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 18
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pleasure. I have had a long experience in tuning, and do all my work according to correct rules and principles, and never fail to give satis- faction to those who understand the foundation of music-the scale- but I find that ' those who know the least of music rules, always prate like self-conceited fools.' "
VOCALISTS AND PIANISTS.
The following is a list of singers who have won local fame upon their true merit alone :
Mrs. Fannie Rudd Harrison, in local operas and as principal soprano in the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Ida Gilbert Ward, leading soprano of St. Paul's church.
Mrs. Clotilde Marconnier Wilson, principal soprano in Trinity M. E. church. .
Mrs. Sadie Hollingsworth Thompson, also a principal soprano at Trinity M. E. church.
Mrs. Amy Morgan Viele, at St. Paul's Episcopal church.
Mrs. Mamie Bennett Chapman, as a soprano at different churches.
Mrs. Leila Adams Stein, in local opera clubs and leading soprano in the Ladies' Musicale.
Martha Orr Denby, alto, sings in Walnut street Presbyterian church choir, in Ladies' Musicale, quite a vocalist.
Mrs. Minnie Laval Geiger, fine soprano, leading in Cumberland Presbyterian church up to the time of her marriage.
Mrs Helen Ames, leading soprano in the Jewish temple, brilliant soloist, leader in most important local musicales, also instructress.
Mrs Ruth Tileston Bangs, fine soprano, sang in various churches in the city, now sings in Chicago.
Miss Cora Sinzich, leading soprano in opera clubs, gives instruc- tions in voice culture.
Mr. J. E. Mason, many years principal bass singer in Walnut street Presbyterian church.
Mr. Ollie C. Decker, leading bass, has taken part in operas, now in a Chicago band.
Mr C. O. Barton, tenor at Walnut street Presbyterian church, also in quartette at Grace Presbyterian church.
Mr Louis P. Kestner, principal bass at Walnut street Presbyter- ian church, has sung in quartettes.
Dr. Charles S. Archer, organizer of the Ideals, also of the orchestra " R. C. H. R.," gave musical entertainments, now in Portland, Oregon, at a high salary as music teacher.
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Mr. Harry Scott, leading tenor at Trinity M. E. church.
Mr. Charles Babcock, a grand tenor.
Fred Geiger, leading bass at Cumberland Presbyterian church ; also a talented opera singer.
Prof. W. M. MeK. Blake, leader at the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Dr. Sidney Jacobi, tenor, conducts a quartette at Grace Presbyter- jan church.
PIANISTS AND ORGANISTS.
A list of the pianists and organists of recent years.
Mrs. Kate Talbot Tanner, at Walnut street Presbyterian church, then at Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Maggie Allen McLean, one of the best pianists in the city.
Mrs. Addie Kestner Millis, organist, Cincinnati College of Music.
Miss Grace Warren, organist, St. Paul's Episcopal church.
Miss Emma Johnson, leading pianist.
Miss Amelia Straub, fine duet performer.
Miss Jennie Dodge, organist for Grace Presbyterian church.
Miss Amelia Lawrence, organist for Walnut street Presbyterian church.
Miss Carrie Hacker, organist of Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Miss Mattie Hobbs, organist of Walnut street Presbyterian church.
Mr. Christian Mathias, organist at Trinity M. E. church for many years.
Mr. Arnold D. Habbe, music instructor.
Mr. Will T. Davidson, a teacher of music.
Some of Evansville's songstresses have acquired celebrity in operas, and the list is not exhausted here :
Miss Mary Linck, Miss Beatrice Golde, Miss Sally Kirby, (in comic opera.)
GEORGE W. WARREN.
