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diff --git a/19528.txt b/19528.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d20e12c --- /dev/null +++ b/19528.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12980 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sixty Years of California Song, by +Margaret Blake-Alverson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Sixty Years of California Song + +Author: Margaret Blake-Alverson + +Release Date: October 12, 2006 [EBook #19528] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIXTY YEARS OF CALIFORNIA SONG *** + + + + +Produced by David Newman, Linda Cantoni, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +SIXTY YEARS OF CALIFORNIA SONG + + +Margaret Blake-Alverson + + +M.B. ALVERSON +1913 + +[Transcriber's Note: Numerous typographical errors and misspellings +(especially of non-English words and names) in the original text have +been corrected in this e-text, where the correct spelling could be +confirmed.] + +[Illustration: "Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot?" + +Margaret Blake-Alverson + +_Webster Photo, Oakland, 1912_] + +Address all correspondence to + +MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON +1429 SECOND AVENUE +OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA + +_Copyright 1913 by_ +MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON +_All rights reserved_ + + + _Man must reap and sow and sing; + Trade and traffic and sing; + Love and forgive and sing; + Rear the young with tenderness and sing; + Then silently step forth to meet whatever is--and sing._ + + +TO MY FRIENDS EVERYWHERE I AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATE THIS BOOK. + +IF AS A SINGER AND A TEACHER OF SINGING I HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE +BETTERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, THEN HAS MY WORK BEEN WELL +DONE AND I AM CONTENT. + +MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON + +OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA +JANUARY, 1913 + + + + +FOREWORD + + +This book has been written for friends and musical associates of more +than half a century. + +The author's life has been a busy one, often with events of public +import, and so it may be that this volume has value as history. Those +who should know have so affirmed. + +It is hoped that old-time Californians will find the book good +reading. The later generations of students and musicians will be +interested in the story of one who helped to prepare the way for them. + +The narrative tells somewhat of the Christian ministry of a noble +father, of the writer's career as a public singer and of reminiscences +of many associated musicians, efficient factors in the development of +music in California to the high place it holds today. + +Some mention is made of distinguished divines and men of note in the +professions and in business. The part taken by the author in political +campaigns and in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic will +appeal to patriots. + +Some chapters on the singing voice and its cultivation are the +fruitage of a wide experience of many years. A list of pupils for +three decades is added. + +The illustrations have been at once a labor of love and an +extravagance of money cost, but it is believed that the reader will +find in that feature alone justification for the publication. + + + + +THE TEXT + + +Antecedents and Childhood 1 + +Our Trip to California via the Isthmus and Early Days There. +First Church Choir in Stockton 13 + +Stockton in the Fifties. Benicia Seminary. Genesis of Mills +College. Distinguished Pioneers. Marriage 33 + +How I Made the First Bear Flag in California 43 + +Boston. Dedham Choir, 1858. The Civil War. +Musicians. Return to California. Santa Cruz 48 + +Music in Santa Cruz in the Sixties. Return to San Francisco. +How and Why I Became a Dressmaker. Opera. Music in +San Francisco in the Seventies 59 + +Lady of Lyons Given for the Fire Engine Fund, Santa Cruz. +Flag-Raising at Gilroy Hot Springs. Visalia Concerts 69 + +On the Road with Dick Kohler, Mr. Vivian, Walter Campbell, +Mr. Wand and Charles Atkins 75 + +Early Music and Music Houses. Musical Instrument Makers. +Old-Time Singers 83 + +As a Church Choir Singer in Cincinnati, Stockton, Benicia, +Dedham, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Bernardino and +Oakland. Rev. Starr King, Howard Dow, Henry Clay +Barnabee, Carl Zerrahn, J.C.D. Parker, Carlotta and +Adelina Patti, Jenny Lind, Joe Maguire, Georgiana Leach, +Sam Mayer, Harry Gates 92 + +Golden Jubilee of Song Service, June 12, 1896 108 + +Camilla Urso's Festival, 1873. Madame Anna Bishop, The +Loring Club, Alfred Wilkie, Frank Gilder, D.P. Hughes, +Ben Clark 112 + +St. Patrick's, St. Mary's, St. Ignatius' Cathedrals. Episcopal +and Jewish Music. J.H. Dohrmann. The Bianchis 123 + +Great Musical Festival in Aid of the Mercantile Library, 1878. +At Gilroy Springs 130 + +Authors' Carnival, 1880, President Hayes and General Sherman +Present 137 + +Vacation Episodes at Deer Park, July 4, 1893 145 + +In Oakland. Sad Accident. With Brush and Easel. Kind +Friends 152 + +Party at Dr. J.M. Shannon's Home in 1907 157 + +Lee Tung Foo 161 + +What I Know of the Voice and of Teaching 167 + +Tremolo 172 + +More About the Voice 179 + +Political Campaigning. Work as a Patriot on National Holidays +and with the Grand Army of the Republic. Flag +Raising at Monterey 183 + +Repertoire and Other Data. Distinguished Musicians and +Singers of the Last Century 203 + +Reminiscences of Early California Musicians and Singers 216 + +Reminiscences of Later California Musicians and Singers 227 + +With My Pupils 248 + +A List of My Pupils 262 + + + + +THE ILLUSTRATIONS + + +Mrs. Margaret Blake-Alverson, 1912 _faces Title_ + +Heirloom Jewel _faces page_ 4 + +Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Henry Kroh and Family, +Stockton, 1852 _faces page_ 12 + +Coat-of-Arms of the Blake Family _faces page_ 16 + +Steamer "American Eagle," Sacramento River, 1852. +Home of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Henry Kroh, Stockton, 1853 _faces page_ 20 + +First Presbyterian Church, Stockton, Built in 1849, +the First Protestant Church in California _page_ 25 + +Pioneer Home of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Henry Kroh, Stockton, +1851 _page_ 26 + +Associated Musicians and Singers, 1853 to 1879: Richard +Condy, Mr. Schnable, Lizzie Fisher, Ellen Lloyd, Mary Jane +Lloyd, Mrs. Anna Bowden Shattuck, Judge H.B. Underhill, +Carrie Heinemann, Mrs. Taylor _faces page_ 28 + +Business Men of Stockton, 1852: Austin Sperry, James Harrold, +Wm. H. Knight, Geo. Henry Sanderson _faces page_ 32 + +Reminiscent of Benicia in the Early Fifties: Benicia Young +Ladies' Seminary, 1852; Benicia Courthouse, 1853; Prof. +Jos. Trenkle, Prof. Schumacher, Prof. Beutler, Prof. Paul +Pioda _faces page_ 36 + +Masonic Sheepskin, London, England, 1811. Capt. Chas. +Blake _faces page_ 38 + +Major-General Benj. Lincoln, of the War of the +Revolution _page_ 39 + +Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Mary Kroh-Trembly, Pioneer +Organist, Stockton, 1852 _page_ 42 + +First Graduating Class, Young Ladies' Seminary, Benicia, +Founded 1852: Mary E. Woodbridge, Mary Ridell, Mary +Hook, Mary E. Walsh; Principal, Mary Atkins; Teachers, +Sallie Knox, Kate Sherman; Pupils, Mary O'Neill, Agnes +Bell _faces page_ 44 + +First California Bear Flag, Made by Mrs. Blake-Alverson in +Stockton, 1852 _page_ 45 + +Dedham, Mass., Church Choir, 1861, Men Singers _faces page_ 48 + +Dedham, Mass., Church Choir, 1861, Women Singers _faces page_ 52 + +Typical Concert Programme of the Early Sixties in +San Francisco. Oratorio of Samson _page_ 56 + +Santa Cruz Choir, 1867: F.A. Anthony, Belle Peterson, +Chas. A. Metti _faces page_ 60 + +Church of the Advent, San Francisco, 1880. Roman +Catholic Church, San Bernardino, 1888. Calvary +Episcopal Church, Santa Cruz, 1864. Pilgrim +Congregational Church, Oakland, 1893 _faces page_ 64 + +Associated Musicians and Singers of the Seventies +and to Date: Sam'l D. Mayer, Mrs. Alfred Abbey, +"Joe" Maguire, Frank Gilder, Walter C. Campbell, +Mrs. Augusta Lowell-Garthwaite, H.S. Stedman, Mrs. +Mollie Melvin-Dewing _faces page_ 68 + +Ministers with Whom Mrs. Blake-Alverson Has Been +Associated: Rev. Dr. J.K. McLean, Rev. P.Y. Cool, +Rev. V.M. Law, Rev. "Father" Akerly, Rev. Giles A. +Easton _faces page_ 76 + +Wm. H. Keith, Baritone, Pupil of Mrs. Blake-Alverson, +1881 _faces page_ 80 + +Music House of Kohler & Chase, 1851 and 1910. Andrew +Kohler, Quincy A. Chase, S.J. Bruce _faces page_ 84 + +Heads of Pioneer Music Houses, San Francisco: +William G. Badger, Matthias Gray, Julius R. Weber, +C.H. McCurrie _faces page_ 86 + +Music House of Sherman, Clay & Co. C.C. Clay, +Leander S. Sherman _faces page_ 90 + +First Church Choir in California, Stockton, 1852: +Margaret R. Kroh, Sarah R. Kroh, Emma J. Kroh, Ann +L. Kroh, Mary M. Kroh, Sir Geo. Henry Blake, James +Holmes, Wm. W. Trembly, Wm. H. Knight _faces page_ 92 + +Henry Clay Barnabee, Opera Singer, Associate of +Mrs. Blake-Alverson in Boston, Mass., in 1861 _faces page_ 96 + +Organists of the Early Years in San Francisco: +Richard T. Yarndley, Gustav A. Scott, Chas. H. +Schultz, Frederick Katzenbach _faces page_ 100 + +Floral Tributes Presented Mrs. Blake-Alverson on +Her Fiftieth Anniversary of Song Service, +June 12, 1896 _faces page_ 108 + +Pen Sketch of Mrs. Blake-Alverson, Made by Richard +Partington. Sixtieth Birthday, June 12, 1896 _page_ 111 + +Mrs. Blake-Alverson on Her Fiftieth Anniversary as +a Public Singer, Sixty Years of Age, Oakland, +June 12, 1896 _faces page_ 112 + +Mme. Anna Bishop, Prima Donna, Teacher and +Associate of Mrs. Blake-Alverson _page_ 115 + +Associated Musicians, 1860-1913: Hugo Mansfeldt, +Sir Henry Heyman, J.H. Dohrmann, Alfred Wilkie _faces page_ 116 + +Original Members Loring Club, San Francisco, 1873. +French Horn Quartette, San Francisco, 1895: Geo. +Fletcher, Wm. E. Blake, Nathaniel Page, Geo. Story _faces page_ 118 + +Organ St. Patrick's Church, San Francisco, 1875. +J.H. Dohrmann, Organist and Choir Director _faces page_ 124 + +Eminent Divines for Whom Mrs. Blake-Alverson has +sung: Rev. Dr. A.M. Anderson, Stockton, 1852; Rev. +Dr. Eells, Rev. Dr. Scudder, Rev. Dr. A.L. Stone, +the Right Rev. Ingraham Kip, Rev. John Hemphill, +Rev. Dr. H.D. Lathrop _faces page_ 128 + +Musical Directors, May Festival, San Francisco, +1878: John P. Morgan, Carl Zerrahn, Rudolf Herold _faces page_ 132 + +Bouquet of Artists, May Festival, San Francisco, +1878 _faces page_ 134 + +Authors' Carnival, San Francisco, 1880: Mrs. +Blake-Alverson as Charity Pecksniff; H.G. +Sturtevant as Pecksniff; Alice Van Winkle as Mercy +Pecksniff; Dolly Sroufe, Italian Booth; Henry Van +Winkle, Cervantes Booth _faces page_ 140 + +Mme. Bowers, Etelka Gerster, Julie Rive-King, +Associates and Friends of Mrs. Blake-Alverson _faces page_ 144 + +Deer Park Cabin, Lake Tahoe, Dedicated July 4, +1893. Col. Richard Parnell, Sole Survivor of the +Battle of Balaklava _faces page_ 148 + +Mrs. Blake-Alverson in 1852, 1864, 1874, 1880, +1905 _faces page_ 156 + +A Group of Friends, Distinguished Singers in the +Seventies and Eighties: Mrs. Margaret C. Pierce, +Mrs. Sarah Watkins-Little, Mrs. Blake-Alverson, +Mrs. Helen Wetherbee, Mrs. Marriner-Campbell _faces page_ 160 + +Lee Tung Foo, Pupil in the Nineties _faces pages_ 164 _and_ 166 + +Mrs. Blake-Alverson and Her Two Sons, Wm. Ellery +Blake, George Lincoln Blake _faces page_ 172 + +Associated Musicians and Singers, 1854-1900: +Frederick Zech, Henry Wetherbee, Adolph Klose, S. +Arrillaga, William P. Melvin, John W. Metcalf, Wm. +M'F. Greer _faces page_ 176 + +Trophies and Tributes Presented Mrs. Blake-Alverson _faces page_ 180 + +"Sam" Booth, Popular Political Poet and Campaign +Singer in San Francisco in the Seventies _page_ 184 + +Mechanics' Institute Fair, 1879. Mrs. Blake-Alverson +in Costume _faces page_ 188 + +Civil War Mailing Envelopes, 1861. Co. K, Seventh +California Volunteers, Capt O.P. Sloat, from San +Bernardino, 1898 _faces page_ 192 + +Stephen W. Leach, Musical Director, Buffo Singer, +Actor in San Francisco in the Seventies and Eighties _faces page_ 228 + +Joran Quartette, 1883: Lulu, Pauline and Elsie +Joran and Mrs. Blake-Alverson _faces page_ 246 + + + + +PORTRAITS OF PUPILS + + + FACES + PAGE + +Akerly, Mrs. 240 +Allison, George 244 +Ames, Lucille E. 268 +Avan, Clara 224 + +Bassford, Mrs. Mayme 236 +Beam, Edith 196 +Beam, Mary R. 204 +Beretta, Chelice 208 +Bishop, Biddle 196 +Bisquer, Marceline 272 +Blake, Mrs. William E. 212 +Bonske, Hazel 272 +Bouton, Cloy 208 +Bradley, Dolores 256 +Brainard, Birdie 196 +Brainard, Carrie 196 +Brainard, Mrs. Hattie 196 +Bruce, Florence 240 +Bruce-Schmidt, Mrs. Winona 244 +Bruce-Wold, Mrs. Ruth 240 +Bullington, Marie 272 + +Caldwell, Mrs. O.B. 240 +Case, Mrs. J.R. 220 +Caswell, Mabel 208 +Champion, Rose 236 +Christofferson, Jennie 236 +Cianciarolo, Lucia 268 +Collins, Dr. Addison 208 +Collins, Mrs. Minnie M. 208 +Cooke, Grace 260 +Crandall, Harry 236 +Crew, Josie 212 +Crossett, Louisa 212 +Culver, Susan 220 +Cushing, Lillian 224 + +Davies, Alice 256 +Deetkin, Marjorie 268 +Derby, Hattie 224 +Dickey, Lorena 244 +Dobbins-Ames, Mrs. Grace E. 220 +Dowdle, Everett S. 212 +Dowling, Gertrude 252 +Dowling, Leo 260 +Drake, Mabel L. 244 + +Faull, Rose 196 +Faull, Sophia 196 +Ferguson, Dolores D. 244 +Flick, George 240 +Foo, Lee Tung 164 and 166 + +Garcia, Louisa 240 +Gerrior, Maud 256 +Glass, Mrs. Louis 204 +Graves, Bessie 196 +Graves, Gussie 204 +Greer, Yvonne 272 +Griswold, Geneva 256 + +Harrold, Elizabeth 204 +Harrold, Mary 204 +Hermansen, Christine 260 +Hitchcock, Ruth A. 260 +Hunt, Elsie Mae 236 + +Jackson, Geo. 256 +Jones, Ethel 212 +Jones, Ilma 260 +Jory, Lilian 208 + +Keith, William H. 80 +Kiel, Stella 252 +Kimball, Lorena 244 +Koch, Ada 220 +Kroh, Blanche 256 +Kroh-Rodan, Mrs. Mary 252 +Krueckle, Anna 252 + +Lahre, Freda 240 +Lanktree, Elizabeth 236 +Lanktree-Kenney, Mrs. Sue 240 +La Rue, Grace 212 +Lessig, Mrs. Chas. 212 +Louderback, Mrs. Caroline 252 +Louderback, Jean 244 + +McMahan, Bernard 244 +McMaul, Juliet 244 +Monnet-Swalley, Mrs. Emma D. 224 +Mulgrew, Margaret 272 +Munch, Mrs. Emma A. 268 + +Nagle-Pittman, Mrs. Ethel B. 240 +Newell, Bessie G. 220 +Noonan, Elsie 236 + +Oakes, Margaret 212 +Osborn, Anita 260 + +Peterson, Geo. G. 220 +Peterson, Minnie 224 +Peterson, Pauline 224 +Pollard, Daisy 208 +Pollard, Etta 208 + +Ramsey, Peter 256 +Rayburn, Mrs. Cora 236 +Riley, Mrs. Edna 268 +Riley, Ruth 268 + +Sanford, Alice M. 268 +Sanford, Edw. H. 256 +Shaw, Lauretta 220 +Shultz, Sarah 272 +Sroufe, Georgia 196 +Sroufe, Susan 196 +Sroufe-Tiffany, Mrs. Dollie 196 +Starkey, Irma 268 +Stewart-Jolly, Mrs. May 204 +Stewart, Sue 208 + +Teague, Mrs. Walter E. 272 +Thomas, Edward 224 +Tregar, Mme. Annie 204 + +Valentine, Inza 252 +Valentine, Stella 252 +Van Winkle, Ada 196 +Victory, Arthur 236 + +Whitney, Mae 204 +Wood, Dr. J.B. 224 +Woodworth, Leslie E. 256 +Worden, Nettie 204 + +Zimmerman, Charlotte 224 + + + + +CHAPTER ONE + +ANTECEDENTS AND CHILDHOOD + + +As far back as I can remember my life was associated with music. +Father and mother were both highly gifted. In our family were three +boys and seven girls, and each possessed a voice of unusual +excellence. The looked-for pleasure every day was the morning and +evening worship at which the family gathered in the sitting room to +hear the word of God explained by my father, Rev. Henry Kroh, D.D. The +dear old German hymns, Lobe den Herren, O Meine Seele, Christie, du +Lamm Gottes and others, were as familiar to me as the English hymns of +today, such as Nearer my God to Thee and All Hail the Power of Jesus' +Name. We were not blessed with children's songs, as are the children +of today, but sang the same hymns as the older members of the +congregation. + +Father was descended from a royal Holland family. One of his ancestors +was the favorite sister of Admiral Theobold Metzger, Baron of Brada, +Major-General of all the Netherlands, who died of paralysis in the +sixty-sixth year of his life, February 23, 1691, in the house of the +Duke of Chamburg. He had gone with other lords and nobles of the land +to Graven Hage to swear allegiance to William III., King of Great +Britain, who had just come over from London as the regent of the +Netherlands. Even the physician in ordinary, who was sent by the King, +was unable to save him. By order of the King his body was placed in a +vault in the church on High Street in Brada, March 19, 1691, with +extraordinary honor and ceremonies. He had acquired large possessions +and wealth, therefore the King ordered that the large estate of the +deceased should be taken care of, and placed it under the care of +William von Schuylenburg, council of the King. At the same time notice +was sent to all princes and potentates in whose countries there was +property of the deceased to support His Majesty in this undertaking. +Three weeks before his death he had made his will and had given the +name of his parents and his five brothers and two sisters. + +His sister Barbara was my great-grandmother. After the death of my +granduncle some of the family came to America. They were not aware of +the death of their distinguished brother and the heirs did not claim +the vast fortune, which amounted to 20,000,000 guilders at that time +and now with compound interest should be to 200,000,000 to 300,000,000 +guilders, and is still in the possession of the King and in the +treasuries of the Netherlands. The heirs have been deprived of it all +these years, although they have from one generation to another fought +the case. At the same time the authorities of Holland are not a little +in doubt and are embarrassed for reasons to justify keeping the +Metzger von Weibnom estate for Holland. + +But the reason of all their decisions, answers and refusals is the +unmistakable intention to keep the estate for themselves, even at the +cost of truth, justice and honor. The will has been suppressed. We +have proof that General Rapp in 1794 at the occupation of Brada had +taken the will, dated February 2, 1691, from the city magistrate to +carry it to Strassburg for safety. The will has never been executed. + +I purposely made this break in my narrative of my childhood in justice +to my distinguished father who should have occupied the place that +belonged to him by right and title, as he was one of the original +heirs mentioned in my uncle's will--the grandson of his favorite +sister, Barbara Metzger von Weibnom. My father was a minister. He was +Christ-like with his people, and it was beautiful to behold with what +reverence the people approached him. He had the mild blue eye the +poets write about, his voice was soft in its tenderness when +addressing any member of his flock. His bearing was dignified and +reverent, and he was a delightful person to know. He was always +hopeful, no matter what difficulties arose in regard to the finances +of the church. In the true sense of the word he was a father to his +people and his family. His elders were all devotion and with them his +word was law. In all the years of his ministry I cannot recall any +unhappy situation with his congregation. Sadness came only when +parting, to be sent to work in another church. He was a great pioneer +founder of churches, and the Synod sent him first in one direction, +then another. + +In consequence of these changes I traveled a great deal in childhood. +No sooner had father succeeded in getting a church started and in +good running order than he would be sent to some other section of the +country. In Virginia, where he was born and bred, he was ordained at +the age of twenty-five and soon had a promising charge in Berks +county, Pa. From there he was sent to Evansville, Ind. It was while he +was filling the pulpit at Womensdorf, Pa., that he met Miss Mary +Stouch, to whom he was married in the year 1819. Six children were +born to them while at this pastorate. The church in Evansville had +been without a pastor for over two years and father was called to fill +the position. The parting between the pastor and his people was +particularly sad. My mother had to leave her girlhood home for the +first time in her life. + +Oh, what a sad journey it was for them. It was made by stage and boat +and my parents had six young children. Many a time in my childhood I +heard the sad tale repeated. And the reception at Evansville was still +sadder as the church had been closed and the building almost destroyed +by the vicious element and unconverted people who desired no religion +to interfere with their ungodliness. Many attempts had been made to +restore the building, but those who attempted it were stoned and +driven away. When father arrived the people of the congregation who +remained advised him not to do anything with the church, for he would +meet the same fate as his predecessors. But father was not daunted. He +visited the church and the sight of God's house in such a condition +made him more determined to do the work for which he had come. After +calling several members together he gave out the announcement that he +would open the church on the following Sabbath at all hazards. He +asked all of the faith to come to his home Saturday evening. About +fifty responded, and during the business meeting of the evening seven +elders were chosen. When all was satisfactorily adjusted, pastor and +people spent the hours in prayer until midnight. + +Next morning the faithful people gathered and father, with the Bible +in hand, led them in procession until they arrived at the church. In +the distance could be seen a line of men, women and boys on both sides +of the steps. The elders tried to persuade father to give up the +attempt and go no further. He turned to them and said, "I came to +conquer for the Lord, and if you do not come with me I shall go +alone." When the rabble saw them coming, they began to shout, "Here +they come. Here come the saints." A boy approached--more bold than +the rest--and as he came father took him by the hand and said, "Good +morning, my little man. I am glad to see the young as well as the old +to welcome me." Then he spoke to the people and said, "You make me +very happy, my dear friends. I did not expect such a large +congregation to meet me, a stranger," and took each by the hand. In +one hand they held sticks, stones and staves. As he spoke kindly to +them, they dropped their missiles and extended their hands. His +bravery had awed them and his kindness and magnetism had won them. At +last he gained the upper step in front of the church and, like Paul, +he cried, "Hear ye the word of the Lord. For today shall peace and +righteousness dwell among you. Hear what the Lord God speaketh to you. +I came not to make war upon you, but bring you the message of peace. +As this building is not in condition to enter, I will give you the +divine message from the door of the temple." After a short sermon he +told them his mission was to rebuild the church, and he was going to +ask them all to help. A short prayer followed his remarks, and the +benediction closed this remarkable epoch in the history of the church. +Before the year was past the church had been restored. The membership +increased, the Sabbath school grew and the church nourished beyond the +expectations of the oldest members. + +Two and a half years later we went to Mt. Carmel, a small town on the +Wabash river. Conditions were more favorable, yet it was not to be +stationary, for only two or three years. During that time I was born, +June 12, 1836. I made the eighth child--six girls and two boys. When I +was a little over three years old, father left Mt. Carmel to fill the +vacancy of the church in Jonesborough, Union county, Ill., in an +unsettled portion of the state, among good Christian people who had +begun to settle on farms and stock farms. Acres of grain and corn +fields stretched far and wide. Jonesborough was a very small town +where these people got their supplies in exchange for their produce. +The women wove their cloth and linen and spun their yarn and did the +dairy work, while the men cleared and planted and built log houses, +barns and cribs. We were heartily welcomed by these good, primitive +people. They had waited so long for a shepherd to lead them that many +of the congregation were in waiting and the elders and trustees were +on hand to see to the conveyance of the household goods, which were +quickly put in waiting wagons. + +[Illustration: JEWEL WORN BY LADY BARBARA METZGER + +Great-grandmother of Mrs. Blake-Alverson] + +It was the Indian summer of the year. The foliage was bright and the +air crisp and cool. Although a child, the impression made upon me was +one that I have gone over in my mind many times, and I can see every +inch of the road, the kind people, the beautiful scenery, birds of +bright plumage, and rabbits darting across the road at the sound of +our wheels. It was late when the journey was ended, but we were made +welcome and comfortable by more pleasant faces and willing hands. The +parsonage was a large, barnlike-looking place, built partly of logs +and "shakes." There was one large room and two small ones adjoining +and a shed that extended the length of the house. In the large room +was a fine, spacious fireplace, into which had been rolled a large log +and a bright fire was blazing which sent a glow of warmth and lit up +the logs and rafters and the strips of white plaster, used to close up +the cracks and keep the warmth within the room. The floors were made +of oak and were white and clean. Several old-fashioned split-bottom +chairs graced the room, a long table was placed in the center, upon +which was spread a snow-white linen cloth of homespun, and woven by +the women. While the wraps were being removed the women had placed +upon the table the best that could be prepared for the pastor's +welcome. I'll never forget the delicious roast chicken; baked sweet +potatoes, baked in the ashes, for cook stoves were not known; the fine +hot corn pone baked in the Dutch oven, hot coals heaped upon the lid +to brown and crisp; fresh sweet butter, pickles, preserves. Generous +loaves of bread, biscuit and cake filled the pantries. + +When father entered the room and saw the preparation that had been +made he was overcome with the tender hospitality of the women of his +new charge. He could not restrain his tears. As they all surrounded +the table, he raised his hands in prayer and besought God's blessing +upon the people and the charge he had once more accepted. The +congregation was scattered far and wide. Many miles separated the +neighbors and once a week was the only time when gatherings were held. +On the Sabbath the log church was filled with solemn, substantial +people, men and women in their homespun garments, healthy and robust +the men and rosy and buxom the women. Families came in their +conveyances, wagons, carts and old-style buggies; some came on foot, +others on horseback, when they did not own a wagon. Rain or shine, +the faithful assembled for two services. After the morning service the +families gathered and seated under the trees or in their wagons +lunched of the food brought along. A fire was built and a huge caldron +of coffee was made of parched wheat ground and boiled. Coffee in these +days was only for the rich who lived in the cities. Delicious cream +and milk was in abundance for all the younger people. After the noon +repast the children gathered for the Sunday school. The second service +began at 3 o'clock and closed at 4. This work continued for seven +years. During that time the log church was replaced by a fine frame +church large enough to accommodate six or seven hundred worshipers. + +During the years of this pastorate my oldest brother, Rev. Phillip +Henry Kroh, was graduated from the theological seminary in Ohio and +had returned an ordained minister. He was at once made an assistant by +my father, the field being too large for him. + +In 1841 father returned from the eastern Synod with the sad tidings +that he had been appointed to go to Cincinnati, Ohio. We had lived so +long here, we expected it was to be our future home. We had a +comfortable house, a maple forest, gardens and stock, and the news +came as a severe blow to my poor mother. We had been so happy among +the fruits, flowers and country freedom, we were loath to give it up +for the city. It was with a sad heart that father parted from these +good and faithful people. The only balm for this separation was to +leave brother Phillip with them as his successor. He had become +endeared to them and had done such good work among the young, they +prayed father to leave him if the family must go. + +After a journey of three weeks we arrived at the parsonage. The +congregation had purchased the old Texas church in the western +addition of the city, and the parsonage was attached to the church in +the rear. It was a comfortable place of six large rooms. The furniture +had preceded the family and everything looked homelike and +comfortable, so mother had not the sadness of coming to a bare, +cheerless, empty house. We were cordially greeted by the elders' wives +and families, and when we arrived dinner was upon the table for us. +This welcome was more homelike because of our own things having +preceded us. And then we were such a busy family that we had little +time to waste in repinings. We were all put in the harness--the +Sabbath school and choir. We made visits with our parents to the sick +and the poor. Because we spoke nothing but the German language, we +were obliged to go to school. My oldest sister, Mary, was soon +established in the German department of the public school. She was +graduated from the Monticello Seminary, St. Louis, before coming +there. She taught during the week in the public school and on Saturday +taught English in the synagogue. On the Sabbath she played the +melodeon in our church. It was there that, as a child, I learned the +grand old German hymns of the church under her guidance and which +helped to make me the singer I am today. + +We had now been seven years in Cincinnati and the church had +flourished so greatly that a second German Reformed church was the +outcome of father's ministry. It was built on Webster street for the +purpose of housing the overflow of the first church on Betts street. +In all this prosperity California gold and missionary fields were +opened and discovered in November, 1847. Father was chosen for +California, and the only way to go was over the plains. What a sad +family was ours while preparations were made which would take father +and brother George, who was now 17 years old, away, as we thought, to +the other end of the earth. At last the hour came and the tie that +bound pastor and people, father, mother and children was severed. My +brother George told me the story of the trip as follows: + +"The party left Cincinnati down the river on the steamer Pontiac about +May 10th, 1849, arrived in St. Louis four days after the fire, May +18th, and remained four days at Weston. We purchased a yoke of oxen. +At St. Joseph, Mo., we purchased two more yokes. On the 28th we went +up the river and crossed over on flatboats. Here we camped for the +night. As far as the eye could see it was one level stretch of land. +May 29th we started on the long journey across the plains to +California. Our first mishap came in crossing over a bridge made of +logs, called a corduroy bridge. In crossing over this bridge one of +the oxen was crowded too near the edge. He was crowded off into the +water below and was drowned before we could give aid. After traveling +for seven days more, the first days in June, we came to Ash Hollow. At +this place the party came in contact with a whole tribe of Sioux +Indians. They were peaceful, and we traded with them and gave the +squaws some necklaces of bright colored beads. After passing the +Indian tribe, about five miles away, we camped for the night. We +reached Fort Laramie by noon the next day. Here we purchased a fine +cow to take the place of the drowned ox. She worked well. She supplied +the party with fresh milk as well. Fort Laramie consisted of only the +fort and a blacksmith shop. We continued next day and made several +stops before we came to Fort Bridger, occupied by the man Bridger and +his family. He had a squaw wife and six children. When he learned that +father was a missionary, he brought his whole family to our camp and +they were all baptized. This was father's first missionary work. + +"After leaving here we traveled for days before we got to Salt Lake +City, passing through Wyoming. At Salt Lake City father and Brigham +Young had a long and heated argument. A number of men and women joined +in. Among the women were several who did not believe as they were +compelled to, and they were on the side of the missionary. We remained +here a week, and we drove the cattle to feed and the Mormons stole +them two different times and compelled the company to pay fifteen +dollars each time as find money. Rather an expensive stay for one +week. When the party left, the women who favored us came out with +baskets filled with fresh vegetables, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and +squash. With tears in their eyes they said farewell. When we left we +employed the services of a Mormon guide. He purposely led us on the +wrong trail for sixty miles. It was necessary for us to return and get +the right trail. When we started once more he misled us the second +time and directed us into a deep canyon. In order to get out of this +difficulty we were obliged to take the wagon to pieces and piece by +piece we carried them out into safety. His object was to tire out our +oxen and get us to desert them so he could appropriate them. At last +we discovered his treachery and dismissed him at once. Then we +continued our journey along the Santa Fe trail. This was Kit Carson's +trail from Salt Lake to Lower California. We continued our travels +until we reached Big Muddy river and camped there. The Indians yelled +and whooped at us all night long. We could not sleep, for they were +the troublesome Piutes. We did not know how to act as they kept +concealed and were in great numbers. Two of them, more bold than the +others, being also curious, crawled through the willows. We +immediately shot at them. In the morning the oxen were rounded up and +one was missing. He was driven away by the Indians and killed. We +found him several miles further along, with seven arrows piercing his +body. Our next camping place was at the foot of the Sierra Nevada +mountains. The snow was eighteen inches deep and there was no food for +the cattle. After going a mile further the cow gave out. That left us +without any means to haul the wagons. Father left his wagon and we +packed our goods on a horse, this being the only animal remaining in +father's possession. We were compelled to leave many useful things +behind. Father's feet were frozen at this place and we were obliged to +cut off his boots to assist him out of his misery. Our sufferings were +great and we nearly froze on the trail. We kept going at a slow pace +and with great difficulty until we passed the snow belt, and when we +came to the green fields or plains our joy knew no bounds. But +misfortune overtook us here, for we turned our horse out with the +cattle and that was the last we ever saw of him. We came at last to +Cottonwood Springs and we camped there for two days to let the +remaining cattle rest and eat of herbage. + +"In the evening of the second day we started to cross the great +desert. We succeeded in crossing by midnight and reached the mountains +on the other side. I was so tired I fell asleep beside the trail. The +team passed me as I slept. I did not awaken until 2 in the morning. I +followed the trail and found the team, a distance of four or five +miles ahead of where I took the nap. On reaching camp, father and the +company were anxiously awaiting me. We rested for the night. Next +morning we started through a deep canyon which eventually opened into +a beautiful valley where we saw houses made of adobe. The fields were +covered with cattle. This was the first civilization we saw since +leaving Salt Lake. Starvation had almost overtaken us and we besought +the owner to sell us an ox and we had a feast and appeased our hunger. +We had lost all accounting of time until we came here. We camped for +the night, and next morning we started for Los Angeles. We arrived +there November 18, 1849. The Spaniards had taken a strong liking +toward father and wanted to make him their Alcalde, but he refused the +honor and told them he had come to preach the gospel and had to go +further. On his going they presented him with a fine horse and saddle +as a token of their esteem for him. At that time Los Angeles had only +a few adobe houses and a Catholic mission. Commodore Stockton had dug +trenches around the place as a means of defense. We slowly wended our +way for another month when we met a man who had bought a thousand head +of cattle. He told father he could earn his way up the coast by +helping drive the cattle, but he was not able to do this spirited +work, so father and son exchanged places. Father turned the horse over +to me and he drove the supply wagon. For the first time in my life I +was a real cowboy. + +"We followed the coast through Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, crossing +over to Livermore and San Joaquin valley, this being the end of the +cattle drive. Here we were paid and dismissed and our employer said we +were about forty miles from Stockton and about the same distance from +the mines. We plodded slowly along, following up the Stanislaus river. +The first place we reached having a name was Knight's Ferry. We were +out of money and clothes when we arrived at this place. The ferryman +took us across without pay and bade us remain all night. Up to this +time we wore buckskin trousers. I went out hunting and the rain came +down in torrents and my trousers got drenched. They stretched so long +I cut them off so I could walk. When they dried they had shrunken +above my knees. At this place we met Mr. Dent, a brother-in-law of +General Grant. With him also was a Mr. Vantine. When these men saw the +unfortunate condition we were in, they gave us each a pair of overalls +and a hat. So we were once more a little more civilized and passable. +On our way up the coast we encountered a heavy storm. We had prepared +to camp under a fine tree, but a large dead limb hung directly over +us. I told father that we had better move as there was danger. But he +thought it safe to remain where we were. But I insisted that we move, +and finally he listened to my pleadings and we each took an end of the +bed and lifted it over to the other side of the tree, away from the +dead limb. We had hardly gotten settled into the bed before the limb +came down with a crash, immediately across the spot from where we took +the bed. Had we remained, nothing could have saved us from instant +death. The next day we left Knight's Ferry without a dollar and +reached the mines that afternoon about 4 o'clock. One of the miners +gave me a claim. The next morning I started my first gold mining. +Father was obliged to rest after all this dreadful experience of nine +or ten months. I bought myself a rocker and began to work my claim. +The first day I had washed out $9.50. In eight days I had gotten out +$650. After getting the gold father went to Stockton and bought a +supply of groceries and started a grocery store at Scorpion Gulch. I +took up another claim and in ten days' time I had taken out a +collection of nuggets and small gold to the amount of $1,600." + +This was sent home to the family in the East with the message for us +to come to California as soon as we could get ready. + +After father started for California we were obliged to vacate the +parsonage for the family of his successor. So the church was raised +and a fine story made under the church for our use while we remained +there. We were all obliged to work and help mother in some way. The +older ones were teaching and we who were but children sewed a certain +amount each day before our play hour came. My sister Mary now played +the organ in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Aiken was the director of +the choir. I was about ten years old at this time, and with the new +minister other changes came in our church and we left the choir to +others who came after us. Shortly after this I remember going one +Sabbath to the church to hear sister play the pipe organ. While in the +choir loft Mr. Aiken came in. He came over and asked me how I came +there. I told him I had come with my sister. "Who is your sister?" +"Miss Kroh, who plays the organ." He looked surprised. Presently I saw +them conversing. When sister came to her place she said to me, "When +the choir arises to sing you go over and stand with the alto." I +demurred and she said, "Go and sing as you have been singing in our +choir. You know the music." After that Sunday I sang with the choir +five years, until we came to California. I was then fifteen. That is +how I became a choir singer when ten years of age. Mr. Aiken used to +pick me out from among the children of the public schools and place me +in the front row in every school I ever attended while he taught the +music. + +Mr. Aiken became musical instructor in the schools in 1848. It was +then I was selected to join the choral class. There were fifty boys +and girls picked from the different schools and we had a fine drilling +each Saturday afternoon in the basement of the church. One of the boys +had a high soprano voice and we all admired his singing to adoration. +He was as courteous as his voice was beautiful--unspoiled by praise. +We had one chorus we all loved, of which he was the soloist, and we +were not satisfied with the rehearsal until we had sung, and the +young master had so beautifully rendered the obbligato to the song, +"Shepherd, from your sleep awake, Morning opes her golden eyes, etc." +How well I remember the words of the song and the beautiful boy singer +that left the impression of his voice in my life, and I can see the +picture as plain as if it hung on the wall of my studio today. From +that voice and the correct guidance of my sainted sister Mary I have +been able to sing and please the many thousands of people who have +listened to me in my years of song wherever I strayed--in the East or +West. + +In speaking of Professor Junkerman's work in the schools of +Cincinnati, a coincidence happened in 1906 which recalled my childhood +days with all the vivid coloring traced upon my mind fifty-two years +ago. In the number of _The Musician_ for May, 1906, I saw two pictures +that were familiar and I looked without seeing the names printed +beneath them. To my utter astonishment they were the likenesses of Mr. +Aiken and Professor Junkerman, whom I had not seen for over fifty +years and yet I knew them at sight--the moment my eyes beheld them. In +reading the article and what it contained in regard to the music and +its development, I was able to go over the whole ground of Mr. Aiken's +teaching as if I were once more a school child. All three of these +persons were in the schools--Professor Junkerman, in languages, organ +and piano; my sister, Mary Kroh, his pupil on both organ and piano, +also teacher of English and German, and Mr. Aiken, the teacher in the +public schools for voice and the movable "do" system. Was ever such a +windfall of good fortune as this proved to me? I had tried to recall +the name of the dear old professor to use it in my narrative, but my +memory was at fault. We all loved him so well. He was a thorough +musician and thoroughly appreciated by all who had the advantage of +his knowledge, either in languages or in instrumental music. _The +Musician_ contains a complete detail of these two men who were +instrumental in promoting the best music in the early years of 1839 +and later in 1842 and continued until 1879 for Mr. Aiken, and +Professor Junkerman closed his public career in 1900. + +[Illustration: + +Rev. Phillip Henry Kroh +Geo. Z. Kroh +Olevianus Casper Kroh +Mrs. Emma Jane Kroh-Knight +Rev. Henry Kroh, D.D. +Mrs. Mary Stouch-Kroh +Mrs. Mary Matilda Kroh-Trembly +Mrs. Elizabeth C. Kroh-Flagler +Mrs. Margaret R. Kroh-Blake-Alverson +Mrs. Sarah Rebecca Kroh-Harrold +Mrs. Ann Lauretta Kroh-Zimmerman + +REV. DR. AND MRS. HENRY KROH AND FAMILY + +Stockton, 1852] + + + + +CHAPTER TWO + +OUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA VIA THE ISTHMUS, AND EARLY DAYS THERE. FIRST +CHURCH CHOIR IN STOCKTON + + +At last the long-looked-for letter came that father and brother had +arrived in the mines of California, and in the letter were several +small flakes of gold wrapped in a bit of paper. We had so long hoped +against hope that the sight of the familiar writing caused the +greatest excitement. Poor mother could hardly hold out any longer and +the news was too much for her weak body, for she was just convalescing +from weeks of sickness brought on by hope deferred and waiting and +watching each day for a word from the wanderers. We were obliged to +refrain for her sake, but we were all like as if news came from the +dead--ten long months and no word. After we were somewhat quieted +sister Mary read the letter aloud. It was like reading the last will +of the departed, we were all so unnerved. At the close of the letter +we were informed to get in readiness and that the money was already on +the way for us. It had taken over two months for this letter to come +by steamer, and we counted the days for another with the gold to take +us away to California. What a consternation this news made in the +congregation! They had hoped that father might return if things were +not favorable, but the letter and the gold in the letter and the money +coming to take us away were too true. There was no hope now that he +would return. The successor of father was a young minister, Rev. Henry +Rust. He heard the news with a sad heart, for he and my sister Mary +were betrothed. Father's message was for sister Mary to take his place +as help to mother, who was not able to take the family alone over the +two oceans with all the uncertainty of travel. The weeks of waiting +were spent in preparation. Many busy fingers plied the needle (for +sewing machines were not known at that time). Young as I was, I was no +stranger to the use of the needle, for that is part of a German girl's +education, with knitting and crocheting. I was born in the time of +weaving, spinning and carding. Much brass and pewter household +articles were to be kept bright and shiny. Children in those days were +little housewives and took as much pride in having the family silver, +copper and brass polished as the older ones. The oaken floors were +made white with soft soap and sand, and the comfortable rugs of rag +carpet were woven with special care. The high-posted bedsteads with +the valance around the bottom of white linen, the canopy above draped +with chintz of the daintiest tracings of figures and flowers, and oh, +the feather bed well beaten and made high, and immaculate white quilt +finished a bed fit for a king to rest his royal body upon. While we +had not a grand home, it was a place of order, taste and refinement. +Each one was taught to feel responsible for the good or bad +impressions from strangers who visited us from time to time. +Consequently we all took pride in keeping order, which was the law of +the home, and as young as we were we felt justly proud of praise from +strangers. After school we had so much to sew, mend or knit. When that +was done, we were allowed to play until six. The evenings were spent +in preparing the lessons for the next day. My early years were spent +in work and play. Law and order was the rule, but none of us were +unhappy by the restraint. It was an education that has made the men +and women of our family what they are today. We were home keepers as +well as entertainers. + +Having traveled so much during our lifetime, changing from one city to +another, we were not afraid to take this last long journey. The +difficulty was what to take, especially of many of the heirlooms that +mother still retained from her girlhood home. After inquiry and +instructions from the steamship company, we found to our dismay that +no furniture could go, as there was no way of getting it over the +Isthmus. All our long-cherished household furniture must remain +behind. Only things that could be taken up in small boats were +allowed. Kind friends of the congregation made their choice and took +them as keepsakes in remembrance of us when we were far away. This act +of kindness was much appreciated by mother, who suffered much anguish +of mind to see the familiar things of her girlhood scattered here and +there and her claim to them forever gone. She had heretofore been able +to go willingly to different places because the familiar things made +it homelike when settled in new surroundings, but this time all must +be left behind. California was too far--she was going out to the +great unknown world, far from civilization, not knowing what was +before her. If everything else had to be left, she still retained the +affection of her children, and we were as watchful of her happiness +and comfort as if we were her keeper. Her hopes of meeting father and +son, and her children with her, gave her the courage to begin the long +journey. + +It was now the year 1851. Mary had been teaching in the public schools +and synagogue; sister Emma was sewing. They kept the finances from +running low, as father's salary had to go to his successor and we had +no other means of support. With good management and many friends we +all came safely through the ordeal. After the