Chapter I: Introduction (1)

Is Minstrelsy dying out? How often has the question been asked and how conflicting are the opinions of those who ought to know? Some maintain that minstrelsy is here to stay, while others insist there are no more minstrel shows.

But if the question were: Are the minstrels dying out? there could be no divergence of opinion. The passing away in the last decade or so of such luminaries as Neil. Bryant, Billy Rice, Billy West, Billy Emerson, Wm. Henry Rice, Frank Cushman, Ben. Cotton, Johnny Booker, Jack Herman, Andy Leavitt, E. F. Dixey, J. B. Donniker, “Eugene” J. H. Haverly, Sam. Hague, Dave Reed and many others, eliminate the matter of doubt entirely. Granting this, it would appear that the two terms: Minstrels and Minstrelsy are synonymous.

Some of the minstrel-loving public who recall the old days when Hooley’s in Brooklyn, The San Franciscos (Birch, Bernard, Wambold and Backus) in New York, likewise Bryant’s and the Christy’s; and Carncross and Dixey’s in Philadelphia were household words, will be astonished to learn that many of the burnt-cork heroes of forty years ago, yes, fifty years, are still living, scattered about the country, though it has been years since some of them have darkened their features.

But while most of the old-timers are past and gone, and those who are living, practically in retirement; yet there are many of the younger generation of sable performers who rank in many ways with their illustrious predecessors, and it is of these as well as of the “old guard” that “Monarchs of Minstrelsy; from ‘Daddy’ Rice to Date,” will specialize on. I wish to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the New York _Clipper_, without whose assistance this work could not have reached the comprehensive form it has attained; and an invaluable auxiliary was obtained when this aid was further supplemented by the files and data of the _Dramatic Mirror_ being placed at my disposal, and for which I am also extremely grateful.

From the Albert Davis collection of photographs, Brooklyn, I have received invaluable specimens, likewise Eddie Fox, Mrs. Billy Rice, “Hank” Mudge, Harry Booker, Emil Heusel, John Unsworth, Billy Huntley, Mrs. J. T. Huntley, Tommy Granger; Charles E. Ellis, author of “Official Elks History;” Mrs. James Budworth, Mrs. G. W. H. Griffin, Mrs. Archie Hughes, “Bill” Hines, Dan Mason, Phil. A. Paulscraft, Mrs. Ben Cotton, R. H. Mayland, Gus Hill, Fox & Ward, John P. Hogan, Miss Maggie Weston, Frank Dumont, William Blakeney, New York _Sunday Telegraph_; Louis Morgenstern, Tom Ward, Will Webster, Mrs. Catherine Griffin, Tom Waters, McIntyre & Heath, Geo. Lewis, Nick Norton, Geo. L. Willson, Chapin & Gore, Chicago; Willis P. Sweatnam, Walter Kingsley and the late J. H. Surridge.

* * * * *

NOTE.--Where dates and miscellaneous information found in this volume differ from those in my “1,000 Men of Minstrelsy; and One Woman,” it is because careful research has shown the latter to be erroneous.

INDEX

A

Abbott, C. D. 74
Abbott, Fred. 94
Abecco, Raphael 118
Abel, Neal 364
Abrams, Morris 32
Adams, Jas. E. 215
Adams, Marsh 131
Adams, Thos. 288
Allen, And. Jackson 6
Allen, Billy 124
Allen, Johnny 175
Allen, Paul 247
Allen, R. G. 182
Allmon, Dan. 316
Ames, Emil 220
Arbuckle, Maclyn 320
Arlington, Billy 115
Armstrong, Harry 228
Arnold, Amos 163-223
Arnold, Billy 163-223
Arnold, Frank 163-224
Ashcroft, Wm. J. 160
Atkins, Charley 220
Atkinson, “Chuck” 119
Austin, Ralph 351

B

Backus, Chas. 70
Bailey, Fred. 351
Bailey, Geo. W. 60
Baird, I. W. 203
Baldwin, Archie 219
Baldwin, Louis 315
Ball, Stephen B. 67
Bamford, A. 142
Banker, Ed. H. 115
Barbour, W. W. 203
Barlow, Bill 223
Barlow, Billie 272
Barlow, James 223
Barlow, Milt. G. 159
Barnes, Stuart 322
Barnum, P. T. 23
Barry, Billy 224
Bartley, John 142
Barton, Chas. 276
Basquin, J. A. 72
Beach, Bobby 267
Beard, Billy 358
Beban, Geo. 339
Behman, Louis 266
Belasco, David 280
Belknap, W. S. 238
Bell, Frank 159
Bell, Fred. A. 279
Benedict, Lew. 132
Benham, Earl 364
Benson, Billy 296
Berger, Paul 55
Bernard, Sam. 318
Bernard, Wm. H. 71
“Bernardo,” 210
Berthelon, Dick 80
Bidaux, Theodore Gustave 76
Birch, Billy 2-68
Birch, Walter 84
Birdue, Bob 212
Black, W. W. 308
Blackford, John 279
Blair, Billy 74
Blakely, Harry 279
Blakely, Thos. 6
Blakeney, Wm. 78
Bloodgood, Harry 176
Blue, John J. 362
Bogert, Eddie 335
Bohee, Jas. D. 142
Booker, Harry 222
Booker, Johnny 74
Booth, Edwin 91
Bortell, Chas. 155
Bowers, Fred. V. 348
Bowers, Nick. 54
Bowers, Otis 230
Bowman, Jas. M. 350
Bowman, John 154
Bowman, Wm. T. 350
Boyce, John T. 131
Boyd, Billy 80
Boyd, Clarence 299
Bradley, Jas. B. 311
Braham, Dave 66
Bray, Walter 146
Brickwood, Chas. 235
Briggs, J. Harvey 318
Briggs, Tom 46
Brimmer, Lew 151
Brockway, Wm. H. 108
Brooks, Jos. 215
Brower, Frank 11-15
Brower, Thos. P. 71
Brown, Ben. 188
Brown, Geo. 96
Brown, Joe 72
Brown, John G. 47
Bruno, Gus. 202
Bryant, Billy 248
Bryant, Dan. 64-87-98-248-295
Bryant, Fred. 215
Bryant, Jerry 58
Bryant, Neil 106
Bryant, Wm. H. 220
Bryant, Wm. T. 72
Buckley, Billy 298
Buckley, Fred 18
Buckley, Geo. Swayne 18-83
Buckley, James 15
Buckley, Joe. 104
Buckley, J. K. 134
Buckley, R. Bishop 16
Buckley, R. Jean 92
Budd, Jake 103
Budworth, Harry 218
Budworth, Jas. 64-79-295
Budworth, W. S. 114
Bugbee, Chas. R. 299
Bulger, Harry 324
Burbank, Otto 72
Burgess, “Cool” 138
Burgess, Fred. 52
Burgess, Neil. 188
Burk, Major 159
Burnham, Chas. D. 146
Burr, Billy 135
Burton, Clarence 287
Butler, “Picayune” 30
Byrne, J. H. W. 270