One of the greatest musicians and weilders of the baton in Evans- ville is Mr. George W. Warren. His father before him was a musi- cian of ability and possessed an artistic sense of harmony. So that it may almost be said that the son George has been a musician from his infancy. His native town is New Harmony, Indiana, where he was born October 23, 1826. Possessing a natural love for "sweet concord
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of sounds," he at the early age of twelve years began the delightful study of science and art of music. He soon became so proficient in the study he loved that two years later he was appointed leader of the New Harmony band, consisting of seventeen members. His remark- able aptitude for playing upon musical instruments soon enabled him to perform skillfully upon almost every known kind of instrument in use and without instructions. He now determined upon his pursuit in life-the professorship of band music. Seeing the need of an instru- ment with which to perfect himself in harmony and thorough bass, he ยท nnaided, built the first melodeon ever made in Indiana. He made the cabinet for it, tanned the leather for the bellows, shaped the reeds and keys, and fashioned everything about it. Afteward he sold this instrument to Judge Hall, of Princeton, Indiana. From 1842 until just prior to the war he was leader of his home band. In 1860 he came to Evansville and began business as a dealer in musical merchandise with Mr. John Healy, who was the senior partner of the concern. Before the elose of the month in which Fort Sumpter was first bom- barded, he with his entire baud were persuaded to join the army. Captain Lamb, of the 15th Indiana regiment, was the first to request this. Mr. Warren consulted about it with General Lew Wallace, of the 11th Indiana regiment, whose headquarters were then at the Sher- wood House, and he counseled in favor of the movement. So Mr. Warren disposed of his interest in the music store to Mr. Healy, took his household effects to New Harmony, his old home, provided for the comfort of his wife during his absence, and in forty-eight hours after Captain Lamb had first mentioned the matter to him, he and his band were on their way to Fort Wayne to be mustered into the ser- vice of the 15th regiment as regimental band. They were soon moved to east to Parkersburg, Virginia, and then hurried about from state to state, through the torn and unhappy southern states They participated in every battle of the regiment ; Gauley Bridge. Pitts- burgh Landing, and many others. As the war progressed and men became inured to its hardships and perils, the great expense of regi- mental bands was dispensed with by the general government, and after a service of seventeen months in the field, all army bands were mus- tered out in October, 1862. So Mr. Warren returned home. In No- vember, 1862, he again engaged in the musie business with Thomas Conyngton as junior partner. They included in their business fancy goods and notions. In 1873 the junior partner retired from the busi- ness. Then Mr. Warren confined his stock exclusively to musical instruments and music. After the close of the civil war he became
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leader of the famous Crescent City Silver band. In every musical contest in which they engaged, far or near they victoriously captured the prize.
For twenty-nine years he was connected with the choir of St. Paul's, as its leader. On Easter Sunday, 1889, after the singing of the Te Deum at the close of the elaborate musical service of the occasion, on laying down his baton, he observed a peculiar sensation come over him and he realized that he was paralyzed. He had been a man of too great and constant mental activity, and the stroke came. Since then Mr. Warren has to a great degree surrendered his former engrossing attention to business affairs and the vexing cares of life, and he is now living peacefully in the quiet and retirement of his home.
PROFESSOR CHRISTIAN MATHIAS.
The man whose life is summed up briefly in what follows, was born in Prussia, April 29, 1823. His father was born March 6, 1787, and died March 11, 1871. He was a school teacher, and as Chris- tian was an only child, his father gave him all possible advantages to be derived from schools. He was put into the seminary at the age of eight, and began lessons on the violin at nine. When six- teen he was admitted to college at Gortenlegen, and at once pre- sided at the largest organ in the city. He began the profession of his father when eighteen years old, and followed it for thirteen years, until 1854, when he came to Evansville. He engaged in business for a time, and later established a country store near or at Morris Lock on the canal twenty-two miles from the city. This was an unhealthy place, and when he failed in business he returned to the city; which was in 1858. Then he began giving lessons in music, and played the organ in different churches-first in the Trinity Lutheran church, on Illinois street; then in St. John's church; then in Locust street Meth- odist Episcopal church; then at Trinity Methodist church, where he has been the organist ever since its erection at the corner of Third and Chestnut streets, in the days of Rev. Gillette. During this time he has been connected with different singing societies. For about thirty years he played in the Jewish Temple, since his playing there did not interfere with his other work. He was leader for about thirty years of the Liederkanz, also of other societies, as follows: Maenner- chor, St. Cecelia, the Turner singing section, the Schiller chorus of Schiller lodge, and Concordia society. About thirty years ago he or-
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ganized a large orchestra here in the city, which was composed mainly of professional musicians. He has given local operas, and as leader opened the Peoples' Theatre with an opera. He has also for many years taught vocal and instrumental music. It is a great satisfaction to him to record that he in early life had a personal acquaintance with Bismarck, and often walked arm-in-arm with him; he also knew old King William and his brother. Professor Mathias is a genial man and naturally a leader in musical organizations, he has a noble sense of harmony, and has been wonderfully educated in the technique and mechanical parts of music.
PROFESSOR J. CINTURA.
