Burnt Cork and Tambourines

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AEOLIAN MINSTRELS: under J. W. Allinson’s management, and consisting off T. Gettings, A. S. Remington, E. West, J. Norrie, N. Kelly, W. Parsons, F. Schaffer, T. Deverell, O. P. Perry, H. Schindler, J. Arnold, J. Van Muse and P. Cary, were playing in New Orleans up to February 25, 1865, when they sailed for Ship Island and opened there March 2 for two nights. They went thence to Mobile Bay and performed under canvas at Navy Cove. The soldiers cut and slashed the tent nearly to pieces. That night they proceeded to sea, arriving at Warrington Navy Yard, Pensacola Bay, where they performed in Temperance Hall to crowded audiences, they being the first show there during the war. On March 27, they sailed for Matamoras, Mexico.

AEOLIAN STAR TROUPE: was organized in Albany, N.Y., June 26, 1860, with D. H. Johnson, William Gaveline, E. S. Near, L. Norton, J. Harris, S. Falline, Master Edward, T. Batchellor, Master Rourck and William Rogers.

AEOLIANS: organized in Philadelphia in the fall of 1867 for a traveling tour. The party consisted of: J. N. Reber, A. K. Harding (afterwards known as Add Collins), J. W. Reber, A. S. Whiteman, Master Hughey, jig; Mike McGraw, G. W. Lollor, and J. Collins, agent. They closed in New Brunswick, N. J., April 24, 1869.

AFRICAN MINSTRELS: was the title of a band of minstrels performing at the Bowery Theatre, New York, in April, 1843.

ALABAMA MINSTRELS AND NIGHTINGALE SERENADERS: was organized in Hartford, Conn., in October, 1859. M. B. Levitt, bones; G. W. Florence, banjo; C. Peer, violin; J. Neal, guitar; Frank Smith, tambo; W. T. Wright, H. Irving and Master L. Levi.

ALABAMA MINSTRELS: a colored troupe under the direction of A. R. Garrison, commenced a tour on November 13, 1876. Toddy Hedden, tambo; George Brookes, banjo; and Ferd Hight, director.

ALABAMA MINSTRELS: traveled through the East a brief time and disbanded in Boston in September, 1859.

ALABAMA SERENADERS: started. from Buffalo, N. Y., February 21, 1876, for a trip through Canada. Ike Booth, Billy Mack, Charles Harcourt, Charles Belden, Fred Sharpley, Chauncey Olcott, J. P. Welbert, John Hanley, Dixon and Udell. This company only lasted three days.

ALABAMA SLAVES: See MOCKING BIRD MINSTRELS.

ALBINO MINSTRELS: [formerly the SKIFF & GAYLORD party] In February, 1871, the company appeared in the first part in white clothes, white faces and blonde wigs. Harry Talbott, Johnny Stiles, Tyrrell, Bideaux, Girard, and Andy McKee. The Skiff & Gaylord title was resumed for the next season and the company consisted of Low Gaylord, director; Prof. Olney, musical director; A. Holmes, stage manager; John Stiles, James Dalton, Frank Carroll, Joe Mairs, Add Collins, Willie Gaylord and Sam Lang. They made an extensive tour through the West and the South. The next season the company consisted of: Frank Carroll, John Stiles, Al Holmes, Low Gaylord, J. E. Green, Dan Gilfoil, the Morris Bros., Willie Gaylord. Low Gaylord was sole proprietor. In 1874 Gaylord’s health began to fail and his troupe suspended operations, except for a short time when they visited small towns of Pennsylvania. They closed April 1. 1876, but reorganized and started from Columbia, Pa., August 14 and collapsed in two weeks.

ALHAMBRA MINSTRELS: was a new party made up by Thomas Maguire to open at the Alhambra Theatre, San Francisco, when Simmons and Slocum had closed their engagement there. Rickey, Add Ryman, Cool Burgess, Sweatnam, Bob Hart, M. Ainsley Scott, Charles Sutton, J. G. Russell, Delehanty, and Hengler were in the party who opened August 5, 1872. Emerson having sold out his interest in the place to Maguire, the band was called Maguire’s California Minstrels until December, 1872, when the old name of Emerson’s Minstrels was used, Billy Emerson having returned and opened November 25. On December 9 the Worrell Sisters and Lillie Hall appeared in burlesque and Jenny Worrell in song and dance. The season closed January 19, 1873, and the party went traveling. They re-appeared at the Alhambra February 3, 1873. Add Ryman closed March 19. Charles Vivian opened April 7, followed by Kelly and Leon and Master Barney, who appeared May 5. Emerson disposed of his interest in the theatre in May, when Maguire became sole proprietor and the band was called MAGUIRE’S CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS. In June, 1873, a company was made up from this party and sent into the interior for a tour. In the troupe were Sam Rickey, Bob Hart, Little Mack, Master Barney, Justin Robinson, and J. G. Russell. Frank Morgan and Billy Manning opened June 30 with the company in San Francisco; and the party that had been out traveling returned and opened the same date. Billy Sweatnam opened July 28, 1873. Owing to bad business the season closed September 7 and the party started on a tour, opening in Sacramento, September 8 with Kelly, Leon, Manning, Sweatnam, Little Mac, Welch, and Rice in the party. They re-appeared at the Alhambra October 20 with Sweatnam, Little Mac, Manning, Robert Frazer, John Robinson, Charles Reed, Welch, Rice, J. G. Russell, W. F. Bake, B. Montague, D. I. Sherwood, Esther Williams, and orchestra. On February 23, 1874, they opened Maguire’s Opera House, San Francisco. In April, Manning seceded from the company, who went traveling. They re-appeared in San Francisco, May 11, at the Opera House. Bobby Newcomb opened May 18. Canfield and Booker opened January 18, 1875. Their season closed April 17. They opened at Hooley’s Opera House, Chicago, May 3 with Arlington, Cotton, Billy Rice, Emerson, Little Mac, John Oberist, Kemble, J. G. Russell, Norcross (Norrie), Con Murphy, and others. This party opened in New York at the Park Theatre, May 31, 1875. On September 25 they appeared in Chicago. Tilla, Mackin, Wilson, and James Morrison left on that date and Charles Sutton, Marrchette, Jennings, Charles Henry, C. S. Fredericks and John Oberist opened. The company then split up and a portion went to Detroit, opening on September 30. This company, then under the management of J. H. Haverly, closed in Chicago, January 1, 1876, and went traveling. They re-appeared in Chicago at Hooley’s Opera House, June 24. Pat Rooney, Schoolcraft, George Coes, and Charles Howard joined on the opening night. On August 21, 1876, this party opened at Haverly’s (previously known as Hooley’s) Opera House. Emerson, Schoolcraft, Coes, Ben Cotton, Sanford, Wilson, Scanlon, Cronin, J. G. Russell, Ernest Linden, W. H. Tilla, C. S. Fredericks, R. Tyrrell, Oberist, and James Morrison. A re-organization was made in November for a Western tour under the management of Haverly and Maguire. Beaumont, Read, Savori, and others were added. They opened in Milwaukee, November 20. They closed the traveling season at Washington, D. C., December 13, 1876. A new company was then organized, which opened in Ottawa, Ill., February 26, 1877 with Fredericks, Oberist, Heywood, Morton, Lester and Williams. Billy Emerson, Karl Steele, Fredericks, Nat Horner, and Wash Norton left Chicago April 15 for San Francisco and opened at the Opera House, Bush Street, April 23. Arlington left the company October 16 for a lecturing tour. The band appeared in New York, January 14, 1878, at the Olympic Theatre. Emerson, Schoolcraft, Coes, Charles Heywood, J. W. Mack, Quilter, Goldrich and others. Their stay there was a very short one and a new party was organized, which started out February 25 under the business direction of J. H. Mack. Emerson, Smith, Waldron, Morton, Martin (the Big Four), and C. Heywood. The season closed in Buffalo, June 15. On August 26 they appeared in Philadelphia with R. Abecco in the party.

ALLEN & PETTENGILL’S MINSTRELS: [formerly ALLEN, PETTENGILL, DELEHANTY & HENGLER’S] opened in New York at Bryant’s Opera House, Fourteenth Street, June 6, 1870. There were thirteen in the first part---four end men consisting of Johnny Allen and Fayette Welch, tambos; Walter Bray and George Edwards, bones. Frank Girard was middleman. Gustave Bideaux, R. T. Tyrrell and Cox were in the party. In consequence of illness, Charley Pettengill did not appear. They closed there June 18.

ALLEN, HART & RYMAN: with a minstrel organization under their management, consisting of Johnny Allen, Add Ryman, John Hart, Abecco, Sanford, Wilson, Lester and others, opened April 6, 1874, at Tony Pastor’s Opera House, New York. They closed May 2 and the firm dissolved.

ALLEN, PETTENGILL, DELEHANTY & HENGLER’S MINSTRELS: opened September 22, 1869, in Brooklyn, N. Y. George M. Bassett was middleman, and Charles Church, tenor. C. B. Griste started with the company as advance agent, but in consequence of a reduction of salaries Mr. Griste left and his place was taken by H. J. Sargent. This company opened in New York at the Waverly Theatre (formerly Kelly & Leon’s) November 29, 1869. Gustave Bideaux was in the party then. They closed there January 1, 1870, and opened at the Tammany Music Hall, New York, giving a “first part” January 3 in the burlesque of “Bad Dickey.” They remained there four weeks, closing January 29 and opening in Boston January 31 at the Olympic Theatre, where they closed February 12. Then Delehanty and Hengler withdrew and the company was called ALLEN & PETTENGILL’S.

ALLEN’S (HARRY) MINSTRELS: opened December 9, 1872, in Milwaukee, Wis. Harry Allen, George Burgess, Billy Welch, Johnny Rice, Chris Mathews, John Larkeller, Charles De Von, S. H. Montgomery, and Charles de St. Clair.

AMAZONS: See FOSTER’S MINSTRELS.

ANDERSON’S MINSTRELS: were organized for a tour through the East while the Melodeon in Boston was being fitted up for them. They started on October 12, 1859. After a few weeks tour they laid up, the Melodeon not being ready. On December 12, they opened the Melodeon with Frank Brower, E. Bowers, Donniker, Bideaux, Warren White, G. Kelly, Unsworth, Hen Smith, Master Peel, Master James Sanford, Herr Endes, J. Stratton, J. S. Budworth and Max Irwin. The Melodeon was situated on Washington Street adjoining the Boston Theatre. After performing at the Melodeon five weeks and four days, they disbanded. Most of the company came to New York and a portion of them re-opened the hall January 20; but on the opening night no performance was given, as several of the party refused to play and the audience were dismissed. There was too much style about this party to last. Anderson, like Sniffen, was “in the hands of his friends” and he promised too high salaries for his or their own good.

AREND, LEVI & THOMPSON’S AMERICAN OPERA TROUPE: was organized in Albany, Ga., in January, 1860, and made a South American tour. George Schultz, Matt Thompson, William Dunn, Francis Williams, Thomas Arend, and O. W. Harris.

ARLINGTON & DONNIKER’S MINSTRELS: organized in July, 1862, with the following: William Arlington and J. B. Donniker, proprietors; Master Leon, Edwin Kelly, S. Price, W. H. Brockway, C. Newton, H. Butler, J. H. Dale, O. H. Carter, Master Frank Dumont, V. B. Bummell, and Charles Wood, business manager. After traveling for a while, they concluded to locate in Chicago; and, after going to an expense of about $300 fitting up Kingsbury Hall, collapsed (owing to a disagreement in the company) in November.

ARLINGTON, COTTON & KEMBLE’S: See ARLINGTON’S MINSTRELS.

ARLINGTON, LEON & DONNIKER’S: Edwin Kelly, Jones, Leon, Arlington, and Donniker were the managers. The party consisted of Arlington, Donniker, Leon, Kelly, Albert Jones, Sam Gardner, William Spalding, Sam Price, Frank Cardella, Frank Shorer, and James Granville. They opened in Cincinnati at Smith & Ditson’s Hall, December, 1862. After a lengthy stay in Chicago, Ill., they closed in July, 1863, and their hall was rejuvenated. They made a short traveling tour and then returned to Chicago and opened November 16, at Metropolitan Hall. In December, 1863, they took possession of a new hall located on Washington Street, between Clark and Dearborn, Chicago, which they opened December 21. George Wrightman was added to the company. On November 20, 1864, Arlington sold out his interest in the firm and withdrew from the company. Kelly & Leon then became managers, and continued in Chicago until March, 1865, when they made a brief tour. They shortly after returned to Chicago, where they once more located for some time. Arlington returned to this party shortly after and the company was once more known as ARLINGTON, LEON & CO. But in October, 1865, Arlington again suddenly withdrew. The party continued under the title of Kelly & Leon’s Minstrels, and remained in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Academy of Music (situated on Fourth Street, between Elm and Plum Streets), which was destroyed by fire January 12, 1866.

ARLINGTON’S MINSTRELS: was a new band that opened in Chicago on April 23, 1867, at a hall on Washington Street, between Clark and La Salle Streets, opposite the Court House. Arlington and C. Pettengill were the end men; with W. A. Johnson, interlocutor; J. Barsby, J. W. Hilton, H. Voss, C. Norrie, R. Snyder, J. Mack, M. Lewis, Master George, J. Ricci, Billy Barry, J. Augustus, F. Freeburg, and E. Warden. On July 15 they left for a brief traveling tour, with McAndrews and Arlington on the ends; Johnson, middle man; Jackson, Hilton, Ricci, and Barsby as the quartette. They re-opened in Chicago under the management of J. Haverly, September 6, 1867, with Johnny Booker, Samuel Gardner, N. D. W. Ainsworth, R. J. Tooke, Billy Barry, W. C. Emmons, H. Fuller, Thomas Roberts, Voss, T. Warhurst, H. Stuart, Barsby, Charles Koehl, G. W. Jackson, J. R. Russey, J. Bagar, C. H. Simpson, J. Bunnell, J. T. Clayton, and Arlington. They closed November 30 and went traveling. Haverly then secured Witowski’s Hall, corner of Clark and Monroe Streets, Chicago, and commenced fitting it up as a minstrel hall in April, 1868, which he opened with Arlington’s Minstrels, May 12. Arlington, Cool Burgess, Charley Reynolds, O. P. Sweet, C. S. Fredericks, Otis Carter, Sig. Brandisi, Blakely, Russy, Voss, Kalis, Stanton, Ainsworth Brooks, Eugene Florence (wench), and Mike Kannane. On July 7 they went to Wood’s Museum, Chicago. Delehanty and Hengler joined the party and Sam Price took the bone end. J. Haverly sold out his interest in Arlington Hall to Sam Sharpley in October, 1868. The company closed November 7 and Haverly withdrew from the company. Arlington reorganized and opened December 4 with Sam Price as bones; Arlington, tambo; T. L. Estrange, D. L. Morris, and others. Ed Gooding joined the party April 26, 1869. They closed their season traveling, June 3. 1869, and commenced the next season on November 22, 1869, at Lincoln, Neb. Johnny Booker joined them January 28, 1870. Billy Arlington, whose right name was Burnell, was a first class comedian and made funny speeches.

ARLINGTON’S MINSTRELS: was a new organization that opened the West Side Opera House, Chicago, Ill. (formerly known as Rice & Jackson’s Hall), November 27, 1871, under the management of Sam Myers. In the company were: Billy Arlington, Billy Reeves, Sam Price, Clark Gibbs, Johnny Booker, G. W. Mills, Morton, Manning, William Scott, A. W. Hamilton, John Stout, Walter Phillips, Horace Bontwell, and John Buel. This party was shortly after known as ARLINGTON, COTTON & KEMBLE’S. Harrigan and Hart appeared with this party in April, 1872. This party inaugurated Myer’s New Opera House on Monroe Street, between State and Dearborn Streets, Chicago, on September 23, 1872. Arlington, Cotton, Kemble, Surridge, E. M. Kane; J. A. Lang, Hunneman, and C. Fostelle were in the party. The season closed May 3, 1873, and they went traveling. They commenced their next season in Chicago on August 25, 1873, with Sam Myers as manager. Kemble, Cotton, Arlington, Billy Rice, E. M. Kane, Surridge, John Lacy, R. T. Tyrrell, Mackin, Wilson, Bobby Newcomb, C. S. Fredericks, John Davis, Ernest Linden, and Master G. Davenport. The season closed May 16, 1874, and they traveled.