first letter we had +received no other word and the second year was passing, although we +had been ready for months with the disposal of our household goods. +The sisters kept their positions, so all went on as usual. In the +latter part of May a rap was heard at the front door and sister Mary +answered the summons and before her stood the express man of Adams +Express Company, and he handed her a canvas sack filled with gold and +a letter addressed to mother from California. Father had sent us +$1,600 and orders to come as soon as possible. He would be awaiting us +in Stockton, California. After our surprise was over, what was to be +done with all this money--we could not keep it here safely. So sister +Sarah was dispatched to one of the trustees of the church who had a +safe in his office. The money was placed in a covered basket and she +was sent with all haste to get to the office before closing time, but +fate was against her and Mr. Butler had closed the office and gone. So +she was obliged to bring it home once more. It was dark before she +came back and there were two men who followed her at a distance all +the way going and coming. What to do to protect this great amount of +money was a vital question. We occupied the first story under the +church and the front rooms faced on Betts street, as did the entrance +of the church. The original parsonage had not been occupied since we +vacated it because the new minister had no family. We still retained +the key. After our plans were made, myself and sister Sarah were sent +out on the sidewalk as if we were playing, to see if any strangers +were lurking around. Mother stood in the front door and talked with us +while sister Mary, accompanied by my small brother, took the money and +went up to the other parsonage and let herself in, then into the +church. It was still daylight. So as not to use a light, she quietly +slipped into the church, removed one side of the pulpit steps and let +my brother crawl over to the other side and put the gold beneath the +steps there. After depositing it, she quietly put everything in place +and returned to the house. Then we retired for the evening. + +None of the neighbors knew of the money being received. It came at an +hour when no one was coming home or happened to be on the sidewalk. +The shutters on the first floor were solid wood so no one could molest +us. We had been clearing the house and packing things away. We were +all tired and slept well. Mary and Emma occupied the front room and +for some unknown reason left the wooden bar off that made the door +secure, and these two men came in so quietly that no one heard them. +They had unlocked the doors to escape in case they were discovered. +Mother was awakened during the night and said, "Mary, are you up?" No +answer. After a short silence she heard another sound and she called, +"Are you ill, Mary? If you are, I'll get up and help." Receiving no +answer, she reached out to light the candle, but hearing nothing more +she thought she had been mistaken and went to sleep. She arose early +and found the shutters unlocked and the side door ajar. Then she went +into the parlor and all the chairs had been taken from the front door +where they had been piled. She immediately realized that there had +been robbers in the house searching for the gold. She awoke the girls +and told them of what had happened, and you can imagine our +consternation. As long as we remained in the house we lived in fear of +a second attempt. The next morning sister Sarah was sent with the gold +to our friend, Mr. Butler, who was surprised and simply amazed at the +amount sister gave him to keep. He immediately put it into safer hands +at the mint where the gold was weighed and the value given in money +and placed in the bank subject to mother's order. When Mr. Butler was +told of the attempted robbery he immediately arranged to have the +house watched each night until our departure, which came the first +week in June, 1851. We left Cincinnati for New York and were welcomed +on our arrival by friends with whom we remained for a week. On the +following Monday we secured passage for California on the steamer Ohio +bound for Aspinwall. I was too young and also too ill to know just the +route taken, but after a month we arrived at Aspinwall, and when +our belongings were properly taken care of we started on our journey +across the Isthmus of Panama. + +[Illustration: Blake + +_Virtue Alone Ennobles_ + +THE FAMILY COAT OF ARMS] + +We were nine days going up the Chagres river in flatboats. This trip, +girl as I was, I can recall perfectly and it was an experience which +has served in after years as an education which I have used in many +ways. We, as children, had access to father's great library and +magazines from which we learned so much of foreign countries and +people. I had artistic tastes and I used to find the tropical pictures +and scenes much to my liking and asked many questions in regard to the +different people among whom the missionaries worked. I had never +thought ever to see or realize such a picture in the tropics as this. +We had a large boat assigned to our family alone. Our belongings were +deposited and two great, black natives were placed at each end of the +boat or scow. They were without clothing, save for a short, full skirt +of white cloth fastened around their waists on a band. Each used a +long pole to propel the scow. We were the only family of women on +board the steamer. There was Mr. Biggar and his wife and a bride and +her husband, besides several colored women and their husbands coming +out to take positions on the Pacific steamers. All the other +passengers were men, coming to hunt their fortunes and go back rich. +There were about eight or nine of these scows. The railroad was not +finished, but it was being built at that time. The surveying was being +done and small cabins were built for the surveyors' use at the +different stations where we camped for the night. The captain had +provided us with food in cans and packages, toasted bread and other +things for our comfort and utensils for cooking, and we had a jolly +picnic for nine long days before we came to the place where we mounted +the burros to take us the rest of the way to Panama. + +To describe this journey needs a more romantic pen than mine, but I'll +endeavor to tell you of some of the features and things that we saw +which were so strange and wonderful to me. After we had said our +good-byes to the captain and officers who were so gallant to us and +did all they could for us during the long month on the rough Atlantic, +we climbed into our boat and these natives took charge of it, one at +each end, with a guttural grunt from both. They lightly took their +places and we began our journey up the Chagres river. It was a warm, +bright morning, and a light haze in the atmosphere made it appear +like spring. At first we felt afraid of our boatmen, but soon we were +drinking in all of the panoramic effects of the changing scenes of +trailing vines, tropical flowers and other splendors. The chattering +of monkeys and parrots, the alligators lying upon the opposite shore +like great gray logs, some sleeping, some with their great mouths wide +open to allow the insects to gather on their tongues, were things +never to be forgotten. I observed that when a large number of flies +had gathered the alligators would close their capacious jaws, +satisfied with the sweet morsel, and roll their eyes with apparent +enjoyment. Then they once more slowly opened their ponderous jaws and +quietly waited for another meal. We had gone on our way several hours +without speaking, there was so much to see and it was all so new. The +quaint song of the natives amused us. They never seemed to weary of +the same "Yenze, yenze, _ah_ yenze." At the third "Yenze" the boat +would shoot up the stream twice its length. It was nearing noon and +the sun was getting torrid and the air close and stifling. Without any +warning the rain showered upon us and we were obliged to remain in our +places and let it come down upon us, regardless of results to our +clothing. The rain was of short duration, however, and we rather +enjoyed the cooling effect. Presently the sun shone in all its glory +and in an hour we were once more with dry clothing. This mixed weather +continued the whole ten days of our journey. + +At noon of each day we disembarked and prepared our meal, generally +stopping at one of the stations of the railroad. We found quite a +number of white men and Mexicans at each place. They gladly received +us and offered us some of their fare. In exchange we gave them soup, +made in a large kettle, and had several things they were strangers to +in their life in the forest of vines, flowers and fruit of the tropics +where they subsisted on rations of pork, bacon, hardtack, etc. They +gladly accepted our fare and we partook of theirs. Before we started +again the men came to the boat with baskets of fresh cut oranges and +bananas and plantains. They were for us to take on the steamer and we +could enjoy them as they ripened on the way. We received marked +attention from the men at every station. Women coming to California +were a novelty, and when they learned we were all of one family of the +American Padre, they were still more gracious. So we journeyed for ten +days, each day bringing forth some new feature. At night we left the +boats and slept in the bungalows perched high in the air, and to +reach them we climbed steps cut out in a large log placed at the +opening. There was only one large room and we all slept on the floor, +rolled in our blankets. We got but little sleep because of the noise +from below made by Americans and Spaniards playing cards and smoking +cigarettes and Spanish girls dancing as the men thrummed on the +guitars. The Spaniards carried long knives at their sides and pistols +in their belts, wore wide straw hats and red sashes, black trousers +slashed down the side and trimmed with rows of bright buttons. +High-heeled boots and spurs finished the unique garb. The women wore a +white chemise and white petticoat and slippers. Their black hair, +plaited in two braids, and a silk shawl thrown gracefully over their +heads and a fan, which is an indispensable article to a Spanish lady, +completed the toilet. Nothing but troubled sleep came to our relief +during these days. Fear of the Spaniards and the movements of the +lizards on the rafters and walls, with now and then a tarantula, made +rest almost impossible. At last we had only one day more, the tenth +day. We had gotten familiar with the different scenes, the waving +palms, the trailing vines where the monkeys climbed or hung by their +tails and chattered in their own way. The scarlet lingawacha, or +tongue plant, hung in graceful lengths and brightened the varied +colored green in the background. Innumerable families of parrots +talked and screamed from the branches. Bananas and orange trees +everywhere interspersed with tall cocoanut palms, the large and small +alligators basking in the sun on the sand were pictures never to be +forgotten. The natives in their peculiar dress, the fandango at night, +the graceful twirl of the Spanish waltz put the life touch to the +picture that comes to me today at the age of seventy-five as it was in +those days when I experienced, a girl of fifteen, all the discomforts +of travel from Cincinnati to California. + +It was about 4 o'clock on the tenth day when we arrived at the small +village where we were to remain for the night and next morning, then +ho! for Panama. We had better accommodations here, a large adobe +house, kept by a Spaniard and wife and daughters, under the +supervision of the steamship company, which also controlled the scows +that we used on the river Chagres. Our goods were transferred from the +scows to the pack mule train. After everything had been safely lashed +upon their backs, our burros were brought and we all mounted astride. +It was well for us we were no strangers to riding. My youngest +brother was too small to ride, so a large native bamboo chair was +brought and strapped upon the back of a large native and in the chair, +safely tied in, sat the brother, as contented as a lord. He was such a +handsome child, mother did not want to have the native take him for +fear he would steal him, so she had the slave start first and she came +behind and rode with him in sight all the way, but she was +unnecessarily alarmed, for he was most faithful. The day before we +left for the steamer he came with an offering of fruit and nuts for +the boy and the madre and senoritas. Mother gave him an extra dollar +and he was greatly surprised and smilingly picked up brother and +carried him to the steamer and assisted us in every way until we were +safely transferred to the steamship Tennessee, Captain Totten, +commander. The ride on the burros over mountains, hills and dales was +an experience never to be forgotten. Slowly, step by step we wound +around the mountain trail. These burros had gone the road so many +years that their tiny hoofs had worn places in the rocks. All we had +to do was to sit tight in the saddle as we ascended or descended the +steep places. The pummel of the saddle was high and we held on to +that, and enjoyed the novelty of the situation. Once or twice we +merged into a plain of a mile or so, then began the rocky ascent. We +refreshed ourselves from time to time at cooling springs that dripped +out from the rocks into a rustic stone basin. The scenery was very +attractive, but it became monotonous as we sat in our saddles while +the burros, step by step, ascended or descended the path they had +traversed so often. Toward night the mountains became more like +rolling hills and there was more open space and sky to be seen. By the +time darkness overtook us we were near the outskirts of Panama and +hoped soon to see the lights of the city. About nine o'clock we +stopped before an adobe building, long and wide, two stories high, +with a large enclosed place for the burros. This was also under the +steamship company's control. This time the proprietor was a white man +and we were able to obtain desirable beds and comfortable fare. He +gave us the best rooms, large and clean, more homelike than anything +we had seen since leaving home. We were so weary it was with +difficulty we got off the burros, having ridden all day long. I could +hardly feel the earth under me and I staggered many times before we +were comfortable in our rooms. After resting for an hour we were +summoned to supper. It was now ten o'clock. Late as it was, we found +the supper so appetizing we forgot the hour and really enjoyed the +first good meal in the ten days we were on the way. The host and his +good wife saw that everybody was made comfortable during the time we +remained there. The steamer Tennessee had arrived two days before and +had all the cargo in and fruits and fresh vegetables on board, so we +were able to sail the next afternoon at three o'clock. + +[Illustration: STEAMER "AMERICAN EAGLE," SACRAMENTO RIVER, 1852 + +HOME OF REV. DR. AND MRS. HENRY KROH, STOCKTON + +Built in 1853. Still standing and occupied. Its material came around +the Horn.] + +It was almost five when the signal was given for "all ashore," and in +an hour we were steaming along the coast and out of sight of Panama. +The sea was calm and the steamer was steady and I supposed I would +fare better than I had during the first part of the trip. But as soon +as I smelled the smoke from the stacks and the odor of the cooking +food, I was as miserable as before. The rest of the family fared +better and were able to go to the table when the sea was calm. There +were about fifty cabin passengers, and during this voyage we made +several lifelong friends of some of the most prominent men who came +here to make their fortunes. We received the most courteous treatment +from every one. It was like one large family. Captain Totten and First +Officer A.J. Clifton were like fathers to us. Mr. Clifton claimed me, +as I was the age of his daughter left at home, and I used to sing for +him and then I was his "Nightingale." We had learned a song to sing +for our father when we expected him home, and as he did not come we +related the incident to the captain and Mr. Clifton and our friends on +board, and nothing must do until we sang it for all on board. It was +on a moonlight night and we were going smoothly, consequently I was +not ill, and Captain Totten proposed that we should sing the song. +Everybody was on deck enjoying the delightful evening. Everything was +still; only the puffing of the smokestack and the plash of the wheel +were heard. We all clustered around mother and began our song. + + "Home again, home again from a foreign shore, + And O! it fills my soul with joy to meet my friends once more. + Here we dropped the parting tear to cross the ocean's foam, + But now we're once again with those who kindly greet me home. + Home again, home again," etc. + +Mother, Emma and Sarah sang the soprano; Mary, Margaret and Lauretta +sang the alto. Mary's voice being a deep contralto, she improvised the +third part. The plaintive song, with the sentiment of home +surroundings, touched the hearts of all the passengers and turned +their thoughts homewards, and many an eye glistened with tears. + +After the first night of song there never was an evening that there +was not singing of some kind. Sister found some good voices among the +men and we formed a chorus. In a short time we were without an +audience, for everybody gradually found he had a note or two to use, +and whenever it was good sailing we sang. We had two severe storms +when I, for one, was not visible on any occasion. I must confess the +sea and I are not at all friends. We had one storm passing the bay of +Tehuantepec. The steamer rolled and the sea dashed high for two days, +but the boat was faithful to her trust and we safely steamed into the +beautiful bay at Acapulco the last of the week. I had been ill all the +way, going without food, and when we arrived Captain Totten said I +should have one fine dinner. After the passengers had gone ashore we +were taken off in the captain's boat and had our dinner at the hotel +where the captain had ordered it in advance. We remained on shore all +day visiting this Spanish town while the steamer was loading food and +coal. We visited some Spanish homes where the captain had friends, and +we were entertained by these Castilian ladies, who sang their songs to +us. In return we sang for them and they appreciated our music. About +three o'clock we said good-bye and they gave us beautiful mementos of +shell flowers, nuts and fruits and accompanied us to the boat with +their servants to carry our gifts for us. Such a beautiful day of +happenings and surprises for us who had never seen people of this kind +before left lasting impressions in my heart of courtesy and kindness. + +By nine in the evening we had left the bay and our newly made friends +far behind and we were steaming toward California as fast as the +steamer could carry us. We had come nearly half the way and were +nearing Lower California when we encountered rough weather off Cape +Lucas. Oh, how the ship tossed and rolled. I thought morning never +would dawn. The wind was against us. The masts strained and creaked. I +really feared we would not reach California. The sea was rough nearly +all the time until we passed Santa Barbara, when it became calm and we +could once more feel that we might reach our destination. We had been +now three weeks on the way and we were longing for sight of land. We +strained our eyes daily, hoping to see the hills, but not until we had +come within two days of the Golden Gate did we see any sign of land. +Fog and distance prevented our distinguishing anything but an outline +of the shore, but as the fog lifted we saw more distinctly the hills, +and each hour brought us nearer to the long-looked-for harbor within +the Golden Gate. And yet we saw no city, only sand hills. We steamed +past Telegraph Hill, then we began to see here and there low wooden +buildings and tents and shacks. Was this then San Francisco? Oh, how +disappointed we were; there was no place to go. We remained on board +until the Stockton steamer arrived. There was no accommodation for +women anywhere. The steamer, American Eagle, came in about 1 o'clock, +and our things were transferred on board, and Captain Totten cared for +us as though we were his family and had everything arranged as far as +possible for our comfort. He explained to the river captain that we +were to be met in Stockton by father. But the captain also had +instructions from Rev. J.H. Woods not to expect father, who had been +ill in the mines, but we were to go to his home until father could +arrive from Scorpion Gulch, where he and brother had a store, and it +was slow travel with the six-mule "schooner," over hills and dusty +roads to Stockton. + +It was quite a change from the great steamer Tennessee to the little +stern-wheel boat as it slowly puffed across the bay through Carquinez +straits and up the slough, turning and winding along, sometimes being +caught by a sharp turn in the stream and one or two stops on the sand +bars if the water was too low. We did not sleep much because +everything was so strange and small. We were always in fear of some +accident. The hours dragged slowly until morning, when the boat came +to a stop about seven o'clock. At eight o'clock the small cannon was +fired, informing the people that the steamer had arrived. The captain +came about nine o'clock for us and we breakfasted with him and the +officers. We were the only female passengers, as we had parted with +the other friends at San Francisco, they having gone to Sacramento and +Marysville, with their husbands, to the mines. It was like the parting +of a large family. We had been together two long months, sharing the +changes and rough traveling and the happy evenings on board where the +genial officers did all they could to make the voyage comfortable with +the means they possessed. Before we came only men traveled and they +put up with any inconvenience to get to the gold fields. About ten +o'clock our friend, Rev. Mr. Woods, met us and gave us the message +sent by father, so it was arranged we should go to the reverend +gentleman's home and await his and brother George's coming. Mrs. Woods +was a Southern lady, from Alabama, and met us with warm hospitality. +She was glad to see us, being the only white woman in Stockton at the +time. And we were glad to meet another woman. These good people had +several boys but no girls. We were seven girls and one boy. As +ministers' families, we had much in common. The Woods' cottage was +pretty well crowded, but we managed well, as every one was able to be +a help instead of a burden. A tent was put up in the lot and bunks +were soon made, and we put the men in the tents and the women and +children indoors. We were not yet acclimated and suffered with colds +for several weeks. + +We patiently awaited father's return, but three whole weeks passed +before the meeting was granted us. We were sitting in front of the +cottage, chatting and sewing, when about four o'clock in the afternoon +we saw several men approaching and, as we observed them, my quick eye +recognized father. With one spring from the porch I cried, "Father," +and as fleet as a rabbit I was off before any one realized what was +the cause of my sudden exit. They watched my flying feet and by the +time they realized what I was doing I was in the arms of the dear old +daddy, coming slowly with Mr. Woods, brother George and two friends. +It was our habit, as children, to always meet father when he came home +at night, and when we all ran to meet him the youngest always received +the first attention, being taken in his arms, and the others clung to +his coat and skipped alongside, chatting as fast as we could until we +entered the house. Words cannot express the joy of the meeting after +more than two years' separation. When mother realized that father had +come at last she was like one dazed and could not move. The children +in their happiness were surrounding the long lost wanderers. At last +father spoke, with tears of gladness in his eyes, "Where is Mary, your +mother, my children?" We had monopolized his attention and poor mother +was neglected for the moment. As soon as we had realized the oversight +sister Mary beckoned us all away and we gradually disappeared and left +the two to enjoy their happy reunion. After a half hour had passed, +and while they were softly conversing, we gathered in the main room +and, clustering around sister Mary, we began the song-- + + "Home again, home again from a foreign shore, + And oh it fills my soul with joy to meet my friends once more." + +Rev. Mr. Woods and family were more than surprised to find such voices +among us, and their appreciation was so genuine we gave them one of +our dear old German hymns, a favorite of father's also. + +[Illustration: First Presbyterian Church, Washington street, Stockton, +California, built in 1849, the first Protestant church in California. +Mrs. Blake-Alverson, as Miss Kroh, was contralto of the first choir, +organized in 1852.] + +The singing seemed to give new life to his long struggle in the +ministry. His was the only church in Stockton at that time, besides a +Catholic church, and it was uphill work to get the men to come to +service. A new thought came to him that perhaps music in the church +might be an incentive for men to forsake one day thinking of gold. So +the choir was established and a large melodeon was secured from San +Francisco from one of the music stores which had been established. +Joseph Atwill began the music business on Washington street in 1850, +just one year before we arrived in November, 1851. It was soon noised +about that the family of Rev. H. Kroh were singers and that by the +first of the month there would be a choir in the Presbyterian church. +A melodeon was to be purchased. Miss M. Kroh was to play the organ and +direct the music and the sisters were to sing. During the time the +melodeon was on the way we had become acquainted with William Trembly, +a fine tenor; James Holmes, bass; William Cobb, tenor; Will Belding, +bass; Samuel Grove, tenor; and William H. Knight, bass. + +[Illustration: Pioneer home of the family of Rev. Dr. Henry Kroh, the +father of Margaret Blake-Alverson, Stockton, California, December, +1851.] + +Father had returned to take charge of his store and we had moved into +the only house to be found, a story and a half high with eight rooms +and a canvas kitchen. We would call it a barn today, but we thought it +a palace. It was originally built for a small hotel, cloth and paper +on the walls and ceiling, roughened wood floors, everything of the +most primitive make. The rent of it was $80 a month and it cost $1,100 +to furnish it. We had matting for carpets, the most common kitchen +chairs in the best room, kitchen table for a center table, and our +dining table was made of two long redwood boards joined together and +placed on four saw horses. Having had so much to do in making the best +out of nothing in the many places before, we had not lost the art of +arranging the furnishings of this house. Fortunately we did not +sacrifice all of our bedding, linens and quilts. We were allowed them +in the freight. The stores kept nothing but the brightest colored +prints and some bright damasks for the use of the Indians who came +down from the mountains and traded for such things. We could get white +cotton cloth, so we were able to have curtains at the windows combined +with red damask. We covered boxes with the same damask, and with +castors screwed on the corners we had some very comfortable stools. +Then a square of damask was properly finished off and made a table +cover for the center table. When all was done we began to feel we were +once more at home. There was yet something lacking. We had no piano +and we were lost without the usual music that made our home so happy. +Dear sister Mary, how we all pitied her. We knew she was suffering +daily from homesickness, the separation from her sweetheart, the loss +of her organ and piano and no companionship with musical people. +Although she never murmured, we could see that her mind was where her +heart was. But her duty was here. She was bravely battling day by day. +We all saw it and hoped against hope to change the condition. + +Finally the choir had been formed and the melodeon came. That was soon +compensation for her loss. So the rehearsals began, and on the first +Sunday of the month we gave the first service. We had anthems from the +old Carmina Sacra and familiar hymns and our new found friends all +joined the choir. It was a great service. It seemed that everybody +from the pastor to the choir was inspired. Such an outpouring of men! +Mother and Mrs. Woods in the congregation and five of us in the choir +composed all the female portion of the congregation. The rest +consisted of men of mature years and young men away from home and +entering a church for the first time perhaps in this new country. When +the hour arrived for service the church could hold no more. Those who +could not enter stood outside the door during the whole service. The +evening service was a repetition, and those who could not get into the +church obtained boxes and laid boards upon them and kneeled before the +windows which were opened so they could hear the sermon and the +singing. It was a strange sight for the men to see women and +especially young girls. The miners would come to Stockton on Saturday +to frequent the resorts. Drinking and card playing formed their +diversions. Many a young man turned away from the gaming table to +listen to the music and hear the sermon. + +We arrived in Stockton the latter part of November. 1851, and remained +with Rev. James Woods until we obtained this house, where we remained +two years. During that time we had formed the acquaintance of the +foremost merchants, bankers and professional men. The first +Thanksgiving we invited the following gentlemen to dinner: William H. +Knight, Samuel Grove, William Belding, William Gray, Austin Sperry, +Frederick Lux, C.V. Payton, James Harrold, William Trembly, David +Trembly, James Holmes, Thomas Mosely, Charles Deering, Gilbert +Claiborne, Mr. Shoenewasser, Mr. Thompson, B.W. Bours, Charles +Woodman, William Cobb and Charles Greenly. Brother George still had +his team of mules and the large schooner and made his regular trips +from Scorpion Gulch with his friend, Fred Lux, who also was engaged in +the same business. On their way down for this occasion they killed +enough wild game to serve bountifully the needs for this first +Thanksgiving dinner, as the usual turkey was not to be obtained. Wild +geese, rabbits and squirrels were plentiful and our hearts were +gladdened to see such a display. How we worked and baked and planned! +By many willing hands the dinner was prepared and the guests began to +arrive. Including our family, there were thirty in all. Our home had +but two rooms on the first floor. A large parlor, hall and stairway +faced upon the main street, and the dining room led out from the hall +and was large enough to seat many guests. The kitchen was made of +canvas and led into the dining room. There were three fine windows in +the dining room, so it made a pleasant and cheerful place. Although +everything was of the plainest sort, the long table with the white +cloth and greens from the pine trees the boys had cut as they came +along, and the wild flowers we had gathered and placed in bowls to +grace the tables with the greens which were arranged tastefully in +wreaths and festoons, gave a homelike welcome to these men who for +months had not eaten a home dinner or enjoyed the society of women. As +the darkness came on, we lit up the room with candles, having no other +lights. We had not forgotten to bring our brass candlesticks among our +household effects. Mother could not part with them, so they were +carefully packed among our clothing in the trunks and served us +beautifully on this occasion. They got an extra polish of whiting from +sister and me, who were the decorators on this occasion, and we had to +attend to the tables while mother and the older sisters made the +cakes, pies and prepared the roasts and meat pies and other necessary +additions for a dinner of this kind. Father, mother and the older +sisters sat with the guests, and sister Sarah and I waited upon the +table. As young as I was, the impression was a lasting one. Some of +the gentlemen looked sad, some dignified, others joked and others +related stories of home and their experiences in different places +in California until the dinner was over and we adjourned to the +parlor. + +[Illustration: + +Richard Condy +Judge H.B. Underhill +Mary Jane Lloyd +Mrs. Anna Bowden-Shattuck +Lizzie Fisher +Carrie Heinemann +Mr. Schnable +Ellen Lloyd +Mrs. Taylor + +ASSOCIATED MUSICIANS AND SINGERS + +1853 to 1879] + +The dinner made such an impression that before the guests departed +they had it all arranged that we were to take them all as boarders. +After such a feast of things they had longed for so many months, they +were not willing to go back to the old way of batching it, as they +termed it. We were young and used to housework and we wanted a home of +our own some day. Father consulted us and we agreed that on the +following Monday they might begin to come. We were assigned our parts, +and for two years we worked until we were able to secure our own +house, which stands today in Stockton as one of the earlier homes and +our homestead. While in this house there were times when we still +longed for home and the old surroundings. Sister Mary wanted her +instrument which she supposed she would never have again. Our friends, +knowing this, quietly consulted father in regard to securing a piano +as a birthday offering. But as Christmas Day was the date of her +birth, it was too late for the year 1851. We had already entered upon +the year 1852, and it would take almost a year to get a piano here, as +Mr. Atwill had not imported any instruments as yet. Our friends were +good business men and they immediately set about to learn if a piano +could not be obtained. All this was unknown to any of us but father. +William Trembly and James Harrold, while in San Francisco, inquired at +the different musical stores as to arrangements to obtain a piano. +Kohler & Chase did not import at that time. They dealt in notions, +fancy goods and toys. They were not wholly in the music business until +later in the sixties. Mr. Atwill was at the time on Washington street. +He did not import largely, and when Messrs. Trembly and Harrold came +to him he gladly entered into the plan to get a fine Chickering here +by December 25th of 1852. The cost was to be $1,200, delivered in good +order. The piano order was given, and how it came to California, +whether by steamer or around the Horn, I am not able to say. + +All through the year we worked early and late, and our boarders had +increased until they numbered thirty-five. We could not accommodate +any more. There were no amusements of any kind. We occasionally had a +moonlight ride as far as I.D. Staple's ranch, where we were +entertained for an hour or so, then we returned. Our rehearsals went +on each week. New people were coming all the time. Mr. Grove's sisters +arrived, which was another addition to our society. Mrs. George +Sanderson and Mrs. John Millar came to join their husbands, who were +the prominent men in business. Father had secured a lot and our home +was being built, at which we rejoiced greatly, for it was difficult to +work for so many people, and the lack of necessary household +conveniences and of proper kitchen utensils were a great detriment. +Nothing especially transpired during these months. We kept busily at +our work until the season for rain was approaching. Several rough +houses were built opposite, on the corner a saloon, which was an +eyesore to us for it was a busy place where men drank and sometimes +fought with knives. Next to our house was a one-story cottage where +the family of Louis Millar lived, and a fandango house next door where +they danced and played their guitars. We lived on the corner and +fortunately had a sidewalk on two sides of the house, but the streets +were not made and the mud and slush was dreadful. Men crossed the +streets in high rubber leggings. We never pretended to go in the +street at this time, everything being brought to us. We were almost as +closely confined as prisoners. There was no drainage, consequently the +mud remained in the streets for weeks while the rains lasted. + +December was approaching and of course our thoughts turned towards +Christmas and preparations for its festivities. Everybody was busy. We +had much to do, for all these men were still with us. There was mince +meat to make, raisins to seed, cakes and pies to bake. Everything we +used came in bottles and cans. There were no fresh vegetables of any +kind, excepting onions and potatoes. It was wonderful how we managed +during all this time under the most trying difficulties, and yet +prepared meals in such a way that our large family was always +thoroughly satisfied. Sometimes we could get bananas from Mexico, +cocoanuts and oranges, but not very often. Christmas eve came at last +and such a busy place, no idle hands these days. Brother George and +Mr. Lux brought with them two large sacks of the finest English +walnuts. They were a windfall to us. We never had seen so many before. +We were used to black walnuts, filberts and other nuts at home. This +was the beginning of all that came to us this Christmas. It seemed +that each one tried to get something we had not had before. Christmas +came clear and bright, but mud was everywhere. Rubber boots were +indispensable this Christmas. Dinner was served about 1:30 o'clock and +everybody seemed to be in the happiest mood. It was sister Mary's +birthday and we were especially attentive to her. + +The dinner was over and the dessert was almost finished when a rap on +the front door sounded loud and rough. Father asked Mary to go to the +door as she was nearest. She obeyed and, when she had answered the +knock, a teamster handed her a letter and asked if Miss Mary Kroh +lived here. She replied in the affirmative, and taking the letter she +glanced out of the door and saw a heavy truck with an immense box or +case on it. She said, "You must be mistaken." He said, "Are you not +Miss Kroh? This is for her." By this time we were getting excited and +with one accord the guests arose to see the result. Father became +uneasy at her long silence and came out in time to see her reel +against the railing of the stairs. She had read the note and realized +that her great desire had at last become a reality and her birthday +had brought her the long-wished-for piano. This is what she read in +the note: + +"A merry Christmas and a happy birthday for Miss Mary Matilda Kroh, +from her father and many friends who have appreciated her noble +sacrifice of the musical environment of her Eastern home. This +instrument is given as a partial compensation for her cheerful and +noble performance of her duty to her parents and as full appreciation. +James Harrold, C.V. Payton, Charles Greenly, David Trembly, William +Cobb, Charles Deering, Gilbert Claiborne, William H. Knight, Samuel +Grove, A.M. Thompson, William Gray, Thomas Mosely, William A. Trembly, +Henry Kroh, James Holmes, Henry Noel, Austin Sperry, George H. Blake." + +When the secret was out, all was excitement. Sister made her exit +upstairs and the men took off their coats and helped with a will. Soon +the beautiful instrument was out of the box and placed in the parlor. +What a rejoicing there was! Father gave orders that Mary must play the +first air, and we awaited her coming, but she had not been able to +control herself to meet the friends and see the most magnificent gift +she ever received. Sister Sarah was dispatched to bring her down +stairs. She found her in the attitude of prayer. After much persuasion +she came down and father met her and led her to the instrument. She +stood for a moment unable to proceed. Seating herself upon the stool, +she began to play the Doxology, but her head sank upon the piano. Then +the tears gushed forth, the spell was broken and after a short time +she was able to proceed. It was now about the hour of seven, darkness +had crept on and the curtains were closed and the lights lit. We all +became more composed, music was brought out, songs were sung and it +was like a new world to us, such unexpected happiness in a far-off +city of the Golden West. Father had occasion to answer a call at the +front door and before closing he accidentally looked out, and to his +surprise the sidewalks and porch were filled with old and young men. +Along the side of the house stood scores of men in the street as far +as the eye could see and some were sobbing. On entering the room he +said, "We have an immense congregation outside. Get out your familiar +tunes--'Home, sweet home,' etc." He then drew aside the curtains and +raised the windows, "Now, my children and friends, give these homesick +sons and fathers a few songs more before we assemble for the evening +worship." We sang until the hour of nine and closed with the Doxology. +Once more father went on the porch and thanked the people for their +appreciation of the music and dismissed them with the benediction. We +closed the windows and curtains and remained with our friends a short +time, when they departed fully assured that they had brought happiness +to many souls by their magnificent gift to one who was worthy to +receive it, my sainted sister, Mary Matilda Kroh. + +This is the story of the first piano in Stockton, given to sister, +December 25, 1852. This night was not the only night when men +assembled on our porch to hear the music. Later on a number of men +accosted father and told him that the music on the first night we +received the piano had so vividly brought back home surroundings and +memories of father and mother, that it was the turning point in the +path from which they had strayed and caused them to see the error of +their ways and to come back. Such is the influence of song upon the +young and the old. Anyone who has no appreciation of music in his soul +is an unhappy man or woman indeed. Music is one of the most refining +factors among young men and women. They are always the happiest where +there is music, no matter what other entertainment has been enjoyed. + +[Illustration: + +Jas. Harrold +Austin Sperry +Wm. H. Knight +Geo. Henry Sanderson + +BUSINESS MEN OF STOCKTON, 1852] + + + + +CHAPTER THREE + +STOCKTON IN THE FIFTIES. BENICIA SEMINARY. GENESIS OF MILLS COLLEGE. +DISTINGUISHED PIONEERS. MARRIAGE + + +After this memorable Christmas our home was the center of musical +gatherings and the new arrivals to Stockton came into our large family +of young ladies. We were universally sought, and our musical +entertainments charmed young and old. Into our neighborhood there came +a Castilian family from Mexico, the Ainsa family, four or five young +ladies and a son. These young ladies had a musical education of the +highest order. Opera music was their chief delight. Mass music and all +classics were also included in their repertoire. A mutual friendship +was formed. They could not speak English and we could not speak +Spanish. Their voices had been thoroughly trained and we spent many +hours in their society. Very soon we learned to speak Spanish and +their visits were still more pleasant. They were devout Catholics and +in the mother's room was a sanctuary. She was helpless and unable to +walk. She sat in her bed and ordered everything pertaining to the +household. An altar was arranged in the room and they had worship +every morning and evening. Sometimes we would join them and sing the +songs of their church. It was beautiful to see the devotion of these +girls to their parents. We soon learned the vespers and masses and +often sang together for the mother when it was devotion hour and the +priest would say mass. After we moved from the neighborhood we did not +meet as often. After several years they married wealthy white men. +Senator Crabb married one. Afterwards he was killed in Mexico. Mr. +Bevan married one. Mr. Eisen, the flour man of San Francisco, another. +Anita died and Leonora married a wealthy Frenchman; later the family +moved to San Francisco. Miss Lola and Miss Belana sang in the Catholic +churches there. Another addition to the musical family was Miss Louisa +Falkenberg, a most excellent pianist. She afterwards became Mrs. B. +Walker Bours. Her son is also a fine pianist. He is director of the +choir of the Church of the Advent, East Oakland, at the present time. + +In the month of March, 1853, we moved into our own home on San Joaquin +street, and most of our large family went with us. Cupid had been +playing pranks in the meantime and, June 18th, my sister Jane became +Mrs. Wm. H. Knight and the first break came in our family circle. +During the year of 1853 it was decided that I should have an +opportunity to finish my education, having left school at fifteen. The +Young Ladies' Seminary at Benicia was chosen, it being the only school +in California where I could complete my studies. I was one of +thirty-five pupils of the second term of the school's existence. Mary +Atkins was the principal, one of the best educators in California. +There was also a Catholic school in Benicia at the time, St. +Catherine's Convent for Young Ladies, and an Episcopal school for +boys. The public school of Stockton was for the lower grades, and I +had had these grades in the Cincinnati schools and had had one term +with my sister, Sarah, at Walnut Hill Seminary. Henry Ward Beecher's +father, Rev. Lyman Beecher, was at the head of the seminary and +Harriet Beecher was one of the teachers. My father and Lyman Beecher +and the members of the Longworth family, who lived opposite the +seminary and were members of the same church and congregation, were +old friends. When father started for California we were obliged to +leave school, consequently my education was not completed. + +During my vacation in the year 1854, October 5th, sister Sarah became +the wife of James Harrold, one of the firm of Harrold, Randall & Co., +of Stockton, and moved to San Francisco. The first class at Benicia, +of which I was a member, graduated. Near the close of the term, +November 7, 1855, my sister Mary married David W. Trembly in San +Francisco. They had been married but a few months when sister became +afflicted with bronchitis, the climate being too severe in San +Francisco for her. They came home, and on November 8th she passed +away. I was sent for, but was too late to see her in life. She died +while I was on the steamer, American Eagle, hastening to her. This was +my first great sorrow. I loved her to adoration and I could not +realize she had passed out of life. To her I owe my proper placement +of voice and art in singing. She was ever watchful of my progress from +the earliest years of my life until the end came. While I have had +several other teachers in voice, no one ever changed my method of +placement. + +My first Italian teacher was Prof. Paul Pioda at Benicia Seminary. He +always predicted my success as a singer and told Mrs. Atkins that out +of all the sixty pupils there was but one singer, which was proven to +her in after years when I had attained my reputation. She was glad to +engage my services each yearly reunion until the end of her life. +While I was not her favorite pupil, strange to relate, I officiated as +a singer on four special occasions of great importance in her life and +death. The Sabbath she was baptized into the faith of the Episcopal +Church, Rev. Ingraham Kip, D.D., officiating, I sang for her a special +song in the church at Benicia. When she was married to Judge Lynch I +sang for her reception. The song was Call Me Thine Own. When she +passed out of life I was called to sing in the same church where she +had become a member, and one year after, when we had her monument +placed over her grave, I stood on the platform in the Octagon +schoolroom, where I could look out of the window and see the monument, +and sang the memorial song by G.A. Scott, There is a pale bright star +in the heavens tonight. After this memorial I never went back to the +old seminary but once and that was to visit the old spot where so many +memories clustered. To illustrate this visit I will here insert a +paper that I read before the commencement exercises at Mills College +in the year May 4, 1901. + +Mills Seminary is the daughter of the Alma Mater at Benicia. At the +invitation of Mrs. Susan B. Mills the alumnae of Mrs. Atkins-Lynch +Seminary attended the commencement exercises of Mills College of May +4, 1901. + +The paper was as follows: + +"My Dear Schoolmates: We who are still left of the pupils and +graduates of the old Benicia Female Seminary are assembled here today +at the request of our gracious hostess, Mrs. Susan B. Mills, to join +with her in the celebration of Founder's Day. As the children of the +pioneer of schools of California, it is a befitting testimonial for us +to meet in this magnificent institution which is the honored offspring +of the Alma Mater established in the year 1852. We are grateful for +the privilege she has extended us to meet again as school girls and +exchange greetings and talk over past reunions held yearly at the old +school in Benicia. I have been requested to say a few words in regard +to the school in my time. As I have only my memory to aid me, my +remarks will consist of a short historical sketch of the early years +of the seminary which