WILLIAM H. CRANE, one of America’s foremost legitimate comedians, appeared in black-face with an amateur organization called the “Young Campbell” Minstrels; Mr. Crane fixes the date in the fall of 1860. The little band were offered $2.50 a piece to play the small town of Stoughton, Mass., irrespective of the fact that the comedians services might possibly be rated higher than one of the musicians. Nevertheless the juvenile “corkers” accepted; the $30.00 went into the coffers of the most popular restaurant to be found that same evening. William H. Crane was born in Leicester, Mass., April 30, 1845. R. G. (“BOOTS”) ALLEN was an excellent banjoist and in conjunction with Fred. Huber in 1878-79, played the principal variety houses. In the Spring of 1880, with Harry Woodson, he formed Woodson and Allen’s Minstrels, which continued at intermittent periods for about two or three years. In December, 1881, he played an engagement with Emerson’s Minstrels in San Francisco, and in the summer of 1886 Allen’s Banjo Minstrels inaugurated a brief season. R. G. Allen died May 21, 1892; age 47 years. B. C. HART, who has so long and ably represented the New York _Morning Telegraph_, and who is personally known to nearly every vaudevillian in the country, did a black-face act with the late Billy Barry in Memphis, Tenn., in 1868; that was the first. Since then and as late as 1881, Mr. Hart met with flattering success in his portrayal of “Old Black Joe” and in the sketch of the “Old Servant’s Return.” As a “bingler on the bones,” and “thumber of the tambourine,” Mr. Hart has often responded to “Gentlemen, be seated.” Now for a secret. B. C. Hart was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 10, 1845. Wouldn’t believe it would you? SHERIDAN AND MACK were a great protean character sketch team. They never had their superiors, and it is doubtful if their equal was known during their partnership, which was formed in the middle 60’s, doing black-face songs and dances. They soon left off burnt cork and were the first recognized black-face team to do so. They played innumerable minstrel engagements, and were always in demand. Mr. Sheridan’s first professional appearance was April 12, 1864. After separating from Mr. Mack he played minstrel engagements, doing a single specialty. Later he went to Australia where he met with phenomenal success playing a female Irish part in “Fun on the Bristol.” John F. Sheridan was born in Providence, R. I.; he died in Sydney, Australia, December 25, 1908. James H. Mack (McGrath) was born in Providence, R. I.; he was the husband of Ada Boshell, the well-known actress. Mr. Mack died in New York, December 24, 1889; age 41 years.