Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-10-05

WHAT TALENT, INDUSTRY AND ENERGY
CAN Do.-'Nigger Minstrel Christy, it
is said, in eleven years has made $780,
1850 by his concerts, and now propo-
ses to build free-stone house for him
self In New York-Ezckdnge.
The above paragraph affords food for
reflection. The subject of it emerged
from position of indigence and obscu
rity in this city. Fifteen years ago,
none were 30 poor as to do him reyer-
ence.' He had ability, but it groyelled.
He had tact, spirit and enterprise but
all were misdirected. He possessed a
fine person and an air of intelligence,
but both were bedimmed by unfortu-
nate associations. He nevertheless
made one convulsive effort to elevate
himself by the power of his own intel
lectual and moral machinery, and al
though the task was very much like
that of raising ones self by lifting at the
straps of the boots, the sequel shows
that in his case, success attended the ef-
fort. Relying upon a native shrewd-
ness which never forsook him, and an
energy of character which never flag
ged, Ned Christy,' as he was then
known, boldly stepped out upon the
path of fortune some twelve years ago,
to meet and battle its .vicisitudes, and
overcome its obstacles. At that time
George was mere lad, who had shown
a precocious cleverness in dancing for
the idle crowd, and in singing negro
melodies. Christy was struck with the
idea of applying himself to Negro Min
strelsy' as a profession, to give scope
and verge enough to Georges dawning
talents, and build himself fortune
Possessing fine voice and an exquisite
musical taste, he applied himself to the
purpose of achieving greatness and
wealth through the medium of his adopt
ed profession. In looking around from
bis position at the very bottom of the
bill, for place to put his foot in taking
his first step, he saw that it must be at
a short stride. He fitted up place in
the garret Of block on Water street,
as an exhibition room. 1t was rude
enough in all respects and arrange
ments-but it was the best that he
could do, and there, in place which
did not possess a single attraction,
Christy made his re6at to the public un-
der burnt cork. In that unpropitious
surrounded by disadvantages
and obstacles that would have disheart-
ened an ordinary mind, Christy and
George set out On their journey for
fame, dreaming little of its ruggedness
and duration, except as delineated in the
surrounding circumstances. The elder
Christy relied upon his own native re-
sources, which were touched and moved /:
by g strong love of appreciation, and
having set his face up hill, he firmly re-
solved never to relax his energy until
he had reached the top.
A few months found him with means
and credit 10 ft out an itenerant band,
and he went on stroll. Success mark .
ed his path from the first, and 'Christy's
Min'rels' were universal favorites wher-
ever they appeared. Time, application
and close training had polished the mu-
sical abilities of both, until Ned and
George became stars of the first magni-
tude in the line of their profession. A
few years perambulation through the
country, brought the Christys to the
There, upon Broadway
they put out their bill board and entered
upon career of astonishing success
Christy is now capitalist, and deals in
ships, houses and lots, stocks, and bonds
and mortgages. We know men of this
city, who turned up their noses at his
early efforts to extricate himself from
bis unfortunate associations, and placed
a cold shoulder to him in the streets,
but subsequently became as obeisant as
courtiers, appealing to his accumulating
gains to build up their own straiteued
fortunes.
We do not refer to the history of this
man for the purpose of exciting an
for "Nigger Minstrelsy." but
to show practical Illustration of what
genius industry and perseverance can
do, in overcoming obstacles and build
ing fortunes in the world.-B9alo Err