C

Cain, John E. 308
Callender, Chas. 54
Cameron, Al. 319
Campbell, Geo. F. 252
Campbell, J. C. 174
Campbell, J. K. 103
Campbell, M. C. 26
Campbell, Sher. 60
Canfield, Eugene 222
Carle, Jno. H. 48
Carle, Richard 324
Carmichael, Bob. 310
Carncross, John L. 92
Carnes, Boardman 326
Carroll, Jas. 59
Carroll, Richard F. 318
Carroll, R. M. 80
Carroll, Wm. J. 250
Carson, Dave. 66
Carter, Billy 94
Carter, Jim 30
Casey, Frank 299
Cassady, Eddie 359
Castle, Wm. 110
Cave, John Arnold 34
Cawthorne, Herbert 296
Cawthorne, Joe 323
Ceda, Bill 24
Chace, Billy 272
Chambers, Billy 91
Charles, Geo. W. 124
Chase, Frank V. 315
Cheevers, Joe. 200
Chestnut, Mast. 6
Childs, Joe. H. 134
Chipman, E. W. 335
Chirgwin, Geo. A. 343
Christian, Tom. 23
Christie, Arthur 296
Christie, Chas. 55
Christy, E. Byron 22
Christy, Edwin P. 19
Christy, Geo. N. 20
Christy’s Minstrels 19
Christy, Wm. A. 22
Church, Chas. L. 92
“Cincinnatus” 220
Clapham, Geo. T. 207
Clapham, Harry J. 142
Clapp, W. W. Jr. 6
Clark, Billy 354
Clark, Geo. M. 84
Clark, Jimmy 142
Clark, S. E. 30
Clark, Willis 246
Clarke, Kit. 124
Claudius, Dana H. 352
Cleveland, Wm. S. 306
Clifford, Billy S. 340
Clifford, J. H. 147
Cluskey, John 72
“Coal Oil Johnny” 282
Coburn, J. A. 331
Coes, Geo. H. 58
Cogill, C. W. 210
Cohan, Geo. M. 356
Cohan, Jerry 203
Cohen, Sallie 280
Cole, Sam. 126
Coleman, Billy 60
Coleman, “Pickaninny” 28
Collier, Willie 330
Collins, Ben. 244
Collins, D. W. 114
Collins, John H. 28
Collins, “Punch” 48
Collyer, Dan 240
Comfort, Vaughn 360
Connors, Jimmy 279
Converse, Frank B. 119
Conway, Billy 254
Cook, Arthur 158
Cook, James 312
Cooke, Aynsley 95
Cooper, Jas. H. 118
Corbett, Jas. J. 343
Corbin, Edmond G. 282
Cornu, E. J. 116
Cotton, Ben. 62
Cotton, Ben. Jr. 212
Courtright, Billy 203
Cox, John S. 82
Crane, Wm. H. 182
Crimmins, John 300
Crimmins, Mike. 300
Crimmins, Steve 300
Crocker, John P. 95
Cronin, Tim. 278
Crosby, L. V. H. 50
Crosher, John 147
Cummings, Jas. H. 239
Cunningham, Geo. W. 311
Cunningham, Jerry 292
Cushman, Frank 168-243

D

Dailey, Peter F. 302
Daly, Bill 247
Daly, Dan 303
Daly, John 287
Daly, Tom 247
Dart, Fred. 272
Davis, Lewis H. 224
Davis, Ned. 90
Davis, Will J. 282
Day, Chas. H. 151
Day, Geo. W. 319
De Angelis, Jeff 292
De Angelis, Johnny 87
Deaves, Edwin 27
Decker, Al. 256
Decker, Jas. H. 218
Delehanty, Wm. H. 184
Delmanning, Dent. 208
Delmore, Len. 271
Deming, Arthur 323
De Rue, Billy 348
De Rue, Bobby 348
Detzel, Pete. 350
De Vere, Geo. M. 300
Devere, Sam. 152
Devere, Tommy 220
Devere, Wm. 220
Devlin, Jimmy 355
Diamond, Billy 224
Diamond, John 40
Diamond, Lawrence 254
Diamond, Matt. 254
Dicken, C. Edward 294
Dickinson, Commodore 98
Dingess, John A. 52
Dixey, E. Freeman 86
Dixey, Henry E. 294
“Dixie”, origin of 314
Dixon, Thos. B. 198
Dixon, Geo. Washington 6
Dobson, Chas. E. 132
Dobson, Edw. C. 288
Dockstader, Chas. 207
Dockstader, Lew. 2-4-46-138-274-302
Dockstader, W. L. 303
Donaldson, Wm. B. 36
Donnelly, Lewis J. 134
Donnelly, Tommy 318
Donniker, John B. 83
Dooley, Larry 307
Doty, J. Arthur 300
Dougherty, Hughey 170
Dove, Johnny 359
Doyle, J. Marcus 236
Dresser, Paul 212
Dukelan, “Slim Jim” 168
Duley, John H. 91
Dumont, Frank 198
Dunn, Arthur 322
Duprez, Chas. H. 72
Durand, Lansing 34
Durell, Frank 294
Dwyer, Wm. 136

E

Eagan, Hubert W. 150
Early, John W. 327
Edwards, Bob. 36
Eldredge “Press” 226
Ellis, Harry A. 354
Eltinge, Julian 363
Emerson, Billy 186-207
Emerson, Mort. 246
Emmett, Billy 170
Emmett, Dan. 11-14
Emmett, J. K. 150
Emmett, “Young Dan” 66
English, Tom 304
Ernest, Chas. M. 219
“Eugene” 111
“Eustache” 218
Evans, Chas. E. 271
Evans, Geo. 339
Evarts, Harry 76

F

Fagan, Barney 216
Farrell, Bob 6
Field, Al. G. 214
Fields, John F. 251
Fields, Lew. 328
Fields, Wm. 118
Filkins, Robert J. 182
Fish, Fred. C. 260
Fish, Wm. B. 47
Fisher, Harry 207
Florence, W. J. 96
Foley, Johnny 366
Foley, Mike 155
Foley, Willie 366
Foote, Wm. 174
Forde, Stanley 356
Forrest, Edwin 23
Fostelle, Chas. 180
Foster, Dave 264
Foster, Stephen C. 51
Fox, Charley 56
Fox, Eddie 195
Fox, Jas. 212
Fox, Joe. 235
Fox, Ned. 178
Foy, Eddie 218
Foy, Dave. 215
France, Sid. C. 122
Fraser, Bob. 152
Frear, Billy 210
Frear, Fred. 219
Frear, Jas. B. 211
Freeth, Jabez 215
Freeze, Larry 340
Freeze, Billy 340
French, Chas. K. 298
French, Edwin 243
Friganza, Trixie 354
Frohman, Chas. 264
Frohman, Daniel 264
Frohman, Gus. 264
Frothingham, Geo. 174
Fulton, Jas. C. 336
Fulton, Wm. T. 336

G

Gallagher, Denny 66
Gale, Geo. 211
Gale, Peter 302
Gardner, Charley 130
Gardner, Dan 26
Gardner, Sam. 28
Gaylor, Chas. 98
Gaylord, Low. 110
Gaynor, James 131
Geary, Gustave 147
Gentry, Jas. B. 310
Germon, Francis 24
Gettings, Tommy 162
Geyer, Frank C. 266
Gibbons, Chas E. 136
Gibbs, Clark M. 116
Gibbs, Wally 216
Gibson, Alf. 284
Gilbert, John D. 283
Gilday, Chas. 291
Gildea, Edw. P. 304
Gill, Wm. S. 4
Gilmore, Barney 344
Gilmore, P. S. 62
Ginniven, Billy 260
Girard, Eddie 286
Girard, Frank 140
Girard, Willie 286
Glenn, Jas. 128
Glidden, Charley 211
Golden, Billy 288
Golden, Geo. Fuller 346
Golden, Richard 242
Goldrich, Pete. 199
Goodman, “Hank” 95
Goodwin, Nat. C. 268
Goodyear, Chas. 179
Gorman, Geo. 232
Gorman, James 232-355
Gorman, John 232
Gorton, Jos. Jr. 356
Gorton, Jos. Sr. 108
Goss, Ned. 212
Gould, Billy 339
Gould, Julia 46
Gould, Napoleon W. 28
Granger, Tommy 231
Granville, “Bun” 364
Graupner, Mr. 5-6
Gray, Billy 136
Gray, Geo. 151
Gray, William 296
Green, J. E. 86
Greenland, Ned. 67
Griffin, G. W. H. 59-83
Griffin, Jas. H. 268
Guy, Albert 320
Guy, Arthur L. 346
Guy, Mrs. Arthur L. 351
Guy, Chas. 296
Guy, Edwin 326
Guy, Geo. 36
Guy, Geo. R. 263
Guy, Willie 242

