The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-10-10
The Big South Louisiana Fair IS in Full Swing Don't Miss It.
POLICE M|NsTRELs.

- LIZ Ia tabEsHG lS8E EUa
Unique Organization of New Orleans
9Iuecoats to Give Benefit Per-
tormance for nti-TubercuIosis
League-Hstory of Troupe.
The New Orleans police depart
ment boasts of an organization which
is perhaps the only one of its kind
IN the world, to wit, minstrel COM
pany made up entirely from the rank
and file. The troupe contains host
OF singers, dancers and comedians,
and, it is said, excels great number
Of the road shows that visit the win
ter capital Of America.
The police minstrels were organ
lied five years ago by Superintend-
ent of Police James W. Reynolds, the
first show being given as a benefit
to the doll and toy fund Of the Times
Democrat. superintendent Reynolds
was member of the committee
which had charge Of the distribution
of toys, and when it was found that
there were more applicants than
tickets, the committee, not caring to
dIsappoint any Of the poor children
at Christmas time, were at their
wits end. Every scheme known to
charity had been used in raising the
fund, and for, a while it looked as II
some of the friendless youngsters
were going to be left. Superintend-
ent Reynolds. who is known for his
acts of charity, brought good cheer
not only to the committee, but to
the poor children as well, when he
announced that the police department
could be put down for a con-
tribution Of one thousand dollars AT
the time the police chief made the
promise he had no more idea how
he was going to raise the money
than he had of taking a trip to the
moon But before leaving he in
structed the committee to go ahead
and distribute the tickets; tI'1l have
the money here in time,'' he said.
On returning to his office the mat
ter was gone over with Senior Cap
tain John P. Boyle of the depart
ment, and scheme after. scheme was
discussed until the police minstrel
idea was happily struck on. A mes
sage was sent forth for talent among
the rank and file, and applications
came pouring in RehearsaIs were
soon in progress, the bluecoats were
put through the PAGES, tickets were
sold on the streets, and the police
minstrels took on business-Iike
aspect.
Even when things appeared most
promising, however, the superintend-
ent wore a. worried look Vhen the
81 - a
promise to the Times Democrat com
mittee would be made good, he still
felt far from satisfied. Often he
and Captain Boyle in confidence dis
cussed the artistic part of the en-
terprise. Il would sooner put up
that thousand out Of my own pocket
than see the boys make failure"
declared Mr.. Reynolds.
Why, Chief, the men have never
failed yet in anything they have un-
dertaken,'' said Capt. Boyle, encour-
agingly. sWhy should they fail
now? ?"
Acting is one thing, but police
duty another replied the Chief.
The first minstrel show was given
in the Dauphine Theatre Dec. %,
1909. The success of the performance.
Is now history Any one who had
a doubt about the talent of the blue
coats was more than satisfied that
they were not only good policemen,
but first-c1ass minstrel men as we'll.
This benefit netted the doll and toy
fund a little over nineteen hundred
dollars.
Year after year the police have
put on these minstrel shows, the
proceeds always going to some char
liable cause Or institution. This year
the performance of the now famous
minstrel men will be given as bene-
fit to the Louisiana Anti-Tubercu-
Iosis League, to maintain their cot
tages at Camp Hygeia, often called
by sufferers from the dreaded white
plague "the land Of good intent
Every effort is being put forth to
make this the banner event in the
history of the police minstrels, as
the tuberculosis League is sorely in
need of fun IS, and without the assist
ance of the big-hearted bluecoats a
number of unfortunates would not
be able to go to the camp and be
treated.
Arrangements will be made with
the railroads to run excursions to
New Orleans a day or two before the
minstrels, affording those who at
tend a. chance to shop. Those wish
ing to make reservations of seats can
do so by communicating with Joseph
Rojas, treasurer of the minstrel COM
mittee, at police headquarters New
Orleans. The admission price Is but
so cents.
The South Louisiana Fair.