WILLIAM BLAKENEY. The distinction of being the oldest minstrel leader in all probability belongs to William Blakeney, who made his first appearance with the Western Minstrels, an amateur organization in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1847. He was five years with the Yankee Robinson Circus. Late in 1860 he joined William Christy’s Minstrels, and in the Spring of 1861, went to Europe with Rumsey and Newcomb’s Minstrels. Subsequently he was with Morris and Wilson’s Minstrels in St. Louis, and continued with them four years. In Philadelphia he was with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels two years. February 2, 1878, he sailed with Kelly and Leon and their minstrel company for Australia; he continued with them until their dissolution, after which he was associated with the Victoria Loftus Troupe. Mr. Blakeney’s most important engagement was with the San Francisco Minstrels in New York, with whom he remained five years. William Blakeney was born in Elfin, Ireland, October 30, 1831. BILLY LAWRENCE, an old-timer who had his own minstrel show in Chicago as early as 1858, and for many years after appeared with other companies, died in Chicago, Ill., August 21, 1900; age 69 years. J. W. MCANDREWS (Walter James McAndrews), famous for many years as the “Watermelon Man,” the latter appellation being the title of the sketch he performed for about three decades with astonishing success. His first professional appearance was made in his native city at the Richmond Theatre, at the age of 13, in black-face and singing that early favorite, “Jim Along Josie.” Subsequently and for many years he did “nigger” acts in circuses and small minstrel companies. About 1857 he joined Buckley’s Serenaders, remained with them for a considerable period, and went to England with them in 1860. Mr. McAndrews played sundry engagements until he joined Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels. About 1866, while with that company in Cincinnati, “Pastimes on the Levee” was first put on; it was not until three or four years later that the skit got the title that made it so popular; Dan Bryant did the christening, and McAndrews played three years with Bryant’s Minstrels in New York. He went to England with Haverly’s Mastodons, and opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London, July 31, 1880; subsequently, July 17, 1882, he played at the Pavillion in the English Metropolis, opening with great success. The succeeding years of his career were spent with the many prominent minstrel and variety organizations, as well as playing innumerable engagements in the variety theatres. J. W. McAndrews was born in Richmond, Va., November, 1831; he died at Elgin, Ill., December 29, 1899. JAMES BUDWORTH, in addition to being a great minstrel, was a good actor. His debut was made at the Park Theatre, in New York City, in 1848, as vocalist and mimic.