H

Hague, Sam. 56
Haines, Nat. 307
Haley, Maurice 278
Hall, Artie 355
Hall, Bob. 82
Hall, E. M. 183
Hall, Geo. L. 56
Hall, Wm. D. 330
Hall, Wm. M. 6
Hallen, Fred. 270
Hallen, Geo. 308
Hallett, Wm. H. 332
Hamall, Hugh 183
Hamilton, Wm. H. 147
Hanson, Frank 251
Hapgood, Harry 47
Harley, Edwin 218
Harold, Donald 266
Harper, Ned. 24
Harrigan, Ned. 263
Harrington, Geo. A. 30
Harrington, J. C. 288
Harris, Chas. K. 322
Harris, Tommy 267
Harris, Wm. 154
Hart, Al. 324
Hart, B. C. 182
Hart, Billy 83-151
Hart, Bob 83
Hart, Jerry 272
Hart, Joe. 306
Hart, John 90
Hart, Tony 263
Haverly, Burt. 244
Haverly, J. H. 120
Hawkins, D. R. 148
Hawkins, Lew. 244
Hayes, Ben. 150
Hayes, Tim. 151
Hayman, Al. 208
Haywood, Charlie 304
Heath, Thos. K. 255-262
Height, Bob. 228
Hengler, Thos. M. 184
Hennessy, Michael F. 271
Henry, Chas. 104
Henry, Hi. 172
Henshaw, John E. 216
Herbert, “Pot Pie” 6
Herman, Geo. W. 63
Herman, J. A. 42
Hernandez, A. M. 82
Herne, Jas. A. 148
Heusel, Emil 324
Heywood, Chas. 199
Hicks, Chas. B. 147
Higgins, Joe. 303
Higgins, Wm. 303
Hilliard, Chas. 364
Hilton, J. W. 107
Hines, Wm. E. 290
Hitchcock, Raymond 335
Hobbs, W. L. 82
Hoey, Jas. F. 302
Hoey, Wm. F. 264
Hogan, Gus. 276
Hogan, Harry 276
Hogan, John P. 190
Holland, Geo. 22
Holly, Jas. 230
Holmes, Edwin 67-83
Holmes, Wm. F. 235
Holt, Dan. 66
Hooley, Bob. 278
Hooley, John 75
Hooley, R. M. 38
Hopper, De Wolf 323
Horan, Eddie 332
Horn, Eph. 27
Horn, Geo. 227
Horwitz, Chas. 323
Howard, Charley 51
Howard, Frank (A., C. & H.) 215
Howard, Frank (Hurd) 148
Howard, Frank (Martindale) 180
Howard, Gus. 134
Howard, Patsy 258
Howard, Rollin 83-127
Howard, Seth. 76
Huber, Fred. 252
Hughes, Archie 78
Hughes, Artie 264
Hughes, Joe. 315
Hughes, Mark 136
Hughes, Ruey. 202
Huntington, Harry (see “Young Dan Emmett.”)

Huntley, C. L. 42
Huntley, J. T. 43
Huntley, Mrs. J. T. 83
Huntley, Wm. A. 160
Hurley, J. 230
Hussey, Frank 91
Hutton, Laurence 5-6
Hyde, Richard 266
Hyde, Tommy 360

I

Irwin, Max 87
Isaacs, P. B. 78

J

Jackson, Theodore 110
Jamison, Neil 6
Jansen, J. Melville 187
“Japanese Tommy” 116
Jefferson, Jos. 60
Jefferson, Tommy 116
Jenkins, Charley 6
Jennings, John 251
Jerome, Billy 322
Johnson, Arthur 304
Johnson, Carroll 230
Johnson, Jim. 50
Johnson, Sam. 23
Jolson, Al. 363
Jolson, Harry 362
Jones, Albert 66
Jones, Geo. 362
Jose, Richard J. 338

K

Kanane, Mike 67
Kayne, E. M. 187
Keating, John J. 262
Keefe, Matt. 326
Keegan, John T. 292
Kellerd, John E. 307
Kelly, Edwin 143
Kelly, Jimmy 279
Kelly, J. J. 160
Kelly, John T. 264
Kelly, J. W. 278
Kelly, Nolan 220
Kemble, J. R. 124
Kennedy, Edw. J. 200
Kennedy, Harry 267
Kennedy, “Memphis” 228
Kent, Frank 2-71
Kernell, Harry 187
Kerns, Frank 155
King, John H. 334
Kneass, Nelson 26
Knowles, R. G. 291
Koppitz, Chas. 66
Kunkel, Geo. 39
Kurtz, Melvin S. 175

L

Lackaye, Wilton 296
Lacy, Harry 270
Lafayette, The Great 4
Lamont, Jas. W. 123
Landis, John 30
Lane, Pete 75
Lang, Joe. 154
Lang, John 183
Langdon, Geo. 76
Lansing, Harry 220
La Rue, D. C. 95
Latell, Ed. 339
La Verne, Lucille 323
Lawrence, Billy 79
Lea, Geo. 30
Leavitt, Andy 35
Leavitt, M. B. 158
Le Clair, Harry 270
Lee, Dinner 96
Lee, John H. 215
Lee, Pete 123
Lee, Philip 96
Lee, Sam 318
Lehr, Harry 67
Leicester, ---- 6
Leighton, Bert. 358
Leighton, Frank 356
Leighton, Harry 78-322
Leighton, Joe. 358
Le Mack, Tom 316
“Leon” 123-143
Leon, Dan. 51
Leonard, Eddie 351
Leslie, Bert. 346
Leslie, Tom. 91
Lester, Billy 247
Lewis, Charley 91
Lewis, Frank 295
Lewis, Geo. W. 314
Lewis, Tom. 71-296
“Little Mac” 162
Lockwood, Chas. 147
Long, Chas. G. 52
Lorraine, Chas. F. 207
“Lotta” 179
Lovely, Joe. 212
Lynch, Frank 32
Lyons, Dan. E. 291

M

Mack, Andrew 315
Mack, James 286
Mack, Jas. W. 183
Mack, Johnny 242
Mack, John A. 114
Mack, Jos. H. 207
Mack, Keller 336
Mack, Pete 280
Mack, Will. G. 198
Mackin, Jas. F. 258
Mackney, E. W. 47
Magee, Richard Jr. 228
Maguire, Tom. 43
Malcolm, Fred. B. 227
Mallory, Ben. 62
Manchester, Bob. 251
Mann, Harry 3-287
Manning, Billy 128-248
Manning, Eddie 303
Manning, Jas. H. 335
Marble, Ed. 187
Marion, Bert. 327
Marion, Geo. 294
Marion, Herman 355
Marks, Clarence 343
Marks, Eddie 310
Marr, Billy 230
Martin, Geo. T. 300
Martin, Tom. 307
Mason, Chas. A. 299
Mason, Dan. 271
Mason, “Hank” 40
Mason, Hen. 148
“Master” Barney 128
“Master” Juba 48
“Master” Martin 284
“Master Tommy” 206
Maxwell, Barry 179-199
Mayland, Rowland H. 204
Mazier, Eddie 347
McAllister, Billy 158
McAndrews, J. W. 79
McCabe, D. W. 298
McCullough, John 98
McElroy, Matt. 304
McGee, Joe B. 362
McGowan, Dick 130
McGown, Bobby 226
McIntyre, Jas. 255-262
McKee, Andy 171
McKee, Frank 304
McMahon, Tim. 335
McMahon, Walter 346
McMillan, Jerry 142
McNally, Tom. 119
McNish, Frank E. 240
McVeigh, Johnny 179
McWade, Robert 139
McVickar, John 232
Melville, Chas. 102
Melville, E. J. 50
Mestayer, Harry 6
Meyers, Lew. 103
Mills, Gus. 242
Milton, Chas. W. 344
Mitchell, Mike 66
Monroe, Chas. L. 142
Monroe, Ned. 332
Montague, Harry 98
Montgomery, Dave 342
Montgomery, “Scamp” 327
Moore, Geo. F. 211
Moore, “Pony” 31
Moran, Frank 2-54
Moreland, Arthur 58-191
Morgan, Duke 72
Morningstar, Chas. A. 71
Morrell, Frank 352
Morris, Billy 64
Morris, Chas. A. 64
Morris, D. L. 139
Morris, Lon. 64
Morris, Tim. 94
Morrisey, L. 135
Morse, Harry M. 242
Mortimer, Jos. 63
Morton, Jos. 262
Morton, J. W. 204
Morton, Will H. 218
Moxley, Thos. L. 59
Mudge “Hank” 138
Mullally, W. S. 178
Mulligan, John 55
Murphy, Con. T. 162
Murphy, Joe 106
Murphy, J. B. 63
Murphy, J. C. 183
Murphy, J. H. 144
Murphy, John E. 262
Murphy, Jos. D. 42
Murphy, Mark 304
Myers, “Ole Bull” 23

N

Newcomb, Bobby 1-58-194
Newcomb, W. W. 40
Newman, Wm. G. 308
Nicholls, Geo. 6
Niles, P. J. 271
Nish, Anthony 63
Noble, Chas. 75
Norcross, Jos. M. 150
Norris, James 138
Norton, John 122
Norton, Tim. 122
Norton, Wash. 122

