San Francisco Minstrels

“A well filled house rewarded the labors of the three busy B.’s of this popular minstrel troupe. Birch, Backus and Bernard were excruciatingly funny in their negro delineations, and the laughter they provoked was so contagious that Birch himself was seriously affected by it. Those who know William, however, believe it is a way he has, as his good-natured face is never without the sunshine of a smile. The sweet voice of Wambold was missed during the eveing—that favorite minstrel being incapacitated by a severe cold. What a pity singers will have colds like other mortals! Bobby Newcomb treated the audience to his feast of fun and the three B.’s followed, assisted by William Henry Rice in a Ristorian Median burlesque, which for ridiculous nonsense and laughter-provoking merriment cannot be equaled on the stage. ‘Barber Brown, the Pacific Sloper,’ still occupies 68 and excites the suspicion of the Shakesperian bootblack. If a full house and a merry greeting were rewards sufficient for last night’s entertainment the minstrels of this cosey little hall reaped a harvest pleasing as well as profitable.”

“The San Francisco Minstrels the past week were well patronized, and everything went off well. Birch and Backus played with infinite zest, and kept their hearers in roars of laughter. Harry Raynor secured a share of the applause, and has already become quite a favorite with the audiences.”