The New York Clipper (October 1912)

- JggRls&sn Copyright 1912, by ttj Prank Qmxn Publishing Company (Limited) Founded by FRANK QUEEN. 18B3. NEW YORK, OCTOBER 19, 1912. VOLUME LX-No. 36. Pnoe, 10 Cents. EARLY HISTORY OF NEGRO MINSTRELSY ITS RISE AND PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES K BT COL. T. AIXSTOlt B»0 WH. fcotfrXOCOOOOOOOOCOOOOOCOQOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOODOOO I Ool Johnson's Minstrel* nmnlzctl nod made a tour In New York 8tX n Nowmbcr, 1858. Frank Ml J. Van Ilusen Johnny Petltt, Conttlln, and Jeff John- eon were among the party. ' Tbe Ohio MInatrelH Wns the naaic of a party performing In the Adelaide Rooms, London, Eng., In December, i?5R 'i'bey shortly after traveled through Ireland and Scotland, and settled down In Liverpool In June, 1850, where they opened n new hall, and wore called Forrcnbcrg imd Brown's (Joe) Ohio Minstrels. The party then consisted of J. Farrenbcrg.. A. Hum- boldt, J. Stuckley. Ben Brandon. Jag. J. Buckley, W, Jeff, J. Wallace, 8. Brown and Jos Brown. Metropolitan Minstrel* Commenced In December, 1858, with C. H. Mortimer, C. G. Foster, J. H. Bice, 0. W. Melville, Geo. Douglass, G. Dunbar, II. Thompklns, Add. Weaver, ami Master Bar- ney. They traveled through Ohio. Old Joe Sweeney «fc Co.'* Virginia Minstrels Organised In the South and were In Wash- ington D. C, In November, 1.858. Joe died In Appomattox, Va., Oct. 27, 18G0, about forty-live years of age. Who, In the Bouthsldc, Virginia, does not remember old Joe Sweeney iimi his banjo} During his time there were m vial popular performers on tho banjo, but none of them bad his thorough conscientious- ness In the matter of make-up which tin- (louliti'illy enhanced the popularity of his really superior playing. Joe used to black not only his face, neck, hands, and arms, but bis feet as well, and would conic on the stage bnrefoot. carrying a rude old mw buck for a scat, the perfect personification of a "plan- tation nigger." Most of bis playing, though, was done In a standing position. In which ■ttlludc he performed his famous "chimes,'' which weM original with him, Ills brother, ii.ni Sweeney was also a good banjo player, tut rather a copy of Joe, who was In many ro.'pccts original. Old Joe was looked upon as a sort of demi- god by the music loving negroes of tbe Bouth. And for dancing tho Jig, the breakdown, tho old Virginia reel, he was perfectly at home. Sometimes he mored with Inimitable grnco through the figures of tho dance, and there was no one that could "cut the pigeon wing" like him. Dick Sweeney was banjolst, died In Wash- ington, D. C. In the Winter or 1854. Sum Sweeney, banjolst, died In Virginia during tho war. Ho was courier for Job Stewart, and a great favorite. . Tbe Lyceum Minstrels Was tho name of a party that opened nt tho Lyceum Theatre, San Francisco, Cal., In 1858, tho same night that Geo. Christy's Minstrels opened In that city.. 8. A. Wells, tints, Henry, Cbns. Backus, C. D. Abbott, Frank llussey. Frank Medina, Max Zorer, T. Kalelgh, W, M. Barker, Tom Ilomalne. Mr. ■amends, Master Lewis and Mike Mitchell wore of the party. After playing there seventy-five nights, they made a tour of the mountain towns. Bph Horn Joined them Jan. 3,1850. Wells A llnssey'a Minstrels Organized in San Francisco and went on a traveling tour through the mountain towns, and returned to San Francisco In July, 1850, opening at the Lyceum Theatre, where they remained only two weeks and then disbanded. Wood's New York Minstrels Was the name of a party