The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-25
BILLY EMERSON DEAD.
He Received the Highest Salary
Ever Paid a Minstrel.

Boston, Feb. 25.-"Billy'' Emerson, the
minstrel, is dead at Diman's hotel,
where he had lived several months His
real name was William Emerson Rich
of diseases resulting in consumption
He was So years old and a native of
Belfast, Ireland. His first stage APP
pearance was in 1857, with joe
Sweeney's Ministries, as balladist and
jig dancer In, the latter part of his
career he is said to have received the
highest salary ever paid to an indi-
vidual performer in minStrelsy. Emer-
son introduced the light heel and toe
clog dance and was the originator of
the songs I'm as Happy as a Big Sun
flower and 'Moriarity.'
Twenty years ago and later, BILLY"
Emerson was the star of all leading
minstrel performances. he was a
singer, perfect dancer, a capital imi-
tator of the dandified colored man, witty,
graceful successful. He appeared on
the stage where he pleased. Engage
ments We're always at his command
He deposited in a San Francisco bank
100000 made from his stage perform
ances. He married happily, as it SEEM
ed to his friends, and his future seemed
certain to be clOudleSs.
Robson, Crane, Ehle Allen, the one
time exploiter of Sitting Bull; BILLY"
Florence, Couldock, Gilbert and Mrs.
John Drew We're among his acquaint-
ances and friends. If ever there was d
man of brilliant abilities, good fellow
ship and real manliness, who appeared
to be near to the summit of earthly
happiness, it was Emerson. In an evil
hour he began to speculate in stocks
The stocks got the best of him. Then
he played the combination races, and
that took the last of his fortune. The
drink habit fastened itself upon him, he
began to neglect his 'engagen ents, and
the rest of the story is better untold.
He made the world brighter and mer-
rier in his day.
Emerson, E,hle Allen and John l. Sui
Ivan met several years ago in the cor
ridon of the Merchants hotel of ST.
Paul Sullivan at the time was sober
and Emerson was not yet a boot ball
of the streets.
Billy said John, eff you'll come up
in the parlor and sing for me anything
but coon songs for an hour, I'll foot
the BILL
And I'll pay for the supper after
ward" put in Allen.
And l., John" said Emerson, "will
give whatever you give to me to the
first hardluck fellow 1 meet after
ward
The three adjourned to the hotel par
lors, the piano was thrown open and
Emerson began to sing uanita,
Ben Bolt, '&"Bide a Vice." Annie
Laurie and a collection of other VEN
cradle melodies such as few song books
of the present day carry. The parlor
filled with listeners, the halls We're
crowded, people forgot their engage
1l0nlSs I10A neglected. luGkE DQSiHeSss
Just before the end of the hour Elmer
son turned around and said to the
crowd:
you seem to have enjoyed this. Now
chip in and pay the bill What / get goes
to the first hard-up person meet tonight
the first person down on his luck that
appeals to me-
Sullivan. with one of his many streaks
of generosity laid a hundred dollar bill in
Emerson's hand. The crowd, instead of
hurrying away, stopped and added to it
until Emerson held $3.50.
THANK YOU. gentlemen he said: Now
to see who gets it >
He went downstairs with Allen and Sui
Ivan to the office floor. The three stood
by the cigar stand stsnoking'' up prepara-
tory to supper. 1t was raining outside and
the night was mean. Emerson noticed
cabn1an crossing the corridor-a man who
had often driven him when he was in st.
Paul. He called to him:
Hi, Joe, hows luck2"
joe came over to him, rubbing his
nose with a wet glove and shaking mist
from his great coat
Luck, Mr. Emerson said he, Just
ketched me under the jaw this morning.
That old, stiff bay mare / used to drive
you with, broke her leg on Third street
hill, and have a new baby I'm kind
a'Sshook up tonight
Emerson waited to hear no more. In one
second the $3.50 had passed from his hands
to the thunderstruck Joe and Billy
was saying in his ear as he pushed him to.
the door:
You get the gate receipts. That's for
the kid and a new mare