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The gentlemen selected by the Mayor were as follows: Chester Shepard, ward one; Clinton White and Stephen F. Keyes, ward two; Elbridge H. Goss, ward three; Charles C. Barry and Charles H. Adams, ward four; Levi S. Gould and Edwin S. Small, ward five; Peter J. Lynch, ward six; William E. C. Goudey, ward seven.
The first meeting of this Committee took place June 16, 1902, when it was organized as follows: His Honor John Larrabee, Mayor, Chairman; Elbridge H. Goss, Secretary.
The Mayor has full power given him by vote of the Board of Aldermen, to make a contract and build the new Library Building; but he preferred to call in the aid of an Advisory Committee, as above, in the selection of a design for the same. With such advice and experience as this Committee may be enabled to give him, a new Public Library Building is to be erected on the lot situated on the corner of West Emerson Street and Lake Avenue, from the $25,000 gift of the IIon. Andrew Carnegie.
CHAPTER XX.
LITERARY CLUBS AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
M ELROSE has a number of literary clubs. The oldest one is the FRANKLIN FRATERNITY, which was organized February 20, 1863, by the following five members of the Melrose High School ; Henry R. Pearson, Charles G. Brooks, William C. Poland, Charles H. Poland and C. Edgar Buffum. The object was "for the purpose of inaugurating among the youth of Melrose, a Lyceum, or Society for mental improve- ment, especially in the branches of recitation and composition." To these graduates others were added soon after, and the years immediately following, until their members numbered twenty-five or thirty ; there being twenty-eight members at the present time. The Club held monthly meetings until 1875, when semi-annual meetings-the "Fish Fry," and "Anni- versary Supper " - were substituted. At the present time it holds only annual meetings ; at which time there is delivered an oration and a poem ; together with a banquet with toast- master and speeches. For a number of years an annual paper, called the " Bull Frog " was read, consisting of essays, papers, poems and quips contributed by its members. Sons of the members are now admitted to membership.
Just before the Public Library was founded in 1870, the " Fraternity " was considering the project of forming a library with the purpose of eventually giving the same to the Town; but when that library was established the society immediately turned over to it the $200 already raised, and with that amount the first one hundred and twenty-five volumes of standard works were purchased.
Again in 1883, this Association showed its ever watchful interest in the welfare and prosperity of the youth of Melrose, by inaugurating a system of annual prizes for the scholars of the High School, for proficiency in English Literature and Mathematics, consisting of works of standard value; and each
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year these half dozen prizes are given at the graduating exer- cises. These well earned honors are highly prized by the recipients, and the presentation has proved to be a very inter- esting and beneficial feature of each recurring year.
In a sketch of the Fraternity written in 1889, by Sidney H. Buttrick, and published in the Melrose Fournal, he says:
The pleasure, instruction and moral strength, which the members of the Fraternity have received from this association, cannot be measured by mere words. To many of us, the influence of the Fraternity has surrounded our lives and actions for nearly a quarter of a century, and our aim at present- as we have arrived safely to years of maturity, feeling how much we owe to the spirit of the Fraternity, which our motto, Una Operamus, "We labor together," exemplifies- is to en- courage the generations following us to emulate our example and continue the good work, so ably and conscientiously commenced twenty-five years ago.
At each annual meeting the Fraternity chooses officers for the year ensuing as follows: President, Vice President, Secre- tary, Treasurer, Orator, Alternate, Poet and Odist.
THE MELROSE SHAKESPEARE CLUB was organized in January, 1873. Its members are women, twenty-five in number. It meets monthly for the study of not only Shakespeare and other British poets, but American poets also. Its officers are a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
MELROSE WOMAN'S CLUB. This organization of two hundred and fifty members, was founded April 19, 1882, federated May, 1890, and admitted to the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1895. Article II, of its Constitution and By-Laws states: " The object of this club is the moral, intel- lectual, physical and social development of women."
From October to May every season, the Club holds two meetings each month with entertainments arranged by the various committees: Art and Literature, Ethics and Economics, Science and Education, and History and Current Topics. There is a Business Committee, Committee on Music, Social Committee, Finance Committee and Press Correspondent. It chooses annually a President, two Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and six Direc- tors.