O

Oakland, Fred. 252
Oakland, Will 362
Oberist, John F. 111
O’Brien, Mike 67
O’Brien, Neil 330
O’Day, Billy 238
Olcott, Chauncey 282
O’Neill, Charley 75
Ordway, John P. 44

P

Paine, Ira 116
Parker, Dick 114
Parker, Lew. 204
Parmley, “Hank” 106
Parrow, Wm. 31
Pastor, Tony 84
Patti, Greg 324
Payne, Billy 298
Payton, Corse 331
Pearl, Billy 312
Pearl, Charley 239
Peasley, John A. 136
Peel, “English Tommy” 146
Peel, Matt. 75
Peel, Mrs. Matt., (see Mrs. J. T. Huntley)

Peel, Tommy 148
Pelham, Dick 11-12
Pell, Frank 148
Pell, Gilbert W. 48
Pell, Harry 72
Pell, Jas. 294
Pell, Johnny 84
Pendy, John 140
Percy, Harry 178
Petrie, Chas. 86
Petrie, Will O. 260
Pettengill, Charley 156
Pettengill, Joe. 302
Pettitt, Seamon S. 232
Phelps, Lucius M. 178
Philbrick, Will 358
Phillips, Augustus 347
Phillips, Will, F. 346
Pierce, Earl 43
Pierce, Johnny “Froggy” 131
Pierce, W. W. 118
Pike, Marshall S. 28
Pixley, Gus. 323
Polk, J. S. 98
Porter, Wm. A. 38
Powers, Geo. W. 192
Powers, James 51
Powers, Jas. T. 323
Prendergast, John 188
Prendergast, Tom. 66
Price, Harry M. 283
Price, Neil 140
Price, Sam. 114
Primrose, Geo. H. 4-236
Pringle, C. W. 136
Prosser, Rees 327
Purdy, S. S. 110

Q

Queen, Chas. 254
Queen, John 323
Queen, Johnny 135
Quigley, “Doc” 348
Quilter, Dick 199
Quinlan, Dan. 316
Quinn, Billy 118
Quinn, Paul 334

R

Rainer, Jos. H. 47
Raleigh, Tom. 30
Ralph, Dick 174
Rankin, Carl 262
Rankin, Rit. 262
Rankin, Will 262
Rattler, Lew 76
Raymond, Maude 334
Raynor, Geo. 34
Raynor, J. W. 39
Reece, “Pop” 64
Reed, Charley 267
Reed, Dave 67
Reed, Ned. 136
Reeves, Al. 319
Remington, Billy 136
Reynolds, Chas. 239
Reynolds, Charley 115
Reynolds, Geo. 239
Ricaby, Sanford B. 330
“Ricardo” 175
Rice, Billy 163-207
Rice, “Daddy” 7-74
Rice, Dan. 42
Rice, Edw. Le Roy 1
Rice, Geo. 6
Rice, Geo. W. 276
Rice, Johnny 206
Rice, John C. 268
Rice, Philip 30
Rice, Wm. Henry 31-74-163
Richards, Geo. 258
Richards, Vic. 292
Richards, Warren 134
Richardson, Billy 220
Richardson, Sage 202
Richmond, Harry G. 140
Rickey, Sam. 280
Rigby, Arthur C. 328
Roberts, James 6
Robinson, Geo. (see “Eustache”)

Robinson, Harry 91
Robinson, “Hop” 6
Robson, Andrew 4
Rockefeller, Geo. W. 156
Rogers, Neil 176
Rogers, Stevie 171
Romain, Manuel 346
Roome, Jas. 116
Rosenbaum, Ed. 306
Ross, Jasper H. 51
Rudolph, Carl 132
Rudolph, W. Jackson 52
Rumsey, Hy. 59
Rumsey, Zenas 28
Rushby, Horace 146
Russell, James 266
Russell, Jas. G. 135
Russell, John 266
Ryman, Add. 122

S

Sadler, Tom. 276
Sanderson, Harry 295
Sandford, Jim 23
Sands, Dick 147
Sands, Edw. 262
Sanford, Jas. 152
Sanford, Sam. 34-364
Sarrissey, “Dad” 62
Sarsfield, Steve 299
Schoolcraft, Luke 58-192
Scott, Ainsley 108
Seamon, Chas. V. 214
Sexton, Mert. 76
Seymour, Nelse. 50-64-95-98-295
Sharpley, Chas. 315
Sharpley, Fred. 219
Sharpley, James 182
Sharpley, Sam. 64-76
Shattuck, Chas. F. 90
Shay, Harry 230
Shay, Johnny 179
Sheffer, “Buck” 279
Shelby, Dan. 122
Shepard, Burt. 227
Sheppard, Billy 147
Sheppard, Bob. 35
Sheppard, Frank 291
Sheridan, John F. 183
Shirley, Harry 230
Shorey, J. G. H. 90
Shunk, Harry C. 347
Silver, Dick 76
Silver, J. K. 135
Simmons, Lew. 1-126
Simpson, John 72
Sitgreaves, Beverly 354
Sivori, John 83
Skiff, M. T. 96
Skinner, Otis 316
Slavin, Bob. 2-250
Sliter, Dick 50
Slocum, E. N. 111-294
Smith, Bob. 75
Smith, Ed. C. 270
Smith, Harry W. 356
Smith, John P. 82
Smith, John W. 24
Smith, Sol. 6
Smith, Wm. 248
Smith, Wm. H. 44
Smith, Wm. N. 67
Sommers, Tom. 214
Sothern, Mr. 96
Spalding, Dr. G. R. 23
Spencer, Lew. 198
Spooner, Cecil 355
Spooner, Edna May 346
Sprung, Fred. 140
Stanley, Burton 228
Stanwood, Harry 152
Steele, John W. (see “Coal Oil Johnny”)

Stewart, “Fatty” 95
Stiles, Billy 276
Stine, Chas. J. 320
Stone, A. C. 140
Stone, Fred. 342
Stone, H. D. 6
Stout, John S. 180
Stratton, Eugene 320
Strickland, W. H. 147
“Stuart” 344
Studley, J. B. 82
Subers, Emil 355
Sullivan, J. F. 148
Sullivan, John L. 339
Sullivan, Mark 287
Sully, Lew. 311
Sully, Wm. J. 283
Sun, Gus. 334
Surridge, J. H. 126
Sutton, Charley 176
Sweatnam, Willis P. 3-179
Swor, Bert 343
Sweeney, Dick 24
Sweeney, Joe. 22
Sweet, O. P. 110
Symonds, Jack 303

T

Talbott, Jack 144
Tatnall, Sam. 6
Templeton, Chas. 104
Ten Brooke, James 286
Tenney, Ernest 328
Thatcher, Geo. 3-188
Thatcher, Ned. 294
Thayer, Ambrose A. 118
Thayer, “Bije” 44
Thomas, Wally 134
Thompson, Dan. 278
Thompson, Denman 106
Thompson, Johnny 155
Thompson, John W. 131
Thompson, Matt. 96
Thompson, Wm. H. 338
Tierney, Jas. (T. & W.) 326
Tierney, Jas. M. (T. & C.) 272
Trowbridge, Jos. T. 39
Turner, Chas. 303
Turner, Frank 208
Turner, John 223
Turner, John M. 210
Turner, Tommy 239

U

Unsworth, James 50-64-107-295
Unsworth, John 175

V

Van, Billy 312
Van, Billy B. 342
Vaughn, Tom. 43
Vetta, Franz 311
Vidocq, Will 322
Vogel, John W. 312
Vokes, Harry 323
Von Bonhorst, Julius A. 30

