USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana : a complete and concise account from the earliest times to the present, embracing reminiscences of the pioneers and biographical sketches of the men who have been leaders in commercial and other enterprises > Part 17
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Charles Perkins,
Jennie Plummer,
Lizzie Priest (Mrs. W. W. Cumnock),
Alma Parsons,
Nannie Porter,
Deborah Pretlow,
C. P. Parsons,
- Peschman,
Lou Piquett,
Thomas W. Peck,
Columbia Paxton, Miss Parmeter.
Edith Reilly,
Ernest E. Race,
Eldora M. Raleigh,
Minnie E. Reading,
Virginia C. Read, Clara B. Reynolds, Emma Reiners, Ida Ragland, Emma Roach,
Minnie Rockstroth,
Laura Riehl,
Stella Richstein, Selma Rahm, Mary F. Reynolds.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Katie Rasch, Lizzie Roseman, Anna Ruston, Rose Roberts, Mallie Roberts, J. A. Reisenger, C. S. Rathbone, Mary Riley, Hulda Rahm, Lizzie Riddle, Miss Ronalds, Lizzie Reimer,
Clementina Rowe.
Robert Spear, Emily D. Slayton, George N. Smith, Anna E. Smith,
Margaret Schweitzer,
Laura Sansom, Carrie Sampson,
Mary Stembridge,
Lena Scott,
Maud Schnakenburg,
Tillie Siegel, Mary Smith,
Mrs. J. C. Tennis,
Mary Thompson,
Karl Thieman, Mattie Tabor,
Katie Taylor,
Carrie Thieman (Mrs. Jourdon).
Bertha UhI,
Minnie Uhl,
Della Upfield.
Elizabeth Vickery,
Miss M. C. Vance, Laura Victor,
Lottie VanDyke (Mrs. Scott).
Walter Welch,
R. T. Welch,
Mary Wolfing,
Fannie Wolf (Mrs. C. Worthington),
Mary E. White,
Sallie J. Werntz,
Minnie Sickenberger, Clara Schmitt, Nannie Sorenson, Sallie Sorenson, Nannie Steadman, Mattie Scantlin, Edna Street, Kate Spence, lda Stackhouse,
Adelaide Sturtevant, Katie Sawyer (Mrs. Newell), Oscar 'Schultz, Louise Scott, Rose Sinzich (Mrs. S. J. Bates),
Jennie Scherer (Mrs. Chas. Myerhoff).
Mattie Spence (Mrs. Pirio),
Miss Snow, Susie Seaman (Mrs. Bulah),
Mary Smith (Mrs. Asman), Lou Stillson,
Tillie Siegel,
Clara Seward,
Lizzie Stratton,
Anna Shook.
M. Z. Tinker,
Tillie Teutsch,
Eliza Trimble,
Edith Trimble,
Lulu Thrall,
Bessie Thrall, Mamie Taylor,
Deborah Tecklenburg,
Mrs. Louis Townsend,
Florence Scott, Minnie Strange,
Emma Speed,
Julius Stoever,
Edward Scholz,
B. H. Schluer, Ottie Smith (Mrs. Moore), Susie Smythe,
Carrie Stocton,
Alice Schmutte (Mrs. Morganthaler), Rebecca Skeels, Mollie Stembridge,
Mary Sorenson, Marie Schneider, Alice Smith, Jessie Spencer, Cecelia Schubert,
M. Grace White, Lulu Weber, Nellie Woods, Ella Wright,
Kate E. Whistler, Minnie L. Woods, Laura Wiggers, Lou Wyttenback,
180
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Alice Wiltshire, Anna Wamsley, Clara Wright, May Wiltshire, Susie Werntz, Kathryn Woods, John Whistler, Helen Wulkop, Tillie Wulkop, Mattie Weil, Maria White, Anna Woods, Nellie Warren, Elma Woods,
Emily Wright, Miss P. Whittlesey, Tillie Woods, Miss M. C. Walker,
Walter M. Wheeler,
Bertha Wack, Anna Wack, Carrie Wack,
Lucy Woodberry (Mrs. Dow),
Mary Wells,
Mary Weld,
Millie Weld,
Adelia Wentz,
Mr. Wilson, Kate Warner (Mrs. Ryan),
Fernando Willett,
Bessie Waler, Wainwright (Mrs. Hutchin- son).
Carrie Young. J. A. Zeller.
COLORED TEACHERS.