ASSOCIATED ARTISTS: made up from Kelly & Leon’s Minstrel Band, went through the West in September, 1866. The end men were Price and Williams; W. H. Brockway, middle man; and Dan Collins was of the party.

AUSTIN’S (CHARLES) MINSTRELS: started on the road March 4, 1870, and consisted of Tyrilla, female gymnast; Charles Austin, J. G. H. Shorey, Charles La Forrest, Thomas Presho, E. S. Austin, Fred Hoffmeister, Harry Norton, Albert Nix, J. S. Norton, Oliver White. and Harry Metcalf.

BACKUS’ (CHARLEY) ORIGINAL MINSTRELS: organized in San Francisco, Cal., in the summer of 1854 and appeared at San Francisco Hall, Washington Street, between Montgomery and Kearney Streets with C. D. Abbott, musical director; O. N. Burbank, stage manager; H. Donnelly, D. F. Boley, Backus, J. N. White, Morgan. They took a trip to Australia in 1855. Prior to their departure, a benefit was given them by the San Francisco Minstrels, August 3, at the Metropolitan Theatre. Mitchell and Burbank, the rival dancers, appeared. There appeared in the first part S. C. Campbell, Jerry Bryant, Stadtfeld, D. F. Boley, Eph Horn, and W. M. Barker, besides the instrumentalists, in the second part J. Collins, George Coes, C. Backus and Mrs. Julia Collins (Julia Gould). In July, 1856, the party returned to San Francisco and opened at San Francisco Hall, Sunday evening, July 6, 1856, a portion of the San Francisco Minstrels being added to the party, which then consisted of Billy Birch, E. Deaves, Max Zorer, Charles Henry, Napier Lothian, Sam Wells, M. Lewis, George Coes, S. C. Campbell, Charles Backus, W. D. Corrister, and Jerry Bryant. They continued there for some time very successfully and afterwards went to Maguire’s New Opera House, where in January, 1857, Hiram W. Franklin, the gymnast, joined them. In March, 1858, they made a tour of the mountain towns with Zorer, Mitchell, Wells, Campbell, C. Henry, Coes and Kelly. On February 28, 1864, Backus joined the EUREKA MINSTRELS. He became manager of BIRCH, WAMBOLD & BACKUS’ MINSTRELS, who opened in Eureka Hall, September 15, 1864, and shortly after went to the Academy of Music, San Francisco, and continued there until March, 1865. Then Backus, Birch, Wambold and W. H. Bernard sailed for New York and arrived April 5. The San Francisco Minstrels, organized by these gentlemen, opened at 585 Broadway, formerly Buckley’s Hall, opposite Niblo’s Garden. The place had been called the New Olympic Theatre (F. S. Chanfrau, manager), the Academy of the Drama, the Metropolitan Music Hall, Hooley & Campbell’s Minstrel Hall, the German Theatre, the Canterbury, Palace of Mirrors, the Broadway Theatre, St. Nicholas Hall, Heller’s Salon Diabolique, and finally, this unlucky house was called San Francisco Minstrels’ Hall. The company consisted of Billy Birch, Charley Backus, W. H. Bernard, David S. Wambold, Cooper and Fields, W. S. Mullaly, Richard Sands, E. Haslam, Hays, Shattuck, W. H. Rice, J. B. Donniker, Ainsley Scott, and Templeton. They opened here May 8, 1865, and the first season closed July 7, 1866. The second season commenced August 12, 1867, and closed June 27, 1868. Their next season commenced August 31, 1668, and closed June 12, 1869. Their next season opened August 30, 1869, and closed May 14, 1870. Bobby Newcomb, Lew Brimmer, Joe Brown, Harry Raynor, Billy Emmett, John Queen, Ira Paine, William West, Leggett and Allen, Henry Norman (first appearance in America), Rollin Howard, and Master Fink at different times appeared. The “boys” next appeared at Apollo Hall, North side of Twenty-eighth Street (now a portion of the Fifth Avenue Theatre). It was also known as the St. James Theatre. Bernard had withdrawn from the firm when they closed at 585 Broadway. They opened here August 26, 1872. They closed March 1, 1873, and went on the road for the summer. A large billiard hall in the Gilsey Building, on the west side of Broadway, between Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Streets, was re-constructed for the San Francisco Minstrels and they opened September 3, 1874, and called it The San Francisco Hall. They continued here for six years, closing April 4, 1880. Wambold retired from the company the closing night. Birch put his money into Wall Street and lost it all. During the summer of 1882, Backus visited Europe and performed with MOORE & BURGESS’ MINSTRELS.

BARLOW BROS.’ MINSTRELS: organized in Cincinnati, Ohio, and opened in Cynthiana, Ky., on April 10, 1877. Archie White and Charles W. Young were the principal cards of the company.

BARLOW, WILSON, PRIMROSE & WEST’S MINSTRELS: gave their first public entertainment at Wilmington, Del., August 20, 1877. The company consisted of Milt G. Barlow, manager and end man; George Wilson, end; James W. Lamont, stage manager; Gus Herwig, leader; Carl Rudolph, vocal director; George H. Primrose and William H. West, song and dance and clog; E. M. Hall, banjoist; Harry Percy, Frank E. Jamison, Lamont, Stout and Rudolph, the quintette; an orchestra and brass band. Charles B. Griste, advance agent. In May, 1878, Eddie Fox joined. The season closed June 8. They reorganized and opened August 12, 1878, at Reading, Pa., with Edwin French, Eddie Fox, Jacob Koenig, D. R. Hawkins, Edwin Harley, Frank Howard and W. H. Hunt, with the four proprietors and an orchestra.

BELER, POSTLETHWAITE & CO.’S CAMPBELLS: was organized in 1859 for a tour in the West. Pell, Talbot, Durant, Beler and Haywood were in the party. They were afterwards known as FRANK BELER’S CAMPBELL’S, and in June, 1859, were traveling in Iowa, with Harry Peel, C. Haynes, banjo; W. F. Durant, J. V. Chadduck, A. J. Talbot, and P. Hayward. They closed their season in August, 1859, but soon after reorganized under the name of BELER’S CAMPBELL’S; but shortly after they were known as DURANT & HAYWOOD’S CAMPBELLS, with A. J. Talbot, Fred J. Henneman, E. J. Melville, Frank Howard, W. F. Durant, W. Hayward, and Master Willie. They started from St. Louis, Mo., in April and disbanded July 19 at Michigan City. They reorganized September 12 and opened at Witkowsky Hall, Chicago. In April, 1861, this party was called POSTLETHWAITE’S MINSTRELS and traveled West. John Boyce, J. W. Postlethwaite, Chadduck, Herr Kellerman; Charlie Petrie, bones; E. D. Gooding, Victor Mauger, A. Hoffman, P. Osterman, Master Willie, and Mons. Pepples.

BELER’S CAMPBELL’S: See BELER, POSTLETHWAITE & CO.’S CAMPBELLS.

BELFAST ETHIOPIANS: were organized in Belfast, Me., in March, 1861, where they opened March 31. J. H. Harmer, J. H. Trussell, Ned Lindsey, Master J. Wheeler, J. O’Connell, and George Dyer.

BELROY’S ETHIOPIANS: [formerly WOOD’S ETHIOPIAN TROUPE] opened March 6, 1861, in Hempstead, L. I., with J. Lewis, J. Belroy, tambo; W. Zeville, middle man; Master Ward, Ferdinand Wallace, William Colson Burgess, R. B. Donnique, B. E. Wood, C. A. Edwards, C. Clifton, George Dodge and A. B. Sanders.

BELROY’S ETHIOPIANS: See WOOD’S ETHIOPIAN TROUPE.

BENEDICT’S (LEW) MINSTRELS: started out under the management of Joseph E. Jackson of Philadelphia and gave their first performance September 21, 1876. In the company were Lew Benedict and Charles Lord, end men; Theodore Jackson, interlocutor; J. A. Barney, John Stout, T. B. Dixon, Charles E. Dobson, John Hogan, Adams, and Lee. They closed December 30, 1876. Lew Benedict was a good end man. His pathetic ballads in the olio were a feature of his entertainment.

BENJAMIN’S NEW ORLEANS MINSTRELS: consisting of Hank Goodman, Tom O’Neil, W. Converse, Mayette, Manning, L. P. Benjamin, J. Gaston, Maude Stanley, Walter Wentworth, and Mrs. Gaston, pianist. They opened in Kansas City, May 4, 1868. In May, 1869, they disbanded during the warm weather and reorganized August, 1869. Another re-organization was made in November, 1871, and the party consisted of J. Rainey, Frank West, Miss Maude Stanley, Hank Goodman, Johnny Keegan, Tommy O’Neil, and Nellie Gaston, pianist.

BENJAMIN’S NEW ORLEANS MINSTRELS: started early in April, 1874, on a traveling tour with N. B. Shimer, F. B. Church, Maud Stanley, Nellie Gaston, Charles King, Joe Gaston, Henry Pfaff, Walter Wentworth, F. P. Benjamin, Sheridan, and George W. Stuart. They closed the season October 17, 1874; but reorganized the following week and started on a tour through the East. In January, 1876, this company was under the management of J. H. Haverly with William Foote as business manager. Ben Brown, Hank Goodman, Frank West, N. B. Shimer, Joe Gorton, L. P. Benjamin, Otis H. Carter and others were in the company.

BERNARD & LAMONT: formed a minstrel party in Chicago, Ill., in October, 1865, for a trip down the Mississippi River. In the party were Marie Stella, Louise Harris, Louis Lamont, W. H. Hardenberg, and Master Willie Morris.

BIRCH, BOWERS & CO.’S MINSTRELS: were organized in New York February, 1859, and went traveling, opening in New Haven, Conn., February 21. Billy Birch, E. Bowers, Ned Davis, and J. B. Donniker were in the party. A difficulty occurring, Bowers withdrew in April and returned to New York. A reorganization took place and the party was made up from the Birch & Brower and Sniffen’s party, who had just closed at 444 Broadway, New York. They started on a tour through Canada under the title of BIRCH & DONNIKER’S MINSTRELS.

BIRCH, BOWERS & FOX’S MINSTRELS: organized for a traveling tour in 1857 and John T. Boyce was one of the party. Later, they opened in St. Louis, Mo., at the Museum, September 6, 1858, where they located with Billy Birch, E. Bowers, C. H. Fox, J. T. Boyce, E. D. Gooding, G. Charles, J. Ritter, H. Fenton, R. Moore and J. V. Chadduck. They commenced a brief tour but soon returned to St. Louis, then disbanded Christmas night.

BIRCH & COTTON’S PARTY: were performing at Maguire’s Opera House, San Francisco, Cal., in June, 1862, with a party who also gave Sunday night performances at Hayes’ Park, that city. In July, Maguire’s party, with Birch, Backus, Joe Murphy, Ben Cotton, and others, went to Sacramento. They soon after made a trip through the country, returning to San Francisco in September and appeared at Maguire’s Opera House. During the same month, Birch, Cotton, George Coes, and others, left; and, October 4, Birch and Cotton opened in Sacramento, after which they made a tour of the country towns—Cotton, Birch, O’Neil, Peel, Sam Wells, and Abecco in the party. Returning to San Francisco, they appeared at Maguire’s Opera House, when Jenny and Alicia Mandeville and Harry Courtaine joined them. They closed at Maguire’s in March, 1863, and went traveling. W. M. Barker, F. H. Oldfield, A. Watterman, and W. Wasburg were added to the party. They re-opened in San Francisco on June 1, 1863, at the Eureka Theatre under Maguire’s management. Backus’ Minstrels, having returned to San Francisco from Hong Kong, China, June 14, 1863, appeared at the Eureka June 29 with the Birch and Cotton party, now called the SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, for the benefit of Ben Cotton. Frank Hussey organized a party in San Francisco in September, 1862, consisting of Miss Lotta, Jake Wallace, A. P. Durand, and Ella Cadez, and made a trip to Oregon. BIRCH & COTTON, with Bideaux, Abecco, Ainsley, Scott, J. Bradshaw, M. Riley, T. J. Peel, C. Goodwin, M. Barker, Alf Parry, and C. V. Hand (agent) was a party made up in New York in April, 1862, for a trip to Australia; but the whole speculation was knocked in the head in consequence of some of the boys demanding advance money. A rupture followed and the company dissolved. Birch and Cotton sailed for California on May 24, 1862.

BIRCH & DONNIKER’S MINSTRELS: [See BIRCH, BOWERS & CO.’S MINSTRELS.] went to St. Louis, where a new opera house was built for them on the corner of Market and Fourth Streets, which they opened with J. Ritter, jig; Ben Cotton, J. B. Donniker, L. Conduit, J. T. Boyce, Master Boyce, J. Stratton and Pete Morris. The party soon after closed and Billy Birch and wife sailed for California, August 5, 1859.

BIRCH & MURPHY’S MINSTRELS: organized in San Francisco to travel through the state in February, 1860, with W. Birch, Joe Murphy, Sam Wells, Frank Medina, W. H. Smith, P. Sterling, and H. Williams.

BIRCH & SHARPLEY’S MINSTRELS: were organized in November, 1860. Billy Birch arrived home from California, July 16, 1860. The party consisted of Frank Brower, Billy Birch, Sam Sharpley, Morris Edmonds, Eugene Thiodon, William Villiers, Charles, Dupont, Williams, J. D. Payne, and William D. Spalding. They opened at Jayne’s Hall, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, on November 19 and closed January 2, 1861. They then went traveling and opened in Reading, Pa., the same week. James Gaynor, Johnny Pierce, Dan Collins, Sam Sharpley, Thiodon, John Williams, James Lamoux, and Villiers were in the traveling party. They were known as SHARPLEY’S MINSTRELS when on this tour.

BIRCH & WELLS’ MINSTRELS: organized in San Francisco in March, 1860, and after traveling through the interior for six weeks opened at Maguire’s Opera House, San Francisco.

BIRCH’S MINSTRELS: traveled West and opened in Chicago in February, 1858. They shortly after located in St. Louis for a season with Billy Birch, W. Penn Lehr, S. Gardner, J. Williams, J. Mairs, Ben Mallory, J. T. Boyce, M. D. Edmonds, J. Cochran, K. Moore, Chet Moore, and G. M. Hill. They closed in St. Louis, May 22, 1858, and proceeded on board of Spalding & Rogers’ steamer, Banjo, up the Mississippi River to St. Paul, Minn., and thence to New Orleans. In July they took to the road through Missouri. J. A. Leonard, tragedian, appeared in a scene from “Damon and Pythias” to Birch’s Lucullus. They were playing to good business at the Forrest Theatre, San Francisco, Cal., in October, 1859. On the last night of their appearance they were all arrested for giving a performance on Sunday. They afterwards appeared at the Opera House under Maguire. Billy Birch, Sam Wells, George Coes, H. Donnelly, Charles Henry, J. W. Charles, E. Deaves, C. C. Keene, G. H. Edmunds, Mike Mitchell and Corrister were in the party. After taking a trip through the mountains, they returned to San Francisco in December. Under the direction of Billy Birch, they opened at the Athenaeum, San Francisco, April 22, 1860, with William Bernard, Frank Hussey, Frank Medina, Pete Sterling, W. H. Smith, E. H. Harvey, H. Williams, W. D. Corrister, E. Deaves, T. Bond, and P. Sterling. Late in May they started for a trip through the interior.

BISHOP & FLORENCE’S MINSTRELS: consisting of Mons. Movecio, Navoni, John Murphy, Henry Healy, E. P. Horoling, H. H. Baker, J. G. H. Shorey, George Williams, M. B. Leavitt, George Bishop, J. W. Horoling, Frank Dayton, Henry Florence, J. Myers, Frank Talbot, W. Clark, Henry S. Livingston, Charles Hewitt, James Stewart, R. A. Lindley, Billy Porter, and H. W. Springsteen were on the road in September, 1865. Leavitt and Porter had the ends. In October, 1865, Cooper & Decker became managers and reorganized for the winter.

BLACK BRIGADE, THE: was the title of a party organized in New York and opened April 4, 1864, at Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Dr. William P. Valentine and Erastus Conklin were proprietors.

BLACK HUTCHINSON FAMILY, THE: consisted of five male and three female vocal and instrumental performers. They appeared in New York on January 30, 1845, in chants, refrains, songs, choruses, glees, melodies and parodies.

