Before he sang “Jim Crow,” Rice was considered only a mediocre performer. Jos. N. Ireland, in his “Records of the New York Stage,” says that he drew more money to the Bowery Theatre than any other performer in the same period of time. His appearances were generally with dramatic organizations, where he usually performed between the acts. His minstrel performances were comparatively few, and mostly confined to Charley White’s Serenaders; though he played a star engagement at Wood’s Minstrels in August, 1858, also in New York. At the Bowery Theatre in the Metropolis, he appeared with much success for several weeks as Uncle Tom, commencing January 16, 1854. He was the author of several early negro farces, the most popular being, “Oh, Hush!” “The Mummy” and “Bone Squash.” The first New York performance of “O, Hush” was given August 15, 1832. He was noted for his eccentricity of dress; the buttons on his coat and vest were five and ten dollar gold pieces, which he would give away indiscriminately as souvenirs. He married a Miss Gladstone in England, June 18, 1837. “Daddy” Rice was born in New York City, May 20, 1808. He died there September 19, 1860. THE FIRST MINSTREL PERFORMANCE. There has always been considerable discussion as to the exact date when this interesting event took place; two things are certain, and have never been disputed, viz.: that it actually did occur, and that the initial presentation was in New York City, between January 31 and February 17, 1843. That the idea of amalgamating the respective talents of the original four, Emmett, Brower, Pelham and Whitlock, was conceived by the latter, there is no doubt; the following was furnished by him many years before his death. “The organization of the minstrels I claim to be my own idea, and it cannot be blotted out. One day I asked Dan Emmett, who was in New York at the time, to practice the fiddle and the banjo with me at his boarding-house in Catherine Street. We went down there, and when we had practiced, Frank Brower called in by accident. He listened to our music, charmed to his soul! I told him to join with the bones, which he did. Presently Dick Pelham came in, also by accident, and looked amazed. I asked him to procure a tambourine and make one of the party, and he went out and got one. After practicing for a while we went to the old resort of the circus crowd--the ‘Branch,’ in the Bowery--with our instruments, and in Bartlett’s billiard-room performed for the first time as the Virginia Minstrels. A program was made out, and the first time we appeared upon the stage before an audience was for the benefit of Pelham at the Chatham Theatre. The house was crammed--jammed with our friends; and Dick, of course, put ducats in his purse.” The house on Catherine Street was No. 37, and was kept by a Mrs. Brooks. The “Branch” was a hotel opposite the Bowery Amphitheatre.