Luke Schoolcraft's niche in the history of American entertainment no longer is well-defined.

At one time it seemed secure. Schoolcraft was an accomplished and nationally recognized entertainer and composer.

Significantly, early in his career, he owned and operated a business in Terre Haute for at least a year.

But Schoolcraft earned his fame in American minstrelsy. And minstrelsy no longer is politically correct. It is nearly a forgotten genre, though common until 40 years ago.

Minstrelsy is justifiably criticized because it often depicted African-Americans in a negative manner. Yet many music scholars argue that minstrelsy, in its highest form, actually applauded elements of black culture and opened the door for African-American entertainers. Moreover, the five-string banjo is a product of American minstrelsy.

Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor were among the notable 20th century white performers who earned vaudeville reputations with their faces blackened by burnt cork.

Schoolcraft did not live long enough to become identified as a vaudeville star. He was only 45 years old when he died on March 10, 1893. He was 22 years old when he first located in Terre Haute in late 1869 or early 1870.

Born in New Orleans in 1847 of theatrical parents, Schoolcraft first appeared on a legitimate stage when he was 4 years old as a page boy in "Rolla." His father, Henry R. Schoolcraft, played the title role.

By the time he was 20, Schoolcraft was touring the country as a singer and an actor. When he first came to Terre Haute is unknown. It may not be coincidental that legendary minstrel Billy Emerson, the man who produced "Big Sun Flower," brought his troupe to Dowling Hall in Terre Haute on Feb. 28 and March 1, 1870.

Schoolcraft might have been one of the "20 Star Performers" Emerson brought with him. In later years, Schoolcraft acknowledged an early association with Emerson.

The "Terre Haute Express" was impressed with the performances at Dowling Hall: "While the company is well made up, still Billy Emerson looms above them all and, in his peculiar line of delineations, we believe he had no equal. On last evening he fairly ran riot in wit, fun, farce and fancy, and shuffled off the grotesque steps in a manner that tickled the diaphragm into ecstatic mirth. It seemed as if there would never be an end to the encores."

Shortly after Emerson's visit, the former St. Stephen's Church on the west side of Fifth Street, between Wabash and Cherry, became The Academy of Music, a saloon and entertainment palace owned and operated by Schoolcraft and local billiard merchant Joseph Kern. So it was referred to, simply, as "Luke Schoolcraft's Academy of Music."

For many months, local newspaper reviews of entertainment offered at Schoolcraft's theater were excellent. The Academy of Music advertised a "first class variety troupe" each night, bringing in new acts almost every week. Seats in the orchestra section sold for 50 cents. "Parquette seats" were 25 cents and gallery admission was 15 cents.

Kern, who owned the building, relinquished his management interest to Jake Berry, perhaps because he was concerned about the new Terre Haute Opera House.

When the spectacular opera house opened at the northeast corner of Fourth and Wabash on Dec. 19, 1870, it was hailed as the "most complete theater in the West." And it brought in nationally-renown theater and vaudeville stars to Terre Haute three or four nights a week.

Despite the competition, the "Terre Haute Evening Gazette" noted in January 1871, that "Schoolcraft & Berry's Academy of Music continues to draw large audiences."

That success came at a price. In late January 1871, Berry brought a "can-can show" to the academy which, according to the Gazette, was "one of the greatest nuisances with which this city has ever been afflicted."

On Jan. 31, Berry and his wife, popularly known as "Belle Graham," abruptly left town, absconding with about $800 and leaving many creditors in their wake.

Among those who had not been paid were Kern and members of the permanent troupe. A benefit was given for three actors, but Schoolcraft was not among them.

Kern promptly leased the Academy of Music to Charley Bartine. "Bartine's Combination" revived the format initiated by Schoolcraft, but changed the name of the theater-saloon to Theater Comique. It survived for several months.

Leaving many friends in Terre Haute, Schoolcraft trekked to a new venue, New York City, making a spectacular debut at Richard M. Hooley's Opera House in Brooklyn on March 25, 1872. Newspapers declared that he was "an immediate hit."

In the ensuing months, Schoolcraft was identified at grand openings at several major New York entertainment palaces: Charles White's Atheneum at 720 Broadway, Josh Hart's Theater Comique at 514 Broadway, Park Theater in Brooklyn and Metropolitan Theater at 585 Broadway.

In 1874, Luke formed a partnership with George H. Coes, which lasted until Coes became disabled in 1889.

One of the most famous minstrel tandems in history, Schoolcraft & Coes appeared with a number of leading companies, including Emerson's Minstrels and Barlow, Wilson, Primrose & West.

Terre Haute's Paul Dresser was an end man with the Thatcher, Primrose & West Minstrels for several years.

When Coes was forced to abandon the partnership, Schoolcraft joined Lew Dockstader's popular minstrel troupe. In 1892, he was a star in Russell's Comedians, a troupe of specialty artists.

The company was playing at the Walnut Street Theater in Cincinnati in March 1893 when Schoolcraft became severely ill. He died in his room at the Hotel Stratford.

Songs composed by Schoolcraft, including "Shine One," and "Dat Watermelon," are considered minstrel classics.

Mike McCormick is the Vigo County historian. His column appears each Sunday.