J. C. Allen,
Rosa B. Allen,
Z. M. Anderson, S. C. Anderson, Elias Anderson,
Mrs. Sarah Anderson,
Anna Asberry,
Minnie Asbery, Ona Alexander, Foster Alexander,
John R. Blackburn, Sr.,
John R. Blackburn, Jr., Amanda Brinson,
Anna Buckner, Mary J. Beecher, T. E. Brown, W. H. Beecher,
Mrs. Landonia Brown,
Mr. Dero Brown, Mrs. Maria Beecher,
Nellie Banks, Mrs. Jennie Beecher, Dr. G. W. Buckner. William F. Cooper, J. D. Cox, Edward Clark, Cordelia Churchill, T. J. Calloway, Ella Clark. Beddie Dyer,
Nellie Douglas. Lila Evans.
Georgia Flowers,
Fannie D. Fields,
Josie Fields,
Mrs. Margaret Finley,
W. H. Ferguson. Mrs. Maria Griffith,
Lizzie V. Gates,
Hattie Goodrich,
A. R. G. Guy, Ella Glenn. James M. Henderson,
W. H. Hastie,
W. L. Houston, Evangeline Houston,
William Hasty, Edward F. Horn.
Lillie E. Jenkins,
Maggie A. Johnson,
Mrs. F. Joinerd,
Margaret Jackson, George Jackson.
Hattie Kimboo. Tillie London, Mary A. Lindsey,
G. S. Lewis. Lucy W. McFarland,
P. T. Miller, Tillie Miller,
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Mary E. Moore, F. D. Morton, Mrs. Lulu Morton,
Gertrude Mahoney, Geo. R. McElvaine, Sarah F. Moting, Georgia Nance. Kate Porter,
Mary Porter, Mrs. Anna E. Payne. Bettie A. Swan, Fannie A. Snow,
A. W. Scott.
James H. Thomas, C. H. Turner, James M. Townsend, W. F. Tiester,
Mrs. M. A. Tiester, E. H. Turner, Adam Troutman, William Troutman. Georgia P. Williams,
P. H. Watson, R. L. Wilson,
Louis Whitlige,
Miss L. A. Wilson,
Robert Wilson,
Mrs. Lulu Whitlige, Solomon Watkins,
Mrs. Solomon Watkins,
E. A. M. Watson, George A. Williams,
Mrs. Arvilla Williams.
TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1861-1862.
Charles H. Butterfield,
Miss R. Hough,
Miss Fanny Fisher,
Miss Edith Reilly,
Miss Mary M. Clark,
Miss Emma M. Hunnell,
Miss Mary O'Byrne,
Miss Tillie Warren,
Miss E. W. Eaton,
Miss Mary Riley,
Miss E .. M. Phares,
Miss E. K. Froelich,
Miss Elizabeth Ham,
Miss Anna Shook,
Miss M. J. McKay,
Miss P. Whittlesey, Miss M. E. Hanna, 1
Miss M. C. Walker,
Mrs. C. W. Eggleson, Miss C. G. Hawley, Mrs. J. C. Tennis,
Miss Susan Phares,
J. H. Reisenger, Miss A. A. Fisher, J. W. Knight, Miss Emily Wright, Miss C. S. Rathbone, Miss M. L. Vance, Miss H. A. Howes, Miss C. Hooker,
Miss H. J. Davidson, Miss Victoria Cody.
PRINCIPALS OF EVANSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
White Mr. W. McK. Blake, Mrs. V. C. Read, Miss Mollie Stembridge, Mr. A. J. McCutchan, Mrs. J. V. Plummer, Mr. R. P. Hooker, Mr. F. P. Conn, Miss Maria Bisbee, Miss Eva Froelich, Mr. Robert Spear, Mr. W. H. Mushlitz, Mr. J. M. Cantley, Miss Julia Bierbower,
Mr. Hugo Legler, Miss Lucy C. Allen, W. A. Hester.
Colored- Z. M. Anderson, Louis Whitlige, Miss Lucy Wilson, Edward Clark, James H. Thomas, Mrs. Lucy McFarland, John R. Blackburn, Sr., William H. Ferguson, P. T. Miller.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
TEACHERS OF HIGH SCHOOL.
1885-1886.
Mr. Robert Spear, Principal.
Mr. W. McK. Blake,
Miss Emily Driggs, Miss E. H. Eells,
Miss I. J. Eells,
Miss Edith Reilly,
Mr. J. T. Dobell,
Miss M. E. White,
Miss R. Collins. 1887 --- W. M. Wheeler, 1892.
