The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-10-31
Origin OF Negro nIinstrelsy.

J
about twenty-five years old, of comman-
ding height-six feet full, the heels of his
boots not included in the reckoning-and
dressed in scrupulous keeping with the
fashion Of the time, might have been seen
sauntering idly along one of the principal
streets of Cincinnati. To the few who
could claim acquaintance with him, he
was known as an actor, playing at the time
referred to a short engagement as light |
comedian in a theatre of that city. He !
does not seem to have attained to any
noticeable degree of eminonce in his pro-
fession, but he had established for him
self reputation among jolly fellows in a
social way. He could tell story, sing
song, dance hornpipe, after a style
which, however unequal to complete sue
cess on the stage, proved, in private per-
formance to select circles rendered appre-
ciative by accessory refreshmenU, famously
triumphant always. If it must be con-
tessed that be was deficient in the more
profound qualities, it is not to be inferred
that he was destitute of all the distin-
gushing, though shallower, virtues of
character. He had the merit, too, of a
proper appreciation of his own capacity
and his aims never rose above that capac-
ity. AS superficial man, he dealt with
superficial things, and his dealings were
marked by tact and sErewdness. In his
sphere he was proficient, ard kept his
wits upon the alert for everything that
might be turned to professional and prof
liable use. Thus it was that, as he sauu-
tered along one of the main thoroughfares
of Cincinnati, his attention was suddenly
arrested by voice ringing clear and full
above the noises Of the street, and giving
utterance, in an unmistakable dialect, to
the refrain OF song to this effect
''Turn about an wheel about an do jis' so,
| An cherry time l turn about l jump Jim
! Crow"
Struck by the peculiarities of the per-
formance, SO unique in, style, matter, and
character" of delivery, tie player lis
tened on. Were not these elements, was
the suggestion of the instant, which might
admit of higher than mere street or sta
ble-yard development? As national or
Grace illustration, behind the footlights,
might not ".Tim Crow" and black face
tickle the fancy of pit and circle, as we'll
as the "Sprig of ShilIeIagh" and red
nose Out of the suggestion leaped the
determination and so it chanced that the
casual hearing of song trolled by negro
stage-driver, lolliug lazily on the box of
his vehicle, gave origin to school of mu-
sic destined to excel in popularity all
others, and to make the name of the OBJ
scure actor, W. d. Rice, famous.
As his engagement at Cincinnati had
nearly expired, Rice deemed it expedient
to postpone public venture in the newly
| KaI bo of
engagement should assure him opportuni-
ty to share fairly the benefit expected to
grow out of the experiment. This en-
gagement had already been entered ito
and accordingly, shortly after, in the au-
tumu of 1880, he left Cincinnati for
Pittsburg.
The old theatre of Pittsburg occupied
the site of the present one, on Fifth street.
1t was an unpretending structure, rudely
built of boards, and of moderate proper
tions, bat sufficient, nevertheless, to sat
isfy the taste and secure the comfort of
the few who dared to face consequences
and lend patronage to an establishment
under the ban of the Scotch Irish Calvin
lists. Entering upon duty at the "Old
Drury" of the Birmingham of Ameri-
ca" Rice prepared to take advantage OF
his opportunity. There was a negro in
attendance at Grifhth's Hotel on Wood
street, named Cuf,----a exquisite speci-
men of his sort t,-who won a precsrious
subsistence by letting his open mouth as
mark for boys to pitch pennies into, at
three PAGES, and by carrying the trunks
of passengers from the steamboats, to the
hotels. Cuff was precisely the subject for
Rice's purpose. Slight persuasion indu-
ced him to accompany the actor to the
theater, where he was led through the
private entrance and quietly ensconced
behind the scenes. After the play, Rice,
having shaded his countenance to the
"contraband" hue, ordered Cuff to dis
robe, and proceeded to invest himself in
the cast-of apparel. When .he arrange
ments were complete, the bell rang, and
Rice, habited in an old coat forlornly di-
lapidated, with pair Of shoes composed
equally of patches and places for patches
on his feet, and wearing a coarse straw
hat in a melancholy condition Of rent and
collapse over dense black wig Of matted
moss, waddled into view. The extraor-
dinary apparition produced an instant sf
feet. The crash of peanuts ceased in the
pit, and through the circles passed 6
murmur aud hustle of liveliest expecta
ton. The orchestra opened with sbor
prelude, and to its accompaniment Rice
began to sing, delivering the first line b.
way of Introductory recitative-
An he wheel about turn about he do lis so