The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-07-14
Ethiopian Minstrclsy.

Ethiopian minstrelsy, as it is COM
monty called, is not nearly so popular
as it was twelve or fifteen years ago,
says q New York paper; the public
nave been somewhat satiated with its
extravaganccs and sham negroisms. The
kind Of minstrelsv we have to-day is
very unlike that Of the past, being more
refined and strictly musical than OF
wore. This sort of amusement once
ragged in all the cities and towns of the
country, and had an extraordinary run
for a quarter of a century. 1t is nearly
forty years since the first troupe was
formed here, and it is remarkable that
most of the leading Ministries have, not
w~ithstanding their Pecuniary prosperity
died very poor. The burnt.cork per-
formers have been prone to rapid courses,
and have used up their financial ard
physical substance prematurely. Edwin
P. Christy, who was the pioneer, founded
the original CLristy ministries at Buffalo
in l94l, and played at Mechanics hall in
this city for several years to crowded au-
diences. He made Sl50,0W at the bust
ness, and finally committed suicide, after
losing almost everything, by leaping from
a third-s.ory window. His p~utative son,
George N. Christy (Harrington,) was
the first representative Of female parts,
such as Lucy Long and Lucinda at the
soiree; had a large salary and managed
several companies successfully, but he
died here in great poverty. Dan Bryant
(O'Brien,) of Bryant's Ministries, the
most noted OF the three brothers, began
in 1850, played for twenty years, madea
fortune, and got entirely rid of it. After
his death benefits were given and sub
scriptions taken up for the support of
his family. w. w. Newcomb (Combs,)
author of the burlesque lecture on
woman's rights and other popular alb
surdities, member of the once very sue
cessful firm of Rumsey & Newcomb,
visited England and Germany profess
sionally, had a snowy cottage at Sara.
toga and cut a grand figure in his way.
He ran through his money, was obliged
10 depend on n salary rs q subordinate
performer and came to his end here in
penury. The expenses of his illness and
burial were borne by his former agent,
N. N. Roberts. H. S. Ramsey, lis
former partner, a famous butfoon and
banjoist, went up and down also. HAY
ing been paralyzed, he wa taken care of
by relatives at Newburgh, on the Hud-
son, and vas aided by his fcllow-show-
men until the close OF his wretched days.
Sam Sharpley (Sharpe,) distinguished
as a jester and end man, proprietor OF
Sharpley's Ministries, known as the iron
clads, a great card in his day, made
ducks and brakes of his large earnings
by petroleum speculations, patents and
other ventures, and died at Providence,
R. I. G. Swaine Buckley, of Buckeyes
serenaders, q very versatile performer,
and creator of burlcsque opera, played
in New York season. after season to
thronged houses. He gained and lost a
fortune, went into bankruptcy, started
again, and again failed. He died at
Quincy, Mass. last year, almost penni-
less. Eph Horn, Of great mole in vari-
Gus troupes in his day, commanded big
salaries. but was SO imprOvident that
members Of the calling had to bury him
in one of the metropolitan cemeteries.
Billy Manning, Of Emerson & Manning's
company, IN eccentric delineator, filled
his purse and emptied it, and when he
went TO his grave in Chi ago his friends
paid for his funeral. Billy Morris. of
Morris Brothers, mimic and vocalist, let
all mis- profits slip through his fingers
drifted into q lunatic asylum, was pro-
vidcd for by his brothers until Boston
furnished him with six feet of earth.
William II. De ehanty was one Of the
last of the negro comedians to he buried
by his guild, and yet he had earned for
years $500 a week as dancer and singer.
lie was the author of the popular trltle,
"Shoo Fly" Nearly all the ways of
the Ethiopian minstrel seem to lead 70
p~rodigality, dissipation and the need of
s%coullural benevolcnce.