The New York Clipper (March 1912)

-jg£Rl€ Copyright 1912, by the Frank Queen Publishing Company (Urnlted) Founded by FRANK QUEEN, 1863. NEW YORK, MAEOH 2, 1912. VOLUME U-No. 3. Price, 10 Canto. EARLY HISTORY OF NEGRO MINSTRELSY ITS RISE ADD PROGRESS IN THE UNTIED STATES BX COL. T. ALLSTON BSOWM. FRAZEE & LEDERER PART. GO THEIR SEPARATE BUSINESS WAYS. This Series of Ahticies Couubnced with Issue No. 1, Vol. 60. A Likitbd Nohbib of Back Copies Can be Supplied at Regulab Rates. THE BAN JO. When minstrelsy waa la Its Infancy the banjo was The favorite Instrument It was i sternly made instrument and Its Invention was not due to the negro, for J. Q. Wilkin- ion In his work on the ancient Egyptians, shows a picture of the Egyptian lyre that, In erer? vital respect, Is a modern banjo. It has an oblong hoop, a neck and head, with mm and strings running from the head across the skin, stretched over the hoop. There were no places for stopping the four strings and hence only four notes could be made. The "tack-head" banjo, made In the old minstrel days, was the one that pos- sessed beauties of Its own. The calfskin head was wet and stretched orer the rim ai tightly as possible, snd then tacked down around the edge. James Buckley, father of the Buckley Brothers, made the first Import- ant Improvement on the Instrument, which waa tightly fitting a narrow Iron ring over the oatslde of the ikln at the top of the hoopj so that pulling the ring downward all aronnd would tighten the skin on top. Brackets were fixed to the side of the hoop In the middle of the outside and pierced for screws. which ran upward into the Iron ring. A key worked the screws aud pulled (he iron rli ■; that stretched the hide to the desired tension. Joe Sweeney made the Innovation of adding the short, fine catgut string beside the wire string, making the banjo a five string Instru- ment David Jacobs was the first banjo manu- facturer. He bad a little store on Grand Street New York. In 1868 a German, named Harless, com- menced the manufacture of banjos at from (3 b> $5 each. In less than ten years be re- turned to Germany with $20,000. The first time the banjo was ever used In the orches- tra of a regular dramatic establishment was at WaMacks Theatre, New Tork. Chaa. E. Ddbsoa having been engaged by Thomas Baker, (he musical director, and Dobson was one of the features every evening of the week, commencing March 4, 1867. William M. Whltlock. This celebrated performer was born In New Tork In 1818, and was employed as com- positor on a religious Journal. In 1835 he made his debut at the Patriot House, In Chatham Square, New Tork, as Cuff, In ''Oh, Hush." While traveling through the South with Whipple's Circus he met Joe Sweeney at Lynchburg, Vs. Up to that time Whit- lock bad never seen a banjo, but during his brief stay In Lynchburg Sweeney made him one and taught him the tune, "Slttln' on a Bail." Prom this time forth he made the banjo hla study by day and by night Every night during his Journey South, when he was not playing, he would quietly steal off to some negro hut to hear the darkles sing and ■ee them dance, taking with him a Jug of whiskey to make them all the merrier. Thus he got his accurate knowledge of the pe- culiarities of plantation and cornfield negroes. Reaching this city on July 6, 1838, he at first performed with Dan Gardner, In Hester Street, and then went with Henry Rockwell. the circus manager, to the Richmond Hill Theatre. There, singing "The Raccoon Hunt," he played the banlo for the flrat time in public. Although In his autobiography he specifically sets up no such claim, yet he seems to have been the flrat person to play 9& '"{foment In this city. Billed as Billy Whltlock, the Celebrated Ethiopian Singer and Original Banjolst," he had the metropolitan fieTd ell to himself until 1839, when Joe Sweeney came to town, i 'L w 1? nlj «Mtom to travel with circuses n the Summer, and to work type-setting In S& !*%£ ln th « Winter of 1839-40. he SSli.