “White Eyed Kaffir,” is one of the most popular of England’s black-face performers.
His first bid for fame was made about thirty years ago singing the “Blind Boy.”
A few years ago Mr. Chirgwin played an engagement in the United States, where he made many friends.
Bert Swor, of the Swor Bros., made his first appearance with Haverly’s Minstrels in Chicago, doing a song and dance with John King. This was followed by ten years of stock work.
Subsequently he played engagements with Haverly’s (Nankeville) also Wm. H. West’s (Ricaby) Minstrels.