Mrs. Augusta B. Corsett, 1893.
Linnaeus Hines. 1895. Mrs. A. R. Hornbrook. 1896. Miss Helen M. Chick,
Miss Caroline Evans, George N. Smith, Eugene Iglehart, G. A. Abbott, Ernest Race. 1896-1897.
Robert Spear, Principal.
W. McK. Blake,
Edith Reilly,
Mary E. White,
Emily D. Slayton,
Augusta B. Corsett,
Helen M. Chick,
Caroline Evans,
Linnaeus Hines,
George N. Smith,
Eugene H. Iglehart,
G. A. Abbott, Ernest Race,
Anna E. Smith.
DEAF MUTE TEACHERS.
Charles Kerney,
Miss Emma Macy, Mr. Paul Lange.
SPECIAL AND GERMAN.
1885-1886. Mr. M. Z. Tinker, Music.
Mr. John Peters, Superintendent Ger- man.
1892. Mr. Karl Knortz, Superintendent Ger- man.
Robert Fisher, Physical Culture. Miss Jessie Spencer, Drawing. Paul Lange, Teacher of Deaf. 1893. Julius Doerter, Physical Culture. 1894. Miss Susie Paine, Primary Instruction.
PRESENT SUPERVISORS
M. Z. Tinker, Music. L. Dorrit Hale, Drawing. C. H. Pierce, Penmanship, Julius Doerter, Physical Culture. Susie Paine, Primary Instruction. Paul Lange, Teacher of Deaf. Karl Knortz, German. 1885-1886. Mr. S. Hecht,
Miss Helen Wulkop, Miss Clara Kehr, Miss Anna Doerr, Miss Hulda Rahm,
Miss T. Wulkop, Miss Hulda Gruen, Miss Cecelia Schubert. 1887. Edward Scholz, Miss Emma Moll,
Miss Minnie Sickenberger,
Miss Bertha Wack,
Miss Clara Schmitt, Miss Augusta Mueller, 1892. Miss Laura Fritsch, Julius Stoever,
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Miss Minnie Rockstroth, 1893. B. H. Schluer. 1894. Lizzie Preher, Tillie Kuehn. 1895. Laura Riehl. 1896-1897. Tillie Wulkop, Clara Kehr, Minnie Rockstroth,
Lizzie Preher, Tillie Kuhn, Simon Hecht, Edward Scholz, Selma Rahm,
Anna Doerr, Laura Fritsch,
Tillie Kuehn,
Laura Riehl,
Stella Richstein,
Julius Stoever, B. H. Schluer,
CADETS OF EVANSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS-1896-1897.
White-
Miss Laura Meeink, Miss Mamie Delaney, Miss Nina Pisley, Miss Lulu Vaughn,
Miss Emma Lutz, Miss Anna Neucks, Miss Louise Kautz, Miss Lila Edwards, Miss Mary McGehee, Miss Gertrude Miller, Miss Mabel Davidson,
Miss Ida Jenkins,
Miss Elsie Wesseler, Miss Pearl Cross, Miss Alice Sturtevant, Miss Ida Jacobson, Miss Lilian Sauer, Miss Mary Moskowitz,
Miss Helen Bruning,
Miss Lydia Scott,
Miss Amy Graham.
Colored- Miss Nadean Sherman, Miss Anna Moss.
CHAPTER XV.
MUSIC.
History of Music in Evansville-Names of Members and Dates of Or- ganization of Bands-George W. Warren, Prominently Connected Therewith All Along-M. Z. Tinker's Life-His Connection with the City Schools for Many Years-Vocalists and Pianists-Noted Soprano Singers.
The soft cadences of music have soothed and reformed the world. All nature is one grand symphony. The farmer boy whistles in uni- son with his surroundings. The grand anthems of the churches all over the land, in one mighty holy strain, roll up to the throne of Him who filled all nature with soft musical notes. The storm that terrifies the soul is but God's bass. The tuneful April shower, that calls forth the green grass, laughs in sweet aecord while the music of the gentle rainfall is but the cantata of Him who keyed all nature on a minor major strain.