™« J*« a "typo,* 1 and went traveling with p. t. Barnum. playing the banjo, while Master diamond danced. While In Philadel- phia performing with Diamond, Whltlock prac Used with "Ole Bull" Dick Myers, the violinist, and on their Joint benefit night the two played the banjo and the fiddle together for the first time In public. Whltlock afterwards traveled with P. T. Barnum. again playing the banjo to the dancing of the new Master John Diamond (Frank Lynch). Shortly after this he was at Barnum's Museum, New York, In a minstrel band, of which Barney Williams was a member. In 1S44 Whltlock traveled with Barnum's Bonaparte Funeral Exhibition. Reaching Buffalo, N. T., on their return, the party chartered a canal-boat, and traveled the en- tire length of the Erie Canal exhibiting at every town on the route. Whltlock also trav- eled with the Bonaparte Funeral as late as 1830. Whltlock brought out a Bryant on the Mu- seum stage as "Little Jerry," he taught Frank Lynch ("Master Diamond" the false) about all that he know, and It was from him that Tom Briggs acquired much of his superior knowledge of the banjo, of which Instrument Whltlock was also a maker. In 1645 he constructed a miniature locomo- ■:re to run from the Hoboken Ferry to the Elyslan Melds. The season closed before it was finished, but he sfterwards exhibited It at the Bowery Circus, Illustrating It by relating the well-known "Locomotive Story." The iiut time he traveled It was In conjunction with Duke Morgan. In 1855. with Dan Klce's Circus. In that year he took up bl3 residence In Jersey City, N. J., having received an ap- pointment In the drug department of the Cus- tom House. This he held for four years, un- der the successive administrations of Presi- dents Pierce and Buchanan. Political Influ- ence caused his removal, and he returned to the printing business, at which he worked un- til the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he became a volunteer. In 1862 he was para- lyzed, end lay for a long time In the York (Pa.) Hospital. He died at Long Branch, N. J. March 29, 1S78. He had been off the stage about twenty-two years. FRANK BIIOWER. Frank Brower was bom In Baltimore, Md., in 1820. His first appearance in public was ln 183T, as Master Brower. Ho then became the confident of Weldon, the magician. He next traveled with the Cincinnati Circus Com- pany, under the management of Charles J. Rogers. It was while Richard Myers, Frank Brower, and others were practicing ln Phila- delphia that Mr. Rogers happened to hear tho pa rty playing, and of what he thought and did en that occasion we excerpt the following from a private letter of Mr. Rogers: "I soon made up my mind that Frank Brower possessed all the talent there was In the party: so I engaged him, and we left the depot, corner ElevenLn and Market streets., at 12 o'clock the same night. We opened ln Cincinnati soon after our arrival, snd spent the season traveling In Ohio, Indiana, Vir- ginia and Kentucky. 1 * During the season the manager found a banjo player named Ferguson, who played the banjo and worked on the canvas for ten dol- lars a week. Brower and Ferguson soon be- came the greatest cards of the day. About this time Henry Clay and Tom Mar- shall, of Kentucky, were engaged on opposite sides In a very Important lawsuit In Versailles, where the circus plsyed during the trial. Marshall gained the suit, and was so much elated at beating his old political opponent that he Indulged a little too freely, and, be- ing much pleased with Frank Brower—who was very temperate at that time—Induced him to Join him in a "drinking bout," and at daybreak Frank and the great "Kentucky orator" were snoozing In the barroom of the hotel, one on the counter and the other on The producing firm of Frazee & Lederer Is no more. H, H. Frazee and George W. Lederer, constituting this firm, have dis- solved partnership, and ln future their pro- ductlone will be made, and their business conducted, tinder their separate Individual names. Mr. Frszee will continue to occupy the offices occupied by the firm ln the Fitzgerald Building, until the Longacro Theatre Is ready for occupancy, when he will remove to that house, which will be conducted under his direction. Mr. Lederer will locate elsewhere. The productions of the old firm have been Incor- porated and each partner will continue his Interest. the floor. Ferguson went South and died of cholera. Brower returned to Philadelphia and the company laid up. In the Spring of 1841 Brower again Joined Rogers' Circus, and Emmett played the banjo in the ring to Brower's dancing. We have already spoken of him as one of the original band. In 1851 he again visited England as clown to Gen. Buna Welch's ClrcuB. As a performer he stood at tho head of his profession. He was very versa- tile. As Gumbo Cuff, In "Ob, Hush I" he was Immense. His dry wit was well understood by the audience, and its freedom from vul- garity commended It to the lovers of genuine fun. His "Happy