Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-05-19
NEGRO MINSTRELSY.
Its Origin and Growth.

A pO. LOUIS DSH1OCIdb reporter has
been interviewing old Sam johnson, the
father OF negro minstreIy," on Dan
Bryant and other of the burnt cork ar
lists. In answer to the question on
Dams debut, Sam said:
1T was when [ was running the
Elysian Fields, at Hoboken. Dan
Bryant was then about thirteen: Jerry
was older. [ used to blacken Jerry and
Dan, and Mat Peel and Ben Mallol 7
and put 'em all in bag, and shake e
out on the stage as the black Cupids.
Luke West-you remember Luke?'
eyes"
Luke came out about the same
time. This was before the minstrel
business was started. We had reg
ular dramatic company, and brought
out niger pieces, such as ooh, hush, ,
Jumbo jun, and SO on. There was
no dancing, or singing, or conundrums
then"
"When did negro minstrelsv begin ?"
ssThe first regular minstrel troupe
was made up Of Dan Emmett, violiuist;
Frank Brewer, bones; Billy Whitloek,
banio-taught by Dan Emmett; Dick
Pelham, tambourihe. There were FIVE
of them; they first played at the old
Park Theater, then at the Tample, Bos-
ton, and then they went to Europe. It
was the year after the Boston Temple
was built. The next party was the
Ethiopian Serenaders. Dumbleton was
the manager, and there were five in the
troupe. They were the first to harmon
ize music together. They made a great hit
turned hundreds OF people away every
night; but in the midst Of the run they
got crazy and went to Europe, and did
not succeed there. Johnny Bull didn't
understand the niger business. They
were very foolish to run away from
over crowded houses, and go on a wild.
goose chase over the water
"What was the next troupe2"
Christy was the next; his wife was
a cook on a canal boat. His troupe
played at Al Broadway, and travelled
occasionally; made lots Of money. The
Christys are all dead now.
BuckIey's minstrels were a success,
and lasted for a long time. Swain
Buckley was the greatest minstrel that
ever BACKED his face. Dick Buckley
was the fddler-the little Ole Bull.
Then there was George Buckley.
I am the Oldest Ethiopian living. [
see Sanford has published something
about me. He says am living at St.
Louis. and millionaire. All but the
millionaire. Might have been, hut did
not save it. Lord [ used to make it
by the barrel; but it went as it came
didn't care for it. Rather run with the
machine In those days than own bank.
I was the king of the roughs then, and
what | said was law. Saved DeBar's
life once, and got old George Farrar
out of a bad scrape.
'sDo you remember the old Campbell
MINISTRIES ?"
s'You bet. [ started them out. [ was
to get two shares to their just for
my name, you know. At that time the
name of old Sam johnson was worth
money-it was known all over the
country, and was guarantee of sue
cess. The Campbells took their name
from the old song, The Campbells are
boys, who joined them afterward. 1 left
them in Wilmington, North Carolina,
and they came out this way.
did you know the Swinneys?'
Joe Swinney was from Lynchburg,
Va, he WAS Tile uFSG DauJO singer. Lie
next was Dan Emmett, Of Wheeling.
Johnny Smith was the first song and
dance man. His first song.was Jimmy
Long Josey,' and his next was 'Du Far
You Well, Ladies. Daddy Rice was
before Smith, but he only Jumped
around and sung Jim Crow he was a
jumper, not dancer. Herbert and his
wife were the next; they sung and
danced as blacks at the theatres. George
Washington, one of your kind, wrote
and sung Long Tail Blue Leicester
was next; his song was 'Settin' on a
Rail, and he picked the violin in imita-
ton of a banjo; there were no banjos
then. After him came Joe Swinney
and Dan Emmett. Emmett wrote songs
and broke In the first band. Dan
Gardner was the first female dancer; he
danced ali Fanny Ellsler's dances,
dressed as female. Mrs. Herring, Of
the Bowery, was the. first lady to black
en- her face; she played in Bone
Squash. -