performing at Yazoo City, In January, 1850. They were on the steamer Banjo, at the time, and con- sisted of 8. Gardner, Geo. W. Hills, T. L. Clint Held, M. II. Fox. J. 11. Casslday, J. Malrs, T. II, Jefferson and Young Master Tommy. They visited New Orleans In March, and In April they left the "Banjo" and opened nt the Amphitheatre, that city. C. Young, M. B. Jefferson and G. II. Cushlng were added to the party. i.i'iivlit'M Minstrels Organized In Albany, N. Y., and opened at the Lcavltt Opera House, 22 Beaver Street, that city. Cella Morlcy, Tom McNnlly and Jerry Mcrryflcld were In the company. Charley Kane, Frank Peel, Thos. Pennington, A. J. Lcavltt, John Clifton. Zekc Williams and Dan Taylor shortly after Joined. IS. Byron Christy organized a band In April, 1850, and performed at Bamum's Museum, New York, for several weeks. The Southern Minstrels Organized In the South In February, 1850, and mado a lengthy tour. Dun Wilson, bones and Jig; J. Williams, tamho; Young Master Walter, ballads; J. Brown, basso and guitar; K. Iinwcn. banjo; Chaa. Ilccp, violin, and W. C. Shcarn, manager. The Star Bnml of Metropolitans Were organized In the South in March, 1850, by n Mr. Wright. In the party were Murphy, Foster, Purdy, Kendall, Holt, etc. A match dance took place at the Melodeon. Huston, on March 10, 1850, between Mickey Warren and Hunk Mason. They danced two Jigs, a reel and a walk around. Mickey was dcclured the winner. A. Bonne, banjolst, plnyed for both. Mickey Warren, a famous Jig dancer, died at ltcllcvue Hospital, New York, May 14, 1876, aged forty-seven years. His early his- tory Is shrouded In mystery, and tbe earliest record we can And of his public performances Is that ho was dancing at Charley White's Melodeon, In the Bowery, In 1840, and this may possibly have* been his first appearance on the stage. He was connected as a star feature with Bryant's Minstrels for a number of seasons. Ilcnry Mason died In New York, suddenly, on Feb. 22, 1873, of hemorrhage of the lungs ; aged thirty-three years. He bad been Buffer- ing from consumption for some time. Ho was a clover performer and attentive to busi- ness. New Orleans Burlesque Troupe Started from Jersey, in March, 1850. They consisted of Chas. Melville, 0. Bovee, W. Jacobs, M. A, Scott, W. Herman, J. Wclply, E. HarrlBon, Master Warren, II. Hill and 15. I'errlne. They disbanded at Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 18, 1850. I'mii A si.M-imi'n Party Made a traveling tour through the Fast In April, 1850. with Frank Rivers, Maldlr., Wright, A. K. Miller, Billy Sortet and Mas- ter Thomas. Horn's Minstrels (not Bph Horn) Organized In- Boston In February, 1860. John Killeen, banjo; Geo. W. Burton, bones; Mal- ory, tambo; Knapp, Jig, and John Green, tenor. (To be continued.) ANOTHER GERMAN THEATRE. New York'a second theatre to be devoted to dcrman plays will bo opened on Nov. 4, too announcement wag made last week by Adoiph Phlllpp, who has built tho new Gcr- man-American Theatre, In East Fifty-seventh street. Mr. Phlllpp will head his own com- pany of players, and for the opening perform- ance linn selected a new musical farce, "Auc- tion Pinochle," by Messrs. Jean Briquet and lam nerve, author and composer of "Alma, Where Do You Liver « < » ACTRESS LOSES SUIT. On Oct, 10, Supreme Court Justice Page •IlKiulascd a suit for $7,000 brought by Laura Jiurt Stanford against tho Castlo Square *MJcrn CO;, to recover $7,000 on the ground uLi. 8 "° . ad not D< *n permitted to play the lending role in "Madamo X." The court found mac under the contract Miss Burt could he HJFKHS at M » tlnle during rehearsals if her acting was not satisfactory. ♦«♦ MARRIED. mJ.i ll(> 'oil* 1 "* announcement has Just been in, ; iA'v 8 *- Stephen's parsonage. Port ttSSPl ffiPi on Jun « l£ no ltev. Father 1321 '"J"*? ln ""Triage Gladys Gllmnrtln, n \ l?.