I entered the second term of its existence, +early in the year 1853. Miss Mary Atkins was the principal and teacher +of all the classes of the school. The number of boarders were 35 or +40, the attendance being increased to 60 by the day pupils of +Benicia. The four years I spent at the seminary were years of struggle +for Miss Atkins, but her labors brought her the reward of seeing the +institution raised to the highest standard of excellence. The +unequaled reputation was firmly established for thorough training and +solid education. Before I left there were 75 boarders and a total of +150 pupils. More room was needed to meet the demand for admission, and +during the vacation the old buildings were enlarged and new ones +built. + +"It was a special day of rejoicing, January 1, 1855, when Miss Atkins +assumed the sole management of the school. As I was the oldest pupil, +she often asked me to come to her room to discuss private matters with +her. Although I was only seventeen years old, I fully understood the +great task of establishing an institution of learning in those rough +days. The needs of all kinds were so great and the only way of getting +ahead was to work and wait. Later she had her reward in sending out +into California some of the best educated women to be found in any +land. It is with sincere pride I look back and see those splendid +girls who were, with but a very few exceptions, an honor and credit to +the school, to society and their homes, as wives of some of our most +distinguished statesmen, lawyers and merchants. In my graduating year +I was called home by the death of my oldest sister and was requested +to take up her labors in a private school of sixty pupils, +consequently my diploma was never received. However, at the last +reunion of the graduates, held in the year 1883, I, being the first of +her early pupils to gain a public reputation as a teacher and +vocalist, was unanimously voted honorary member of the Alumnae, having +attended all of the meetings except those that took place during my +residence in Boston, Mass., from 1857 until the spring of 1862, during +which time I perfected my musical education. On my return I attended +each reunion until the end. I think we all felt at the time that it +was the last. Consequently it cast a gloom over the pleasures of our +last meeting, May 30, 1883. On the 14th of September, 1882, Mary +Atkins-Lynch passed away. I received a letter from Judge Lynch, +requesting my presence at the funeral to sing the last song for her. + +[Illustration: + +Prof. Joseph Trenkle +Prof. Beutler +Old Courthouse +Young Ladies' Seminary +Prof. Schumacher +Prof. Paul Pioda + +REMINISCENT OF BENICIA IN THE EARLY FIFTIES] + +"I returned once more to Benicia to sing at a concert given by the +Methodist Church. I sang in the same old Courthouse Hall where so +often we had our closing exercises. It was in this hall, June 12, +1856, that I sang Schubert's Serenade for the first time with +Johanna Lapfgeer, soprano, afterwards Mrs. Dr. Bryant of San +Francisco. I still have the programme which today is fifty-five years +old. My return was in 1898. After the concert I hoped to see many of +my old friends of Benicia, but there were but six present of all I +knew long years ago. I marveled at the small number left. The next day +I visited the old school. As I stood at the door I slowly surveyed the +scene and my thoughts went down the vista of time and filled my heart +with sadness at the dreadful dilapidation of the school where so many +bright minds had been educated and gone forth to make names and +reputations among the most honorable women in the state. After I was +admitted and allowed to survey the place I stood in the entrance of +the old schoolroom. In my mind I could recall the faces of the girls +as they sat at their desks long ago. The decay of the school was all +so dreadful to me I could not hold back the tears. I turned quickly +away and sought the old well where we had so often quenched our thirst +as girls, when life was young and hopes high. I found the friend of +long ago, but, like all the rest of the place, it was also in the last +stages of decay. I had become so sad at all this passing away I did +not feel the pleasure I had anticipated in visiting the school again. +The teachers that were employed during my time at school were: Prof. +P. Pioda, music and language; Mary Atkins, principal; Miss Cynthia +Vaughn, assistant; Mrs. Reynolds, teacher of the younger day pupils; +Miss Pettibeaux, painting and drawing; Miss Johanna Lapfgeer, piano +and German; Samuel Gray, bookkeeping; Margaret Kroh, writing and +drawing. The directors were: Dr. S. Woodbridge, B.W. Mudge, Samuel +Gray, Dr. Peabody, Captain Walsh and J.W. Jones. + +"As far as I can recall them, the names of the former pupils were: +Emily Walsh, Benicia; May Emma Woodbridge, Benicia; May Hook, Benicia; +Mary Riddell, Benicia; Josie Latimer, Stockton; Minnie Latimer, +Stockton; Elizabeth Manning, Stockton; Frances Livingston, San +Francisco; May Livingston, San Francisco; Kate Grimm, Sacramento; Mary +Bidwell, Chico; Mary Church, Chico; Rose Reynolds, San Jose; Sallie +Tennant, Marysville; Mollie Tennant, Marysville; Althea Parker, +Stockton; Miss Rollins, Martinez; May O'Neil, Sacramento; Aggie Bell, +Sacramento; Maggie Kroh, Stockton; Sophia Dallas, Stockton; Mary +Dallas, Stockton; Nellie Meader, Stockton; Mary Vincent, Sacramento; +Ella Hunt, San Francisco; May Warren, San Francisco; Georgia Warren, +San Francisco; Grace Woodbridge, Benicia; Ruth Vaughn, Sacramento. + +"The day pupils were: Mary Hastings, Benicia; Virginia Hubbs, Benicia; +Lou Boggs, Napa; Percy Garritson, Benicia; Maria Barber, Martinez; +Amanda Hook, Martinez; May Hook, Martinez; Mattie Carpenter, San +Francisco; Rebecca Woodbridge, Benicia." + +The Benicia girls were seated at a table especially decorated for the +occasion. Through the thoughtfulness of Mrs. Mills, eighteen of the +old class were present at this time. This was the last meeting that I +ever attended of the members of the Alma Mater, for on September 1, +1901, I was thrown from a street car and made a cripple for the rest +of my days and my usefulness was cut short for filling engagements of +any sort. Since my recovery I have confined myself to voice teaching. +Only on a few occasions have I appeared in public. This was either on +Decoration Day or the Fourth of July, when my patriotism was aroused. +I was always ready to sing for Old Glory or help our boys who fought +in 1861. + +[Illustration: Captain Charles Blake + +AN ANCIENT SHEEPSKIN, FROM THE GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS +OF LONDON, ENGLAND, 1811, THE FIRST ISSUED TO AN AMERICAN] + +In 1855 when I left the seminary I returned to my home in Stockton. My +parents were getting along in years and I felt it my duty to aid them +if possible. There were many families in Stockton at this time and +young children were everywhere. I conceived the idea of an infant +school composed of little boys and girls too small to go to the public +schools. My suggestion met with approval wherever I applied, and I +soon had thirty pupils promised. I rented a cottage of one room across +the slough from my home. On July 1, 1856, I began and soon had a +school full of little folks, numbering thirty-five. I continued +teaching until September 17, 1857, when I also followed my older +sisters' example and was married to George H. Blake, the eldest son of +Sir Edwin Blake, who was Minister Plenipotentiary to England from +America at one time. My husband was also the grandson of Major-General +Benjamin Lincoln, a heroic officer of the Revolution and a skillful +diplomat in the councils of his country. Lincoln was born in Hingham, +near Boston, May 23d, 1733. In 1775 he was elected a member of the +Provincial Congress and was appointed on the committee of +correspondence. In 1776 he received the appointment of brigadier and +soon after that of major-general. He rendered valuable services in the +trying campaign and signalized himself in the battles on the plains of +Saratoga which proved so disastrous to Burgoyne. He was severely +wounded during these battles. In the battle that took place on +October 7, 1776, he was obliged to leave the army. He did not return +until the following August, when he was immediately sent south to +assume command of the army in that quarter, which on his arrival at +Charleston in December, 1778, he found in the most miserably destitute +and disorderly condition. But his indefatigable industry and +diplomatic energy enabled him in the following June to take the field. +Such was his popularity with the army and the whole country that when +he rejoined the army in 1781 to co-operate with the southern army, he +had the high satisfaction of taking part in the reduction of Yorktown +and of conducting the defeated army to the field, where they were to +lay down their arms at the feet of the illustrious Washington. +General Lincoln took the sword from Lord Cornwallis and delivered it +to his Commander-in-Chief, Washington. + +[Illustration: Major-General Benjamin Lincoln, of the War of the +Revolution. He was the grandfather of Mr. George H. Blake and the +great-grandfather of George Lincoln Blake and William Ellery Blake, +sons of Mrs. Blake-Alverson.] + +I feel justly proud with my sons, George Lincoln Blake and William +Ellery Blake, to claim such illustrious descendants of our great +republic, especially Lincoln, who gained such high recognition from +our government for his patriotism and diplomatic energy in the +beginning of our republic. He quelled the famous Shay's insurrection +in 1786-87. He held the post of Lieutenant-Governor, was member of the +convention called to ratify the new Constitution, and for years was +collector of port in Boston and besides filled many minor offices. He +received from Harvard University the degree of Master of Arts, was a +member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as of the +Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and was president of the Society +of Cincinnati from its organization to the day of his death. He closed +his honorable and useful life in the seventy-eighth year of his life +at Hingham, Mass., May 9, 1810. + +This bit of history I have selected from the papers of Capt. Charles +Blake, who was the grand uncle of my sons, who died in 1859 during the +time I visited Boston with my husband to pursue my studies in music. +Capt. Charles Blake was the seventh captain of the Blake family, was a +man celebrated for his bravery and as a sailor was unexcelled in his +time. I also found among his papers a Masonic sheepskin (which perhaps +will be an interesting bit of information for the Masons of +California), the first one that was ever gotten for an American. It +could not be obtained in America, consequently it was secured in +England. It bears the faded marks of "Grand Lodge of Master Masons, +London No. 25, Registered on the books of the Grand Lodge in London, +the 11th day of September in the year of Masonry, 5011." The grand +seal is attached and signed by Robert Leslie, Grand Secretary: Edward +Harper, D. Gr. Sec. This is the oldest Masonic sheepskin of the grand +lodge in America. It was received by my uncle when he was twenty-five +years old and has been in my possession since 1869, forty-two years +ago, when we received his trunks after his death. I alone am able to +give these facts of our family history, which should be known to all +the members of our family. This is a family book as well as an +intimate history of my life. I have been received during my life in +California with so much affection and appreciation by the public I +have served, that when I write I consider those who read are my +friends, that we are of one common family, and I cannot look upon the +people of California in any other way, for the very fact that +everybody I meet or have any dealings with greet me with such courtesy +and warmth. + +The death of sister Mary Matilda Kroh-Trembly occurred November 8, +1856, in the thirty-first year of her life at the old home on San +Joaquin street, Stockton. In 1855 she was married to Mr. David W. +Trembly of New York. They settled in San Francisco, but after living +there for several months the climate was found to be too severe and +she contracted bronchitis, for weeks being unable to leave her room. +At last she became so feeble that she was brought home to Stockton and +lingered for weeks. I was at Benicia Seminary still and in my last +half year when I received a letter to hurry home. Uncle William +Trembly came from San Francisco to Benicia to meet me, and together we +came up the San Joaquin slough, but unfortunately for us we had many +things to keep us from arriving in time to see her alive. At last the +steamer was fast on the hog's back, the tide was out and we could not +proceed. The sailors worked with a will, but it was not until three +o'clock in the morning that we were on our way once more. What a night +of suspense! I loved my sister to devotion, and not to see her alive +was more than I dared to contemplate, but so it was to be. She passed +into eternity at the time we were trying to get off the sand bar and +when uncle and I arrived in the morning, she was dead. + +This was the first death that had taken place in our family. All of us +had grown to manhood and womanhood and had been mercifully spared all +these years until now the dearest one of all had to pass away and +leave us to mourn her loss. She was the embodiment of all that was +good in life, a pattern for all to follow. She was our second mother. +When mother was attending to the church work or visiting the sick, +accompanying father at baptisms, weddings, funerals or other offices +that fall to the minister's wife, sister was always ready to take her +place and see that all was well at home. She taught in the public +schools, gave music lessons, was German teacher, organist on Sunday +and teacher in the Sabbath school. Her life was always full of duties. +She had also been father's secretary and attended to all of his +correspondence in his absence. Never complaining, always there to +attend to all the duties devolving upon her, she was a happy spirit +of the home, as much missed as mother or father. She was my pattern +and guide and if I have ever achieved anything to merit commendation +during my life I owe all my best to her. She was my first music +teacher and I have never deviated from her principles of voice +placement. By so doing I am able to sing today with a correct +knowledge of perfect tone production and able to impart to others the +same tonal art that I have given to hundreds of pupils that have come +under my supervision during my many years of successful teaching in +California. Being so widely known and loved by all who knew her, when +she was buried the schools were closed and the children, two by two, +marched in procession and every conveyance that could be procured at +that time was used so that all who wished to honor the beloved could +do so. All the dear friends who were the instigators in procuring the +first piano for her were in the procession and were most sincere +mourners for the loved musician who always gave them so many hours of +real happiness. + +She was the leading spirit of the pleasures which they had so many +times enjoyed in their loneliness away from their homes in the East. +The music that was rendered by our family was the only diversion and +happiness that came into their lives in the early fifties when the +world seemed to be populated by men alone, all seeking the one aim--to +get gold and go back rich men and then enjoy wealth and ease and +comfort and make amends for the struggles and deprivations they had +suffered. Now the spirit of this cherished friend had passed out to +join the Choir Invisible, and a befitting burial was given her as a +memorial of the affection in which she was held by those who owed her +so much of real happiness in the severe struggles of the pioneer life +when we were but a small colony of the first white women and men in +the City of Stockton. + +[Illustration: Sacred to the memory of Mary Kroh-Trembly, pioneer +organist, Stockton, California, 1852.] + + + + +CHAPTER FOUR + +HOW I MADE THE FIRST BEAR FLAG IN CALIFORNIA + + +When I was fifteen years old the San Joaquin slough was wide enough +for river steamers, schooners and sloops to make safe landings in the +heart of Stockton. This was in 1854. Schooners brought lumber, +potatoes and hay to Stockton from San Francisco. One of the boats +making a monthly trip to Stockton was captained by a popular young man +familiarly called "Captain Charley." That is my reason for not calling +him by his name. I never saw him, but my brother, George Kroh, would +often stand on the wharf and watch his men unload the steamer. It was +on one of these occasions that Captain Charley in conversation with +one of his friends said, "I tell you, John, I'd give a fifty-dollar +slug if I could get a Bear flag to fly from the topmast of my natty +schooner. Nothing would please me more than to come up this slough +with just such a flag. I won't rest, either, until I have Old Glory +and the Bear Flag flying on my craft." When the captain's friend left +him, my brother stepped up to him and said, "Were you in earnest, +captain, when you said you would give a fifty-dollar slug for a Bear +flag?" The captain laughed and said, "I certainly was in earnest, and +I'll say it again to you." + +My brother said, "Captain, I have a sister who can make you that +flag." "All right," said Captain Charley, "You have a fine flag ready +when I get back and the slug will be yours." It was a bargain and they +shook hands on the deal. When George came home he said to mother, +"Where's Maggie?" "Up stairs," was the reply. He came up and said in +an off-hand way, "Maggie, how would you like to make a Bear flag?" I +looked up in surprise and said, "A bear flag? What kind of a flag is +that?" My sister, Mary, spoke up and said, "Why, Maggie, it is the +flag of California. I saw a picture of it in the newspaper, and I cut +it out." She then asked George who wanted the flag. "Well," he +replied, "Captain Charley of one of these schooners said this morning +he would give a fifty-dollar slug to get a Bear flag to float beside +Old Glory, and I told him you would make it for him." A fifty-dollar +slug all my own! "Ha, ha," I laughed in high glee. "I'll make it if +sister will help me." So it was planned I should make the first Bear +flag to fly on any boat up the San Joaquin river. + +The next morning sister and I went to the dry goods store at Grove and +Knight streets, and after getting the proper materials we obtained +information in regard to the size of the flag and the bear and other +details. The work began early the next day and my hands were busy +hemming the sides and ends while sister drew the shape of the bear and +cut it out of brown drilling. We got our quilting frame and stretched +the flag on it, and when it was all nicely stretched we laid the bear +on the white surface and began to get it into the right place. Then +the basting began so that nothing should go wrong in putting it neatly +and correctly in the middle. After it was securely basted we had some +dark green drilling cut so as to resemble the grass under his feet, +and that was carefully basted and looked very proper. Now there was a +star to go on in the corner. We cut it out of blue selicia and soon +had it in its place. My sister Mary was an artist and could draw +anything and cut anything she wished. After the basting was done, we +stood and looked at our work with a satisfied air, pleased with our +effort in making a flag for the first time. Now came the work. All +this had to be done by hand. There were no sewing machines at that +time, and the only way was to hem down every figure, also the letters +and star. The edges must be secure or else the wind would soon play +havoc with the flag, so stitch after stitch was taken and everything +was thoroughly hemmed and carefully fastened. I was no stranger to the +needle, and my deft fingers flew over these letters and hemmed in the +corners, so that when it was finished and pressed they looked as +though they were woven upon the cloth. I was a whole month stitching +and hemming the different parts that composed the flag. + +[Illustration: + +Sallie Knox +Mary O'Neill + +Mary Atkins +Principal + +FIRST GRADUATING CLASS + +Mary Emma Woodbridge, Mary Ridell, Mary Hook, Mary Emily Walsh + +Kate Sherman +Agnes Bell + +YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY, BENICIA, FOUNDED 1852] + +At last it was finished and ready for delivery, and we awaited the +coming of Captain Charley. My brother watched the boats come in and +after the third day of watching he was rewarded by seeing the craft +moving slowly up the slough, heavily laden with lumber and bags of +potatoes and other articles needed in the market and for building. +When the vessel was made fast to the dock Brother George came home and +reported, and we were all excitement to know if it was to be a +reality or a joke in regard to the flag. Next noon brother went down +and when he saw the captain he went to him and told him that the flag +he had ordered was finished, and it was a beauty, too. "All right," +said the captain, "let me see the flag and I'll be on hand with the +gold in an hour." The flag was opened in the cabin of the craft and +when the captain saw the beautifully finished flag he had no words to +express himself. He just gazed upon it like a child with a new toy. At +last he turned to his sideboard and took from it two decanter stands +with bands of silver two inches high and heavily wrought edge on the +bottoms of the finest polished wood and in the center a silver deer's +head, with the name of the vessel in silver. He soon wrapped these +beautiful stands up and handed them to my brother, besides the +fifty-dollar slug. He sent them as a compliment to the young lady of +fifteen years who could make a flag of this sort with such exquisite +neatness. When brother returned it was our turn to be astonished to +see these beautiful decanter stands, fit to grace the sideboard of any +mansion in the land, and they were mine, and also the slug which +brother tossed into my lap. When I saw it I could not believe my eyes. +It looked as big as a cart wheel to me, for I never possessed so much +money in all my life before. You can readily believe it was a ten +days' wonder. + +[Illustration: Bear flag made by Maggie R. Kroh (Mrs. Blake-Alverson), +1852, for a Sacramento river schooner, the first flag used at that +time. Compensation was a fifty-dollar gold slug.] + +We had moved into our new home on San Joaquin street and the cost had +been great. To have a house in those days was a luxury and it was +always the rule of our family not to owe anything that could be paid. +We all worked toward that end, so when everything was paid there was +not so much income as of old. Following the hardships of crossing the +plains, father was never himself again, and we felt that he had earned +his rest after all these years of church work and mission-building +from one state to another. He had got so far away from the Eastern +Board of Missions and had always been such a tower of strength in all +his work that they neglected him and he felt it, in spite of all his +tenderness of heart towards the church and humanity. He gradually +failed and gave up all work and contented himself in his garden, shop +and library. + +My sister Mary was always my guide in everything. For a few days I +kept my precious slug and looked at it and thought how much money it +was. One evening I heard father and mother talking together after they +had retired. The door of our sleeping apartments were always open into +the hall, in case of sickness or accident, and for some reason I could +not go to sleep. As I lay there I heard father and mother planning +some problem. I could not hear all, but I understood there was some +money needed. In the morning, after all the work was done and I was +sitting by my sister's side sewing with her, I told her what I had +heard before I went to sleep. "Yes," she said, "Father has still +something to pay and he feels he cannot take any more from the family +allowance, for there are so many of us." "Oh," I replied, "He can have +my slug. I wonder why he did not tell me he needed it." I soon had the +precious money in my hand and sister and I found a box to put it into. +The following little letter had to go with it: "My dear father and +mother: I am so glad I was able, with my sister Mary's help, to make +the pretty flag and so get this fine piece of gold to help pay on the +dear home which Mary, Jane, Sallie and I helped to buy for you with +the day's work with our boarders. It was a happy and cheerful task to +help you in building the first dwelling house in our dear Stockton. +Now it will all be yours as long as you live. I willingly give you my +flag money, so you will not have to fret any more over the debt of +the house. Always, your laughing, happy girl, Rosana Margaret." + +The box and letter were put at father's place on the dinner table and +after he was seated he noticed it. Putting on his glasses he said, +"Children, what have we here. It is not my birthday." Not a word was +said while he read the letter, then he opened the box and saw the +bright golden slug. He laid down his glasses and looked over at me and +said, "So Rosana Margaret, it was by your cheerful handiwork that the +last burden has been lifted." I quietly lifted up my face and said, +"Father, Tilly helped me and we are glad you won't have to trouble any +more." He then lifted up his hands and said, "Let us ask God's +blessing." If prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or +unexpressed, then I think the offering on Abel's altar was not more +acceptable before the Lord than was the prayer of my most reverent +father as he prayed for a blessing on his family, far from the scenes +of his early life and all that went to make him happy when he and +mother went hand in hand out into God's vineyard to do God's work, he +as an ordained man of God and she an ideal minister's wife who never +faltered in her duty through the roughest pioneer days in the swamps +of Illinois to the last journey to California to build up the Church +of God even here in the farthest west by the Golden Gate. All that was +mortal of these two faithful pilgrims rests in the new cemetery in +Stockton, always united in life and in death were not divided: + + "What's this that steals, that steals upon my breath, + Is it death? is it death? + If this be death, I soon shall be + From every sin and sorrow free. + I shall the King of Glory see, + All is well, all is well." + +(Father and mother's last hymn.) + + + + +CHAPTER FIVE + +BOSTON. DEDHAM CHOIR, 1858. THE CIVIL WAR. FAMOUS MUSICIANS. RETURN TO +CALIFORNIA. SANTA CRUZ. + + +In January, 1859, I accompanied my husband to Boston to visit his +relatives. My son George was seven months old. My husband realized my +voice was more than ordinary and as he was a fine tenor, and also a +good pianist, he desired that I should have the best advantages that +could be procured, so once more I made the pilgrimage of the ocean and +the Isthmus. We arrived at noon in New York in the midst of a heavy +snow-storm--gloomy, cold and raw--snow everywhere. I remained in the +depot while my husband attended to our baggage and secured the tickets +for Boston, and we left New York at three o'clock in the afternoon. +Blockades of snow twice stopped our train and shovel ploughs had to be +used. On the following day, taking rooms at the nearest hotel and +having been made comfortable, my husband sought his relatives. On his +return at four o'clock in the afternoon we went to the home of his +uncle, William Lincoln, on Chestnut street, who had been my husband's +foster father after the death of his parents. Here we remained until +we moved to 120 Charles street, afterward moving to Dedham, where Mr. +Blake was made a fine business offer. + +In this city I began my musical studies. It was noised about that the +young merchant's wife was a singer from California. In a short time I +became a member of Dr. Burgess' choir, composed of men and women of +the first families in Dedham. Mr. Blake and myself were the only two +persons who ever sang with them that had not been born and bred there. +They had sung together for over sixteen years, some of the members had +grown old in the service. They were instructed each week by Edwin +Bruce, who came from Boston each Tuesday and drilled and taught us in +the best music of the day. He was a most competent leader and teacher. +With our choir he directed and drilled three more choirs. His soloists +were the best that could be procured and our concerts were looked +forward to by the people who filled Tremont Temple to years of +study I associated with and heard singers of all nations and had an +opportunity to study the music of oratorios, church and concert work. +The Handel and Haydn society had over 500 members, Carl Zerrahn, +leader, Howard Dow, organist. With our choir and the other three +choirs I have spoken of, we lived in an atmosphere of music +continually for four years. + +[Illustration: + +Geo. M. Wight +Henry Sherwin +C. Churchill +G.W. Macbeth +Charles Wight +H. Hitchings +J. Eaton +Adelbert Calder +Edwin Bruce +Chas. J. Capen +E.M.Everett +Geo. H. Blake +Dr. Burgess +J.G. Taft +C.B. Danforth +Dr. Edwin Burgess +Alvin Fisher +Mr. Black +Ellery C. Daniells + +MEN SINGERS, DEDHAM, MASS., 1861 + +Congregational Church Choir] + +In the first part of 1861 war was declared and a state of great +excitement prevailed. Volunteers were sought and young men and boys +and old men who were vigorous, men filled with patriotic fire, +responded. Everybody was ready to go to the front. No one held back +services or money. Even the women began to feel they must do something +and while the recruits were drilling and women were sewing, making +comforters, havelocks, ditty bags, bandages, lint and other +necessaries required for the wounded, they formed themselves into a +Christian Commission Society and began systematically to plan ways and +means to meet the situation which needed so much attention and help +from every one, old or young. The Elders of the church gave us +permission to use the church parlors to sew in and four sewing +machines were put in and work began in earnest to help the cause. Old +ladies made lint and knitted socks and other necessary articles that +soldiers need. On the evening of May 1, 1861, we gave the first +concert in aid of the soldiers. The choir was assisted by Miss Louisa +Adams, soprano; Edwin Bruce, director; Charles Capin, organist of the +Orthodox Society. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity, the +overflow was sufficient to insure another house. Everybody was on +tiptoe to hear the choir give its first concert for the soldiers. The +sixteen ladies of the choir were dressed in white with tri-colored +scarfs over their shoulders. The men in dress suits back of them +completed the picture. Large flags were draped on either side of the +organ and festoons of evergreens fell gracefully from the front of the +choir loft and organ. Cheer after cheer rang out as the choir arose to +sing America. It was fully ten minutes before we were allowed to begin +the concert. + +The praises of this first concert were so many that we were obliged to +give another in Tremont Temple in Boston. From that time we gave a +concert each month to raise funds for the volunteers during the year +1861. The treasury was always supplied from the proceeds of these +concerts and the supply of money never failed, to my knowledge, during +my sojourn in Dedham. The excitement of the hour was intense--regiments +of volunteers passed daily on their way to the front. They were +greeted and cheered by the people; garlands and bouquets were thrown +from the windows as they passed. It was a scene that never will be +forgotten, when we reflect that not two-thirds of these splendid men +ever came back. Later on the choirs visited the hospitals and we found +many brave hearts, who had fought and were wounded for their country, +lying there. To them we brought supplies of fruit, flowers and +nourishing food and sang to them. So the good work went on from week +to week until the year 1861 was nearly over. We decided to return to +California, business was demoralized and uncertainty reigned and we +had been four years from home. During that time I had become a singer +and was able to take my place with other artists of repute. I had +during my study become acquainted with the foremost artists of that +time and sang with them on many occasions. + +Among the famous organists of 1858 were: + +W.R. Babcock +Charles J. Capen +G.W. Harris +H.W. Edes +Adolph Baumbach +J.H.B. Thayer +Howard M. Dow +I.D. Parker +W.B. Clark +Carl Zerrahn, _Leader_. + +The men and women singers of Dedham Congregational Church Choir in +1858 were: + +Adams, Louisa, Miss, _prima donna_ +Adams, Henrietta, Miss, _contralto_ +Blake, Margaret, Mrs., _mezzo-contralto_ +Bates, Helen, Miss, _soprano_ +Bullard, Mary, Miss, _soprano_ +Boyd, Mary, Miss, _soprano_ +Bickner, Clara, Miss, _soprano_ +Covell, O.M., Miss, _contralto_ +Draper, M.J. Mrs., _soprano_ +Daniel, Olive, Mrs. _contralto_ +Everett, Hattie, Miss, _soprano_ +Fisher, Mattie E., Mrs., _contralto_ +Guild, Hattie, Miss, _contralto_ +Guild, Mary, Miss, _soprano_ +Kingsbury, Susan, Miss, _soprano_ +Taft, Louisa, Miss, _soprano_ +Williams, N.R., Mrs., _contralto_ +Blake, Geo. H., _tenor_ +Burgess, Dr. E.P., _bass_ +Burgess, Edwin, _tenor_ +Churchill, C.C., _bass_ +Calder, Bert, _bass_ +Danforth, C.B., _bass_ +Eaton, J., _bass_ +Everett, E., _bass_ +Fisher, Alvin J., _bass_ (_former choir master_) +Hitchings, Henry, _bass_ +Sherwin, Henry, _tenor_ +Taft, J.G., _bass_ +Wright, Geo., _tenor_ +Wright, Charles, _bass_ +Macbeth, G.W., _bass_ +Capen, Chas. J., _organist_ +Bruce, Edwin, _director_ +Daniel, Ellery C., _choir master_ + +Thirty-five singers, men and women, composed the choir of Dr. Burgess' +church in Dedham, and as organist we had Chas. J. Capen. The director +and teacher of vocal music was Edwin Bruce. Ellery C. Daniel was choir +master. In addition to this choir, Mr. Bruce controlled three other +quartette and chorus choirs that could be called upon to aid us in +any entertainment we chose to give, consequently when the war broke +out it was not many weeks before we were in demand and continued to +successfully and constantly add new laurels to our large galaxy of +singers of repute. Carl Zerrahn was leader of the Handel and Haydn +Society, of which we were all members. The soloists were many of the +best on this continent. What magnificent music we gave. I lived just +in a world of song and associated with the best of them and was +accepted and acknowledged by them all. I remember well when we gave +the oratorio, David, April 3, 1859, the forty-third season. I never +had sung with so many singers before and I was in a maze of +excitement. I was ready also to enjoy every note, for it was the +largest aggregation of solo singers I had ever heard. The soloists +were: + +Mrs. J.H. Long, _dramatic soprano_ +Miss Louisa Adams, _coloratura soprano_ +J.P. Draper, _tenor_ +P.H. Powers, _bass_ +Edward Hamilton, _bass_ +C.R. Adams, _tenor_ +George Wright, Jr., _bass_ +Carl Zerrahn, _conductor_ +J.C.D. Parker, _organist_ + +With all these artists and 500 in the chorus to round out the society, +we gave a great performance. The Boston Music Hall was crowded to the +doors and the oratorio was as perfectly given as could be asked by the +most exacting critic. This was but one of the beautiful oratorios that +were given during my stay in Massachusetts. Instead of church service +on the Sabbath evenings, the oratorios were given. In this way I was +able to learn the music of all the most important works on oratorio. I +was but twenty-one years old when I began this kind of singing. Church +music I sang from my infancy, consequently my voice was fully +developed in the broad church style and I had no difficulty to acquire +this, although it was more difficult music than I had ever attempted, +but with patience and weekly rehearsals and daily practice it became +familiar and a part of my life. While the rebellion was raging we laid +aside oratorio work and studied patriotic music suitable to the +concerts that we were called upon to give to raise funds for the +soldiers. All social life was put aside and we devoted our time to +help our fathers, brothers and sons who were called away to fight for +the union of states. There were no laggards in these stirring times; +young and old alike were imbued with the patriotism that possessed our +forefathers of 1776. + +Here I regret to say I am afraid in our later days there is not the +same spirit of patriotism as I saw it in the year of 1861. To me of +all the flags that ever floated in any country of the universe none +appeals as the American flag does. When I see its graceful folds +unfurled to the breeze, catching the gleams of the morning's first +beam, my heart leaps with pride and patriotic fire. To my mind I never +possessed voice enough to sing the praises of the finest flag that +ever floated under the canopy of heaven. Any one less patriotic in +spirit than this is not worthy to call America his country or home. In +vision I can now see these splendid men march to their death. Regiment +after regiment passed daily and was encouraged and cheered by the +enthusiastic women and children who watched the soldiers until out of +sight. Then after they had embarked, the women returned to their +firesides and wondered who would return. Tears came unbidden, yet we +were strong in the belief and hope that our loved ones would not be +sacrificed. After a hard struggle of four years some homes were made +happy and others felt the blow. Many returned wounded. To them we gave +all care. The hospitals were visited and relief given. There were +services for the sick and burial for the dead. Our voices as well as +the work were not spared as long as we could give aid to the living +and the dead. This experience of my life has prompted me to extend any +service I can for the men who fought so bravely when the crisis came, +and as long as I have voice and can help in any capacity in aid of the +American soldier who fought in 1861 I shall give the best I have. + +[Illustration: + +Susan Kingsbury +Olive M. Covell +Hattie Everett +Clara Bickner +Mrs. Alvin Fisher +Louisa Adams +Mary Bullard +Mrs. Olive Daniell +Mrs. Draper +Louisa Taft +Helen Bates +Mary Boyd +Mrs. Margaret Blake-Alverson +Hattie Guild +May Guild +Mrs. Williams +Henrietta Adams + +WOMEN SINGERS, DEDHAM, MASS., 1861 + +Congregational Church Choir] + +Before I leave my Eastern subject I wish to recall some of the +celebrated singers and organists whom I had an opportunity to hear, at +their best, and with many of whom I passed happy hours musically and +in pleasant companionship. Most of the singers of my time were +American singers, even in the Italian opera: + +1859. + +Mrs. Jennie Kempton, _contralto_ +Mrs. Washburn, _soprano_ +Isabelle Hinkley, _soprano_ +Abbie Plummer, _contralto_ +Miss Louisa Adams, _coloratura soprano_ +Mrs. Margaret Blake, _mezzo-contralto_ +B.F. Gilbert, _tenor_ +C.E. Pickett, _tenor_ +I.P. Draper, _bass_ +Mr. Wadleigh, _bass_ +Mr. Emerson, _tenor_ +Henry Clay Barnabee, _tenor_ + +1860. + +Prof. B.J. Lang, _pianist_ +Howard M. Dow, _organist_ +Adolph Baumbach, _pianist_ +Carl Zerrahn, _conductor_ +Mlle. Carlotta Patti +Madam Colson +Adelaide Phillips +Anna Louisa Carey +Carl Formes, _basso profundo_ + +1861. + +PROGRAMMES. + +Martha +Lucia Di Lammermoor +Un Ballo in Maschera +La Juive +Il Giuramento +The Messiah +Moses in Egitto +David + +I have placed these programmes here so as to show what singers were +considered the first and best fifty years ago. My impressions received +at that time left their imprint for excellence and a pattern for those +who aspire to real worth to follow. + +The unfortunate training of the voices in our time has given us many +inferior singers who come and go and are forgotten. The great singers +of before are engraved forever in the hearts of those who were +fortunate enough to enjoy the exquisite rendering of their work. We +call this an age of progress. We may be wiser in some directions, but +as for the best music the past will have to chronicle the superior +singer. Carlotta Patti was a more beautiful singer than her sister +Adelina. On account of her lameness she could not travel as an opera +singer. I have heard both singers and Carlotta was my choice. Adelina +was the most advertised, for she was a money-maker and demanded just +so much notoriety when she engaged and signed her contracts. Her power +was supreme and no one dared to say her nay. Woe be to the poor prima +donna who sang better or had more applause or favors than she did. She +was the only queen of song as long as her reign lasted. Emma Nevada +and Madam Etelka Gersta were her especial victims when they sang the +same season with her. I am stating facts which will stand. To be a +good singer and up to the standard one must be a good woman with a +refined and educated mind, a sympathetic temperament, charitable +nature towards others who are doing what they can to bring up a +standard for generations to follow. + +The war was still in progress when my husband decided in November, +1861, to return to California. I had been away from home four years +and had enjoyed all these advantages and had done what I could for +the volunteers who had fought for the preservation of the Union. +There were great surprise and murmurs of regret on all sides when Mr. +Blake made known our intention to go to California. He was one of the +tenors and very musical, and I as his wife shared with him the honors +in this choir of thirty-five voices. We had become such friends it was +like parting from a family. Our successful concerts in aid of the +soldiers, the many Sabbaths we worshiped and sang together, made us an +harmonious band of singers. We had one more meeting for the clubs and +choir before we made our departure. It took place on November 31, +1861. The ground was covered with snow and we were obliged to wear +rubber boots to be able to get on at all, but we were used to it and +it mattered not to us. The meeting was held in the parlors of the +church instead of the schoolrooms as was our wont. For a change our +leader said we would have an impromptu concert in the church choir so +as to use the organ. Edwin Bruce, our leader and instructor, came from +Boston and brought several fine singers with him. Mr. Blake and I were +asked to come somewhat earlier. On arriving at the church we found +quite an illumination in the parlors. Choirmaster Daniel and his wife +were the host and hostess and welcomed us. When we had taken our +places beside them the church doors slowly opened and the guests +arrived two by two, in full evening costume, and we received them +until all had welcomed us. The choir formed in a procession and wended +its way into the gallery which was darkened save for one or two lights +so we could see to reach our accustomed places in the gallery. When +all were in their places and our organist, Charles Capin, began +playing America, Mr. Bruce taking his baton and position, raised it +and the lights were turned on and before us sat the congregation, +every pew being filled. It was quite a moment before I could realize +this change and did not open my mouth to sing a note, for I was so +bewildered. At last, when I heard all were singing, I sang and cried +at the same time, for I realized this great kindness had been prepared +for us. Great was the applause when we had finished this song. We sang +until ten o'clock some of our best choruses, solos, duets, trios, etc. +We concluded with "Viva l'America," Miss Louisa Adams taking the solo +and the choir the chorus. Dr. Burgess spoke tenderly of us, strangers +from far-off California who had been so generous with our voices and +help these four years and wished us all good things and a safe return +to our home by the Golden Gate. We were then dismissed with the +benediction. Mr. Daniel had requested us to take our places in the +parlors and an impromptu reception was held until all the congregation +had bid us good-bye. About eleven o'clock only the choir remained and +the pastor and family. The Sabbath schoolroom had been decorated and +tables were spread for the banquet which had been prepared by loving +hands and through the kindness of the generous congregation that +appreciated our services. Three surprises in one evening was almost +more than I could bear. I was like one in a dream. After refreshments +had been enjoyed, Mr. Edwin Bruce came forward and with a very +appropriate speech placed in my hand an album filled with the pictures +of the choir, leaders, past and present, director and organist. I was +so astonished I had not the power to speak, so my husband, who stood +beside me, replied to the giver of such a beautiful and thoughtful +gift to us who were to sever the bonds of friendship and song after +these four happy years together. I do not suppose one of these +beautiful singers, either man or woman, is alive today, but I shall +present their pictures in this volume as a memorial to one of the most +distinguished choirs that ever sang together, some of the singers for +sixteen years, and that gladly gave its best for the Union and its +preservation in 1861. + +[Illustration: A sample programme of the early Sixties.] + +After we had severed our connection with the choir in Dedham, Mr. +Blake wound up relations with his firm, Parker, Barnes & Merriam, on +Milk street, Boston; we reluctantly gave up the dear old-fashioned +Taft home, with its shade trees and orchards and fine kitchen garden, +where we had passed so many happy years; we said good-bye to our +lovely neighbors the Adams, and Follensbee and Bullard families, and +moved to Hersey place, Boston, to remain until we left for California, +February, 1862. We took the same route I had taken in 1851 and were on +the way for two months. But things had changed and the scene was +altogether different. Over the Chagres river route we traveled upon +the rails we saw being laid when we came over in 1851. The trip was +uneventful, only that I was ill all the way, but being young and +hopeful and with the best of care, I once more came safely into San +Francisco bay. We surprised our sister, Mrs. W.H. Knight, and family, +who lived on Fifth and Market streets. Great was our rejoicing to see +our friends again. After a week's stay we left them for our old home +in Stockton. The rain had been severe, the creeks and rivers were +swollen, and we had a wet home coming, but we found the family in +waiting to greet us. It was soon noised about that the Blakes had come +home from Boston and we had no end of greetings and rejoicings. The +rain still came down and by May we were in dread of a flood, which +later came to pass. Water was everywhere. We were on the highest point +in the city, and before we were aware of it we had sixteen inches of +water in our house. On May 24th Dr. Grattin was called to our home and +he came in a skiff and rowed to the door, pointing the bow into the +parlor door and then stepping out into sixteen inches of water. +Provided with rubber leggings, he waded to the stairs where mother +awaited him with dry slippers and assisted him to my room. On May 25th +my second son, William Ellery Blake, was born. Both boys are native +sons of California and born in the home that was built in 1852. The +first family dwelling, built fifty-nine years ago, is still standing +as the homestead on San Joaquin street, Stockton, and apparently will +be a suitable dwelling for many more years to come. + +After my son was three months old Mr. Blake obtained a position in +J.C. Johnson's saddle and harness business as expert bookkeeper and +first salesman. We then left the old home and moved to San Francisco +in the latter part of August and moved into the house owned by Dr. +Calif. He had recently died and his widow did not wish to occupy this +large house alone or desire the care of it. She arranged with us to +take two large rooms and the remainder of the house was at our +disposal. We were glad to have such a home. The rent was cheap and +everything was furnished just as it had been when Dr. Calif was alive. +We occupied this home until 1864, when Mr. Ben Smith made a +proposition to have Mr. Blake take the superintendent's place at the +San Lorenzo Paper Mill, about three or four miles from Santa Cruz. The +company had built a six-room cottage and furnished it completely for +us, should we decide to go. The large house was built for Mr. Sime and +his family as a summer home for them. It was an ideal spot to live. +The long flume ran along for miles. The river was dammed and the +overflow made a beautiful waterfall. The hills were covered with +chaparral and pine trees and wild flowers galore. The powder works +were situated about a mile above us. The road ran about fifty feet +from the cottage and, although we were among the hills, it was a busy +place. Ox teams were constantly passing. The large cook house was +below and the paper mill buildings were near at hand. About 150 men, +constantly going from one place to another in their departments, made +us feel we were not alone. There was fine fishing in the pool below +the falls. The salmon would come up the creek from the ocean and the +finest ones found their way into the pool, and on Friday the cook and +his men supplied the tables with fresh fish. How many times have I +seen those fine fish, caught