THE ORIGINAL JIM CROW.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VI, Issue 60, 22 July 1897, Page 2

THE ORIGINAL JIM CROW.

AN ECCENTRIC PUBLIC FAVOURITE. A writer recalls the strange figure presented by Rice, the eccentric public favourite, original Jim Crow, and premier negro comedian. The great thing was not to see him “ perform before a vast assemblage, but to follow him about in his promenades of everyday life. For in this latter role he would be found far more amusing and novel, at the present time, than siLging his— Wheel about, turn about, Do jis’ so, An’ ebery time I wheel about, I jump Jim Crow, The street attire of this jolly fellow was most picturesque and eccentric. His costume of bright plaid trousers, corn satin waistcoat, and blue “ claw-hammer,” topped off with shining silken beaver, was at first a startling but soon a very familiar sight in the respective towns in which he played. His display of jewels was most ridiculous. In the folds of his cravat would nestle a cluster pin containing eight or ten costly gem& each unlike, and sufficient in size and lustre to do service alone. His sunshiny waistcoat would show for buttons double rows of gold guineas, but sometimes this extraordinary style would be supplemented by an even more unique set of fastenings in the way of a representation of coins of all nations, one each of the highest denominations of the different countries being used. Naturally, the sizes varied considerably, but what could be more attractive ? His fingers were ever as beringed as possible, and he invariably carried a huge cane, the gold top of which was studded with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. This he handled in a jaunty, jerky manner, which insured constant public attraeto the magnificent stones incrusted in the stick. Each cuff button wonld suggest the entire output of a mine. To Rice’s intense delight a noisy mob followed at his heels wherever he went. Thomas Dartmouth Rice (to give him his full name) first entered upon his theatrical career by “ doing little bits ”in between the acts of plays. The character was suggested by an old deformed slave named Jim Crow, who amused himself at his ceaseless work in a stable yard by crooning odd tunes to himself, and “ rocking the heel ” by way of chorus. Rice saw the grotesque performance and reproduced it on the stage. The audieuce received the innovation with bursts of applause, encoring him a dozen times the first night. And thus “ Jim Crow ” jumped into fame and immortality. During his engagement a man who lay in prison under death sentence for the murder of his wife used to write from twenty to thirty excellent verses daily, hitting off political and local matters,and send them to “Daddy Crow,” as the comedian was now called, who would sing them at night, thus ever presenting new features. “sßice was very quick at improvisation, and wrote many of his own farces, like that of “ Dandy Jin. ” from Caroline. As Rice became a minstrel light he cemented many firm friendships and was frequently dined by persons of high rank This tickled Mr. Rice as nothing else could. He immensely liked the attention of people above his own station in life,

One of his weaknesses was to always appear at his host’s dinner table wearing white kid gloves, which he would not under any circumstances remove during the repast, and insisted upon toasting his respective hostess, whether it was in order or not, rhyming off a most flattering and elaborate harangue tegarding his entertainer’s merits, which he never forgot to write out the next day and present to the lady of the house. After amassiug a snug little sum on bis own continent “ Jim Crow ” betook him-e-ftppcarwi uirvho S*?oyTheatre t and so great was his success as to enforce other houses to close up owing to thsjr lack of support, the place going mad about the “ burnt cork minstrel.” Consequently, he was in receipt of storms of approval nightly. This s 0 gratified his longing for appreciation and attention that within him arose a perfect mania for hobnobbing with Royal porsonages. Among other ideas he thought Queen Victoria and the members of the Royal Family were uncou sciously missing the amusement of their livesHe planned and planned for weeks, and finally arranged to his entire satisfaction a “ Soiree d’Ethiope ” for the Queen and her suite, one in which he was to be irresistibly funny in a “ make-up ” of his own creation, as “ Mme Greasy, the copper-coloured prima donna, after which he intended spreading an elaborate supper. He sent out his invitations for creme de la creme of ail minstrel performances to the Royal Castle, but failing to get a response, he tried to enlist the American Consul in his cause, but all in vaiu.

