Harkins began his acting career in 1853 in Chicago, appearing at the theater of John Blake Rice.

In August 1868, Harkins got into a business dispute involving the theatrical adaptation of the novel Foul Play.

Harkins had arranged with Palmer to produce the play at the New York Theatre, with financing from businessman J. T. Lloyd.

The arrangement went well at first, but a disagreement arose over royalty payments, which led Harkins to relocate the show to the Broadway Theatre.

Lloyd, thinking he was cheated, got a local judge to issue a warrant for Harkins, which the county sheriff attempted to execute on August 24.

Six armed men barged into the Broadway Theatre during a performance, failing at first to identify themselves as sheriff's officers.

[8] He later formed his own company, touring the world before settling in San Francisco, where he performed at the California Theatre.