on the prongs of a spear, writhe and +wriggle to get off. At first I could not taste them, I felt so sorry +to see them killed in that way. I would not go out on Friday until +after the fishing was done. The lamper eels crawled up the stream and +the men gathered them by the barrels full and made oil from them. + +I had a Jersey cow and a fine milk house with a stream of cold water +running through. I made my own butter and had enough to supply the +Sime family when they spent their summer there. The lovely moonlight +nights on this fine sheet of water above the dam are with me now, and +how the hills resounded with our songs as we rowed along. I had a fine +horse and carriage, and it was great sport to go to town with our +splendid Jim, as we called him. Those were happy times. The children +had the best of air and full play among the hills. We remained two +years when Mr. Blake's eyes became inflamed from the fumes of the lime +used to rot the straw, and we were obliged to give up the place and +change once more. + + + + +CHAPTER SIX + +SANTA CRUZ IN THE SIXTIES. WHY I BECAME A DRESSMAKER. OPERA. MUSIC IN +SAN FRANCISCO IN THE SEVENTIES + + +We had become attached to Santa Cruz and concluded to live there and +begin some kind of business. When our time had expired at the mill, +Mr. Blake had found a convenient store. He was well known and had been +chief salesman for J.C. Johnson & Bros., saddle and harness dealers on +Market street, San Francisco, and later he was employed by Main & +Winchester in the same business. He was able to get his stock and +start under fine auspices. It was not long before everything looked +prosperous for us. Since we were both musical, Mr. Blake having a fine +lyric tenor voice and also playing the piano, we were soon the center +of musical attraction. We found other voices also that were of the +right sort, and it was not many months before the music of Santa Cruz +was recognized and appreciated. Mrs. Eliza Boston, a fine dramatic +soprano, was the wife of Joseph Boston, a wealthy business man, and +sang only for her friends and church, which was her pleasure, but she +was also kind when any necessity presented itself. She cheerfully did +her part, especially for the Calvary Episcopal Church of which she was +a devout member. The rector, Rev. Giles A. Easton, one of the pioneer +ministers of the church, appreciated her talent in the assistance she +gave to the music in those early days of California when music was so +hard to obtain. + +What happy days were these to us who loved music and sang for the love +of it and for the little church that stands today covered with ivy, +planted when Mrs. Boston and I sang together in the choir. On high +days we were able to procure the assistance of some fine voices of the +men singers, Samuel Sharp, basso; Rollins Case, tenor; Charles Metti, +tenor soloist. There was no salary in those days for our services. We +did it all as God's work and it mattered not what creed. Wherever we +were needed our services were liberally given. Rev. P.Y. Cool was +pastor of the First Methodist Church and I aided his church for many +months and had fine support from Mr. Ossian Auld, one of God's voices +sent on earth to give us a taste of what was in store for us in the +Choir Invisible. How we sang together can only be appreciated by those +who worshiped and heard the voices, who by nature were created with +the musical temperament that sings. I never heard but one more tenor +of that nature during my singing life in California and of him I will +speak later, for it was after I returned to San Francisco that I had +the pleasure to be in the choir and sing with the dearly beloved Joe +Maguire. While I remained in Santa Cruz I sang for Dr. Frear's church, +also the Unitarian Church of which the pastor, Dr. Ames, and his good +wife were fine musicians. In the Presbyterian Church we found Mr. Fred +Anthony, a tenor, who was one of the useful tenors, and reliable young +men workers in the church. He came to California in 1854, a son of the +Wm. Anthony family, composed of musicians. Miss Louisa Anthony was the +organist of the church. The civil war was not yet at an end and money +was needed for the wounded and the suffering in hospitals and the +Christian commission was in need of funds to carry on the good work of +relief. All who were able and had voices or dramatic talent were +called upon to assist in the good work; consequently many +entertainments were given in aid of this cause. Young and old who had +talent were enlisted and there was no lack of enthusiasm, for the +cause appealed to all who were patriotic and in sympathy with the boys +in blue who were still marching, fighting and dying for our beloved +land. Those who were foremost in the good work during these trying +times are worthy of having their names enrolled in this history of +California's early days as actors for good in the development of the +state, upholding the government and assisting in the building of +churches and other institutions that have made our State the Queen of +the Pacific Coast. I feel proud that I can place on the roll of honor +such names as the following men and women singers, dramatic performers +and excellent musicians: + +VOCALISTS. + +Auld, Ossian, _tenor_ +Anthony, Frederick, _tenor_ +Anthony, Louisa, _soprano_ +Blake, Geo. H., _tenor_ +Boston, Mrs. Eliza, _dramatic soprano_ +Blake, Mrs. M.R., _mezzo-contralto_ +Finkeldey, W., _tenor_ +Grove, Mr., _bass_ +Kittridge, Miss, _soprano_ +Miller, Chas. M., _tenor_ +Metti, Chas., _tenor_ +Pringle, Wm., _bass_ +Pioda, Mrs. Mary Emma, _soprano_ +Battersby, Mr., _tenor_ +Bender, Edward, _bass_ +Baily, Miss Lorena, _soprano_ +Case, Rollin, _tenor_ +Sharp, Samuel, _basso profundo_ +Steal, Miss Ella, _contralto_ +Wilson, Mr., _bass_ +Williams, Miss, _soprano_ + +INSTRUMENTALISTS. + +Bender, Edward, _piano_ +Emerson, Prof., _violin_ (leader) +Grove, Mr., _violin_ +Hihn, Kate, _piano_ +Jones, John M., _violin_ (leader of Santa Cruz Cornet Band) +McCann, Miss Pearl, _piano_ +Pioda, Prof. Paul, _flute_ +Rotier, Miss, _piano_ +Sheppherd, Prof., _piano_ +Woodbridge, Miss Abbe, _piano_ +Cooper, Miss May, _piano_ +Wilson, Prof., _violin_ +Waldron, Mr., _piano_ +Swanton, Mr. E., _piano_ +Kirby, Mr. G., _piano_ +Foreman, Mr. J., _piano_ +Smith, Miss M., _piano_ + +DRAMATIC TALENT. + +Ames, Rev. +Ames, Mrs. +Binny, I. +Baldwin, Mrs. Fanny +Bittner, Miss A. +Cooper, Miss May +Cooper, Retta +Carpenter, Miss Mattie +Root, Miss May +Metti, Charles +Stanton, Miss Eleanor +Swanton, E. +Root, E. +Blake, Mrs. M.R. + +[Illustration: + +F.A. Anthony +Charles A. Metti +Belle Peterson + +MEMBERS OF THE SANTA CRUZ CHOIR, 1867] + +Our programmes were of the highest order, the voices pure and full +without this abominable tremolo which is unknown to a person who knows +how to sing correctly and naturally. Occasionally we had the +assistance of some of the singers and players from San Francisco, who +came for the summer outing, and they thought it great sport to add +their gifts when called upon to help the country girls and boys, but +they did not get far in their fun before they found they would need +all their knowledge and do their best or else let the seaside talent +outstrip them. We were called upon from time to time during my stay +from 1864 to help different denominations in their work. Old folks' +concerts, sacred concerts, fairs and donation parties were the usual +efforts of those early days. There were no other places of amusement. +Sometimes, at rare intervals, there was a show of some kind in Otto's +Hall, a place that would hold 250 people. Whoever they were, they +could not give as much pleasure as our own home talent, consequently +they were not encouraged to repeat the visit. Mr. Blake continued his +business successfully, I supposed, until towards the close of the year +1868. He became despondent and I could see trouble was brewing. He +never brought his business home, so I was ignorant of anything in +regard to its standing. In early years he had much to do with mining +stocks and still held some that he thought would be profitable. The +four years we were in Boston he held much stock and that was one +reason we left, so he could be nearer and in touch with the rise and +fall of the market. I was not aware of all this, and when the crisis +came I was unprepared for the result. The money he made in the store +went to keep up the margins, and changes in the market. At last the +door of his store was closed and we were penniless and saw no way out +of it. + +I being always hopeful, it was for me to raise the drooping spirits +and advise means of action. I left for San Francisco with the younger +boy and Mr. Blake remained with the elder to straighten out his +affairs as well as possible. I took my sewing machine with me and +intended to retrieve the family fortune with my voice and my needle. I +came to the home of Mrs. John Clough, a friend, on Third street, +between Market and Mission. Her husband was a fine tenor singer and I +knew she would help me get something to do. I was there but a few +weeks when the Lyster Opera Troupe came from Australia and began +singing at the old Metropolitan theater on Montgomery street. I was +one of the 300 members of the Handel and Haydn Society, which was +called upon by Mr. F. Lyster for voices for the chorus. A leading +contralto and a soprano were in the troupe. Mrs. Cameron and I were +chosen after the voices were tried and accepted. I had no trouble as I +had studied the choruses of most of the familiar operas. I also knew +many of the contralto arias, like Perlate de Amour in Faust and other +contralto numbers of the different operas that we gave. I was engaged +at $20 per week, which seemed to me a fabulous sum, for I was without +any means. These were strenuous days, sometimes fourteen hours in the +theatre a day, singing one opera and practicing a new one. I was not +unhappy as I was doing something to help along the good work of +regaining our footing and I worked willingly, but the operas of Norma, +Les Huguenots, Faust, Aida were heavy and required long rehearsals, +the theater was damp and cold and sometimes I wished myself out of it. +After singing in ten heavy operas I caught cold and was obliged to +stop, much to the disappointment of Mr. Lyster, as he had hoped to +take me with the troupe. But I was too ill and besides my sons were +too small to leave them behind, so I canceled my engagement and closed +my career in opera. + +Before I recovered, Mr. Blake had settled as best he could and left me +to go to Reno, where his stocks were, to see if anything could be +saved at all. When he returned after three months' absence I had +taken the upper part of the house at the corner of O'Farrell and +Stockton streets, and with what furniture I still possessed I started +to rent rooms. I had also gotten the choir position as alto in St. +Patrick's church on Market street, on the lot where the Palace Hotel +now stands. While employed there a church was being built on Mission +street, where it now stands. When the basement of the new church was +finished the congregation was moved to Mission street, and we +worshiped in the basement until the main church was finished. I had +one room left to rent where I was on O'Farrell street when one day, to +my surprise on answering the bell, Mr. William Kitts of the opera +troupe called to rent a room. He was a splendid bass singer and I was +greatly surprised to see him, as I had supposed he had left with the +company. He wished to rest for a year. He had never seen America and +would remain until the troupe returned in another year. He was as fine +a man as he was a singer; in fact, all the principals of the troupe +were fine people. They were Madam Lucy Escott, the soprano; Henry +Squires, tenor; Mr. Baker, the lyric tenor, with a most beautiful +voice; and Mr. Kitts, the basso profundo. Before these people went +away I sang many times with them in concert. They gave a sacred +concert in Pacific Hall, on California street, in 1869. We sang the +Trio, te Prago, Escott, Blake, Squires for one number. Madam was so +pleased with my singing she kissed me and gave me her copy of the song +after writing her name on it. Mr. Squires said it was by far the best +combination for the trio that he had ever made. The first time I ever +sang this trio was in 1859 in Tremont Temple with Louisa Adams, +soprano, Edwin Bruce, tenor, and myself, contralto. Miss Adams was a +prima donna of that time. I had always received great praise for my +work in this trio. + +I remained a year in the house on O'Farrell street, and as I knew I +could do better with more rooms I moved into a two-story house on +Powell street, near the corner of Broadway, when Mr. Kitts went to +Australia. Mr. Blake had returned from Reno and was employed at Main & +Winchester's on Sansome street. Mr. Goodwin, the furniture dealer, +furnished the house with $1,100 worth of furniture and I began to help +lessen the burden already so heavy. Youth was in my favor, being now +thirty-four years old. The children were at school and I still held my +church position and began to sing at concerts and entertainments. My +rooms were filled with the best of roomers and my house brought me in +$65 over my rent which was also $65 a month. I had no piano and no +place for one, as the children and I slept in the kitchen. I had given +up every available room to make the house pay. Mrs. Dr. Howard +permitted me to use her piano, so after the work was done I was +obliged to walk nine blocks to practice each day. When I thought +everything was going all right Mr. Blake began to act strangely. The +failure had affected him more than he let me know, and he was so +stunned by the blow that he had plunged us into poverty and it weighed +so on his mind that Dr. H.L. Baldwin advised a sea voyage. So we wrote +to his brother who was in Melbourne to expect him on a certain ship. +All was favorable and he sailed away the latter part of 1869. His +brain was softening and there was no hope for him if he remained. +After weeks of sailing he arrived safely in Melbourne. He so far +recovered that he was able to accept a position as expert in the +Omnibus railway office which he filled for one year and a half. In the +meantime I had been able to pay for all the furniture, through my +roomers and singing and sewing, but the large house was too much for +me, with sewing until twelve at night, and I concluded to take a +smaller house and called on Mr. George Lamson, the auctioneer. He was +Nance O'Neil's father and she was then a little girl. I selected what +furniture I needed for the house on Washington street and he sold the +rest. Four of the best roomers went with me to the new house, so I was +sure I'd not fail for awhile at least. + +[Illustration: + +Church of the Advent +San Francisco, 1880 +Rev. H.D. Lathrop, Rector + +Father Stockman's Roman Catholic Church +San Bernardino, 1888 + +Calvary Episcopal Church +Santa Cruz, 1864 +Rev. Giles A. Easton, Rector + +Pilgrim Congregational Church +East Oakland, 1893 + +CHURCHES WHERE MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON HAS SUNG] + +All these months of toil I had received one bill after another from +different men and business houses. When they came for money I told +them I did not have a dollar, only what I earned, but that if the +bills were correct, I would settle them as fast as I could earn the +money. I determined to pay all of Mr. Blake's indebtedness, rather +than there should be a blot upon his name or honor, and also for the +sake of his two sons who had their lives to live. I had been sewing +for Mrs. Letitia Ralph, the dressmaker, who gave me the children's +clothes to make after she had fitted and basted them up for me. I had +my own boys so beautifully clad she wanted to know who made their +clothes. She proposed that if I would make the children's clothing she +would prepare the work for me. After my work of the day was over and +all the family slept I sewed until midnight. After I had moved to +Washington street, I bought one of the Ralph charts and perfected +myself in the art of cutting and fitting. I had been but two months +in the new place when one of my roomers got married, to my sorrow, for +that meant another empty room with the two parlors which had never +been rented. My heart sank within me for I was doubtful as to the +outcome of the new departure. My usual courage left me and I was at my +wits' end as to how to continue. As I sat by the machine I realized +the situation and I laid my head on the machine and the pent-up tears +at last came to my relief. While in this state I felt a presence in +the room and on looking up I saw the dear friend of my youth, Mrs. Sue +Bird, standing quietly by me, not knowing what to say. It was the +first time she had ever seen me in tears through the whole distressing +time of the last two or three years. I told her I did not know where +to commence and for once in my life I was discouraged. Before she +departed our plans were laid and the next day her machine came to the +house with a lot of new goods that she wanted to make up for herself +and children. We put a machine on each side of the bay window. I made +some signs during the day and put them in the windows. We decorated +the windows with the new goods, a fish globe, a hanging basket of +ferns, a wire model and placed upon it one of my concert dresses. We +draped the lace curtains back and the window looked stunning and very +businesslike. I arranged my cutting table and had Harper's Bazaar and +other fashion plates and Butterick patterns on the shelves. Our signs +in the window read: "Children's clothing neatly done and made to +order." Our dressmaking parlors were in full swing and in apple-pie +order. All we lacked were the customers, so we sat at the machines and +sewed until the third day, hoping to have some one come, yet dreading +to see them, for fear we would fail in our efforts. We watched people +passing all day long, going and coming and stopping to look at the new +place. At last, on the fifth day, a lady with a bundle came in at the +gate, and my heart beat with excitement. When I opened the door a +gentle little woman asked if I was the dressmaker, and I told her yes +and bade her enter. She unfolded her bundle and told me what she +wanted. I found myself talking and planning as if I had made dresses +for a number of years. It was her wedding dress of dove-colored silk +and she wanted me to make a dress of it for her twelve-year-old +daughter, with an addition of three yards of blue to match. I told her +I could make a beautiful child's dress, a very suitable and pretty +combination. The next day the girl was measured and the dress began +and by the end of the week it was to be tried on. When the dress was +done she was so pleased that I did her work as long as I was in the +business of dressmaking, which lasted ten years. This was the +beginning. + +After Mrs. Bird had started me she was obliged to go to her home, so I +advertised for a forewoman. The next day I engaged a competent woman, +Mrs. Sheek from Nevada. She brought her sewing machine and was well up +in the ideas and ways of a shop. She saw right away I was new in the +art, but she and I soon understood what was needed. In one month +things went with such perfect system we were able to take in all the +work that was brought to us. Our window was always dressed and the +figure robed in the last garment finished, and we were becoming so +popular I was obliged to get more help. Before the year was out I had +ten girls constantly employed and three machines running all the time. +These were busy days, what with concerts, singing in churches and at +funerals, rehearsals, dressmaking and roomers. I also made costumes of +singers and actresses who heard of my ability. When singing, my +costumes attracted attention and I received many customers who were +struck by my gowns. Mrs. P.D. Bowers, the famous actress, sent for me +at the Palace and ordered her costumes for Amy Robsart, also other +costumes and dominos. Emilie Melville was my customer for her concert +and opera robes; so was Mme. Mulder and Mme. Elezer. I made the robes +for Signora Bianchi in the opera of "Norma," for Mrs. Tom Breese and +Mrs. Nick Kittle. Mrs. Tom Maguire and Mrs. Mark McDonald were regular +customers for years. Mrs. Maynard, a wealthy banker's wife, who lived +on Bush street, and her daughters justly appreciated my work, and I +found in Mrs. Maynard a lifelong friend. I continued in this busy way, +always hearing good news of the improvement in my husband in +Melbourne. He had been gone now a year and a half and I had received +encouraging letters from him and at last he informed me he would come +soon and take me and the boys to Melbourne to live. All the time he +was gone I had been paying off this tremendous amount of indebtedness +of his failure, and keeping it as a secret from him so as to surprise +him when he arrived. I was fully established and my church and concert +music was all I could ask for. My old spirit came back and I was happy +to know I had been able to help my husband through this $30,000 +failure which had been such a blow to his pride and ambition and had +brought distress to his family. I received a letter that he was +coming on a certain steamer, and the boys and I were doing all we +could to have the home-coming complete. George was now fifteen years +old and William eleven. They had been going to school and had been +promoted each year and would have much to tell their father, himself a +man of letters and a graduate of Harvard University. His desire was +that the boys should excel, as had all the Blakes, Lincolns and +Sargents before them. + +Each of these old and highly honored families of Massachusetts had +celebrated men among them, and they honored their forefathers and +tried to emulate their achievements and keep up the literary standard +of the Sargents, the military dignity of their great-grandfather, +Major Benjamin Lincoln of revolutionary fame, who took the sword from +Cornwallis and handed it to his general, George Washington; Eps +Sargent, the great writer of books, poetry and the song, "The Life on +the Ocean Wave," one of the famous songs of the time. These men were +the next of kin, and we were justly proud of the connection and tried +to uphold our side of the family honor as well as it was possible for +us of this generation to accomplish. The days were counted and each +evening we were happy in the recital of our part that was expected of +us when father returned. Only a short time remained to us who were +awaiting his coming. At last we were rewarded by the arrival of the +ship which was expected to bring our father, and the week had nearly +passed. On the fourth day a messenger from the ship came with a letter +from the captain that George L. Blake was dead and buried, in a +foreign land, with honors suitable to the man who had won for himself +the respect of all who knew him in the city of Melbourne. The railroad +offices were closed, the American flag at half mast, and men with +uncovered heads marched behind the hearse that bore the remains of +their distinguished member, the American gentleman from California, to +his last resting place. Our sorrow was too great to be realized, even +after reading the letter from the rector who had read the funeral +service over the dead, and who explained the circumstances of his +sudden death and told of the sorrow of his comrades and the officers +of the company who so honored him in a strange land. He had in a short +time won their esteem by his courteous and gentlemanly bearing towards +all who came in contact with him. + +This was the sad message and the end of our bright hopes for the +future. The burden must now be borne alone with two children to +educate and this great indebtedness on my own shoulders to pay, until +all was done to honor his name and that of his sons. I saw no other +way but to work and keep busy. After several days my plans were mapped +out and I began to plan how to enlarge my business and still continue +with my music. When it became known that this sorrow had come to me, I +never lacked for friends, and in a short time I became so busy I had +no time to repine. After a year I needed more room, so I removed to +404 Post street, near the corner of Powell, into a cottage belonging +to a Mr. Simons. It was nearer town than on Washington and Stockton +streets. In a few days work went on as usual. Three of my permanent +roomers went with me. For four years I lived here, when Mr. Simons +sold the house and I was obliged to vacate. I found small rooms on +O'Farrell street and continued my work without cessation until the +beginning of 1875. During these years at 404 Post street I sang in the +St. John's Presbyterian Church, Post street. The organists during this +time were George T. Evans, later Frederick Katzenbach. The singers +were: Vernon Lincoln, tenor; Joseph Maguire, tenor; C. Makin, basso; +Mrs. Robert Moore, soprano; M.R. Blake, contralto. Later I resigned +and went for the second time to St. Patrick's Church and remained +there altogether ten years. The organist and director was J.H. +Dohrmann. The choir remained the same during that time. We had the +best talent that could be obtained and the music we sang was extremely +difficult. The sopranos were the best available. Among the singers +were: + +Mr. Brown, _tenor_ +Sig. Bianchi, _tenor_ +Sig. G. Mancusi, _tenor_ +Karl Formes, _basso_ +Sig. Morly, _basso_ +Sig. Reuling, _baritone_ +Sig. Meize, _baritone_ +Mr. Fuchs, _basso_ +Mr. Schnable, _basso_ +Mr. Stockmyer, _basso_ +Mr. Yarndley, _basso_ +Miss Louisa Tourney, _soprano_ +Mrs. Urig, _soprano_ +Mrs. Young, _soprano_ +Mrs. Taylor, _soprano_ +Mme. Brandel, _soprano_ +Signora Bianchi, _soprano_ +M.R. Blake, _contralto_ +Ella Steel, _alto_ + +[Illustration: + +Sam'l D. Mayer +Mrs. Alfred Abbey +"Joe" Maguire +Frank Gilder +Walter C. Campbell +Mrs. Augusta Lowell-Garthwaite +H.S. Stedman +Mrs. Mollie Melvin-Dewing + +ASSOCIATED MUSICIANS AND SINGERS + +In the Seventies and to Date] + + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN + +LADY OF LYONS GIVEN AT SANTA CRUZ. FLAG-RAISING AT GILROY HOT SPRINGS. +VISALIA CONCERTS + + +In 1868, while I was living in Santa Cruz, that city was without any +fire-fighting apparatus. The matter had often been discussed, but +nothing had come of it. Mrs. Alfred Baldwin, who was prominent there +as a school teacher, and her husband, a boot and shoe merchant, +conceived the plan of starting a nucleus for a fire engine. I being +her neighbor, Mrs. Baldwin naturally talked the matter over with me. +Santa Cruz then had some excellent talent to call upon, so we planned +to raise the money for an engine if possible. During these days Mrs +Elmira Baldwin came from San Francisco to spend the summer with her +sister-in-law, Mrs. Baldwin. She was a beautiful woman and talented, +and capable of taking a part in anything. We also had a friend of Mr. +Baldwin's who was a splendid actor in comedy or tragedy, Mr. I.B. +Binney. He was enlisted in the good cause, and through his efforts and +Mrs. A. Baldwin's we were enabled to collect all the talent necessary. +After the performers were secured, the next question was the form of +entertainment. Of course, Mr. Binney was consulted in the matter and +we decided to give the "Lady of Lyons," Bulwer's popular and beautiful +play. I had always sung my way into public favor, and had never tried +the drama. When the part of Widow Melnotte fell to me, I was +surprised, to say the least. I was only thirty-eight years old, and +the mother of Melnotte was fifty, but after much persuasion I +undertook the role. For a month we had a great deal of fun at the +rehearsals. It is true I had my home to care for, and it was also +fruit-canning season, and I was busy at something all the time, but at +my work my part was pinned before me and I was reciting aloud all day +long. Had any one come in unannounced he would have thought I had gone +stark mad. Sometimes I'd stand in the middle of the kitchen, dishcloth +in hand, admonishing Claude not to love Pauline too much, as he was +but a gardener's son, etc. At last the rehearsals were finished and +Thursday evening, August 27, 1868, at Otto's Hall, the only suitable +hall in town at that time, the play was given. Santa Cruz was crowded +with visitors and the tickets were sold so rapidly that the house was +sold out before the day was over. + +The following criticism of the performance is taken from the Santa +Cruz Sentinel: "The object of the entertainment being appreciated, the +hall, with a seating capacity of 250, was crowded, and promptly at the +hour the curtain was raised, displaying a little family coquettishness +between Madam Deschappells and her daughter, Pauline. As a matter of +course a bouquet of roses was found, and it was queried in all +innocence of unsophisticated girlhood as to who could have sent it. +This act, Pauline by Mrs. Elmira Baldwin and Madam Deschappells by +Mrs. Fannie Baldwin, was well played and at once centered the +attention of the audience. Colonel Dumas by I.C. Wilson was far in +advance of his former attempts, and Beauseant by Thomas Beck added +laurels to his already established reputation as a first-class +amateur. Glavis by Master Asa Rawson was rendered in his usual +facetious style, creating a universal twitter all around the hall. +Mons. Deschappells by Albert Brown was laughable in the extreme, +partly from the age of so young a father, as seen through the scarcity +of his be-floured locks, and partly from its surroundings. The +landlord by B.F. Tucker was up to the mark. Captain Gervais was played +by C.W.S. Waldron with dignity and soldierly bearing. Widow Melnotte +by Mrs. Margaret Blake was grand and inspiring, and when she displayed +the character of a devoted mother many eyes glistened with a tear and +many hearts reverted to the days, gone forever, when a mother bent +over them with cheeks radiant with smiles of delight. Claude Melnotte +by I.B. Binney was excellent and deserving of the greatest praise. +Mrs. Elmira Baldwin, in her preference for the supposed prince, in her +rage and disappointment when she discovered his true character, and in +her determination in the final act to cling to him as the wife of an +humble gardener's son, acquitted herself splendidly. Mrs. Fannie +Baldwin acted well the part of the haughty and vindictive mother. When +Melnotte had returned as military chieftain and was happily united, +the curtain fell and the audience slowly dispersed." + +Our audience was select and we had many fine comments upon our work, +individually. Several professionals were in the audience. It was +difficult to make them believe I had never acted before, and they said +I could carry that character anywhere and make a success of it. When +all expenses were paid we had $80 as a nucleus towards the fire +engine. The same was placed at interest, there to remain until called +for by proper authority for the purpose for which it was raised. This +play was given forty-three years ago. Three of the original +characters, to my knowledge, are still living. The curtain of life's +drama has been rung down on the other twelve. I have never inquired +whether the fire engine was bought, but suppose, after all these +years, that Santa Cruz must have several engines. We who live can feel +we gave our talents for a good cause. It was rather a peculiar part +for a minister's daughter to take, the straight-laced saints +suggested, but the minister's daughter smiled, knowing she had helped +in a good cause, and she still lives to tell the story of her +theatrical achievement in the little town of Santa Cruz, and how the +first money was obtained to get a fire engine for the town's safety. + + +GILROY HOT SPRINGS FLAG RAISING, JULY 18, 1872. + +In various times in my life I have assisted at a flag raising. This +incident occurred July 18, 1872, when I was on my yearly vacation to +Gilroy Hot Springs. The genial host, George Roop, and his excellent +wife, Elizabeth, were old friends of mine and they made it a point +each year to have me come, generally in July, when many people +gathered there. We had passed a very patriotic day on July 4 and the +enthusiasm had not yet died out and the decorations were still in +evidence. Our days were spent in fishing, playing croquet, in bathing +and climbing the mountains. There was one high peak that no one had +ever attempted and there was considerable banter between the guests +and the proprietor, Roop saying that no one had scaled the peak since +he had become proprietor of the springs. Among the guests were several +great climbers and one evening we concluded to try, at least, and if +we succeeded we were to put up the flag and sing America. It was an +ideal morning and we got a good start before the sun rose. Ten of us +started. We had but to follow the trail and keep going. We had a small +donkey, used to the trail, and our lunch, flag, spade and hatchet and +water-can were packed on his saddle, and with a hurrah and a shout we +were off. Our spirits were high as we slowly began the ascent. Before +we had gone a third of the way some of the party lagged behind. One by +one they fell back until only five were left. After we had gone half +the distance we rested for a half hour and refreshed ourselves with +part of the lunch. Then we journeyed on until we reached the sheep +ranch on the top of the peak, a level where you could see for miles +over hill and dale. When we looked for Gilroy Springs it seemed miles +away. The air was so clear our voices went out like clarion calls. +After our dinner we rested while the men hunted a suitable pole. They +soon found a tall sapling, chopped off the branches and pointed the +butt so it could be driven into the earth, and with spades prepared a +place and the tree was planted as near to the edge of the mountain as +we dared to work, in a spot where we could see the springs below. +About three o'clock in the afternoon the ropes were ready and the flag +placed in readiness. Capt. Mehan gave the sign to Dr. Coe and shouted +to let her go and in a trice the flag was flung to the breeze and as +it went up we began to sing America until the echoes rang far and wide +with the refrain and caught the ears of the guests below who shouted +and made the welkin ring by "firing off" anvils and making signals to +attract our attention. When we knew they had seen the flag and had +heard us we stood around the flagstaff and sang the Star Spangled +Banner. After the singing we gave three times three cheers for Old +Glory and they answered below by three shots and a hurrah for the +victors who had bravely put up the flag on the highest peak, 2,659 +feet above the level of the sea. + +Those who won the victory and helped in the flag raising were Captain +Mehan, Dr. Coe, Miss Foltz, Miss Farren and Margaret R. Blake. After +the cheering had subsided we prepared for the descent. Our faithful +donkey brayed with delight as he trotted off down the hill with a +small flag fastened to his bridle. It was almost eight o'clock when we +reached the foot of the trail, tired and foot-sore, but happy. As we +came in sight we found the guests had formed into a procession, and +headed by an impromptu band, arranged for the occasion. From the cooks +and waiters they had secured tin pans, tin horns, pot covers for +cymbals and other implements for the noisy demonstration. To welcome +the victors, wreaths of wild flowers and ferns were thrown over our +heads and shoulders and we were placed at the head of the parade and +escorted to the hotel porch, where speeches were delivered in welcome +and praises for our bravery showered upon us. Afterward we were +allowed to retire to the ever welcome sulphur bath, refresh ourselves +and rest before dinner. It was late when the call came. On entering +the dining room we found a separate table in the center of the room, +decorated with flags and blossoms. To this table we were escorted by +our host. We did not need the second bidding for we were a hungry five +and we were ready for anything prepared for us. After spending a +delightful hour partaking of the very best of everything, we adjourned +to the parlors and talked over the events of the trip and enjoyed some +excellent music which had been prepared for us. At 12 o'clock the gong +sounded and the lights were put out. Thus ended the eventful day of +our flag raising at Gilroy Hot Springs, July 18, 1872--thirty-nine +years ago. + + +VISALIA CONCERTS. + +Walter Campbell, Mr. Anderson, Sam Booth and myself were engaged as +soloists for the Visalia concerts that lasted three nights, given +under the auspices of the Good Templars of that city. Local talent was +used for choruses. We were paid $50 each and all our expenses. When we +arrived, December 3, 1878, the city was billed as for a circus. +Posters were everywhere, old fashioned stages carrying passengers had +posters on each side with our names printed in ten to twelve inch +lettering. We were amazed at our popularity and were a jolly +quartette. At the rehearsal we discovered some musical folk, capable +of interpreting the old-time songs and to our great pleasure and +surprise we found we had a fine support to aid us in our quaint songs +which had made for us a reputation in our own city. By seven o'clock +of the first night the sidewalk was crowded with eager and expectant +citizens, waiting with good humor until the time for the opening. +Before the concert began the house was filled to overflowing. Promptly +at eight the instrumental march began. In the first number it was +arranged for all the performers to be on the stage to make a +picturesque showing of the costumes. It was many minutes before we +were allowed to begin the programme. It was a demonstration to satisfy +the ambition of any singer and spur him on to greater things. We were +all in the best of voice and with the good will of the audience we +carried out the programme without an error, with encores galore. + +The second night was a repetition of the vast crowd of enthusiastic +people. A surprise was in store for me. Rev. P.Y. Cool stepped upon +the platform and informed the audience that when he was pastor of the +First Methodist church in Santa Cruz in 1864 I was the solo singer in +his church. He said the audience had the opportunity of hearing by far +California's best and oldest singer and to his mind the best he ever +heard sing sacred songs. He finished by saying that he felt it an +honor to hear once more her beautiful voice. Because of the great hit +we had made we were asked to give a third performance and to this we +agreed. The choruses were the same for the third night as were the +character duets between Walter Campbell, Sam Booth, Anderson and me, +which were repeated by request. The solos were alone changed. Sarah +Walker also repeated her Opinions at the Pastor's Donation Party, +causing much merriment that such an old lady could still take part +with the younger set, even if she was seemingly eighty years old. The +programme came to an end about eleven o'clock, which closed three most +successful nights both artistically as well as financially for the +cause of temperance in Visalia. On our departure in the morning the +committee escorted us to the train and presented us with offerings of +autumn flowers and fruits as tokens of their appreciation. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT + +ON THE ROAD WITH DICK KOHLER, MR. VIVIAN, WALTER CAMPBELL, MR. WAND +AND CHARLES ATKINS + + +In 1876, I signed a six weeks' agreement with the Vivian Kohler Troupe +to tour Oregon, Victoria and the cities on Puget Sound. We sailed from +San Francisco on February 24 on the steamer City of Panama. Our party +was made up of six people: Mr. Dick Kohler, the only Vivian, Walter C. +Campbell, Margaret B. Alverson, Mr. Wand, pianist, Mr. Charles Atkins, +advance agent. We were a goodly company indeed, all up in our parts +and anticipating success in our venture. We arrived in Victoria, +February 28. As we landed, rockets were sent up and cannons gave forth +a deafening roar to inform the people the steamer had arrived, but it +was too late for us to disembark, and reluctantly we repaired to our +bunks to pass another night on board. Morning came at last and I +opened my eyes upon a quiet little bay surrounded by high, rocky +mountains, covered with foliage, including tall pines, and in the +distance the snow-capped mountains, lighting up the background of the +beautiful scene before me. By seven o'clock we were taken ashore in +small skiffs to the opposite shore where we were met by our agent, Mr. +Atkins, who had arranged for our conveyance to Victoria. After a smart +ride of an hour we stopped at the Fayhard Hotel, too early for these +slow Englishmen. After a decided rattling at a heavy dark oaken door +of an ancient-looking mansion, a dull, grim old Chinese made his +appearance, wondering who was disturbing his slumbers at such an early +hour. The landlord, a polite little Frenchman, greeted us with many +bows and much palaver and popped behind the bar, which motion was not +lost on the chilled travelers who called for their favorite and drank +with a satisfied smack. I felt like the dog who had gotten into bad +company, the saloon being the only room with a fire. After a half hour +of waiting we heard the welcome call for breakfast to which we needed +no second bidding. I am a victim of sea-sickness and had eaten +nothing during the entire voyage except a little gruel, and I leave +you to imagine what I did to the delicious breakfast placed before me, +served only as Frenchmen can serve. It consisted of fish, chops, +steak, rolls, coffee, potatoes and an omelette. + +After breakfast I was shown to my room where I had a good view of the +town and I found we had been largely billed to appear on Thursday +night. We had a day of rest before our first performance. We moved in +the meantime to the Colonial Hotel or Driard House, and were shown to +a comfortable room with a fireplace, quaint and small, in which a +bright fire was burning. The room was cheerful and attractive with +many windows. The floors were painted and covered with rugs, bright +and warm, and the white French curtains hung as in the days of +Napoleon. Mahogany furniture of old fashioned shape added to the +strange furnishing which was very attractive, and I felt at home at +once. About ten o'clock that morning, Walter Campbell came and +escorted me to the cupola of the hotel where we could see the city for +miles, a good-sized place, with several prominent buildings and +churches and a fine sight of Mount Baker in the distance, covered with +snow. After a quarter of an hour we decided to have breakfast and +joined the rest of the company and a stranger who was presented to us +as Commodore Maury, a pleasant and distinguished-looking man who was a +welcome addition to our company and extended us many a courtesy while +we were in the city. After breakfast the company separated. I retired +to my room and practiced an hour before going to try the voices in the +Theater Royal. While in the midst of my practice a queer accident +occurred in front of the hotel. A man in a watering cart, in backing +up to the sidewalk, turned too abruptly and the traces gave way, the +cart turned turtle and the poor horse hung in mid-air. Relief was soon +at hand, a dozen or more of the brawny Englishmen righted the position +of the animal and all was over and no harm done. After a good laugh +everyone went his way. At ten o'clock we strolled to the theater to +look it over. The people of Victoria think it is fine. They ought to +come to California and pattern after some of our playhouses. It was +small, the acoustics bad and the mixtures of colors was as a +crazy-quilt to me. The boxes were ludicrous in their attempt at +ornamentation. The seats were long benches, upholstered with +solferino-colored damask and the scenes were the merest daubs. We +did not rehearse in the theater. We returned to the hotel and +rehearsed in the parlors for an hour, then each one retired for the +night. + +[Illustration: + +Rev. Dr. J.K. McLean +First Congregational Church +Oakland, 1890 + +Rev. P.Y. Cool +First M.E. Church +Santa Cruz, 1864 + +Rev. V.M. Law +Church of the Advent +East Oakland, 1898 + +Rev. Father Akerly +St. John's Episcopal Church +Oakland, 1894 + +Rev. Giles A. Easton +Calvary Episcopal Church +Santa Cruz, 1864 + +MINISTERS WITH WHOM MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED] + +At last the first night is over and we have taken the people by storm. +The theater is crowded and every number is encored. We have set the +town talking and I expect the theater will not hold the people for +tonight. House packed. Vivian is the funniest man I ever saw or heard. +I nearly choke with laughter. In singing my song in costume tonight, a +very pretty and touching incident occurred. Lord Mayor Drummond and +family occupied one of the boxes. With them was their grandchild, +about three or four years old. When I came out dressed as an old +Scotch woman and leading Mr. Kohler, who represented John Anderson my +Joe, her clear voice rang out, "Oh, grandpa, can I give my posie to +the dear old lady?" By the time I had placed John in the large arm +chair they had quieted her and the song proceeded. When the song was +finished a silence of death was the only evidence we received, until +we were nearly off the stage and the people awoke to the realization +that the song was done and the singers gone. Then applause broke like +a whirlwind and we were obliged to return three or four times to +acknowledge our appreciation. At the close of the performance the Lord +Mayor came with his family on the stage with his grandchild to see the +dear old lady. I had retired to the dressing room and removed my +costume and was ready to go to the hotel. When I came back Mr. Kohler +introduced me and pointed me out to the child. She drew back with her +posies and said, "Not this lady, the old lady." No persuasion could +induce her to give me the bouquet. At last I told her to come with me +and I'd show her the old lady. I returned to the dressing room and +showed her the cap and other articles of the costume and told her I +wore them and I was only playing I was old. She looked at me and drew +a long breath, smiled and handed me the posies. I took the flowers +from the child and we joined the party who were watching our +performance with much pleasure. They asked her if she found the old +lady and she replied, "Yes, she only played she was old like grandma." +Mayor Drummond complimented me on my song and reminded me that it was +his favorite Scotch song. Our first night won for us great +recognition. About two o'clock we were serenaded at the hotel by the +Victoria band. The company acknowledged the compliment but I remained +in my room. + +The next day we were taken all over the city and shown the principal +features by the Lord Mayor and his family. At two o'clock we returned +to his mansion where we had luncheon. After passing several hours +pleasantly with his lordship we were brought home in time to rest for +the second night's performance, Friday. The house was again packed, +enthusiasm ran high and everything on the program was encored. The +boxes were filled with beautiful women and their escorts. The morning +papers were loud with praises of our selections and how they had been +rendered. + +The wind and rain had turned into a heavy snow fall. We were due at +Nanaimo for the next concert and despite the storm we started and +arrived safely Wednesday morning, March 8. We sang in Institute hall +and a fine place for sound it was. We had a crowded house and were +well received. We were to return to Victoria the following day. The +snow was deep and it was cold and blowing hard. Unable to secure an +express wagon, we improvised a sleigh and the boys put our things into +it and dragged the sleigh to the depot. We boarded the Northern +Pacific and started up the Sound. Snow everywhere. The scenery was +beautiful. Mount Baker was a lovely sight, just like one solid piece +of ice. We arrived in Seattle at one o'clock in the afternoon and went +directly to the Cosmopolitan. + +Let me quote from my diary. Saturday, March 11th: "Our entertainment +last night was given in the cabin of a steamer which had been +fashioned into a music hall and it proved a fine place to sing in and +we had a packed house in spite of snow and rain. We met with a great +reception and one encore after another had to be given. Sunday, 12th. +We started for Steillacoom on the steamer Alida and arrived early and +were taken to the Harmon House. In the absence of a hall to sing in we +gave our concert in the hotel dining-room with a melodeon for our only +instrument. We made the best of the situation. All were in good humor +and our auditors enjoyed the programme very much. The next morning we +left for Olympia. At one o'clock we arrived in Olympia, the capital of +Washington Territory, and were taken to the Carlton House. Concert +tonight and off for Tacoma tomorrow at eight o'clock." + +After the concert was over at Olympia I was surprised to be called +back to the auditorium by Mr. Kohler who informed me that some +friends wished to speak to me. To my surprise twenty-five persons +greeted me and made me welcome. I never knew one of them before, but +each one had heard me sing in San Francisco years gone by and was as +glad to hear me sing as if we had been old friends. My singing had +impressed them so that they desired to know me personally upon hearing +me again. Several of them even told me the songs I sang and others the +different places and particular concerts where I sang. At this point I +wish to say that to me this means the true singer. If