BLAIR’S BAND: was a party that performed on a barge at the foot of Steamboat Wharf, Troy, N.Y., in June, 1854. They gave performances morning, afternoon and evening and, in addition to a minstrel performance, Old Grizzly Adams’ Menagerie was an attraction. In the company were Billy Blair (manager), E. A. Perrine, P. B. Hammond, Tom Vaughn, C. O. Neil, Mons. Covelli, W. Birch, and Mons. Valatin.

BLAKE & MALLORY’S MINSTRELS: with Augusta Blake, Maggie Nichols, Cora Chase, Emma Wadsworth, Dan Shelby, Charles Mallory, Miles O’Riley, Jim Riley, Frank Wild, Prof. Davenport, Cole, and Johnny Blake commenced a tour of New York State December 12, 1864. G. W. Mallory was manager. This party was combined with Haverly’s Minstrels late in December.

BOLEY’S MINSTRELS: were organized by D. F. Boley and left Australia in January, 1862, on a visit to the Maritius Islands. After a not very successful engagement they embarked for the Cape of Good Hope, but were wrecked off Cape St. Mary late in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Boley and the children were lost, as was the entire troupe—a Mr. Robson being the only one saved from drowning. George W. Demerest, Charles L. Grew, W. White Lee, W. Robson, and Totten Arent were in the company.

BOOKER & CLAYTON’S GEORGIA MINSTRELS: real Negroes, opened October 9, 1865, in Detroit, Mich. Clayton, Thomas & Co., proprietors; Charles B. Hicks, manager. In November they were in the East. They commenced their second season September 3, 1866, at Chicago, Ill., with John W. Wilson, Willie Clarke, Helon Johnson, J. Manning, C. Warsaw, J. E. Booker; H. Fields, bones; Tom Slater, tambo; and Jake Hamilton. Booker & Hicks were proprietors.

BOOKER & EVARTS’ MINSTRELS: consisted of Johnny Booker, Dick Sliter, Robert Lane, G. L. Hall, A. C. Stone, Harry Evarts, S. S. Purdy, Thomas Jefferson, G. H. Warre, and Herr Heck. They organized in November, 1860, and made a tour through New England. In January, 1861, they were on a Mississippi River floating palace. In February, Harry Evarts left the company, having been stricken with paralysis and losing the use of his left arm. They took to the road in April with Johnny Booker, Thomas H. Jefferson, George H. Hall, C. A. Shattuck, R. Lane, Dick Sliter, A. C. Stone, J. E. Hartel, Herr Heck and O. N. Hart.

BOOKER (JOHNNY) & FRANK HOWARD’S MINSTRELS: traveled with Lent’s Circus in the West in the summer of 1865 with Johnny Booker, Frank Howard, George Charles, Robert Ellingham, Master Robert, Prof. Holmer, and Frank Wyant.

BOOKER’S MINSTRELS: were on a traveling tour in Ohio in September, 1862, with John E. Hartel, Glendenning, Moran, Billy Vaughn, O’Neal, James Owens, Master J. Bech and others. They soon closed. Later, BOOKER’S MINSTRELS were organized by Johnny Booker, after a rest on his farm in Adrian, Mich. (having recovered from the wound he received some time previous). They opened in Toledo, Ohio, October 22, 1865. Johnny Booker was dangerously wounded by a ball from a pistol entering the left breast, just below the collar bone, passing through the lung and lodging somewhere in that locality, in Dayton, Ohio, in October, 1864, while he was traveling with Bailey’s Circus. Early in 1877 he arrived in Philadelphia after a long tour through the East Indies.

BOSTLEWAITE & SHADDOCK’S MINSTRELS: See ROSS, SPRUNG, SMITH & CHADDUCK’S MINSTRELS.

BOSTON HARONISTS: organized in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1850 and made a traveling tour. G. W. H. Griffin made his debut with them, he being the manager.

BOWERS & PRENDERGAST: made up a band in New York and opened January 3, 1864, in Newark with E. Bowers, T. B. Prendergast, S. S. Purdy, James Budworth, N. Gould, T. Simpson, Nevilles, Trige, Fagan and others. In June, 1864, they reorganized and were known as the AEOLIANS.

BOWERS’ ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS: organized in Troy, N.Y., in March 1855, with J. Bowers as manager; E. Pierce, tambo; Dick Berthelon; J. Warren, bones; Bob Smith, J. Hogan; and E. Warren, wench. They traveled North, but closed in two weeks.

BOWERY MINSTRELS, THE: were organized in St. Louis, Mo., in January, 1858, by J. E. Esher and played there over a year. Fattie Stewart, tambo; Frank Lynch, violin; Charles Petrie, bones; Matt Thompson, jig; Tommy Pell, Ben Wheeler, Tom Allen, Paul Kraft, Major Flinn and Miss Leslie were in the company.

BOYCE & MUDGE’S MINSTRELS: consisted of J. T. Boyce, W. Holding, E. Kirwin, E. S. Wilson, George L. Hall, F. Logan, H. Llalande, H. T. Mudge, J. Herrell, J. Burgess, A. Glynn, J. T. Herbert, P. Nortrand, H. Bloodgood, M. Dedanoti, P. Grattle, N. C. Dumaille, Prof. De Rauff, E. K. Ceine and Sig. Vayo. They reorganized in New York and started early in May, 1866, for a tour East. They collapsed at Dover, N. H., June 12.

BOYCE’S MINSTRELS: were organized in Baltimore, Md., where they opened August 13, 1866, with W. S. Budworth, John K. Campbell, Frank Leslie, J. Tannenbaum, Frank Campbell, Joseph Garatagui, and George and Willie Guy.

BOYNTON’S EXCELSIOR MINSTRELS: composed of W. J. Boynton, Frank Wyant, John Pettit, Walter Walsh, and G. F. Macarty, organized and traveled through New York State in September, 1858.

BREMOND’S (E. L.) MINSTRELS: organized in Galveston, Tex., January 5, 1874, and started out on a traveling tour. In the company were Milt G. Barlow, Prof. C. Schmidt, Wash Norton, Sprague, Mack, and a brass band. They closed their season on March 14, the same year; but reorganized and took to the road under the title of the BREMOND & NORTON MINSTRELS and traveled through the Far West, closing up July 4, 1874, at Denver.

BRIMMER, GAYNOR, WHITING & CLARK’S MINSTRELS: were traveling through New York State in November, 1865.

BROADWAY MINSTRELS, THE: in January, 1858, appeared at the Melodeon, Boston. Shortly after they reorganized and made a traveling tour West and were known as the METROPOLITAN BURLESQUE OPERA TROUPE, with L. W. Myers as manager; C. Frank West, bones; Harry Blanchard, banjo; William B. Brown, tambo; John C. Woodworth, accordion; Harry Barton, violin; Joe Mairs, wench; Billy Bray (the Albany rattler), and C. Dockstader, basso.

BROWN, JONES & WOODRUFF’S MINSTREL PARTY: were traveling in 1850 under the management of Joe Brown and Tim Woodruff.

BROWN’S (JOE) CHRISTY’S: consisted of W. P. Collins, Joe Brown, C. W. Rayner, Harry Herbert, W. H. Castor, Ted Saunders and N. La Fenillade. They sailed from Southampton, England, September 27, 1863, under the management of J. W. Smith, on their way to India to oppose the Nish party, then in Australia. They visited Gibraltar, Malta, Alexandria, Cairo, Suez and Aden, reaching Bombay on October 29 and giving their first concert on November 2 in the Grand Road Theatre to a house doubly rammed and jammed, with prices as follows: reserved seats, six rupees (about three dollars); parquet, five rs.; gallery, three rs.; pit, two rs. They remained one month and gave sixteen concerts, the last two in the Town Hall and one private entertainment for Sir Jamsetiee Jeejeebahoy. They left many kind friends who assembled to see them off about the 7th of November, for Madras, via Point de Jalle. There they gave two concerts in the Military Theatre while awaiting the arrival of the English mail steamer to take the company to Madras. Every favor was shown them in this hospitable city. The use of the banqueting hall in the government house and the patronage of His Excellency the Governor was obtained. A perfect furor awaited the company here, and ten concerts were given to crowded and delighted audiences. The boys, having time and wishing to see the interior, went to Bangalore in the mountains some two hundred and fifty miles, proceeding two hundred by rail and fifty by “donk.” Here they gave two concerts and paid expenses, returning to Madras and, four days after, arrived in Calcutta. And here, in five weeks, they gave twenty concerts to good business. The first night was 3,900 rs. Prices—reserved, 5 rs.; second class, 3 rs. The remaining concerts were very good, notwithstanding the city and India generally was in mourning for Lord Elgin, the late Governor-General. The arrival of Sir John Lawrence (the present viceroy) acted bad for them, in consequence of the numerous balls and parties that took place. However, on the whole, they did in four months what would be considered at home comfortable returns for a year. The boys left Calcutta on the steamer Persia, February 15, for Rangoon, in the Burmese Empire, proceeding thence to Ava to play for His Majesty, the King; his wives and children. The Nish party reached Sydney December 9, 1863, and opened Boxing Night (in December), where they made a lengthy stay.

BROWN’S (JOE) MINSTRELS: organized and started from Chicago, September, 1856, and went traveling.

BRYANT & MALLORY’S: Dan Bryant and Ben Mallory organized a party in 1855 and visited the East. Dave Wambold was in the company. They played in New York at the Chinese Buildings, Broadway, where they closed on August 23, 1856. In October they appeared at Concert Hall, Philadelphia, when Eph Horn joined them. Mallory left and Jerry and Neil Bryant joined. They shortly after disbanded in New York.

BRYANT’S CAMPBELL’S: were at the Chinese Rooms on Broadway, New York, in 1856, with Dan Bryant as manager.

BRYANT’S DIXIE MINSTRELS: organized in Savannah, Ga., where they opened April 15, 1861.

BRYANT’S MINSTRELS: were organized and opened February 23, 1857, by Jerry, Dan and Neil Bryant at Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broadway (formerly occupied by the original Christy’s), New York: Jerry, bones; Dan, tambo; Neil Bryant, accordion; T. B. Prendergast, Dick Carroll, Charles Fox, W. Penn Lehr, John H. Savori, S. Howard, B. Mallory, E. H. Winchell, M. Lewis, and Harry Leslie (the rope walker), versatile performer. October, 1857, Frank Moran, banjo; George S. Fowler and W. Percival appeared. After a brief absence, Prendergast re-appeared December, 1857. Unsworth opened in January, 1858, and in April J. T. Huntley commenced and B. Mallory re-appeared. Fred Wilson, the clog dancer, was added to the company October 18, 1858. In September, James Carroll took Mr. Howard’s place as interlocutor. David Wambold, who returned from England, opened here December 6. Unsworth (who had been with the Campbells) also reappeared December 6. Wambold, after a brief absence, re-appeared during the season of 1859 and remained eight months. Dick Sands made his first appearance on the stage in January, 1859. George Coes opened in June. After a tour, they re-opened in New York August 1, 1859, with G. S. Fowler, Dan Emmett, G. W. Charles, W. Hobbs, James Carroll, Unsworth, Donniker, Savori, F. Hobbs, S. S. Crosby and P. T. Mitchell. In September, G. H. Warren (ballads) opened. On March 26, 1860, Eph Horn took the position of Dan Bryant (who had sailed for Europe to see the Heenan and Sayers fight) and remained there until the season closed on July 14. Dan Bryant arrived home May 19 and opened on the 28th. The party then made a tour and re-opened in New York August 6, 1860, with Wambold, Paul Berger, P. B. Isaacs, James Carroll, George Charles, J. H. Savori, W. L. Hobbs, N. W. Gould, M. Ainsley Scott, Dan Emmett, T. J. Pell, G. S. Fowler and Aynsley Cook. Tim Norton retired. Prendergast left them. Charles Backus opened October 15. T. B. Prendergast left New York for the South with the 71st Regiment, April 22, 1861, and was one of the first to set foot on Alexandria, Va., ground when that city was captured by the U. S. Forces. In June, 1861, he made a flying visit to New York on business and appeared with the Bryants (for that night only), June 13, and sang “Vive la America.” He was presented with a beautiful gold medal by Dan on behalf of the company. On May 6, Eph Horn relieved Norton and remained until July 5. In the company were N. W. Gould, Eph Horn, Aynsley Cook, J. W. Hilton, Dan Bryant, P. B. Isaacs, Norton, T. J. Peel, Dan Emmett, Japanese Tommy, Fowler and D. W. Chitton. The season closed July 13, 1861, after giving performances for nearly one year, with the exception of a week’s cessation on account of the death of Jerry. They opened in Boston at the Museum July 22, when Eph Horn and S. C. Campbell joined them. Returning to New York, they re-opened August 5 with Eph Horn, Dan and Neil Bryant, S. C. Campbell, T. J. Peel, Frank Leslie, James Morrison, J. Garratagua, J. H. Savori, Hobbs, G. S. Fowler, Dan Emmett, Japanese Tommy, Gettings, and J. W. Hilton. After having been absent a while, Dan Emmett reappeared in March, 1862. The season closed July 5, 1862. Their next season opened August 25 and the company was about the same as the past season. W. W. Newcomb, having returned from Europe, opened November 24, taking Nelse Seymour’s place, and remained until April 4, 1863. The Bryants opened their next season August 10, 1863, and closed January 9, 1864. Nelse Seymour was on one end. Dave Reed, Green, and Hilton (middle man) were added to the forces for a few nights in January. S. A. Wells, basso, opened January 11. The next season commenced September 12, 1864, and lasted until July 8, 1865. During the season, C. C. Templeton, J. W. Hilton, D. C. Winans, A. Ross, W. Mellins, B. W. Buchanan, Dave Reed, Nelse Seymour, J. Morrison, J. H. Savori and Dan Emmett were in the company. On May 1, Frank Moran and Mickey Warren opened. Dan and Eph Horn sailed for Europe May 3, 1865. The season of 1865-66 commenced September 11 and the company was about the same as before, excepting Eph Horn, who took Dan’s place, he (Dan) having opened in Irish comedy. Little Mac appeared November 27; Charles Henry and Garratagua, January 1, 1866; Rollin Howard, January 10; J. W. Rayner, January 15; followed by Master Ryan, Hogan, Collins and Ira Paine. The season closed June 2, which was their final performance in Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broadway. The Bryants’ Minstrels did not again appear in New York until May 18, 1868, when they opened their new hall in the lower part of Tammany Hall, east side of Fourteenth Street, between Third Avenue and Irving Place. The party consisted of Dan Bryant, Eph Horn, Nelse Seymour, James Unsworth, Eugene, Monroe, Dempster, W. P. Grier, Charles Henry, J. Hogan, R. Hughes, G. W. Rockefeller, J. H. Ross, G. B. Ross, Garratagua, G. H. Schott, James Morrison, G. Trunkett, and Francis Bracht. In June, J. K. Emmett opened. During the season, Warren White, F. St. Clair, Raphael de Solla (tenor) opened, also Neil Bryant, who made his appearance February 1 for the first time in three years. The season closed April 17, 1869, and they went traveling. They re turned and opened at the same hall May 10. William Dwyer, Little Mac, Dave Reed, and G. W. H. Griffin appearing soon after. The season closed July 24, 1869, and re-opened September 13 with Dave Reed, Unsworth, Eugene, Grier, J. G. Russell, T. Brandisi, Dempster, Rockefeller, Delehanty and Hengler, Jasper H. Ross, Garratagua and J. H. Savori. The season closed June 4, 1870. On the opening night at this hall, over one thousand persons were turned away before eight o’clock. The receipts for the first six performances amounted to $4,296.25. The season closed April 24, 1869, and they went traveling. They re-opened in New York, May 10, 1869, at reduced prices of admission. Dave Reed joined them and on May 24 William Dwyer appeared. Nelse Seymour closed June 12 and sailed for Europe on the 16th. Little Mac appeared June 28 in the “Essence.” They closed the season July 24, 1869, and went to Philadelphia; but returned to New York, September 13, 1869, and opened with the following company: T. Brandisi, J. G. Russell, Delehanty, Hengler, Unsworth (bones), G. W. H. Griffin (middle), Rockefeller, W. P. Grier, Monroe, Dempster, Dan Bryant (tambo); Eugene, William Dwyer, Dave Reed, J. W. Ross, J. Morrison, J. Garatagua and J. H. Savori. Delehanty and Hengler appeared in the celebrated “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me.” Delehanty’s stay was short, however, for on the 16th he left in consequence of the death of his father. Dan Bryant and Dave Reed afterwards dressed the song and dance to suit their own tastes and gave it to their patrons in an amended form on October 11. On January 1, Little Mac put in an appearance and was engaged for the rest of the season. R. M. Carroll opened for a short season on the 3d. February 23 was a gala day with the valiant Dan, for on it he celebrated the thirteenth anniversary of the establishment of his minstrel band in this city and danced “The Essence,” which was one of the principal rounds in the ladder that led him up to fame. The house was closed the night of June 2 as Dan Bryant had a benefit at the Academy of Music. The season closed June 4, 1870. The following are the receipts of the hall excepting the last month: September, $3,722; October, $7,317; November, $11,400; December, $10,904; January, $9,925; February, $9,453; March, $8,303; April, $7,340; May, $5,500. On November 23, 1870, they opened their new Opera House on West Twenty-third Street (north side), a few doors west of Sixth Avenue. In the company was Dave Reed, Nelse Seymour, Little Mac, Hughey Dougherty, George Warren, S. C. Crosby, James Morrison, H. Norman, W. P. Grier, J. Brandisi, Garatagua, Martin Setz, J. H. Schott, Monroe Dempster, Thomas Sully, W. H. Brockway, William F. Stanley, J. d’Alberte, Dan and Neil Bryant, D. W. Carre, J. H. Savori, Master Warren, E. W. Mitchell, T. H. Monroe. The season closed July 1, 1871. Their second season here commenced September 4, 1871, with James A. Barney, R. Kohler, Morrisey, Emerson, Nelse Seymour, McAndrews, W. F. Stanley, Savori, Charles Karoll, G. H. Weston, Little Mac, Dave Reed, Monroe Dempster, Charles d’Alberte, James Morrisey, Martin Setz, C. H. Foster, and Dan Bryant. They traveled during the summer. W. W. Newcomb opened with this company on November 13, 1871. On January 1, “Shoo Fly” was revived. The season closed April 20 and the party traveled. They re-opened in New York August 26, 1872. Kelly and Leon were in the company, but they closed on November 16. McAndrews appeared December 2. Master Barney appeared March 31, 1873. On May 29, Thomas Lynch was announced to make his first appearance on the stage and sing a ballad for Brockway and Donniker’s benefit. The season closed June 25. Dan Bryant and Eph Horn arrived home from Europe August 31, 1873. They commenced their next season September 4, 1873. Dave Reed, Nelse Seymour, Eugene, Unsworth, Bob Hart, Con T. Murphy, Brockway, Donniker, Savori, J. J. Joell, Harry Stanwood, James Morrisey, Karl Steele, Templeton, Dwyer, Lamont and others were in the company. On December 1, A. H. Clarke, basso, first appeared. Theo Jackson, bass singer, appeared May 4, 1874, under the assumed name of T. Merchant. The season closed June 24, 1874. On June 27 the hall was re-opened for a benefit to Nelse Seymour and Bob Hart, when, in addition to all of the company, Eph Horn, Charley White and George F. Brown appeared. They re-opened the hall for the season August 31 with Bob Hart, Seymour, Dave Reed, Brockway, Fred Walz, J. J. Kelly, Joseph Norrie, W. Raymond, Templeton, J. Robinson, F. Emerson, J. P. Hogan, W. Henry Rice, Donniker, J. H. Ross, Savori, James Morrison and others in the company. James S. Maffitt opened January 25, 1870, in burlesque. The Bryants’ Minstrels continued to occupy this house until April 10, 1875.

