Wichita eagle., 1888-12-23
CARL RANKIN.
The Famous Minstrel. Who Died Recently
In Fha.sdeiphIa-


The Famous Minstrel. Who Died Recently
In Fh,.=Ssiphia-
rev men have become more prominent IN
certain kind of theatrical work Snan the
Late Carl Rankin he was little more than
~ Years old at the time IF his death, but he
was one Of the foremost IN bis chosen profess
sion-Eegro rnins,rslSy. rs was a man OF
natural genius and talent OF family OF
four brothers who attained distinction a.
ministries, he was the greatest Ten yra-s
aSo Carl was smooth faced boy clsrs.inS il.
the Pan Handle railroad Offices in Columbus.
o.. az SO week
Like his brothers, says The Cincinnati En-.
qulre-, ne had . passion for music, and was
blessed with deep bass voice OF rsnarkahls
volume The boys were the sons OF Jud~a
w h Rankin, OF Columbus, who, until tee
time of bis death a. an advanced age abou,
two years age, was regarded as one Of Tia
brightest criminal lawyers at the Ohio ba-.
The Rankin boys stood well al Columbus
and in addition 20 their regular daily EMPLOY
Taent played in the theatre orchestraS They
were IN demand at amateur Lheasricals and
all local entertainments
About nine years ago, when Barlow. VIII
son, Primrose and Vests Ministries were s.
the height Of their fame. the Rankin BOYS
Fitch, Carl, VII and Rits--rlaaie their DEBUT
with them as TIE -Four Rsskinss They ar-
peared together in musical sketch, and as
either OF the four could play well upon any
musical instrument ever invented their sue
Cess was instantaneous They made a hit
everywhere. In addition. Carl appeared AS
one OK the ballad singers, and bis rendltioa
of Rocked II the Cradle OF the Deep" it IS
SAID by tue BEST critics, has never been
equaled on the stage. The power and culture
OF his voice were simply marvellous.
At this time and for year or so after
starting out, Carl ned no iciea Of being funny.
With sort Of lean. lank face and deep bass
voice he seemed the last man IN tbs world for
Il comedian.
In Columbus, familiar 70 all youths eF
CaTIs age and time, waS a crazy colored fel-
low who walked around with jerky sort OF
gait and his hands spread out with fingers
apart and Al f1ll length. Cal hls upon ths
itiea of Introducing the silly dari,y as a char
acter IN ''rha Musical Mokesn His imitation
WIS perfect one sid turned out 70 De one OF
the greatest creations Of raiEstrslsy, for j.
was laughed at and applagded from New
York 10 San Francesca Discovering that he
was funny, Carl also became one of the end
men and achieved success eqIal 20 nearly
any Of them now before the public.
After being out with the Barlow troupe a
couple OF seasons the boys organized q trouts
Of their own, which they called Rankin's
Megatherian Ministries. II was short lived.
and they went back 20 their first love con
tinuing with them until about six years ae,o
when the quartet was first broken by the
death Of Rift Rankin, who died 20 the ST.
Charles hotel, II Columbus. e coasumption-
The vacancy was filed by taking up Johnny
MOsure a prominent Columbus musician.
who filed his place as one Of the Pour Ran
kins."
Three years ago VIII Rankin died IN Phila-
delphia Of consumption. the same disease that
claimed RIFT Oue after another they with
cred and died A few years ago Carl. speak
ing Of the death OF his brothers. said: INV
IN a few years
He remained with the company he started
out with until it broke up, and then he went
with Barlow and v ilsoE, and afterNari
with Primrose and West Finally he became
partner with Thatcher, Wilson aud
Rankin The last company he was
with was Dockstaders VI New YORK
He played with them until be L..
came united for duty. when a. re-
tired to bis home In Philadelphia. who're l.s
mother and sister haI gone 10 i've. FircL
Rankin, the eldest brother, who was the. IL
terocutor with Jds old Barlow Wilson.
Primrose and West miastreis rr..rei frous
the stage and is uQs. al Columbus the o..Iy
survivor OF the four
trouble, was highly Wceusad when Ia. sons
became Ministries 30 wanted them t. DO
lawyers. Before Inc J1dges jea.h he used 10
deao1ace the boys u his sclaalGJaEces ia
the most eloquent and VIVID terms