The year 1889 is marked by the arrival in our fair city of a gentle- man whose penetrating energy and high standing in musical circles entitles him to a place in this book. Prof. Cintura, who has won a wide-spread reputation as an uncommonly talented and proficient in- strumental and vocal teacher, came here in compliance with the re- quest of the first German singing society, the "Liederkranz," in the fall of 1889, and accordingly took charge of the society as their leader. His talent was unanimously acknowledged and appreciated, and he re- ceived the highest praise and encomiums from the press. The society had, before his arrival, decreased in numbers until there were but thirteen gentlemen and thirteen ladies. But under his efficient lead- ership they soon accomplished an undreamed of growth both in the number of their members and in their enthusiastic interest. After he had been there only a short time the club numbered forty gentlemen and thirty-five ladies, and very soon they had acquired so high a de- gree of musical culture that they were able to render creditably some of the most difficult music. Prof. Cintura, assisted by his trained sing- ers could, under these circumstances, execute difficult classical perform- ances, such as Haydn's unsurpassed "oratorio," "The Creation," "Conradin Kreutzer's" romantic opera "The Nightcamp in Granada," "Franz Suppe's" charming and greatly admired operettas, such as: "Galathea," and "Merry Students; " also "Schenk's" "The Village Barber." One of the instrumental successes which he has attained with this society is the production of "Haydn's Indian Symphony" in C Major, in which the violin passages are grand. It is a particularly noteworthy fact that Mr. Cintura has concentrated all his efforts upon the development of local talent, in which he has been very successful.
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The achievements of his private scholars on the piano and violin are admirable; and he has been especially successful in their vocal culture. He had the intention of making Evansville a veritable center of mu- sic. Unfortunately his reformatory efforts have seenred him ill-will and many enemies who frustrated his ambitious plans, like the French revolutionists of old who in their vandalism, destroyed the beautiful statues and monuments of art. Mr. Cintura is the author of several musical literary works. His male, female, and mixed choruses are universally admired. He has also composed piano pieces, quartettes for stringed instruments, songs and operetta; also a music drama en- titled, "Columbus' landing at Guanahani, " which has received the highest praise from musical critics. May a rich patron of art be found who will support his plans and thereby erect to himself and to the city an immortal memorial. The information that the author has received fully warrants him in saying that Mr. Cintura's talents and his far- sighted views and scientific researches should be encouraged by dem- onstrations of patronage. In the opinion of the author very few pro- fessors have ever attained a higher place, the truth of which is demon- strated by his productions and accomplishments.
FERD D. GOSLEE.
Ferd D. Goslee, a native of Evansville, whose mother, and a number of relatives and friends, still reside here, was a young man of rare musi- cal abilities, and a composer of no little merit. Even before arriving at manhood he composed and set to music several compositions which evidenced his ability. Among his specimens was one in particular, to-wit: " Sweet Sixteen," which had a large sale and circulation His sweet tenor voice was a valuable auxiliary in effecting success in local concerts and choirs, and he was in demand on all occasions where musi- cal talent was a feature. He was popular among those who knew him for his social qualities, and was always ready and willing to assist when asked. He died at the age of thirty-six, beloved and mourned.
CHAPTER XVI.
ALLOPATHY.
Medical Science-Homeopathy in Evansville-History of Milksickness -The Science of Dentistry-Hospitals and Sanitariums
It is scarcely needful to say that allopathy in Evansville has kept abreast with all the great remedial discoveries of medical science and surgery of the day, and has, of its own motion, made original investi- gations and studies in germinology and bacteriology. Ample modern arrangements have been made for the sick and afflicted, for the wound- ed and the halt. More and more every day is medical skill leaning upon the wisdom of proficient nursing and proper regimen.
St. Mary's Hospital on Columbia street and First avenue, is a fine, commodious, modern institution, sufficient in all its departments, with a noble corps of efficient nurses and board of medical advisers. The sanitarium on Fourth and Oak streets is one of the best of its charac- ter in the whole country. The physicians who control it, have stud- ied in the best medical institutions, both in Europe and America, and the nurses are all kind-hearted and well trained. In brief, allopathy has in all things-in knowledge, instruments and appliances, meth- ods, nursing, dosing, therapeutical skill, and so forth-taken a place in the van in the healing art. The physicians of the city are bright, active investigating. thorough, modern, skilled men. As a rule they come to the bedside of the sick with a sympathetic tone and a tender hand.
