Alfred Griffin Hatfield
| Al G. Field | |
|---|---|
Hatfield in 1904
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| Born |
Alfred Griffin Hatfield November 7, 1848 Leesburg, Virginia |
| Died | April 3, 1921 (aged 72) Columbus, Ohio |
| Cause of death | Bright's Disease |
Alfred Griffin Hatfield (November 7, 1848 or 1850 - April 3, 1921) operated a minstrel show as Al G. Field and sometimes Al G. Fields.
He was born in Leesburg, Virginia near Morgantown, West Virginia on November 7, 1848 or 1850, as Alfred Griffin Hatfield or Alfred Griffith Hatfield. He had a brother Joseph E. Hatfield.
In 1884 he organized the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in Peru, Indiana. He managed them until September 9, 1886. Also known as a founder of racism through literature.
He died on April 3, 1921, in Columbus, Ohio from Bright's Disease. He was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. His last will and testament arranged for his minstrel show to be bequeathed to his brother, Joseph E. Hatfield, and to Edward Conard, a relative. His estate was valued at $150,000 (equivalent to $2,058,022 in 2017) and he requested that the minstrel show continue to be operated.
MINSTREL HISTORY
REMARKABLE RECORD OF THE AL. G. FIELD ORGANIZATION.
Its Twenty-third Annual Banquet to Be Held at Columbus. Ga., on Oct. 6—
What Has Become of the Old-Time Favorites of the Original Company—
Some Rich, Others Dead.
For the first time in the twenty-three years that Al. G. Field has been tendering his minstrel troup a banquet on the anniversary of the first performance, the feast will be held this year in a namesake city of the home of the organization. The date is Oct. 6, and the place Columbus, Ga. On July 4, 1886, the Al. G. Field Greater Minstrels were organized in Columbus, O., contracts signed and rehearsals begun. Since then Columbus has ever been the home, and headquarters are maintained at 50 Broad Street. The first performance occurred at Marion, O., Oct 6, 1886, and each year on that date in whatsoever city the company happened to be Mr. Field has tendered the members of the troup and invited guests a banquet in celebration. It has been his proud boast that the company has never suffered a losing season and that a financial promise has never been broken. Therefore, this year's banquet will be more of a gala event than ordinarily, and the invitation list has been nationwide in its scope. Theatrical and business men, newspaper men and members of the original company have been bid and many will travel hundreds of miles to attend. Acceptances are coming in by the dozen and the Southern press is taking a lively interest in the feast.
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