The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25

NIL tne presence OF Richards x
Pringie's Georgia Ministries at the
u Third Avenue saved Seattle
theater-goers from seven days OF
dark houses and closed doors last
eeek The Seattle theater was out OF the
conpetition, and the result was that the
mfnstres played TO houses even larger
than the excellence OF the organization
would ordinarily have attracted
tn week at the Seattle the sole at
traction win be Henry Guy Carleton's
comedy success THE Nominee" with wal
ier Walker IN the title role, supported l,v
WE'LL balanced company OF players Tho
engagement opens Thursday night and
tloses Saturday. At the Third Avenue this
week the attraction will be the weli-known
society melodrama, The Fatai Card" pre-
ssnted by company of which much Is
promised.
"a n fNsTRELSY Is distinctly
lVI American form OF amusement"
remarked Manager RUSSO, OF
the minstrel firm OF RUSSO a Holland.
It Manager Russell's private office at tho
Third Avenue theater the other evening
Tho first minstrel company was orgln-
ised IN 1857, and was composed OF but
three men--George Christy, Sam Sharplcy
and Law Gaylord-~names afterwards ia
nous In the history OF minstrelsy. Bones
tambourines and violins were the only In
struments used. After playing a success
ful New York engagement they visited
f1adon. and afterward became famous as
George Christy's Ministries.
from Chrlsty's minstrels grew Skin 4
Gaylord's; Newcombe. Arlington. Gotten
Donnecker's. and Duprez q Benedic.s
followed. Charlie Duprez. of this latter
Afh. was tho first manager to use picto-
fid printing on the bill boards.
Emerson, Allen q Manning then or
eanised . company OF twenty members.
which was the largest minstrel organizs-
Hon In the world up to that time. Uns-
Werth. Eugene q Grifith's, Dan Bryanrs
Famous Irish Comedians and Ministries.
NJ Mel a Cool Burgess were famous
ninstrsl troupes in the latter sos. Mel
1urgess afterward became more famous
v1th his County Fair" Fred Wilson, in
r.. made an extensive tour OF the South
sith large minstrel organization. Josh
nrt. Cal Wagner. and Arlington. Gotten
y Ksmbley had also large minstrel or
e1Aisations about this time.
In the early '7os Jack Haveriy organ
lss1 his famous 4o-Count Emo Mas
.sdpn Minstreis. With these he made sew
t1i fortunes. and owned at one time four
tssn opera houses In the Eastern and Cen-
ual states. He also toured Europe with
this organization. with great success. In
spposition to him Hooiey's 'Megatherian
Minstrsis. bo--Count 'Em-50.' were organ
lid. and met with great success.
From Haverly's minstrels grew Barlow,
wilson, Primrose 4 Vests, Thatcher,
fremroee a Vests and Barlow, Wilson
Z Rankins' &Thcrs were also numerous
mali shows ms Simmons q Slocum's and
Birch. Wambold a Backus. In the early
~ Cleveland a Havcriy's MINISTRIES werc
esuanixed Gorton's Ministries, which are
stiil In existence. began about this time
In small way. but soon launched out and
Played the larger cities. Al q. Fields.
Primrose a Vests. all of whom are stili
paying came into existence about this
time
~All these Ministries were white men
with their faces colored The first gen
tine eolored minstrel performance was Civ
~ on July 1. 1861. at Macon. Ga, By the
eoscred servants OF the Confederate OFF,
GERS stationed there, The initial perform
aace was SO pronounced a success that the
sasarlainnent was repeated every night for
4 week
Charles Calender organized the nrst
seauine colored minstrel troupe in lsaS.
These were taken 70 England. and afser
succession OF triumpas they returned
and toured the States. II is interesting
hnre 10 note that the three k'rohman
aFpthern were employed by Mr.. Cali, nder,
Charles and Gustaye acted as his aEengs,
fAs Frnhmans afterward bought the show.
seOk Il 10 Europe and made money on Il.
nus was the beginning of their great
ssanatie successes.
IN lSs Z. W Spraguc better known as
~ Castro. the Magician, organized the
asorslas. afterward the famous Sprague
hleigetts Gcoygigs. the most famous
ahsirvl Organization ~ the time. Rich
Sas and PTiugle worked Tor SpraSue q
Hseise,t AMI aftcrwArd bought the Ca
kanifation, For twenty-five years they
aenaged Il successfully. and IN issS they
! tafn sold ous the entire organization 90
ssssN 4 ilow.snd present owners. RUSSO
: nowland hAve now en- tour three gent
e eolored minstrel crgauiEa iions employ
- NJ aen. ANA having Invested the iaFg-
~ a'nouht og capital ever invested III any
@sessFsl ogganiaatlou. They carry their
vNa cars. horses and traps for tho pa
saie, ami feed and lodge their performers
me three cars which they carry with
sasa eempany Hayefly at one time also
sNk company Of genuine eoiorea min
'@sss 10 Europe, and made money.
liiS kcfsands. the most famous col
Asa nins,Fel In tho world. now employed
= Askeo 4 Rowland IN their Eastern
ha~ay was discovered by Chal lie CAT
NssaeF. The hrst year his salary wEs S
sees HIS success was SO great that
sAsenaer vas compelled to pay him 500
seek the second season.
auy Emerson who drew thu largest
ss.zy ever PAID any white man on the
asassrel stage IS SIN earning lagge sal
- making people forget their troubles,
ne vaudeville stage or the famous
s4assfsss who have contributed their share
AMUSING rho American pGbhc, and who
ssliA doing What they can Ia the 3asne
~, ~, may be mentioned George Thatcher.
sal ~as BARLOW George Wilson. Ben Gotten,
a1-s kics, Lew benedict Carroll john
Law pocks;adcv. George Primrose,
Eesds, billy Van aud Tommy Don
as, Many have gone into the vaudeville
~ sosae into the dramatic profession,
sosahly IN TO other branch " the
AasefaeHt business has there been 50
-ea capital invested as In tho minstrel
sscAiaiioHs. Pony Moore. father-'n-iaw
NaaFie Mitchell the pugilist. has had
selmAnent minstrel show In London for
ne pas twenty-five years. and 10 still
.nihx money at It,