BRYANT’S (NEIL) MINSTRELS: at Mechanics’ Hall often reached a yearly profit of $40,000. The only week business was poor was when Fort Sumter was fired upon. That week the profits were only $27. On May 3, 1875, Neil Bryant organized a band for the road, opening in Boston. They appeared for one night only at the Academy of Music, New York, on May 29. Neil Bryant appeared and performed a solo upon the flutina, being his first appearance in ten years. On September 20, 1875, Neil Bryant reorganized and opened in Bridgeport, Conn., with the following company: Will A. Morton, Albert Welling, Lew Benedict, Billy Gray, Tierney, Cronin, Welling Bros., Harry Stanwood, Bernardo, and J. W. Freeth. Another re-organization took place in December, 1875. Neil Bryant was proprietor; S. F. Stevens, manager; D. B. Hodge was agent. In the company were: Lew Benedict, T. M. Hengler, Goss, Fox, Billy Bryant, Flem Adams, Lee, the California Quartette (consisting of the three Welling Bros. and J. W. Freeth) and orchestra. They closed May 8, 1876. On September 10, 1877. Neil Bryant opened a season with a company at the Globe Theatre, Broadway, New York, with Cool White, Prof. Corner, W. H. Hamilton, Little Mac, Charles Banks, Justin Robinson, Seamon, Somers, Adams, Lee, Dave Reed and others. They closed December 8 and went on a traveling tour. Another party was formed which opened at the Howard Athenaeum, Boston, February 25, 1878. Hughey Dougherty, Dave Reed, Joseph Norrie, Billy Bryant, Little Mac, and G. W. Harley. They closed on the road June 1, but reorganized, they opened at the Grand Opera House, New York, June 17: Ernest Linden, Dougherty, Little Mac, Eddie Fox, Harley, Fayette Welch, Dave Reed, Billy Bryant, Joseph Norrie, Neil Bryant and others. In September, 1878, with Neil Bryant organized another company which started on a few weeks’ tour under the financial management of John P. Smith. They opened September 23 and closed in five weeks, the business being very bad. The company consisted of Neil Bryant, Dave Reed, W. Quilter, Pete Goldrich, Billy Bryant, W. Henry Rice, J. M. Norrie, Charles Storms, Henry Percy, Albert Welling, Gustave Johnson, Adolph Nichols and orchestra. While Bryant’s Minstrels were performing in Buffalo, N.Y., in April, 1878, a suit was brought against Neil Bryant on a claim against him of $1,000. It was an old claim of Lew Benedict, the minstrel. The Messrs. Meech became bondsmen for Neil Bryant and he and his troupe continued their travels. Shortly after, a referee having decided in favor of the plaintiff and Mr. Bryant, having no property, his prosecutors proposed to get out an execution upon his body as a preliminary to making his bondsmen forfeit if Mr. B. could not be found within the legal fifteen days; and his prosecutors had no idea that he would permit himself to be found. But just here Neil’s sense of honor fooled the judgment creditors. Within one hour after the bodily execution was issued, the subject of it was in Buffalo, where he presented himself in court; and being neither willing nor able to repay the $1,000, he was committed to the Erie County jail, where he remained until December 30, when he was released by Judge Daniels in consequence of a technical error having been discovered in the prosecutor’s proceedings. Neil was in jail just forty-nine days.

BUCKEYE MINSTRELS: were organized in the winter of 1861 by Billy Manning for a winter tour in the West.

BUCKLEY & SHARPLEY: (G. Swayne Buckley and Sam Sharpley) started out on a tour with a party September 3, 1872. They made a tour of the East and West and opened in New York at the San Francisco Minstrel Hall (St. James Theatre), March 3, 1873. The first part minstrel scene was abolished and the performance commenced with a protean farce, followed by an olio. They closed March 22.

BUCKLEY’S MINSTRELS: opened at the Tabernacle, the present site of the Howard Athenaeum, Boston, in October, 1843. G. W. Hoyte, banjo; Linton, tambo; Buckley, violin; Brewer, bones; Neagle, violin. Among their selections were “Gumbo, Sound Your Horn,” “De Re My True Love,” “De Piper’s Son,” “Dandy Jim of South Carolina” (announced as the first time it was ever sung), by Hoyt and chorus, “Gib Us Chew Tobacco,” “Old Dan Tucker,” “Dance de Boatmen,” “Old Aunt Sally,” “Come Day, Go Day,” “Work Jaw Bone,” “Jenny, Come Along,” and “Come Sally with the Booties On” (first time in this country). Twelve and a half cents was the only price of admission. After their first season in Boston they traveled through the East by means of their own teams. They first appeared in New York, January 8, 1845, at the Park Theatre with J. Law Buckley, Little Ole Bull, George Swain Buckley (announced as Sweeney Buckley), and Mr. King in the party.

BUCKLEY’S MINSTRELS: was the title given to a party that opened in Newark, N. J., June 6, 1868, and closed June 5, 1869. J. K. Buckley, J. W. Crayton, Mons. De Burton, Frank Allison, Harry Walters, Ed Holden, G. Williams, C. W. Edwards, W. Payne and Clara Le Brun (trapeze) were in the company.

BUCKLEYS’ MINSTRELS: was a party traveling in the South in February, 1860. They were in no way connected with the Original Buckleys.

BUCKLEY’S SERENADERS: formerly NEW ORLEANS MINSTRELS, John Mulligan joined them and Julia Gould appeared in burlesque opera in November, 1858. Dave Reed, S. Swaine, Bishop, T. Waddleton, J. W. Palmer and G. Clarence in the company. Dave Reed was doing his “Sally, Come Up.” Allston Hall was located on Tremont Street, nearly opposite the Park Church. It was afterwards occupied as a theatre, first managed by Mrs. Jane English, and subsequently called the Tremont Theatre, being managed by various persons but without financial success. It was converted afterwards into a carpet store. In July, 1859, they re-opened in New York at 585 Broadway. On March 21, 1860, they sailed from Boston for Europe; and their success in all the provincial towns throughout Great Britain and in London was very flattering and encouraging in the highest degree. But, unfortunately, after spending large sums of money in decorating and re-fitting numerous halls and theatres for the production of their burlesque operas, managers of different theatres became jealous of their popularity and called up against them an almost forgotten statute in the law, relative to the performance of operas, and which excluded from license all but the regular Royal Opera. They appealed against it but without success. The obsolete statute was enforced against them and the Buckleys were compelled to abandon their enterprise and return to America, arriving here in 1861. They then visited many of the principal cities in the North and finally settled down in Boston in June, 1863. Previous to this, however, they opened in Boston, October 13, 1862 (being their first appearance there in four years), at Allston Hall. They opened in New York December 22, l862, at the Palace of Music, Fourteenth Street, near Sixth Avenue, under the solo management of J. G. Collins. The writer of this was the business manager of the Cremoine Gardens, the Palace of Music being one of the many attractions of the place. James E. Nixon was the manager. The company consisted of R. Bishop and G. Swaine Buckley, Dave Read, J. A. Palmer, August Asche, Julia Gould, G. Lonsdale, H. Leake, J. J. Mullen, G. Clarence, and J. Smith. They closed here January 3, 1863, and opened Stuyvesant Institute January 5, which they closed January 31 and went traveling. They opened their new hall on the corner Sumner and Chauncey Streets, Boston, June 15, 1863. Charles Pettengill, F. F. Saurin, Walter Birch, C. C. Pratt and others were in the party. J. K. Campbell opened June 18. Owing to bad business, the Buckleys closed in Boston and started for a traveling tour April 9, 1866, but they closed their season June 23. In August this party dwindled down to a small concern and they were traveling through Massachusetts, giving concerts in white and black face. They took a vacation in December, 1866 and continued until February 10, when they again started on a tour with L. M. W. Steere as agent. G. Swaine Buckley started a band from Boston, July 8, 1867, consisting of himself, H. Burchard, Jake Budd and two pupils, J. J. Roberts and C. Pickett; L. M. W. Steere as agent. He organized in Boston and started out September 1, 1868, opening at Fitchburg, Mass. In the party were George Swaine Buckley and Jake Budd (on the ends), J. J. Roberts (middle man), the Empire Boys, J. H. Stout, C. D. Bassett and others. This band opened the season at Newport, R. I., on August 31, 1869. G. Swaine Buckley, J. H. Murphy, Jake Budd, J. Waterman, Pete Lee, Charles Heywood, Hogan and Hughes, and O. P. Sweet in the party; Medora Becker, prima donna; H. E. Parmelee, agent. Joseph Norrie joined them December 15. They appeared in New York (first time in ten years) July 11, 1870, at their old standpoint (the San Francisco Minstrel Hall, 585 Broadway) and closed there August 13 and went on a tour. The Buckley family, professionally speaking, consisted of James Buckley, R. Bishop Buckley, George Swaine Buckley and Frederick Buckley---George Swaine first light and eccentric comedian, also banjoist; R. Bishop, low comedian, buffo, etc.; Frederick, leader of orchestra, violin soloist, composer and arranger of all the melodies and operatic music given by the troupe. The cause of S. S. Sanford changing the name of the Buckleys when he took them to Europe was because they were fugitives from England. They were announced as James Burke, Swaine, Rainer and Master Ole Bull. There never was such another family as the Buckleys. Everyone was a master musician. In this combination was an orchestra of soloists, a quartette, as well as a brace of comedians. Who will forget the burlesque operas as played by them---”Cinderella and That Pie,” “Bohomian Girl,” “Fra Diavolo,” “La Buy a Deer,” “La Sonam Bull Oh!,” etc.

BUCKMINSTER MINSTRELS: were organized in Maine in May, 1860, and traveled through New York State. John Norton, Pete Lee, Frank Cilley, E. S. Gray, D. P. Kincaine, F. Clifford, James Franks, C. E. Mirrell, and B. S. Miller comprised the company.

BUDWORTH & CAMPBELL’S: were organized in New Jersey in February, 1861, with J. H. Budworth, W. S. Budworth, M. C. Campbell, G. Raynor, Frank Spear, Billy Allen, A. H. Wood, Master Yates, M. J. Solomon, and Master M. Lewis. In March, E. Byron Christy, Charles Melville, Matt Thompson, W. Howard, and M. Corwan were in the party.

BUDWORTH’S MINSTRELS: consisted of C. Henry, G. F. Fowler, J. Savori, J. Garatagua, Dan Emmett, W. P. Grier, G. F. Clarendon, H. Budworth, Dick Sands, P. Abbott, W. W. Hodgkins, G. W. H. Griffin, W. S. Budworth, and Willie and George Guy; they opened at the Fifth Avenue Theatre (formerly George Christy’s), August 27, 1866. Quite a change in the company was made January 15, 1867. James H. and William Budworth retired from the party and on the 16th George Christy took the bone end and Mr. Hodgkins the tambo. The party was now called GRIFFIN & CHRISTY’S.

BUDWORTH’S MINSTRELS: were organized in New York, and opened in the Olympic Opera House, Sixteenth Street and Eighth Avenue, in March, 1858

BUDWORTH’S MINSTRELS: See WOOD’S MINSTRELS.

BUDWORTH’S MINSTRELS: was a new organization that opened at the Academy of Music, Chicago, July 3, 1865.

BUNNELL’S MINSTRELS: consisting of D. W. Reeves, Billy Drew, Billy Hart, J. H. Taylor, Frank Lum and others accompanied the R. Sands Circus during the summer of 1863.

BURCH, CHRISTIE & CO.’S MINSTRELS: consisting of Tim Woodruff, Leon Berger, George Wallace, Hank Goodman, Ned Foster, Rodney Maguire, F. M. Rhinehart, Hernandez, and Foster’s Pantomime Troupe. They traveled West in December, 1863.

BURGESS AND SCOTT: opened with a band at the Theatre Comique, Cincinnati: O., June 3, 1867, James A. Oates being lessee and manager. In the party were M. Ainsley Scott, Cool Burgess, W. S. Budworth, Billy Allen, and the Reynolds Bros. This party collapsed during the same month.

BURGESS’ (COOL) MINSTRELS: consisted of: Cool Burgess, bones and second tenor; W. J. Gibson, tambo; George B. Radcliffe, middle man; H. Mortimer, Will H. Coleman, Harry Causland, Mileson Smith, Joe H. Banks, Alex Robertson, Arthur Mortimer, Frank Beaver, and Johnny Burdell. They made a tour of Canada, commencing September 17, 1868. They collapsed in Cincinnati, Ohio, early in January, 1869, but reorganized in February with Mike Foley, Charles Atkins, Joe Banks, Ed African, H. Causland, Billy Coleman, Bobby Price, and Walter Davis in the party. Joe Chenet was agent. They closed their season at Bath, Me., June 16, 1869.