THE MELROSE HIGHLANDS WOMAN'S CLUB. This Club was organized October 12, 1898. Its object, as stated in its consti-
LITERARY CLUBS AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 357
tution, is " to promote ethical, social and intellectual culture." At its organization it had 176 charter members. It now has 225 members, its limited number, and has four persons on the waiting list. The Club meets on the second and fourth Wed- nesdays of each month from October to April inclusive. At its meetings various papers, discussions, and entertainments, literary and musical, are enjoyed, as introduced under the direction of the committees of the four departments : Art and Literature, History and Travel, Education and Domestic Science, and Current Events. There are also, Membership, Music, Social, and Finance committees. Its officers, chosen annually, are as follows: President, two Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Press Correspondent, and six Directors. These offi- cers, together with the chairman of each of the four depart- ments, constitute the Executive Board.
The meeting held March 8, 1899, was devoted to the reading of the Club Magazine, Le Fin de Siecle, consisting of original articles written by members. These were after- wards published by the Club as a magazine of sixteen pages, with Mrs. Alice I. Calkins and Miss Edith S. Genn as editors.
THE MELROSE EDUCATION SOCIETY, an organization com- posed mainly of teachers in our schools, although others interested in educational work can join, was formed in 1896. It was
established to promote a broader knowledge of the science of educa- tion, a better understanding of methods now employed, and a close sympathy and cooperation between the home and the school.
Under its auspices many scientific and educational lectures have been given; not only by our own teachers, but by eminent educators from abroad. It is officered by a Presi- dent, Secretary and Treasurer.
A number of other literary clubs have existed in the past, now disbanded, which have had a beneficial and educational influence in the community. Earliest among these may be mentioned the "L. P. & F. Literary Associates," organ- ized about 1857, by members of the "Crystal Lake Division Sons of Temperance," a secret total abstinence society then existant here, and the motto of which was " Love, Purity and Fidelity.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
ROUNDABOUT CLUB. Foremost among these by-gone clubs was the Roundabout Club, which was organized February 13, 1873. This was originally formed from members of the Unitarian Society; but soon afterwards enlarged its sphere, and became a non-sectarian organization. Its aim as em- bodied in Art. II of the Constitution was as follows:
The object of this Association shall be the development and culti- vation of the intellectual and æsthetical powers of its members by such means as the broad field of literature affords, by music, art in general and social intercourse. It shall be the special effort of the members to present original productions, or any matter of interest coming within their experience by personal observation or otherwise, and to strive in every way to give character to the club as an educa- tional institution.
The membership was limited to one hundred. The last meeting of the Club was held April 16, 1891. During its existence an annual " Budget" was issued in MSS., consist- ing of contributions by members of the Club, each volume being bound in covers artistically decorated with unique designs by the lady members. These volumes have been deposited in the Melrose Public Library. Some of these papers have been published in the Melrose Journal.
On the 22nd of April, 1897, a reunion of former members took place at the Unitarian Chapel, on which occasion a banquet was enjoyed, with speeches, and an interesting his- torical reminicial address given by George H. Dearborn. The following extracts give the names of the Presidents, and indicate the scope of the work of the Club while in existence:
Its first President was Rev. Daniel M. Wilson, who faithfully served for three terms and he was followed by Col. Samuel Harrington, Col. Samuel Adams Drake, Messrs. Royal P. Barry, John W. Farwell, George H. Dearborn, Elbridge H. Goss, Louis E. K. Robson, Dexter F. Munroe and Alonzo G. Whitman. Our invitations tonight state that this is the 240th meeting of the club but special meetings and gatherings carry these numbers beyond 250. That the spirit of Article II of the Constitution was fully carried out is shown by the fact that at these meetings there have been delivered 109 lectures, essays or talks, as you can term them, upon subjects I have classified as follows: biographical, thirty-three; historical, nineteen ; scientific, nine- teen ; art, seven ; miscellaneous, thirty-one. Of these essayists Brother Norris leads with a record of eleven, Colonel Drake gave ten, Major
LITERARY CLUBS AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 359
Ranlet six, Brothers Peck, Whitman and Williams six each, Brother Dearborn five, Brother Robson, Rev. N. Seaver, Jr., and Sister Liver- more four each, Brother Goss and Rev. Mr. Heywood three each, and " there are others," many others who have contributed for the benefit and pleasure of the club in this direction.
