Oliver Scott's Refined Negro Minstrels
(start date: 1898 - end date: 1904)Oliver Scott purchased his company in the 1890s. The company had previously been the A. G. Field's Colored Minstrels. Neither company was located in Kentucky, but the Oliver Scott Refined Negro Minstrels disbanded in Middlesboro, KY, in November of 1904. "While the show was in progress, the manager caught the 9:30 train and left town, owing 22 people two weeks' salary." The company was next scheduled to perform in Ashville, NC, but never arrived.
Oiiver Scott's Minstrels had come to Kentucky on more than one occasions. In 1898, the 40 members of the company were in Lexington, KY. There was a street parade welcoming Scott's Minstrels to the city. The company had a brass band and orchestra, and entertainment routines. The matinee price was 25 cents for all seats. The balcony of the theater was reserved for African Americans who would be attending the evening performances. The company returned to Lexington in May of 1900, and they were at the Danville, KY, Opera House in September of 1900.
For more see The Ghost Walks: a chronological history of blacks in show business, 1865-1910, by H. T. Sampson; "Amusements: Scott's Minstrels Monday afternoon and evening - "A Texas Steer" - "Moth and the Flame.", The Morning Herald, 12/25/1898, p.11; "At the theater," The Daily Leader, 03/08/1900, p.7; "Danville and Vicinity: Good Music," The Tri-Weekly Kentucky Advocate, 09/12/1900, p.3; "Did not arrive," The Ashville Citizen, 12/02/1904, p.5.