BURGESS, PRENDERGAST, HUGHES & DONNIKER’S MINSTRELS: organized in New York in September, 1865, and started through the East under the management of John A. Dingess. They opened September 11, at Bridgeport, Conn., with Cool Burgess, Archie Hughes, Prendergast, J. B. Donniker, Rollin Dana, A. C. Stone, M. Ainsley Scott, C. A. Boyd, Joseph Bailey, R. Thompson, Charles Elliott, J. Wilson, E. French, Frank Trainer, T. Morris, and Masters George and Charles Reynolds. Frank B. Cilley was agent. In May, 1866, Charley Gardner, O. P. Sweet and W. Alonzo Owen joined the party. In March 1866, Charles B. Griste joined this party as advance agent. J. B. Donniker withdrew from the management early in 1866 and the party was then known as BURGESS, LA RUE, PRENDERGAST & HUGHES’ MINSTRELS. In a few months Prendergast withdrew, and in November, 1866, the party was called BURGESS & LA RUE’S MINSTRELS and consisted of Cool Burgess, S. S. Purdy, O. P. Sweet, C. S. Fredericks, Frank Bowles, Harry French, Ned West, Charles Church, Mike Kannane, D. C. La Rue, W. Fowler, T. Simmons, A. C. Stone, Sig. Brandisi, Marcello Tornisi, George and Charles Reynolds, Ned Kneeland, Lewis Kazaran, Dick Thompson, Joe Timpson J. H. Slawson, N. Bernard, and H. A. Stanley, agent. In December, Burgess withdrew and the party was called LA RUE’S CARNIVALS. They opened in Canada in February, 1867. Billy Manning and H. W. Eagan were on the ends; O. P. Sweet, Fredericks, Brandisi, Kannane, West, Frank Bowles, Oscar Kress, Wheaton and C. B. Griste, agent, comprised the party. After a hard struggle they closed at Lafayette, Ind., July 22, 1868, and reorganized November 21, 1868. In August, 1870, they were in St. Paul, Minn., with Billy Reeves and Ned West on the ends, and Ricardo as prima donna. They disbanded at Petersburg, Va., February 9, 1871, owing to bad business.

BURKLY & COLLARD’S MINSTRELS: were traveling through Ohio in June, 1866. The party consisted of William Butler, J. F. Dunnie, E. Kelly, Charles Shelly, J. W. McAndrews, George Collard, Johnny Judge, J. Arthur, F. Spearl, H. Weber, F. Burkly and others.

BUSWORTH’S MINSTRELS: were traveling through New Jersey in September, 1859.

CALIFORNIA COMBINATION, THE: was a party that was performing on the Pacific Slope in June, 1876, under the management of D. Murray, John Jenkins, Prof. Lobe; Billy Taylor, bones; John Bortell, tambo; T. A. Medina, and Prof. Williams, a deaf and dumb magician.

CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: were the first minstrels ever organized in California. They were under the management of William H. Bernard, of the well known Birch, Wambold, Backus and Bernard party. They opened in August, 1849, in the Parker House, San Francisco, at $5 a ticket. They next hired Alfred Green’s Hall, over the Aguila d’Oro. In the winter they went to the Sandwich Islands and the party was known as the NEW YORK SERENADERS.

CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: were organized under the management of Mr. Grant, and in the party were Henry Irving (later known as Phil H. Irving), Sam Raymond, Mons. Alexander, Jake Wallace, John De Angelis. This was in the fall of 1858. A re-organization was made for a trip to Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, and the party consisted of Mike Mitchell, Joe and Harry Taylor; C. C. Keene, accordion; Tom King, tambo; Charles Nickerson, wench; Lew Rattler, Joe Murphy, Charles Henry, C. D. Abbott and others. They returned to San Francisco in January, 1859. The season proved disastrous on account of failure of the whale fisheries in the Arctic Ocean that season. Another company calling themselves the California Minstrels organized in 1859 and opened under the What Cheer House, Sacramento Street, San Francisco. Lotta, Louisa, Pauline and Charley Morrell and others were in the party.

CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: was the title of a party that was organized by W. H. Smith and Mr. Honts, and they opened the New Alhambra Theatre on the south side of Bush Street, between Montgomery and Kearney Streets, San Francisco, May 22, 1868. In the party were: Harry Norman, Johnny Mack, J. De Angelis, Harry Raynor, Fred Spring, T. Bree, G. Smith, Dick Sands, H. Bamford, and William Ashcroft. George Coes soon after joined them. On July 13 they started on a traveling tour. Their receipts from May 22 to July 1 are said to have been $19,415.50.

CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: was a party organized by Phil H. Irving and started from San Francisco, June 20, 1868. They played all the mining towns in northern California, remaining out four months. Charley Rhoades, Frank Medina, Jake Wallace, Harry Williams, Tommy Farren (of Baker & Farren), George Lynne, Frank Casey and Phil Irving. Phil H, Irving, professionally known twenty years ago as Harry Irving, first appeared as tenor vocalist in San Francisco, Cal., in October, 1857.

CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: organized in Cincinnati, O., in July, 1874, and went on a traveling tour. Harry Cadova, Jeff Howard, Dick Durand, Ned Reed, Charles Armstrong and J. H. Casper were in the company. They reorganized at Massillon, Ohio, March 10, 1877, and collapsed Sept. 11, 1877.

CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: was the title of a party that opened at Bryant’s Hall, Twentythird Street near Sixth Avenue, New York, under the management of William H. Smith, February 7, 1876. The company consisted of Frank Moran, Johnny Allen, Little Mac, Sanford, Wilson, Brockway, William Dwyer, J. Williams, J. Crosher, D. Baron, H. C. Tare, C. Howard, F. Williams, S. Hall, S. Lester, S. Stanton, James Lamont, E. A. Voos and orchestra. Johnny Allen left the first week. Billy Pastor assumed the management February 21, but withdrew March 11. William H. Smith resumed the management March 13 with W. W. Newcomb as stage manager, and a variety performance was given.

CALLENDER’S GEORGIA’S: as they had been called for some time, appeared at Robinson Hall, New York, March 8, 1875, and remained three weeks. This party was next called MAHARA’S GEORGIA’S.

CALLENDER’S JUBILEE MINSTRELS: were organized by C. Callender and started November 12, 1874, under the business management of Gus Frohman. John Uston, D. Porter, S. Tilman, R. Freeman, C. Benson, R. Keenan, J. Johnson, T. Murray, F. Bicks; F. Anderson, F. Jones, P. Zabriskie, Hazzard, and J. Anderson.

CAMPBELL & HOPPIL’S BAND: with Brigham Bishop and Tom Downs, proprietors, was started for a campaign among the soldier boys stationed at Chattanooga, Tenn., where they opened April 25, 1864, under canvas with George Wallace, J. Davidson, Add Ryman, J. Murphy, George and Brigham Bishop, D. Derago, Tom Downs and Master Charley.

CAMPBELL, CARLEY & MILES’ MINSTRELS: were traveling in Massachusetts in February, 1861. G. McDewell, Frank Carley, Ned Miles, Dan Campbell, and Dan Ashley were in the party.

CAMPBELL SABLES: organized and made a tour of New England in May, 1859. Frank Wells was in the party.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: of the many minstrel companies with the name of Campbell attached, this was one of them in 1853. Eph Horn was one of the attractions, also William W. Newcomb. They continued until the fall of 1856, when they were re-christened by H. Rumsey as RUMSEY & NEWCOMB’S MINSTRELS.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: C. A. Morningstar, manager, and consisting of S. S. Purdy, Joe Mairs, J. W. Smith, J. H. Stout, Frank and Sig. Angelo, Dan M. Holt, J. R. Passerelli, W. H. Griffin, W. C. Manning, Con Murphy, Frank Berger, Charles Sanford, Richard Arnold, Alph Bishop, Sig. Surboni and Miss Frank Christie, were traveling early in 1862 in the South and Southwest. When they reached Louisville, Ky., trouble entered the managerial camp and there was a split in the party in November. Morningstar left with some of the company for Memphis. Dan Holt took charge of those who remained in Louisville and continued to play there. Morningstar organized and traveled South with the following people: W. E. Manning, Stout, Dan W. Collins, Mairs, J. C. Murphy, Mons. Hager, Dan M. Holt, Clark Gibbs, Frank D. and Sig. Angelo, Master Harry, and Miss Christie. George H. Bentley, who had been with this party as advance agent, retired from the profession in March, 1863, and opened a saloon in Memphis. This party Morningstar called the EXCELSIORS.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: was organized in April, 1859, by Edward M. and Daniel Campbell. They traveled East with William Mayne, violin; W. H. Blood, banjo; Frank Curley, guitar; G. B. Hartfield, accordion, and Plummer.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: was a party consisting of: G. W. Moore, Dick Melville, M. C. Campbell, J. Kelly, R. M. Ferguson, Master Tommy, J. F. Hall, R. H. Escott, George Reynolds, G. Coes, W. J. Campbell, T. Arlington, Mat Cannon, Harry Seymour, and H. Kelly, with Charles Melville as agent. They took to the road in September, 1868.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: A. Campbell, proprietor, started from New York, and opened March 7, 1866, at New Brunswick, N. J. A. H. Bennett, William H. Bagley, A. Campbell, T. A. Bennett, H. Buhmier, P. Jones, J. Moffett, A. Williams, J. B. Vinah, John Heath, and George W. Knight.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: M. C. Campbell leased the Palace of Music, Sixth Avenue and Fourteenth Street, New York, made the necessary alterations, and opened with a minstrel band November 10, 1862, consisting of Ned Davis, George Gray, J. H. Clifford, Raynor, Eddie, Solomon, Mead, Hill, Gibbs, M. C. Campbell, Gripe, Livingston, Rozzi, Weitzer, and Johnson. Rumsey having lately arrived from England, opened November 24, and soon after Pic Butler, T. Waddee and Master Eddie appeared. They closed December 6 and went to Chicago, where the company appeared with great success. They remained there nearly three months, when they took to the road, opening in Baltimore, in March. J. H. Budworth, Johnny Booker, J. W. Hilton were added. Late in March, Dick Sands and Tim Hayes joined them. In July, 1863, Campbell opened at the New Bowery Theatre, New York, with the following people: Davis, Booker, Clifford, E. N. Slocum, Hilton, George Gray, N. W. Gould, T. Waddee, M. C. Campbell, Tannenbaum, Master Eddie, J. Ruig, .Sig. Ette, G. Hill, L. Bonny, E. Green and A. Sawyer. In May, 1864, he leased 199 and 201 Bowery (afterwards Tony Pastor’s Opera House), opposite Spring Street, New York, which he fitted up and opened June 27, with W. S. Budworth, A. Macaire, Gould, W. Hodgkins, J. Livingston, Ned Davis, Frank Leslie, J. T. Gulick, Robert Nichols, August Eben, John Whiting, Ainsley Scott, Adolph Nichols, Joseph Bailey, and Master Collins. J. M. Clifford opened August 8; Lew Myers, November 7; W. McManus, November 13; Johnny Booker, December 12. On January 16, 1865, R. M. Hooley became associated in the management with Mr. Campbell, when Cool Burgess, Hilton, Hayes and Hank Mudge appeared. In February, Mickey Warren, Master Reynolds, Donniker and T. B. Prendergast opened. The destruction by fire of Hooley’s Opera House, Brooklyn, caused J. H. Budworth, Griffin, Frank Hussey, Fred Abbott, George Clinton, George Parkinson and J. Stanwood to open here May 16. The season closed May 27, 1865.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: consisting of: Frank Wood, Harry Seymour, J. J. Kelly, Johnny Murray, W. J. Campbell, Ed Sweet, Thomas Arlington, J. H. Moore, J. F. Hall, Charles Coerg, George Hamilton, Mat Cannon, Tommy Pell, Dick Ferguson, Charles Melville, Johnny Booker, Dick Carroll, M. C. Campbell, the Reynolds Bros., formerly called the Utica Boys, James Kirkland, R. P. Ferguson, as agent, made a tour through Kentucky, in November, 1867.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: was a party organized in September, 1859, and traveled South. D. Gordon, W. W. Pierce, W. C. Mead, W. H. Campbell, Master Leon, J. H. Treifle, A. V. Hartley, L. M. Reese, G. H. Campbell, A. Nicholls, J. H. Nicholls, J. Bishop, W. H. Herman, E. Wilkson, F. Wheeler, C. Melville, and Renard were in the company.

CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS: were organized in January, 1866, and gave their first show January 11 at Yonkers, N. Y. J. M. Hunter was manager. In the party were: M. C. Campbell, J. M. Hunter, Dick Bertheton, J. H. Sadler, R. W. Ferrier, C. B. Freeman, Master Jimmy, Joe Buckley, J. B. Bishop, Dick Willis, W. P. Melvin, Master Ned Campbell, H. B. Castle, and J. W. White.

CAMPBELLS, THE: This party was one of the many “Campbells” traveling. They visited Philadelphia in January, 1857. Jerry and Dan Bryant and Ben Cotton were in the party.

CANTERBURY MINSTRELS: consisting of Sam Sharpley, tambo; Max Irwin, bones; A. M. Hernandez, Paul Berger, T. Lamont, R. Abecco, E. Byron Christy, Frank Spear and W. Ross. This party opened at the Canterbury Music Hall, Broadway, New York, June 1, 1861. This was Sam Sharpley’s debut in New York.

CANTERBURY MINSTRELS: was a band that opened at Canterbury Music Hall, St. Louis, in September, 1861, and consisted of S. S. Purdy, bones; J. T. Boyce, tambo; A. Slocum, middle man; H. Freborthyser, E. W. Story, J. L. Davis, Ed Berry, and Charles Davis.

CANTERBURY MINSTRELS: was a first class minstrel party, engaged in March, 1862, at Canterbury Music Hall, Broadway, New York. They comprised: R. M. Carroll, E. Byron Christy, Billy Birch, Ben Cotton, J. A. Herman, W. Ross, Harry Wilson, and George Germaine.

CARNCROSS & DIXEY’S MINSTRELS: were organized in Philadelphia and consisted of J. L. Carncross, E. F. Dixey, Frank Moran, Charles Villiers, Charles Gibbons, George L. Hall, Edmunds, Ira Paine, James Lamont, P. Ambrosi, A. H. Rackett, P. Deverill, William Ziegler, T. a’Beckett Jr., R. F. Simpson, with Moran and Dixey on the ends. They opened at Sanford’s Old Opera House, Eleventh, near Market Street, April 14, 1862. In the summer they went on a traveling tour and re-opened in Philadelphia on August 10, 1863. In May, 1864, Frank Moran left and the season closed in June, 1864, when they went on the road. They re-opened in Philadelphia on August 15, 1864. Lew Simmons was added to the company, also M. Bryan and C. C. Villiers, wench. One week after opening, the Buffalo Boys opened and the season closed on June 17, 1865. They re-opened on August 21, 1865, with the following company: Lew Simmons, Harry Lehr, E. N. Slocum, J. Laurent, W. L. Hobbs, J. A. Palmer, the Buffalo Boys, Charles Villiers, E. Kerwin, Charles Gibbons, J. Brech, Carncross, Dixey, J. Holden, J. Paul, Thomas a’Beckett and Charles Stevens. The season closed June 9, 1866, and they went traveling. They re-opened in Philadelphia August 20. The house was closed on the evenings of May 27 and 28, 1867, in consequence of the death of Mr. Carncross’ father. The season closed June, 1867, and re-opened August 26, 1867, with J. E. Green added to the party. The season closed on June 13, 1868, and they went on a tour. During the following season Harry Lehr, Lew Simmons, Dixey, Slocum, George Charles, J. W. Lamont, T. J. Prestinch, and Master Eddie were in the party. They commenced the season of 1869-70 on August 23. In the first part were fifteen performers, who appeared in white pants and vests and black coats. The instrumental part was strong, as it consisted of two cornets, double bass, clarinet, harp, three guitars, two banjos, two violins, flute, bones and tambo. J. A. Barney, baritone; Carncross, tenor; Lamont, basso; and Charles Stevens, alto; E. N. Slocum, interlocutor; Lew Simmons, tambo; Dixey, bones; the Buffalo Boys, W. H. Rice, Harry Lehr, Charles Gibbons, and Masters Joseph and Eddie were in the company. In March, 1870, Simmons and Slocum withdrew. The season closed May 28, 1870, and they went on a tour. They commenced the next season on August 22, 1870, with Frank Moran, Harry Lehr, Bobby Newcomb, George H. Coes, Frank Arnold, Dixey, Carncross, J. H. Ross, John Armstrong, W. L. Hobbs, J. Cheever, E. Kennedy, George Charles, Charles Gibbons, Lamont, Charles Stevens, Prestinch, Holden, Bech, J. S. Paul, Samuel Hosfield, J. A. Barney, and Charles Mears in the company. The season closed April 18, 1871, and the troupe traveled for the summer. At the termination of the season, Carncross and Robert J. Simpson retired from the firm and the business and the party was then called DIXEY & MORAN’S MINSTRELS.

