The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-30

Coming attractions at the Grand:
.McFadden's Row of Flats" May 4.
s and 6.
John L. Sullivan, May Z, s and g.
Clay Clement May II and r.
Bachelors Honeymoon" May IL
and IA.
Rosenthal, pianist, May Is
Devils Auction May 16 and II.
1.-THE Turtle" May %, 90 and "a
Haverley's Minstrels, May Is, &c
and 81.
"A Hot Old Time" May IS, 20, 80
and 81.
Roland Reed June /, and 3.
Melbourne MacDowell and Blanche
Walsh, June s, 9, 10 and IL.
1--WE are going back to the first prin-
ciples of minstrelsy," said Lew Dock
stader who opens at the Grand to-
night with the minstrel company owned
by himself and George II. Primrose.
Primrose and 1 felt the public pulse
and we are convinced that old-fashion-
ed minstrelsy is what is wanted. No, I
don't mean to say that the public will
stand for minstrel entertainments
staged in the primitive style of 40 years
tras in the way of scenic equipment and
all that sort of thing, and they don't
object to a bit of the spectacular; but
with it all they want a good deal of
the old plantation darby lots of jiggin'
and cloggin' and songs with a distinct
i've darby flavor. I haven't always
gagged the public correctly, but / think
in the present instance I've got 'em pat.
tried to make New Workers stand for
a farce opera in black face, and it cost
me 'S45,000. Then 1 tried to give them
style of black face entertainment they
were not ready to accept, and the ex-
pertinent almost drove me to the poor
house. When l got back after that dis
astrous trip I did considerable dodg
Ing. I remember meeting a couple of
old friends in, "a Broadway cafe the
night l got back. | didn't greet them
until l was positive that they We're not
sheriffs disguised as friends of mine.
Then I went up to them and said:
..Boys, I thought it was you, but l
Wanted to be sure. Since the troupe
busted I've been afraid to speak to
man unless / had his photograph firmly
fixed in my mental album, for fear he
might turn out to be a deputy sheriff.
It's hard lines but I'll down em. I'll
pay off every cent I owe and have my
own company again before 1900. My as
sets are now chiefly in makeups, tow
els and a box or two of burnt cork,
but I'll get there. !.
That was in 1894 and Dockstader is
making good his prophecy, for he has
been getting there ever since he Joined
fortunes with Primrose.
George H. Primrose, who is now in
partnership with Lew Dockstader, is
one of the Oldest and most famous min
strels now in the business. Primrose
and his former partner, William H.
West, were at the head of their own
= To-
one man has ever been able to main
tain a supremacy in this particular
style Of entertainment. Few theater
goers there are who have not enjoyed
George H. Primrose's representations of
the modern northern negro, with his
exaggerated costume and the cane of
immense size.
George H. Primrose, who was born
in London, Canada, about As years ago,
began his career as an entertainer of
the public in 1870, about the time that
Billy Emerson was winning his golden
spurs out in San Francisco.
Primrose's first partner was a Buffalo
youth named MCGOWAN, and their first
important engagement was with John
O'Brien's circus. II was secured through
John B. Davis and George H. Baltchel-
Ter, who controlled the side show privi
leges. The following year Primrose,
then very clever clog dancer, dropped
MCGOWAN and took up William H.
West, who was also from Buffalo,
After their circus experience, Prim-
rose and West joined Haverly's min
strels, and We're associated for 81 years,
or until April 4, 1898, when differences
of opinion led to a dissolution of part
nership.
II was in the season of 1882 that
Barlow. Wilson, Primrose and Vests
minstrels were formed. The big Four
was regarded as a strong combination
Barlow and Wilson represented plan
tation darkeys, while Primrose and
West were Ministries of an entirely diff
ferent style. But the association did
not last long.
In 1854 the Thatcher, Primrose and
West minstrels were formed, and this
organization lasted four years. Frank
McNish was with the organization for
a time, but not as a partner. He left
it to organize the Inflated McNish,