The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1915-07-16
PROF. WILLIAMS
TROUBADOURS
Nine Years on the Road
Without Missing
a Date
LAGER. w. VA.

July w, 1910.
Prof. Eph. Williams Famous Trouba-
dours. q meritorious colored theatrical
organization presenting the ever popular
Ethiopian Musical Comedy Drama, "Si-
las Green From New Orleans" and other
musical comedies. came into existence
nine years ago and through the able bus
mess ability of Prof. Eph Williams has
gained fame in twelve states, namely
Ohio. West Virginia. Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama. Mississip-
pi, Louisiana and Florida. By keeping
the performance up to the times and Civ
ing the public their moneys worth, Prof.
Williams has gained an enviable repu-
tstion and stands today ss one OF the
greatest showmen of the age and beyond
all doubt the greatest living colores. show
man This show has created history for
the NegIo. Has not closed for nine years
winter or summer, save for inclement
weather and bad railroad connections.
and IL being patronized by whites and
colored alike. Prof. Williams has been
ably assisted in his success by bis talent
ed vile, "Rhoda." who is business
woman in every sense of the word Also
K 4. Puggsly who has been with the
company since its inception and who
knows the show business IN al its phases.
The company numbers forty people, trav-
els IN their own private cars, has large
canvas theatre seating 100 people, four
ponies, two draft horses. a large dane
dog constitute the company. W. Golf
kennedy another on the managerial
staff, Is . tireiess worker besides being
prominent in the cast as a character ac-
tor and playing in the band. is Amuse-
nent Director, Mastor of Transportation
ETC. W A Baynard, q college graduate.
Q finished concert pianist assumes the
leading straight role in a dignified man
Der which BELTS the part. Leroy Knox.
who takes the Leading comedy part is a
comedian who takes rank with the best
of them as ''Silas Green" q. II. Cofey.
the Topic Talker and Producer. is new
conner with the company, bat he is
recognized performer, having played all
the leading white vaudevill circuits of
this country A. we'll as the colored cir
cults. To see "Cofey'' is to laugh and
you can't help yourself. Miss Alice Rus
yell. the leading comedienne has all thu
qualities OF a successful actress, talented
and charming IN manner bound To
please Miss Ella smith, as Lindy Jane
Green looks. acts and dresses her part
with ease and grace. Slim Austin. as an
eccentric dancer and trombonist il one
long scream. Ella Simmons, tie ehal.
lsnee buck dancer, seems a. though her
fset are electrified. Albert Gaines. aero
bat wire artist and barrel mystifier, does
some marvellous stunts. Ada Lockhart.
female baritone and Frank Smedley. bas-
go, are real vocal artists of merit. Eliza
p<th Van Clay, female cOntOrtionist has
an act that stands in the front rank.
Ford Virgins, dancer and comedian .
uDderstudy for the leading part. by his
sterling ability leaves IL hard for any act.
Edna Garter, soubrette and tango dancer
II cure some class. The band il under
the leadership OF Enoch w. Blake, fol-
lowing l. tie roster: r. W. Blake, lead
er and solo B eornet; Geo. Smith. solo
Z cornet; LswTece Booker, LIST cornet;
Austin Dorsey and w. g.. Kennedy. al
toe; VIM Fisher, tuba: Frank Hopkins,
baritone; Jesse Reeves, tr ,mbone soloist
and Slim Austin, trombone. Ross n.
Jackson Is advance representative, Dill
lard Mosley Il supt. Of canvas with II
assistants. Joe Helm il electrician.
The company this year Is much strong
Or than ever and that 10 saying whole
lot This Is an event not u he overlook
VI and Is golden opportunity 10 -ee
show really worth while, the most wide
~ known colored show IN America. The
nere mention Of Eph Williams Sias
Green % coming TO town everybody gets
ready 70 laugh. 30 watch out for day
srd date a. IL will be q society event.