CARNCROSS & DIXEY: after dissolving partnership with Moran, organized a band in Philadelphia in November, 1872, and started from that city November 25. Carncross and Dixey were managers. In the party were A. J. Talbot, E. F. Dixey, Harry Talbot, John L. Carncross, J. A. Barney, Carl Rudolph, Harry Percy, Con Murphy, Tommy and Willie Daly, George Charles, and R. H. Stratford. Rudolph and Barney left in January, 1873. The company disbanded April 10, but reorganized and opened at the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, May 26, 1873, for one week. They re-opened the Eleventh Street Opera House, Philadelphia, August 25, 1873, with Harry Talbot and Dixey on the ends. Cheever and Kennedy were in the company. On January 22, 1874, four end men (A. J. Talbot, J. H. Budworth, Dixey and Frank Moran) appeared for Carncross’ benefit. The season closed February 28, 1874, and they traveled. They opened their next season in Philadelphia on September 7, 1874, with Carncross, Dixey, Harry Lehr, Matt Wheeler, J. H. Budworth, Robert Frazer, Bobby Newcomb, Johnson, Powers, Charles Henry, Harry Percy, James Lamont, and James Quinn. Frank Moran appeared October 12, and Dixey opened the same date for the first time this season. The season closed February 27, 1875, and they went traveling. They commenced their next season in Philadelphia on August 30, 1875, with Carncross, Dixey, Harry Lehr, Matt Wheeler, Bobby Newcomb, Hernandez Foster, James Quinn, A. J. Talbot, Fred Walz, C. R. Clinton, Harry Percy, the Daly Bros., George Charles, L. C. Mettler, G. Frothingham, John and George Armstrong, George Hosfeld, R. Buckholtz, H. and S. Hosfeld, W. Streland, H. Parme, C. Kaufman, D. Bradford, and John Till. Hughey Dougherty appeared November 8. The season closed March 1876, and the company went to Baltimore, Md., for a short stay, but returned to Philadelphia, re-opened at their Opera House, and finally closed the season June 3, 1876. On September 4 they commenced their next season in Philadelphia with Cheevers, Kennedy, Weslyn, Casey, Hughey Dougherty, Matt Wheeler, Eugene, Templeton and others. Matt Wheeler left early in February, 1877, and Charles Sutton opened. They closed the season March 20, and they traveled. They re-opened at the Eleventh Street Opera House, Philadelphia, September 3, 1877, with Eugene, Wheeler, A. J. Talbot, George H. Edwards, Quinn, Casey, Weslyn, Rice, Griffin, J. C. Lacey, C. Templeton, George Frothingham, Carncross, Dixey and others. The season closed March 16, 1878, and they went traveling until May 11, when they returned to Philalelphia. The partnership existing between Carncross and Dixey was dissolved on September 24, and the minstrel band was afterward known as CARNCROSS’ MINSTRELS.

CARNCROSS & SHARPLEY’S MINSTRELS: gave their first performance August 22, 1860, at the Continental Theatre, Philadelphia, with Thomas Simpson, Frank Moran, Morris Edwards, Thomas A. Beckett, O. P. Perry, John Conrad, J. O. Fenrie, J. B. Pond, F. M. Fulton, J. L. Carncross, Sam Sharpley and Frank Brower. They closed in Philadelphia, October 20.

CARNCROSS’ MINSTRELS: opened for the season beginning September 2, 1878, with Slocum, Eugene, Matt Wheeler, Hughey Dougherty, Quinn, George Charles, E. M. Hall, Griffin, Rice, Weslyn, and Casey in the party. In the summer of 1896 Carncross retired to private life and was succeeded by Frank Dumont. He died in Philadelphia, November 13, 1911. Dumont was the next manager, with George W. Barber as lessee. He continued until April 17, 1909, when the house closed forever. In the company were Charles Turner, Jerry Cunningham, Ben Franklin, Gilbert Losee, Hughey Dougherty, Vaughn, Comfort, Matt Wheeler, Edwin Goldrick and J. R. Dempsey. Richard Lilly was musical director. In a few weeks the house was torn down.

CARROLL & EMMETT’S MINSTRELS: commenced a summer season at De Bar’s Opera House, St. Louis, Mo., June 1, 1868. R. M. Carroll was manager.

CARSON & BROWN: David Carson and Tom Brown organized a company for India and left Australia in August, 1861. They arrived in due time in Calcutta, where they astonished the Hindus and Mohamedans not a little with their representations of the sports and pastimes of the Ethiopian race in the United States of America. After performing a season at Calcutta with satisfaction to themselves and the public, they left the “City of Palaces” for a tour through Hindustan. The boys gave their entertainments all through the country, including Benares, the Holy City of the Hindus, Allahabad, Lucknow (where they performed in one of the King of Oude’s palaces), Cawnpore (where the terrible massacre occurred in 1857), Agra (formerly the resident of one of the “Great Moguls), Meerut (where the mutiny of ‘57, which came near costing England her magnificent Eastern Empire, first made its appearance), Delhi, in the absence of whose king, who was enjoying, for the benefit of his health, the balmy breezes of Rangoon, Carson did himself the honor of seating himself on the celebrated “Peacock Throne.” From Delhi to Umbala, Loodiankah, Anarkulle and Lahore, all in the Punjab, thence to Cashmere, where Dave was presented by the Rajah with a beautiful cashmere shawl. From Cashmere our traveler took his company to Simla in the Himalayan Mountains, a beautiful sanitarium, situated at about a height of 8,000 feet above the level of the sea. From Simla the company went back to Calcutta, showing on their return at nearly all the places they had visited before. After a second successful season at Calcutta, Carson went to Madras and from thence through to the Malabar country, touching at Goa, an ancient Portuguese settlement; so on to Bombay, the emporium of Western India, where their audiences, consisting of Pharisees, Europeans, Hindus, Musselmen, and a host of natives from all parts of Asia, greeted them at each performance with delight and hard silver, there being no greenbacks in that country. The company remained in India over five years, all the time as the San Francisco Minstrels, and there to not the slightest doubt that, owing to the facility with which Carson attained Hindistanese, the language of the country, and the manner in which he mimicked and caricatured a certain class of the native people, the great success with which the company met with was obtained. In May, 1866, the boys dissolved partnership, owing to the desire to see their native land once more.

CARTON, SPAULDING & MORTIMER’S ORIGINAL AMERICAN VOCALISTS: commenced a traveling season East in June, 1860. J. Mortimer, G. S. Carton, W. B. Spaulding, S. E. Wells, R. T. Hardy, A. I. Boswells (bones); E. Niles, I. S. Kent, and H. Channing were in the party.

CENTENNIAL MINSTRELS: See SIMMONS & SLOCUM’S MINSTRELS.

CHALLENGE MINSTRELS: was the title of a band that opened in Philadelphia at Sanford’s New Opera House in January, 1865, under the management of Collins & Co., but their life was but a brief one.

CHASE & HOWARD: organized a party in September, 1866. Pete Lee, Barney Williams, George Francis, Johnny Milton, George C. Franklin, Fred E. Mortimer, Allen Reynolds, Charles Bassett, William Briggs and Herr Shutter were in the party.

CHASE, PURDY, MURPHY & BUCKLEY: organized a band in New York in July, 1867, for the purpose of playing the small towns in the vicinity of New York. They gave their first entertainment July 18 in New York with S. S. Purdy, Charles Buckley, J. B. Murphy, George Leslie, R. Chase, Prof. Asche and a full brass band. CHASE’S MINSTRELS: opened at the hall, corner of Eighth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, New York, May 13, 1867, Horace A. Chase, manager and director. In the company were Hughey Dougherty, C. C. Templeton, S. S. Purdy, W. L. Hobbs, George H. Coes, J. Buckley, J. W. Hilton, J. W. Clark, Dave Reed, Charles Church, A. Nichols, W. Robertson, W. P. Grier, W. Fields, Charley Fox, M. Riley, R. H. Buchard, J. Wright, J. Wallace, John Savori, and H. Melville. They closed in two months and went traveling.

CHRISTY’S (GEORGE) MINSTRELS: in May, 1858, R. M. Hooley engaged George Christy (who had just retired from Wood’s Minstrels), Eugene, G. W. H. Griffin, M. Lewis, and Master Gus Howard—then members of Christy & Wood’s Minstrels—and with S. C. Campbell sailed for San Francisco to join the San Francisco Minstrels under Thomas Maguire’s management. They arrived there May 27 and opened at Maguire’s Opera House June 7. Lothian, Barker, George Coes, Abbott, and E. Deaves were in the party. Soon after they opened, Sam Wells appeared on one of the ends. As a compliment to George Christy, Mr. Hooley called them the GEORGE CHRISTY’S. In September, 1858, they made a tour of the interior and in October returned to San Francisco and re-appeared at Maguire’s. In January, 1859, a split took place in the party in consequence of a difficulty between Christy and Wells. After a stay of ten months on the Pacific Coast, George returned East with a band in partnership with R. M. Hooley; among whom were George Coes, Lothian, Eugene, and others. They went to New Orleans and opened at Odd Fellows Hall. They then came North and were in Cincinnati, April 25, 1859. E. Bowers, Eugene, S. C. Campbell, J. Herman, Master Gus Howard, Griffin, Koppitz, and Christerine. They were then known as HOOLEY & CHRISTY’S.

CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS: under the management of W. A. Christy, was organized in Chicago, Ill., November, 1859, and made a tour of the West. In the company were A. D. Groding, F. G. Fitch, George Florence, George Blish, Frank Sinclair, Jo Blish Jr., Old Ducrow, and Charles Moss. In June, 1861, W. A. Christy left the company at Toronto, Canada It then consisted of C. Lewis, George Tracy, A. Silberberg, L. C. Brimmer, Andy E. Morris, Charles Carples, Frank Kyle, W. McCracken, Harry Lawrence, E. Florence, and George Chilcoat. After Christy withdrew, the party was called FARR & THOMPSON’S.

CHRISTY’S (WILLIAM A.) MINSTRELS: organized in New York in 1861 and opened July 4, in Brooklyn. James H. Budworth, William A. Christy, Thomas McAnally were in the party. They made a tour through the West and closed in May, 1862.

CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS: W. A. Christy, manager, was a party that opened in Brooklyn, at the Opera House, corner of Court and Remsen Streets, early in September, 1862. Herman, Christy, Gray, Raynor, Wilson, Eastmead, Campbell, Schrans, Briesberg, Wood, Waddleton, Oldfield, Converse, Master Eddie, Little Bobby and Japanese Tommy. They very soon closed.

CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS: with W. A. Christy, manager, consisted of Harry Howard, W. A. Christy, Frank Howard, J. Rainer, Alphonso Carter, J. Hallman, and Master George. They opened at Christy’s Opera House (late Metropolitan Hall), corner of Randolph and LaSalle Streets, Chicago, in March, 1862.

CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS: under the management of James Christy, commenced a tour in August, 1864. John Thayer, F. Seymour, H. Stevens, Fred Thayer, Billy West, and G. Stevens.

CHRISTY’S (E. P.) MINSTRELS: were organized in New York and opened October 5, 1865, at Hudson, N. Y. In the party were J. H. Clifford, J. H. Taylor, M. Walsh, T. Waddee, George Germain, Charles Dunning, H. McFarland, R. Horn, G. Goff, W. Bishop, A. Gimber, W. Schwab and M. Lockwood. E. Byron Christy was manager.

CINCINNATI MINSTRELS: were organized in June, 1860, and opened in Cincinnati, Ohio, with J. G. Hathaway, Isaac Glascoe, Joseph A. Schloss, Dr. White, Gov. Wise, Mons. DeLand, Master Joseph Wise, Signor Julius Watson, John Brown, Elias Howard, and Will Williams.

CINCINNATUS MINSTRELS: were organized in Cincinnati, Ohio, in May, 1873, under the management of “Cincinnatus” (right name Mike O’Connor) and Harry Wilton, and gave their first performance May 5, 1873, at Xenia, Ohio.

CLARK & BRUNDAGE’S MINSTRELS: organized in Winona, Minn., in August, 1861, for a tour with Jimmy Clark, Alf Brundage, Thomas Williamson, William Strong, G. W. Hall, Walter Berry, F. Churchill, Lon Myers, R. Darby, and Joseph Cushion.

COES, PURDY & CONVERSE’S PARTY: organized In New York in March, 1867, with S. S. Purdy, George Coes, A. L. Bamford, Louis Nevers, Ned Davis, A. Silberberg, J. B. Hartley, Harry Norman, Henry Isaacs, T. D. Schultz, G. R. Frazier, Sig. Bellini, and J. W. Somers. They opened at Harlem March 19.

COLE, SLATER & HART’S MINSTRELS: started out October 11, 1869, and the party consisted of Charles Ball, Lew Cole, Billy Slater, Jimmy Hart, Joe Gallo, A. Prince, C. Young, Alex Gray, Lottie Lee, and Ada Garland. S. Sylvester was agent.

COLEMAN & WARD’S MINSTRELS: were organized in Fayette, Mich., where they opened July 20, 1874, with Tom Coleman, Harry Ward, John Nelson, W. A. Barron, E. B. Landon and C. M. Mendel..

COLLINS & HULMES’ MINSTRELS: opened in Philadelphia on November 20, 1871, at Friendship Hall, after which they went on a tour with the following company: S. S. Sanford, Add Collins, A. Hulmes, Paul Berger, Ed Achuff, Frank Solomon, and Jimmy Daly. Collins and Sanford were the end men.

COMBATIVE MINSTRELS, THE: was the name of a party organized by Hodge Chase, who opened July 12, 1864, with Charley Fox and Dave Reed on the ends and Savori, Hilton, Hobbs and others of Bryant’s Minstrels.

COMBINATION MINSTRELS: organized by Jack Haverly in the summer of 1864 for a tour through Michigan and the far West. Cool Burgess left the party in November and at the same time Sallie and Eliza Duval joined the party. In December the party consisted of Sallie and Eliza Duval, Nelly Haywood, Eva Blanchard, Nora Pyne, Edna Willis, L. J. Mayo, Carl Strauss, George Fields, J. Jones, Tom Whiting, Johnny Judge, Frank B. Wise, O. P. Sweet, Edward Mayo, Hugh Hamall, Harry Causland, Bobby Judge, M. Blessinger, Arthur Ferguson, and R. H. Armstrong, agent. Late in December, 1864, a partnership was formed by Haverly with J. W. Mallory, of Mallory’s Minstrels, and the two companies combined. They were then called HAVERLY & MALLORY’S MINSTRELS.

COMBINATION TROUPE: was the title of a party that started from New York, December, 1865, under the management of H. A. Fuller, for a tour through New Hampshire and Vermont. Frank George, M. J. Kerrigan, William McAllister, Mullins, Lewis, Clark, Sturgis and Allen comprised the company.

COMIQUE IRON CLADS: was a party that started out from Haverhill, Mass., on November 4, 1869.

COMMONWEALTH MINSTRELS: announced on May 1, 1876, that they would on that date commence their third season, although we can find no previous account of their existence. They traveled by wagons and the company in 1876 consisted of A. J. Bancroft, A. Benham, the Richardson Bros. (Tony and Charley), A. C. Knoll, A. D. Gates, R. W. Scoville, C. B. Leek and others. They reorganized in Ashtabula, Ohio, September, 1876, and made an extensive tour. On March 26, 1877, they commenced a tour through Ohio under the direction of Ame Lampman, opening at Rock Creek. Phillips, Richardson, Alf J. Bancroft, A. Benham, Fred A. Phelps, Scoville, Leek, Will E. Keeves, and the Richardson Bros.