There have also been held fifty-five dramatic evenings and fifteen purely literary evenings although music in some form composed a part of many of our meetings. ... In these few moments allotted me I have time to speak of but few of the many occasions which served to bring many of the club members together and which were so thor- oughly enjoyed. Prominent among these were our nine Field Days which were observed on the holidays of June 17, commencing with that of 1876, held at Maolis Gardens, Nahant, and the final one being held in 1885, at Manchester-by-the-Sea.
THE UNITY CLUB was formed not long after the Roundabout Club ceased to exist, by members of the Unitarian Parish. This is a literary, dramatic and musical organization, holding monthly meetings in its chapel, at which light comedy plays, literary exercises and musicales are given. It is officered by a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
THE CENTENNIAL CLUB, organized in 1876, with its sixty or seventy members, was founded on a similar basis as the Round- about Club, held its semi-monthly meetings, at which papers on various subjects, were read by its members and entertain- ments given. After a life of about fifteen years it ceased to exist at about the same time as did the Roundabout.
THE AVON CLUB, organized at about the same time as the Centennial, was composed of a younger class of members, some forty in number. Its meetings were partly literary and partly for social amusements. It existed nine or ten years.
THE MELROSE LYCEUM. The Melrose Lyceum has had an intermittant life. It was first inaugurated in 1865, by the late Dr. William Frederick Poole as chairman of the committee, and was sustained for four or five years, during which time such lecturers as George William Curtis, Wendell Phillips, Dr. Josiah G. Holland, and William Lloyd Garrison were engaged, and there were concerts by the Mendelssohn Quintette Club, and readings by Prof. J. Wesley Churchill. Among others that served on the committee were Thomas W. Chadbourne, George Emerson, Andrew H. Briggs, Charles H. Isburgh, George N. Noyes and Dexter Bryant.
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In 1874, after the new Town Hall had been built, the Lyceum was again established, and became a very popular institution. It was sustained for twenty - one consecutive years, during which time the following citizens served on the Committee:
George F. Stone, 1874-5; Chairman same. Charles C. Barry, 1874-88; Secretary, 1874-87. Elbridge H. Goss, 1874-95; Treasurer same. W. Irving Ellis, 1874-79. J. Lyman Ran- dall, 1874. Joseph R. Simonds, 1874-76. William T. Jones, 1874-79. George H. Dearborn, 1874-95. George Emerson, 1874-78; Chairman 1876-77. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, 1876- 80. John Larrabee, 1876-90. J. Augustus Barrett, 1879-95. Samuel Adams Drake, 1878; Chairman 1878. John W. Farwell, 1876-93; Chairman 1879-93. Allen C. Goss, 1879-92. George E. Carr, 1879-83. Thomas W. Ripley, 1880-92. James G. Bowden, 1883-95; Secretary 1887-95. Royal P. Barry, 1888- 94; Chairman 1894. Charles H. Lang, Jr., 1893-95. William W. Keays, 1893-95. D. Webster Dow, 1893. Sidney H. Buttrick, 1893. William E. Barrett, 1895; Chairman 1895. Frank L. Washburn, 1894-5. Charles H. Adams, 1894-5, and W. DeHaven Jones, 1894-5.
Each course consisted of ten or more entertainments. Dur- ing this time many of the highest cost entertainments were given, among them the Theodore Thomas Orchestra, Remenyi Concert Co., Bernhard Listemann Concert Party, Royal Hand Bell Ringers, Germania Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orches- tra, New York Philharmonic Club, Marie Decca Grand Con- cert Co., and Oratorios by the Salem Oratorio Society and the Melrose Musical Society. For lecturers, Henry Ward Beecher, Charles Bradlaugh, John B. Gough, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Wendell Phillips, Rev. Edwin C. Bolles, D. D., Rev. Edwin H. Chapin, D. D., Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, John L. Stoddard, Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain, Archibald Forbes, Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, D. D., Rev. Robert Collyer, D. D., Gov. John D. Long, Miss Kate Field, Gen. Lew. Wallace, William H. H. Murray, Max O'Rell, Miss Amelia B. Edwards, Dr. George C. Lorrimer, and many others. For readers, Prof. J. Wesley Churchill, Wyzeman Marshall, Miss Helen Potter, George Riddle, Samuel L. Clemens, George W. Cable, Leland T. Powers, Will Carleton, Mrs. Frances Scott Siddons, Prof. James E. Murdock, Edgar W. Nye, James Whitcomb Riley, and others.
