Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-28
Old TINE miSsrRELsY.
Entertaining "reminiscences by RFormer
Burnt Cork Artist.

Chas. Melville, Manager Of the "BlnC
and Gray" company, which appear' Al
the Grand next week. was at the Behlci
Yesterday. Mr.. Melville IS an old-time
minstrel performer. and In his palmy
days was one Of the most noted ballad
singers before the public. lie present,
a striking figure. tall and robust. wl.h
hair snowy white lie is an entertain
ing talkcr. and genial gentleman. a
REGISTER reporter had q pleasant chat
with him last night. at his roon.
"My first appearance In public, -aid
! Mr. Melville. was IN New Haven
Conn. in -. in 4 benefit performance
for Miss Julia Turnbull, the celebrated
dancer. Ny last appearance was 10
Madison Square Theatre IN GG. ! was
the first man TO sing Dear Father
/ Come Home. IA man never lives now
after he renders H.. MnStrclSy has
woefuily degenerated, until what j. now
presented under that name is nothing
more nor less than variety show.
Where did YOU ever see negroes IN court
dreSS2 The old-time minstrel show
was made up OF Il first part, with two
eud men, with tambOurines ana bones.
and from six 10 Ten others-all black
faces. Then there were aiterpiece'
banjo solos. dancing, etc.
"Iaye you ever managed any notable
attractions" asked the reporter.
"I"s. quite a number. managed
Mr.. W. +. Cody-"Buiialo Bill'-on the
occasion OF his first appearance in New
York. nineteen pears ago. The play
was "Scouts Of the Plain, OF the wild /
western order. and the author was Ned |
Buntline, prominent contributor 10 |
the Ncc Yoik weekly A seven o'clock /
on the morning of the day 10 was ilrst
produced. not line OF the play had
been written. by ten o'clock the first
act was finished. aud 10 was put ln re-
hearsal. The second and third act- We're
writton while the rehearsal was going
ON. and 10 was produc.d d 90 its crude
form that night. II made decided hlt
on account of It's sensational character,
and We turned people away.
BY the way, met Cody in Chicago hst
week. and had pleasant cha; with |
him
lyon have performed with some
strong companies, have YOU uot?'
IL have. indeed. was with iloo'cy /,
& Campbelrs Mn,trclS. and sang wIth /
the finest black face quartetic thar /
ever appeared before tur public. Inc'e F.
was in addition Co myself. MIN. CleS"l. ,
tenor. and Shrk Campbell, baritone,
both NJ whom sang with Emma Abbott '
and &. ". II. Griffin. h~,>o. W. sang (
in Now York city. ia 81 Nicholas llH'. /
where the duulng room OF thH Metro 7
politan Hotel now stands.
WHAT are your plans ior neAt soa-
SON"
II will manage Miss Loitic Williams.
q member OF my company, in new play
entitled "Ncw York, Day 10y Day
She t. one 81 the most clover Iiitlc /
soubrettcs on the American stage. and !
is not yet sixteen years OF age. She has
received nattering notices from the
press everywhere she has appeared.
Mr.. Melville showed the reporter %
book Of press notices. dating back Go
1855. which was curiosity. aud which
has an interesting history. lic lost it
on the street nine years ago. aud never
expected to see il again. J., was found
bv boy. who handed 10 20 Tony Pastor.
and il was returned to it> owner two
wear, ago. The notices are unique iu
regard 10 style and composition.