CONGO MELODISTS: came into existence in 1842. And for a while were very popular. James Buckley, father of the Buckley Brothers, was the proprietor. This is said to be the first band to harmonize Negro melodies, operatic choruses, etc. R. Bishop, G.. Swain, and Frederick, the three sons, were the chief features and they made their debut at the Tremont Theatre, Boston, George Buckley being the principal tenor singer and comedian. Shortly after this (1844) they took the name of BUCKLEY’S MINSTRELS.

CONVERSE’S (FRANK) CAMPBELLS: See ORIGINAL MATT PEEL’S MINSTRELS.

CONWAY’S (WALTER) MINSTRELS: were organized in Baltimore Md., and opened December 19, 1866, at Manchester, Md. They consisted of Walter Conway, Nelse Conway, Harry Weston, Frank Clarkson, Harry Warfield, A. L. Hanline, P. Reinhardt, C. P. Fleming, J. H. Kaiser, P. Holbrook, M. Hamilton, F. Holbrook, and J. Lindall.

COOK’S (JOE) SABLE HARMONISTS: started from Boston for a tour West in November, 1860. Joe Cook, Mme. Joe Cook, Louise Webster, W. Barry, D. Wyatt, Master Willie, N. Rogers, W. F. Sparks, H. Cline, T. H. Brady, Sarah Price, and Frank Meekes.

COSMOPOLITAN MINSTRELS: were organized in May, 1860, and traveled through New Jersey and Pennsylvania with Johnny Pierce, J. Quinn, Johnny Neil, J. H. Collins, Henry Wilks, J. W. Hilton, D. Harper, George Wilks, J. Keith, Herr Van Lathr, L. M. Ford, Original Young America, and William A. Christy. Beasley & Smith were proprietors.

COTTON & REED’S NEW YORK MINSTRELS: were organized by John Simpson (treasurer for Bryant’s Minstrels for many years), Ben Cotton and Dave Reed. They opened at Bryant’s Opera House, Twenty-third Street, near Sixth Avenue, New York, August 23, 1875. In the company were A. E. Voos, Bob Hart, J. W. Lamont, J. J. Kelly, Dave Reed, Charles Templeton, Ben Cotton, Brockway, W. Raymond, E. M. Hall, Morton, Bernardo, Clark, Pearce, and Bideaux. Eugene appeared September 13; October 23, Bob Hart left; Eugene withdrew October 30; and the season closed very unsuccessfully on November 13.

COTTON, MURPHY AND SMITH’S CALIFORNIA MINSTRELS: were organized in New York in February, 1865, and gave their first show at Newport, R. I., February 25. Ben Cotton and Joe Murphy were on the ends. J. Tannenbaum, W. H. Lewis (William Henry Rice), Frank Campbell, R. Tyrrell, J. Crosher, J. Murphy, W. H. Smith, F. Blum, George Clarendon, H. Barker, H. Koehler, and George Ross. In July, 1865, they took a rest, after which they reorganized and started out, giving their first show September 2, 1865, at Pawtucket, Mass. They closed up in July, 1866, then reorganized and opened September 1, 1866. Ben Cotton, Master Bennie (Cotton), Jake Budd, Charles H. Atkinson, George Monk, Thomas McNally, Joe Norrie, Frank Campbell, Harry Walters, Thomas Sears, Erastus Clapp, Ned Clapp, Fred King, C. N. Cotton and the “Empire Boys,” Johnny and Willie Budd (Welch and Rice). H. E. Parmelee was agent. J. Tannenbaum joined early in September. Smith shortly after withdrew from the company and proceeded to San Francisco, Cal., where he married, September 24, 1866, Clara Sager, the youngest of the three Sager Sisters. Murphy also withdrew a few weeks after Smith and he also went to San Francisco. Ben Cotton continued with the party on the road.

COTTON’S (BEN) COMPANY: organized a band and opened January 19, 1867, at Norwich, Conn. The company consisted of Frank Campbell, Jake Budd, Empire Boys, Charley Atkinson, Joe Norrie, Master Bennie Cotton and Ben Cotton. H. E. Parmelee started with them as agent but E. P. Kendall (without exception the best advance agent ever seen in America) joined them in March. The party closed December 26, 1867, in Kalamazoo, Mich., in consequence of bad business. They reorganized a short time after, but closed in June, 1868.

COURTNEY & SANFORD’S MINSTRELS: was a party made up in New York to travel with Courtney & Sanford’s Circus in South America. They consisted of: Billy Watson, Dave Wilson, J. K. Campbell, John F. Oberist, Carl Rudolph, J. B. Carter, Harry Percy, J. G. Rampone and orchestra. They sailed from New York July 23, 1873.

CROSS, BOSSARDET & DUMONT’S ORIGINAL PONTOONS: organized and opened in Portsmouth, N. H., December 14, 1866, and consisted of John C. Cross, tambo; Frank Bossardet, bones; Hen Willey, interlocutor; W. H. Parks, John Morgan, William Carlin, Dickey Simmons, Charles J. Howard, Harry Andrews, Ned Parks, Jerry Dashington, Billy Morris, H. Bloodgood, Master Dixie, Alfred Dumont and Harry Robinson.

CROSS, FAY & MCALLISTER’S MINSTRELS: gave their initial show December 7, 1865, at Troy, N. Y., Billy McAllister and Jimmy Fay on the ends. Prof. Alder, C. P. Blake, J. C. Converse, W. L. Wilson, Henry Moore, Frank Ripley, James Fay, J. K. Whitcomb, J. B. Griffin, E. E. Jones, W. H. De Forrest, Henry Wildman and J. H. Pierce. J. C. Cross was manager. J. McAndrews and George Winship, who had but just arrived from California, opened with this party November 14, 1864. The season closing in May, Campbell disposed of his interest to Mr. Hooley, who became sole proprietor and manager.

DASHINGTON & KLING’S AEOLIANS: consisted of: Jerry Dashington, Master Wagner, Harry Hambrighter, Billy Morris, Fred Williams, Frank Dumont, J. B. Carter, Thomas Yates, and Masters Willie and Charley. They started for an Eastern tour in March, 1869.

DAVIS & CO.’S “CHRISTY’S” MINSTRELS: started from Toledo, Ohio, and gave their first show September 24, 1873, with Christy, Hooley, Richardson Bros., Lew Hallett, J. T. Cook, and Prof. Smith.

DAVIS’ (NED) OHIO MINSTRELS: were organized in Cincinnati, Ohio, in October, 1855, by Dr. Spalding and Charles Rogers. The steamboat Banjo was built expressly for this band by Dr. Spalding for the purpose of visiting the river towns of the West and South. They gave their first show at Lawrenceburg, Ind. The company consisted of Ned Davis and Silas Weed on the ends, E. N. Slocum, C. B. Griste (then a musician), Levi Brown, Master J. W. Adams, W. Penn Lehr, William Plato, J. Woodruff and Charles Sidestriker. Joel E. Warner was agent.

DAVIS’ (NED) TROUPE: organized a band in New York, in May, 1867. They consisted of Ned Davis, Harry Robinson, L. M. Reese, Billy Blair, J. D. Roome, Frank Dumont, T. Buckley, J. Lerche, John Allen, and J. Dixon.

DINGESS & GREEN’S MINSTRELS: organized in Chicago, Ill., and opened in Champaign, Ill., November 18, 1866, with Delehanty, Harry Stanwood, J. E. Green and Young Hengler. John A. Dingess was manager and L. M. W. Steere was advance agent.

DIXEY & MORAN’S MINSTRELS: was formerly CARNCROSS & DIXEY’S MINSTRELS. Moran and Dixey opened the season in Philadelphia on October 2, 1871, with Theodore Jackson, James Walters, J. C. Lacy, J. G. Russell, Harry Stanwood, G. W. Charles, A. J. Talbot, Turner, Hogan, Moran, Dixey, J. H. Ross, W. L. Hobbs, Joseph Walters, J. A. Armstrong, S. Hosfield, J. O. Weisenborn, J. Bech, S. A. Meyer, H. Cummings, O. Braun, D. Wild, C. Weeks, and W. Brown. McAndrews was there the first week. G. W. H. Griffin appeared December 11. The season closed May 25, 1872, and the company made a traveling tour. While on this traveling trip, Carncross entered into co-partnership with Moran and Dixey and traveled with them as the tenor. The spring of 1871, Carncross left minstrelsy and entered the mercantile business. The party opened in Philadelphia August 26, 1872, with Japanese Tommy, the Buffalo Boys, J. J.. Kelly, and Fred Walz added to the forces; also William Hamilton, baritone. During the week commencing September 9 and the following week, the troupe, except the end men, appeared in white faces and Lou Brimmer was engaged. A dissolution of partnership took place September 24, Moran becoming sole proprietor and the troupe was then known as FRANK MORAN’S MINSTRELS.

DIXEY’S MINSTRELS: composed entirely of home talent, organized in Piqua, Ohio, in May, 1861, and visited the neighboring towns. They traveled on a packet called the Dixey. Billy Manning was the bones, and it was with this party that he made his first appearance before the public. Jack Smith was tambo. They gave their first show at Tippecanoe, after which they visited all the towns along the canal. They returned to Piqua in a few weeks, reorganized and made a tour of the West, starting September 1. Very soon after starting the treasurer decamped with all the funds, which caused the party to collapse.

DOBSON’S SERENADERS: organized and made a tour through the West in August, 1858, for a few weeks only. C. E. Dobson was one of them.

DONALDSON’S ETHIOPS: in 1853, William B. Donaldson had a band at Hope Chapel, 718- 720 Broadway, New York. David Wambold was in the company. On January 15, 1855, he had Wambold, Baker, Malvin Turner, Atherton, Miss Celestine and Adelaide (dancers), Billy Quinn and Emmett, afterward known as Harry Huntington. In the summer he went on a traveling tour, returning to New York and opening at the Academy (Stuyvesant) Hall, 663 Broadway, opposite Bond Street, with Perrine, G. W. Moore, Sinclair, J. W. Byer, Langdon, W. N. Smith, Sam Wells and Billy Quinn.

DOUGHERTY (HUGHEY), JOHNNY WILD, MASTER BARNEY & LITTLE MAC’S MINSTRELS: were organized in Boston for a traveling tour and opened in Lowell, Mass., July 17, 1869; and they closed their season September 25, when they joined Morris Brothers in Boston, September 27.

DOUGHERTY (HUGHEY), LESLIE & BRAHAM: were managers of a minstrel band traveling in South Africa in November, 1873. In the party were: Dougherty, W. S. Leslie, Braham, Cox, Turner and Harvey. Dougherty arrived in London, England from Cape of Good Hope on November 25, 1874.

DOUGHERTY’S (HUGHEY) COMPANY: opened the Alhambra Palace, Philadelphia, June 18, 1877, with a minstrel party consisting of George Thatcher, George Harley, Fred Walz, J. G. Russell, J. J. Kelly, Charles Stevens, C. F. Shattuck and Prof. Hosfeld. A variety entertainment followed the minstrel performance.

DUMBOLTON’S SERENADERS: S. A. Wells and Jerry Bryant in the party, the latter taking the place made vacant by Pell (bones). They played the St. James Theatre, London, one year and eight months.

DUPREZ AND BENEDICT’S MINSTRELS: See SHOREY, CARLE, DUPREZ & GREEN’S MINSTRELS. They closed their fourteenth annual tour at St. Catherines, Canada, in July, 1867. The party then took a vacation, being announced as the first one in five years. This party opened in Philadelphia at the Seventh Street Opera House (Seventh Street, below Arch) on October 25, 1869. L. E. Hicks, Lew Benedict, J. L. Woolsey, G. Bishop, Charles Reynolds, Frank Dumont, Charles Gleason, Frank Pankhurst, Lewis Collins, W. Richards, J. Robinson, G. Wilkes, Calixa Lavallee, and Frank Kent. The last appearance (save one) in public of “Uncle” Frank Brower was with this company on December 18, 1869. He played Ginger Blue in “Virginia Mummy.” They closed in Philadelphia, May 7, 1870, and went traveling. One of their novelties was four end men: Dougherty and Benedict, tambo; and Reynolds and Gleason, bones. They opened in San Francisco at the California Theatre, August 8, 1870. After a successful season on the Pacific Slope, they returned East and opened at the Seventh Street Opera House, Philadelphia, November 19, 1870. Arlington joined them November 28 and on December 17 they closed in Philadelphia and went traveling. For the season of 1873-74, the company consisted of C. H. Duprez, Lew Benedict, Frank Dumont, George H. Edwards, Frank Kent, Joseph T. Gulick, W. W. Herman, George J. Lennox, Ferd Heinrich, C. C. Palmer, Fox, Ward, T. B. Dixon, D. H. Smith, B. Kreich, and L. N. Van Horn. The season closed July 4 and the next season was commenced September 7, 1874, with Benedict, Joseph Fox, Frank Kent, Dixon, Heinrich, W. F. Toomey, Killian Willis, John Whitcomb, Joseph T. Gulick, Dumont, Palmer and others. On August 17, 1875, Duprez became sole manager and proprietor, having that day bought all of Benedict’s interest. George E. Edwards, Sam Price, J. T. Gulick, D. H. Smith, Frank Kent, John Latour, Heinrich, Fox, Ward, W. M. Hogan, Frank Dumont, and others made up the company at that time. They closed the season June 5, 1876, a continuous one of twenty-two months. They started out again in September. Wash Norton appeared on the bone end at the latter part of the season. Duprez again started September 11, 1876, with George H. Edwards and Joseph Fox, tambo; Billy West and Ward, bones; J. T. Gulick, interlocutor; Andrew Vail and Frank Dumont, tenor; Dunk H. Smith, balladist. They closed the season June 16, 1877. The next season opened September 17, 1877, with Dumont, W. F. Tithill, Heinrich, Gulick, John Harris, Joseph Fox, Archie White, William Ward, John B. Murphy, J. Reese, Harry Pierson, William Haynes, Billy Ayres and others in the company.

DURANT & HAYWOOD’S CAMPBELLS: was under the management of N. F. and W. Hayward, formerly of the NEW ENGLAND BANDS. They organized in April, 1859: W. F.. Durant, basso; A. J. Talbot, bones; Master McAnally, jig and wench; W. Hayward, tenor; E. J. Melville, guitar. They disbanded December 17, 1859, in Chicago.

EDWARDS & SHOREY’S MINSTRELS: was an organization traveling through Pennsylvania in April, 1863, consisting of Bob Edwards, J. G. H. Shorey, J. Purcell, H. Wharfe, E. H. Young, Charles Rivers, A. Jardula, T. Moore, and J. Carl.

EDWARDS’ (BOB) COMBINATION: was a musical party organized in New Jersey in April, 1865, and opened on the 19th at Trenton, N.J., with Bob Edwards, Dan Howard, Bill Barker, Harry Hoyt, Joe Cook, Willie Budd (Billy Welch), Jake Budd, G. Bechle, Frank Solomon, T. H. Kellogg, Johnny Rice, and Julia Edwards.

ELDRIDGE’S MINSTRELS: was a company organized in Eastport, Me., August 1, 1865, by James Eldridge for a tour through Maine. Eldridge was middle man; Joe Folsom, bones; George Patterson, tambo; Henry Harrington, George Clark, Samuel Patterson, George Sweet, Frank Gleason, Walter Bradish, George Knox, and Dick Welsh.

EMERSON & MANNING’S MINSTRELS: formerly EMERSON, ALLEN & MANNING’S, re-appeared in Cincinnati, at Wood’s Theatre, May 31. They located at the Dearborn Street Theatre, situated on Dearborn Street, between Madison and Washington, Chicago, Ill., in September, 1869, with the following company: Emerson, Manning, Bob Hart, J. R. Kemble, Rollin Howard, Lew Brimmer, Mike Kannane, C. S. Fredericks, G. W. Jackson, Harry Norman, J. F. Dunnie, J. J. Kirby, Charles Hunnneman, Frank Bowles, Jules Seidel, H. Anson, J. Pfeifer, W. Ross, and W. Hathaway. Emerson withdrew late in January, 1870, and the company was then known as MANNING’S MINSTRELS..

