Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-24
THE STAGE.
A Benefit to be Given to Old Dan En-.
nett, Composer Of "Dixie," and
Father Of
Negro Minstrelsy-The Opera Cinderella
by the Little Folks at the The
alter This Week.

1t il perhaps not generally known that old
Dan Emmett, the author of "DixieD and the
lather OF negro-minstrelsy in this country il
now IN Chicago in destitute circumstances.
bis llfe has been an eventful one-now
flashed with splendor, now clouded and dark
eued by adversely. The ftful success OF the
stage, the vicissitudes of his profession, the
merry devil-may-care life, with its romsnce,
Its nonsense, its gladness and Its sorrow have
all been his. Now at seventy, when the
sands OF life have almost sfted through, the
old trem bling hands are still drumming the
banjo and trying to call back the golden
memories of other days, when life was
happy song and "black care" q forbidden
guest. One of the editors of the APPEAL
has received letter ami circular setting
forth that a benei. is TO be given soon to the
veteran minstrel, and 1T is 10 be hoped that
the people of the South will not be found
Gallons to this appeal for aid. The following
Is the letter referred to:
DIR. KASE's LETTER.
CHICAGO, ILL, September %, 1881.
Ny DEAR SIR am getting up benefit for old
Dan Emmett. mean 10 put the thing in motion.
Old Dick Hooley gives MS theater, gas, orchestra
'.on hand" The Actors Fund sent a check To-
day TO Dan for 500. Now if Northern men viii do
the author OF "Dixie?" Wish you would speak
of this matter in your journal.
HOW "DIxIE" CAME TO BE WRITTEN.
Il was on a Saturday night in 1859. while Dan
located in Mechanics Hall, New York. that Dan
Bryant came 70 Emmet and said: Dan, can't you
lively, for next Monday nignt?'' At that date ali
minstrel shows used to wind up with a walk
and POI new " onss esns
band. Dan, of course, went to work. but he
iug which satisfied him presented itself
at first. He at length hit on the two first
that is in the Manufacture Of a tune By sun
day afternoon he had the words commencing al
was nS most people soonshe1n
phrase but first appeared among the circus people
cuses when 1.-THE South was considered, by show
line. In the early fan, when nipping frostE would
overtake the tented wanderers, the boys would
think OF the genial warmth of the section they
were heading for, and the common expression
gave the catch-line, and the balance of the song
was original. On Monday morning 1t was re-
crowded house caught up the refrain, and half of
them went home singing Dixie The
so%b a and . Ssw
Mr.. werling. music pubiishef. of New Orleans.
willing % hf other
words by M. Peters. Pond, Of New York, secured
sands of his edition without giving its composer
nickel. Not only was he robbed of the profits
OF Louisville, Claiming Il as his own. Fond
brought the matter before a music publishers
of authorship but Dan reaped no benefit from
this tardy Justice Dan also got into trouble about
Ts and sapent Maine sdtor
declared Dan a "secesh, % and that he should be
psared two ye RS before the com@ence@enf & Ss
rebellion. nor. as originally written. was there
line which could De charged with any political
bearing The crown1ng popularity OF this we'll
known ditty was secured in the spring of 1861,
when Mrs; John Wood played an engage
hontas was the attraction, and In the last
scene Zouave march was introduced. At re-
chestra, was at loss what air to appropriate try
ing several, he finally hit on Dixie, which, as
w s '9e ohn ps
Davenport. Lefingwell, Mark Smith and John
owen Tas nsh % the zon
wish / was in Dixie" The audience became Wild
with delight and seven encores were insisisted up
on. Soon afterward the war broke out, the Wash
ington artillery had Dixie arranged for quick
step the streets the saloons, the parlors, rang
''Marseillaisen Is to France, and the author and
composer OF Dixie" half blind, aged. and poor.
Is playing fiddle in a small music room in Chi
cago to support himself, wife, and daughter.
Yours, ETC., G. A, KANE.
The following is the circular sent out by
the various managers Of Chicago and friends
of Dan Emmett:
II WISH WAS IN DIxIE's LAND"
CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 16, 1882.
To Whom it May Concern, this Circular Comes
Greeting:
Every dog has his day." The subject of this
appeal Knows too well the truth of this adage Mr..
Dsnie1 d. Emmett, the author of the words and
noW in Chicago still piying is yocaton at the
advanced age of seventy. We can truly say that
through losses sustained by the disastrous fire of
1871, he has never been able to retrieve his for
tunes. Through the Improvements made upon his
cruoe beginning OF negro minstrelsy Others have
fort ruhi Mr. Er,1rraa hoS 40
comparatively nothing. We hope it will not be
imposing upon your generosity WREN We ask you
donate ns Sys sasy P s BENEFIT OF @
man who organized the first minstrel band in this
to tender Mr.. Emmett q benefit on the
2Sth OF the present month. In order to
please forward their mites prior to the above date
We hope that this appeal will not be in vain; and
e e The OBJECT Of the penet is to obtain
sufficient sum to enable him to conduct some
business suitable to his as he is too old to fol
We trust that this appeal to the partners of his
tolls, his feelings and his fame" win not be dis
he and services are in corners THROWN We
would further add, that Mr.. Emmett has been an
upright and honorable man. and has always liber
ally contributed TO the relief OF his professional
brethren, and that his character as man has been
sinG as TO Come to the fpont viii please for
ward their sums to Daniel d. Emmett care OF 4.
Ho0M hfnsSfEIE a6yoeys Sestea
III HAVERLI, Haverly's Theater,
j. H McVICKER. McVickerls Theater,
DANIEL SHELBY, Academy of Music,
JAS. H, MEADE, Olympic Theater,
HENRY L. SLAYTON, Central Music Hall,
JOHN A. HAMLIN, Grand Operahouse,
FRANK CLYNES,
FRANK JARVIS,
DR. G. A. KANE,
Committee on Benefit of Old Dan Emmett, "the
Father of Negro Minstrelsy,'
Parties receiving the appeal too late for the
benefit will forward their "mite," as per di-
rections, and Mr.. Hooley will gee to its safe
delivery TO Mr.. Emmett.