The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-07-01
Ethiopian Minstrelsy,

Ethiopian minstresy, as il is COM
monty called, is not nearly so popular
as it was twelve or fifteen years ago,
says a New York paper; the public
nave been somewhat satiated with its
extravagances and sham negroisms. The
kind of minstrelsy we have to-day is
very unlike that of the past, being more
refined and strictly musical than of
yore. This sort of amusement once
ragged in all the cities and towns of the
country, and had an extraordinary run
for quarter of q century. 1t is nearly
forty years since the first troupe was
formed here, and it is remarkable that
most of the leading minstrels have, not
withstanding their pecuniary prosperity,
died very poor. The burnt cork per-
| formers have been prone to rapid courses,
and have used up their financial and
physical substance pr matureIy. Edwin
p Christy, who was the pioneer, founded
the original Christy ministries ut Buffa 10
in lS4l, and played at Mechanics hall in
| this city for several years to crowded au.
diences. He made $l50.000 at the bust
ness, and finally committed suicide, after
losing almost every thing by leaping from
a third-s.ory window. His putntive 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, hut he
died here in great poverty. Dan Bryant
| 90 Brien,) of Bryant's minstrels, the
most noted OF the three brothers, began
in 1850, played for tw, nty years, made a
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 burle,que lecture on
| woman's rights and other popular alb
surdities, member of the once very sue
cessful firm of Rumsey & Newcomb.
visited England and German, profess
sionally. had snowy cottage at S ira
toga and cut a grand figure in his way.
He ran through his m ,ney, was obliged
TO depend on a salary as subordinate
p'rformer and came to his end here in
ntnmy. The expenses of his lness and
burial were borne by his former agent,
N. N Roberts. Fl. S. r lmsey, his
former partner, famous butfoon and
banj ,ist, went up and down also. Hay-
ing been paralyzed. he was taken care of
by relatives at Newburgh, on the Hud-
son, and was aided by mis- fpllow-show-
men until the close OF his wretched days.
Sam Sharpley (Shtrpe,) distinguished
as lester and end man, proprietor of
Sharpleys minstrels, 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.
K. |. G. Swaine Buckley, of Buckley's
serenaders, very versatile performer.
and creator of burlesque 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 note 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, an eccentric delineator, filled
his purse and emptied it, and when he
went to his grave in Chi ago his friends
paid Tor his funeral. Billy Morris, of
Morris Brothers. mimic and vocalist. let |
all his profits slip through his fingers
drifted into lunatic asylum, was pro-
vided tor 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 be buried !
by his guild, and yet he had earned for |
years $500 week as dancer and singer.
He was the author of the popular trlfle. |
Shoe Fly" Nearly all the was of |
the Ethiopian minstrel seem to lead 20 |
dissipation and the need of |
sepultural benevolence.