LITERARY CLUBS AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 361
During these twenty-one years this institution has been of great benefit to the citizens; giving, as it has, at a moderate cost, entertainments of the very highest order; thus afford- ing instruction, amusement and pleasure. It is hoped that it may be revived in the near future.
After an interregnum of three years, two courses of six lectures each, for the seasons of 1898-1900 were given under the name of the Lyceum, by Messrs. Edward J. Kitching and Allen H. Sturges.
MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
Soon after the incorporation of Melrose, it was found that quite a number of musical people were living here; and steps were taken to form a society for the cultivation of music. The Melrose Musical Association was organized. The first number of the Melrose Advertiser, issued in January, 1856, spoke in a very complimentary manner of its progress and efficiency. Under the leadership of the late Henry E. Trowbridge, with Andrew J. Morse as President, it thrived for many years, during which time it gave many fine concerts, always to the delight and satisfaction of the citizens. There were occasional breaks in its existence, but when occasion offered it would rise from its ashes with renewed vigor. Such was the case when the great "Peace Jubilee Festival " took place in Boston, under the direction of the late P. S. Gilmore, in June, 1869; also in that of a few years later, 1872, in the "Coliseum," when a still larger body of singers, said to be twenty thousand, was gath- ered. After an interregnum of a few years, the Association was again revived as the "Melrose Choral Society." As such it existed for several years, giving an occasional concert; its leader for a portion of the time being S. B. Whitney, the organist of the Church of the Advent. Under his direction it gave three of the entertainments in the " Melrose Lyceum," for the years 1893, 1894 and 1895; the first being the oratorio of " Eli," the second the oratorio of " The Creation," and the third portions of the oratorios of "Stabat Mater" and " The Redemption."
For a number of years the Melrose Orchestra existed and furnished delightful music on many an occasion.
THE AMPHION CLUB was organized in the Melrose Club rooms, October 19, 1892, with the following list of officers:
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
President, Charles C. Barry ; Vice President, William A. Waterhouse ; Treasurer, Walter F: Littlefield ; Secretary, Sid- ney Howe; Librarian, Frank D. Thatcher; and Ephraim Cutter, Jr., who was selected as Musical Director, with Grant Drake as Accompanist. Its object was for the " practice and perform- ance of part songs and choruses for male voices, and for the cultivation of a refined taste in that class of music."
The membership was limited to sixty active or singing members, and two hundred associate or non-singing members. This membership has been kept full for these past ten years, and there are now applications for additional members; eight active and twenty-seven associate.
About two years after its organization, August 10, 1894, the Club was incorporated, with Charles C. Barry, Walter F. Littlefield, William A. Waterhouse, Sidney Howe, Frank D. Thatcher, Laban Beal, Jr., Warren H. Wright, James G. Bowden, Thomas L. Cushman and Elvin W. Harding as corporators.
Under the continued leadership of Mr. Cutter, with Mr. Grant Drake- many years teacher of music in our public schools -- as accompanist, this Club has attained a very high standard of excellence and efficiency, and its series of three concerts given each season in City Hall, affords great enjoyment and satisfaction to its patrons. For each concert each associate member receives four tickets; and the hall is filled to reple- tion at every performance, with a delighted audience.
In addition to the regular concerts in Melrose, the Club gave a series of concerts for two years in Woburn, a concert in 1894 to the unemployed poor in our city, and an "End of the Century Service" at the Orthodox Congregational Church, Melrose, on December 31, 1900.
It has also given concerts before the Boston Art Club, the Home Market Club at Mechanics Hall, Boston, in 1897, the Bankers' Association of Boston, in 1900 and 1901, and the National Association of Manufacturers in 1900; and on Febru- ary 16, 1899, this Club received the great compliment of being invited to sing at the magnificent banquet given by the Home Market Club, to President Mckinley, and members of his Cabinet, at Mechanics Hall, Huntington Avenue, Boston. The six selections for the occasion were rendered in such an artistic and pleasing manner, as to call forth unbounded praise
LITERARY CLUBS AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 363
from the five thousand people present. So greatly was the President pleased that he sent President Shumway the follow- ing autograph letter :
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 20, 1899.
MY DEAR SIR :- ... I have much pleasure in stating that the excellent music on the occasion of the Home Market Club Banquet added a great deal to the enjoyment of that memorable evening.
Very truly yours,
To Mr. FRANKLIN P. SHUMWAY, President Amphion Club.