Evansville has had its history as to the introduction of musical in- struments in the churches. There were those who said that such in- novations, mingled in the musical offerings to the throne of heaven, were of the arch-enemy of man. In all the churches here, as in all pioneer places, the common arguments were marshaled in solid pha- lanx for and against instrumental music in the house of the Lord. As was natural, when the organ entered some of the religiously opposed went out and allied themselves elsewhere. When the flute en- tered the choir for the first time, a whole storm of criticism was arous- ed. They seemed to forget that God made music, and that Heaven is a place of harmonious concord and tuneful sweetness. What would they do when they reached heaven where the harps are taken off the willows. It was not that they had no music in their souls, or did not love and enjoy the melody and poesy of soothing song, but they dis- criminated as to when and where they should hear it and as to the quality and character of it.
185
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
BANDS AND BAND MUSIC.
One of the most interesting affairs in the history of Evansville was the formation of the first band in the city. It will also be worth our while to note the changes as they have occurred from 1837 up to the present time. John Greek was the first slide trombone player.
The Evansville band was organized in 1837 with the following membership: Boyd Bullock, B-flat bugle; Hiram Macklin, B clario- net; George W. Amory, B clarionet; Mr, Bolick, French horn; Wil- liam Tileston, triangle; Emanuel Gumberts, trombone; Charles Hin- sen, opheclide; T. W. Stinson, bass drum; Charles Tileston, Baritone; Thomas Scantlin was a member for a short time; H. Heimann, bass trombone.
The above list includes those who came in from 1837 to about 1846, some changes having of course taken place; and in 1850, or about that time, William R. Baker came iu and he was the first man who led the band on an E-flat cornet, in the city. And he was the first loco- motive engineer on the E. & T. H., and from that time, 1853 up to about 1857, he used to come off the train and meet with the band at the round house near the bulls head hotel, now the E. & T. H. depot. He has been known to come off his engine and meet with the boys at eleven o'clock, not going home till after band meeting. At that time George W. Warren lived in New Harmony, but was here fre- quently and always met with the boys. W. R. Baker was the most indefatigable worker for the band, always getting new music, (and in those days the music was all pen-written ) Changes were taking place constantly in the membership. In June, 1861, George W. Warren organized the 15th regiment band of 24 members, and Charles Tiles- ton and George M. Gates, members of the Evansville band, joined the 15th regiment band. In September, 1862, all bands were mustered out of service. They then organized "Warren's Crescent City Band," -incorporated under that name-and from that time until 1883, few changes occurred. However, since 1883-84 the old charter members have gradually retired. They had a bass drummer, James Farrow, who was succeeded when he left the city by John Heeger, and then Louis Sihler. All three of these "drum mashers" were most efficient. The following list, which should be found in their "Record of Contracts," from December 13, 1869, to February 17, 1874, gives the names of the members of this organization, whom it is believed, were never equalled as to their power of endurance, good habits, great power, and gentlemanly conduct. The books proper of the band were not kept 13
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
together, (each contract being separate,) they were allowed to be thrown away or destroyed after the old members became separated. It is therefore difficult to give the list of the members who have been in the band at different times. Among them were: Mr Nick Elles, a most useful member, 2nd alto; Mr Heeger, a thorough musician, and an excellent and powerful tuba player, who became a member of the band at the time that splendid tuba player and faithful charter member, George M Gates, left the city; Mr Heeger continued with this organization until his death; Mr. Philip Voelker, E-flat cornet; John Geil, baritone; John Reimer, (who has been working constant- ly to keep things going since 1887, and perhaps withont him the band would have been a thing of the past); John Karsch, temporary mem- ber, faithful and conscientious, snare drummer; Theodore Pfafflin, temporary member; James T. Cox, who died early in the summer of 1896, from sun stroke, was a regular but not a charter member, played 2nd E-flat cornet. The charter members were as follows from 1867: G. W. Warren, leader, E-flat cornet; Otto Pfafflin, 2nd E-flat cornet; Ed Gordon, 1st B cornet; T. W. Venneman, 2nd B cornet; Philip Klein, 1st alto; John Weil 2nd alto; W. W. Tileston, 1st tenor; Jake Bauer, 2nd tenor,; Charles Tileston, baritone; John Scantlin, B bass; George M. Gates, 1st tuba; W. A. Rhue, 2nd tuba; Charles E. Warren, snare drum; James Farrow, (auxiliary member,) bass drummer, and one of the best.