the +interpretation of the song and the singer leave a memory of pleasant +remembrance, then the singer has found the secret of success and earns +the reputation that no one can deny or take away from him or her. +Riches, influence, envy, jealousy can never buy that which the singer +has not. It must rest with the individuality and musical temperament +of the artist and the art of giving to the hearer what the writer +intended he should give. + +At Tacoma we had very comfortable quarters at the Carlton House. As we +were coming up the Sound in the steamer Zephyr I was in the cabin +asleep. The Sound was rough, I am not a good sailor, and how long I +slept I know not, but I awoke with a start and a loud report greeted +my ears. As I opened my eyes I saw the white faces of women and +children and steam filling the cabin. In my bewilderment I was really +frightened. All this must have taken place in a moment, for I had not +time to fully awaken when the members of our troupe hastily entered +enquiring for Mrs. Blake, is she hurt, etc. Well the Tacoma concert is +also a thing of the past and we left many friends in consequence of +our good work. Now we are off for Portland, Oregon. March 17th, St. +Patrick's Day. Our concert last night was a bouncing one. The +beautiful theater was packed and we were received royally and the +morning papers were loud in our praise. We are having rain this +morning. Being St. Patrick's day our house was not packed, but +comfortably filled. Of course we had an Irish programme which was just +the right key note and the people gave us a hearty reception and many +recalls. After the concert, friends came in carriages and took us to +the St. Patrick's ball given by the upper class of Irish citizens. It +was my first experience at an Irish ball. I did not retire until two +o'clock in the morning, pretty well convinced that the Gaelic dancers +are people to enjoy their fun to the utmost. March 18th. At the +matinee this afternoon a very laughable episode occurred. After +singing the second encore there was a fine bouquet thrown on the stage +for me. It failed to reach but fell in the orchestra. A nice looking +and well groomed gentleman quickly jumped over and caught the bouquet +and sent it upon the stage with a bow and a smile. As he attempted to +return he fell headlong. Such a laugh went up! It was funny to see him +sprawling on the floor in full dress. The cheers and laughter were so +uproarious I was obliged to stop until they had subsided. He turned to +the audience and made a profound bow, then we proceeded with the +programme. This evening's concert was a success from start to finish. + +Sunday, March 9th. Having met some pleasant people in our travels, +Mrs. Baxter of Tacoma, Mrs. Gaten of Portland, and a friend of mine, +Mrs. Kilbourn, we were enabled to see more of the places of interest +during our stay in Portland. At ten o'clock our friends arrived at the +hotel and in a smart conveyance we were soon enjoying the brisk +morning air. Our destination was a Sisters' Hospital. After an hour's +ride we alighted in front of this spacious, comfortable-looking +building which proved to be St. Joseph's Hospital. We were welcomed by +Sister Josephine who guided us all over the place, the dormitories, +dining room, halls and corridors. Everything was kept in the neatest +order. At last we stopped in front of the chapel. The place was +partially lighted, showing the altar of white and gold, the brass +candlesticks and vases of marble filled with roses. The altar was +draped with white linen and pink silk linings and lace frills. A soft +pink light pervaded the place, which gave it an ethereal appearance +and filled me with solemn awe as I turned away. The day had begun very +fair but when we returned to the hotel the rain was in full force. +After dinner our friends called again and we were taken to their +beautiful mansion where we met a company of eight very interesting +persons, and with pleasant repartee and some good music we enjoyed the +hours until ten o'clock when we were once more returned to the hotel +and, tired out from our day's adventures, sleep soon claimed us. +Monday, the 20th, we gave our last concert and we had a most +magnificent reception and a crowded and enthusiastic house. Vivian was +in great form and his "Ten Thousand Miles Away" and "Where's Rosanna +Gone" took the house by storm. Walter and I received our share of +glory as did Mr. Wand and Mr. Kohler. Thus ended our three nights +and one matinee in Portland, Oregon. Left Portland for Oregon City and +arrived about six o'clock in the evening. The scenery here is +magnificent. The city is one long street, the valley is not wider than +to allow one street and two rows of railroad tracks, then comes the +Willamette river and across that the canal and the high mountains +again. Above the Imperial Mills are the Willamette Falls. As I stood +within several feet of the falls I looked on the scene below the large +mills, the canal, mountains, the small quaint town. We could see the +boats in the canal unloading their freight. The Cliff House was the +only hotel; not attractive but well kept. Our house was not well +filled; the mill men were angry at a dollar admission so remained away +and missed the fun for their pains. + +[Illustration: WILLIAM H. KEITH, Baritone + +Pupil in 1881] + +Next morning we left for Salem. The trip was beautiful in the extreme. +The scenery was wonderful, rocks covered with moss of every shade made +a picture gorgeous to behold. Arrived in Salem at eleven o'clock in +the morning and drove to the Chemeketa Hotel, the largest one in +Oregon. We are billed for two nights, then we separate and start for +home. The concerts were well patronized and by the best people. Those +who generally go wanted circus pieces, therefore the grouch and thin +houses. Any one who knew Dick Kohler soon found out that nothing of +the cheap sort goes where he is the leader. We started out on a +venture on the 24th of February and separated on the 24th of March. I +was the only woman in the company and a queen could not have received +better attention than I from each member of the troupe. Wherever we +remained Mr. Kohler reminded the people I should have the best. +Sometimes we fared badly along the Sound and at the coaling camps the +fare was rough and the accommodations uncomfortable. Such occurrences +come to all who travel and we were the best natured company, ready for +good, bad or otherwise. We were four nights in Victoria, B.C., two +nights in Nanaimo, one night in Victoria on our return, two nights in +Seattle, one night in Steillacoom, one in Olympia, one in Tacoma, +Portland three nights and matinee, Oregon City one night, Salem two +nights--nineteen performances. + +After all expenses and salaries, Mr. Kohler returned to San Francisco +with fifteen hundred dollars clear gain in four weeks. We left +Portland for home on the steamer Ajax. But friends in Portland +entertained us the last day and in parting came to the steamer and +brought papers and magazines to read during the voyage. But as for me, +I had no use for anything but the bed. I am not a good sailor. The +26th the snow came down so fast the pilot could not see to take us +out. After several hours there was a lull long enough for us to reach +the steamer. It was rough crossing the mouth of the Columbia river, +the rain and hail followed us for two days out. At last we came in +sight of the Golden Gate, and we were home once more. After a pleasant +trip, a welcome reception in every city and town in which we sang, our +salaries in our pockets and wiser for our experience as entertainers, +we were ready to take up the usual routine of our lives and continue +to the successful end when traveling days are done for us all. If we +had a regret it was at the hour of parting of our goodly company. The +good-byes were said on the 24th of March, 1876, and three of the +company never met again. To my knowledge all have passed away but +Walter C. Campbell and the writer, Margaret Blake-Alverson. + + + + +CHAPTER NINE + +EARLY MUSIC AND MUSIC HOUSES. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS. OLD-TIME +SINGERS + + +Before our time the beginnings of music were comparatively +insignificant. These we can divide into four heads, as follows: + + 1. The music of the Indians. + 2. The Mission music of the padres. + 3. The Spanish and Mexican music. + 4. The music of the miners. + +These epochs have no bearing upon the music of today. Even the +beginnings in 1850 and 1851 were of the most primitive sort. As early +as 1849 in the then village of San Francisco, music was given by +traveling companies from all parts of the globe, lured here by the +song of gold. As the priests built the missions and gathered the +people into the churches, they sang the songs of the Church, such as +the Gregorian chants. Their scores were written on sheets of +parchment, some of them exist today and can be seen in the Bancroft +collection of California music. + +Most of the miners were men who sang songs which were not of the +highest order, and they showed no great proficiency as singers, but if +they were not singers they were good listeners, and occasionally a +strolling violin player would arrive in the camp and he was given the +closest attention and rewarded always with an ounce of gold, which had +the value of $16. He was extended full hospitality and shared their +grub (as the miners called their food in the camp in early days.) + +Many of these quaint songs were composed by the miners in their camps, +and later we had men like the well known singer, Sam Booth. The titles +were unique as well as the sentiment, and fitted the time and place in +the early years. With the advent of women the guitars and banjos were +employed in the dance halls and fandangoes of the Mexican men and +women, who were the only women in the state when we arrived. There is +much romance coupled with as much stern reality in building up the +music of our state. The golden city was little better than trails +over the wind-swept sand hills, our beautiful bay was covered with +craft of all nations, lured here by the story of gold and deserted by +crews who joined the masses of humanity of all nations and creeds +ashore, infected with the delirium of the gold fever. They thought +little of music that was stable. There were a few practical business +men among them who looked farther than the mere hunting of gold. + +Having been so closely identified with the earliest music and +musicians I have undertaken to give you an exact recital of facts in +my long association and in the performance of this pleasant art, which +is a beautiful memory in my long years of experience. In this work I +have been assisted by diaries, programmes and notes from the musicians +of my time. It will give me gratification and reward for my work if I +can present an historical account from the small beginnings of 1851 to +the colossal and substantial basis upon which the music houses stand +today. The pioneer men in the business had many struggles and +obstacles to overcome. The early fires swept away the beginnings +several times, but like the fabled Phoenix they steadily arose from +the ashes of their disappointments to begin again with renewed energy +and strength of purpose. + +I think I can safely say that the music house of Joseph Atwill & +Company on Washington street was the first which dealt exclusively in +musical instruments. Atwill did not import largely but bought of Mr. +A. Kohler who dealt in musical instruments, notions, fancy goods and +toys. Mr. Atwill in 1860 sold out to Matthias Gray, a former clerk of +his, and he and William Herwig in 1862 opened at 613 Clay street. +After a short time Mr. Herwig, who was a clarionet player, dropped +out. Gray's business prospered rapidly, being aided by the acquisition +of the Steinway piano agency. Gray's music store was the headquarters +for many years of all visiting artists and it may be claimed that it +was the first devoted entirely to the music art. Later two of Gray's +clerks, Charles McCurrie and Julius Weber, established a favorite home +for the music business and during some years were on Post street near +Kearny street and later on Kearny street between Sutter and Bush +streets. In the meantime Gray removed to Kearny street next to the +White House. At this location McCurrie and Weber rejoined Gray and the +business was again moved to larger quarters on Post street and +included under its roof a large second story salesroom, that was +easily converted into a recital room and was designated Steinway Hall. +A very tempting offer from the then young dry goods firm of O'Connor, +Moffatt & Co. induced Gray to give up his lease and move a block +further out Post street. Just prior to this the business was +incorporated and known as the "Matthias Gray Co." Later Mr. Gray +passed away, and still later the business was terminated. The immense +stock of music was purchased "for a song" by Oliver Ditson Co. During +its existence Gray did an extensive publishing business and became a +member of the Music Board of Trade, which then controlled prices, etc. + +Charles H. McCurrie and Julius Weber were so thoroughly identified +with music as an art for many years that a word about their present +activities may be of interest. Mr. McCurrie went into Eastern piano +factories and interested himself in the technical makeup of pianos and +the art of tuning and returning settled and still lives in Alameda, +Calif., where he has written several successful operettas and +collections of songs for children. Selections from the latter are in +daily use in the public schools, although not written for that +purpose. The Rival Queens and The Marsh King are also two successful +cantatas, the Quest of Truth being his latest work of that nature. Mr. +Julius Weber joined the faculty of piano teachers at Mills College and +remained there until recently, the demands upon his time by pupils at +his residence in Berkeley having compelled him reluctantly to resign. +He is still successfully teaching and is identified with the best +musical advancement in our college city. + +[Illustration: + +Music House, 1910 +S.J. Bruce +Oakland Manager for +Many Years + +Andrew Kohler +Quincy A. Chase +Music House, 1851 + +MUSIC HOUSE OF KOHLER & CHASE + +San Francisco] + +Kohler and Chase were established in 1850, starting as a toy and +notion shop and selling musical instruments. They were not wholly in +the music business until about 1853 or 54. Mr. Kohler imported nothing +but French and German upright pianos at that time. In 1860 they were +fully established as a regular music house, on Clay street and +afterwards moved to Post street. The same year A. Kohler opened a +large wholesale house on Sansome street. The first grand pianos were +imported by them about 1859. They came from Europe and arrived on +board ship just in time to be exhibited at the first Mechanic's Fair, +held in a building put up for that purpose on Montgomery street. At +that time Montgomery street toward Market street consisted mostly of +vacant lots. Kohler & Chase's music house has been one of the most +successful during all these years of changes which have come during +all these years. They had nothing but successful advancement until our +great earthquake demolished the entire city and they suffered as did +other music houses, but at the present time of writing they are housed +in a most magnificent building of their own on O'Farrell street and +Bagley place, built especially for them, and ten stories in height. +They occupy the entire building. It is the largest and most complete +music house in the West and an acknowledged musical center. + +When the Matthias Gray Company went out of business Mr. McCurrie +selected from the shelves the music and books for the store of Wm. B. +Frisbee & Company, opened in the old Masonic Temple, Montgomery street +near Market. With Mr. Frisbee was the late H.M. Bosworth, a leading +organist and critic, Bohemian, etc. Later the firm became Frisbee & +Scott. Gustave A. Scott, now dead, was a well known and successful +music teacher and for many years organist of Calvary Church on Bush +street, and later at the corner of Geary and Powell streets. He was +also organist for the synagogue on Mason and Geary, Rabbi Bettelheim, +pastor, and accompanist for the early Handel & Haydn Society on +California and Dupont streets, where we occupied Dr. Lacey's church +with Mr. Oliver as business director and a brother of Judge Shafter as +one of the musical committee of the society which numbered 500 fine +singers. Later the business of Frisbee & Scott was transferred to the +southwest corner of Kearny and Sutter streets. Changing hands again +the business was taken over by A.A. Rosenberg, another music teacher, +and finally became known as the firm of Sherman & Hyde, Mr. Sherman +having been in the employ of A.A. Rosenberg. After several years, +Sherman & Hyde became known as Sherman, Clay & Company, who have been +doing a successful business, occupying at the present time a fine +building which has been erected since the earthquake. They are one of +the leading music houses. Since the earthquake the senior member, +Major C.C. Clay, has passed away. The business is now incorporated and +among the officials are Mr. Fred Sherman, son of L.S. Sherman, and Mr. +Phillip Clay, son of the late Major Clay. Mr. Leander Sherman, one of +the founders of the firm, is still living and continues in the +business as in former years. The firm also owns its own building in +Oakland at the corner of Fourteenth and Clay streets, built since the +earthquake, one of the finest structures in the business center of +Oakland. + +[Illustration: + +Zeno Mauvais +Julius R. Weber +William G. Badger +C.H. McCurrie +Matthias Gray + +HEADS OF PIONEER MUSIC HOUSES OF SAN FRANCISCO] + +Since music was so much a part of the life of the earlier days it may +not be amiss to mention the names of a few great specialists of that +time. There were the Zechs, Jacob and Fred, manufacturers and +repairers. Many examples of the former's work still exist. Jacob was +encouraged by the late Wm. C. Ralston and built many grand pianos for +the old Palace Hotel and other places. Both the Zechs have passed away +but their descendants are in the front rank as musical artists, +teachers and composers. A celebrated artist in his line was Urban, the +violin repairer. Phaff, the flute and clarinet man was another. Others +were Senor Nojica, maker of guitars, harps in the Italian quarter of +Kearny street, Charles Morrill, of banjos, Tall Dan Delaney, drummer +at Maguire's Theater (who wouldn't learn a note of music and played as +he pleased) who repaired drums, and C.C. Keene, maker of accordeons, +in former days much played, Professor Wm. T. Ferrer, the guitarist, +lately deceased, came here in early days from Mexico with his family +and made a place for himself as a guitar and mandolin teacher. His +family were all talented, Annita Ferrer was a beautiful soprano singer +and sang in concert and church. She occupied the place as soloist in +Calvary Church for a while when the choir was composed of Harry Gates, +tenor, Fred Borneman, bass, M.R. Blake, contralto, G.A. Scott, +organist. Prof. Ferrer was not a commonplace performer, but played +operatic selections of his own arrangement for the guitar that no one +else attempted as far as I can recollect. He had a severe time in the +beginning as prices for lessons were so low, and he had all he could +do to keep the wolf from the door. We gave him several benefits which +were greatly appreciated. One night we crowded the old Mercantile Hall +with his admirers. The singers and players were Mrs. Hall McAllister, +Mrs. Marriner-Campbell, Clara Tippits, Amphion Quartette, Mrs. M.R. +Blake, Sig. Mancusie, Wunderlich, J. Stadfeldt, Harry Hunt, +accompanist. I shall always remember that night. The dear professor +thanked us with broken speech, tears filling his eyes. He said the +excellent program was a surprise and one of the greatest pleasures he +had in California. He was made doubly glad by a well-filled purse of a +thousand dollars, the receipts of the concert. This act on our part +made him our perpetual friend until he died. He lived long enough to +see his prices increased fourfold, which enabled him in his later +years to live in apparent comfort. We were glad of it for everybody +liked Prof. M.W. Ferrer. He passed to his rest several years ago. + +Among the earlier piano dealers were Badger & Lindenberger, who +handled the Chickering pianos and also did a wholesale clothing +business (a strange combination) at Battery and Merchant streets. +After several years they were succeeded by the surviving partner, Wm. +G. Badger, who continued the business until his death, after which it +was disposed of by his heirs. Mr. Badger was a faithful worker in the +Sabbath schools and took a deep interest to promote good music among +the young. Some time in 1874 he produced the cantata of Esther, with +Madam Anna Bishop, queen, W.C. Campbell, king, Vernon Lincoln, Hamen, +Mrs. M.R. Blake, Hamen's wife. The old Platt's hall was packed to its +fullest capacity. The cantata was given to the unbounded delight of +Mr. Badger, and the audience cheered us all to the utmost. Enthusiasm +was at the highest pitch and encomiums of praise were showered upon +us. Those were halcyon days for fine singers. We had no lack of voices +to call upon at all times. + +Among the earliest music stores was that of an aged Italian named +Salvator Rosa. He occupied half of a store on Montgomery street, near +Market, and was a genial, quiet old gentleman, who spoke very little +English. His stock was principally selections from Italian operas, of +which he knew every note. Both American and Italian artists loved to +visit the old fellow and sun themselves in his doorway. Rosa moved +later to Sacramento street and continued in the field and was followed +by Rasche Bros., in turn by J.T. Bowers, a brother-in-law of the +Rasche brothers. After Bowers, the business was conducted by Chas. S. +Eaton, and then after some years faded from sight. Also established in +the music literature business at one time in Clay street, was Schubert +& Co.'s branch New York house, succeeded by the Ruppell Bros., their +managers, who later gave up the business. Blackman & Davis, +Southerners, tried the business for a while, being among the first to +occupy a store in the original Phelan Building. Another off-shoot of +Gray's was John Broder, who commenced work as a little boy. He is now +in ripe manhood conducting a similar business in the Byron Mauzy +building on Post street where he is still successfully conducting the +work he chose when a boy. + +Engaged in the earlier years of the music business was Woodworth, +Allover & Co. Here the founder of the present firm of Benj. Curtaz & +Son was employed. Woodworth, Allover & Co. dealt mostly in imported +French pianos and harmoniums. They were succeeded by Woodworth, Schell +& Co. and with them was connected Mr. Curtaz, who later was in the +firm of Hemme & Long. Woodworth, Schell & Co. after several years +discontinued. A.L. Bancroft & Co. for a few years also engaged in the +music business on Market street but later retired. A. Waldteufel was a +late comer from San Jose and sold Blethner pianos. His chief clerk was +the late well known Julius Oettl, a fine teacher of the piano and an +encyclopedia of musical knowledge. Later he was in the music +department of the branch house in Oakland of Kohler, Chase & Co. with +whom he was connected until sickness prevented his continuing in the +business any longer. He died several years ago, mourned by many +friends he had made in his long career of music in the state. S.H. +Long, a music teacher from Marysville, after handling the Chickering +piano for a while at the corner of Montgomery and Post streets was +joined by August Hemme and for several years they manufactured the +Hemme & Long pianos. They are both deceased and the business was +continued for a while by Mr. E. Caswell and Mr. Curtaz but finally was +wound up. + +The well known firm of the Zeno Mauvais Music Co. was established in +1877 at 420 Twelfth street, Oakland, under the name of its founder, +Zeno Mauvais. In 1882 it was deemed best to locate in San Francisco +and at 749 Market street the stock and sign was first shown to the +people on that side of the bay. Two years later the business had so +increased as to make a removal to more commodious quarters an absolute +necessity. 769 Market street was secured and with the increased +facilities for carrying stock and attending to the wants of patrons +the business was soon in a fair way to eclipse in volume its oldest +competitors. Mr. Mauvais saw early in his musical career that the +public demanded more "up-to-date methods" in the way of "bargains" +"right prices" and "square dealing" than had been offered before, and +he began to put into operation the policy of "quick sales and small +profits" which was characteristic of the house during its entire +existence and brought to it an ever increasing trade. One of the +special features was the handling of enormous quantities of the +50-cent folios and the 10-cent editions of popular issues. These were +bought in carload lots and sent out to nearly every quarter of the +globe. Pianos and musical goods of all descriptions were included in +the lines carried by the firm, whose well known policy of discounting +its bills enabled it to secure very desirable agencies and lowest +prices on all purchases. In June, 1890, the house sustained an +irreparable loss by the death of its founder, Zeno Mauvais, who passed +away after a very brief illness. Devotion to business and a never +ceasing expenditure of energy and vital force was the cause of this +man's withdrawal from the activity of an hitherto busy life, during +which he made and kept many friends. The incorporation of the firm +under the name of the Zeno Mauvais Co. was the next change made in the +affairs of this house. Mrs. Mae Mauvais was elected president and +during the next five years her brother, R.L. Eames, occupied the +position of manager. At this time a change being deemed expedient, Mr. +H.S. Stedman, who had been connected with the house since 1883, was +elected as manager and secretary, continuing as such until the +conflagration of 1906 destroyed the entire stock together with all the +books of the concern. + +Under the new management the firm renewed its effort to expand and +took the two upper floors of the building in addition to the one +previously occupied. A very successful feature was the division of the +lower floor into rooms for the display and sale of different kinds of +small goods, each having a room of its own. This was a new thing on +the coast and was fully appreciated by the large number of patrons who +took advantage of the opportunity to try instruments in comparative +seclusion. In 1904 the largest holder of stock, Mr. Roy Mauvais, who +was actively engaged in looking after the interests of the firm +desired to concentrate his energies in furthering other lines of +business in which he had engaged, and found more congenial. At this +time an offer from the Wiley B. Allen Co. to purchase the entire stock +of pianos, organs and piano players was accepted, and in accordance +with the conditions of the sale the stock of small goods, sheet music +and books was moved to 933 Market street, in the room adjoining the +piano warerooms of the Allen Company and there handled under the name +of the Zeno Mauvais Music Co. until the fire of April, 1906, +obliterated all traces of it. It was not considered advisable by the +stockholders to re-establish the business after this unfortunate +occurrence and so one of the best and most favorably known music +houses of the Pacific Coast ceased to exist. + +[Illustration: + +C.C. Clay +Leander S. Sherman + +MUSIC HOUSE OF SHERMAN, CLAY & CO. + +San Francisco] + +I will close my chapter with the story of the Zeno Mauvais Company. My +story deals only with early history, for it would not be possible for +me to give any accurate account of the business except from 1851 to +1877. I moved away from San Francisco twice and as my work was upon +different lines, I got out of touch. My music was confined to the +churches and concert halls and teaching in music and art and other +branches of industrial development for the young of our growing city. +I am indebted to my good musical friends of earlier days for much of +this knowledge. + +When my earlier co-workers in music heard that I was to write about +our early days they were all interested and entered into the +proposition with unabated enthusiasm and not one has refused to give +me information to make this volume a souvenir of the days when we +began as factors in the development of music from the small beginnings +of 1850 to the solid foundations of today. + + + + +CHAPTER TEN + +AS A CHURCH CHOIR SINGER. BARNABEE, ZERRAHN, PATTI, JENNY LIND, JOE +MAGUIRE, SAM MAYER, HARRY GATES + + +My career as a church singer dates as far back as my childhood. As +children our father pressed us into the service of the Sabbath school +and church services. There were seven girls and three boys. As soon as +we were old enough to do the work, our parts were assigned to us, +consequently singing the church service was part of my young life. +Before I could read the notes I was able to make an alto part to +almost any hymn. That is one reason why I do not read notes as readily +as others, for it was easier for me to make my own part than take the +trouble to read the music. But later on I was obliged to read my part, +if I sang in concert with others. + +We moved from Illinois and settled in Cincinnati in 1845. My father +was the founder of the Betts Street First German Reformed Church and +was its pastor for seven years. During that time I sang each Sabbath. +When father came to California and another pastor occupied the pulpit, +we were obliged to give up the parsonage. Other arrangements were made +for the music and my sister Mary became the organist of the old Sixth +Street Presbyterian Church and Mr. Charles Aiken, director of the +music. By accident I went with my sister Mary and sat in the choir +loft. Mr. Aiken noticed my presence and recognized me as one of his +pupils in the public school where he taught the singing during the +week. Surprised at seeing me he asked how I happened to come into the +choir. I told him I was with my sister, Miss Kroh, "Ah," he replied, +and smiled and left me. I saw him in conversation after she had +finished her voluntary. When she was seated beside me she said, +"Maggie, when the choir arises to sing go over and stand with the +altos and sing with them." When the time came she gave me the music +and I sang my first service when I was ten years old, in a double +quartette and in that capacity I sang for five years, each service, +until 1850, the latter part of the year, when father had arrived in +California and sent the gold for us to follow him to the golden land, +as he called it. + +[Illustration: + +Mrs. Emma Jane Kroh-Knight +Mrs. Sarah Rebecca Kroh-Harrold +Mrs. Ann Lauretta Kroh-Zimmerman +Sir Geo. Henry Blake +Mrs. Margaret R. Kroh-Blake-Alverson +Mrs. Mary Matilda Kroh-Trembly +Wm. H. Knight +James Holmes +Wm. W. Trembly + +THE FIRST CHURCH CHOIR IN CALIFORNIA + +Stockton, 1852] + +At the time of our arrival in California there were no choirs or +singers in San Joaquin county. There was one Catholic church in +Stockton but it was only a mission and the worshippers were Spanish +and Mexicans, priest, Father Mauritz. Our family was the first white +family in the city of Stockton, there being only one white woman in +the place and she was the wife of Rev. James Woods. Gladly she +received us and we were made welcome at her home for two weeks before +we were able to see father, who had been sick in Scorpion Gulch for +some time and we were obliged to await his coming. After the arrival +of our father it was planned that a choir should be established in the +First Presbyterian Church of which Rev. Mr. Woods was pastor. We had +all the female voices needed. We had made the acquaintance of several +of the prominent men in Stockton who were fortunately also singers, +and they readily consented to sing as members of the choir. What was +to be done for music? There was nothing to be had in Stockton. There +were two music stores in San Francisco and the first task was to +supply an instrument, if possible. Fortune favored us and between the +joint efforts of these musical people we obtained a good sized Mason +and Hamlin melodeon, which was duly installed into the choir of the +church. The choir members were as follows: Sopranos: Miss Emma Jane +Kroh, Miss Sarah Rebecca Kroh; Altos: Miss Mary M. Kroh, Miss Margaret +R. Kroh; Tenors: Wm. W. Trembly, Henry Noel, George H. Blake; Bass: +Wm. H. Knight, James Holmes, Wm. Belding; Organist, Miss Mary M. Kroh. + +These men and women were the original members of the first choir that +had its beginning in Stockton, in 1851. During the years of 1853 and +later, the men who had families in the Eastern cities arranged for +their coming and not many months elapsed before we had a goodly number +of splendid ladies, the wives of these men, and some children and +young maidens. Quite a colony of musical folks sprang up. They took an +interest in the different choirs that had been formed. There were the +Episcopal, Methodist and Baptist missions, begun during this time, and +they had their followers and formed their musical services as soon as +they were able to procure singers. During this time there came to +Stockton from New York, Mr. Henry B. Underhill. He was not only a fine +organist but an organ builder. He at once joined our colony of +musicians and we rejoiced in the addition of a second organist to rely +upon. Up to this time my sister was the only available musician that +could be called upon to play on all occasions where music was needed. +The Episcopal mission of which Rev. E.W. Hager was rector, desired my +sister as organist for his service which was held in one of the large +rooms of the city hall. As Mr. Underhill was a member of the +Presbyterian faith and desired to help the church they exchanged +places. The choir had grown rapidly, some of the singers were +Episcopalians who preferred their own service and all was amicably +settled with the result that Stockton could boast of two choirs and +two organs, or melodeons. + +It was not many years before each mission had built a church of its +own with separate organs and choirs. During these years I was sent to +the Benicia Seminary, the only available school in the state, to +finish my education which had been interrupted when I left Cincinnati +to come west. Miss Atkins worshiped in the Presbyterian church, Rev. +Sylvester Woodbridge, pastor, and his daughter, Miss Mary Emma +Woodbridge, organist. She also attended the seminary and those of the +pupils who could sing were invited into the choir. I was one that was +chosen on the alto side to help in the worship. After singing here for +a year, Miss Atkins joined the Episcopal church and was confirmed and +baptised in that faith by Bishop Wm. Ingraham Kip, D.D. I sang a +special song at that time. I was now eighteen years old and was in the +last year of my school days. After leaving school I returned to +Stockton where I again joined the Episcopal choir--St. John's--and +sang until I was married, September 17, 1857, to George H. Blake, Rev. +E.W. Hager, rector, reading the service. + +When my oldest son was seven months old we went to Boston, Mass., and +later to Dedham, a suburban town out of Boston, when my husband was +appointed manager of a department store by the firm of Parker, Barnes +and Merriam. I heard my first concert, where I listened to some of the +great singers of the day in Boston Music Hall, January 28th, 1859. The +oratorio, "The Messiah," was given by the Handel & Haydn society, with +300 or more in the choir. Among the soloists were Clara Louisa +Kellogg, Isabelle Hinkley, Adelaide Phillips, Signor Stigelli, Mons. +Guilmetti. On April 3rd, 1859, I heard Neukomm's grand oratorio of +David with grand opera principles. Among the singers were Mrs. J.H. +Long, Louisa Adams, C.R. Adams, P.H. Powers, J.P. Draper, Edward +Hamilton, George Wright Jr., Carl Zerrahn, conductor, J.C.D. Parker, +organist. After these two grand performances I heard many oratorios +Sunday evenings at the Boston Music Hall, where each Sabbath a sacred +concert was held instead of evening services in the churches. These +opportunities helped to lay the foundation for my musical training. +The oratorios were interpreted by the best singers. I never dreamed of +such an opportunity when my husband told me I should hear the best and +Boston was the place. + +It was not many months before my opportunity came to be admitted into +the Oratorio Society. It came about like this. My husband's people +were Unitarians and attended the First Church, of which Starr King, +then a young man, was pastor. There was no choir singing, but +congregational song with a precentor who stood in the middle aisle and +led the people, with the large organ at one side of the church, J.C.D. +Parker, organist. As the service began my husband said, "Maggie, when +the hymn is given out you can sing, since the entire congregation +sings here." He had an excellent tenor voice, and we both sang, +unconscious that we were attracting any attention. Between the hymns +Mr. Barnes (the precentor) stood three pews behind us. After the +service was ended he came to our pew and introduced himself, telling +us that when he heard my contralto he thought the church had a +visitor, Miss Adelaide Phillips, of the opera company, and Boston's +foremost contralto. He was surprised to find my name was Blake +instead. I did not know until I heard this wonderfully beautiful +singer in opera oratorio how highly I had been complimented. Then I +realized the comparison and did my best to merit the praise which had +been bestowed upon me in my twentieth year. When we parted Mr. Barnes +invited us to meet some friends at his home on Monday evening, when we +met the principal members and officers of the Handel and Haydn +Society, and after a pleasant evening of part song, solos and duets, I +was asked to sing for the company. I was reluctant to comply, as I was +not considered a solo singer, my place was always in quartette work +and duets. Contraltos were not so popular in those days as the soprano +and tenor and not considered solo voices where I ever sang before. It +was only now I realized I was to have a place also. As I sang many +beautiful duets with my husband, we favored them with a number. It was +still insisted I must sing a song. My husband, accustomed to +accompany me, arose and led me to the piano and I sang the old song, +When the Swallows Homeward Fly, in the German language, as all German +songs should be sung to bring out their full feeling and significance. +That song was the climax and I was lionized for the rest of the +evening. There were also German professors present and their +compliments would have turned any one's head were it not poised on +good common sense shoulders. My success began on that night. + +There were three factions or grades of society in Boston, the +literary, wealthy and musical. The position of my husband's family +enabled us to enter all three. Consequently the sails of my ship, +success, were flung to the breeze and for four years I had fair winds +and bright skies in the realm of song. Is it to be wondered at that +memory comes floating up before me like a panorama of beautiful +pictures and remembrances of happiness--times enjoyed with souls +filled with the love of song, good comradeship and lifelong friendship +which can never be erased? It is here where I sang for the first time +with the renowned singer and actor, Henry Clay Barnabee, a young man +then, just three years my senior, over fifty years ago. There are +still five of us left to tell the stories of the singing days, when +the city of Boston held scores of the finest male and female singers +that ever pleased an exacting public. + +On April 3, 1859, began the forty-third season of oratorio with such +singers as Mrs. J.H. Long and Miss Louisa Adams, sopranos; Adelaide +Phillips, contralto; C.R. Adams, P.H. Powers and J.P. Draper, tenors; +Edward Hamilton, George Wright Jr. and Carl Formes, bass; Carl +Zerrahn, conductor; J.C.D. Parker, organist, and full orchestra. Among +the productions rendered were: Magic Flute, David, Creation, Messiah, +Moses in Egypt, Samson, Elijah, etc., with Clara Louisa Kellogg, +soprano; Isabella Hinkley, soprano; Adelaide Phillips, contralto; +Signor Stigelli, tenor; Signor Guilmetti, bass. + +Grand opera began the season of 1861 and I had my first opportunity to +hear an opera given by such a galaxy of fine artists, being a member +of the Handel and Haydn Society, and assisting in the chorus and also +a member of the celebrated choir in Dedham, Mass., I was enabled to +have especial advantages to hear this grand music. "La Juive" was the +first with Mme Colson, Hinkley, Signor Stigelli and Susini as +Cardinal; Sig. Hartman, Mancini, Barilli, Sig. Sheele. Martha with +Colson, Phillips, Brignoli, Susini, Arili, Mancini; Il Giuramento with +Colson, Phillips, Brignoli, Farri; Lucia di Lammermoor with Isabel +Hinkley, Sig. Ferri, Sig. Lotti, Stigelli and N. Birelli. + +[Illustration: HENRY CLAY BARNABEE + +Associated with Mrs. Blake-Alverson in Boston, 1861] + +At the close of the season, January 28, Sig. Stigelli was prevailed +upon to give a farewell concert in Boston Music Hall, assisted by the +Oratorio Society and Orpheus Musical Society. Soloists for the +occasion were Mlle. Carlotta Patti, who sang the aria from the Magic +Flute, Carl Formes, basso profundi, Signor Stigelli, tenor. It was a +gala night and every seat was filled at the exact hour to hear for the +last time the famous tenor who had sung himself into the hearts of the +people by his beautiful voice and exquisite singing of the different +arias of the opera in which he excelled. The hall was crowded to +overflowing. Never had I beheld such beautifully gowned women and +brilliant lights; the tremendous chorus and the full orchestra left a +lasting impression upon me which cannot be erased by time. It is over +fifty years since I saw such gorgeous splendor and heard the marvelous +singing of these birds of song. The singing of Mlle. Carlotta Patti +was a revelation almost beyond my conception. I heard her in 1861 and +heard Adelina in 1886, twenty-five years afterwards, and of the two +sisters I'd give Carlotta the preference. Her trills were like +warblings of the birds and filled the auditorium and floated to the +high arched ceiling of the cupola in the center of the hall and +sounded like a chorus of birds rejoicing over the advent of their +nestlings. Words are not adequate to explain the beautiful work of +this petite singer and the reception she received on this occasion. +This concert was my first opportunity to hear such artists. They were +singers and players of the highest art. + +It was to me not real. The music that I had heard and sung before was +sacred, on the Sabbath, and in songs familiar at that time, Home, +Sweet Home, Swanee River, Mary of Argyle, etc., and songs moderately +difficult, anthems and Te Deums and German leider were all we aspired +to. Others than these were not to be thought of. Nothing worldly was +tolerated. The minister's daughters must always be proper in all walks +of life. In 1846 when Jenny Lind made her tour of the world my sister +Mary was the fortunate one to be able to hear her. All of her +beautiful songs were in vogue and I was familiar with them, as my +sister was a fine singer. She obtained these songs and although it is +over sixty-six years ago I still have a great number of them, yellow +with age, published by Pond and Company, and Oliver Ditson Company. +These publishing houses were founded during my early life, Ditson and +Company began in 1834 and I was born in 1836. When I was ten years old +I was sent to these places to purchase the music sister required in +her teaching, church and home songs. For sixty-seven years I have +patronized the house of Ditson and Company. The original men have +passed out and the sons are now the members of the firm. Only this +year I received a cheery holiday greeting from the firm. I have +digressed somewhat and gone back to my girlhood days in Cincinnati. + +Let us return again to Boston fifty years ago and listen to this fine +concert given in Boston Music Hall. It is almost impossible for me to +describe the grandeur of this magnificent chorus and the orchestra and +grand organ with Carl Zerrahn directing this multitude of singers and +players and Howard Dow at the organ, playing with such a masterful +touch. The brilliant audience listened with marked attention to this +beautiful music and the stillness was only broken by the mighty +applause of approval at the close of the grand performance and the +repeated recall of the artists who deserved all of this great +demonstration. The first great concert was but the beginning of my +career. In the four years I had opportunities that were of a lasting +profit to me. It was the cradle of my musical life and I often go back +in my mind and see those beautiful singers I learned to love as +friends and companions in song. Friends made then have lasted as long +as life. All have passed beyond and only five or six of the galaxy of +male and female singers of that time are left to remember with +pleasure the days of Auld Lang Syne. + +During this period of 1861 the Civil War broke out and every patriotic +man and woman was called into action. The union of the states must be +preserved. The excitement was intense. Volunteers were called for and +business men, clerks and rich men enrolled at once and soon our boys +and men were drilling for the march to the south. It was not many +weeks before the order was given to march. The first fire had been +heard at Fort Sumter and the American citizen soon became a soldier +and as the call was given he marched away. Shall I ever forget the +sight of those splendid young men as they marched away, company after +company. As I saw them in the strength of their manhood going to their +destruction, my heart wept inwardly knowing many of them would never +return. But those at home had no time for repining, and we were called +upon also to supply the needs of the soldier who was fighting for us +with willing hands and stout heart. Each one kept busy. Our choir was +enlisted when the call came for funds, and faithfully we all +responded. Many choirs were united by Edwin Bruce, and we were at once +formed into a chorus of willing singers, great and small, in the +realms of music, and in several months were well equipped for the work +of raising funds for the war needs. The chorus was formed from Dr. +Burgess' choir of Dedham, Newton Musical Association, Boudoin Street +choir, Church of the Unity choir, the Bullfinch choir, number 200 +voices in all. We were known as the Operatic Bouquet of artists. Our +repertoire consisted of national and martial songs, our choruses +selected from the following great compositions: + + Il Trovatore, Verdi; Lucrezia Borgia, Donizetti; Martha, + Flotow; Semiramide, Rossini; War Songs (male voices), Adams; + Bohemian Girl, Balfe; I Puritani, Bellini; Maritana, + Wallace; Masaniello, Auber; Enchantress, Balfe; Hark, + Apollo, H.R. Bishop; Enchantress (male voices) Balfe; solo + and choruses from Lucrezia Borgia, Donizetti; Hail to the + Chief, Il Templario, Nicolai; quintette and chorus from + Martha, Flotow; Miserere, from Il Trovatore, Verdi; Chorus + of Martyrs, Donizetti; La Fille Du Regiment, Donizetti; + chorus from Maritana, Wallace; chorus from Il Lombardi, + Verdi; trio and chorus, Attila, Verdi; solo and chorus, + Martha, Flotow; trio, Charity, Rossini; trio and chorus, + Ernani, Verdi; chorus, full, Gibby La Cornemuse, Clapisson. + +In the spirit of the times these two hundred voices trained especially +for the occasion, it was not to be wondered at that success followed +our efforts. Whenever we were called old Tremont Temple was filled to +the doors. Our treasury was never depleted during all the months we +were doing service in the cause of the soldier and his needs. Boston +Music Hall, churches in the smaller cities were always filled to +overflowing whenever we appeared in Dedham, Medford, Roxbury and Old +South Church. For nearly two years this work went on. In 1862 my +husband decided to come home once more, as there was less need for our +services. We were in Santa Cruz when the war ended, still helping the +cause through the Christian Sanitary Commission, founded at the +beginning of the rebellion. Money was supplied through this medium, +and through free contributions from the different states of the Union +and churches and societies, etc. Having had much experience in the +East we were enabled to be of great assistance to the musical people +of Santa Cruz and made successful entertainments for the cause for the +following year which aroused the patriotic fire in the hearts of the +California defenders of the Union and crowned our efforts with success +until the end of this dreadful war. + +In 1869, Mr. Blake having failed in his business, we left Santa Cruz +and returned once more to San Francisco to retrieve our lost fortune. +Youth, hope and energy were my strong salient points and I began in +earnest to gain a substantial footing in music. My opportunity came +with the Lyster Opera troupe and through efforts of a friend, Mrs. +Cameron, who was employed there as soprano, I secured a position at +$20 per week during