W

Wagner, “Happy” Cal. 146
Waldron, Dan. 248
Wallace, Jake 110
Walters, Charley 204
Walz, Fred. 239
Wambold, Dave. 70
Wambold, Jas. 92
Wambold, Ned. 211
Ward, Frank 208
Ward, “Hap” 323
Ward, John H. 139
Ward, Wm. H. 235
Warfield, Tom. 135
Warren, Mickey 59
Waterbury, Edw. M. 328
Waterbury, Geo. N. 328
Waters, Tom. 348
Watson, Harry 212
Wayne, Burt. 212
Wayne, Chas. 326
Weaver, Add. 87
Weber, Jos. 328
Welby, Jake 239
Welch, Billy 206
Welch, Fayette 123
Wells, Frank 95
Wells, Jimmy 51
Wells, Sam. 51
Weslyn, Everett 235
West, Charley 219
West, Luke 52
West, Wm. 135
West, Wm. H. 71-207-246
Weston, Horace 46
Weston, Wm. R. 280
Wheeler, Matt. 162
White, Archie 226
White, Chas. O. 111
White, Chas. T. 5-35
White, “Cool” 34
White, Frank H. 228
White, G. Warren 26
White, “Hank” 84
Whiteside, Walker 4
Whitlock, Billy 11-12
Wild, Billy 176
Wild, John 155
Wilkes, Geo. 140
Williams, Barney 44
Williams, Bert. 350
Williams, Billy 256
Williams, Jack. 294
Williams, Percy G. 271
Willis, Oscar 155
Wills, Nat. 335
Wilson, Chas. 152
Wilson, Chas. D. 347
Wilson, Dave. 139
Wilson, Francis 258-344
Wilson, Fred. 55
Wilson, Fred., (D. & W.) 271
Wilson, Geo. 172
Winnett, Tommy 232
Winship, Geo. 47
Winter, Banks 283
Withers, Ike 182
Witmark, Julius P. 342
Wood, Billy 290
Wood, Henry 74
Woodruff, Tim. 46
Woods, Geo. W. 206
Woodson, Harry 238
Wray, Billy 86
Wright, Billy 75
Wyatt, Andrew 82

Y

Yale, Chas. H. 276
Yeamans, Jennie 310
Young, Charley 254

Z

Zanfretta, Alexander 72

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS

A

Abecco, Raphael 217
Abel, Neal 145
Adams, Jas. E. 289
Allen, Billy 233
Allen, Hen 177
Allen, Johnny 113
Allen, Paul 21
Ames, Emil 29
Arbuckle, Maclyn 196
Arlington, Billy 41
Armstrong, Harry 221
Arnold, Amos 157
Arnold, Billy 157
Arnold, Frank 157
Ashcroft, Wm. J. 301
Austin, Ralph 196

B

Backus, Chas. 117
Bailey, Fred. 196
Ball, Wm. 165
Bamford, A. 73
Banker, Ed. H. 97
Barlow, Milt. G. 41
Barnum, P. T. 49
Barry, Billy 73
Basquin, J. A. 73
Beban, Geo. 197
Belasco, David 197
Bell, Frank 85
Benedict, Lew. 85-225
Benham, Earl 257
Bernard, Sam. 196
Bernard, Wm. H. 117
Bidaux, Theodore Gustave 141
Birch, Billy 117
Birdue, Bob 349
Bishop, Gonsalvo 141
Black, W. W. 229
Blakely, Harry 301
Blakeney, Wm. 165
Blossom, Nat. 173
Blue, John J. 229
Bogert, Eddie 177
Booker, Harry 349
Booker, Johnny 65
Booth, Edwin 49
Bowers, Fred. V. 197
Bowman, Jas. M., Facing 351
Bowman, John 177
Bowman, Wm. T., Facing 351
Bradley, Jas. B. 305
Brandisi, Sig. 165
Brimmer, Lew. 265
Brockway, Wm. H. 333
Brower, Frank 13
Brown, Joe. 229
Bruno, Gus. 57
Bryant, Dan 99-149-225
Bryant, Mrs. Dan 209
Bryant, Fred. 177
Bryant, Jerry 93
Bryant, Neil. 65
Buckley, Fred. 13
Buckley, Mrs. Fred 209
Buckley, Geo. Swayne 13
Buckley, James 13
Buckley, Joe. 181
Buckley, R. Bishop 13
Budworth, Jas. 161
Budworth, Mrs. Jas 209
Budworth, W. S. 265
Bugbee, Chas. R. 365
Bulger, Harry 197
Burgess, “Cool” 245
Burgess, Neil. 49
Burton, Clarence 53

C

Cain, John E. 145
Campbell, J. C. 221
Campbell, J. K. 221
Campbell, Sher. 221
Canfield, Eugene 349
Cardella, Frank 105
Carle, Richard 196
Carncross, John L. 181
Carroll, R. M. 341
Carter, Billy 37
Carter, Jim 21
Carter, Otis 217
Casey, Frank 317
Cassady, Eddie 169
Castle, Wm. 49
Catlin, E. N. 105
Cawthorne, Joe. 196
Chace, Billy 321
Christy, E. Byron 85
Christy, Edwin P. 45
Christy, Geo. N. 45
Clapham, Harry J. 365
Clark, Willis 337
Claudius, Dana H. 265
Clifford, Billy S. 196
Coes, Geo. H. 357
Cogill, C. W. 253
Cohan, Geo. M. 196
Cohan, Jerry 196
Cohen, Sallie 273
Collier, Willie 197
Collins, Ben. 133
Collins, Frank 361
Collins, Lew. 361
Comfort, Vaughn 313
Connors, Jimmy 253
Constantine, Harry 201
Converse, Frank B. 349
Cook, James 361
Cooper, Fred. 253
Corbett, Jas. J. 125, 196
Corbin, Edmond G. 53
Cornu, E. J. 105
Cotton, Ben. 89
Cotton, Ben. Jr. 349
Courtright, Billy 165
Cox, Will (see Wm. West) 101
Crane, Wm. H. 197
Cronin, Tim. 357
Cummings, Jas. H. 81
Cunningham, Geo. W. 321
Cushman, Frank 77

D

Daly, Bill 337
Daly, Dan 49
Daly, John 293
Daly, Tom 337
Dart, Fred. 109
Davis, Lewis H. 321
Day, Chas. H. 365
De Angelis, Jeff 197
Delehanty, Wm. H. 301
Delmanning Bros. 289
Deming, Arthur 129
De Rue, Billy 137
De Rue, Bobby 137
De Vere, Geo. M. 29
Devere, Sam. 37
Dixey, E. Freeman 113
Dixey, Henry E. 197
“Dixie”, first performance of 185
Dixon, Thos. B. 281
Dockstader, Chas. 249
Dockstader, Lew 249, Facing 274
Donniker, John B. 105
Doty, J. Arthur 201
Dougherty, Hughey 85
Dove, Johnny 341
Dukelan, “Slim Jim,” 305-309
Dumont, Frank 313
Duprez, Chas. H. 141
Du Rell, Ed 337
Du Rell, Frank 337

E

Eagan, Hubert W. 41
Edwards, Bob. 21
Edwards, Geo. 41
Ellis, Harry A. 25-305
Ellwood, Lincoln 241
Emerson, Billy 29-237
Emerson, Mrs. Billy 209
Emerson, Mort 337-361
Emmett, Dan. 13
Emmett, J. K. 49
English, Tom 149
Ernest, Chas. M. 89
Escott, Dick 309
“Eugene” 109-241
Evans, Chas. E. 249
Evans, Geo. 293
Ewers, Wm. 309

F

Fagan, Barney 341
Field, Al. G. 121
Fields, John F. 277-317
Fields, Lew. 197
Foley, Johnny 305
Foley, Willie 305
Foote, Wm. 365
Forrest, Edwin 49
Fox, Charley 353
Fox, Eddie 105
Fox, Jas. 277
Fox, Joe. 33
Foy, Eddie 196
France, Sid. C. 149
Fraser, Bob. 181
Fredericks, Chas. 165
Freeze, Billy 137
Freeze, Larry 137
French, Chas. K. 149
French, Edwin 53
Friganza, Trixie 273
Frohman, Chas. 197-285
Frohman, Daniel 197
Frohman, Gus. 285
Frothingham, Geo. 125

G

Gale, Geo. 193
Gardner, Charley 25
Gardner, Sam. 333
Gaylord, Low, facing 118
Germon, Francis 69
Gettings, Tommy 233
Geyer, Frank C. 177
Gibbs, Clark M. 101
Gibson, Alf. 169
Gilbert, John D. 177
Gilmore, Barney 196
Gilmore, P. S. 49
Girard, Eddie 57
Girard, Frank 73
Girard, Willie 57
Gladdish, Fred. 305
Glenn, Jas. 181
Golden, Richard 49
Goldrich, Pete. 33
Goodman, “Hank” 65
Goodwin, Nat. C. 196
Gorman, Geo. 157
Gorman, James 157
Gorman, John 157
Goss, Ned. 277
Gould, Julia 145
Granger, Tommy 161
Gray, Billy 229
Gray, Geo. 217
Green, J. E. 229
Greenland, Ned. 365
Grier, W. P. 165
Griffin, G. W. H. 333
Griffin, Jas. H. 277
Guy, Arthur L. 257
Guy, Mrs. Arthur L. 81
Guy, Geo. R. 121-133
Guy, Willie 133

