SANFORD AND WILSON are credited with being the original musical mokes; they certainly were among the earliest double acts of this kind. Both were big men, and both capable comedians. The violin and banjo were about the only instruments they played; but they could play them, and no two performers ever got more comedy out of these instruments than they. They formed a partnership in August, 1873, and during their many years on the stage they played all the principal variety houses, and engagements with Bryant’s, also Haverly’s Minstrels. Mr. Wilson retired from theatricals in May, 1892. [Illustration: JAS--MACKIN & WILSON--FRANCIS (1875) (Courtesy of Chapin & Gore, Chicago) “KERRY GOW” JOE MURPHY (1862) DAVE--MONTGOMERY & STONE--FRED (About 1898) THOSE WERE THE HAPPY DAYS.] James Sanford (Thos. Pynes), was born in Milbury, Mass., in 1843; he died in Cohoes, N. Y., December 23, 1891. Charles Wilson (Neiman), was born in Milwaukee, Wis.; he died in Brooklyn, N. Y., February 15, 1893; age 51 years. JOHN BOWMAN. This prominent song and dance artist began his regular career at Graham’s Concert Hall on Market Street, near Second, St. Louis, Mo., in October, 1863, where he met with much success doing an “Essence.” It was there that he met his future partner, William Harris, though he did not join him in partnership at that time. After Graham’s he went to Jake Esher’s Bowery, same city, doing “ends” and comedy; traveling engagements followed until he met Harris again at Deagle’s in St. Louis, 1866, when the partnership was formed; they remained at Deagle’s Varieties one year, played many variety theatres, and engagements in St. Louis with Fred Wilson’s Minstrels, also Simmons and Slocum in Philadelphia. Bowman and Harris dissolved partnership in Canada in 1873 while with the L. B. Lent’s Circus. After separating from Mr. Harris he opened in Providence, R. I., with Archie Stalker, and played other dates, later taking out the Bowman Brothers Minstrels; a wagon show. In 1881 he went to work for William Harris, in Boston, and has been with him ever since. John Bowman was born in Mobile, Ala., November 16, 1842.