Thomas K. Heath first “acted” at Mr. Kit Burns’ Theatorium in New York City, 1867; the salary was $12 per week, most of which has been invested in real estate at Deer Park, Long Island. Mr. Heath then learned the trade of book binder, and continued at it until he became programmer for Joseph Murphy in “Help”; this was in 1872. That same year he formed a partnership with George Howard, and as Howard and Heath they did a black-face song and dance act, playing the many variety theatres, finally landing at San Antonio, Texas, where he formed a partnership with Mr. McIntyre. James McIntyre was born in Kenosha, Wis., August 8, 1857. Thomas K. Heath was born in Philadelphia, August 11, 1853. AL. DECKER (Ladd) entered the profession about 1873 as partner with Walter Gibbs. A few years later he formed an alliance with Charles H. Yale, doing black-face songs and dances, and pantomimic business. He continued with Mr. Yale for several seasons, and after the latter branched into the managerial field, he also was with him. Mr. Decker died at Fall River, Mass., January 24, 1898; age 44 years. BILLY WILLIAMS (Carmody) ranked with the best of wench impersonators. His stage experience began at the age of three years at the Front Street Theatre, in Baltimore. Later he did acrobatic work in circuses until 1870, when on September 30, that year, he joined Billy Manning’s Minstrels in Chicago. [Illustration: EDDIE MAZIER SAM. LEE EARL BENHAM HARRY JOLSON CLARENCE MARKS ARTHUR GUY THEY’RE WORKING NOW; THAT’S WHY THEY SMILE.] He remained with Manning for a long period, and then played the variety houses until 1876, when he formed a partnership with William J. Sully, and as Williams and Sully did a black-face song and dance act for eleven years. Since which time Mr. Williams did mostly dramatic work. Billy Williams was born in New York, July 1, 1854; he died in Elizabeth, N. J., July 25, 1910. PATSY HOWARD, one of the original “Bay State Boys,” made his first appearance as a clog and jig dancer in his native city in 1868, at the old Globe Hall. September 13, 1869, he organized the above act comprising John Harrington, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Henry Drummond and Patsy Howard, making their first appearance on that date at the Howard Athenaeum in Boston; they remained there five weeks, doing clog dances. After that engagement they played two weeks at Morris Brother’s Minstrels in the same city. After several variety engagements they returned to their native heath and joined Dougherty, Wild, Barney and Mac’s Minstrels. The four disbanded in 1871, Mr. Howard forming a partnership with Harrington, who took the name of McVickar; Howard that of Sully; they were known as McVicker and Sully until they separated in 1873, after which he formed an alliance with Billy Sully; this lasted a year. Mr. Howard then retired from the profession in 1874, and lived happily ever afterwards. Patsy Howard was born in Boston, Mass., June 26, 1854.