Al G. Field

Al G. Field (1850-1921), one of the last of the great cork artists and managers. His real name was Alfred Griffith Hatfield, and he began as a ballad singer at the age of fifteen with Sharpley, Sheridan, Mack & Days Minstrels. In 1886 he formed his own minstrel troupe, which he operated successfully until his death in 1921 - during which time, so he claimed, he never had a losing season - and became a wealthy man, known as the "Millionaire Minstrel", from his successful managerial activities in that line of business. He was considered a good minstrel performer, remembered for his monologues. His training in management came from working with the Sells Bros. Circus and with Duprez & Benedicts Minstrels, both outfits being noted for their advertising practices. It is said that Field was the first minstrel manager to carry entire stage settings and scenery and the first to use a special train of cars for transporting his troupe. He was a devoted family man and fond of dogs and horses. Indeed, he carried a fine pair of horses with the show to drive about in the cities he visited. His permanent residence was in Columbus, OH, where he owned considerable real estate, which included his Maple Villa Farm, located in the Olentangy Valley near the city, on which he bred pure blooded horses, pedigreed cattle, game fowl, and hogs. By 1909, he was director of the Central National Bank of Columbus, the Columbus Casualty Co., and had an interest in the street railway system there. He was the author of the book Watch Yourself Go By.

Born Alfred Griffith Hatfield in 1850, he would get his start performing in the Sells Brothers Circus. In 1881 he had his name legally changed to Al G. Field, and in 1886 established the Al G. Field Minstrels in Columbus, Ohio.

He was a very popular showman in Charleston, appearing at the old Plaza Theater (see photos) and the Burlew Opera House.  He died in Charleston right before a show (he was the owner) and when this was discovered,  his large band held a funeral parade the like Charleston had never seen before.  The Daily Mail reported that the funeral parade route was lined by people, even though it was never announced due to the quick response by the troop. 

His book " Watch yourself go by" is a fascinating read, because he covers so much history, from the Pittsburgh area where he grew up, to Columbus Ohio,  where he lived most of his later years.  The historic detail, especially of Columbus at the turn of the century is fascinating.  There is also an interesting entry about Charleston:

It seems that Alfred received a telegram that the law was possibly after him in Charleston.  Remember, his real name had been Hatfield.  Alfred knew that there was a shyster behind the whole thing just to set him up:

It was known to Alfred that the opposition had engaged a noted press agent and that this agent had been on the route of Alfred's company. Alfred answered the telegram, requesting a synopsis of the article: There was at the time, the notorious Hatfield gang of West Virginia, who were the subjects of unusual newspaper exaggeration. The write-up in the local paper stated:

"PROMINENT MINSTREL MAN'S REAL NAME LEADS TO CONJECTURE HE WAS
ONCE ONE OF THE NOTORIOUS HATFIELD GANG.  DOUBTS AS TO
HIS BRAVING THE LAWS OF WEST VIRGINIA.

"It is reported his company will not appear in any of the cities in this state. The depredations of the notorious Hatfield family has made the name feared wherever it is known. Officers have been on their track for years. The majority of the desperate family seem to be secure in the fastnesses of their mountain hiding places. So completely terrorized are the mountaineers by this family that no arrests have been made of any of the gang lately. However, should the member of the family now masquerading under an assumed name enter the state he will be arrested on sight and made to stand trial for past deeds of the family. However, it is not believed that the man will run the risk of entering the state. It is rumored he is on his way to Canada."

Alfred was advised that the evening paper would publish any statement he telegraphed, and to make the denial strong.  Alfred wired :  Engage counsel who will answer for me. I am prepared to give bond in any amount. .....Al. G. Field.

He further telegraphed "Devil Anse" Hatfield and several others of the family:  Will be there. Meet me on arrival.

Another telegram read:  Get this in newspapers, but not as coming from me.

Another telegram went forward later as a news item:

"It is reported here that a dozen armed men from Kentucky and West Virginia are secreted on the cars of the Al. G. Field Minstrels, to resist arrest of one of their number who is reported with the minstrels."
Of course all this was false. When the minstrel troupe arrived, hundreds were at the depot. Alfred was one of the first to leave the train. The officers and many others were aware of the falsity of the published statement, but hundreds were deceived by the sensational reports.

The owner of the paper wherein the reports originated assured Alfred they had been imposed upon and the columns of the paper were open to anything he might dictate for publication. Introducing Alfred to his city editor, the owner of the paper remarked: "I have requested Mr. Field to prepare a statement for publication. We want to do what is right by him."

The matter was submitted to the editor. He reminded Alfred that it did not answer the article published by them but was a boost for his minstrels.

Alfred replied: "I realize the matter published was false, but the dear public has gained the idea that I am a desperado. They will only remember this a day or two. If I endeavor to contradict the published reports, it will keep it in their minds. This matter I submit will benefit me. A denial such as you have in mind will not do me any good."