H

Hague, Sam. 97
Haines, Nat. 77
Hall, Artie 273
Hall, Bob 105
Hall, E. M. 265
Hallett, Wm. H. 305-313
Hanson, Frank 317
Harley, Geo. W. 281
Harper, Ned. 9
Harrigan, Ned. 289
Harrington, Geo. A. 69
Harrington, J. C. 253
Harris, Chas. K. 197
Harris, Wm. 197
Hart, Bob. 85
Hart, Jerry 169
Hart, John 29
Hart, Tony 289
Haverly, Burt. 97
Haverly, J. H., facing 118
Haverly, Mrs. Jack 209
Hawkins, Lew. 133
Hayes, Tim. 233
Heath, Thos. K., facing 255
Hengler, Thos. M. 301
Henry, Chas. 217
Henry, Hi., facing 118
Herman, J. A. 217
Herne, Jas. A. 49
Heywood, Chas. 241
Hilliard, Chas. 269
Hines, Wm. E. 173
Hitchcock, Raymond 125-196
Hodges, D. B. 365
Hoey, Wm. F. 277
Hogan, Gus. 357
Hogan, Harry 357
Hogan, John P. 133
Holden, Jas. 105
Holmes, Edwin 141
Hooley, R. M. 121
Hopper, De Wolf 196
Horan, Eddie 341
Horn, Eph. 181-225
Horwitz, Chas. 197
Howard, Charley 353
Howard, Frank (Martindale) 193
Howard, Harry 305
Howard, Rollin 109
Huber, Fred. 113
Hughes, Archie 113
Hughes, Artie 177
Hughes, Ruey. 133
Hunneman, Chas. 105
Huntley, Wm. A. 53
Hyde, Tommy 341

J

Jansen, J. Melville 57
“Japanese Tommy” 165
Jefferson, Jos. 49
Jerome, Billy 196
Johnson, Arthur 253
Johnson, Carroll 205
Jolson, Al., facing 363
Jolson, Harry 257
Jose, Richard J. 193

K

Kanane, Mike 233
Kayne, E. M. 333
Kellerd, John E. 197
Kelly, Chas. 165
Kelly, Ed. 253
Kelly, Edwin 165
Kelly, Jimmy 253
Kelly, J. W. 49
Kelly, Nolan 361
Kemble, J. R. 333
Kemble, Mrs. J. R. 209
Kennedy, Edw. J. 177
Kent, Frank 141
Kernell, Harry 40
Kerns, Frank 25
King, John H., facing 118

L

Lackaye, Wilton 197
Lamont & Ducrow 133
Lang, John 281
Lansing, Harry 201
La Rue, D. C. 121
Latham, Mike 305
Lavake, Will 101
Lee, John H. 289
Lee, Pete. 113
Lee, Sam 257
Lehr, Harry 145
Leighton, Bert. 137
Leighton, Frank 137
“Leon” 109-165
Leonard, Eddie 305
Leslie, Bert. 196
Leslie, Tom. 217
Lester, Billy 21
Lewis, Tom. 33
Lewis, W. H. 141
Linden, Ernest 241
“Little Mac” 73
Livermore, C. 213
Livermore, G. 213
Livermore, H. 213
Livermore, L. 213
Lockwood, Chas. 217
Lorraine, Chas. F. 213
“Lotta” 273
Lovely, Joe. 349
Lyons, Billy 241

M

Mack, Andrew 197
Mack, James 201
Mack, Jas. W. 349
Mack, John A. 65
Mack, Keller 33
Mackin, Jas. F. 153-293
Malcolm, Fred. B. 241
Manning, Billy 237
Manning, Mrs. Billy 209
Marion, Herman 321
Marks, Clarence 257
“Master” Barney 129
Maxwell, Barry 89
Mazier, Eddie 257
McAllister, Billy 41
McAndrews, J. W. 161
McElroy, Matt. 29
McGee, Joe B. 169
McIntyre, Jas., facing 255
McKee, Andy 321
McNish, Frank E. 25
Melville, Chas. 217
Meyering, Frank 309
Mills, Gus. 201
Monroe, Ned. 33
Montgomery, Dave 153-196
Montgomery, “Scamp” 329
Moore, “Pony” 65-225
Moran, Frank 85
Moreland, Arthur 313
Morrell, Frank 193
Morris, Billy 117
Morris, Chas. A. 121
Morris, Lon. 117
Morse, Harry M. 313
Morton, J. W. 301
Morton, Will H. 333
Mudge, “Hank” 149
Mullally, W. S. 105
Mulligan, John 41
Mulligan, Mrs. John 209
Murphy, Joe. 113-153
Murphy, J. B. 217
Myers, “Ole Bull” 21

N

Newcomb, Bobby 233
Newcomb, Mrs. Bobby 209
Newcomb, W. W. 65
Niles, P. J. 249
Norcross, Jos. M. 313
Norman, Harry 165
Norton, Wash. 233

O

Oakland, Will 249
Oberist, John F. 217
O’Brien, John 253
O’Brien, Neil 305, facing 330
O’Day, Billy 329
Olcott, Chauncey 196

P

Palmer, Chas. C. 309
Parker, Lew. 41
Parr, Chas. 305
Pastor, Tony 49
Patti, Greg. 145
Payton, Corse 196
Pearl, Charley 289
Peasley, John A. 81
Peel, Matt. 65
Peel, Tommy 349
Pelham, Dick 13
Pell, Gilbert W. 69
Pell, Harry 85
Pell, Jas. 33
Pell, Johnny 117
Pendy, John 41
Pettengill, Charley 353
Pettengill, Mrs. Charley 209
Pickert, Willis 341
Powers, Jas. T. 197
Prendergast, Tom. 217
Primrose, Geo. H. 293-305
Purdy, S. S. 149

Q

Queen, Chas., facing 118
Queen, John 81
Queen, Johnny 173
Quilter, Dick 33

R

Ralph, Dick 221
Raymond, Maude 273
Raynor, J. W. 93
Read, Beaumont 165
Reed, Charley 353
Reed, Dave. 113
Reynolds, Chas. 317
Reynolds, Charley 353
Reynolds, Geo. 317
“Ricardo,” 201
Rice, Billy 73-161
Rice, Mrs. Billy 209
Rice, “Daddy” 9
Rice, Dan. 49
Rice, Edw. Le Roy, Frontispiece, 2-305
Rice, Johnny 57
Rice, John C. 196-277
Rice, Wm. Henry 81-141-237
Richardson, Billy 85
Richmond, Harry G. 89
Rickey, Sam. 129
Rigby, Arthur C. 129
Robinson, Harry 121
Robinson, Justin 241
Rockefeller, Geo. W. 145
Roe, Harry W. 281
Rogers, Neil 89
Rogers, Stevie 321
Romain, Manuel 193
Rumsey, Hy. 53
Rushby, Horace 281
Russell, Jas. G. 165
Ryman, Add. 245

S

Sandford, Jim 21
Sands, Edw. 177
Sanford, Jas. 81
Sanford, Sam. 37
Schoolcraft, Luke 357
Scott, Wm. 305
Seamon, Chas. V. 177
Seymour, Nelse 65-99
Sharpley, Sam. 37
Shaw, Raymond 281
Shay, Johnny 97
Sheffer, “Buck” 301
Shelby, Dan. 41
Shepard, Burt. 241
Sheppard, Billy 233
Sheppard, Bob. 181
Sheppard, Frank 361
Sheridan, John F. 349
Shirley, Harry 281
Shunk, Harry C. 77
Simmons, Lew. 173
Sinclair, Geo. 305
Sitgreaves, Beverly 273
Skiff, M. T. 97
Skinner, Otis 197
Slavin, Bob. 97
Sliter, Dick 233
Slocum, E. N. 333
Slocum, Mrs. E. N. 209
Smith, Harry W. 101
Smith, John P. 365
Smith, Wm. H. 365
Spooner, Cecil 273
Spooner, Edna May 273
Stanley, Burton 201
Stanwood, Harry 265
Stanwood, Moody 69
Stine, Chas. J. 77
Stone, Fred. 153-196
Stratton, Eugene 97
Strickland, W. H. 365
“Stuart” 201
Sullivan, John L. 196
Surridge, J. H. 165
Sutton, Charley 353
Sweatnam, Willis P. 29
Sweeney, Dick 9
Sweeney, Joe. 9-185

