The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-21
POLK MILLER, BANJO PLAYER
An Amusing Mistake of Him f,r a Negro
Minstrel.

Mr.. Polk Miller is one Of Richmond's
most highly esteemed citizens. The best
mart Of rs lite spared from eating and sleep
inc l. spent in the drug business. Leisure,
however. i given him now and then to pay
his deyOtiOns at the shrine OF music ana ne
makes his gifts boy means of the BANJO. Cultl-
walton of his taste for the music OF TINS IN
strument has given him reputation as
bauio-pIcker which is not confined 10 the
limits OF Richmond.
\ short time ago resident Of Baltimore
sent him the following letter, addressed to
Mr.. Polk Miller, banjo player. Manches-
ter. Va" The instruction oil tne leiler
caused delay in Mr.. Miller's reception ol H.
but did not lessen his amusement Wneh ne
read the following:
Dear Slr.--What is the prospect ana ON
what terms can four persons. two females ailg
Two males. be engaged for chufch ana man
concerts want cool soprano, alto. tenor,
and bass for solo. duett. trio. and quarteite.
Must play organ or plano, banjo. guitar, anu
other Instruments If possible. can gel cor
ored singers here. but desire southern sing
| ers for plantati n and Jubilee songs.
want 10 get TO work about sept. l0th
VIII keep party out all winter Let me-
know at once az what terms, ana II such a
quarttete can bee gotten up. would Ike YOU
! 10 form one of them, Is YOU are me udhlo
player
I'm reply TO this the following letter has
been sent by Mr.. Miller
"Your letter OF the 18TH August being di-
rected 10 neighboring city-Once very near.
| hut now very far OF on account OF bad case
! OF big hcad'-dld not reach me as promptly
| as in should have done, hence the delay IN re-
plving 1 was raised on a plantation where
| uigcers were thicker than hops, and II was
| there that | learned TO pick upon dc one
banjo On coming 10 Richmond I'D 1860,
! and entering uuon the career OF "A druggist /
Il a n
didn't nave time 10 keep up my music.
| "Indecd wouldn't tell anybody that even
| 'kuOwed now 70 play banjo. because II was
| looked upon as Niger lnsterment,' ana
beneath the notice OF the cultivated. For
wears ] longed for the time when it would
| come in fashion and | could play on nay
| aVOrte musical instrument without dis
/ 0rqcfns myself in the eyes OF my city friends
| 1T is here. and although Theodore Thomas,
| ole Bull. and other celebrities can draw big
| crowds who would SIT and talk 10 each other
IN the dress circle and parquet Tor three
hours and then come away AM tax about II
| az the greatest treat they ever had. Wnen IN
! trutn they never understood or appreciated
"A single note. yet the old Virginia Niger
banjo Will stir 'em up and get en- TO jump
| ing m their seats.
e\o doubt your have heard OF me through
the newspapers ~ a banJer-picker, aud nat
urally concluded that / WAS niger
nave appeared several times ON the stage
not for the money that il I'm 10, but because
the sisters in nay own church and other
churches for miles around called on me 90
help a good cause. ! DO play the niger
banter and now and then as pass along ne
road I'm Chesterfield. delight M getting be-
hind "A negro cabin and singing plantation
melody j 5 20 see EN- come clallin' out TO
see who is dat out dar a-playin on dat ban
ier -
Il must decline your hattering offer, but II
1 should fail az the drug business. and git 50
ole am feeble dat / cannot see my way !
may call ON you fora Job. At this time. how
.lfaI D. T.. f \
lovely I'm business. my mwbly is.all well, an
hopin dat these few lines may mud you en-
loving a. de same great blessin' subscribe
myself yours very truly, POLK MILLER