While this advertising was not the sort Alfred desired, he was bound to make the most of it. The theatres were packed to their capacity during the three or four weeks the opposition worked the press with the silly matter; although many newspapers treated it as a joke. For a few weeks Alfred was a living curiosity, pointed out by some as a desperado to be shunned, sought by others to be idolized. Surely, human nature is past understanding. It is dangerous to try to blacken the character of your opponent as it invariably places one's own under the spotlight and they'll find spots you were sure were never visible.

Another story in his book concerns local druggist Ed Boggs

Ed Boggs, now Secretary to the Governor of the State, was at the time engaged in the drug business and managed the Opera House in Charleston, W. Va. The gross receipts were the largest in the history of the opera house. Alfred carried his share of the money in a satchel after the show. Boggs accompanied him to the ferry. There was no bridge spanning the river in those days. Boggs' store was on the corner of Water Street near the ferry landing. The ferry boat was on the opposite side. Boggs suggested they step into the drug store and smoke a cigar until the boat returned. Alfred, arriving at his private car—the wife was a visitor—the first question propounded was: "Where have you been to this hour of the night? Where's your satchel?" Alfred nearly fainted. He rushed out on the platform of the car. The ferry boat had left on the last trip of the night. Alfred was not clear in his mind as to where he had left the satchel, whether in the drug store or on the boat. He floundered along the banks of the river, endeavoring to locate a skiff that he might recross the river. His fears were that he had left the satchel on the forecastle of the ferry boat where he stood smoking while crossing the river.

The Kanawha is a narrow stream as it flows by Charleston, yet it seemed an ocean that night. Alfred's slumbers were neither lengthy nor soothing. One hour previous to the scheduled time of the ferry boat's arrival on her first trip of the morning, he stood on the shore gazing across the river. When the boat was within four feet of her dock, Alfred leaped aboard, and began inquiries. The captain said: "I was at the wheel. If you left your money on the boat you might as well stay on this side. There was a rough crowd aboard after the show. That money's split up and partly drunk up by this time." Mr. Boggs had not arrived. The clerk searched the drug store. He urged the minstrel man to assist in exploring the mysterious recesses behind the counters. No satchel was found. Mr. Boggs was late coming to the store. "He always gets here before this," the clerk asserted. Alfred could not restrain himself longer. He fairly ran to the residence of Mr. Boggs. The servant brought the message: "Mr. Boggs was not well this morning. He would probably not go to the store until afternoon."

"Jumping Jupiter, Holy Moses," and other expressions were suppressed by the highly wrought-up minstrel, as he stood on the doorstep. Say to Mr. Boggs: "Mr. Field must see him, if only for a moment. Must see him at once."
"Howdy, Al, I thought you were on your way to Huntington."
"No, our train does not leave until eight-thirty. I only have twenty-five minutes. Are you going to the store?" Alfred tried to look unconcerned as he asked the question: "Did I leave my satchel in your drug store last night? I feel sure I did."   Boggs gazed at him in blank amazement. "Your satchel with all that money in it? You don't mean to tell me you left that satchel somewhere and are not certain where?"  "Oh, I am pretty certain I left it in your store."  "Well, if you left the satchel in my drug store it is there yet."  "I am pretty sure I did."  "But you're not certain," persisted Boggs.

After every corner and nook of the store had been searched, Alfred went behind the counters. Again he looked under them. Boggs did not seem to be greatly interested in the search. He seated himself at a desk as Alfred rose from his knees, from exploring a dark corner, and inquired in an unconcerned tone, "Find it?" Alfred was irritated. He did not reply. The ferry boat whistle sounded. The bell was tapping. Alfred looked at Boggs. He was still at the desk.
"Good-bye, I'm going. I guess the Hatfields haven't exclusive privileges in West Virginia. I think I'll join them to get even. I either left that satchel in this drug store or on that boat. That's a cinch."
Boggs raised his eyes. "Well, if you only knew where you left your satchel you'd have a better chance to recover it."
"Well, I'm going," replied Alfred, moving towards the door.

"Good-bye," Boggs shouted. Alfred was on the front steps. "Hold on," Boggs yelled, "I'll go over the river with you." Alfred was looking across the river. Boggs was by his side. They had walked several yards towards the ferry boat. Boggs inquired as to what excuse he would make to his wife. Alfred turned his head. Boggs was carrying the satchel in his hand farthest from Alfred. As the latter reached for the grip, Boggs laughed as he pulled away, saying, "I won't trust you with it."

Boggs discovered the satchel after Alfred left the drug store. He awaited the return of the ferry boat and endeavored to have the Captain make an extra trip to relieve Alfred's suspense. The Captain refused, saying: "If a man is that careless with money, he ought to worry."

To read Al Fields Book, Click Here

 

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