Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to dateRice, Edw. Le Roy (Edward Le Roy)
History
Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to date
Rice, Edw. Le Roy (Edward Le Roy)
Actors -- United States; Minstrel shows
HARRY LANSING (Zebley) an old-time female impersonator, was with
Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels in Philadelphia in 1874; in 1879 he was
with Haverly’s Minstrels.
About the middle 80’s he had as a partner, Harry Constantine; together
they played the variety theatres.
Harry Lansing died (murdered) in Philadelphia, February, 1887.
NOLAN KELLY, of the black-face song and dance team of Sarony, Waters
and Kelly, also Waters and Kelly, died in London, England, April 15,
1893.
WM. H. BRYANT (O’Brien), a nephew of Dan, Neil, Jerry and William T.
Bryant, and the son of a father who was a non-professional, played with
Neil Bryant’s Minstrels in 1878; he was a comedian.
He died in Portland, Me., April 29, 1890; age 38 years.
EMIL AMES. This clever performer was of diminutive stature, and a good
comedian. He was with Jerry Thomas’ Minstrels in 1878, and with Haverly
in Chicago a few years later, also other prominent organizations.
Emil Ames died in Chicago, Ill., March 3, 1892.
BILLY RICHARDSON won fame as a stump speaker, but was likewise a
good end man, or corner man, as they call them in England, where Mr.
Richardson’s professional career was chiefly spent as a member of
Sam Hague’s Minstrels. He came to the United States with the latter
organization, and made his first New York appearance January 2, 1882.
The following year he was with Haverly’s Minstrels; subsequently he
returned to his native land.
He married Miss Mary O’Hagan, May 17, 1871.
Billy Richardson was born in England about fifty-five years ago, maybe
sixty; we hope it is no worse.
THE DEVERE BROS. joined hands about 1876, and up to the time of Tommy
Devere’s death played the principal variety theatres; William Devere
then joined Robert Wilson, appearing as Devere and Wilson; after a
brief season William Devere joined George DeVere, and as the Devere
Brothers continued until December 2, 1882, William Devere then taking
the business management of the National Theatre in Hackensack, N. J.
William Devere (Bell) died in New York City, December 14, 1882.
Tommy Devere (Braun), died in New York City, April 2, 1880; age 24
years.
CHARLEY ATKINS, who has long since retired from active theatricals, and
embarked in mercantile pursuits in New York City, was once the partner
of Joe Fox, of Fox and Ward; this was in the late 60’s; though Mr.
Atkins doesn’t look it.
[Illustration:
SHER. CAMPBELL
J. K. CAMPBELL
J. C. (“POMP”) CAMPBELL
TOM WILLIAMS
DICK RALPH
HARRY ARMSTRONG
THE “CAMPBELLS ARE HERE,” ALSO TOM, DICK AND HARRY.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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