Discouraged, but not disheartened, at the futility of his efforts, he sought the advice of a few trusted friends, t xplaining to them that he was most desirous of being knighted before returning to America. His confidants humoured and tantalised him in turn, finally urging him to study the German language thoroughly and try the German Kinglets with his Royal scheme, assuring him he could feel more reliant of success, men being more reason able in such cases than women. Engaging the services of'a linguist of high standing, this very original character set out to master the Teutonic tongue. He was ]ust congratulating himself on his aptitude and excellent accent when he discovered that his secret was out, his correspondence becoming enlarged by reason of numbers of anonymous letters telling him that he had better quit putting on airs, and terming him “ Blue-blooded Daddy.” Fearing lest he would lose his foothold with the public, he very sensibly “ turned a cold shoulder ” to nobility, and catered to those who would appreciate his works. During a London engagement in this role years afterward there was frequently noticed a very enthusiastic young lady who, on several occasions presented flowers to the “ new style coon.” Naturally an acquaintance was formed between the two, and in a very short time, June 18, 1837, a marriage contracted. The young lady was Miss Gladstone, daughter of a former manager of the Surrey '1 heatre. With his usual originality Rice at first insisted upon being wedded in a balloon and tried hard to induce his bride-elect to accede to this desire, but to no avail. His fiancee was resolute ; she would marry “ in the regular way ” or not at all. And poor “ Jim Crow ” felt that he could not »• show off " to advantage even at his own wedding. While playing at a Dublin house on one occasion, the Lord Lieutenant and his suite being present, the receipts of the evening amounted to £4OO. During his Cork engagement the nightly revenue for seats averaged £450. His repertoire at that time consisted principally of *• Jim Crow,” “ Ginger Blue,” “ Cffisar,’’ “ Care do Kitchen,” and “ Jumbo Jum.” With his coffers filled and a loving bride Mr. Rice returned to America. He made a tour of the States for several years with eveu warmer welcome and enthusiasm than he had received previous to his departure abroad. But now, just as he was enjoying the dizzy heights of the topmost round of the ladder, adversity stepped in, and clung to this famous comedian the balance of his life. He could now see a mushroom growth of imitators springing up about him, and the public applauded and cheered them on,regardless of the cup of bitterness this presented to the original “ nigger ” minstrel. A paralytic stroke deprived Mr. Rice temporarily af speech and the use of his limb 3 His recovery from this attack was only, it would seem, for the purpose of again subjecting him to this strait jacket-like affliction. He

tr.as obliged to sacrifice his precious possessions one by one lo the highest bidder among the few friends who stood by him in his hours of direst need. His sufferings were most acute ; and pitiful it was to beholdithis man who had knocked about the stage as a (Crippled,hideously deformed character, now writhing in the throes of agony, a-cripple in reality, unable to move hand or limb. In his delirium, his mind ever wandered to his former days of activity. He imagined himself before the footlights and would make every endeavour to again perform his original and attractive feats of years before, shouting and gesticulating wildly. Struggling agajnst death to the last, “ The Father of Burnt Cork Minstrels ” passed away, being only 52 years of age.“ Jim Crow’s ” grave surroundings are unique. He lies on the tbe brow of a knoll in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, under a long weather-beaten marble slab, which completely covers his grave, and a large dogwood tree is working its roots all about his forgotten tomb. His wife, who passed away in August, 1848, at the early age of 35, and his two infant children, are also resting beneath this dusty slab, over which dandelions and clover-blossoms run riot. All sorts of odd characters are slumbering around him. George Harrington Christy, who was also a versatile minstrel ; William HL Tweed, better known as “ Boss Tweed ” ; Francis D. Moulton, the “ mutual friend ” of the Beecher trial, and William Niblo of Niblo’s Garden fame, are near by tenants in the Quiet City.