Well may the "Amphions" be pleased with this well merited praise. It is, and has been, an incentive to attain still greater efficiency.
In 1898, Mr. Barry declined a reelection as President, and Franklin P. Shumway was elected in his place. The present officers are: President, Franklin P. Shumway; Vice President, David B. Pitman; Secretary, Jabez S. Dyer; Treasurer, James G. Bowden; Librarian, Walter C. Martin; Assistant Librarian, Ernest L. Carr. These form the Board of Directors; and there is a Voice and Music Committee consisting of five members each.
During the club's existence, it has given thirty concerts for which over three hundred and thirty rehearsals were held under the earnest and efficient conductorship of Mr. Cutter.
The following " Dedication," written by Rev. M. J. Savage, was printed in the Club's first programme, February 2, 1893:
Amphion's lyre, great Mercury's gift, Such wondrous power knew That, to the music of its strings, The Theban walls upgrew.
And since that day, at music's touch All lower things uprise, Till what is earthly in us seeks Communion with the skies.
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LITERARY CLUBS AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 365
A number of other musical associations, vocal and instru- mental, have had a longer or shorter life during our incorpo- rated existence; and there are now several well organized, and doing good musical work.
The Methodist Choral Union consists of twenty-five members under the leadership of organist Charles E. Wilson. It is officered with a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Chaminade Choral Society, composed wholly of ladies, was organized January 1I, 1900; it has a membership of twenty- four, and is under the leadership of Mrs. Josie B. Tyler. Its first public performance took place April 23, 1901. It has a Secretary, Treasurer and Music Committee.
The Melrose City Band was organized September 20, 1900, A. A. Quimby, leader. It has nineteen members.
The Melrose Cadet Band was organized in March, 1901, with George H. Glover as conductor. It has twenty-one members. Both bands have given public performances and led in parades in a very satisfactory manner.
Of orchestras we have several: that of the Young Men's Christian Association, S. Woodbridge Moorhouse, leader, with fifteen members; Dow's Orchestra, organized in 1898, Richard E. Dow, leader and manager, has ten members; Tripp's Orchestra, Harry L. Tripp, leader, has ten members; and the Melrose Orchestral Association, Elmer D. Sherburne, leader, with ten members.
Melrose has been the home of at least two people of more than ordinary musical talent; one vocal the other instrumental.
Miss Geraldine Farrar-whose father, Sidney D. Farrar, was a resident and business man in Melrose for many years, and one of its Selectmen for the years 1896, '97 and '98 -was born here February 28, 1883. Many of our citizens remember her singing in church and home when a mere child. At twelve years of age she began her vocal studies under Mrs. J. H. Long. She rapidly developed a voice of wonderful power and sweetness. After graduating from our schools, for a while she engaged in concert work in New York and Washington. On the day that the news of Admiral Dewey's victory came to America, she sang "The Star Spangled Banner" to President William McKinley and his wife.
In September, 1899, with her parents, she went to Paris, where, for a while, she studied under Angelo de Trabadello. From Paris to Berlin, where, under the tutorship of George
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Graziani, she made her debut at the Royal Opera, October 15, 1901, as " Marguerite," in Gounod's "Faust;" and she has become one of the most charming and successful of opera singers. Such was her success at the Royal Opera that she has been given a three years' engagement, with six months of each at her own disposal; and she has been allowed the unusual privilege of singing in Italian instead of German. Her present repertoire includes " Faust," " Traviata," " Romeo and Juliette," " Pagliacci," and " Lohengrin."
February 12th, 1902, a special message came from the Emperor to sing at the Castle, which she did with grand success. She received another invitation to sing for their Majesties on February 28th. Berlin is the most difficult city in Europe in which to debut, the critics being very severe but just. Geraldine was the first American to receive an engagement at the Royal Opera.1
Another musician was Walter Emerson, the famous cornetist. Although not born here, he early came to Melrose, and passed most of his days as a resident. He commenced his career by blowing the bugle calls for the Battery then stationed in Melrose. From that time he rapidly developed into one of the most famous cornetists the world has had. After traveling as soloist with a number of different companies he organized the Emerson Concert Company, which gave entertainments throughout the United States, in Canada and Europe. In 1878, he went to Europe with Gilmore's Band, of world-wide fame, as the Cornet Soloist, during which time he played the solos for one hundred and fifty-one concerts.
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