Undo Tom" was as per- fect a piece of acting as has ever been wit- nessed upon any stage. In 1867 he rctLed from the profession snd opened a saloon on Ninth Street below Market Philadelphia. Died ln Philadelphia, Jnne 4, 1874, and his remains were Interred In Woodlands Ceme- tery, that city. RIOHABD WARD PELHAM. Richard W. Pell, better known as Dick Pel ham, was born In New Tork Feb. 18, 1815, and made his first appearance on the stage In 1885, at the Bowery Theatre, New York, with T. D. Bice, in "Oh, Hush »'■ He afterwards traveled with Turner's Circus, executing a song and dance. He afterwards traveled with bis brother, Gilbert After ap- pearing at various theatres ln New Tork, he became one of the original band and went to England. He never returned to America after leaving It with the "original four" In 1843. Hla last engagement was In August, 1856. He died In Liverpool, Eng„ Oct. 8, 1856, of cancer of the stomach, and was burled ln Anfleld Cemetery. Several years prior to bis death he was Indebted to Samuel Hague, proprietor of the well known minstrels In Liverpool, for many kindnesses. He slso conducted a column In Mr. Hague's monthly publication, headed "Ethiopian Anec- dotes." He was the author of many negro melodies. For many years ne managed Fell's Serena- de™ ln England, and It was with them at the Surrey Theatre, London, In the Spring of 1848, that Juba achieved the success which shortened his life. GU Pell, who had been n prominent feature of the Dumbolton Troupe, which, by special Invitation, had performed at the residences of many of the English no* blllty. was also with Pell's Serenaders along with Juba. DAN EMMETT. Daniel Decatur Bmmett was one of the earliest devotees of burnt corkdom. In 1840 he was traveling with the Cincinnati Circus, playing In the orchestra. Was born ln Mt Vernon, 0„ In 1815. He began life as a printer, but soon abandoned his trade for a circus company. He was not long in discov- ering that he could compose songs of the kind ln use by clowns. One of the finest of these was "Old Dan Tucker." Its success wbb so great that he followed It with many others. They were all negro melodies. Fin- ally be took to negro Impersonation, singing his own songs in the ring, while he accom- panied himself on the banjo. In 1848 he was one of the original four that appeared In minstrelsy. When the party went to Eng- land Emmett remained abroad for several years. He returned and Joined Bryant's Minstrels at 472 Broadway. He was en- gaged to write songs and walk'rounds and to take part in the nightly performance. He made his home at Mt. Vernon, 0. It was he who first discovered Ferguson, the banjo player, and after much persuaalon Induced the man- ager (C. Rogers) to engage him. It was while traveling with this party that Dan learned to pick the banjo. The following season (1841) he re-joined the circus, and Frank Brower and Emmett became very popular. He was known ln the East much earlier than Joe Sweeny. He was not only a fine banjo player, but an excellent mu- sician, and to his genius the minstrel stage owes many of lbs most popular "walk- 'rounds" and other comicalities. The piece by which he will be longest remembered Is "Dixie," one of his Inspirations of later years, which arose to the dignity of a sec- tional war song. (To be Continued.) mm STAYS WITH FOX. The article which appeared ln the columns of another paper Inst week stating that Joe Leo would in the future book all the Fox houses ln place of 1'. F. Kealcy, proves to be without foundation In fact. At the Fox headquarters It Is emphatically denied, with the accompanying statement tbst the Fox people cannot understand how such a statement came to be printed. Mr. Kealey la a warm personal friend, as well as busi- ness sssoclate, of Wm. Fox, and he will ln the future, as ln tho past, book all the Fox attractions. ■»»» TODY HAMILTON'S NIECE IN SKETCH. Florence Hamilton is going to make a plunge Into the two-a-day field, for she bos s.'gned to appear in support of William Lytcll. In a sketch, called "An All Night Session," which will soon open on the Orphcum time. Although this Is Miss Hamilton's first en- gagement In vaudeville, she has met with success on the dramatic stage. She comes from a prominent theatrical family. Her father, John W. Hamilton, was a well known theatrical manager; his brother was tho world famous circus press agent, Tody Ham- ilton; her mother before her marriage was associated with the late James W. Collier; Miss Hamilton's grandfather was Judge Thomas W. Plttmsn, dramatic critic of Tiie Mercury, an actor and a playwright, and Annabelle Whltford, last season leading woman of Victor Moore's company, la her cousin. 