Article on the Death of Charley Fox

“POOR CHARLEY FOX IS DEAD—Charley Fox, the Ethiopian comedian, who has oftimes sent the house onto a roar when performing with Wood’s Minstrels. He died at his residence in this city on Monday, December 26^th; passed out after enjoying a Christmas afternoon performance. He has not been in good health for some time, yet managed to keep about, and continue his performances. He left Wood’s Minstrels some time ago, and was recently engaged by Robert Butler, of ‘444’ Broadway, at which establishment he made his last appearance in public, and performed his last act on the mimic boards, on Thursday evening, Dec. 22, only three days before his death. On the very day of his decease, we have been informed, he expressed a wish to ‘go down to the show,’ and commenced to dress himself for that purpose, but in the act he fell and in a brief space of time was a corpse. The funeral took place on Wednesday, 28^th Dec., the remains being conveyed to Greenwood Cemetery, followed by his relatives and a number of the minstrel profession, representatives of the various companies in this city. The deceased was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 18^th of Nov., 1828. His first appearance before the public, in cork, was in 1848, as a violinist to an amateur company called ‘Fox’s African Minstrels.’ Shortly afterwards he joined a traveling touupe, visiting many of the principal cities and towns throughout the United States. In 1854, he resolved to settle down in New York, since which time he has been engaged with various companies. In 1861 he was attached to Hooley’s Minstrels, on Broadway, and became a great favorite with the habitués. When Mr. Wood opened his Marble Building, Mr. Fox was engaged as tambo and end man, and continued in the employ of that gentleman for several years. He was possessed of a vein of rich humor, which, although at times of a quiet order, was sure to ‘bring down the house.’ He was the author of several popular songs, and his banjo solos were also very popular. He leaves a wife to mourn his decease.”