John Davidson has been an auxiliary member for many years and still holds up his end of the work on the E-flat alto 2nd. Jake Bauer of the band of 1862, is still an active veteran on 2nd tenor, and John Geil, now on the tuba, is one of the '70's, although perhaps not a char- ter member. John Kauffer was a temporary member for some time in the '80's, and a good snare drummer. Prof. W. Buck, although not appearing in the "charter membership," was a fine E-flat cornet player and a very genial and industrious member, and was with the band from 1863 to 1868, when he organized a new band, called the "Helican Band," so called because they used the "Helican" instru- ments; but it was short-lived. Prof. Buck was always a great worker in copying fine music, a most splendid fellow, and at his death he was greatly and generally lamented by all who knew him.
OTHER MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
The musical societies and bands and other like organizations of the
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
city at the present time are summed up briefly in what follows: The Maennerchor society was organized in August, 1872, with a splendid corps of musicians Prof. Ernst Buddemeyer, a man of fine musical talent, is the leader. The officers of the society are : Conrad Klingel- hoefer, president; George Kuebler, recording secretary ; Philip Som- mers, financial secretary ; and Paul Schatz, treasurer.
The Arion Singing society is the successor of the Liederkranz, and was organized in November, 1892. Its musical director is Prof. Paul A. Walz. Its official organization consists of the following persons : Charles P. Wack, president ; Herman Schaum, vice-president ; Robt. Lohse, secretary ; Louis A. Geupel, financial secretary.
What is called Haynie's Cornet baud was organized October 1, 1895. It is composed of young amateurs who promise to make skilled musi- cians in a short time. Its leader is August H. Miller. The officers are: Marshal A. Cook, president ; Clay Smith, secretary ; Albert McGill, treasurer.
F. W. Cook Military band was organized August 24, 1896, with August Bohrer as leader. The officers are: William Schrader, presi- dent ; Edward Alexander, secretary ; George Kastner, treasurer.
The Strouse High Art Band, organized February 8, 1896, has de- lighted multitudes by its free concerts rendered from the balcony of Strouse Bros.' store, corner Main and Second streets. Its leader is Louis Heeger. The officers are : August Pfafflin, president ; Otto E. Neumann, secretary and treasurer.
One of the most interesting musical organizations in the city is the Concordia Siuging society. Its musical director is Prof. Joseph Cin- tura. The officers are : Henry Waibel, president ; Emil C. Langele, secretary ; Thaddeus Koewler, treasurer.
Schmidt's orchestra, organized in December, 1888, is composed of skilled musicians. Albert F. Schmidt is the leader and manager.
One of the old musical societies-founded in 1857-forty years ago -is the Schiller Gesang Section Singing Society. It grew out of Schiller Oddfellow lodge, and its object is to profit its members finan- cially. They sing at sociables as well as at funerals and on other oc- casions. Prof. C. Mathias has long been its musical director. The officers are : Henry C. Ploeger, president ; Frank Peters, secretary.
Vanderburgh Cornet band (colored) was formed January 6, 1894, and its treasurer and leader is Robert Green. Of this organization William Harris is president and James Wiggins secretary.
Of Warren's band Louis Heeger is leader, Jacob Bauer, president, and Jolin Reimer, secretary and treasurer.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Schreiber's orchestra was fonnded in September, 1873. Val. Sehrei- ber is the leader.
The Evansville Musicial Association, No. 53, was established Feb- ruary, 1891. Its object is the improvement of its members. The officers are : Jacob Bauer, president ; Gus Guentzel, secretary ; Wil- liam Adis, treasurer.
Of Forster's orchestra Hugo Forster is the leader. The orchestra is promising and prosperous. Of Miller's orchestra Peter C. Miller is the leader. Green's orchestra is led by Robert C. Green. Green's Mandolin club is conducted by Harry B. Green. There are other small societies that perform on special occasions and render parlor music.
VOCALISTS AND DIRECTORS.
