The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-09
FIRST MINSTREL.
The Late Dan Emmett Original
ed Popular Entertainment.
Was Head of Troupe Known as
"Firginia MfnstreIs.
WAS AUTHOR OF sDIXIE'
Wrote Famous Song for Min
strel "WaIk Around"
1t Was an Instantaneous Popu-
lar Success.
WAS AUTHOR OF'DIXIE'

Dan Emmett, the originator of ne
gro minstrelsy, and the author of
Dixie" who died at his birthplace
and home, Mount Vernon, O., last
week. had for some years been out Of
the public eye. and few persons out
eide the theatrical profession knew he
was still living. he was IS years old.
Emmett had a romantic career. At
the age of Is he left his home and
Joined circus. with which he re-
manned for seventeen years. severing
his connection with the show in 1S4S.
During this year Emmett went to New
York city and in the same year he
originated minstrelsy.
Before the appearance of his min
strels there were a few men who
blackened their faces and appeared on
the stage and sang the old plantation
melody. "Jim Crow to the tune of
which they also danced. They were
called Jim Crows Old Daddy Rice
was the originator of this style of
minstrelsy.
Emmett together with Frank
Brewer, Billy whitIock and Dick Pei
ham, clever musicians and vocalists,
desired to produce something new in
the way of black face performances
They held several rehearsals at
hotel on the BOwery, and one night,
for a lark, the Quartette went to the
Branch hotel, on the Bowery, which
at that time was a noted hangout for
show folks.
Nathan Howes. the leading circus
manager of the day, was seated in the
sitting room, surrounded by a num-
Der of others When Emmett began
to tune his violin in order to lead the
other instruments, which were a
banjo. bones and tamborine. the
crowd began to guy such a combi-
nation of musical instruments, having
never before been heard together
chorus. the 'guyers" had become
quiet Brewers funny song made
them howl with delight; Whitlock's |
voice had the same effect. Then came
the little room was in an uproar of
applause.
Nathan Howes advised them to |
give a concert in hall, and they /
audience in the Franklin theater. in |
New York. The theater was taxed to
its utmost capacity, and their per-
formance was marked with success
weeks by the Welsh circus. which was
playing at the Park theater-
After completing the New York en-
gagement, the quartette decided to go |
chosen no name to travel under. They
were at a loss to know what to call 1
their poses Emmett searched the l
dictionary and found the word min |
strel-" The definition of the word, "a /
vocalist who accompanies himself on |
an instrument" fitted their case, and |
the troupe was called the Virginia |
Minstrels," being the first company /
that ever bore the name of minStrels |
Travelling under this name the quar- /
6ette went to Boston, and showed in |
that city with great success. The COM |
pany then returned to New York city I
and played a week at the Park the |
alter Later they sailed for England, /
and were gone several years, showing /
in all the large cities of England, Ire |
land and Scotland. and ali the while 4
playing 20 crowded houses.
In Glasgow the quartette separated, !
one member remaining in that city /
while Emmett and the other two re- I
turned to New York. Emmett spent /
the next three years appearing with .
various minstrel shows which were
being organized. and in touring the |
states. He appeared in New York with
Tyron, and other noted min
strel men.
At this stage the growth of min
strelsy had been greatly broadened /
by the frightening of the perform
ance by Emmett, who conceived the
ing with Pelham. Whitlock and
Brewer, the four members would
greet their audiences with "Howda do
white folks" At this unusual situa-
ton the audience would heartily
laugh
Emmett put in a few words for
Brewer and Pelham to say. and intro
duced the idea of bones on one end
and "tambo" on the other. Brewer
having Travelled with circus and be-
ing quick at repartee, began chatting