Formative Years, 1900-1911
The company was founded, organised, originally owned and managed by Patrick Henry "Pat" Chappelle (1869 – October 21, 1911). Chappelle was an African-American former vaudeville performer and entrepreneur from Jacksonville, Florida, who had established a small chain of theatres in the late 1890s. In 1900, he commissioned Frank Dumont (1848-1919) of Philadelphia to write a show, A Rabbit’s Foot, for a new touring company. The show included minstrel performances, dancers, circus acts, comedy and musical ensemble pieces. It was owned and operated totally by African-Americans.
The new "Rabbit’s Foot Company" toured widely and successfully, reaching New York as well as the South, where Chappelle’s gambling and business successes funded the company’s own railroad car and touring circus tents. By 1904 the show had expanded to fill three railroad carriages, and was describing itself as "the leading Negro show in America". The following year, one of the performers, William Rainey, brought his young bride Gertrude to join the company, and as "Ma" Rainey she soon became one of its leading attractions.
By 1906 Chappelle was able to maintain multiple tent shows on the road. However, growing competition from other companies took its toll, and Chappelle died in 1911. The company was then sold to a white carnival owner, Fred S. Wolcott, who continued with the touring show.
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