Milton Z. Tinker was born in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, June 25, 1834. His youth was spent in the ordinary routine of a farm laborer. He assisted with the farm work during the summer and attended school during the winter. In the former capacity he laid well the foundation for a sound physical constitution, such as only agricultural pursuits ean give. He spent most of his leisure moments in the study of music, applying himself diligently to all of the several departments, especially that of voice culture. He was a regular at- tendant at the exercises of the old-fashioned singing school, musical institute and the musical convention, thereby seeuring every advantage to be gained which these gatherings afforded. In the fall of 1854 he commenced teaching his first day school, at a salary of $12 per month, for a term of five months, and as the custom was then, he "boarded around" the district. He gave instructions to singing elasses at night in the communities where he was teaching, a practice which he con- tinned for four successive years. On the first of May, 1858, he went to Chicago, Ill., and entered the Normal Musical Institute of Messrs. Bradbury & Cody. He took a thorough five months course in the practical teachings of music, including the subjects of harmony and voiee training. He at once began the work of conducting singing classes, musical institutes and musical conventions. Success crowned his efforts at all places where he visited. In the fall of 1863 he was employed by the board of education of the city of Terre Haute, Ind., to introduce and supervise the instruction of vocal musie in the public schools of that city. After continuing the work in Terre Haute until 1867, he then resigned and accepted a like position from the board of
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
education of the city of Evansville, Ind. He commenced the work in Evansville the first of September, 1867, and has held the position continuously during a period of twenty-nine years. In the fall of 1870 he succeeded Mr. Theo. Russell as leader of the choir of Walnut street Presbyterian church, a position which he still holds. He has been leader of the Philharmonic society, the Lyric society, the Ideal Opera club, and the Metropolitan orchestra. He has, at all times, been identified with every movement which had for its object the musical advancement of the people of Evansville. No one has more largely contributed to the entertainment and advancement of the com- munity, in music, than Mr. Tinker. His connection with the public schools, as well as the several musical organizations, of which he has been leader, has accomplished the elevation of the entire city to a higher state of musical culture. He is the oldest supervisor of music in the public schools, and he has served the longest term of years of any one within the state. He also enjoys a dis- tinction that very few of his profession have been able to attain. On the 1st of October, 1895, he completed twenty-five years of continu- ous leadership of the Walnut street Presbyterian church choir, at which time the ladies of the church and congregation celebrated the event by giving him a reception in the parlors of the church. As a result of the introduction of music into our public schools, all of the churches are able to maintain large chorus choirs which, during their regular weekly rehearsals, practice the best class of sacred music, in- cluding many of the standard choruses from all of the various ora- tories. Also the many singing societies throughout the city are re- cruited from year to year by the addition of well-trained voices. Many of our best singers have received their voice culture in our pub- lic schools.
MUSICAL EXPRESSION.
The following remarks on music in a general way are from the pen of Mr. J. C. Boden, whom many will remember. It presents the musician's side of music in a very sympathetic and zealous manner, and is as near the core of musical truth as it is possible to reach :
" I commenced my musical career at a very early age. About the first event that I can now recall was being led by the hand by my very indulgent father to the village church (in sight of the romantic town and castle of Dudley). Standing there on a kind of stool or box so that the congregation could see me I sang the sacred songs and anthems
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
selected for me by my father, who was the leader of the choir. I also had two elder brothers who were members of the choir, one playing the violin, the other the cello. Hence the very atmosphere in which I lived seemed to vibrate with music. At twenty years of age I was duly appointed by a board of trustees as leader of a choir of fifty members, mostly artisans and mechanics. Every member seemed to take great interest in music. We gave selections from the standard composers, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and all the sacred oratorios. I love music and musicians, and have but little regard for the man who has no music in his soul, for of such a one the great poet says, ' the man that hath no music in his soul is fit for treason, stratagem, spoils,' etc.
" The early history of music, unfortunately, seems to be wrapped in much obscurity, but there is no doubt of its ancient origin. One of the Greek traditions reads: 'Grasshoppers were human beings- themselves before the muses, and when the mnses came, being ravished with delight, they sang, and sang, and forgot to eat, until they died of hunger for the love of song.'
" It is said of Pythagoras, that early philosopher, that in his research for a rule to guide the ear, analogous to what had been used to help the other senses, he chaneed to pass by a blacksmith's shop one day, and listening to the hammers, which were four in number, he thought they sounded very harmoniously. He had them weighed and found them to be in the proportion of six, eight, nine and twelve pounds, and from experiments he found the fourth and fifth octave, founded on numbers analogons to his other theories. There is no doubt but that music, like all other universally elevating factors in the development of humanity, has been of inestimable benefit and blessing to mankind.
" Plato, an eminent philosopher, said, ' Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagina- tion, a charm to sadness, gaiety aud life to everything. It is the essence of order and leads to all that is good, just and beautiful.' And those who fail to cultivate an appreciation of music in the household and family are more to be pitied than censured. All of my family are in the musical profession. My brothers were all piano tuners, I am the youngest and have been in the business about forty years. I arrived in the United States in the year 1862, and came direct to Louisville, Ky., and having my British passport with me was enabled to travel anywhere within the federal lines. I took several trips down the L. & N. road, and made hosts of friends whose hospitality and kindness towards myself I shall always remember with the greatest
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