USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Columbia > Columbia, Pennsylvania : its people-- culture, religions, customs, education, vocations, industry > Part 10
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hold word in the 1870's and 1880's. Worrell took Aaron along with him to New York where they joined a minstrel show and went on the road. Upon tiring of the routine and fatigue of travel- ing, both returned home to resume their places in the local band scene. In 1887, the Columbia Skat- ing Rink changed its name to The Metropolitan Rink, hence the Metropolitan Band adopted the name after a small group of them had formed the Metropolitan Brass Orchestra, which furnished music for skating at the rink.
The Metropolitan Band made its first appear- ance on the street with a 14-piece band for the occasion of a firemen's parade in Columbia to celebrate the new La France steam engine of the Columbia Fire Company No. 1. It was the small- est band in the parade. Other bands there were: Cornet Band of Manheim, 17 pieces; Citizens Cornet Band of Maytown, 18 pieces; Columbia Citizens Band, 17; Hanover Silver Cornet Band, 22; Citizens Band of Mountville, 15; Wrightsville Band, 21. When Aaron Eshleman left town to play professionally, his brother, Ulysses, took over the leadership. He was another of Mr. Wor- rell's prize students and had as large a reputa- tion on the baritone as his brother had on the cornet.
In 1888 the Metropolitan Band was issued a charter, signed by the following members: Frank B. Weller, Samuel Roath, Aaron Eshleman, John A. Kramer, Henry H. Heindel, Ellsworth Miller, August G. Augsburg, Charles F. Fleckenstein, Morgan B. Kerr, and W. E. Worrell.
For the Centennial parades the Metropolitan Band was decked out in their flashy new uni- forms: White helmets, white plumes, buff-colored coats with sky blue and gold cords, and sky blue pantaloons with a buff stripe down the seams, made of the finest Nicholson cloth, by J. C. Mil- tenberger of Columbia. They were truly a proud addition to Columbia's well-established visual and aural senses. By the time of the Centennial celebration, it had expanded to 20 pieces and, as was usually the case, the fine musicians of the area found their way to the Metropolitan Band. Additions to the personnel were: George Von Stetten, Benjamin Leitheiser, Clem Hogentog- ler, Anthony Seebower, Harry Dissinger, and "Butch" Conley.
For the most part, the "Met" Band was led by only four men in a long and distinguished career: Aaron Eshleman - 1887-1894; Ulysses Eshleman
- 1894-1901; Johnson Krodel - 19 -19 ; and later, by Eugene W. Gerth until 1936.
The Shawnee Band, formed about 1923, began as an affiliate of the Shawnee Fire Company.
Music became an integral part of early Colum- bia and included choral, orchestral and band groups.
Following are lists of the more active ones:
CHORAL GROUPS
Cecelia Society 1859
1861-1867
Aolian Quartet
Centennial Minstrels 1888-1896
Columbia Maennerchor
1882-1901
Orphean Musicale
1883-1893
Columbia Choral Society 1889-1893
Mozart Maenner - Gesang Verein
1893-1900
MUSIC TEACHERS
Mrs. F. H. Hunsicker - Piano 1852
Mr. A. C. Shepard - Vocal
1852-1854
Prof. W. H. Bourne 1866-1868
Prof. Carl von Weller 1889
Prof. B. C. Umseld 1867-1871
Washington H. Keffer - Strings 1861
Prof. Anton W. Schmied 1867-1870
Instrumental, Vocal, and Music Store
Miss Lillie Pfahler - Piano
1882-
Martha Heischman - Piano 1868
Prof. J. Gipe - Violin
1885-1892
DANCE BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS
Blackson's Orchestra 1879-1881
William Blackson
1880-1888
Groove's Orchestra
1883- ?
Rich's Brass Orchestra
1886-1901
Citizens' Band Brass Orchestra 1885-
Metropolitan Brass Orchestra
1887-1892
Eshelman's Brass Orchestra
1888-1901
Bern Seiple's Orchestra
Andy Kerner's Orchestra
The Columbians
MUSICIANS ABROAD
Miss Mame Haldeman - Comic Opera 1882
Miss Callie Hamilton - Prima Donna
Robin Hood Opera Co. - Composer 1886-1896
Mrs. Caroline Hamilton 1859-1884
Pianist - Composer
Miss Florence Hinkle 1900-1928
Operatic Soprano
Mr. Will Mathiot - Piano Soloist 1884- ?
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Wolfe's Orchestra
Miss Mabel Stevenson - Vocalist 1893-1898 1888-1897
Cyrus Strickler
Musical Prodigy - Pianist
Musical Organizations in Columbia prior to 1900.
