The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-02-08
THE MINSTREL ROW.
Frank MeNISh Tells HIS Side OF the Con.
troVsrsy.

Frank moNIBh Tells His Side OF the Con-
troVsrsy.
Before leaving the city yesterday morn
ing Frank MCNish took occasion to inform
the INTELusENcER about the new minstrel
company he is going TO form for next sea.
son, having taken exceptions to some Of
the statements made by Carroll johnson
in an article published in yesterday issue
about the company johnson & slAvin
propose putting on next season.
McNish agrees with johnson that 90
partners they differ on vital points and
that the best thing to do is TO part. he
objects, however, 70 Frank W. RamZR and
Charlie ATno being spoken Of "a "acro-
bRta," as johnson termed them. They
are "RroteEque comedians" according
10 the prospectus Of "McNiah, RAmzA &
Amos Refined MinBtrels."
MCNiBh Says that johnson forgot 10
state that the old firm paid RAMA d
Armo last Beaeon 1926 per week and all
their expenses, and that they were the
hit Of the show, and that this season they
were offered $3.50 per week and could not
be had for that figure. McNiah says Of
them: "They have plenty Of money, are
both gentlemen and good business men,
which is more than can say for johnson
& slaviD, as our hotel register will show.
There are fourteen peoples names on 1t
who are not With uH, as we have
very hard work to get people to
stay on account Of johnson &
slsvin wanting to close the show every
time there is light house. Our manager,
Mr.. Phelps, who has left US, was not
called away by business. He was the
fifteenth person.disgusted with johnson d
Slavin."
McNish says that instead Of johnson
& slavin having the Chriatie Bros. and
the Morrisey Bros. engaged for next sea-
son, he has them under contract. BE
says further that his now company will
have six comedians under contract,
among them Happy Gal Wagner and
Lew Benedict, and that Of the voCalists
heard here Monday night ho has six en-
gagged also eight Of the orchestra.
McNish added: ~ have always been
treated so nice in Wheeling that should
feel sorry to have people think ! was go.
ing down. No, sir! am going where
l have been for the past eight yeare-up,
way up, and will never be connected with
anything but the best, l will come here
next season to prove what say. John
son also forgot to tell you that he has
never done q thing but his work on the
stage, while l have always had to route
the show, engage all the people, design
the printing end very often touch my
bank account"
Both sides OF the split in tho old orga-
| pjzstion show the existence Of big row.
Both eides say that for two and halt
years past their experience with each
other has been something that would
make them prefer 81 per week to living 1t
over again. johnson says that it 10 his
money that has made the show 20 and
that MCNish has proftod by it and then
selfishly refused to stand losses. johnson
lreiers 10 McNish's "SilenCe & Fun" as
something clover in it's day, but now q
Itime-worn chestnut, and says that MCNish
has not the ability to originate anything
new.
McNish names some OF his people as
follows: "Abssha and Mertzshs, Arab &C.
robsts, now at Berlin, the finest team in
the world. Tommy Donnelly, who does
q pathetic turn In the Style originated by
the late lam snted Billy Manning. George
B. Leslie, oneof Boston's comedians. The
igreat 'Chevereii, the best novelty man Of
the day. John T. Keegan, whom l con.
slider ono Of the funniest and most
eccentric comedians OF the day. Eddie
Gildes, o moke who will surprise the old.
eat OF rs before tao aeason Of 1879 closes.
The Troupe Fischer four in number,
from Holland. These gentlemen are en-.
gagged exclusively for the closing piece.
'Jem' Carney, from England, the man who
fought Smith I've signed him for statue
business and he 10 great card"