Fifty years ago last week, seven black-coated women and one man landed in Manhattan from a trans-Atlantic steamship, proceeded to Castle Garden (present site of New York's aquarium), knelt in prayer. Rubberneckers observed that the women's straw hats were circled with crimson ribbons lettered in gold. Later in the week the troupe sang, prayed and sermonized between performances of Uncle Tom's Cabin at Harry Hill's Gentleman's Sporting Theatre, Billiard Parlor & Shooting Gallery in the Bowery. Admission price was 25ยข. The troupers refused any share of the profits, saying that Harry Hill's money...
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