their season in San Francisco. + +I regret that I cannot remember the name of the Baptist pastor during +my stay in Santa Cruz. He is the only minister whose name I have +failed to recall, yet I can see his kindly face, and I gladly helped +his congregation many times when extra help was needed. It has been so +many years ago there is no one to help me in my research. This is the +first link in my chain of evidence that has to be left unfinished, to +my sorrow. + +Returning once more to San Francisco I gave my services in the choir +of Calvary Church, then on the north side of Bush street, between +Montgomery and Sansome streets, Rev. W.A. Scott, pastor; Prof. G.A. +Scott, organist, and Washington Elliott, choir master of the large +chorus choir. I became the alto of the quartette, Mrs. Van Brunt +soprano, W. Elliott tenor, Charles Parent bass. Dr. W.A. Scott was +pastor for a short time and Rev. W. Wadsworth succeeded him. I +remained in this choir until 1863, when I was offered the place in the +choir of the First Presbyterian Church with a salary attached for the +first time during my services in these many churches. Rev. Mr. +Anderson was the pastor and George Pettinos organist. Sarah Watkins +soprano, M.R. Blake contralto, Matthew Anderson tenor, Cornelius Makin +bass--one of the best choirs in the city, splendid voices and good +singers. I continued here nearly two years, when there was an offer +for the place in St. John's choir for me at an advanced salary. I +regretted to leave where I had enjoyed the music and the singers, but +in the meantime my husband failed in business and I had two children +to support. I accepted the St. John's choir offer for financial +reasons. The pastor was Rev. W.A. Scott, Frederick Katzenbach +organist, Mrs. Robert Moore soprano, Mrs. M.R. Blake contralto, Joseph +Maguire tenor, and later, Vernon Lincoln and C. Makin, bass. I +resigned this choir after almost three years' service, to take the +alto position in Dr. Lacy's choir, Congregational church, corner of +California and Dupont streets. Later Dr. Stone arrived and on the +Sabbath of his first sermon the organist was Mr. Douglas; Georgiana +Leach, Mrs. Northrup, Mrs. Oliphant, sopranos; Mrs. Margaret Blake, +Miss Abbie Oliphant, altos; Signor Gregg, basso; Joe Maguire, tenor, +with a small chorus choir added. The musical service was of a high +order. The sopranos were the foremost singers of their time. Mrs. +Leach left later and became the soprano of Starr King Unitarian Church +in Stockton street. Mrs. Northrup went to the new First Congregational +Church in Post and Mason streets. She was there for years. Samuel D. +Mayer was organist at that time, Dr. Stone pastor and later Dr. Adams. +At the time of writing Dr. Charles F. Aked from New York is pastor. + +[Illustration: + +Richard T. Yarndley +Chas. H. Schultz +Gustav A. Scott +Frederick Katzenbach + +ORGANISTS OF THE EARLY YEARS IN SAN FRANCISCO] + +When Dr. Stone arrived from the East he had also in his company Mr. +George Powers, and, by some arrangement, without any warning, the +organist and quartette were unseated by the clique he had formed of +his friends. The members of his quartette were in their places the +next Sabbath when the regular quartette arrived, consequently we all +were obliged to retire. When the new choir began there was a surprise +in store for every one. There was nothing for the old choir to do but +walk out. There was great grief over the abrupt dismissal. Mr. Benchly +of the musical committee was consulted and nothing could be done with +the friends of the new pastor. It was a church scandal of the gravest +sort. Dr. Powers was from the East and intended to show San Francisco +superior music from Boston. He found out before he had been there long +that superior men and women were already in the field, and while he +continued at the church as organist his influence in music had been +tainted and his band of singers were so inferior to those ousted that +they had but a short life in the church. I immediately returned to St. +Patrick's Church in Mission street and remained there altogether ten +years. Our work was very difficult and we had many high days and +holidays, requiems, festivals and concerts for the organ fund which +had been ordered from abroad, and we were supposed to help the organ +fund along until it came. I am not sure how many concerts we gave, but +they were all of a high standard. Professor Dohrmann, one of our +leading musicians, was organist, also leader of orchestras, and our +concerts were given with orchestral accompaniment. Besides the great +voices in the choir we had operatic stars whenever they came with +their troupes. Nearly all of the Italians being Catholics, Father Gray +easily obtained their services and our soloists were artists +music-lovers were glad to hear. By permission of Professor Dohrmann I +have inserted this picture of the organ. It is the only thing left of +this magnificent instrument, which cost $10,000. The earthquake and +fire left not a vestige of anything that could be kept as a relic--one +of the most beautiful organs that I ever sang with and played by the +dean of organists. + +During my time there were five fine singers, singing this difficult +music: Mrs. Taylor, a Spanish soprano; Mrs. Urgi, English soprano; +Miss Louisa Tourney, French soprano; Signora Bianchi, Italian soprano, +who afterwards became the contralto when her voice fell by much +singing and age. I became alarmed and feared I would also be obliged +to resign. I was offered the position in Calvary Church once more. A +new Calvary had been built on the corner of Geary and Powell streets, +Rev. John Hemphill, pastor. I mentioned the fact to our leader, Prof. +Dohrmann, and he objected to my going, saying he could not replace me. +When I told him I had been offered a year's contract with more pay he +consented. I remained until he obtained another contralto in Miss Ella +Steele. I remained as contralto in this choir for the years that Rev. +John Hemphill held it, which was twelve years, and also with Rev. Mr. +Spucher. At the same time I sang on Saturdays at the Synagogue in +Mission street, Rabbi Bettelheim, with the members of Calvary choir, +excepting the soprano. The choir soprano of the Synagogue was Miss +Carrie Heinemann and Mr. Newman was bass. I was the contralto of both +choirs, Harry Gates, tenor. I continued in this choir six years. I had +advanced toward the age of fifty years and the work of the two church +choirs, my many singing pupils, art work, added to my professional +work, began to tell upon my strength and at last I felt I must do +something as a remedy or succumb to the inevitable. This was in 1886. + +My son, George Blake, lived in San Bernardino, where he played in the +Opera House orchestra and was leader of the Seventh Regiment band. My +son William, alarmed at my condition, had written, unknown to me, to +his brother, saying that I had worked long enough and that he should +send for me. I was surprised when I received the word, "Mother, come," +not aware he knew the condition. I had many hours of thought before I +could decide when my voice was not even impaired, to give up my life's +work and be a drone in the hive. At last I yielded to the desire of +my sons to go south. I promised on condition that I came unheralded. I +supposed I was going so far away no one knew me. Alas, this world is +small, so it behooves us all to make our reputation without fault. I +sent in my resignation to Calvary and the Synagogue musical +committees, and bade good-bye, I supposed, to music and old +associations forever. I would never be able to describe the deep +sorrow that was depicted on the countenance of pastor and people, +rabbi and congregation and the members of the young peoples' societies +of the church with whom I had labored for so many years and assisted +in their successful efforts from season to season. It was the heroic +battle of my life to voluntarily cut loose from all that had been so +auspicious during my many years of service. I was held in great +affection by the people of San Francisco, who always gave me the most +cordial welcome whenever I appeared in the churches or concert halls +or took part in patriotic exercises. + +I left San Francisco December 1, and had two days of travel. It seemed +as though I was in another world, cut loose from all I ever cherished. +The world never looked so vast to me before and it was as an open +desert without one friendly face in sight, alone, adrift, knowing not +the ultimate point of my travels. I was rudely awakened the morning of +the second day by the whistle of the engine and the clamor of bells +and bustling of feet. I arose quickly and soon was received by my son, +who was awaiting my coming, and I said, "Here I am, I have obeyed your +orders and now I am to do just as I please, and rest from my labor." +He replied, "You have earned your rest after all these years, mother." +So we happily proceeded to his cottage, where welcome awaited us. All +seemed strange to me after so many years in San Francisco where I was +known to all, yet I hoped to meet other pleasant faces and cheerfully +accepted the situation with my son and daughter and their friends. +During our conversation my daughter informed me that the ladies of the +Episcopal Guild had voted unanimously that I had been accepted as the +soloist of the choir of St. John's Church. Through their efforts I was +to receive the salary of $20 a month. The church was not more than a +beginning. The congregation worshipped in a large store on one of the +main streets which had been fitted into a comfortable chapel. Mrs. +Foster, from San Francisco, one of the many musical people there, had +settled in that city and was the organist of that church, unknown to +me, as I supposed, but when we met her greeting, "I am glad to meet +you, Charity Pecksniff," surprised me. Through her the people soon +found out who I was and I not only had the church position secured but +also eight pupils ready to begin lessons in voice when I was ready to +open my studio to them. So good or evil report follows us through our +lives and makes for us our success or failure. + +I made my first appearance at the Christmas service, which had been +prepared with care, and extra voices were secured. My son had added +from his orchestra three instruments in addition to the organ for the +morning and evening services of the Christmas festival. The chapel was +crowded to the doors and those who were unable to come in remained on +the sidewalk during the services. The new singer was to be heard for +the first time. I had chosen the beautiful Cavatina by Raff, and was +accompanied by Mr. F. Erbe on the violin, who played the obbligato +with exquisite grace and finish. In the evening I sang Praise Thou the +Lord, O My Soul, by Holden, with two violins, cello and organ +accompaniment. This extra service was the forerunner of other good +services for the length of eight months, when the ladies' funds were +so low they were obliged to discontinue my services, with profound +sorrow, as the chapel had been crowded during all these weeks and the +place was getting too small for the worshippers. A church building had +been begun and money was needed there, so I reluctantly departed and +took up the work in the Catholic church with Father Stockman, priest, +at a salary of $40 a month, Miss Zabriskie, organist. The choir was +composed of sisters from the convent, with a tenor and bass by two +young priests who sang well the songs and chants of the church. In all +these weeks I had also begun my classes and taught singing and +painting. The change had benefited me and I busily passed the days and +weeks, adding all the time new voice and painting pupils until I +numbered fifty-one pupils and classes twice a week in Colton and San +Bernardino. I was as busy as ever I was in San Francisco. But, alas, +the hot climate (104 degrees in the morning) to which I was a +stranger, was more than I could stand. At noon no one stirred out of +the house or store. I stood the weather for sixteen months, then my +family doctor ordered me back to San Francisco if I wanted to live. + +I left San Bernardino for San Francisco, May 11, 1889. Arriving in San +Francisco I took a flat on Geary street, near Steiner. On July 6 I +began my work in the Larkin Presbyterian Church and continued there +one year, when no funds separated singer and people. I gave the small +struggling congregation another month of my services. The congregation +met in a hall in the Western Addition. I think a church was built +later, but it, like everything else, was destroyed in the earthquake +year. I never returned, for after a year at the Geary street flat my +son William and I concluded to move to Oakland. I had lost my position +in the churches. Calvary Church offered me my old place but I did not +wish to oust another who was giving satisfaction, and declined the +honor. In Oakland we rented one of Mr. Bilger's cottages on Fourth +avenue. After remaining there for two years and a half my son William +married and returned to San Francisco to live. + +I stayed in Oakland and began my music in the Pilgrim Congregational +Church, through the influence of one of my early musical friends, Mrs. +Nellie Wetherbee. I went to oblige her, as she was one of the leading +spirits of the church. I remained with this church until Miss Mary Fox +went East and the leader, Mr. Benham, came for me to take her place in +the choir of the First Congregational church, Rev. Dr. McLean, pastor. +I occupied this place for six months, giving the greatest +satisfaction. Then I returned to Pilgrim Congregational Church and +continued there three years. Miss Hough was organist and Mr. Redfield, +choirmaster. I sang at first with the quartette, Mrs. Mollie Dewing, +Mr. Redfield and Harry Melvin, now Justice of the California Supreme +Court. Afterward when Mrs. Dewing left for the First Methodist Church +as soprano we had Mrs. Andrew Fine, soprano. Later Mr. Redfield took +charge of St. Andrew's choir in West Oakland, and I was left as +soloist of the choir. Having a number of pupils in the members of the +Christian Endeavor Society, I was urged upon by the pastor, Rev. Mr. +McNutt, to take charge of the choir, which I did. Miss Hough continued +as organist until she went abroad to study in London. Miss Bertha +Hunter, who was an efficient organist, continued until my directorship +closed with the advent of Rev. Mr. Silcox, who wished a man director +in the choir where he was pastor. I left the choir after I had served +almost continuously from 1890 to 1895. Six months of that time I sang +for the First Congregational Church in Oakland. The first time was in +1890. In 1894 I substituted for two months while the contralto was +ill. After leaving this church I sang with the St. Andrew's choir from +January, 1893, until after the Easter service, April 2, almost four +months. On January 31, 1896, I began in the English Lutheran Church, +corner Grove and Sixteenth streets. Mr. Walling was director, Miss +Margaret Oaks and Miss Mabel Hussey were the organists during the +time. I sang here until July 16, 1897, as a memorial to my mother, who +was a Lutheran in her faith, and the church was new and beautiful to +sing in. I gave my services for a year and a half. Mr. Bushnell, the +pastor, was popular and the church flourished greatly during the time. +In December, 1897, I assisted the choir of the Church of the Advent, +East Oakland, Dr. V. Marshall Law, rector, at their Christmas service, +giving such satisfaction that I was prevailed upon to help the choir. +My sister, Mrs. Harrold, and family worshipped there and her two +daughters were in the choir. As I had no other church in view, I +consented and continued for eight months. During that time we gave +several fine concerts and on one occasion gave The Daughter of Jairus +with great success, H. Melvin, bass; Miss Alberta Morse, soprano; Mr. +Thornton, tenor; Mrs. M.B. Alverson, contralto. Several other artists +with violin and cello assisted the regular choir of forty voices. They +were strangers to me so I have reluctantly omitted their names. They +were excellent musicians. During the eight months' service there +occurred a number of pretentious musical undertakings which were +meritorious as well as financially successful. + +In 1899 I was once more called to the English Lutheran Church to +direct the choir, with salary. I had twenty picked voices thoroughly +placed and true. We occupied the upper gallery and all was in +readiness to begin the new undertaking by the first Sunday in March, +1899. The church was full and also the Sabbath school rooms were +required to seat the people who were anxious to hear the new choir. +The rehearsals had been thorough and we had no fear of failure, and +the people were not disappointed at the new order of things. How well +they all sang--how beautiful was the service of those young voices, +and what praises were showered upon them for their work by the +congregation for their anthems, chants, hymns and offertories! For +three years this order of things lasted and all the time the voices +were fully developed and giving weekly more satisfaction. The Easter +and Christmas services were efforts worth remembering in history, and +I write with great pride because of the good work I was able to +produce with these young voices in the service of song. On December +30, 1900, I sent in my resignation, which was very reluctantly +accepted. I was now sixty-five years of age and my many pupils and two +services on the Sabbath with necessary rehearsals became too +strenuous. I had been in the active life of song long enough to lay +down the baton. + +On January 6, 1901, I sang for the last time in regular active +service. Later in the year I assisted at different times the Fruitvale +Congregational chapel, Eighth Avenue Methodist Church, Brooklyn +Presbyterian Church, churches in Alameda and other small struggling +churches when they needed a helping hand. It was my pleasure to do +what I could to encourage the pastors and people of these small +mission churches and in other churches where I had sung before on +extra occasions. On September 1, 1901, on returning from St. Paul's +Church, after having heard the monthly programme of song, I met my old +Santa Cruz friends of 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Metti and with them +walked to their home. After spending a pleasant hour with them Mr. +Metti escorted me to the San Pablo avenue cars. On alighting from the +car at the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth street the motorman +started up when I was but half way down and I was not able to hold on +firmly enough, consequently the car shot out and left me on the street +with a broken body. The accident closed forever my usefulness as a +public singer and rang down for me the curtain upon any future work of +this kind, to my great sorrow. Twelve long years I have borne this +unhappy condition of things, yet I have not been a drone in the hive +of busy humanity. I have fought the battle and won, and am still able +to wear a smiling countenance and guide the young people into the +pleasant path of song, and my success has been a compensation for all +the suffering which has passed. As long as I am a factor for +usefulness I will cheerfully do my duty. As long as I am able to +chronicle the best results as a competent teacher of voice, which has +been my vocation for over thirty years, I will be content. I have been +rewarded by having given to our state many beautiful singers who +remember with gratitude their aged instructor, no matter where they +may reside, and a number of them are climbing and have climbed to high +positions of prominence as singers of ability, and with personal +attractions which have given them their stepping-stones to higher +attainments in the art of vocal music. + + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN + +GOLDEN JUBILEE OF SONG SERVICE, JUNE 12, 1896 + + +Three days before my sixtieth birthday, which occurred on June 12, +1896, I incidentally mentioned to a friend that, on that date, I would +also be fifty years a singer before the public. The next morning a +phone message asked me to come down to the _Call_ office on some +G.A.R. business, as I supposed. This I did. + +When I entered the office I was engaged in conversation for an hour +while, unknown to me, a shorthand reporter and an artist were taking +notes. I returned to my studio unconscious that my words had been +recorded and that my picture had been sketched by the quick hand of +Richard Partington. What was my great surprise on opening the _Call_ +on the morning of the 12th to find myself pictured on the first page +as happily laughing as could be. The headlines ran like this: + + HAS SUNG FOR HALF A CENTURY + + MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON LOANED HER VOICE + TO AID UNION SOLDIERS + + HER JUBILEE RECEPTION + + MADE HER DEBUT IN AN OHIO CHURCH + WHEN A LITTLE MAID OF TEN + + SINGS AS LUSTILY AS EVER + + She Has Sung for Fifty Years in Scores + of Churches, Halls and Theatres from + Boston Across the Continent to California + +My astonishment knew no bounds, for I always shrink from publicity +even though I have become conspicuous during my singing life. My +nature is domestic and, unless necessary, I avoid the notoriety of the +press. + +[Illustration: GOLDEN JUBILEE OF SONG, JUNE 12, 1896] + +Directly I was called to the door and when I opened it who should be +there but two men and two ladies of Lyon Corps No. 6, G.A.R., bringing +me two beautiful oak chairs as an offering from the corps with +congratulations upon my birthday. + +They had gone but a short time when another delegation arrived, this +time from Appomattox Corps, bringing me a handsome basket of beautiful +carnations and ferns, decorated with white ribbon and lettered in gold +with the congratulations of the corps. + +After this second offering I thought it wise for me to do something by +way of preparation, so I brought out all of my cherished war relics, +flags and banners, medals and badges I had received in the years past. +I soon had my rooms adorned for whoever else might come. + +I had not long to wait. Letters, telegrams, messages, flowers, an +immense cake decorated for the occasion with all kinds of suitable +emblems of music for "California's Prima Donna, Mrs. Blake-Alverson," +from Henry Feldmann for the German Society of Oakland. + +All morning various offerings were sent in. Early in the afternoon +friends began to come in by twos and threes and by evening 180 people +had called, people of all walks of life, some of the members of the +Handel and Haydn Society came from across the bay to renew an +acquaintance of many years. Walter and Mrs. Marriner-Campbell were +among the friends of long ago. Others were Messrs. Julius Oettl, J.H. +Stedman, Fred Katzenbach, Harry Hunt, Q.A. Chase, William Bellrose, +Zeno Mauvais, H.A. Redfield, John W. Metcalf, Clark Wise, S.J. Bruce +of Kohler & Chase, who honored me by their presence. + +I was so excited I had not missed many prominent pupils; but when +evening came I heard voices and footsteps and going quietly to the +door I discovered some three score of my pupils and their parents +arranging their programme _sotto voce_ in the hallway for the final +surprise of the day. It was a happy chance I was ready for them. The +bay window of the music-room was a lovely bower of flowers and verdure +and on a draped table was the huge cake with its sixty candles all +ablaze, one for each year. My appearance disturbed their preparation +for a moment only, then all was mirth and jollity. + +After congratulations a programme was given followed by a banquet. +Many happy speeches of compliment were made and I gave them in return +a short sketch of my musical life. At the close of the recital we +reluctantly separated after greatly enjoying the unusual opportunity +of celebrating two golden jubilees of one life on the same day. + +Words are inadequate to express my gratitude to all who were factors +in making this one of the greatest days I ever experienced. It seemed +that everybody was a friend. The newspapers vied with each other in +their write-ups of the occasion. The _Call_, _Tribune_, _Chronicle_, +_Enquirer_, _Saturday Night_, _Berkeley Gazette_, _Santa Cruz Surf_, +_Examiner_, _Benicia Era_, the Stockton and Sacramento papers all ran +full articles and pictures in my honor. At this late day I tender my +sincere thanks for favors and kindly criticisms, from time +immemorial. + +[Illustration: Pen sketch of Mrs. Blake-Alverson by Richard +Partington, made on the occasion of the semi-centenary of her career +as a public singer, June 12, 1896. Mrs. Alverson at this time was +sixty years of age.] + + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE + +CAMILLA URSO'S FESTIVAL, 1873. MADAME ANNA BISHOP. THE LORING CLUB. +ALFRED WILKIE, FRANK GILDER, D.P. HUGHES + + +One of the most difficult tasks in writing my memoirs is the choice of +the most important happenings in a busy life. There are so many things +to speak of it is hard to know where to begin. I cannot begin with a +more appropriate event than the Fourth of July celebration which took +place in 1869, with William Seward, Secretary of State, in one of the +boxes of the California theater. + +Alex Austin, Esq., was president of the day and called the assemblage +to order. + +The programme was as follows: + + Prayer by Rev. H.D. Lathrop. + + Music by the orchestra. + + Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Lawrence + Barrett, Esq. + + God Bless our Glorious Land (written for the Fourth of July, + 1869, by our friend Sam Booth). Full chorus, George T. + Evans, leader. + + Poem by R.C. Hopkins, Esq., read by John McCulloch, Esq. + + Music, orchestra. + + Vocal music, Gloria in Excelsis, Mozart. + + Oration by Henry E. Highton, Esq. + + Song, Star Spangled Banner. + + Full chorus from the Handel and Haydn Society and quartette + composed of Mrs. S.D. Mayer, soprano; Mrs. M.R. Blake, + contralto; Mr. S.D. Mayer, tenor; Walter C. Campbell, bass. + + Music, orchestra. + +In 1868 we were visited by the Lyster Opera company from Australia, +which gave a season of ten operas at the old Metropolitan Theater on +Montgomery street. They brought with them a goodly company of artists. + +Henry Squires, _tenor_ +W.F. Baker, _tenor_ +Armes Beaumont, _tenor_ +Lucy Escott, _soprano_ +Geraldine Warden, _mezzo-soprano_ +Mrs. Ada King, _contralto_ +Mr. Sutcliff, _baritone_ + +LOCAL SINGERS + +Sig. Roncovieri, _tenor_ +Mr. Nathanson, _bass_ +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_ +Mrs. Cameron, _soprano_ + + They gave, December 21 and 22, Les Huguenots; December 23 + and 24, Bohemian Girl; December 25, Maritana. + +[Illustration: MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON + +On Her Fiftieth Anniversary as a Public Singer, June 12, 1896 + +Sixty Years of Age and Still in Good Voice] + +After the close of the season Mr. Squires and Miss Escott gave a +farewell concert in Pacific Hall in which I participated and sang with +them the celebrated trio, Protect Us Through the Coming Night. + +On May 16, 1870, the Handel and Haydn Society gave Rossini's Stabat +Mater in Sacramento, Prof. Hugo Mansfeldt, leader, assisted by the +societies of Sacramento. The chorus was 500 strong, the soloists were +the best to be secured, assisted by Henry Heyman, violin soloist. + +Herr Wenderlich, _bass_ +W.C. Campbell, _bass_ +Samuel C. Mayer, _tenor_ +Matthew Anderson, _tenor_ +Mrs. Marriner, _soprano_ +Mrs. S. Little, _soprano_ +Mrs. J.M. Pierce, _soprano_ +Mrs. McNeil (of Sacramento), _soprano_ +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_ +Miss Hewlett, _contralto_ +Miss K. Stone, _contralto_ + +Cornet solo, Mr. Dick Kohler and full orchestra. +Anvil chorus, with artillery accompaniment. + +The undertaking was a financial as well as a musical success and added +one more wreath of laurels to our musical advancement in 1873. + +Also in this year the celebrated violin virtuoso, Camilla Urso, came +to San Francisco on a tour. The Mechanics Pavilion then stood on the +square of Stockton and Powell, Geary and Post streets, and numerous +entertainments were given there. The musical festival had been +successfully opened with Camilla Urso as soloist, and on the second +day she tendered the society a benefit concert. The programme, a noted +one which should be preserved, is as follows: + +MUSICAL FESTIVAL + +TENDERED BY CAMILLA URSO +in aid of The Mercantile Library of San Francisco +at the +MECHANICS PAVILION + +FIRST PART + +1. Overture, Ali Baba Cherubini + Grand orchestra of 150 men. + +2. Glory to God on High (from 12th Mass) Mozart + Oratorio chorus, 1,200 voices. + +3. Symphony in C (Andante and Allegro) Gade + Grand orchestra of 150 pieces. + +4. (a) Sleepers, Awake, Choral from St. Paul Mendelssohn + (b) Prayer of Moses in Egypt Rossini + +5. Grand Concerto for the Violin (orchestral accompaniment) Beethoven + CAMILLA URSO + +PART II + +1. Chorus, The Heavens are Telling (from the Creation) Haydn + Oratorio chorus of 1,200 voices + +2. Overture of Freischutz Weber + Grand Military Band, 150 men. + +3. Hallelujah Chorus from "Messiah" Handel + Oratorio chorus of 1,200 voices. + +4. Anvil Chorus, from Il Trovatore Verdi + +Full chorus of 1,200. Organ. Grand orchestra of 150. Full military +band, drum corps of the city militia, 50 anvils, 100 firemen, city +fire bells and cannon to be fired from the stand of the leader by use +of electricity. + +General Conductor, Mr. R. Herold. Organist, Gustav A. Scott. + +These concerts were among the grandest achievements of our time. The +music of the musicians and singers was par excellence and should never +be forgotten as long as history can keep it alive. How vividly is the +scene before me--the magnificent chorus, the pealing of the organ +tones, the excellent performance of the orchestra and the beautiful +playing of Camilla Urso and the enwrapt listeners that crowded the old +pavilion to overflowing. Those were days of music for Californians who +knew how to make it and we should always have the greatest pride in +recounting these magnificent efforts. + +In the year 1874, when Madam Anna Bishop was making her American tour, +she included San Francisco, and with her troupe came also Alfred +Wilkie, tenor, and Frank Gilder of New York, an organist and pianist +of high repute. He was a genius in a class of his own. As the Salt +Lake papers said of him, "Frank Gilder, who can snatch more music out +of a piano than Beethoven could write in a week, is with the Lingard +Company and will play a number of solos tonight. He is an entire +orchestra, a sort of a condensed brass band, and those who don't hear +him will never know what pianos were invented for." This was a unique +"ad.", but was just about right. I was employed by him when he +inaugurated his popular twenty-five-cent concerts. He gave thirty-six +in the course and I sang twenty-five times for him. I sang one evening +at one of Madam Bishop's concerts, and after he heard me sing Gatty's +Fair Dove (my ghost song, as he called it) he planned out these +concerts--something out of the ordinary. Each artist received ten +dollars, no matter how high he stood in his calling, or the prices he +received from other managers. That was the order of things and each +one who sang must take that or not sing. We began in the hall of the +Y.M.C.A. on Sutter street. The following artists appeared: Mrs. M.R. +Blake, contralto; M.A. Anderson, tenor; Sig. C. Orlandini, baritone; +Frank Gilder, pianist. + +The morning Chronicle had this to say in regard to the first concert: + +"FRANK GILDER'S POPULAR CONCERTS + +"The first of the series was given in the presence of a large and +fashionable audience. The music was first-class in every respect and +nearly every piece was encored. Gilder's Galop de Concert and +Orlandini's Largo al Factotum most emphatically so. Mrs. Blake +distinguished herself as an accomplished vocalist in Millard's song, +When the Tide Comes In, and in the favorite old Scotch ballad, John +Anderson, My Joe. It was supposed from the low price that these +concerts would be beneath the notice of the high toned dilettanti of +the city, but the performance last evening has completely disabused +not only the nicely-critical, but the public generally of this idea. +The series is to be continued. The second in the course will be given +on Tuesday eve of next week." + +[Illustration: Mme. Anna Bishop, beloved instructor of Mrs. +Blake-Alverson and with whom she sang in many concerts.] + +The second concert on Tuesday was given with Madam Anna Bishop, Mrs. +M.R. Blake; Cornelius Makin, bass; Prof. von der Mehden, baritone; +Frank Gilder, solo cornetist. With the sixth concert in the Y.M.C.A. +hall we found the hall too small for our audiences, and then went to +Platt's Hall. Not two-thirds of the people could get in. We tried +Pacific Hall, and that did for several times, and then there were +enough people on the outside to fill an ordinary hall. The theaters +were too expensive, so we went on the road. We gave two concerts in +Stockton theater to packed houses; two in Santa Cruz in the pavilion, +with great success; two nights in Vallejo, when every seat was taken, +the gallery packed and faces peeping in at the windows. A laughable +act not on the programme occurred that evening which, I think, Walter +Campbell and myself will never forget. We had a duet in which we +always claimed the house, and this evening when our number came Mr. +Gilder began his quaint Quaker march and Reuben was to come from one +side of the stage and Rachel, on the other, and meet in the center of +the stage like two prim Quakers. I took the steps with Mr. Gilder's +tom tom of quaint chords and I arrived in the front of the stage and +no Walter. I was in dismay and the people began to laugh, especially a +portly individual sitting directly in front of the orchestra. He +thought it was all in the bill; Madam Bishop, in the wings, feared the +performance was ruined. I tried with all my might to keep from +laughing at Mr. Gilder, who was keeping up the incessant march. At +last I turned and saw Walter Campbell standing beside me with a face +like a marble statue, still and pious as the most devout Quaker, +waiting for me to begin, rising and falling on his toes. I began my +song, "Reuben, I have long been thinking, etc." and the song went on, +and between each stanza the applause was deafening and continued until +the last too-ral-loo had died away. We received five recalls. The +paper came out with glowing accounts of the success Walter and I had +won and we were lionized the rest of the season. When we were allowed +to retire, Walter, in his quaint way, said to me, "Susan Jane, you +almost made me laugh. I never went through such an ordeal in all my +singing days. It seemed I was destined to stand there forever before +you began." I think we have laughed over that concert time and time +again. It is one of our best jokes between us when we recount the +enjoyment of our successful concerts given in California, Oregon and +British Columbia. + +[Illustration: + +Hugo Mansfeldt +J.H. Dohrmann +Sir Henry Heyman +Alfred Wilkie + +ASSOCIATED MUSICIANS, 1860-1913] + +After returning from these smaller towns Mr. Gilder resumed the +popular concerts in Pacific Hall until the close of the +thirty-sixth concert. It was while we sang in Pacific Hall that King +Kalakua was the honored guest. Sam Booth composed a welcome song to +His Majesty and great was the reception given him. These concerts made +quite a stir among the older musicians, who thought it strange that a +twenty-five-cent entertainment should receive such acknowledgment. The +halls of the dollar concerts were deserted and the twenty-five-cent +concert hall was overflowing with music lovers. The older musicians +challenged Gilder to play the music of the old masters. He consented, +but the trial never came to anything but words. After he had gone back +to New York these disgruntled musicians tried to do the same as Mr. +Gilder had done, but it was a complete failure. One of the thirty-six +concerts was given in the Tent Amphitheater back of the Palace Hotel, +July 4, 1874. The artists were Mme. Anna Bishop, soprano; Mrs. M.R. +Blake, contralto; Alfred Wilkie, tenor; Cornelius Makin, bass. The +Silver Cornet band was under the direction of Professor Henry von der +Mehden and Frank Gilder, pianist. There was an audience of 12,000 +people and the programme was one to be remembered for its musical +value and splendid singers who received the plaudits of the people in +their great enthusiasm at the successful and artistic performance of +each number. + +PROGRAMME FOR JULY 4TH, 1874 + +1. Overture--Poet and Peasant Suppe + +2. Song. The Sword of Bunker Hill Covert + Mr. C. Makin + +3. Scotch Ballad. Within a Mile of Edinborough Town. + (encore) Annie Laurie. + Mrs. M.R. Blake + +4. Piano solo. America, with variations Gilder + Frank Gilder + +5. Grand Aria. Let the Bright Seraphim Handel + Mme. Anna Bishop; Prof. Mehden, cornet obbligato + +6. Song. The Anchor's Weighed Braham + Mr. Alfred Wilkie + +7. Grand operatic pot-pourri Von der Mehden + +SECOND PART + +1. Duet. The Moon Has Raised Her Lamp Above + Messrs. Alfred Wilkie and C. Makin + +2. Ballad. Old Folks at Home (by request) Foster + Mme. Anna Bishop + +3. Quartette for horns. Call Me Thine Own Halevy + Band + +4. Song. Vive l'America Millard + (Encore) Uncle Sam's Farm + Mrs. M.R. Blake + +5. Ballad. Will o' the Wisp + Mr. C. Makin + +6. Song. The Star Spangled Banner + Madam Anna Bishop and the other artists + +7. Grand finale, National Melodies of different nations Von der Mehden + Silver Cornet Band + +In speaking of these concerts it is interesting to note the number of +fine singers that we had in California in 1874 and how easy it was for +a manager to select the best out of these for any occasion. + + Women's Voices: Madam Bishop, Mrs. M.R. Blake, Mrs. A. + Thiesen, Miss Marian Singer, Mlle. Franzini, Mlle. Anna + Elzer, Miss Susan Galton, Madam Babcock, Signora Bianchi, + Mrs. Eliza Boston, Miss Rowley. + + Men's Voices: Signor C. Orlandini, Charles Metti, M.A. + Anderson, C. Makin, Henry Baker (tenor of the opera troupe), + Sig. Luigi Contini, Ben. Clark, W. Finkeldey, Carmini + Morley, Alfred Kelleher, Sig. Fulvio Rigo, Sig. E. Bianchi, + Alfred Wilkie, Sig. G. Marra, W.C. Campbell, Mons. + Davidowitz (Russian opera tenor), Geo. Carltos, Sam Booth, + Amos Durant, F.L. Phelps. + + Musicians: F. Gilder, Prof. Hartman, Prof. H. von der + Mehden, Ernest Schlott, Mulder Fabbri, Prof. M. Schultz, + C.J.J. Smith (flutist), Louis Boedecker (pianist), Stephen + Marsh (harpist), George L. Blake (cornetist), Bender, + Shepherd, Emerson, Wilson (horn quartet), Miss Rotier + (pianist), Prof. G. Cellarius (violinist), A. Kessels + (pianist), Miss E.M. Burkhardt (Chicago pianist), H.F. Todd + (cornet). + +These men and women singers and musicians took part in these series of +concerts given by Frank Gilder in 1874 and were available at any time +when needed. They were only a number of the many fine singers then in +San Francisco. I doubt if you could be so successful today, for these +were genuine tried singers, ready to go at any time and fill the +place, either with sacred, secular or operatic music. There were also +the members of the Loring Club, all good singers, picked and tried, +who sang in choirs, concerts and also in prominent musical +undertakings of the period. I have tried to leave no name out of the +list of singers. Professional jealousy does not exist in any of my +musical life. It never did, and if people will use their good, common +sense and judgment and see a singer in her true light they will find +out very quickly that there exists no grounds for such a feeling with +true artists. In the first place no two people look alike, neither are +they made alike. I have had the strange experience of teaching five +pairs of twins. They were so much alike that it was with difficulty we +could distinguish them apart. Especially the Faull twins, who were +obliged to wear a gold bar pin with "Rose" and "Sophia" engraved upon +them to distinguish them, and yet they were unlike in every +respect. The figures were different; their voices, one a contralto, +the other soprano; one delicate, the other robust. Rose is living and +the other passed out of life. It is so in everything in life. The +petty jealousy of singers and players is a laughable farce. Even our +grandest singers have shown this weakness because a rival was billed +with lettering a quarter of an inch larger. This lowers the singer in +the eyes of the public. No two singers can sing alike, even if they +sing the same song. The interpretation belongs to the individual +singer. It will remain hers forever in the remembrance of the +listeners and no amount of jealousy will remove the fact. When once a +singer has climbed to a place of recognition and can be classed as a +true artist and acknowledged by the public as such, she is entitled to +recognition. "Give honor to those to whom honor is due," is the safest +way. + +[Illustration: ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE LORING CLUB + +SAN FRANCISCO, 1873 + +Geo. Fletcher +Wm. E. Blake +Nathaniel Page +Geo. Story + +FRENCH HORN QUARTETTE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY + +Season of 1895] + +I will continue my narrative of special engagements. I had eighteen +years' experience in singing for the Welsh colony of men and women who +formed a society known as the Cambrian Mutual Aid Society. It had been +in existence four years before I was engaged as vocalist. The society +was prosperous and about 300 strong at that time. Professor Price, Mr. +Jehu, Samuel Williams, Gomer Evans, H.J. Owens (Obedog), E. Meredith +(tenor) and J.R. Jones (bass) were the prominent persons connected +with the society. March 1st was the day for celebrating the yearly +singing tryout. The Welsh miners and their families came yearly from +Mt. Diablo mines for a holiday of sociability and song. The day was +called St. David's Day. My first engagement with this society occurred +on the 2d day of March, 1874, the first having come on Sunday. We were +obliged to sing the Welsh airs. This was a new departure for me, but, +nothing daunted, I began the study of the Welsh music, and when the +night came for the yearly banquet and evening of song I was well +prepared to give them their desire. I had as other artists, on this +evening programme, Mrs. Howels, a Welsh soprano who sang like a bird, +so beautifully; Mrs. Von der Mehden, soprano; Mrs. M.R. Blake, +contralto; C. Makin, bass; John Hughes, bass; Joseph Maguire, tenor; +Vernon Lincoln, tenor, and the Mt. Diablo singers, about fifty fine +voices. The initial concert was a pronounced success, about 600 being +present. In 1878, at the annual concert, I met for the first time Mr. +D.P. Hughes, tenor, who sang a Welsh song, Cwymp Lewelyn, also in a +male quartette, (oh, what full delight), Hughes, Roberts, Jones and +Hannis. This was Mr. Hughes' first bow to the society of singers in +San Francisco. I was the first American singer he had met in San +Francisco thirty-four years ago. Later he became director of the +Orpheus Society, leader of church choirs, teacher of voice, and still +teaches and directs a women's singing club in Oakland, Cal. + +In September, 1877, the town of San Rafael was in need of a fire +engine, and to begin the collection for the fund a series of concerts +was inaugurated. The first was held in the district courtroom, +September 8th. The following well-known artists took part: Theodore +Herzog, violinist; J. Lewis, bass; Mrs. H.M. Bosworth, soprano; Ben +Clark, tenor; Walter C. Campbell, bass, and Mrs. M.R. Blake, +contralto. The room was full to overflowing and the singers were given +a splendid welcome. The women of the city decorated the hall most +lavishly and our reception was notable. The treasury received a +splendid amount of funds to carry on the good work so auspiciously +begun. This was the second city wherein I assisted in the beginning of +a fund for a fire engine. The other was Santa Cruz. + +In 1877, old folks' concerts were often given with great success. The +quaint hymns of Father Kemp's collection seemed to be an attraction to +the people, and seldom a month passed without concerts of this kind. +The societies and churches reaped a goodly sum from them. The +different singing clubs concluded to give two concerts for the old +folks. They were to be on a grand scale, and the Grand Opera House was +secured. My programme does not give the promoters' names or the object +of this great gathering of singers. I remember only that I was engaged +for the two nights with Walter Campbell to sing those songs we were +accustomed to sing together on such occasions. The concerts were held +June 28 and 29, 1877. These were memorable evenings for us and we did +our best with Reuben and Rachel, Ten O'Clock and the Old Saxon, etc., +which we were obliged to repeat to satisfy the great audiences which +greeted us. The chorus of 500, composed of singers in all walks of +life, people of leisure who had good voices which they had been taught +how to use, often take pleasure in giving the public a treat if a +pretext can be found for doing so. In this case it was thought that an +imitation of the manners, dress and costume of a past age would +attract an audience when a simple concert might not. This proved to be +true, especially of the Easter Anthem, which was magnificently sung, +and an encore was demanded by the delighted listeners. Each night the +stage was completely filled with this splendid chorus, and the effect +was tremendous when the voices rose with such magnificent volume, +unaccompanied. The leader gave the pitch from an old-fashioned tuning +fork, which was the only thing that was used at that time, to start +the music. The leader would cry out in a nasal tone, "All please +sound," when the pitch would be taken by the four parts led by the +timist to the successful finish. + +Other entertainments of this nature were given. H.M. Bosworth's +operetta, "Mother Goose Reception," had a tremendous run. It became so +popular that it was played in every city and town of any size from San +Bernardino to Sacramento and Stockton and as far north as Oregon. +There was a rivalry between it and the Milkmaid's Convention which +received its full merit throughout the state. Mrs. Hodgkins and Miss +Lucy Grove were the bright originators of this cantata, which proved +one of the most interesting debates upon the milk question and +microbes ever propounded in any community with musical setting and was +a genuine side-splitting entertainment. + +One of the special engagements that occurred yearly were the +commencement exercises of the Benicia Female seminary, a meeting of +alumnae and pupils. From 1862, on my return to California from Boston, +until the death of our instructor, Mary Atkins-Lynch, I was the +honored guest as vocalist at these gatherings, and I count these +epochs in my career some of the special occurrences. I was among the +first pupils of the school and added my talent on all occasions of +note during the continuance of the seminary. It was in Benicia where +Mrs. Lynch first began her work as principal of the seminary. Her +pupils are now scattered over every quarter of the globe. A thousand +invitations were sent out and 250 accepted and others sent their +regrets from the different cities in which they resided. These were +put in a list and read with interest by those who gathered in +1878--the last and most notable reunion of the school. There were at +this time Messrs. Gray, Jones, Woodbridge and Hastings, trustees of +the seminary when it was founded. They had not met for years, and the +pleasure they felt at this accidental meeting can be imagined. It was +like one large family reunion, for these men were our friends as well, +and through their efforts the seminary was placed upon a high +standard. We were visited yearly by the notable men of the state +legislature, army and navy, professional men and women of culture and +talent. It would not be amiss to let the younger generation be +familiar with the names of early Californians who stood high in the +nation and honored men of the state: Capt. and Mrs. Matthew Turner; +Dr. Cole and wife of San Francisco; Professor Trenkle, pianist, San +Francisco; Dr. S. Woodbridge; Judge D.N. Hastings and wife; Hon. L.B. +Mizner and wife; Bishop Wingfield; Major Hackert; Professor Roger of +St. Augustine College; Capt. E.H. von Pfister; General Kautz; Major +Wells; Major Wilhelm; Captain Rixford; Lieutenant Scriven, U.S.A; +Lieutenant Weresch, U.S.N.; C.B. Houghton; Rev. Mr. Easton; Professor +Corbaz; Mrs. Brackett, class '59; Harriett Riddell, Class 72; Major +Townsend; Dr. Peabody; Samuel D. Gray and wife; John Denning; Judge +Lynch; Professor Trenkle, one of the pioneer musicians of the state +and seminary; Mrs. Mary Loughlin Kincaid, of San Francisco high school +fame, president of the alumnae; Mrs. Mary Hook-Hatch, vice president; +Mrs. Agnes Bell Hill, treasurer; Miss Kittie Stone, secretary; Mrs. +M.R. Blake, the first vocalist of the seminary to distinguish herself +in the world of music and song. + +Dr. Woodbridge in his address alluded to old memories connected with +this young ladies' seminary, the trials and vicissitudes of one of its +first principals; how she had taken the school in early days with six +or eight pupils and in a few short months had 140 scholars beneath the +roof. The doctor paid a fitting tribute to the ability and worth of +Mrs. Lynch and the grandeur of her position in the cause of education. +Her life was a glorious victory and one