BANDS
Columbia Brass Band 1848-1865
Columbia National Band
1859-1862
Columbia Silver Cornet Band 1865-1870
Columbia Cornet Band
1867-1885
Columbia Colored Band
1880-1885
Citizens' Band of Columbia
1880-1887
Metropolitan Band of Columbia
1888-1935
Shawnee Band of Columbia
1923-
Rotary Boys' Band of Columbia
1930- ?
STRING ORCHESTRAS
Keffer's Columbia Orchestra
1861-1866
Columbia Orchestra
1881-1894
Kinder Symphony 1891- ?
Gyperian Orchestra
1895-1899
Maennerchor Orchestra
1888-1890
Cecelia Orchestra
1887
Opera House Orchestra
1890-190?
Musicadia
1866-
Arion Orchestra
1882-
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
19 ??- 19 ??
FLORENCE HINKLE, ARTIST
Florence Hinkle was born in Columbia in 1890, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hinkle. She at- tended Columbia public schools and at an early age exhibited musical ability which later blos- somed into musical artistry. One of her very first public appearances occurred on the stage of the Columbia Opera House on June 2, 1900, on the occasion of the grammar school graduation ex- ercises, an annual event for many years. A fea- ture of the program was Florence Hinkle singing "Arditi Walts"; then a duet, "The Fisherman", with Madge Lutz.
Her music teacher recognized her potential very early and, with cultivation as she matured, her voice took on new and striking qualities. She gained much early experience, as small town singers do, singing in many local churches as a soloist. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and a member of the church choir.
Miss Hinkle's father was born October 3, 1862. He married Anna L. Wisler, a daughter of the Wisler family. For a short time the family resided
at 570 Walnut Street. The Wisler home stood atop a hill north of the town. The Wislers were early brickmakers in Columbia.
Upon completing her schooling in Columbia, Miss Hinkle went on to New York to further her musical and professional education. From that vantage point she later toured the United States, winning acclaim wherever she was heard; in ad- dition, her natural beauty and charming person- ality contributed considerably to her success.
Florence Hinkle was considered one of the finest of the lyric sopranos of her day, ranking with the top artists of the concert and recording world. At the peak of her career she married Herbert Witherspoon, nationally famed Metro- politan Opera basso, noted for his Wagnerian roles.
Before her untimely dealth in 1937, Florence had gained considerable prominence both on the stage and as a Victor recording artist. Among her best known recordings are Tosti's "Goodbye" and "When the Roses Bloom". Furthermore, she was a perennial guest artist at the Cincinnati Music Festival, sponsored and promoted by Rudolph Wurlitzer. She was professionally associated with many famous opera stars, among whom were: Alma Gluck, Mabel Garrison, Reginald Werren- rath, Emma Eames, Efram Zimbalist, Marcella Sembrich and others.
TAVERNS
The large number of slow wagons and coach traffic on the pike and down Walnut Street in- vited the opening of many taverns or inns along the thoroughfare, and seemingly all enjoyed a thriving business.
In 1820 there were (reportedly) more taverns along the pike between Philadelphia and Colum- bia than there were gas stations and road houses in 1976. The trip between the two points required three days, which probably meant two overnight stops, with accommodations needed for travelers and their horses.
Taverns along this part of the route, starting at Front and Walnut, starting with the Sorrel Horse; hotel of Charles Odell, almost adjoining the Sorrel Horse. Many traveling troups of show- men with freaks or acts of skill entertained here. One entertainer, known as Old Lindsay, was a ventriloquist, conjurer and a Punch and Judy manipulator. He appeared annually for a long time. Another performer was billed as Diovolos,
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an acrobat and contortionist, assisted by his two sons. He usually stayed for a week.
The next tavern, on the lower corner of Com- merce Street, was hosted by Charles Evans. It later became a liquor retail store.
Next, much older than the three mentioned above, was on the North corner of Commerce and Walnut Streets. For years this was the home of H. F. Bruner and family. It was an old plaster covered log house built between 1788 and 1791 by Michael Shuman. Charles Evans was its first landlord. Hugh Wilson kept this house, then Abraham Bruner. Next owner and host was Rhu- ben Mullison who bought the hotel at sheriff's sale for $900. He also operated coach lines and with Thomas (or Jonas) Collins went into rail- road contracting. The place went out of existence as a tavern, became the property of Mrs. Caroline Mullison Bruner, who was born, lived all her life, and died in this house.
