The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-25

and terming him s'Blue-b FLOODED Daddy"
Fearing lest he would lose his foothold
with the public he very sensibly turned
cold shoulder" to nobility and catered to
those who would appreciate his work.
Thomas Dartmouth Rice was born IN
the lower portion of New York City on
May 20, in the year 1908. As a child he
was remarkably bright and precocious,
yet was the sort of chap every one under
| stood must be let alone, he having an in
| domitable habit of mimicking in ludicrous
! fashion, and melting his chums to do like
| him, whether friendly or otherwise.
The father of the comedian was a
humble furniture repairer, and found it
difficult task to care for his family. The
consequence was that Tommy" got very
! little schooling, and when quite young was
bound out as an apprentice to tinker.
! This trade did not at all conform to the
child's highfalutin ideas as a means of
livelihood, and upon the first opportunity
he escaped, and soon after learned 1.-THE
art preventative of all rts"-printing-in
small newspaper Office. While this did
not afford young Rice the chance to sport
about which his rowing, reckless nature
craved, yet ne found it of intense interest
to see in the public prints impressions
taken from the very type he had labored
loving mind it appeared that the phrase,
''this was managed by Tommy Dartmouth
Rice stood out boldly between the lines
of all this interesting reading material.
Being apt and intelligent he rapidly ac-
quired knowledge of affairs in general
through the everyday routine work
His evenings he delighted in spending
about concert halls. The excitement and
revelry entranced him-the spectacular
glare filled niche in his soul. His chief
rIa fn m
circus scenes. On one occasion when an
audience seemed extraordinarily unrelent-
ing and cold, the manager, who had en-
listed every endeavor to make success
of what was fast proving a failure, en-
treated of young Rice, in his desperation,
to suggest Observation-Disclosures
would create stir among SO unappre-
ciative a gathering Accordingly, the
sympathetic little friend busted himself
in decorating a huge camel with
sashes of red, white and blue, and, as it
happened to be st. Patricks day,
goodly sprinkling of green, and balancing
himself we'll upon the beast dashed about
the ring, then, alighting, turned somer-
saults successfully and performed all sorts
Of wild antics, which Immediately en-
livened the spectators and filled long
felt want in the managers heart. The re-
sounding encores would not bring the little
favorite again into the ring. Yet what was
the establishment of the country folks one
bleak morning to witness the scene they
clamored for few nights before being
paraded about the streets, now and then
shower of handbiIls dashing through the
air from the hands of the youthful camel
driver, and he shouting his welcomes for
all to come and visit the most wonderful
circus ever produced. From that time on
the manager wore smile.
For all this drumming up" young Rice
received the munificent reward of 30
cents-which represented much larger
sum to him-and being the first he had
ever earned he was so proud that for some
time thereafter he never failed to grasp an
opportunity for telling of his phenomenal
experience and success. Also relating that
he handed this cash over to his mother,
though he was sorely tempted to gradu-
ally invest the entire amount in "taffy
flats" the very thought of which delicious
CONNECTION made his teeth water"
A band of gypsies pitching their tents
in the suburbs was all that was neces-
sary to attract this peculiar child from
home and labor, which at any other time
were his dearest thoughts; in their life
alone he could see life worth the living.
At one time Tommy" not realizing the
distance he was following one of these
bands, became tired and hungry, and to
his disappointment found it was quite i'm
possible to retrace his steps before receiv-
| ing rest and nourishment. In his misery
he appealed to pretty young woman
| whom he CHANGED to meet for assistance,
and upon her becoming interested in the
story of his wandering Tommy" volun-
teered his ife's history, and expressed a
strong desire to amuse her it she would
only take him to her home and give him
something to eat. This she did, and admir-
ing the child's progressive spirit and
unique character, she-belng an actress
introduced him to her manager, who al
lowed the boy to do odd jobs about the
theater, and this was in reality the step
ping-stone of "Jim Grow" to his pro-
fession.
During a London engagement in this
role years afterward, there was frequently
noticed very enthusiastic young lady
who, on several occasions, presented
flowers to the new style COON" Naturally,
an acquaintance was formed between the
two, and in very short time, on June
Is, 1887, a marriage contracted. Ihe
young lady was Miss Gladstone, daughter
of o former manager OF the Surrey Theater.
With his usual originality, Rice at first
insisted upon being welded in balloon,
and tried hard to induce his bride-elect to
accede to this desire, but to no avail. His
fancee was resolute; she would marry "in
the regular way" or not at all. And poor
Jim Crow" felt that he could not "show
OH 10 dOVdutdSc even al LIB oWu meo-
ding.
While playing at Dublin house on one
occasion, the Lieutenant and his
suite being present, the receipts of the
evening amounted to $500. During his
Cork engagement the nightly revenue for
seats averaged $3.50. His repertoire at
that time consisted principally of Jim
Crow" "Ginger Blue, !" Cesar" "Clare de
Kitchen" and Jumbo Jum."
With his Golfers filled and loving bride,
Mr.. Rice returned to America. He made
tour of the States for several years, with
even warmer welcome and enthusiasm
than he had received previous to his Ge-
parture abroad.
But now, just as he was enjoying the
dizzy heights of the topmost round Of the
ladder, adversely stepped in, and chung to
this famous comedian the balance of his
life. He could now see a mushroom
growth of imitators springing up about
him. and the public applauded and cheered
them on regardless of the cup of bitter
ness this presented to the original "nig-
ger'' minstrel. In the year 1910 paralytic
stroke deprived Mr.. Rice temporarily of
speech and the use of his limbs. His re-
covery from this attack was only, it would
seem, for the purpose of again subjecting
him to this straitjacket-like aff1iction.
The large fortune he had acquired he had
l.. -