that should be handed down to +posterity. + + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN + +ROMAN CATHOLIC, EPISCOPAL, AND JEWISH MUSIC. J.H. DOHRMANN. THE +BIANCHI'S + + +During my ten years' engagement at St. Patrick's Church, on Mission +street, San Francisco, we gave many masses and also arranged concerts +which would prove of great value to the singers of today who have +aspirations for better music than the frivolous songs and bad style of +singing which is in vogue. The masses that we sang were written by the +best masters. Our organist and director was educated in Europe and +received the best musical education and understood the standard which +should be upheld. We were familiar with all of Mozart's masses, +requiems and vespers. The Twelfth was the most frequently sung if +grand, joyful music was required. The Requiem Brevis, a gem of church +music, was given on the most solemn service. All Saints' Day generally +claimed that number. The Fifth Mass was the one chosen when we +dedicated the magnificent $10,000 organ, June 20, 1869, which was +bought with the money received from the grand concerts which were +given from time to time by the regular choir and chorus of thirty +voices with orchestra and visiting soloists of high repute, if they +happened to be in the city at the time of giving. + +I am more than grateful that I can place within these pages a fine +photograph of this magnificent organ, a reminder of the once beautiful +and grand instrument which was destroyed and burned until there was +not a souvenir left to tell the story of the great and grand music +that it pealed forth so many years, and of the work of the beautiful +voices that once sang the praises and the power of the grandest music +ever written by a galaxy of writers who are no longer with us. Of +Haydn's sixteen masses we usually sang from one to eight, these being +the most used, and No. 16 B Flat mass was often chosen. His Vespers +No. 1 was sung many times. We generally used Weber's masses--one +written in E flat and one in the key of G. They were the most familiar +of his masses. One of the most difficult masses we sang was written by +I.J. Paine of Boston. It was the first mass and required artists to +give the proper importance to this magnificent mass. Rossini's +Solenelle was given on the solemn occasion of the death of Pius IX. It +was rendered for the first time in California October 31st, by sixteen +solo voices, thirty-five in the chorus and the regular choir, full +orchestra and organ. The following was the programme for the requiem +mass Solenelle sung by the soloists and assisted by the chorus and +orchestra and organ; Introit, Dies Irae, Lacrimosa, Benedictus, Agnus +Dei, Lux Aeterna were all from Cherubini's compositions; offertory, +Dominus from Verdi, Libera from Palestrina: + +Mrs. Brandel, _soprano_ +Signora Bianchi, _mezzo-soprano_ +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _mezzo-contralto_ +Signor Bianchi, _tenor_ +Signor Meize, _tenor_ +Mr. Stockmyer, _bass_ +Mr. Yarndley, _bass_ +J.H. Dohrmann, _organist_ + +Orchestra 30 pieces. + +[Illustration: J.H. DOHRMANN, ORGANIST AND DIRECTOR + +ORGAN OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, SAN FRANCISCO + +Made in Germany in 1874] + +With a crowded church and the altars draped in black, with the rest of +the gifted singers on that occasion, will candelabras that were all +burning, with many priests upon the altar, and the other accessories, +the scene was notable. Time never can erase the picture as it comes +back in memory. The wonderful music, in which I took part, with the +rest of the gifted singers on that occasion, will never be forgotten. + +Later, as years rolled on and the old singers retired, we had other +artists who were the singers in this choir: + +Mrs. Urig, _soprano_ +Mrs. Young, _soprano_ +Mrs. Taylor, _soprano_ +Signora Bianchi, _mezzo-soprano_ +Mrs. Herman, _mezzo-soprano_ +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_ +Miss Ella Steele, _contralto_ +Mr. Buch, _bass_ +Mr. Schnable, _bass_ + +We had also the masses of Lambillotte, the one in D being the most +familiar. There was Peter's Mass in E flat. His smaller masses were +complete. Mercadanti, four-voice mass, also one for three voices; W.A. +Leonard's mass in B flat, four voices; Millard's masses complete; +Farmer's masses, one in G, one in B flat; Schubert's five masses and +vespers, 2d, 3d and 4th; Beethoven's two masses, the one in C being +the most difficult. There was another written in D. Schubert's 2d, 3d +and 4th masses were sung frequently. The grand mass of John Sebastian +Bach, written in B minor, was sung by our choir for the first time in +San Francisco, April 17, 1869. No one who is a singer can be blamed +for being justly proud in rendering this music with the following +artists: + +Miss Brandel, _soprano_ +Signora Bianchi, _mezzo-soprano_ +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_ +Signor Bianchi, _tenor_ +F. Shoenstein, _bass_ + +Only the solemnity of the sanctuary refrained the people from giving +the proper appreciation in applause when we sang this grand mass which +was rendered by this splendid choir and directed by our beloved +organist, the dean of that magnificent instrument (of which we were so +proud) for we were the principal workers in the cause for obtaining +the money for it. We then had the happiness to sing each week and +listen to its beautiful notes. Our happiness was complete. + +In 1874, July 5th, we sang for the first time Roeder's heavy mass. We +often sang Concone's three-voice mass, Verdi's mass and Dominus, +Palestrina's Libera, Paolo Giorza, and Regina Coeli. The choir library +was complete with all kinds of masses, small and large. Many of them +we sang. Some of them were very old and written in manuscript. I +remember the professor gave me at rehearsal a celebrated old heavy +German mass (No. H Messe von Rader) in manuscript and my part was the +counter-tenor. Imagine my consternation when he placed it in my hand. +I could always make an alto to any tune, so I just looked at it +blindly and made my harmony as it fitted and did not disturb the +harmony of the music. After rehearsal he came to me and said, "You did +very well at faking, but if you will go up two notes and fall an +octave you will get your part." That was enough for me. On my way home +I bought some music paper and immediately set to work to get the mass +ready for Sunday. This was Tuesday. By Friday the task was complete +and I gave my work to my son George and asked him to look it over and +see if I was all right. There was not a correction to be made, and I +went to mass as proud as could be and sang the service through. After +the service the professor came to my music stand and quietly took my +fine copy and put in into the bookcase and that was the last I ever +saw of my week's work. He said it was very nice of me to make such a +good copy; it would be ready for the next singer who could not sing +the manuscript. While I was disappointed, he was pleased that I had +been clever enough to get out of the trap he had set for me, for he +well knew I had never seen that music before. + +Besides a splendid supply of masses, there were vesper services, +Gregorian chants, Ave Marias, Veni Creator, solos, Mozart's Ave +Vernum, requiems from various writers, Stabat Mater by Rossini; Franz +Liszt's O Salutaris; Bach's Tantum Ergo; Salutaris, Carlo Bassini; +contralto solos from Rossini's Solenelle; O Salutaris, Agnus Dei, Quae +Te Christi by Millett; duet soprano and mezzo, Agnus Dei, Geo. Bizet; +Lascia ch'io pianga, Handel; Raff's Cavatina for contralto; Millard's +Ave Marias numbering 7 and No. 1, Salutaris; Mozart's 16th mass. + +All these beautiful masses and songs, duets and solos were familiar to +me, and I had opportunity to sing them with the grandest singers of +the day. I also sang many times at St. Mary's Cathedral, California +and Dupont streets, (Bishop Alemany); St. Ignatius, when the college +and church was on Market street, where the Emporium now stands; +Vallejo Street Catholic Church, Mission Dolores, Notre Dame French +Church, Alois Lejeal, organist, Bush street. One special Candlemas Day +the St. Ignatius Church was so crowded I had to be carried by two +strong men who pushed their way through the jam of worshipers. We sang +Mozart's Twelfth Mass that day. The organist was one of the brothers +of the college. I think I sang requiems in every Catholic church in +San Francisco at that time. It seemed to be my share in life to sing +for the dead of all creeds and kinds. If I attempted to give an +account of requiems alone I could publish a book of good size. I have +also taken part in the musical service at the funerals of the great +men of California, like Ralston, Hopkins, Captain Metzger, Thos. +Breeze, J.B. Painter, Colonel Larkin. + +In 1874 I lived on Post and Powell streets. Trinity Church was at that +corner and many people who were strangers were taken to the mortuary +chapel. One sad funeral occurred there on June 18, 1887, of Abner +Lincoln Blake, a grandson of Major-General Lincoln of revolutionary +fame. He was ex-deputy of the custom house in Port Townsend and was on +his way to Washington, with papers of importance, to give evidence +against certain men who were in government service. He was followed by +some of their hirelings all the way on his journey and, arriving at +Chicago, he was sand-bagged, but the villains were not quick enough to +get his valise. They were frightened by the appearance of some one +coming, and the victim was taken to the hospital. When the chief of +police discovered who he was he did all he could to save the valuable +evidence and notified the authorities at Washington. Everything was +done to save his life, but he lapsed into unconsciousness for a week +and died. He was brought to San Francisco, where a large family +awaited his coming. It was one of the saddest funerals I ever +witnessed or attempted to sing for. He had been cut down in the prime +of life doing his duty for his country. + +After leaving San Francisco in 1886 I sang in the Episcopal church in +San Bernardino, and after eight months of service was engaged the +remainder of the time in the Catholic church, Father Stockman. While +there, I had a full repertoire of masses, old and some new to me. No +matter where one goes, the church must have the best singing, and to +my surprise I found the musical library was filled with masses, many +of which we had in St. Patrick's: + +Mozart's 12th, Haydn's 6th in B flat, Mercadanti's three-voice mass, +Haydn's 3d in D, Haydn's 8th mass, Haydn's 16th in B flat, Mozart's +mass in C No. 1, Haydn's in C No 2, Farmer's Mass in G, Mozart's No. +7, Peter's Mass in E flat, Mozart's Vespers in C Dur. + +The requiem for Good Friday, April 25th, was sung from the quartette +books used in the choir. We sang Buchler's vespers (the Memoria) and +masses, Borduse mass, Werner's mass, Concone's mass and Gregorian +chants. Before leaving San Bernardino choir for the closing masses, +November 20th, requiem was sung, Father Koenig and Father Stockman +officiating. On December 8th the Second requiem was sung from the +quartette books. On December 22, 1888, we sang Borduse mass for the +last time before returning to San Francisco. + +I cannot give any information upon the music of the synagogue, +although I sang six years there. The music is all manuscript and the +cantors of the different schules all have their own services and +nothing else is used, but they are very chary of their services, as +they call them. I believe during my time we had six different ones, +with their accompanying hymns, responses and chants, all in the Hebrew +language. We had high days and holidays, which were very impressive +and solemn, and the music was very beautiful and delightful to sing, +even if we could not understand the meaning of the Hebrew. When the +words of one service had been conquered, the others were easy to +sing--like the Latin in the masses. The Episcopal service, which is as +familiar as all the others to me, has the same Te Deums, hymns and +chants, choruses and quartette, litany and vespers, services, glorias +and sacred cantatas. There is extra music for Christmas festivals and +appropriate music for Lenten seasons and joyful songs for Easter, +processional and recessional hymns written for this service by +well-known men. The orthodox services are not so elaborate--an opening +anthem, hymns, offertories selected from the many available churchly +compositions written by Dudley Buck, Adam, Mason, Ambrose and other +English and American writers of our time and before our time. I have a +wonderfully fine collection of such songs that I have used all these +years and have successfully sung. My sixteen years' service in Calvary +gave me opportunity to collect the best songs to use for the church. +We used the church and home collection, Mosenthal's collection, +Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise, cantata of O for the Wings of a Dove, Te +Deums by the best composers of sacred songs and anthems, oratorios, +Moses in Egypt, David, Samson, Creation, Elijah, St. Paul, Messiah (by +Handel), Stabat Mater (by Rossini), Daughter of Jarius, God, Thou Art +Great (by L. Spohr), Baumbach collection of sacred music, Easter and +Christmas music written by the well-known writers of the times. + +Leaving the sacred work, I have also a grand collection of other works +that I have sung in my musical life--Racine's Athalie, The Erl King's +Daughter (by Miles W. Gade), First Walpurgis Night. Esther formed one +of the epochs of my time, given in Platt's hall, on Montgomery street, +by Mr. William Badger, for the benefit of the Episcopal Sabbath +schools of the city in 1874; Queen, Madam Anna Bishop, soprano; King, +Walter Campbell; Haman, Vernon Lincoln; Haman's wife, Mrs. M.R. Blake, +contralto. The chorus was composed of members of the Handel and Haydn +Society. The old hall was filled to overflowing and the singers at +their best, and certainly success crowned every number. The enthusiasm +of the audience knew no bounds and we were crowned with honors from +the beginning to the end. If ever there was a happy man, it was +William Badger, the piano dealer and Sunday school children's friend. +We were all paid the highest salaries and still the benefit was a +grand financial success for the Sunday schools. Should I attempt to +give all the different amusements and entertainments of every kind +during my life of song, it would require a book of many hundred pages. +It is my intention to speak of the most important musical and dramatic +performances and epochs of my life, as I have had a part in all +these demonstrations and met all kinds of artists. It will in a +measure, I hope, be an incentive for those who are musically inclined +to pursue with energy, enthusiasm and faithful work the delightful +task which music brings to us like other lines of education. You will +find there is no "royal road to learning." The highest attainments can +only be gained by careful, conscientious and intelligent study in the +different departments undertaken. Students must remember, "those who +go slowly go safely, and those who go safely go far." + +[Illustration: + +Rev. Dr. A.M. Anderson +Stockton, 1852 + +Rev. Dr. Scudder +San Francisco + +Rev. Dr. Eells +San Francisco and Oakland + +Rev. Dr. A.L. Stone +San Francisco + +The Right Rev. Ingraham Kip +Stockton, Benicia, Santa Cruz +and San Francisco + +Rev. John Hemphill +San Francisco + +Rev. H.D. Lathrop +San Francisco and Oakland + +Rev. Dr. Bellows +San Francisco + +EMINENT DIVINES FOR WHOM MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON HAS SUNG] + + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN + +GREAT MUSICAL FESTIVAL IN AID OF THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY, 1878. AT +GILROY SPRINGS. + + +The grand musical festival given in the Mechanics pavilion, San +Francisco, May 28, 29 and 30, 1878, was the second largest undertaking +since the one given in 1873 under the supervision of the Mechanics' +Library association with Camilla Urso, virtuoso, and R.H. Herold, +conductor, with 12,000 voices. + +The general committee of this grand festival was composed of musicians +and singers and directors of various musical organizations. They were +as follows: + + EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE + + A.M. Benham, Samuel D. Mayer, Wendell Eastern, Sumner W. + Bugbee, manager. + + GENERAL COMMITTEE + + Business Men--Geo. E. Barnes, Geo. Brown, Wm. G. Badger, + Quincy A. Chase, John T. Coe, James Denman, W.P. Edwards, + Jr., Samuel C. Gray, Jas. E. Gordon, M. Gray, Robt. T. + Harrison, F.A. Harnden, L.K. Hammer, August Hunme, Col. J.P. + Jackson, G.S. Johnson, M.A. Kennedy, Andrew Kohler, Warren + Leland, S.H. Long. + + Musicians--H.M. Bosworth, C.L. Crabtree, John P. Morgan, Wm. + Fletcher, Geo. J. Gee, Ernest Hartmann, H. Heyman, R. + Herold, H.O. Hunt, W.H. Kinross, D.W. Loring, Fred Lyster, + W.J. McDougal, Charles McCurrie, H.L. Mansfeldt, E. Pique, + Geo. H. Powers, Martin Schultz, Prof. Sleanter, Charles + Schultz, G.A. Scott. + + Singers--W.C. Campbell, Chas. Dugan, Wash. Elliott, D.P. + Hughes, F.A. Hyde, Alf. Kelleher, S.W. Leach, Carl Formes, + G. Mancusi, D.W.C. Nesfield, I. Stadtfeldt, M.S. Stimson, + J.E. Tippett, Jos. Trenkle, Wm. Toepke, H.T. Todd, John + Trehane, David Wilder, D.L. Wetherbee, Jas. L. Wilson, Asa + R. Wells, R.L. Thurston, D. Van Vleck, E.C. Mastin, Gen. + John McComb, D.W. Murphy, Jos. O'Connor, Frank M. Pixley, + H.H. Pierson, W.E. Price, J.B. Russell, John A. Rice, L.S. + Sherman, Henry T. Scott and H.S. Smith. + + BOUQUET OF ARTISTS + + Soprano--Mrs. Marriner-Campbell, Mrs. W.C. Little, Mrs. + Lizzie P. Howell, Mrs. J.M. Pierce, Mrs. Douglas Saunders, + Miss Mary E. Wadsworth, Mrs. R.A. Van Brunt, Mrs. Ella Segar + Lamphere, Miss Lita Farrar, Mrs. Urig, Mrs. M.P. Waldron, + Miss Annie Ribbons, Mrs. Martin Schultz, Miss Flora McKinney + (Napa), Mrs. John P. Morgan, Mrs. Clara McCheney, Mrs. H.E. + Willy, Mrs. May Banta. + + Altos--Mrs. Blake-Alverson, Mrs. T.M. Clement, Mrs. J.F. + Cooper (Sacramento), Mrs. Carter (Sacramento), Mrs. Geo. W. + Drew (Sacramento), Mrs. Snow (Sacramento), Miss Ida Beutler, + Miss Emma Beutler, Mrs. Wm. Fletcher, Miss Belle Thomas, + Mrs. Chas. King, Mrs. S. Rightmire, Mrs. Withrow, Mrs. + Chisholm, Miss Kate Stone, Miss Millar, Mrs. Ella + Steele-Brown and Mrs. Adelaide Reuter. + + Tenors--Ben Clark, John Trehune, D.P. Hughes, Harry Gates, + Samuel D. Mayer, Geo. W. Jackson, W.N. Otey, E.C. Masten, + Dr. Geo. H. Powers, J.E. Tippett, Dr. A.M. Wilder, C.L. + Crabtree, Wash. Elliott, J.L. Skinner (Sacramento), Robt. + Burns (Arcata) and W.E. Price. + + Bass--J.W. Yarndley, J.E. Blake, Wm. P. Edwards, Jr., R. + Jansen, Chas. Dugan, D.W.C. Nesfield, G. Nathanson, G. + Mancusi, Phillip Jones, Charles E. Holbrook, E. Pique, + Walter C. Campbell, Carl Formes, W.H. Kinross and Jacob + Stadfeldt. + +In addition to our many fine singers, the committee secured from the +East as director the well-known and popular leader, Carl Zerrahn. +Negotiations were made with the most celebrated singers of the East, +and among those to come were: Myron W. Whitney, bass; Miss Anna +Drasdil, contralto; Mrs. Helen Ames Billings, soprano; Mrs. Clark, +soprano, and Mr. Fessenden, tenor. With the assistance of these +strangers and local artists that could be depended upon for solo work, +everything looked auspicious for the festival. Rehearsals began +immediately. Our parts were assigned to us. For the first concert the +bouquet of artists sang Spirit Immortal (Verdi), and sextette, Chi Mi +Frena (Donizetti); second concert, Sleepers, Awake (Mendelssohn), male +chorus; The Soldier's Farewell; Anvil Chorus, full orchestra, anvils, +artillery, etc.; third concert, Inflammatus, Mrs. Marriner, soloist, +bouquet of artists and grand chorus; Spirit Immortal repeated; Chi Mi +Frena repeated; America, Hallelujah Chorus; Star Spangled Banner. + +The solos of chorus numbers were sung by our local soloists. While the +Eastern singers were excellent, they found out that in California +there were also artists to be respected, as did the distinguished +leader, Carl Zerrahn, when he began the rehearsals. He had nothing but +the highest praise for the fine musicians he found in this section. +Before this great gathering of singers and people came to an end, +there was still another concert as a farewell tribute to the +strangers. It took place in the Grand Opera house and proved to be a +grand finale to this successful musical undertaking. Every seat in the +opera house was taken. The soloists were at their best; the choruses +grand and inspiring and full of animation. The orchestral numbers were +all new. The bouquet of artists sang their concerted passage from +Lucia even better than on the former occasions. + +Besides these concerts there was also a promenade concert at the +Pavilion for the numerous visitors from the interior cities and 2,000 +availed themselves of the opportunity. There was also an afternoon +concert by 3,000 children under the baton of Prof. Mansfeldt, and on +Monday night the sacred concert with portions of Elijah and the choice +numbers of the previous concerts was successfully given, and the +musical festival of 1878 passed into history. + +Since the chorus played so prominent a part in this festival season, +it would be well to add also a tribute of thanks to these singers of +the city and interior delegations who came at the call of the +director, Sumner Bugbee, in splendid numbers, showing that all the +cities of the state made music a prominent factor. The number of +singers who took part in the first day's performance was 1,800. The +following were the places from which the choruses were drawn, with the +number from each, together with the names of directors: + + Bouquet of artists (50), Carl Zerrahn, director; Handel and + Haydn society (453), J.P. Morgan, director; George Gee's + class (100); Jackson's Glee club (165), G.W. Jackson, + director; Apollo Glee club (95), Martin Schultz, director; + Sacramento (60), J. McNiell and Chas. Winters, directors; + San Rafael (24), R.M. Bosworth, director; Oakland Harmonic + (165), J.P. Morgan, director; Oakland Orpheus (80), J.W. + McDougall, director; Oakland High School (81), H.J. Todd, + director; Healdsburg and Santa Rosa (41); San Jose (60), + Z.M. Parvin, director; Gilroy (12), Prof. Johnson, director; + Merced (2), San Juan (2), Eureka (24), J. Hetherington, + director; Rocklin (4), Salinas (24), W.J. McCoy, director; + Diamond Springs (26), M.R. Griffiths, director; Woodland + (24), C.E. Pinkham, director; Suisun (18), D.R. Stockman, + director; Stockton (26), E.W. Elliott, director; Portland + (17), Prof. Morse, director; Soquel (14), T.S. Tartton, + director; Modesto (21), W.H. Franzini, director; Sonoma (3), + Santa Barbara (7), G.H. Young, director; San Diego (17), + E.D. Blackner, director; San Buena Ventura (9), Max + Eiderline, director; Vacaville (15), Theo. Ritzner, + director; Nevada City (10), Visalia (8), Prof. Hirsch, + director; Oregon (22), and many individual singers of no + society. + +[Illustration: + +John P. Morgan +Oakland + +Carl Zerrahn +Boston + +Rudolf Herold +San Francisco + +MUSICAL DIRECTORS OF THE MAY FESTIVAL + +San Francisco, 1878] + +It was a pity that after all this success there should come an +aftermath of unhappy, unpaid singers and players who were unable to +realize a farthing from their splendid work. Mr. Bugbee slipped +quietly out of the city, Mr. Kinross sailed on the Portland steamer, +Mr. Benham disappeared, as did also Mr. Easton. The concerts certainly +paid a splendid profit, but expenses and high salaries of these men +ate up the expected profits. Everything was carried out with a +lavish hand and Mr. Bugbee, with all his promises, did not fulfill +them as by contract. I do not know what the other soloists' losses +were, but my portion was to be $150 for three days, carriages, etc. +After the concert in the opera house I never saw Mr. Bugbee, although +I made every effort to do so. He was lost to San Francisco forever. A +number of years after all this trouble I saw a notice of his death in +a southern city. Carl Zerrahn was the only one who benefited by his +coming and he returned home with $2,500 in his pockets, a gold medal, +laurel wreath and embossed letters of appreciation from the musicians +of California. I never knew how settlement was made with the managers +and the Eastern artists. It is my opinion they received nothing and +were obliged to return on their own expenses. The papers were full of +sarcasm and by-play upon the names of the prominent men who had the +matter in hand. "Charles Stoddard, our poet, had his genius completely +crushed under the $20 that he did not receive for his work." The San +Francisco Chronicle said further: "In the meantime, the present +creditors are singing with much vim the Oweratoweriwoe of the +Goetterdaemmerung." + +Laying all jokes aside, it was a great event. It would give the reader +only a faint idea of the mass of humanity to express its size merely +by so many thousands. The spectator looking down upon it from some +upper seat of the boundless gallery of the choral amphitheater saw an +awe-inspiring scene. People in numbers almost as great as the standing +army of the United States were packed so closely together that all +individuality was lost, and the pulsating aggregate looked like the +exposed and mottled back of some submerged sea monster. Between the +parts of the programme the combined hum of ten thousand voices floated +upon the air like the deep boom of the surf on the seashore. When the +raised seats were well filled in the vast gallery the graduation was +lost to the eye, and the whole presented a plane surface as rich in +coloring as if it had been a hanging of rarely worked tapestry. The +main floor was one solid mass of female loveliness and manly worth. +There were national dignitaries on a visit to the coast, state +dignitaries from Sacramento, city dignitaries and nature's noblemen +from all over the country at large. The amiable and heavily bearded +countenance of Governor Irwin was conspicuous in one of the boxes. The +buxom and benign countenance of Mayor Bryant, his person clad in a +rigorously accurate full dress costume, was not less noticeable. But +the ladies! Oh, there began the tempest of the soul of any man who +tried to pick out any one who was more pre-eminently attractive than +the other. The eye could travel on forever through the boxes from east +to west, from Mission street to Market, from the main floor to the +roof, and every prospect was pleasing and man was utterly outvied. At +half past two the tall and graceful conductor, Carl Zerrahn, arrayed +in a black frock coat and a pair of lavender colored trousers, stepped +lightly down the gorgeous hill of choristers to the front of the +orchestra, made a profound bow to the audience, then turned and raised +his baton to the chorus. Instantly the 1,800 rose to their feet with a +motion so well timed that it seemed as if the whole south end of the +pavilion was rising. As 1,800 scarlet-covered chorus books were +hoisted into view, the whole amphitheater seemed aflame as if for an +exaggerated incantation scene of Fra Diavolo. Then there was another +motion of the baton, with the precision of a machine fifty bows +scraped upwards over fifty violins and 150 other instruments, and +1,800 voices burst forth in melody. + +[Illustration: + +BOUQUET OF ARTISTS + +May Festival, San Francisco, 1878] + +From 1870 to 1882 it was my custom to go to Gilroy Mineral Springs for +my vacation. Many and varied were the programmes we gave there each +year, and not an evening of our stay lagged for entertainment. In 1879 +I happened to be there at the time of my birthday. There were 150 +guests and all entered with zest into a plan to honor me. I was not +aware that any one knew of my forty-third birthday, so unconsciously I +was doing my utmost to serve the many prominent guests and my friends, +George Roop and wife, who were the proprietors of the Springs. Among +the guests were: Mr. John F. Merrill and wife, the Misses Dolly and +Susie Sroufe, Phil McGovern and party, prominent merchants and +families from the neighboring towns of Santa Cruz, San Jose, Gilroy +and Monterey, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Smiley and others from San +Francisco, Isadore Lazinski of business college fame, the Remillards +and Folkers and Cottles and others. + +After an early dinner the dining hall was cleared for our +entertainment. The room was decorated with ferns and wild flowers, and +flags and ribbons streamed in graceful folds. The programme consisted +of songs, music of piano, guitar, violin, classic and negro melodies, +etc. It was after I had given "Sarah Walker's Opinion" that Miss Grace +Roop stepped forward and placed a laurel wreath with streaming ribbons +floating gracefully from it upon my head, wishing me a happy birthday. +To my utter surprise, scarcely had she stepped aside when Mrs. Geo. +Smiley of San Francisco came forward and began reading a letter of +thanks and congratulations from the guests who had enjoyed the many +evenings of entertainment to which I had contributed. She then placed +an envelope in my hand containing three $20 bills and one of $5, as a +token of regard and appreciation from the guests. After a short speech +of thanks and the closing song and chorus of Home, Sweet Home, the +eventful day came to its close. + +This was one of the many seasons that, away from the cares of life, I +gave others who were afflicted with many ills a little brightness of +song life. My coming was always heralded a week before, and expectant +faces awaited me, knowing I would give entertainment. There was one +poor sufferer who never expected to see his home again. On my arrival +he was not able to leave his room. Being informed that the singing +lady had arrived, he sadly sighed on his pillow, "Then I'll not hear +her, as I had hoped." After the second evening Mrs. Roop related the +story of the young man who was dying slowly and was so disappointed +that he could not hear me sing before he passed away. I was touched by +this appeal. I soon found four good voices among the guests and we +arranged the quartette and practiced together until we could sing with +soft effect. After we had entertained the guests for an hour we all +marched quietly to the cottage of the young man. The moon was at its +height and the time and scene befitting our tribute to the dying soul. +The nurse opened the door quietly. The invalid had fallen asleep in +the back room, the moon shining in at his window in soft light upon +his pale face. With voices subdued we began the song of Home, Sweet +Home. He talked in his sleep, "Yes, I am coming home." He heard, yet +was not enough awake to know the song was sung by earthly voices. At +last, with a deep sigh, he awoke and said, "Nurse, I have been called +home. Shall I hear her sing before I go?" "Yes, I think so." While he +spoke the sign was given and I sang Nearer, My God, to Thee, with the +other voices softly following each verse. "Oh, the angel has come at +last." "Listen, she is singing to you," said the nurse. "Hark, is it +not the angel voices? Is it real? Then I have heard the heavenly song +before I go. Oh, how beautiful it all is and how kind of all these +friends to come to me and make me so happy with their song in my last +hours on earth. Listen," he whispered. "Still another song for me," he +gasped out. Safe in the Arms of Jesus we sang and he was listening +intently as his life was ebbing away. As we closed the hymn, Sweetly +His Soul Shall Rest, he had crossed the River of Life and nothing +remained but the casket, emaciated and cold in death, with the face of +a saint and a smile on his silent lips--gone to his eternal rest to +hear the music of angelic voices around the Throne of God. This is the +cup of cold water our Savior bade us to give. If the gift of the human +voice is sanctified in such work of love, then it is worth while for +every one who can sing and has this glorious gift of song to strive +for the most beautiful use of it known to the art of tone production +so as to bring happiness to the singer and his enwrapt listeners, be +they young or old, rich or poor, sick or dying, in the sanctuary or +for the bridal rejoicings. Vitiate not this gift with the lower +thought of the art of singing. Strive for the highest ideals and your +happiness will be tenfold greater. + + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN + +AUTHORS' CARNIVAL, 1880, PRESIDENT HAYES AND GENERAL SHERMAN PRESENT + + +The grand Authors' Carnival given for the Associated Charities of San +Francisco, October 18 to October 28, 1880, can well be classed as the +crowning effort of anything attempted upon so large a scale. If there +are still living in San Francisco auditors of the wonderful +performance given by the 2000 participants who were enlisted in the +great work they will corroborate my statement. The wealthy women who +managed these homes financially, were also the officers of them and +had called for aid. It was so beautiful to see the spirit of these +people in completing the arrangements for this carnival. Meetings were +held weekly until their plans had matured and it was agreed +unanimously that the Booths of All Nations should be featured with the +principal works of the world's greatest writers. Charles Crocker was +chosen as treasurer. The books were selected and the booths received +their names from the author of the books. The book that fell to our +lot of actors was Martin Chuzzlewit, by Charles Dickens. At first our +committee was inclined to refuse to act these queer characters, but we +had given our word to help and we could not go back on that. I asked +Mrs. Grove to let me take the book to see what could be done at this +late hour. All the other booths had begun their rehearsals. It was +fortunate for me that I had traveled much and seen so many odd +characters. As I read carefully I was convinced we could excel in this +very book. I went to the library and got a Dickens book illustrated by +Cruikshank. We called a meeting and found we needed thirty-two +persons. At this meeting I showed the possibilities of these seemingly +ugly characters. Parts were assigned and arrangements made for +rehearsals. + +The women of the general committee on booths were more than exultant +to think we were willing to take this rejected book. We were +determined to succeed. Our costumes were the art of perfection and we +were a motley crowd of characters from Sairy Gamp to Quilp, from the +Pecksniffs to Mark Tapley. Besides studying the proper characters we +were obliged to have a series of tableaux to represent the different +episodes in the lives of these people. Our book called for thirteen +tableaux: + + 1. The Chuzzlewit Family + 2. Martin Jr. arrives at the Pecksniffs + 3. Visiting Miss Pinch + 4. Todgers Boarding House + 5. Truth prevails and Virtue triumphs + 6. Jonas entertains his cousins + 7. Sairy Gamp (the nurse) + 8. Sairy Gamp's corpse + 9. There is nothing he don't know + 10. Miss Pinch's pudding + 11. Sairy Gamp proposes a toast + 12. Pecksniff rebuked by Martin, Senior + 13. The wedding scene + +Characters for the booth were as follows: + +Martin Chuzzlewit Sr. Walter H. Smith +Martin Chuzzlewit Jr. D.M. Van Vliet +Anthony Chuzzlewit Scott Elder +Jonas Chuzzlewit Geo. L. Underhill +George Chuzzlewit Percival J. Keeler +Strong minded woman Lucy A.M. Grove +Daughter No. 1 Miss Mary L. Brown +Daughter No. 2 Mrs. J. Byles +Daughter No. 3 Miss Lizzie Duncan +Mary Graham Mrs. Scott Elder +Pecksniff H.G. Sturtevant +Charity Pecksniff Mrs. M.B. Alverson +Mercy Pecksniff Alice Van Winkle +Mrs. Todgers Mrs. M.S. Williams +Deaf Cousin Mrs. C.C. Burr +Sairy Gamp Mrs. John Evans +Betsy Prigg Mrs. G.B. Holt +Mr. Spottletoe John Evans +Mrs. Spottletoe Mrs. William Hawley +Tom Pinch Miss Ruby Hawley +Mrs. Lupin Miss Addie McIntyre +Miss Pinch's pupil Miss Eva Reynolds +Mark Tapley Frank Harrold +Montague Tigg J.D. Brown +Chevy Slime S.T. Maguire +Jinkins C.W. Sturtavent +John Westlock A.F. Price +Chuffy Wm. A. Underhill +Bailey Geo. A. Mullen +Grand Nephew Wm. Romaine +Moadle Geo. L. Underhill +Mould Wm. A. Underhill + +We worked hard for days perfecting our parts. Our first rehearsal was +a forerunner of our complete success. The critics were present at the +dress rehearsal and this is what appeared in the Carnival column of +the San Francisco "Chronicle" next day. "H.G. Sturtevant, assisted by +Mrs. Lucy Grove and Mrs. Blake-Alverson, is conducting the scenes +from Martin Chuzzlewit. Their full dress rehearsal was held last night +at 203 Post street. Tigg and Mark Tapley, the youthful Bailey, Charity +with upturned nose, the sanctimonious Mercy and her Pecksniffian airs +were all made up to perfection. The demure Ruth buttered her +pudding-pan and talked to gentle Tom as a genuine Miss Pinch should. +Jonas played his ace of hearts to the entertainment alike of himself +and friends. Sairy Gamp and the stolid Betsy drank tea and quarreled +with equal industry. The list of thirteen acts and tableaux to be +presented in this booth will illustrate every important episode in the +history of the Chuzzlewits from the arrival of Martin Junior at +Pecksniff's cottage to the period of the latter gentleman's rebuke and +downfall. The series will close with Charity Pecksniff's wedding, Mrs. +Blake-Alverson as Charity." + +It would require too much space to present the criticisms of each +character of our booth as they appeared in the papers daily. It is +enough to say that after the carnival was over the committee of the +carnival in thanking us for our valuable services said that had there +been prizes given, the Pecksniffs should have received the first +prize. Each night as the procession started it began with our booth +and as we passed each booth they would join in the motley crowd of +characters until all the booths were in the procession. As we appeared +the people of the different booths would cry out, "Here they come, +here comes Charity Pecksniff," forgetting their own parts when they +saw the funny Pecksniffs leading off the procession. One evening a man +in the audience made a wager that he would make Charity Pecksniff +lower her elevated and scornful nose. As she passed he said: "There is +a twenty dollar gold piece at your feet, pick it up," but she refused +to betray her character and the ruse did not succeed. + +One of the features of the carnival was the procession of each booth +to the center of the immense stage where the spot-light was turned on. +It was a most admirable detail. It looked like a long caravan of the +past sweeping onward through the vivid light of the present. The +intense light revealed the endless variety and marvellous beauty of +the costumes. It was understood that the same pageant would be +repeated each night so the people came early to witness the procession +of this immense number of participants winding slowly along until they +reached the stage. When the Pecksniffs arrived on the stage a shout +rent the air each night and we were obliged to remain in the spot +light until the cheering had subsided. It was ten days of notoriety +wholly unexpected by the Pecksniffs. We were only carrying out our +idea of these characters and had become the chief attraction of the +motley procession. While some of the characters had individual +pictures of themselves taken, there should have been large groups +photographed as a permanent reminder of the carnival. It would take +volumes to describe the separate costumes of these well represented +characters. There was but one incident which marred the happiness of +the revelers in the booths, the death of Mr. Biddle Bishop, the Don +Antonio of the Cervantes booth, who was drowned in the Alameda baths. +By his affable manners and intelligence he had endeared himself to all +of his associates who felt as though they were themselves bereaved. +Out of respect to his sudden death the Cervantes booth was closed for +one night. He was also one of the young deacons of Calvary Church and +was a well beloved pupil of mine with a fine baritone voice which was +fast developing and he would have been classed among the singers of +his time. I know of no one more worthy to meet his Maker for he was an +exemplary young man, full of Christian love and charity toward all. +The funeral services were held in Calvary Church, Rev. John Hemphill, +the pastor, spoke eloquently of his late parishioner. The music was +rendered by a female trio club composed of Miss Susie Sroufe, soprano; +Miss Dolly Sroufe, second soprano; Mrs. Blake-Alverson, contralto, and +Professor Scott, organist. His body was sent to his home in +Philadelphia for burial. + +[Illustration: Charity Pecksniff in tableaux + +Charity Pecksniff +Mrs. Blake-Alverson + +Pecksniff +H.G. Sturtevant + +Henry Van Winkle +Cervantes Booth + +Mercy Pecksniff +Alice Van Winkle + +Dolly Sroufe +Italian Booth + +AUTHORS' CARNIVAL, SAN FRANCISCO, 1880] + +In looking over the list of those who took part in the Authors' +Carnival only five of the number who made up the Chuzzlewit booth are +living, to my knowledge. The Dickens books booths were larger than the +other books. The tableaux required room to give the proper effect. The +carnival opened Monday evening, September 20, 1880, at 8 p.m. The +programme follows: + + Grand March. Marshals, Messrs. Joe P. Redding, Lent Mix, + Capt. Chamberlain, Geo. H. Redding, Frank Horton, Mr. + Putman, Jas. W. Burling, R. Gilmour, Chas. H. Woods, Col. + Smedberg, W.E. Dean, C.E. Hinkley, Max Freeman. 2,000 + participants. During the march the Grand Military band under + the direction of Mr. Gustav Hinrichs played: + + 1. Marches aux Flambeaux, (a) in C major; (b) in E flat + major (Meyerbeer). + + 2. The Nation's Homage to the Muse of Music. (By the Musical + Composers booth.) + + 3. Overture--The Merry Wives of Windsor. + + 4. The Fan Brigade. Twenty-five young ladies. + + 5. Crowning of Corinne at the Capitol. (By the French + booth.) + + 6. Carnival Guard. + + 7. Selections from Fledermaus (Strauss). + + 8. Council of the Gods. (By the Homer booth.) + + 9. Finale. Overture from Le Cheval de Bronze. (Auber.) + + SECOND NIGHT, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 + + After the Grand March each night these tableaux were + performed and between them were selections of music suitable + for the tableaux at the different booths. Spanish booth, + Homer booth, the Egyptian booth. + + THIRD NIGHT, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 + + Mrs. Jarley's waxworks. Dickens' booth with twenty-eight wax + figures. Classic funeral, Lytton booth; Fan Brigade, + twenty-five young ladies. The Abbott Assolizes, Robert + Bruce. Walter Scott booth. + + FOURTH NIGHT, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 + + (a) Venus rising from the sea. + + (b) Council of the Gods, Homer booth. Egypt's gift to + America, Egyptian booth. Concepcion de Arguello. Banquet + scene. Bret Harte booth. + + FIFTH NIGHT, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 + + The second flight of La Valliere. The concert scene. The + French booth. + + SIXTH NIGHT, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 + + Home Sweet Home. Scenes from the Homer booth, French, + Egyptian, Walter Scott and the Lytton booths. + +It is a well-known fact that a crowded house always produces +enthusiasm among the actors. This proved to be true on the opening +night of this tremendous undertaking carried out for ten nights. The +executive committee left nothing undone to make the old pavilion +attractive. There were international gardens and archery and fan +brigades, restaurant and refreshment department, Italian art gallery +and gardens, loan collections, and camp of the carnival guard. The +grand stage and the carnival bridge with the Shakespeare booth were +the largest divisions on the main and upper floors. Among the booths +were the following: Dickens' booth, pictures from artists and poets' +booth, musical composers' booth, Shakespeare booth, Hawthorne booth, +Arabian Nights' booth, Lord Lytton booth, Bret Harte booth, Charles +Reade booth, Tintern Abbey booth, Jacob Grimm booth, French booth, +Cervantes' booth, Egyptian booth, bon bon booth, floral booth, +executive committee booth. + +The fine music of the carnival was under the direction of the +competent leadership of Mr. Gustav Hinrichs, who, with his splendid +military band, gave pleasure to thousands of spectators and +inspiration to the able participants, quickening their steps and +urging them on each night to even better work. The executive committee +spared no pains to make every part attractive to the public. Every +convenience of the spectators was promptly attended to. New +attractions were added from day to day, and rarely has there been an +entertainment given which offered so much genuine amusement for the +price of admission. The grand march was one of the most beautiful +spectacles ever seen. The rose-colored lights thrown on the French +booth, the blue on the Homer, the green on the Lytton produced a most +marvelous effect. On the grand stage four booths participated, the +members of each having the advantage of thoroughly rehearsing their +tableaux in their own booths before appearing. The result was a +splendid triumph for them all. "The Child's Dream of Fairyland," by +the Jacob Grimm booth, was a delicately conceived tableau. The quick +changing of the beautiful representation of "Peg Woffington," which +might properly be termed a pantomimic representation of a drama, was +efficiently executed, the characters all entering into the spirit, to +the delight of the interested spectators. The Alhambra booth, with its +wilderness of eastern magnificence, presented "The Lovers of +Abdallah." "The Minuet de la Coeur" was danced nightly by the French +booth. The Carnival Guard, with their bright dresses, was one of the +nightly attractions. The Egyptian and Arabian Nights' booth presented +a scene from the "Forty Thieves." The closing tableau by the Lord +Lytton booth was a grand success and represented scenes from Bulwer's +"Rienzi." The groupings and arrangement of the various scenes were +exceptionally fine and reflected great credit upon the managers. After +the grand spectacle on the main stage, the different tableaux were +enacted in the separate booths to which the immense crowds gathered. +The Dickens booth, one of the largest, because of the many characters, +was a great attraction. From the "Pecksniffs" to the "Old Curiosity +Shop," grotesque scenes were many. There was the one in which +grandfather and little Nell were the prominent figures, Nell trying to +comfort him in their poverty. Quilp enters and perches himself on a +high chair, leering at them. Quilp hops in at Mrs. Quilp's tea party, +she supposing herself free to entertain a few friends at the time. +Next in order was the meeting of Kit and Barbara; Kit's trial scene; +Sally Brass and the Marchioness discovered eavesdropping by Dick +Swiveller, and her punishment. Later the Marchioness and Dick at +card-playing, followed by Miss Montflather's seminary, and the whole +concluded with the panic of twenty-five young ladies. + +The Scottish clubs of the Caledonian booth regaled their listeners +with quaint dancing of reels and strathspeys. The Walter Scott booth, +with bagpipe accompaniment, was an acquisition to the various +representations. The rustic harbor in the Italian booth was complete +and a pleasant retreat. The music and tableaux in this booth were +worthy of the immense audience which crowded the space each night. The +Italian poets and authors were represented here and it was not at all +unusual for Dante, Michael Angelo, Petrarch and Boccaccio to hobnob +over a glass of lemonade with a sprightly fairy from the Jacob Grimm +booth or some other personage diametrically opposite in legend and +dress. The matinees during the week were prepared in many ways for the +amusement of the school children. One special tableau from the +Egyptian booth was the finding of Moses in the bulrushes. Moses was +played by a beautiful baby a few weeks old, and the young people were +ever ready to crowd the pavilion to behold this tableau. There were +many quaint curiosities exhibited in the Old Curiosity Shop, loaned by +the owners. It took much of my time to borrow and arrange the articles +that were from 100 to 200 years old and very rare heirlooms. My aim +was to make the shop as perfect a counterpart of the original as was +possible. The gladiatorial sports, enacted by the 100 picked men of +the Olympic club of San Francisco, was a nightly attraction which +brought out much cheering. + +During the carnival week the Dickens booth had several large groupings +and tableaux that created a storm of hilarity and amusement. Mrs. +Jarley and her famous waxworks, Mrs. Jarley, Mrs. Hodgkins herself, +was a sight that would move the latent risibilities of the most morose +Iago. It would be impossible for me to give the harangue of that queer +old lady, the unction, the comical postures would be lost on paper. +She was "sui generis" and must be seen to be appreciated. Her wax +figures were original and pertinent hits on the live issues of the +day. Dr. Tanner created much applause; the new charter 13-15-14 and a +dozen other topics kept the immense audience in a roar from beginning +to end of her harangue and only subsided at the drop of the curtain. +It would take too many chapters to tell of each actor and the nightly +performances. The managers of the booths were wide awake men and women +and the participants vied with each other, especially when their night +came to be prominently grouped on the