T

Talbott, Harry 113
Templeton, Chas. 217
Thatcher, Geo. 293
Thomas, Wally 233
Thompson, Denman 197
Thompson, Johnny 25
Thompson, John W. 97
Tierney, Jas. (T. & W.) 173
Tierney, Jas. M. (T. & C.) 357
Tilla, Haydon 281
Trowbridge, Jos. T. 117
Turner, Tommy 177
Tyrrell, Bob. 281

U

Unsworth, James 85

V

Van, Billy 169
Van, Billy B. 197
Vaughn, Tom. 45
Vernon, Paul 241
Vokes, Harry 197

W

Wagner, “Happy” Cal. 97-161
Waldron, Dan. 29
Wallace, Franklyn 305
Wambold, Dave. 117
Ward, Frank 25
Ward, “Hap” 197
Ward, Wm. H. 33
Warfield, Tom. 265
Warner, Chas. F. 309
Waters, Tom, (Waters & Kelly) 361
Waters, Tom. 89
Wayne, Burt. 349
Wayne, Chas. 173
Weaver, Add. 245
Weber, Jos. 197
Welby, Jake 289
Welch, Billy 57-285
Welch, Fayette 65
Wells, Sam. 333
Weslyn, Everett 317
West, Luke 129
West, Ned 129
West, Wm. (see Will Cox) 173
West, Wm. H. 333
Wheeler, Matt. 101
White, Archie 205
White, Chas. T. 229
White, “Cool” 21-245
White, Frank H. 173
White, Wm. 69
Whitlock, Billy 13
Wild, Frank 245
Wild, John 245
Wilkes, Geo. 201
Williams, Barney 49
Williams, Bert. 297
Williams, Billy 177
Williams, Percy G. 196
Williams, Tom. 221
Willis, Oscar 53
Wills, Nat. 196
Wilson, Chas. 81
Wilson, Dave. 101
Wilson, Francis 153-197
Wilson, Fred. 225
Wilson, Geo. 293
Winter, Banks 193
Wood, Billy 361
Woodson, Harry 205

Y

Yeamans, Jennie 273

MINSTREL ORGANIZATIONS, THEATRES AND PROGRAMS

Barlow, Wilson & Rankin’s 261
Bryant’s (Program) 185
Callan, Haley & Callan’s 213
Callender’s 285
Campbell’s 93
Christy’s 45
Christy’s 17
Cohan & Harris’ 325
Duprez & Green’s 141
Eleventh Street Opera House, Philadelphia 61
Ethiopian Serenaders 69
Federal Theatre, Boston 5
“Lambs” Minstrels 345
Mechanics Hall, New York 61
Morris Bros., Pell & Trowbridge’s, Boston 117
Robinson’s Harry 189
San Franciscos, New York 117
Sweeney, Joe (Program) 185
Virginia Serenaders 21

SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, WITH PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.

Let me begin by saying that I am not a “Monarch of Minstrelsy,” not even a duke or prince; as a matter of fact I am a mere subject, perhaps it would be more exact to say I am a slave, for I cannot recall the time when the curtain having been rung up on the first part, the interlocutor saying, “Gentlemen, be seated,” that it did not thrill me through and through; in all probability they would have been seated without his invitation, but still, disappointment would have been keen had he not have done so. Then the overture accompanied by the bones and tambos; but that part of the performance seems to be obsolete now; and how I yearn for it. The second son of the late Wm. Henry Rice, who put on cork for nearly fifty years, I was born in New York City, August 24, 1871, on Fourteenth Street, nearly opposite the Armory, above Sixth Avenue. If you happen to see a crowd around there at any time, you will know it is part of the excited populace trying to carry away portions of the building which housed me on my first appearance in any country.

I can remember, as a youngster even before my school days began, my father asking me if I wanted to be a minstrel? I knew that my mother was averse to it and, as they both looked at me awaiting my reply, I vehemently said NO; that was the first lie I ever told. I have done better subsequently, but they have no bearing on this matter. When I was about six or eight years of age, my father, wishing to celebrate the occasion in a fitting manner, took me down town (Philadelphia) and giving me my choice to go in one direction and see “Jack the Giant Killer,” or take another route and see the minstrels. I had heard a whole lot about the youthful prodigy who made a business of trimming big husky gents for the sake of getting an appetite that he might better enjoy his meals, and confess to a feeling of curiosity; but it was the “nigger singers” for mine, and it was there that I obtained my first recollection of any individual performer. It was Bobby Newcomb doing Topsy. Whether it was an “Uncle Tom” show, with which the late minstrel was prominently identified at one time, or whether it was a burletta on Mrs. Stowe’s immortal work, I never learned, but Newcomb’s dress, a ragbag affair, I remember distinctly, subsequently, one made from an American flag, finishing with the well-known suit of white duck in knee-breeches. That was the beginning. I decided then that a minstrel’s life was the life for me, and for years I importuned my father to take me on the road with him, finally obtaining a promise to go the next time he took a show out. This was somewhat hazy, but I clung to it tenaciously, and when in July, 1890, he organized the World’s Fair Minstrels, my happiness was unbounded. I was in Philadelphia at the time, passing cigars and tobacco over the counter of a Smoke Emporium presided over by Lew Simmons, one of the oldest active minstrels in harness to-day; observe the date again, please. July, 1890, was it not? At that time Lew had given up the minstrel business entirely. I recall Lew Dockstader dropping in one day and inquiring how he (Simmons) liked the business? “Like it?” said the senior Lew, “why I am perfectly happy; I wouldn’t go back in the business again for $100 per week.” (I remember it was PER week.) But he did, a couple of years later, and from all appearances looks good for a few more. I joined my father’s troupe. We opened at Elizabeth, N. J., on July 17th. In the company were Billy Birch, Frank Moran, Frank Kent and Bob Slavin; all since passed away.

Old minstrel _habitues_ will recall that nigger-act wherein one of the performers declares loudly to his friends that he is boss in his own home, how he rules the ranch and so on; and just as he is saying it his wife would show up then he would inflict dire punishment upon her, she comes running down the aisle from the front of the house saying, “Where’s my husband?” gathers her lesser half by the ear and amidst the jeers of his companions, carries him away.

At the second performance, at Morristown, N. J., I was cast for the enraged spouse. I believe I was made up for the part fully an hour before the house opened. How nervous I was awaiting my cue, but when it came, my ears seemed to hear nothing but wife, wife, wife, and instead of saying, “Where’s my husband?” I said, “Where’s my wife?” * * * I won’t repeat what my father said, but what with the tears of mortification that flowed from my eyes and the perspiration from the pores of my face, almost made washing-up a superfluity.

After that awful first night I got away with the part without any trouble, and even indulged in conversations while awaiting my cue, which I had always thought to be a physical impossibility.

Billy Birch, who was with us, used to suffer severely from rheumatism, and just before parade would say to me, “‘Cully,’ would you mind going over to the hotel, on the bureau, right hand side, and get my medicine?” Would I go? I felt honored.

At the opening performance we had a song and dance team who, like myself, were just breaking into the business. Their act was not an unqualified success and extra tickets to Morristown were not purchased. Some one asked Bob Slavin what he thought of the act, to which he replied: “As a success, they’re a failure; as a failure, they’re a success.”

The company closed early in November and a couple of weeks before Christmas I consented to wrap parcels at Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia for a small weekly stipend. It was hard to work for wages after having received a salary.

