The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-17


noticeable in the saltatorial efforts OF
genuine old negroes Of both sexes. The
nrst one 10 bring these before the public
Was Frank Brewer, another OF the orig
inal four Virginia Serenaders. In his
time these dances were not yet.known as
Essences" though they were OF the
same character. sMurt1 sexon was also
an early "essencen dancer and fair liz
performer. Ii was not until "Billp New
comb made his appearance upon the scene
that these dances were given a specific
title, when they were denominated "Es-
sences OF Old Virginia" Newcomb's
performance was OF the class called
"quintessence, and was done In rather
fast time. In contradistinction "Dan"
Bryant performed his famous " Essence OF
Ole Virginnyn very slowly. Newcomb
originally started with "Bije" Thayer in
q small minstrel band in Boston that
also played In the towns throughout the
The "Lucy Long" act was first pre-
sented by "Dann Gardiner and afterward
had many and able exponents. The
world renowned George Christy was the
second one of those who tried 1t, and was
the very best OF them ALL "Master
Marks, also figured as a successful "Lucy
Long" The City OF Brotherly Love
claimed "Dan" Gardner as her own.
One essential TO the proper presentation
OF negro, character, song-and- dance acts
was fitting music OF a catchy, swinging,
Ethiopian nature. While "Dan" Emmett
never figured or posed as a dancer he is
responsible for some of the very best
lk-arounds' ever written. Most OF
these, II not all, were composed for Bry-
ants Minstrels in the year 1859. Among
the most notable and popular ones may
be mentioned 81 Amt Got Time to
Tarry," "Billy Patterson" "High, Low,
Jack "Chaw Roast Beef, n"Turkey in
de Straw, )" "Loozyanna Low Grounds
mot iowlands, as it is generally sung),"
A burnin'Y' which wss produced In 1860,
and High Daddy" in 1853. The manu-
scripts OF these are now in the possession
OF "Johnny" Hogan in a book contain
ing many more OF Emmetts compost
tions not so we'll known.
NIMBLE JOHN DIAMOND.
A wonder IN his style of dancing was
John Diamond. Small OF stature, he ex-
ecuted in an extremely neat and low
fashion. At one time "Dick" Carroll
used to take his place, upon occasions
when Diamond had looked upon the wine
when ii was red, which was OF so fire.
quent occurrence AS to necessitate an
"understudy," which position "Master
Marks" filled most competently. Once,
In Boston, Diamond became despondent,
after spell OF serious potation, and re-
paired TO the Frog Pond on the Common
at night TO go to heaven by water, but
was compelled to iinger here longer, as he
discovered the depth to be but two
inches. His dancing was considera bly,
better than his temper and disposition;
those who recollect him will remember
how he always finished his Jig with
p" Wait for the Wagon" The Pantheon,
at No. 46 Houston street, used 10 be, in
old times, the resort for many profession
n hn do f1~ f..,.
comic songs and made music, as did Neil
Bryant on his concertina without emolu-
ment, unless we except such as are will
ing TO receive a frying OF eels in compen-
sation, which was the labitual recon-
pense at that time in the places of this
class in New York. II was here that X.
NJ. Carroll ("Dick') made his first APP
pearance under the pseudonym OF "Mas-
ter Marks" Charlie White gave him
his first engagement at No. 90 Bowery, in
1916. Six years later found him in Bos-
ton with Raymond's New Orleans Min
strels, of which company John Diamond
was at that time also member. A year
later Carroll entered Wells Il Birch's
troupe as jig and wench. dancer, return
ing to "Charlie" hite's for while, and
subsequently joining the Buckleys, at
The Chinese Assembly Rooms, ON Broad
way With Rumsey q Newcomb's Min
'trels he iourneyed through the South for |
.wo years. After a short career with vari- !
)us companies he settled down to q three |
years. connection with Morris Brothers |
Pell and Trowbridge's Minstres, in Bos-
on. From there he went to Fox's Cam |
erbury Hall, in New York. II was dur
ng this engagement that he danced the |
amous match with Tommy Peel, and /
hough the decision was adverse TO him |
here is little doubt in the minds of those
Who knew the true merits OF both per-
ormers, as did the writer that Carroll
vas the superior artist. 1t was "Bobn
1art's (the Senator's) vote that cast the
lie, and IL has been said that the import
lnities of his confreres in the minstrel
ompany, at time when the Senator was
n his cups, had not little TO do with
he verdict.
The next four years found him back
gain with the Morris Brothers in Boston.
'hen the Carroll & Emmett Minstrels
we're organized in st. Louis, but the
ompany was disbandcd In Cairo, owing
o the disastrous results of break in the
evee. Subsequent engagements were with
,elIy x Leon, on Broadway, near Wayerly
lace, in 1866; with "Dickn Hooey, in
'rooklyn, in 1863; with Jarrett 4 Pal
1er's Tammany Hall Show, in 1870 With
Alf' Burnett he next tried his fortunes
\ California, in 1.-The Whirligig.n An
nteresting feature of his experience was
hen in company with his two sons he
islteu odlt l-hNe llly ana secured IL
ense for his specially show from Brig
am Young, who took a fancy to his eld-
It sop, "Dick". Licenses had been
reviou0ly refused to performances of a
Ike sort, even though very large compen-
'tion had been offered. II was quite
,ather in Chrroll's cap to receive not
My the first license OF the sort ever
ranted, but TO get IT "free gratis for
othing.'
His next appearance was with q. l..
ox's g" "Humpty Dumpty" company at
he Olmypic Theater, New York, In 1871.
J 1872 he was st the Academy of Music,
Chicago, when Carroll & Sons pro-
nced the drama, "Our Mother.v The
ext year he performed at "Josh" Hart's
heater Comique, at which time the clever
Id popular Jenny Hughes was playing
4 engagement, and received valuable in
ruction from him.
Bartey Campbell's "The Orphans"
The McFaddens" and "The Dagon
ere successfully played, the latter hav-
q thirty-five weeks success through
1t the country, since which tims--1S92-
, has been playing in variety and drama.
Carroll took pattern To great extent
ON ''Juba" and, after him, may safely
} said, TO be one OF the very first "alf.
und" dancers this country has ever
en-. His prOficiencv IL not Iinited IN