EMERSON, ALLEN & MANNING’S MINSTRELS: gave their first show at Williamsburg, L. I., early in June, 1868. In the organization were Emerson, Manning, bones; Johnny Allen, tambo; Dr. J. Hanmer, E. S. Rosenthal, C. Wheaton, G. H. Clark, Edwin Holmes, C. A. Boyd, Frank Bowles, Harry French, Richard Willis, Harry Kelly, Charles Holly, William King, P. Hanratler, Henry Elliott, Martin Setz, and Master Eddie Manning. They opened at Tony Pastor’s Opera House, on the Bowery, New York, June 29, 1868. On July 20, George F. McDonald, the actor, made his bow in burnt cork. They opened in Cincinnati, August 3, at Pike’s Music Hall. They then made a tour of the country, opening at the Fourth Street Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 26, 1868, and then made another traveling trip. They returned to Cincinnati and opened at Mozart Hall on April 26, 1869, where they stayed one week and then went to St. Louis. Johnny Allen left in May, 1869, and J. R. Kemble, C. S. Fredericks, Jules Seidel and Sig. Marks joined them. The party then became known as EMERSON & MANNING’S.

EMERSON’S (BILLY) MINSTRELS: were organized in Chicago, Ill., and gave their first performance February 11, 1870, at Ottawa, Ill., with the following in the company: Billy Emerson, John Pierce, H. Meismer, Lew Brimmer, Charles A. Boyd, Henry Schultz, William Butler, W. B. Rudolph (later known as Carl Rudolph, and whose right name was Wilber Barrill); A. W. Hall, A. Rider, Yates, F. King, A. Johnson; C. B. Griste, agent; Beaumont Duhring, treasurer. The Reynolds Bros. were shortly after added to the company. After a successful traveling season, a re-organization took place and they left Cincinnati for California on November 13, 1870, under the management of Thomas Maguire, at whose opera house, Washington Street in San Francisco, they opened on November 23. Billy Emerson, J. H. Budworth, George and Charles Reynolds, Charles Fostelle, M. Ainsley Scott, Con T. Murphy, Charles A. Boyd; and C. B. Griste, business manager, were all that went from Cincinnati. But after arriving there they were strengthened by the addition of Charley Rhodes, Johnny De Angelis, George T. Evans, H. Eytinge, Louis Broharm, T. Blamfin, J. Book, and an orchestra of ten pieces. They closed at Maguire’s on Sunday, February 26, 1871, and opened at the Alhambra on Bush Street, February 27. During the season Bideaux, S. S. Purdy, James Collins, Martha Wren, A. M; Hernandez, Sheridan and Mack, Charles Vivian, J. H. Milburn, and Cool Burgess appeared. When the party first opened in San Francisco, C. B. Griste was the business manager; but when they appeared at the Alhambra he was the manager. On November 5, 1871, Emerson, with a portion of the band, closed and went on a traveling tour. The Reynolds Bros., Fostelle, Scott and others were in the party. On November 7, Kelly and Leon and S. S. Purdy, with a newly organized band, opened. Charles Howard, bones; Purdy, tambo; Arthur Stanley, Robinson, Bideaux, and Fanny Gibson were the additions. They closed in San Francisco, May 26, 1872, and went on a tour. They opened in New York September 2, 1872, at Lina Edwin’s Theatre, under the management of Thomas Maguire, and Emerson and Carl Rudolph opened November 11, and the season closed November 16, owing to bad business. Emerson and Maguire left for California. On the 12th of May, 1873, he organized a small party, consisting of M. Ainsley Scott, G. W. Rockefeller, Charles Boyd and W. Verner, and sailed for Australia under George Coppin’s management. On their arrival in Melbourne they added to their party several performers then in that city and opened at St. George’s Hall August 2, but did not at first meet with success owing to their having doubled the usual prices of admission. Holly, Buckley, and W. H. Campbell were the new faces added to the party. They afterwards played at the Prince of Wales’ Theatre in Melbourne for nine weeks to the largest houses ever known in the colonies. On June 6, 1874, Emerson left the party and sailed from Sydney for California, and soon after his arrival in San Francisco he joined Maguire’s party at the Alhambra.

EMMETT & BROWER’S MINSTRELS: had Dan Emmett and Frank Brower as the chief attractions and the party was one of the strongest on the road.

EMMETT & LUMBARD’S PARTY: were organized April 26, 1858, and opened at Irvine’s Hall, St. Paul, Minn., for the summer. Dan Emmett, Frank Lumbard, Johnny Ritter and R. Moore were in the party.

EMPIRE BAND: was traveling in January, 1860, and were composed of Frank Applegate, L. H. Freeman, Harry Bull, J. Brown, H. Barnes, G. Barnes, Master H. Nobles, and C. Weir. They organized in Auburn, N.Y.

ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS: held forth a Vauxhall Garden, New York, late in 1844 and afterwards appeared at the Elysian Fields, Hoboken, N.J. Jerry Bryant, H. Mestayer, J. P. Carter, Raymond, and Jim Sanford were in the company. Sanford made a feature of the performance with his Congo drum.

ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS: See VIRGINIA SERENADERS.

EUREKA MINSTRELS: in January, 1864, were holding forth in San Francisco. Fred Wilson, who arrived from Shanghai, opened January 31, and on February 28 Backus and Bernard appeared. David Wambold, Sam Wells, and Master Lewis had appeared on February 22. Maguire opened the Metropolitan Theatre, Sacramento, on February 26, 1864, with Backus, Burbank, Bernard, Abecco, Barnwell, DeAngelis and Fred Wilson. In March they made a tour of the interior.

EUREKA MINSTRELS: See BACKUS’ (CHARLEY) ORIGINAL MINSTRELS.

EXCELSIOR OPERA TROUPE: were traveling in Indiana in December, 1860, with Smith, Pierce & Manning, managers.

EXCELSIORS: See CAMBELL’S MINSTRELS.

FARNSWORTH’S MINSTRELS: consisting of Ned Farnsworth, Lewis Wilson, George R. Penn, Frank Preston, W. E. Lorraine, Archy Ray, George Scott, Colin Mayne, E. Kendall, Charles Long, R. D. Gillette, and C. H. Brace, organized in December, 1863, and traveled East.

FARR & THOMPSON’S MINSTRELS: a re-organization from CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS, took place with J. T. Ainsworth, Matt Thompson, and George Gray joining, while Lewis Tracy, Silberberg, Laurence, Florence, and Chilcoat withdrew. In July, W. S. Farr became sole proprietor. They organized a brass band in conjunction with their troupe. They closed the season in Newark, August 2, 1661, but took to the road again in a few weeks. A reorganization took place in New York in June, 1863.

FARR & THOMPSON’S: See CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS.

FARRENBERG & BROWN’S (JOE) OHIO MINSTRELS: See OHIO MINSTRELS.

FERDINAND & SOLOMON’S MINSTRELS: were organized in December, 1863, and consisted of M. B. Leavitt, tambo; J. Ferdinand, bones; Frank Solomon, J. L. Sanford, Fred Ashley, Charles La Borde, E. J. Hirst, and C. Swain.

FISKE & HOLTON’S HARMONIANS: were organized in Worcester, Mass., in May, 1866, with Billy Taber, bones; Billy Dixon, tambo; Harry Richardson, Wally Parks, H. Stanley, Justin Joslyn, Bob Evans, Henry Hankley, and J. Hessions. They closed the season at Clinton, Mass., July 7, 1866. Leban Fiske sold out his interest to Holton and retired from the profession. The company was reorganized by Holton with Billy Dixon, Bob Evans, Billy Taber, Thomas McCone, Ned West, Harry Richardson, John B. Gates, W. Joslyn, Wally Jason, E. H. Howe, Harry Lincey, and Ed D. Horton. They opened in Providence.

FITZ GERMAN MINSTRELS: were composed of Hughey Hagert, Richard Gorman, Harry Brown, Howard Egbert, Harry Blanchard, W. H. Stanley, Bideaux, Fred Romher, G. A. Bernard and a silver band of eleven pieces. George Cole was proprietor and Val Rolewski, leader. They started early in March, 1873, and they had not been out many days when Cole deserted them, leaving salaries due to all.

FLORENCE’S ALABAMA MINSTRELS: was a new party that was organized in Boston, Mass., and opened May 2, 1863. Joseph Nugent, bones; Dan Wheeler, tambo; George W. Florence, John Ryder, R. A. Birchley, Ben Shepard, W. Cannon, Harry Jordan, J. H. Andrews, H. Schipp, A. Jigger, L. Brown, W. F. Asche, C. H. Greene, and Prof. Gilbert.

FORD, WEST & BLANCHARD’S CREOLE MINSTRELS: started in July, 1859, with Dad Edwards, bones; Harry Blanchard, banjo; Frank West, Prof. Brisco, violin; and J. Studley, basso.

FORREST’S MINSTRELS: were traveling in Kentucky in July, 1865. F. Ransom, Sile Weed, Early Miller, Jim Morris, J. M. Forrest, Lewis Walters, P. Marks, and J. C. Carroll.

FOSTER’S MINSTRELS: organized in New York in January, 1863, and traveled East and New York State with W. H. Brockway, Jules Stratton, W. Blythe, W. Waters, Carl Spentz, Johnny Booker, O. H. Carter, George Wrightman, W. Butler, E. Mills, J. Gaynor, and Charles Wood. In July, 1863, this party was called THE AMAZONS. Foster quit them in Albany soon after starting out. Johnny Booker also withdrew, as he stated at the time that there was no responsible head to the concern. There was a regular breaking-up, but H. S. Rumsey took charge and after re-organizing started out calling the party RUMSEY’S MINSTRELS.

FOX & SHARPLEY’S MINSTRELS: opened at Stuyvesant Institute, New York, October 7, 1861. George Gray, ballads; S. Sharpley and C. H. Fox had the ends. Dave Reed and Joe Childs were in the company. They closed there October 20.

FOX & WARDEN’S MINSTRELS: occupied St. James Hall, London, England, in October, 1859. They did a very good business. H. Drummond, C. Fox, and Mert Sexton were in the party. The proprietors dissolved partnership in May, 1860. Fox became sole proprietor and continued in the company. They appeared shortly after in Liverpool.

FOX’S OPERATIC TROUPE (not Charles H. Fox): organized in Maryland in November, 1859, and traveled. Fox, F. Buckingham, R. Turner Jr., D. Porter, H. Talbot, R. Sullivan, S. J. Stean, and Master Harry comprised the party.

FRONTIER MINSTRELS: were organized in Eastport, Me., where they first performed, January 11, 1866. George Patterson was interlocutor; Harry Harrington, bones; Samuel Patterson, tambo; W. Braddish, George Clark, Master Toney (clog), and Charles Scott.

GALESBURGH MINSTRELS: were organized in Galesburgh, in May, 1858, and opened at the Opera House under Pardy & Daniels’ management with Gus Howard, T. B. Johnson, J. O. Noyes, S. V. Shelly, Frank Gray and S. S. Shepard. They were located there for the summer.

GAYLORD & DUPONT’S: during the season of 1854, this party opened in Philadelphia at the old Southwark Hall in Second Street. They occupied the premises nearly four years.

GAYLORD, FOWLER & HOGAN: opened in Kansas City, March 24, 1866, with a party. D. Camp was the manager and true to his name he “decamped” the second night with what funds there were.

GEMS OF CAMPBELLS: See ORIGINAL MATT PEEL’S MINSTRELS.

GEORGIA CHAMPIONS: was one of the many troupes that started out, emboldened to try their fortunes. They organized and opened in Providence, R. I., July, 1845. They had the original Jake Hunter (Mr. Ryder), banjoist; also the original Juba, then in his best trim; Tom Fluter, Juba, tambo; Pierce, bones; Russell, accordion.

GEORGIA MINSTRELS: a band organized by Sherry Corbin of colored performers in San Francisco for Australia. They opened in Newcastle, December 18; 1876, and appeared in Sydney, N. A. W., December 26, at the School of Arts. After playing there two weeks they proceeded to Melbourne, where they soon after burst up.

GEORGIA MINSTRELS: a party of gentlemen of color which was formed by C. H. Hicks, who opened with them at the Broadway Opera House, 600 Broadway, New York, July 20, 1867, with Lew Johnson, bones; C. Arlington, tambo; Smith, Benson, C. B. Hicks, ballads; Dick Little, banjo; A. L. Smith, essence. In April, 1868, they were in Aspinwall. They occupied the Empire Rink, Third Avenue and Sixty-third Street, New York, in June, 1869, with George Danforth, bones; Bob Height, Alf Smith and C. B. Hicks in the party. McMillan and Coats were managers. They sailed for Hamburg, Germany, January 25, 1870, arriving there early in February and opened February 10. They made a tour of the provinces and closed in April and several of them joined SAM HAGUE’S SLAVE TROUPE. C. B. Hicks started with this party September 9, 1871, for a tour through Pennsylvania. George Skillings, Bob Height, Dick Weaver, Banks, Kersands and T. Drewette were added to the forces. On December 22 they appeared in New York at the Eighth Avenue Opera House. In March, 1872, Charles Callender bought the interest of Mr. Temple in this troupe and became sole proprietor. They opened at Lina Edwin’s Theatre (formerly Kelly & Leon’s Hall), New York, June 10, with Bob Height, Dick Little, Billy Wilson, James Grace, Pete Devonear, Kersands, Smith, L. Pierson, and C. B. Hicks. In March, 1873, the company was made up of the following people: Height, Little, Kersands, Devonear, Grace, Al Smith, L. Pierson, Jake Zabriskie and others. C. B. Hicks was agent. This party temporarily disbanded in December, 1874, and reorganized in January, 1875, with W. A. Mahara as manager and the following company: C. A. Crusoe, William Sanders, Locke Warinch, Mills, Master Burnham, C. Wright Harris, Samuel Butler, Alf White, Bob Turner, Benjamin Jackson, F. Burnell, D. A. Bowman, J. R. Matlock, A. Jackson, C. Morton and C. B. Hicks. D. B. Hodges, who started with the party in January, was relieved by John A. Warner in February.

GIBBS’ (CLARK) MINSTRELS: consisting of Jim Wood, Clark Gibbs, John C. Murphy, J. W. Corcoran, Juan Costello, John Freeberthyser, George Wallace, Sig. Forresi, Harry Alberts, George Barker, and Master Francis. They opened November 12, 1866, in Indianapolis, Ind.

GIRARD’S MINSTRELS: organized in July, 1859, in St. Louis, Mo., and opened at Girard Hall under the management of A. McDonald with Frank Lynch, Frank Forester, Tommy Pell, Charles Correll, J. Wood, M. Lutz, J. Donniker, J. Smith and Pete Morris.

GLOBE MINSTRELS: opened at the Globe Theatre, Broadway, New York, November 27, 1871, with G. W. H; Griffin, James H. Budworth, bones; William Budworth, tambo; D. S. Vernon, Arthur McKoun, Stiles, Phelps and others.

GOOGIN’S (DAN) MINSTRELS: organized at Winona, Minn., where they opened June 20, 1872. They collapsed in six weeks at Lake City. Hi Price was in the company.

GRAVELEY’S (EDWARD) MINSTRELS: started from Baltimore, Md., October 8, 1878, with Harry T. Leonard, Barry, Gray, James Woodie, Charles Wattell, William Baker, William B. Harris, John Larmer, R. H. Tarrcent, Dave Graham, George Pritchard, George Browning, Master George Miller, Henry Silver, Ed Gerst, Ed Burton, and Ed Graveley.

GREAT ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS: was the title of a party so billed in 1845 to distinguish them from numberless “Serenaders.” They performed at F. S. Myers’ saloon, Eighth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, as early as January 14. The prices of admission were: parquet, 25¢; recess, 12½¢. Young Sweeney, Purcell, Master Mitchell, Sam Sanford, “Ole Bull” Myers, B. Boyce, Frank Rosston, and Miss Shaw were in the party.

GREAT MINSTRELS OF THE UNITED STATES: was the title of an organization formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and who gave their first show on December 1, 1873, in Troy, Ohio. They consisted of Charles Bartine and John Maur, end men; “Cincinnatus,” St. Leon, Harry De Lave, Billy Harland, George M. Hill, Edwin Logan, Alf De Witt, Frank Leon, W. E. Harlan, R. Crandall and orchestra. George A. Russell and Alf De Witt were managers. The company collapsed at Rock Island in December, 1874.

GREEN’S MOCKING BIRD MINSTRELS: Green & Hillsburgh, proprietors, consisted of Jules Stratton, C. Melville, Myers, Emmett, Mike Kannane, Lewis Mairs, Myron Lewis (wench), C. B. Reynolds