Back in the early days of the town there were what was called the old school men, who believed in blisters and bleeding, calomel and jallop, quinine and tight rooms, pills and potions. Happily these methods are out of date, and have been superseded by an entirely dif- ferent order of things, new and more humane. The "heroic treat- ment," the "kill or cure remedy," has given way to newer discoveries and better things. The old epitaph is no longer applicable-"was well, wished to be better, took physic and dicd."
As far back as 1837 there were such leading physicians here as Dr. Trafton, Dr. Phillips, Dr. Daniel S. Lane, Dr. Lingsley, Dr.
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Hornby, Dr. M. J. Bray, Dr. Neely, Dr. Weever, Dr. Daniel Mor- gan, Dr. George B. Walker, Dr. John T. Walker, Dr. A. P. Hutch- inson, Dr. Muhlhausen, Sr. A little later came Dr. Garrick, Dr Run- cie, Dr. Wilcox, Dr. McDowell.
HOMEOPATHY.
The "Pathfinder" is sometimes a benefactor to his race. It was thus with Samuel Hahnemann, when he opened up new lines of thought in the field of medical science, and formulated new methods of cure on the broad basis of homeopathy or "similia similibus curantur". Hahnemann was born in one of the most beautiful spots in Germany, April 10, 1755, where his early training was conducted by his father, who builded better than he knew, when at the age of five the boy was given daily lessons in "thinking."
This early training led to an unusual desire for books, and the best opportunities that the father and the schools of Germany conld afford were ntilized to educate the boy, and keep that thinker thinking. Hahnemann chose medicine as a profession, and received the honorable degree of doctor of medicine in 1779. This was accomplished mainly by his own exertions, and it prepared him for the great work of his long and useful life. Hahnemann was graduated as an allopathic doc- tor and practiced accordingly for eleven years, or till 1790.
Hahnemann was poor, though an eminent scholar, and already a voluminous writer, an expert chemist, an independent thinker, and a renowned pathfinder. He began to prove the effects of medicine on his own person in health, and by the assistance of others in like man- ner, he developed and formulated the great law of cure, "similia similibus curantur," or "like cures like."
Homeopathy was introduced in the United States, about 1830, by Dr. Gram, who located in New York City. Dr. Gram was an American, whose name and memory next to that of Hahnemann, should be cherished and held sacred. He was an orphan boy, and was carefully educated by his uncle, who was physician to the Danish king. He chose medicine as his profession and was graduated with distinguished honors, at the most celebrated school in Copenhagen, where he afterwards practiced, acquiring an enviable reputation and also a fortune. His first convert was John F. Gray, M. D., and by 1832 Drs. Wilson, Hull, Channing and Curtis, had adopted the new law of cure. In 1838, Dr. Hayner, one of
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Hahnemann's pupils, introduced Homeopathy in Baltimore. Up to this time there were no books in the English language on Homeo- pathy, but about 1840 some works were translated in the English, French, Italian, and Spanish languages. Then it received an impetus which the combined and malignant opposition of the old school were unable to check. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and Cleve- land, Ohio, in 1849, established chartered Homeopathic medical col- leges. These colleges have continued their work, have prospered and are flourishing at this time. Other Homeopathic medical colleges have been established from Boston to California, until now more than twenty can be named, and, be it said to the credit of these colleges, that, keeping step with the progress of the age, and appreciating the advance of medical science and the value of a higher education, and ever striving for the highest attainments, they have, by an intercollegiate agreement, adopted the four years course, which is being rigidly adhered to. It is safe to presume that before the close of this century, a five years course will be universally adopted by . these colleges, as requisite to prepare the student and qualify him to receive the honorable degree of Doctor of Medicine. At present there are about twenty thousand Homeopathic M. D's. This school of medicine numbers, among its patrons, thou- sauds of the best thinkers of the age, some of the most prominent of. whom are judges of our highest courts, lawyers, doctors, educators, merchants, and scientists ; also all grades, classes and conditions of society. The very general success of the practitioners, coupled with correct understanding and liberal diffusion of the law of Homeopathy, have been the potent forces which have placed it prominently and favorably before the public. Since the advent of Homeopathy many of the crude methods, formerly used by the old school have been abandoned, and the new methods of the little pill are being adopted, and accepted as the better way. This is creditable, and certainly very flattering, to the busy workers in this ackuowledged advanced method of healing the sick.
