TIM WOODRUFF appeared mostly in the West, where he was recognized as a truly great comedian. His first appearance was made in Cincinnati, March 15, 1842; in an act called “Spirit Rappings,” later more generally known as the “Haunted House;” he achieved great success in this, and was forever identified with it. He was at various times associated with Woodruff’s Minstrels; Woodruff, Brown and Jones’ Minstrels, and Woodruff and Foster’s Minstrels; these companies were mostly in existence in the 50’s. About 1860 he entered the variety business, and continued with it practically up to his death. Tim Woodruff was born in Hamilton, Ohio; he died in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 12, 1872. E. W. MACKNEY was England’s earliest representative of the negro character. He appeared in sketches with J. A. Cave, fully ten years before the first minstrel company invaded England in 1843. He was prompted by the pronounced success achieved by “Daddy” Rice, of Jim Crow fame. Mr. Mackney died in England, March 26, 1909; aged 84 years. WILLIAM B. FISH was one of the “Sable Harmonists” of the 40’s. He died in Argenta, Ark., July 29, 1875. JOHN G. BROWN was a celebrated tambourinist and comedian in the earliest days of minstrelsy. He was with the Buckleys when they played New York, May 9, 1844; at that time they were known as the Congo Melodists. In the Fall of 1848 he was with Thayer’s Minstrels, one of the famous Boston companies. He died in New Bedford, Mass., October 8, 1858. JOSEPH H. RAINER was one of the earliest vocalists and interlocutors. He was with Wood’s Minstrels in New York in 1852, and with Horn and Newcomb’s Company in 1863. He first appeared professionally in the late 40’s. He had been a resident of Lockport, N. Y., for many years. Mr. Rainer was born in Lancaster, England, May 11, 1825; he died in Philadelphia, Pa., March 11, 1906. GEORGE WINSHIP was one of the pioneers of minstrelsy. As early as 1849 he occupied the bone end with the New York Serenaders, a famous minstrel company of that day. He was long associated with J. W. McAndrews, the famous “Watermelon Man.” About 1873 he was stage manager and performer at the Opera House, Rondout, N. Y., he had not appeared professionally much since then. Mr. Winship had long been a resident of Fruitvale, Cal., where he died October 19, 1900. HARRY HAPGOOD was, up to the time of his death, the oldest living minstrel agent. In his youth he was known as “Handsome Harry.” His professional career began as an actor in Philadelphia in 1843. He subsequently became a manager and agent for various companies, and in the latter capacity was with Rumsey and Newcomb’s Minstrels about four years. He then was associated with Mr. Rumsey in the Rumsey Minstrels in 1863. Harry Hapgood was born in Elizabethtown, N. Y., February 26, 1825; he died at Amityville, Long Island, N. Y., July 10, 1910.