Bicentennial Story #117-Minstrel shows at forts

Bicentennial Story #117-Minstrel shows at forts

Description of minstrel and variety shows at forts in Dakota Territory.

10/10/1975

Father Louis Pfaller

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mp3

audio reel, analog, 1/4 inch polyester tape

English

BS-117

Dakota Territory

Copyright Stark County Historical Society and Dickinson Museum Center

Minstrel and variety shows were a popular form of entertainment staged by the soldiers and officer's wives at Forts Rice, Lincoln, Stevenson, Buford and Yates. Some of them also staged their shows in early Bismarck. They were not always of the highest excellence, and when the Fort Stevenson soldiers performed before the other member of the post in 1871, they were hooted and booed. The Commanding Officer then posted a notice which read:

"...there shall hereafter be no groaning or similar signs of disapprobation during the performance of the Fort Stevenson Minstrel Troup. . . . . If any disaprove of the performance of the troup, they can express their disapprobation, either by their absence, or if present, by their silence."

This is Bicentennial Story No. 117, prepared by Father Louis Pfaller, for the Stark County Historical Society.

Mattison, Fart Stevenson, 72
Mattison, Army Posts, 21-23
Rickey, Fort Miles, 196-198, 306
Custer, Boots and Saddles, 80
Golpen, NDH, Vol.13, 189
Borgum, Zezula, 110

Sound recordings

1:19

128kbps

1970 1979

Bicentennial tape #7, Bicentennial stories 108-127