\ ofesB l°n«l of that city, and Edward w h "° £j? c !, ott ' I"""™ to tho theatre . '■' Ted" Brockctt. J. J. Gllmartln » mis tho announcement. ■ ♦♦♦ "THE HIGHER COURT." whi', l .||*J 1 .? r ,J )la J' b * Henrv Irvln 8 Dodge, ■ sun tubs tho first production to bo mnde tin, ,,f SS! m & organized National Fedora- i r e LT, (mt £ ft J c, " Di - •» ** oc given a regit- tendMtS 8y 3 ncy . Kosenfcld. *•»<> superln- nrra!X»^«P w * , 2^* n »« announced that »' a C ^'""e ^'ng made to put the pluy n«w x ork thc atro for a run. MISS niJRKB'S SEASON EXTENDED. "HmcMnn , K , r o C . hman na8 arranged with the ■I'M.vcSS "'5 *?■ t0 . f(, llow Blllle Burke at •we ther? «Ti * c ' ° P° 8t P° n « ^e engage- I'lillc bSa.i1 t °„S xtcnd tho engagement of '""" Chrlstmi 1 ; The ,Mll "l-n>«-Patot' Girl," TEMPEST, Featuring "Oh, What a Beautiful Dream," published by Shapiro. ABOUT THE CORT ATTRACTIONS. "C. O. D.," Frederic Chaptn'a now Ameri- can farce, which was produced at tho Shu- bert Theatre, Rochester, N. Y., Oct 7, Is being whipped Into form, under the stage di- rection of Edgar MacGregor. John Cort ex- pects to have the piny ready for lta New York premiere tho first week in November. "The Gypsy," Plxlcy and raiders' new oper- etta, will be given its premiere at the Alvln Theatre, Pittsburgh, on Oct. 28, with Violet Seaton In the title role. In addition to Miss Seaton, Eleanor Kent, Josephine Morse, Blanche West, Anna Wilkes, Ernest Lambert, Jack llassard, William Scllcry, Roland Hamil- ton Enrle, Forrest Wlnant and Francis Llcb will be In the cast. Reeves Smith, one of the best known lead- ing men ln England, and very well known ln this country, has been engaged by Oliver Mo- rosco for the principal role In tnc cast that will surround Laurcttc Taylor, at the Cort Theatre, which Is ncarlng completion In Forty-eighth Street, ln J. Ffartley Manner's Irish comedy, "Peg o" My Heart." Mr. Smith has beiti leading man for Mrs. Langtry. Sir George Alexander and other notables In Kng- land. Ills last engagement here was in sup- port of Ethel Itarrymorc, ln "Mid-Channel." Franklyn Underwood, last Benson Mrs. Leslie Carter's leading man, has been engaged by John Cort. for "Ransomed," a new drama by Theodore Burt Sayre and Cleveland Rodgcrs, In which Hone Latham will have the prin- cipal role. The piny will be put Into re- hearsal In a few days, for production In No- vember. "EVERYWOMAN" OPENS SEASON. Henry W. 8avage's production of "Every- woman began another American season In Montreal, (Tan., Oct. 12. Cooper Cllffo and Adele Hi 1 have the lending roles. "MISS PRINCESS" IN REHEARSAL. John Cort put Into rehearsal Oct. 0, "Miss Princess," tho new American operetta, book by Frank Mnndel, lyrics by Will B. John- stone, and music by Alexander Johnstone, la which Lina Abarbanell will be starred, Among the principals engaged arc: Robt. Warwick, Felix Hancy, Ben Hendricks, Henri Lion, John Pratt, Donald Buchannn, Joso- plilno Whlttell, Isabel Francis and Margaret Crawford. Tho Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, has been selected by Mr. Cort for tho first per- formances, during the week of Nov. 4, Miss Abarbanell will have the title role, of course. It Is expected the operetta will be submitted for New York