About October 1, 1875, he formed a partnership with Paul Allen, and in the fall of 1876 the team consolidated with Smith and Waldron; this was the original Big 4. February 28, 1878, saw the first performance of Billy Emerson’s and the Big 4 Minstrels; which continued several months; Lester and Allen joined Tierney and Cronin, and were known as the 4 Aces; this, however, was not the original act of that title. About 1884 Lester and Allen’s Minstrels took the road, and continued as an organization for three years. Shortly after this they appeared in “A Plug Hat”; later Mr. Lester separated from Mr. Allen. Mr. Lester’s first wife was Viola Clifton, whom he married in 1876. November 24, 1887, he became the husband of Annie Hart. Billy Lester was born in London, England; he died at Fair Haven, N. J., July 11, 1893; age 40 years. PAUL ALLEN (Kayser) joined Billy Lester in 1875, and while the major portion of his professional career was identified with Lester’s, it was not entirely so. In 1880, with Dan Waldron, William Smith and Master Martin the Big 4 Minstrels were on the road. After separating from Mr. Lester, he did a black-face monologue, and as “Mayor of the Ohio River” met with unqualified success. Mr. Allen married Louise Montague (Laura Keene Stewart) at San Francisco, in 1877. Paul Allen was born in Baltimore, Md.; he died in New York City, February 23, 1896; age 43 years. WILLIAM SMITH associated himself with Dan Waldron in the middle 70’s, doing black-face songs and dances. In 1876 Smith and Waldron joined Lester and Allen, and were associated about three years. In 1879 the Big 4 consisted of Smith, Waldron, Morton and Martin, and a year later it was Smith, Allen, Morton and Martin. In 1898 with Haverly’s Minstrels, the Big 4 was Smith, Waldron, Daly and Martin; and at the time of his (Smith’s) death, it was Smith, Waldron, Peasley and Martin. Mr. Smith was the brother of Helene Smith, the beautiful danseuse of a generation ago. William Smith died (suicide) in New York City, April 16, 1900. DAN WALDRON (McQuinny), the last of the original Big Four, joined William Smith in a black-face song and dance act about 1875, and continued a member of the various combinations of “Big 4’s” longer than any of his associates. After severing relations with them he appeared with many prominent minstrel companies, notably George Thatcher’s, and Haverly’s (Nankeville’s) Minstrels. Dan Waldron was born in New York City; he died April 1, 1905, at Washington, D. C.; age 47 years. * * * * * They tell this one about the famous Billy Manning--Manning’s Company and that of Dan Bryant met on one occasion on the road; in the course of the conversation it turned out that Bryant’s Company was to follow Manning’s in at a certain town; Dan Bryant requested Manning to “announce” the coming of his (Bryant’s) troupe; which of course, Manning promised to do.