Other later hotels, popular stopping places on
Walnut Street, included the Black Horse Hotel, at Fourth and Walnut; Depot Hotel, Front and Walnut; Exchange Hotel, 313-15 Walnut; The Washington House (later the Freemont House), Front and Walnut; Commonwealth, 319-21 Wal- nut; and numerous others whose names have been consigned to history.
Another tavern of interest in relation to the Lancaster Turnpike was located on the south- west corner of Fifth and Locust. It was a log house known as Molly Phipps' House. Before Molly Phipps became the owner it was known as the Three Bulls Tavern. Another was a rough frame house erected on Flat Iron Square, at the point where South Fifth Street and Route 462 separate. It was known as the Anchor Inn. A large barn, standing on what is now South Fifth Street, was attached to the inn. It could accom- modate many horses and became a great stop- ping place for Conestoga wagons.
CHURCHES (Continued from page 17) PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
July 19, 1812.
The first pastor was The Rev. William Kerr.
A number of pastors have served the church. One, The Rev. George Wells Ely, served from January 3, 1883 until his resignation April 6, 1921. - a total of 39 years.
In 1854 the need for a new church building was suggested. However, it was not until 1887 that tangible action was taken. The sum of $10,000 had been subscribed and on June 6, 1889, the corner stone of the new church was laid. The present building resulted and was dedicated.
COLUMBIA BIBLE CHURCH
The Columbia Bible Church began by Wednes- day meetings in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Garner on S. Second Street in September, 1968. One month later Sunday services were begun in the Keystone Fire Hall.
In March of 1969, the group was formally or- ganized and in June of the same year it was in- corporated. In August, a one acre plot of ground was purchased at 550 Linden Street. In January, 1970, the church became a member of the Inde- pendent Fundamental Churches of America. Construction was begun the following October and the first service held in the new building on Easter Sunday Morning, April, 1971.
The church is actively supporting both home
and foreign missionaries throughout the world, including Nigeria, Spain, France, Argentina, and New Zealand.
The Rev. Charles E. Leiphart of the Red Lion area serves as first pastor.
FAMED SONNETEER
Lloyd Mifflin achieved fame as an artist and poet. He is acclaimed as a famed sonneteer of Pennsylvania, and has also been a benefactor of Columbia schools. He never married.
WITNESS TREE CHAPTER D A R ORGANIZED 1897
On Dec. 11, 1897 Miss Lilian S. Evans was elected regent at the organizational meeting of Witness Tree Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. D A R Chapter's State Number is 32 and the National Number is 388.
MOOSE
Chickies Rock Lodge Loyal Order of Moose No. 307 was organized July 20, 1910, in Keystone Hall.
Nationally the Moose Lodge maintains Moose- heart, a Child City and schools and Moosehaven a home for elderly persons.
A Women's Auxiliary became an active ad- junct to the lodge and Mrs. Charles Debus of Co- lumbia became the first president of the National Auxiliary.
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"CHIKISWALUNGO"
Land of Penn! where lies a glen Fairly filled with mystic story, Artist's brush nor poet's pen Could e'er paint its wondrous glory; Chikis-wa-lungo! where Wanunga, Bravest of the Indian legion, Told the romance of each war dance, Told the victories in the region.
High o'er all there hangs a pall, Seemingly lonely, sad, forbidding; Look again from out the glen, See the trees with vigor budding, Jutting outward, leaning forward, From the rocks that hang above you, On that spot, full many a plot Closed with vow like this, "I love you."
And forever rolls the river, Full two hundred feet below; Susquehanna, shout Hosanna, As thy waters onward flow! Surely God upon the green sod On the banks that form thy fetters, Set his impress of divineness In most rare and radiant letters.
Here Wanunga on Salunga, Wooed the maiden, Wanhuita, Told the story of his glory, How he slew his rival, Sita; Never maiden was so laden With perplexing doubt and fear, In her bosom dwelt a passion For a pale face lingering near.
Then the pale face, with rare grace, Sought the maiden in her bower, Never dreaming, danger teeming, Til Wanunga held the power, Hark! a rustle, then a tussle, All is silent as the grave, Then Wanunga, from Salunga, Leaps with maiden 'neath the wave.
And the river rolls forever, Never giving up it- dead, But tradition (superstition) Says there sounds a solemn tread,
As the pale face, with such rare grace Walks upon the giddy summit, Watching ever for his treasure, Torn from him like fiery comet.
And yet the pale face will forget The story here depicted, And the tale of love, on the rocks above Are still not interdicted; For many a pledge, on that rocky ledge, Ascends to Heavenly portals, And the vows there made are thought more staid Than the common vows of mortals.
WALTER KIEFFER -
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