approval the last week ln No- vember. ♦♦•• A DIG THEATRE PARTY. A theatre party of thirteen hundred and forty-six people hBB been arranged for the Knickerbocker Theatre for Thursday evening, Oct. 17, when the members of tho Notional Machine Tool Builders' Association will wit- ness tho musical comedy, "Oh I Oh I Pel- phlnc," as guests of The American- Machinist. The association Is holding Its convention In New York this week, and one night wns set opart for theatregolng. A committee ap- pointed to select the play, settled upon "Oh I Oh I Dclphlnc," and in order that no ono would be overlooked that night, bought every seat ln the house. The decision wns reached nt the opening performance nf "Oh I Oh I Del- plilne," in Philadelphia, some weeks ago. « « » ; — MAX SPIEGEL'S "WINNING WIDOW." Max Spiegel's "Winning Widow," playing tbe Stair & Havlln time, opened nt Newport News, Oct. 12. Tin- cast Includes; 'Tho Hunters, Lovcy Mary Greene. Mul Clark, Hen Terhctt. Freed and Bcrtln, Florence Gillespie, Leonn Thompson and Bill Marshall. ANOTHER MAGNIFICENT STEAMER. The Hudson Navigation Co.'s new steamer, "Tho Berkshire," shown above, now building and to be ready for service next May, will udd to the company's present fleet of tho People's and Cltlicna' lines, the large-it and fustcst steamer ever built for river.service. "The Berkshire" will rival ln dimensions and elegance of appointments many of the ocean liners, and challenges the admiration of marine architects and engineers as n triumph of skill and enterprise. The dimensions arc: Length, 440 feet; beam, 00 feet, with 440 staterooms with electric lights and steam heat, furnished with double and single brass beds, and many of the lower berths arc double. The toilet appointments ore of the latest pattern, nnd tho Interior fur- nishing will be complete nnd tasteful ln every detail. JOHN McCURDY AT AMITYVILLE. John McCurdy, tho popular old time co- median, is now comfortably located at Amlty- vlllc, L. I. McCurdy was formerly one of the Two Eccentrics, his partner being Jack Leslie, business manager for Butler, Jacobs, Lowery & Monaban for the past eight years. John McCurdy was well known as the writer of the old popular song, "Lackawanna Snooners, the song lilt with Fnbcr and Shields. John McCurdy is fifty-four years old and says that he wants all his old tlmo friends to come and sec him. . *-•-• EDDIE MURRAY IN HARLEM. Eddlo Murray. Broadway's popular singing entertainer, who made a hit at the Eldorado and Lincoln Hotel cabaret. has signed a con- tract with the owners of the Granewlnc Cafe, to strengthen their cabaret. Murray was accorded a greot reception Oct. 0, his open- fug night" and nightly entertains his many friends. PR A ZEE ENGAGES EDNA BAKER. II. II. Frazcc has engaged Edna Baker as lending woman for "Bachelors and Bene- dicts." tbe new comedy by Jackson D. Haag, In which Ralph Hcrz will have the principal role. Miss linker has not been seen In New York slttcc alio attracted favorable notice for her work In "Tho Penalty," a play which Messrs. Cohan ft Harris produced at a special urn ti nee performance ln the Gaiety -Theatre lrsi Hi'iisoii. Incidentally Miss Baker passes to the management of Mr. Frazec by arrange- ment with Colniii 4c Harris, who still have enough faith In the young woman's ability to keep her under contract. "HaehelorB and Benedicts" Is In rehearsal, under the direction of James Montgomery, nulh'or of "Ready Money." ♦ »♦ GRAUMAN'S NEW THEATRE. San Francisco, Oct. 12.