Various mercantile positions were mine until the Fall of 1894, when the late Harry Mann opened the old Arch Street Theatre in Philadelphia for the production of the old farces such as “Box and Cox” and others of a like nature. I had heard that there were to be specialties between the acts, wrote for an engagement and shortly afterwards received a reply from Mr. Mann asking me to call. (I have that letter yet.) I told him that I had a black-face monologue that was absolutely original; he told me that he could get Willis P. Sweatnam, but decided to give me the preference, I was quick to reply that I wasn’t as good as Sweatnam. (I was frightfully modest those days.) However, I was engaged, and was to receive $10 for my week’s services; I was certain he could not get Sweatnam for less than $12.50 or possibly $15. Monday, September 24, we opened; I wore a pale-blue suit and a pleasant expression; on Tuesday I still had the suit, but had lost the expression, caused by the sudden closing of the house. I have always maintained that if I had been billed stronger, the house might have remained open longer; possibly another night; the $1.67 due me for my one performance, I never received, but as compensation, one of the papers said that my monologue, besides being good in itself, was excellently rendered. It’s not true that the reporter who wrote this, attended a prizefight that evening. I banked a whole lot on that blue suit; it was part of my plan to be different from any other monologist, and I still think I was. Instead of making my entrance in the conventional manner, I hit upon the idea of having one of the scenes part in the centre, and then walk on saying, “I just blew in,” carelessly pointing to my blue suit at the same time.

The more I thought of this, the greater the sensation I was sure I would create; I pictured the reserves being called upon to quell the riot; I saw myself taking encore after encore, and conjured the immense audience rising in their seats as one, begging for just one more glimpse of that blue suit; I was so sure of my success to be, that in a burst of confidence, I told a friend about my idea, and was horrified to learn that George Thatcher had done the self-same thing some time before. Here was a dilemma, what was I to do? I had known Thatcher from boyhood, and the idea of utilizing any of his ideas was not to be thought of; fortunately, about this time, he (Thatcher) played an engagement at the National Theatre (Philadelphia), and I decided to see him and explain the situation thoroughly. I found him one evening standing on the steps of the theatre; I told the whole story, reserving nothing, and explained that I was willing to relinquish my idea if he thought it would conflict with him in any way, but with rare generosity he agreed not to prosecute me for plagiarism or piracy.

A week later I opened at Easton, Pa. I had a cold in the head and an old wig; the cold I obtained in Philadelphia, the wig in Easton, it was an old one (the wig) having lost my good one in Philly the week previous. * * * An uncle of mine graciously advanced me the price of a ticket to Philadelphia. * * * The watch was worth considerably more than $2. Six months later I might have been seen doing my specialty in Paterson, N. J.; provided you came Monday afternoon. * * * A performer in the same dressing-room asked me how much I paid for my trunk, which was a duplicate of his; $6 I said; why, I paid $12 for mine, he averred. And that was all I got out of the engagement. But that suit, little did the young lady who made it for me dream it would one day become historical; she is now a sedate matron in Detroit. Wonder if she still remembers it?

In the fall of 1898 I was a member of one of the many California Minstrel organizations that have invaded the country in the past fifty years. The Spring and Summer of 1900 found me selling pasteboards to the Southerners while with the Primrose & Dockstader Minstrels; in the Fall of 1900 I was agent for Andrew Robson in “The Royal Box;” 1901-02, agent for “Pud’dnhead Wilson,” with William S. Gill in the name part, Walker Whiteside, and a return to Primrose & Dockstader; 1902-03, manager, Western Alphonse & Gaston Co.; 1903-04, treasurer, Great Lafayette Company.

At various times I acted as usher and lithographer at the Park, Walnut and Arch Street Theatres in Philadelphia; Columbus Theatre, New York City, and the Park in Brooklyn.

In July, 1907, I conceived the idea of appearing daily at the ball games in New York City, and in the following afternoon’s paper give an accurate account of the conversations entered into, together with the description of the parties spoken to; in addition having my own features reproduced daily together with an accurate description of myself; to any party who could single me out was given a free pass to all the ball games on the ground where I was detected.

Under the title of the “Man in the Bleachers” I ran those on the New York _Evening World_ with great success for five weeks.

Then came the idea of giving to the world the lives and careers of the minstrels, thus “presenting to the public and preserving to posterity the peculiarities and personalities of prominent performers of the past and present;” and here it is, after three years’ exhaustive and patient labor. Now for the big show.

THE FIRST BLACK-FACE PERFORMER.

The late Laurence Hutton in “The Negro on the Stage,” states that Shakespeare’s Othello was one of the earliest black-face stage characters; giving the date of the appearance at the Globe Theatre, London, England, on April 30, 1610; Oronoko followed in 1696. But several hundred years before the jealous Moor’s appearance, a couple of young men, named Cain and Abel respectively, did a brother act, though not necessarily a brotherly act, for the first-named gentleman one day in a fit of peevishness did smite Master Abel with such force that the breath did leave his body; Cain was punished, as he should have been; his complexion was changed from Caucasian to Ethiopian; this was the _first black face turn_. Anyway, that’s how the story runs. With the reader’s permission we will skip about 1,700 years, and come down to the comparative present.

The late Charles T. White, who made a study of minstrelsy all his life and was himself contemporaneous with it from its inception, stated that according to Russell’s Boston _Gazette_ of December 30, 1799, at the Federal Theatre, Boston, a Mr. Graupner sang a song called “The Negro Boy.”

The First Recorded Black-Face Act Was Given Here December 30, 1799.]

W. W. Clapp, Jr., in his “History of the Boston Stage,” avers that this would be impossible, as the news of George Washington’s death, December 14, 1799, did not reach Boston until December 24, and that the theatre was closed a week in consequence thereof. Granting this, six days would have elapsed, and the performance undoubtedly was given, for had it not, the advertisement which was inserted announcing the performance for that evening, would not under any circumstances have been printed. However, for the sake of argument, let us concede that the first black-face appearance (the term black-face as used here has reference to a single performer doing a specialty) was not on the date specified.

The next mention of a black-face performer, by Mr. White, was in 1815, when an actor known as “Pot Pie” Herbert sang “The Battle of Plattsburg” in Albany; Mr. H. D. Stone in the “Drama,” published in Albany in 1873, credits one “Hop” Robinson as the singer of the song; while “Sol” Smith, a reputed eye-witness, in his (Smith’s) autobiography, published in 1868, credits it to Andrew Jackson Allen, claiming that Allen sang it at the Green Street Theatre, Albany, 1815, playing a black-face character. Obviously there could be but one “first” and a period of fifteen years had apparently elapsed between the reputed appearance of Mr. Graupner and the last named gentleman; in other words, no claims have been made for others between 1799 and 1815. Nevertheless, there _was_ an appearance between these dates, and by none other than Mr. Graupner himself, who, on September 4, 1809 (while “Daddy” Rice was an infant in swaddling clothes), appeared as the “Gay Negro Boy” in a circus at Taunton, Mass.; the honor then beyond any doubt is Mr. Graupner’s; and equally certain is the fact that he appeared in Boston, December 30, 1799. Black-face performers sprang up rapidly, and in earlier days no circus was considered complete without at least one of them.

SOME EARLY BLACK-FACE PERFORMERS.

The following were all popular performers preceding minstrelsy proper; unfortunately the dates of their deaths are practically shrouded in oblivion:

George Nichols; Bob. Farrell, the original “Zip Coon”; Sam Tatnall, Barney Burns, Bill Keller, Horatio Eversell, George Rice (brother of T. D. Rice), William M. Hall, Thomas Blakely, Leicester, etc. Andrew Jackson Allen, already mentioned, was born in New York City in 1776, and according to Laurence Hutton was the costumer, dresser and personal slave of Edwin Forrest for many years; he was quite deaf, and was commonly known as “Dummy” Allen. He died in New York City, October 29, 1853. James Roberts, by the same authority, sang a song in negro character as early as October 7, 1824; he died in 1833.

George Washington Dixon sang “Coal Black Rose,” the air of which was appropriated from an old ballad, as early as 1827. His first New York appearance was of the Lafayette Theatre, July 19, 1828. He later became notorious as a filibuster during the Yucatan disturbances, and died in New Orleans in 1861. Some prominent early minstrel performers whose records and deaths were likewise lost in oblivion are: Charley Jenkins, Master Chestnut, Harry Mestayer, Neil Jamison and many more. There are others, too, of nearly every decade of whom the author has made every research to gather some knowledge, but without success.

“DADDY” RICE.

Thomas Dartmouth Rice was the original “Jim Crow,” the story has been told in many ways, but the authentic version appeared in the _Atlantic Monthly_ in 1867, and herewith is reproduced verbatim; it is from the pen of Robert P. Nevin.