4«» HEADS VAUDEVILLE ASSOCIATION. Ben D. Cross, of Indianapolis, Ind., gen- eral manager of the Oaycty Theatre, and of the Dixie Amusement Co. enterprises, ln that city, returned from Wheeling, w. Vs., where he was elected president of the National Vaudeville Association, at the annual meet- ing held there. This is ono of the largest organizations of family theatres ln the coun- try, comprising more than two hundred houses In New York, Pennsylvania, West Vlr- cinla, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Tho booking representative, or general amusement director, la Gus Bun, of Springfield, 0. GRIH AND ZIT IN NEW ACT. Grim and Zlt, a study in brown and black, will Shortly appear In vaudeville with an entirely new act, written especially for them. "The Arrival of the Prince" Is tho title of the sketch. 4»» JOHNSON RETIRES. J. Jones Johnson, former owner and mana- Ser of the Tremont Theatre, ln the Bronx, [. T.. has sold bis Interest ln that thea- tre to Marcus Loew, and will retire from the theatrical business. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. Under this heading we will publish each week Important amusement events occurring In the corresponding week a quarter of a cen- tury ago. Feb. 25, 1887. — Clare, Mich,, Opera House burned. Feb. 20.—Old London Streets, New Tork City, opened. Feb. 20.—Isabel Morris made Australian de- but at Theatre Royal, Melbourne, In "Harbor Lights." Feb. 20.—"The Trojans In Carthage," a lyric drama by Hector Berllos. first acted In America at Chickerlng Hal), New York. Feb. 27. — Honesdalc, I'a., Opera House burned. Feb. 27.—Marshall, Tex., Opera House burned. Feb. 28.—"Hence" (Clinton Stuart's version of I,c Martyrc") first acted at Bald- win Theatre, San Francisco, Cal., by Clara Morris and company. March 1.— Keystone Rink, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., burned, and Prof. Babcock lost trained horses and dogs. March 2.—"Wife and Child," by Fred O. Mscder and McKec Rankin, originally acted at New Haven, Conn., Opera House. ♦ *» I.OEW GETS TREMONT. Marcus Loew has added another theatre to hla string by acquiring the Tremont Theatre, at Webster Avenue and Tremont Avenue, New Tork City, from J. Jones Johnson, the former owner. The first performance under the new regime wns given on Feb. 26. Feature acts and pic- tures will be run here, snd M. S. Buses will manage the house. + «» WOODS IN VAUDEVILLE FIELD. By arrangement with William Hammer- plcln, several new one act playa will bo pro- duced at the Victoria Theatre soon by A. H. Woods. The first will be "The Gambler of the West," a melodramatic sketch, with a cast of twenty-five. Six horses will be used. It will open March 4. ■»»» DLOSSOH SEBLBY AT WINTER GARDEN. Blossom Secley has been engaged for the new Winter Garden entertainment, which Is to open on March 4. She was a member of the company which appeared with Lew Fields In "The Hen-Pecks," 4 I > ARTHUR ROW IN VAUDBVILLB. Arthur Row, who played with Otis Skinner Inst season, ln "-Sire," has been engaged to support Katharine Grey, ln a now vaudeville sketch, colled "Beyond the Law." ♦ »» FRANK'S NEW ACT PLAY. "The Greater Power," a vaudeville play- let by Herbert 8. Frank, will be produced soon, with "Jack" Meyers ln the leading role. MORTIMER KAPHAN. A Charles Dickens festival will be given at Carncgo Hall, on April 12, as a fitting tributo to tho great writer and ln com- memoration of tho centennial anniversary of bis birth. Mortimer Kapban, the Interna- tional Impersonator of Dickens characters, has been especially engaged for this occa- sion, and will render his Impersonations of the famous characters as described by the novelist. Among the characters which Mr. Kaphan will render' will be Bill Slkesand Fagln, from "Oliver Twist"; Mlcawber and Uriah Hcep, from "David Copperfleld;" the Old Grand- father, who cannot realize the death of bit little Nell, from "The Old Curiosity Shop;" Sidney Carton, from "The Tale of Two Cities," and Mr. 1'lckwlck. A feature of tho Impersonations of the characters will be the Introduction of them complete In every detail of make-up and cos- tume, adapted from the famous Illustrations by Barnard, Phiz and Crulkshank. Assisting Mr. Kaphas will be the Baroness von Schombcrg and Symphony Orchestra.