—Std. Grauman has canceled the arrangements his trip to New York for attractions for Graiiman's New Imperial Theatre, which opens Thanksgiving Day. A half dozen amusement purveyors or New York nnd Chicago arc closing contracts for tho Initial programs at the new thcatro, which will bo announced next week.—Jon l'AOK. «» > "BACHELORS AND BENEDICTS" REHEARSING. II. H. Frazcc has put "Bachelors and Benedicts" Into rehearsals, under the direc- tion of James Montgomery, tbe playwright. The play Is the work of Jackson D. Haag, a well known dramatic critic of Pittsburgh. Pa. The cast will Include: Ralph Hcrz, Ednn Baker, Harry M. Williams, Horace James, Warren Cook and Lawrence Eddinger. 4«» SHAKESPEAREAN VENTURE. Charles B. lianford. R. D. MacLean, Odette Tyler and others have formed an alliance to present a repertoire of Shakespearean plays during tbe present season. "Othello," "Julius C'eesar" and "Romeo and Juliet" will be among the plays produced. Their tour will begin at Washington, D. C, Immediately after election. PRESS AGENT MARRIES. Ilurnett Franklin, the Journalist und the- atrical publicity promoter, and Virginia Dare, daughter of John T. Dare, former deputy surveyor of the port In San Francisco, Cal., wore married at San Rafael, Cal., Thursday, Sept, 20. Mr. Franklin Is at present press agent of tho Curt Theatre, and editor of a theatrical Journal In San Francisco. He hns written a number of successful sketches, nnd It was he who nrranged tho trip to Man Quentln for the "Alias Jimmy Valentine" company. A. II. STEPPE, Featuring Harry Von Tllzer's song hits. GEORGE NASH BACK IN "tHI«.» Now that "The Other Man" has closed. George Nash has returned to his original role In "Officer 666," at tho Gaiety Theatre, New York, TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. Under tills heading we will publish each week Important amusement events occurring ln tho corresponding week a quarter of a century ago. Oct. 14 1887.—"Fntlnltzn" produced for tho nrst time In French, In America, at tho Star Theatre, New York, by tho Gratt French Opera Co. Oct. 15.—August Junkorniann mado Ameri- can debut at tho Thalia Theatre, New York. Oct. 10.—City flail, Urbana, O.. burned. Oct. 17.—'Helnrleh Boetel mado American debut at Thalia Theatre. , - Oct. 17.—"Dan Barry," by J, C. Roach, first acted under that title at Worcester, Mass. Oct. 17.—"On the Sly." by Ada Deavcs, origi- nally noted at Tony Pastor's. Oct. 17.—Forepaugh's Tempio Theatro (for- merly Harris'), Baltimore. Md., opened under mnnngoment of Forepntigh ft Connelly. Oct. 17.—Armory Opern House, Watcrtown, Dak., opened. Oct. 17.—Lulu Tudn made professional debut nt Philadelphia. Pn.. In "Adonis." Oct. 17.—"Tho Roimd Trip" first acted In America nt Wilmington. Del. Oct. 18.—"Angela," by Henry Leo and L. Ottomeyer, orlglnnlly acted nt Madi- son Sminro Theatre (matlnco perform- ance). Oct. 18.—P. T. Burn urn A Co. became lessees of Madison Hnunro Garden. New York. Oct. 10.—Olympic Variety Theatre, Denver, Colo., opened. 4«» MINSTREL ANNIVERSARY. The Al. G. Field Grenler Minstrels cele- brated Hie twenty-seventh year In the show's history Oet. 7, with the perfnrmnnre nt tho Buvnl Theatre, Jacksonville Fin. The Sntur- dn.v night previous Hie curtain descended on Hie tweni.v wUth your ( >f ihr colossal enter- prise Hint In rnneeded to bo the best en tho " '"d. After the nerformanre In Montgomery. Alii., the members of the company serenaded Mr. Field, who mnde a speech lo them. The nniiunl bnnipiet, which hns l>eon ono of the principal features of the Field season, wns necessarily postponed because