Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-02-22
important dramatic event of the en-


III:
While Dave and Percie Martin were
playing Decatur, ILL.,, recently, they
heard OF bargain in the shape of a
chicken farm, and being somewhat
interested in such things, they secur-
ed rig and drove out to the place in
question. 1t was we'll fitted In every
respect and terms were agreeable
with one exception. The owner, an
old farmer with very set ideas, insist
ed upon keeping certain number OF
his fowls, in fact, he wanted to keep
SO many of them that Dave would
not consider the proposition. After
telling the old man where he was
working and to call there If he de-
cided to let the fowls go with the
place, Dave returned to Decatur. The
next night after the show, he receiv-
ed word that he was wanted at the
stage door and obeying the summons
he found the owner of the farm, who
said, 81 saw the show tonight and ii
you buy my land you won't need
them horns any more, will you?
meaning the Saxophones Dave uses
in the act). mo, think not" replied
Martin. WELL" was the old mans
quick reply, "if you take the farm
at my figures, I'll trade you a rooster
and a dozen hens for one Of them
horns" Dave laughed and told him
If he couldn't get more money for
the instrument than a rooster and a
dozen hens would bring he would let
it lay in the trunk. The owner OF
said chickens thought seriously for a
moment, then said, 1T seems to me
you would get burned sight more
money out of it if you would let the
hens lay in your trunk"
II:
Ben Cotton, one of the last of the
old-time minstrelS died on February
IA at his residence, 234 West 146th
street, New York. He was so years
of age, and for over sixty years was
actively engaged in the practice of
his profession. He was born In New
England, and when lad in Paw
tucket, R. l., in the early forties,
saw stage performance for the first
time. He was seized with a desire
to become a minstrel, and bought a
pair of bones and started to practice
bone playing and clog dancing. He
became known as the best dancer in
Pawtucket, and made his first APP
pearance on the stage in a dancing
contest, which he lost. The contest
drew a big crowd, and Cotton was
promised $40, which he never re-
ceived. In 1S45 he Joined a side
show of Van Amburgh's menagerie
and came under the notice Of George
Coles, who taught him many tricks
of the trade. He next Joined the
Julian operate troupe, managed by
H. S. Carter, and later became a
member of Campbells minstrels,
then under the direction Of Matt
made his first big hit, singing "Old
Bob Ridley" About this time he
met Billy Birch and Joined him as a
partner. They were extremely sue
cessful in the old establishment at
444 Broadway. and their comedy
work was the talk of the town. One
day, while Cotton was in the man
ayers Office, his eye happened to
fall on the open salary book, and
when he saw that Birch was getting
$50 a week while his salary was $50.
he Immediately struck for a raise,
which was granted without argu-
ment. firing of New York and
yearning for novel experiences. and
with a desire to study the negro at
close range, Cotton went west and
secured an engagement on the steam
boat Banjo, which was floating the
alter plying the Mississippi. Here he
met many quaint darkies and en-
riched the store house of his mind
with several fine character studies
that were later on turned to use on
the stage. When he came back to
New York he met Mrs Tom Mcguire,
who was engaging people for her
husbands minstrel company in San
Francisco. She engaged him and
also Billy Birch. and in 1862 the
famous comedians opened with the
Mcguire company as end men. Dur
ing this engagement Cotton intro
duced a patriotic song called Union.
Right or Wrong" that was so sue
cessfuI that he sang 1t for six
months. He came back to New York
before the end of the war, and
played with various companies until
August, 1867, when, in partnership
with Sam Sharpley. he opened the
Fifth Avenue house, now the Madi-
son Square theater. The venture
was not successful. In 1870. as
member of the firm OF Cotton, Ar
lington and Kemble. he started 4 |
company at Woods museum, in
Chicago. which house was burned in
the great fire. Later he and Joseph /
Murphy. the Irish comedian. were
partners. and he tried TO induce
Murphy TO take the house at SIS
Broadway. that afterward became a
gold mine for Birch. Wamboid and
Backus. When interest in the old
style minstrelsy waned, Mr. Cotton
turned his attention to drama and
played many character parts. His
last appearance was in AS We Sow"
at the Academy Of Music. two years
ago. Mr. Cotton Is survived by a
widow and one daughter. IdaIens
Cotton. who is the wife and stage
partner Of Nick Long. The funeral
services were held on Sunday morn