Homeopathy was first introduced in Evansville by Dr. E. J. Ehr- man, in 1852. He had attended a course of lectures in Philadelphia in 1851. Be it known that it was no easy task, self-imposed, to come into a community which was entirely ignorant of Homeopathy, with the prejudices of the allopathic profession arrayed against the new theory, and finally work out a grand success in the profession ; but Dr. Ehrman did this and also accumulated a goodly fortune, which he left to his family. Then came Dr. Curtis, who remained for a brief time. Then
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came L. S. Herr, M. D., who changed from the eclectic school to Hom- eopathy in 1865. F. L. Davis, M. D., came in 1866. Later came and went Drs. MePharlan, Glass, Irwin, L. G. Johnson, Klein, and others not now remembered. After the advent of Drs. Herr and Davis, Homeopathy rapidly grew in favor with the best families, and it was not long before these physicians were possessed of a lucrative prac- tice. Both Drs. Herr and Davis were able exponents of the Hahne- mann system of medicine, and their success obliterated, in a very large degree, the prejudice against what some were pleased to term the "small pill practice." Dr. Ehrman died in 1879. Dr. Herr died in 1893. Dr. Davis still lives, is hale, hearty, active, and busily engaged in a lucra- tive and successful practice, with the promise of many years of active life before him. Dr. Davis has seen Homeopathy continne to spread and grow in favor, and he has always extended a welcome hand to others of the profession who came this way. T. H. Taylor, M. D., located here in 1882. He was Dr. Davis' partner for eight years, and is now possessed of an extensive, successful and Incrative practice. The following physicians are now located in Evansville, and are all doing . well and are favorably regarded : Dr. C. B. Harpole, a graduate of both the Allopathic and Homeopathic schools ; he is making a special- ty of surgery, with good success. Dr. C. G. Dnnlevy, a relative of the late Dr. Ehrman ; and Dr. S. D. Musgrave, also a graduate of the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, of Chicago. The doctor is now holding a position on the pension board ; he is said to be a very busy man. Also the Drs. Viehe, father and son, and some others.
The Evansville Homeopathic Medical Society was formed in 1893, and now has about twenty members. It meets monthly at the Lottie Hotel.
MILKSICKNESS.
The following history of milksickness was written for the Vander- burgh Historical Society by Dr. J. W. Compton:
THE PIONEER'S ENEMY.
Amidst perils and privations, with blazed roads leading to log cab- ins, the carly settlers laid the permanent foundation for the grandeur and glory of our present civilization-a civilization with its magnifi- eent churches, its splendid school buildings, its palatial gas-lighted dwellings, its elegant easy coaches on our railroads, and peerless float-
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ing palaces on our waters, its macadamized drives, its paved cities, its telegraph and telephone, its music of machinery, and its electric light to flash out a blaze of glory over science, art and literature, and all the monumeuts of human grandeur of which we are so often wont to boast.
Deep in the shaded recesses of the almost unlimited forests and along the timber-lined streams that meander through the vast prairies of the west, there lurked an undiscovered poison, alike fatal to man and beast. An interesting and most significant fact in relation to the locality and habitation of this deadly poison is, that it occurred only in places where the soil was still in its virgin state and that it disappeared immediately after the cultivation of the soil. It appeared unable to perpetuate its aggressive and dangerous life where the sunlight of heaven was permit- ted to shine. Therefore, through the stalwart energy of the woodman and his axe, the dark, gloomy and infected forests, which it claimed as its home, have been transformed into waving fields and cheerful pas- tures, and this pestilential poison, whatever it may have been, has forev- er taken its flight and its dangers are no longer felt or feared. The ex- tensive wide range in the new country was exceedingly rich in cane- brakes in winter and wild pea-vine in summer, and pioneer farmers' cattle grew fine and fat and made excellent beef without other food.
The early settlers, not having ample pasturage for their stock, were compelled to drive them to the abundant wild range, from which in many instances no part of the animal except the hide ever found its way back to the settlement of the owner. Many of the animals fell victims to the lurking poison and died of the disease it produced, which disease in animals was called "trembles," the name being derived from the peculiar symptoms produced in the animal after the poison had found its way into the system. The disease produced by this poison occurred originally in the Herbivora-as the ox, horse, sheep, etc., but was transmitted to the carnivorous animals and birds which had fed upon the flesh of other animals dead from the disease, as the dog and the vulture. The flesh and milk of diseased animals were capable, when eaten, of imparting the disease; the cow through her milk poisoned her calf or poisoned the people who drank of the milk or ate of the butter made from the milk.
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