of tho h.ng Hundiiv run tho company had In order It- make Jacksonville, However, all tlio neres. snry arrangements have been mado tn hold Hie dinner In Columbus fthe home of the minstrel and of he show) the week preceding t hrlstnins, when the ennipnnv will lay off. II has been Mr. Field's Intention to hold one of bis iiniiiiiil banquets In his home city, and this year offered the opportunity, so hn fcinsped It. Guests from nil over Hie country trill he present nt that lime. The personnel of the company, since tho ripening, has been prur'lcnlly unchanged. f'linrlc4 Relnlinrt. nn olil time favorite along I he I'Meld route, since his return to the dean's ranks has been receiving an entliushiNlle wel- come at Hie hands of I he record audiences Hint hnve wllnesied the show at every stand. Bert Hwor. the principal nnnedlnn, maintains the same hlsib slnndnrd Hint has charac- terized his work In previous vears, nnd heads the comedy contingent with the most original work Hint iiianngers declare (hey have ever hci'ii. Ilov. Boweii, John lien v. J'olinnv Dove. Editle Dunlgnn and Alsey Hexton, together Willi I he singers and dancers, nre In the same condition, nnd as n result Ihe performance (IiihIich along wllb a vim and vivacity that lies placed (ho Field banner nt Hie fore. Mr. Field himself Is one of the lending factors In lite performance, but ho Is devnt- mi; much time to tile circulation nf his book, "Wnleh Yourself Go By." and the Field I'ub- lltdilng Co., now Iocs ted at lid East Broad rtlrenf. Columbus. O., through which the bonk Is sold, reports large dully Increases In tho ma 11 orders. ♦ «» IRICKE AflKERMAN, MANAGERESS. The llraoklun Kuyle recently published an Interesting Interview with Irene Ackcrmnn, manageress of the De Kalh Theatre, Brook- lyn, giving her experiences mill Impressions cniiceriilng the managing of a house playing to 10.1)00 a day. Miss Ackcrmnn devotes her fine from 10 a. m. to 11 r. M. every day, In- cluding Hunday, to her tusk, which she takes earn of with great Judgment and diplomacy nnd to the entire satisfaction of the owners nnd of her patnns. ♦ » » NEW DENVER T1IEATI1E. The opening of (ho newly constructed Purls Tinnln.> in Denver, Col., oeiiirred Oct, II. This hotlNO Is lurnled on Curtis Street, and wns built at a rust or *:ioi),imii>. It Is the best lighted building In Denver, Is ab- solutely ilrepi'oiif. nnd hns a new system of ventilation. This makes reven thrall-en oil ( mils Street In a space tf tlmo squares. nnd iim nil nre well lighted It Is well called ••The Wlillc Wny." 4«» asm LANDER, Whose pm tin It appears on the front page of this Issue, Is to niiike her American debut In New York in the near future, supported by her own company, und carrying a produc- tion Hint Is expected to prove a revolution. Miss Lander, who Is an Kngllsh. woman liy blrlli, but whose great diamntlc successes were scoicd In Australia, Is to appear In mi especially written dramatic production, en- titled "M-.'tr.orlcs," and those whn have been favored with a private rending of It pro- tioiuioe It an excellent vehicle for tho lils- trlonlc Inlcnts of the young actress. MU.( Lander Is one of the best known and nilinli-i'd artists tn Australia, and her versa- tility l.ns curried her successfully In roles that called for comedy as well as the emo- tional, The critics In that country wero lavish In their praise of the ability of tho young woman, and it Is expected New York and other American cities which will be visited during her extended tour will also tcillfy to her talents.