FRED OAKLAND (Wright) had the distinction of being one of the leading tenors of minstrelsy about twenty years ago. He had a remarkably fine cultivated voice which he used mostly in concert work until about 1878, when he left England for South Africa, where he played leading tenor roles with the Victoria Loftus Troupe and other organizations, visiting Ceylon, India and other countries. About 1883 he came to the United States, and joined Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels, remaining several seasons; subsequently he became a member of Primrose and West’s Minstrels, and while with this company he formed the acquaintance of William H. Thompson, with whom he joined George Thatcher’s “Tuxedo” Company. With Mr. Thompson he went to England in January, 1895; they remained four years; the partnership was then dissolved. Mr. Oakland married a Miss Stratton, of Swampscott, Mass., in December, 1887. Fred Oakland was born in London, England; he died there October 5, 1900; age 46 years. [Illustration: J. C.--HARRINGTON & JOHNSON--ARTHUR JAS.--CONNORS & KELLY--JAS. (Portraits reversed) ED.--KELLY & O’BRIEN--JOHN C. W.--COGILL & COOPER--FRED] CHARLES QUEEN (Kane) was one of the best clog dancers in minstrelsy. January 26, 1882, at Montreal, Can., he performed for the first time in public on a pedestal fifteen inches square and six feet high, on which he turned somersaults and flip flops; this was while a member of Haverly’s Minstrels. He was born in St. Louis, in 1854; he died in Kansas City, Mo., June 29, 1886. THE DIAMOND BROTHERS were well-known as clever song and dance performers. They generally played joint engagements, and at various times had been with such well-known minstrel companies as McNish, Johnson and Slavin’s, Primrose and West’s, Haverly’s, Big Four, Gorton’s, Hi Henry’s, and Al. G. Field’s; with the latter organization they had been associated several seasons. A few years prior to their deaths they headed their own organization. Matt. Diamond died at New Castle, Pa., June 14, 1907; age 53 years. Lawrence Diamond died at New Castle, Pa., December 15, 1906; age 42 years. CHARLEY YOUNG began young, and is still young. His career commenced at the Palace Varieties, Cincinnati, about 1865, as Call Boy, remaining two years. Being a natural born dancer, he took the place of Johnny Collins when the illness of the latter prevented him from appearing in the Challenge Dance, a feature of most variety and minstrel shows of the early days. In 1868 he doubled with Billy Reed, and played variety houses for two years; after which he worked single for some time. In 1875 Tony Pastor sent him to Albany for five nights; he remained two years, which was much better than going for two years, and remaining but five nights. Mr. Young was so pleased with this two-year engagement that he went to Heuck’s in Cincinnati, and played there two years. Then came a spell of traveling and a season at Leadville, Colo.