main stage. Then it was that all +the artistic skill was brought out. + +There were distinguished visitors at the opening of this great +carnival. No less a person than President Hayes and wife and party +with General Sherman had prominent places in the private boxes. Mr. +Hallidie and Manager Locks escorted the general and his party to the +booth in the Tintern Abbey where they partook of refreshments. In the +company were Mr. Burchard Hayes, representatives of the New York +Herald and Bulletin, the California Democrat and the Carnival Record. +The women in the company were the Misses Hayes, Elliott, Raymond and +Miss Nellie Smedberry. They had the highest praise for the carnival. +Mrs. Hayes said that it was far better than anything she had ever seen +in the East; that it far eclipsed her anticipation and that it was +sweet to see so many men and women and children busying themselves for +charity's sake. At the Floral Temple the guests were presented with +floral offerings. They closed their visit with partaking of tea in the +International Tea garden presided over by Mrs. Dr. Wanzer and waited +upon by Mrs. Phoebe I. Davis in a becoming Welsh costume. Before +going, General Sherman sent an orderly to Camp Sherman, the +headquarters of the Carnival Guard, with his regards, and regrets that +the stay was so short. The dignitaries of the state and city were +prominent visitors during this season of merriment. Not an evening but +some prominent visitors attended. Mr. Joseph Redding and his fellow +workers, and Mr. Charles Crocker, the treasurer, had a busy time +handling the receipts. The first two nights and afternoons the +receipts were $20,820.20, and daily increasing. The undertaking was an +unbounded success from the start. I do not remember the full amount +but I know it came beyond the expectations of the management. Many +unfortunate men and women and children were made happy and comfortable +by the generosity of the people of San Francisco and other cities over +the land who visited us there and enjoyed the grand spectacle and +praised the ability of our people to inaugurate and successfully carry +out such a laudable enterprise. + +[Illustration: + +Etelka Gerster +Mme. Bowers +Julie Rive-King + +ASSOCIATED FRIENDS OF MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON] + + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN + +VACATION EPISODES AT DEER PARK, JULY 4, 1893 + + +Beginning with June, 1893, I spent a three months' vacation at Deer +Park Inn, six miles from Lake Tahoe, a lovely spot between high +mountains owned by Mr. Scott. At that time he wanted an entertainer +for his guests. I needed a rest from my church and teaching duties and +a change to the high mountain air from the coast fogs and winds. I +spent June visiting the people whose addresses were sent me by Mr. +Scott and in a short time I had about thirty-five of Oakland's +prominent people as my guests during my stay at the springs. On a +beautiful June afternoon the coach stopped before the inn after a most +delightful ride in an open coach. Shortly after our arrival the night +shut off the sight of the beautiful scene. After dinner an hour or two +was spent with my new-found host and hostess. After a refreshing sleep +I arose early and standing on the wide veranda I had an opportunity to +see for the first time the magnificent spectacle before me. I thought +truly "the groves were God's first temples" as I beheld the high +mountains, covered with pines and chaparral, the sparkling waterfalls +dashing down the mountain side; the cottages here and there on the +level parts of the rocky steeps; the long building for the dining +hall; the laundry building, and below the dam, the row of white +buildings and corrals for the cows and horses connected with the dairy +conducted by Mr. Scott. + +I was quartered in a section of the hotel which contained sixteen +rooms, a reception parlor and an office. All those who came were +received by me and their names registered and places assigned them in +the hotel, the cottages or tents, as they desired. In the evening I +was expected to have entertainment of some kind for the guests who +assembled in the parlors after dinner. I was rather put to my wits' +end to see how I was to please all these people with nothing at hand +to aid me. It was a new departure as well as a problem. By the +evening coach I sent a letter to Kohler & Chase with this message, +"Send me a Fisher right away C.O.D." Now with the piano assured and +with the aid of the guests who were to arrive we should not fail for +music at least. A log cabin on the side of the hill, complete except +for the roof, was large enough to accommodate a hundred or more +guests. On one end was a high fireplace and mantel, there were old +fashioned chairs and rockers, tables were placed there for the card +players, settees along the sides, and across the corner between two +windows was a place for the piano. After I was informed that I was to +have charge of this place of amusement I soon had willing hands to aid +me and by the time the guests began to arrive all was in readiness. I +had brought along some of my Old Folks concert costumes and books and +other things to help me out. Among the first arrivals was Mrs. Wasley +of Oakland. I had known her before I enlisted her services as pianist. +She could also sing so she was doubly useful. + +It was decided that on the Fourth of July there should be a dedication +of the log cabin and a patriotic programme. I was most fortunate in +having as guests Mr. W.S. Goodfellow's family and their guest, Mrs. +Amsden. A more fortunate addition could not have been desired. After +my friends had rested from the journey I unfolded my plan and their +assistance was readily given. We had also as guests Col. Sumner and +wife, Bvt. Col. Parnell and family, Mr. Geo. Metcalf and two sons, Mr. +Johnson from Sacramento, son of Grove L. Johnson, and members from a +number of San Francisco's prominent families. On Saturday night there +were many notables from Sacramento, educators and others. I was in the +highest state of enthusiasm for my Fourth of July oration was to come +from Col. Parnell, the only survivor of the battle of Balaklava. Col. +Sumner was master of ceremonies. A prominent teacher from San +Francisco drilled all the children of the guests. Not one was omitted +who could add an acceptable number to our already excellent program. +Even our estimable housekeeper, Sarah Markwart, proved herself quite a +poet, besides surprising the great number of guests and strangers with +a delicious repast of cake and cream after the exercises were over. +The dining hall was decorated with evergreens, flags and wild flowers. +On each table was a delicious cake, graced with the American flag, and +patriotic emblems were upon the napkins. With all her labor she found +time to contribute her offering and wrote Lines upon the Racket, as +she called it, and when the guests were all seated the verses were +read by one of the teachers: + + "LINES UPON THE RACKET" + + High up in the snow-capped Sierras, + Not far from Tahoe's beautiful sheet, + Nestling amid the firs and pines, + Is a beautiful summer retreat. + + There is where tired mortals go + To rest their brains and weary bones, + Forgetting about the busy world, + Contented to be perfect drones. + + Enjoying the beautiful sunshiny days, + And breathing the purest of mountain air; + For the time caring for naught + And saying with the poet, Begone, dull care. + + But as mortals cannot live on sunshine and air, + In that beautiful canon near the foaming stream, + Stands the famous Deer Park Inn, + Midst forest trees forever green. + + There the most epicurean can find + Food the envy of a king; + Nowhere such trout in all the world + And cooked as nice as anything. + + Dear host and hostess, may they live long; + Health and happiness may they never lack; + And when they retire from their rural home, + May they carry with them a well-filled "sack." + + For none so watchful could be on earth, + To please and satisfy each guest, + As they have proved to be to all; + Their fame will extend from East to West. + + There's another one must not be forgotten, + The life of the camp, full of laughter and song; + Kind words and smiles for every one, + Happy may be her life and long, + For Mrs. Blake-Alverson and her song. + + The dear Log Cabin on the hill, + With its huge fireplace and cheery fire, + Where met each eve both old and young, + Mother and daughter, son and sire, + + To hear the piano's tuneful notes + And raise their voices loud in song; + To "trip the light fantastic toe" + And strive the pleasures to prolong. + + Where could you find such beautiful girls, + Such as the poet always sings, + Gentle and kind, courteous and mild, + We pronounce them angels, all but the wings. + + We regretfully leave such glorious scenes; + But as all things must come to an end, + We part for the time with reminiscences sweet, + Resolving here next summer to spend. + + When at last we all arrive at St. Peter's Gate + In the Sweet bye and bye, + And when he calls the heavenly roll + May he not pass us by. + +These lines caused much merriment and were heartily applauded. I wish +to pay tribute here to a most noble woman who, left with three sons, +was happily doing her best. She was a fine cook and housekeeper in her +own home and each summer for three months she came to cook at the inn. +I never ate finer meals. There were Tahoe trout every day that would +fill an epicure's heart with delight, and venison, hot rolls, muffins +and waffles, cake, puddings and creams all splendidly prepared. We all +knew with what art Sarah prepared the food, but we were not prepared +to get in our menu, Lines on the Racket, which made a great hit. + +The services began at two o'clock and consisted of opening remarks of +welcome by Col. Sumner, piano number of patriotic airs by Mrs. Amsden, +America by the guests assembled, patriotic exercises by the children +of the guests drilled by one of the teachers, and the oration by Col. +Parnell, which was in part as follows: + +"Men whose lives are spent in the military or naval service of their +country are not, as a rule, accustomed to public speaking. It is +actions, not words that are demanded of them, those actions, properly +conducted and carried out being the safety and security of the nation. + +"When I perceive that many of those assembled here to do honor to the +day we celebrate (away up in this quiet and delightful mountain +retreat--the Switzerland of America, free from the noise, turmoil and +fog of the city) are prominent educators of the nation's children, I +find my embarrassment increased lest a misapplied word, or misplaced +verb might cause my everlasting disgrace; for above all people whom I +honor and whose respect and esteem I appreciate, it is those devoted +men and women who give their time and their talents to the education +of the young; and to whose care, fathers and mothers, in unstinted +confidence, are willing to entrust their loved ones in preparing them +for the battle of life. + +[Illustration: (The fireplace and the cabin are from paintings in oil +by Mrs. Blake-Alverson) + +Col. Richard Parnell +In 1893 the Only Survivor of the Battle of Balaklava + +DEER PARK CABIN, LAKE TAHOE + +Dedicated July 4, 1893] + +"When our republic was formed, the wisdom of its founders manifested +itself in many ways. One in particular strikes us very forcibly in +contrast with our sister republics in Europe and even on this +continent. We have no legacy of royalty, no legacy of hereditary or +titled aristocracy that forever menace, and threaten the peace and +stability of other republics; the highest office in the gift of the +people becomes the servant of the people, hence we have the stability +of a government founded by the people, of the people, and for the +people, and although some thirty odd years ago the aristocracy of +Europe tried hard to destroy our republic, we are today stronger than +ever, a united country of sixty-five millions of people, whose +stalwart yeomen from Maine to Oregon and from the Lakes to the Gulf, +are ready and willing to take the field at a moment's warning, against +any foreign enemy whose temerity might prompt them to attack Old +Glory. + +"I speak advisedly when I say this for the war of the rebellion was +not confined, strictly speaking, to the people of the north and the +people of the south alone; the people of the north were fighting, not +only to maintain the unity and integrity of the United States, but, +much like the war of the revolution, they had to contend against +foreign foes in the moral and substantial aid given by France and +England to the south in its strenuous efforts to disrupt the unity of +the country founded by our forefathers, they (of the north) were +contending against the intrigue of the emperor of the French, whose +hostile armies had invaded the soil of our sister republic south of +the Rio Grande, for the purpose of establishing a monarchy in that +country, and blighting it with the titled and depraved aristocracy of +the French empire, as it then existed. + +"We have ample proof to warrant the statement, that had the south been +successful in establishing a separate form of government, it was the +purpose of the French emperor to seize Louisiana, Texas and New +Mexico, and together with the aristocracy of England, to destroy the +so-called Southern Confederacy and thus, at one swoop, wipe out a +nation they were ostensibly trying to establish; for under the +contingent conditions mentioned, England's policy was to seize +Virginia, the Carolinas and other southern states bordering on the +Atlantic. To the everlasting credit of the masses of the English and +the French people be it said, that they had not part in, or sympathy +with, the efforts of the few political demagogues of the nations +mentioned in their efforts to aid in the destruction of this beautiful +country of ours, the most free and independent on the face of the +globe. + +"My friends, from the very earliest period of American history the log +cabin has been the cradle of our greatest men. Lincoln, Grant and a +host of others began life in a log cabin. Our churches and our school +houses, the bulwarks of our nation's strength and greatness, began to +shoot out their branches of education from the 'little old log cabin.' +The magnitude of this great country is like the rough gem in the hands +of the lapidary. He takes no credit for its possession, but he does +take credit for what skill he may exercise in making it beautiful and +more valuable. So with the American people, it is left to them to so +exercise their skill, mentally and physically, in improving and +beautifying the gem that has so generously been bestowed upon them by +the Great Creator, that its lustre and brilliancy may shed its light +of freedom and intelligence over every quarter of the globe. + +"Out here in California the pioneers work has only commenced, thanks +to the patient, enduring, uncomplaining and vigorous work of our +little army, the way has been cleared of the relentless foe of the +white man, barbarism lies buried beneath the blood-stained graves of +many a brave heart that wore the honored blue of Uncle Sam's (pioneer) +soldiers, then follows the sturdy citizen pioneer, as exemplified here +today, where our worthy host and hostess have so successfully improved +and beautified this rough gem of the Sierras following out the +traditions of the American nation, by the erection of that particular +mark of American thrift and enterprise, this little log cabin that +crowns the 'Acropolis' and in which today we joyfully celebrate the +nativity of our republic." + +The oration was followed with Vive l'America, sung by the writer, +accompanied by Mrs. W.S. Goodfellow. Dedication of the cabin followed. +The whole performance closed with the Star Spangled Banner sung by the +writer, the guests all joining in the chorus. After the ceremony we +adjourned to the dining hall. By the time the banquet was over night +was approaching and shortly after the evening exercises began. The +young men had cut down a pine tree and split the logs. The boys and +girls had gathered sacks of pine cones, stacking these pine sticks +over the cones, and it looked as though we were making a defense. All +the guests were assembled on the porches of their cabins and at the +log cabin and as soon as darkness came these cones were lighted and +fire crackers, pin wheels, rockets and red light flashed forth, a +never-to-be-forgotten sight of lights and shadows. The tall pines rose +in the background like dark sentinels guarding the happy spirits in +their nightly revels. It was after ten o'clock when the last shower of +rockets went up and lighted the heavens with the beautiful gold and +silver showers, a befitting close for such an eventful day of +enjoyment. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN + +IN OAKLAND. SAD ACCIDENT. BRUSH AND EASEL. KIND FRIENDS. + + +In the first part of May my son, William, moved from Alameda to +Oakland and I left the Thirteenth street home and joined his family at +324 Tenth street, in one of the Tutt flats. We had hardly got settled +when in September my son was stricken with typhoid fever. He was taken +to the sanitarium. I was obliged to move to 212 Eleventh street and +begin anew my music and art. I remained there two years and over. I +then moved to 116 Eleventh street where I found an ideal studio in the +Abbott residence. There I remained until the earthquake, after which I +moved to my present abode. This was on October 1, 1907. From 1903 I +continued my voice teaching and have been successfully teaching in +Oakland since. Since my affliction I have sung on several special +occasions, twice on July Fourth and also for the G.A.R. I will sing +for them as long as I can sing acceptably, and as long as I am able to +sing they will have me. We have grown old together and I suppose no +Daughter of the Regiment has ever been so loyally loved as I have been +all these years. No joyful occasion is complete until I have been +bidden. I have been invited to the Memorial Day exercises, +installations, banquets, socials and yearly gatherings. I began when +they marched away in 1861 and our concerts were many to supply the +things they needed, when disaster overtook them, when they returned +wounded. We visited the hospitals, buried the dead and brought comfort +to the widow and orphan. My duty and loyalty is not finished until I +have done what I can for every brave comrade that shouldered the gun +and marched in the ranks of the army of the U.S.A. + +In 1902 I greeted the new year sitting in an invalid's chair. On +September 1 of the preceding year I sustained a compound fracture of +the hip and thigh bone through the inattention of a conductor on a San +Pablo avenue car, who started the car before I had time to get off. +For four months I passed through the different phases of such an +accident. My attending physician, Dr. J.M. Shannon, and my faithful +nurses at last brought me to a point where I was enabled to begin life +again. Only those who go through such an experience are able to +understand what it means to lose the use of any part of the body and +be disabled after many years of perfect health. To be deprived of my +ability to walk and the use of my body as of old, words are not +adequate to describe the dreadful change, knowing that in all the +coming years of my life I would have this burden. The stoutest heart +could not but feel the weight of such an affliction. Had it not been +for my hopeful disposition, my pluck and energy to overcome obstacles, +combined with clear reasoning, life would have looked drear enough. +With it all I had much to be grateful for. Such an outpouring of +Christ-like humanity! I, the recipient of all this unexpected and +spontaneous expression of benevolence from friends and strangers +alike. I never knew before the part I had taken in the community. +Having lived and sung for over sixty years I found I had made friends +unnumbered. Friends and people whom I never knew called or wrote their +heartfelt sorrow for my affliction and hoped my injuries were not as +serious as reported. The ladies of the Ebell and other clubs and +societies made daily inquiries after my condition and sent many tokens +of kindness to me during all those weary weeks of pain and +uncertainty. + +I was deeply affected one morning of the first week of my accident. My +nurse was summoned to the door by the ringing of the bell and on +opening the door before her stood five of Oakland's first citizens and +one of them inquired, "How is the afflicted singer this morning?" +Whereupon the nurse assured them that I was doing very well. They +received the news with evident delight. When they turned to leave she +asked, "Whom shall I say called?" "Oh, just say her friends who pass +in the morning." Who would not justly feel grateful for such deep +respect and appreciation from neighbors and strangers? In sweeping my +doorsteps and sidewalk and attending to the lawn and flower beds +before my studio to make the home look bright and cheerful I often saw +gentlemen pass early in the morning going to the city. But I never +dreamed that while I was getting things in order for the day, arising +early so as to escape notice at my rough work, that I had any part in +their attention as they were men of business. But it is evident that +they saw who the spirit was among the blossoms although I never +dreamed that I was observed. Following that first morning these five +gentlemen called often to inquire into my condition. + +It had been my habit to keep a diary of facts and engagements since +the year 1870 and later on when I began teaching vocal music and +filling engagements I was obliged to keep a strict account of my +transactions so as to be upright and strict in my dealings with the +community. Since undertaking the work of writing my memoirs I find I +have more than enough for three good sized volumes of interesting +history and life-experiences that come to those who are forced by +circumstances unlooked for to pass through such a checkered career as +mine. If it were possible to tell it all, perhaps it might be an +incentive for other women left alone as I was, to do likewise. It +might be a stepping stone for a greater effort in life and receive the +plaudits of "Well done!" from those who have felt your influence and +respected a noble and self-sustaining woman. What more could anyone +ask? This great outpouring of tender solicitude, sympathy and charity +toward me in my great calamity, shall always be an oasis in the wide +desert of life that will make me return in my memory as long as life +shall last, and rest and be refreshed, feeling it was God's way to +find the bread that had been cast upon the waters through the years of +my active life in every city where I have ever lived. To all who were +thus kind I have built a lasting monument of gratitude that will not +crumble in the years yet remaining in my life. I feel I must make some +acknowledgment to all for these acts of kindness toward me in my +distress, which was so unnecessarily brought upon me, I am sorry to +say, by careless inattention of an unknown conductor. + +This accident closed the usefulness of an energetic life. For sixty +years I had been active in many lines of endeavor such as drawing, +writing, painting, sewing and singing. The whole year of 1902 I was +convalescing and trying to regain my strength and learning to walk. It +was slow work. The expenses were going on and I could not be without a +nurse. I was unable to teach the pupils that I had before the +accident. In my planning I decided to paint and etch on linen. "I can +make pretty cards of all kinds, why not do something like this, try at +any rate. It will help me pass the time and I'll be happy in doing +this." So my dear nurse listened to my plan and we got everything in +readiness for business. There was never a day without some callers. I +hunted my art books for all kinds of favors, birthday favors, +engagement cards, club cards for whist, etc., and in a short time I +had a fine collection to suit the most fastidious society dame. The +first one who got a glimpse of the pretty things was the dear Mrs. +Robert Watt, a lifelong friend who had been unceasing in her kindness +from the first day of the accident. When she beheld all that I had +accomplished she was amazed at my ability and the pluck shown by my +making these dainty articles with pen and brush while sitting in bed. +She immediately made her selections to the amount of twelve dollars' +worth and ordered as much more. It was soon noised about and I had no +lack for orders. Mrs. W.S. Goodfellow, Mrs. William Angus, Mrs. John +Valentine and the prominent ladies of the Church of the Advent, pupils +and their parents came and ordered various cards and linen etchings. +The Woman's Exchange sent me word to place articles on sale there +which they would dispose of for me. For this kind act I am indebted to +Miss Helen Weidersheim and her sister, Mrs. Gruenhagen, who had +informed the ladies of the Exchange of the dainty work I had done. By +these acts of kindness I was enabled to keep my nurse and obtain the +necessary comforts of the sick room. Miss Pauline Peterson, Mrs. Henry +Wetherbee, Mr. and Mrs. James Melvin, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Goodfellow, +Mrs. Derby and family, Mrs. Charles Farnham, Mrs. C. Webb Howard, Mrs. +Charles Lloyd, Mrs. Charles Kellogg and family, Mrs. Folger, Mrs. +Mauvais, Mr. John Britton, Thomas Magee, Miss Elizabeth English, +Calvary Church friends, C.O.G. Millar, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cushing were +friends indeed. It seems they had me upon their minds constantly. If I +had been a relative more affectionate attention could not have been +bestowed. Besides these good friends there were others who came to +cheer me and from whom I received many offices of kindness that were +touching and fully appreciated. No one came to see me from the first +day whose names were not recorded and kept sacred by me until now. It +were not possible to write all the names. I have not the space allowed +by the printer for I have many important facts still to tell. + +From September 1, 1901, to December 31, 1901, I received 1,666 calls +from friends and strangers alike, young and old, and not one came +empty handed. My rooms were redolent with the odor of floral tributes +that were constantly supplied by some kind friend or stranger. I +cannot pass over an episode that occurred March 29, 1902. I had passed +a restless day and about four o'clock in the afternoon Mrs. James +Melvin came in and brought an offering of fruit from her father's +ranch. During our conversation she thought I looked tired and I told +her I was. I tried to sit up and I could not find a chair that suited, +although I had several sent from the stores. I saw she was distressed +about it but said nothing more and went home. About nine o'clock of +the same evening the bell rang. I had already retired. Soon I heard +voices and in a few moments Mr. and Mrs. Melvin stood before me, +smiling, and between them was a fine bamboo chair. After Mr. Melvin +came home from the city and while they were at dinner, Mrs. Melvin had +told him of my trouble in obtaining the proper chair. They lived on +Grove and Nineteenth streets and I on Thirteenth street between +Webster and Harrison streets. It was too late to have the chair sent +and these two kind-hearted people carried it all that distance to my +studio, and there it was for me to use. It was not possible for me to +hold back my tears at such a token of sympathy and affection. I'll +never forget how dear they looked, like two happy children bringing a +favorite toy to the sick child in the fairy stories we all know and +teach to our children. After I could compose myself I begged the nurse +to let me get up and try the new chair and when I was ready the +whole-souled James lifted me and placed me in the chair. Oh, what a +comfort at last! I could sit up without weariness and I was loath to +go once more to my couch. I begged just for one hour more and I +promised I'd sing for them. They looked astonished, not thinking I +could sing. I said, "listen" and sang three verses of Annie Laurie. +When I got through there was not a sound. They were sitting there like +statues and with tears in their eyes. I saw the situation and let out +a merry laugh, saying, "Was it then so bad you had to cry?" They said +the singing was so far away it was not like an earthly voice. Knowing +what I had suffered and was still suffering it struck them as simply +miraculous that my voice was so pure and clear and they were stilled +and strangely affected. It did not seem real to have me sing like +that. So the evening ended and we were all made happy by doing what we +could in return for one another's kindness. Mrs. Melvin was a good +friend and a generous woman and I mourn with her family at her sudden +taking away which came as a shock to all who loved her. + +[Illustration: + +In 1852 +In 1874 +In 1864 +In 1905 +In 1880 + +MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON] + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN + +PARTY AT DR. J.M. SHANNON'S HOME IN 1907 + + +Since my accident I have not been able to go much in the outer world +because of my inability to walk or ride in the street cars. But I +spent an evening in the year 1907 that I think will be worth the +telling. + +Persons who think and study a great deal need an occasional respite +from the drive of daily labor. So thought fourteen of our Oakland +doctors who agreed to meet once a month, talk over important cases, +read short papers on special topics and enjoy a social time at the +banquet table. Dr. J.M. Shannon, my family physician, was included in +the membership, and it was his turn to entertain the guests at his +home in East Oakland. During my convalescence I had promised to do him +a favor any time for his great kindness to me in my long sickness, and +my appreciation of his skillful art in my case which made it possible +for me to walk, even if on crutches. While I was living on Eleventh +street, Dr. Shannon came in one morning to ask for the favor. He +unfolded his plan, giving me a list of the members of the club and, +because I was so handy with my pen and brush, wanted fourteen place +cards for his banquet which was to take place in two weeks at his +home. His idea was to have something different. The cards were to +represent the different specialties of the physicians, and I was +somewhat bewildered with the subjects he gave me. It was a new +departure in art for me. + +I realized I had to put my best efforts to the test to make a complete +success out of a knotty problem. I spent a week in perfecting my +sketches. After completing the cards, I called up Dr. Shannon to come +and see if all was to his satisfaction. I placed the cards before him +on the desk and awaited his approval. It was some minutes before he +spoke. He looked up and said quietly, "I guess I'll have these doctors +surprised this time," and he enjoyed the anticipation of the fun +highly. + +"Now you have done this O.K.," he said. "I still have another favor to +ask. I want some music and I want you to sing. I will also have some +instrumental music so you will not get too tired, for I want music +every fifteen minutes between the courses during the dinner. The +guests are not to know who the singer is, and I will see that you get +there after they have passed into the dining room." + +"All right," I said, "the music will also be provided, so you can +rest assured that my part of the programme will be carried out to your +liking and the pleasure of your guests." + +I selected familiar ballads that most men like to hear if they like +music at all, and my accompanist, Miss Juliet Maul, prepared the +instrumental part, and as she was also a good second soprano, we +prepared two duets that always please, and we had a programme worthy +of our host. When we arrived at the appointed hour the dinner was; +going on and, as we were given the signal, Miss Maul began playing a +bright, pleasing, instrumental number, which was such a surprise and +also complete departure from the usual arrangement that all +conversation ceased until after the number had been given, and then +great applause came from the dining room. At the stated time Miss Maul +and I sang, Oh, That We Two Were Maying, which was highly appreciated. +It was not until I had sung my song, Because I Love You Dear, that +they began to wonder who the young lady singer was. Doctor smiled and +assured them that they would find out later. He started them to +guessing, and he was highly pleased at his joke. After the first +number had been played the folding door which had been closed was +quietly slid back by a unanimous request. Evidently the music was a +genuine surprise and a happy addition to the excellent menu they were +enjoying. After having successfully given nine numbers, the dinner +came to an end the curiosity had become intense--they wanted to greet +the singer, so they started up the song, She's a Jolly Good Fellow, +and I joined in the chorus when they had finished. I did not appear. +In a few minutes they began, So Say We All of Us, to the tune of +America. That was too much for my patriotic nature, so I began and +sang alto until I had reached the dining hall and appeared in the +doorway with crutch and came before the august presence of our +doctors. In one moment they arose with glasses in hand, and one of the +older members proposed a toast to Oakland's sweetest singer, Mrs. +Blake-Alverson. After I had acknowledged their compliment by my bowed +head, one of the doctors handed me a glass, and I responded. I said, +"We will now drink to our doctors of Oakland." After they were seated, +one of the oldest of the doctors asked me how I accounted for the fact +that I retained at the age of seventy-one the voice of a woman of +twenty-five. After my satisfactory answers to a number of important +questions, they informed me that I had done this evening for their +entertainment and great pleasure an act that had never been known in +medical history before. Those present voiced the remarks with hearty +appreciation and continued applause. + +The third surprise of the evening took place after the doctors had +left the table and adjourned to the large hall and drawing room. When +they had all assembled, the lights were turned on and before them +stood in a row like statues their wives, ready to be received, with a +smile on their faces, the only visible indication of life in them. +They reminded me of Mrs. Jarley's wax figures, standing in a perfect +line while the demonstrator illustrates their beauty and natural +abilities as "first-class wax figgers." It was too bad the camera +missed the expression on the faces of those fourteen men, dressed in +full evening attire, and staring at the faces of their wives, it +seemed to me, for ten minutes or more. At last one of them broke the +spell by quickly stepping over to his wife and calling her by name. He +kissed her and said, "I am delighted to see you." The others followed +suit. The next half hour was spent in telling how they managed to keep +the secret, and to so arrange matters that in the future the ladies +would be included in the select gatherings of the medicos. The next +hour was spent in listening to some clever speeches and interesting +papers, which were very amusing and teemed with jokes and sharp hits +of sarcasm. At the close of the reading I was once more called upon to +repeat some of the songs that I had sung for them. We all gathered in +a spacious music room where for an hour I sang for them their favorite +selections, closing with "Home, Sweet Home," in which all who could +joined in the chorus. Thus ended one of the most delightful evenings +spent in the hospitable home of Dr. and Mrs. Shannon. + +The members of the club who were present were: Drs. E.M. Keys, A.H. +Pratt, M. Lewis Emerson, A. Liliencrantz, J.M. Shannon, Samuel H. +Buteau, J.W. Robertson, E.J. Boyes, O.D. Hamlin, Francis Musser, +Herbert N. Rowell, Guy Liliencrantz, I. Frank Lilly and Chas. A. +Dukes. + +It was in the small hours of the morning before the last auto wound +its way down the spacious drive towards Oakland. + +[Illustration: + +Mrs. Margaret C. Pierce +Mrs. Sarah Watkins-Little +Mrs. Marriner-Campbell +Mrs. Blake-Alverson +Mrs. Helen Wetherbee + +A GROUP OF FRIENDS, DISTINGUISHED SINGERS IN THE 70's AND 80's] + + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN + +LEE TUNG FOO + + +My experience in developing and placing the human voice extends from +1882 to 1912, thirty years. During that time I have had a wide and +varied experience with men and women and girls and boys of all ages. +The perfecting of the art of tone production in each individual case +varies with each student. No two persons can be taught the general +principles of the art only. The individual must be studied and the +voice analyzed as a doctor diagnoses a special case. Every nation has +also its peculiar way of using the voice in singing folk or national +songs. As we have in the bay cities a cosmopolitan population, it has +been my opportunity to study the different nationalities that have +applied to me for private instruction. The Italian and Spanish are the +most susceptible students. They live in the realm of music from +childhood. It is a part of their existence; they seem to have a +natural interpretation of songs and singing. After the first placement +of the voice I have had only to lead and give them the picture of the +work before them and my task was a pleasant hour spent in portraying +the poetical application of sentiment to their own individual +understanding. The English, Scotch and Welsh voices are known for +their fine tone production, unusually strong voices, clear, high and +sympathetic, especially the Welsh female voice. They sing high, most +of them, and clear as the meadow lark. The Germans sing with +enthusiastic spirit and most of them with Wagnerian effect, hearty and +robust in their chorus singing, a loud tone quality is their aim. It +is the teacher's art to bring out and to modify all these extreme +faults and change all these varied ideas and different accents of +speech into a harmonious blending and acceptable whole. + +I have been obliged to reject many applicants for varied reasons. I +have always felt sorry for those with good voices and without means or +without encouragement at home. Many a fine natural voice has been lost +to the musical world by being ridiculed by the very ones who should +have given a helping hand. Had these parents known what music has done +for the world and for individual beings they would have realized the +advisability of giving their children a musical education. I have +found the French pupils the most difficult to control in regard to the +nasal quality of tone production. They use the nasal cavities +universally in their speech and I never was quite satisfied in my mind +about the tone quality. Being of the Bel Canto school, aiming for pure +melody and the best tone to be produced by the human voice, I was +never satisfied with the result and yet I have heard French artists +who were splendid singers. But the tone was always too high in +placement for my full appreciation. The American voices were +satisfactory almost without exception. Instability was the great +fault; they have not enough earnest concentration in their work and +soon discontinue or change to other teachers and many of them who +started out with a full determination to be singers have done nothing +for themselves. Several of my pupils were negroes and while I found +rare voices among them they were never in a financial position to do +much for themselves. One of these had a rich contralto voice of the +finest touch and was a fine pianist. Another had a still more +beautiful voice but, unfortunately, her husband was not musical and +she sang little after her marriage. This is a real tragedy. + +I have often wondered why are we given these gifts and yet denied the +opportunity to develop them. I find the rarest voices among the poor +and middle classes. In relating to me many of the episodes of his +travels around the world, my son told me of the children, eight, nine +and ten years old, of Italy playing on the street corners the arias of +the operas on their violins with skillful and artistic fervor to the +astonishment of the travelers who visit their ports. It is a natural +gift, music is their life. There are few places in the civilized world +that have not produced singers of repute. Yet we have two nations that +we never expect to hear from in this respect, for it is a known fact +that the Japanese and Chinese are wholly unmusical. Five discordant +tones compose their scale, unmusical and untrue chords, or, one might +say, discord. + +Knowing this, imagine my surprise when in January 1897, I received a +call from several women of the Chinese mission. With Miss Mabel Hussy +I had assisted in giving the Chinese pupils of the Presbyterian +mission Sunday school an entertainment on New Year's eve. I sang them +a Christmas story of Robin's return, descriptive of the coming home of +the sailor boy, with the picture of an open fireplace, the singing of +the children's carols, the wreaths of holly, the grandmother at the +spinning wheel, the mother tearfully placing the evergreens on the +wall and pictures, thinking all the while of her boy. At last the +Christmas bells chimed the midnight hour to be followed with the +raising of the latch and the happy return of the long expected son +with the snow upon his hair. All this was listened to with rapt +surprise as I carefully articulated the words so nothing of the story +be lost. I accurately scanned the faces as I sang and I saw I had +opened a new world to them. At the close of the number I was roundly +applauded by these 50 old and young Chinese students, who, well +groomed and in their best suits, sat prim and proper. I little thought +that among my auditors was a young man, about seventeen years of age, +the servant of Mrs. Zeno Mauvais, intently listening and satisfying +his long cherished desire to become a singer. This boy was the first +Chinese born in Watsonville, Cal. When he was small his parents +removed to several smaller towns near by but, not liking any of them, +they eventually settled in Ripon and started a Chinese laundry. Lee +Tung Foo, or Frank Lee, as he was called, went to the Mission Sunday +school and with the rest of the pupils learned to sing some of the +Gospel hymns in his way. He wanted to go to day school but his father +would not consent and placed him in one of the hotel kitchens to wash +dishes. This did not suit the young man and after a short time he ran +away to secure an education. He managed to get to Fresno where he +became cook and servant in the family of Prof. S.B. Morse. He was so +well liked that he was assisted in his desire for an education and +through the kindness of the daughter of the house began piano lessons. + +After some years he went to Oakland and was employed by Mrs. Mauvais. +Having learned all of his notes he was able to read the Gospel hymns +and play them on the piano. Because he was continually at the reed +organ in the mission the other boys made fun of him and called him +Crazy Frank. After having heard me sing it occurred to him that I was +the very person to teach him and he importuned Mrs. Mauvais to find me +and she and her friends came to ask me to teach this boy the art of +singing. I only laughed at them as I was not particularly fond of the +Chinese and never employed them in any way. I refused three times, +explaining that it was useless to undertake such a task. I expected +nothing more to come of it, but in a week I was asked once more and +was told the boy was broken-hearted with disappointment so I +unwillingly consented. I was obliged to teach him after his work was +done and some times he came as late as nine o'clock, tired and unfit +to sing, but nothing daunted, he was there. + +At last I believed that I might be able to achieve something in the +development of the Chinese that would be altogether new in the musical +line. Because I have succeeded with "the impossibility" (as he put it) +I have placed the teaching of this Chinese as one of my greatest +achievements in the art of vocal culture. He had the most indomitable +will and determination to succeed, and he was the most faithful and +conscientious and upright pupil I ever taught. It would require many +pages to tell of the difficulties in his pathway. His people were +enraged at me for leading their son away to be like all the "white +devils" of America. I had to hide him for a year. He was the oldest +son of the family and was obliged to marry before any of the other +members could marry and he appealed to me to help him. Mr. Waterman of +the Berkeley high school allowed him to come there and the Misses +Shaw, teachers, took him into their home where he did their work and +went to school. When the year was over the way was once more clear for +him to take up his music. He had not lost anything as he had joined a +church choir and sang bass. When the school closed he was given a fine +recommendation as a model pupil and all the teachers parted with him +reluctantly. + +[Illustration: LEE TUNG FOO + +Pupil in the 90's] + +After I changed my studio to Thirteenth street he worked for the +family of Mr. H. Stedman of Alameda, manager of the Zeno Mauvais music +store and went to school in Alameda. Later he worked for the Southern +Pacific Company at Wright's station. This made another break in his +progress for over a year. He began in earnest when he returned in 1903 +and he steadily forged ahead. While he was away he studied and +pondered over all the former instructions and with the aid of a pitch +pipe he soon was busy at his songs and exercises. He returned in 1904 +ill, discouraged to the breaking point. After my accident I was much +exercised as to the outcome of all these years of preparation. He +was ready to start out as a singer but his heart failed him at last +and he became disconsolate. He could not work and had no money. I saw +the situation was desperate and took things into my own hands. As a +favor Mr. Carlton of the Empire Theater, Oakland, called and heard him +sing October 24, 1904. He doubted his being a Chinese. I assured him +he was. "Well, certainly he shows his training," was the reply. He was +immediately engaged. He had a list of seventy-five songs, sacred and +secular, of which he could be proud, and he sang them in English, +German and Latin. For three months we had the excellent assistance of +Director J.H. Dohrmann at the piano and twice a week we had a full +rehearsal. By the time the engagement was secured we were ready for +it. He opened at the Empire, January 30, 1905, with unbounded success +and received many floral tributes from the pupils and friends. He sang +a week, beginning February 13, at the Lyceum, San Francisco. On +February 20 he was engaged by the Savage Opera Company in San Jose, +February 27 in Sacramento and March 13 in Fresno. He went to Portland, +Oregon on March 30 for three months and April 12 was in Astoria. I was +in constant touch with him. In 1908 he sang in Brussels and later in +London in the great Coliseum for 15,000 people in aid of the +Typographical Union of Printers and Engravers. I received a letter +from his manager who assured me I had reason to be proud of my singer +for he was making good and had many friends among the theater goers +and managers of the different circuits. + +Before going abroad Lee Tung Foo had sung in all the larger cities of +the United States. During all these years he had much difficulty in +his art and in addition had to do all his booking single-handed. After +filling out his work in 1911 he came to California for the first time +in six years. He sang one week only at the Empress theater in San +Francisco and having an engagement of forty-four weeks on the Eastern +circuits soon left. When they were completed he came once more to his +home in the early part of 1912. After his week in Oakland he sang all +through the south and interior and later in Oregon and British +Columbia, returning in September to fill out the engagement at the +Empress, then again go on the Eastern circuit. + +I have necessarily given more space to this special pupil and were it +possible to state accurately all the circumstances in his life you +would all agree with me that he deserved credit and recognition in a +musical way and proved himself a hero during the years he was +perfecting himself. He has never had any other instruction than mine +and has been true to the first placement of voice and development in +the art of singing. He goes to hear the best artists and takes his +lessons from their work; sends his criticisms of them all marked upon +the program to me for approval; keeps his ears and eyes open to all +advancement in his art; has acquired a graceful and acceptable +presence and personality on and off the stage. Musicians all like him; +his managers praise him and give him work as an acknowledgment of his +ability to entertain. I have still a circumstance to relate which +makes his singing the more marvelous and marks an "O.K." on my efforts +to make a Chinese with a dull, unmelodious, unmusical voice succeed. +Of course he never had the clear, ringing tone that is in the gift of +the white race and he could not always get the vowel sounds to suit me +and I attributed the fact to his being a Chinese, so I was obliged to +be satisfied with the result obtained. He made me a promise when he +came home in 1911 that he would not sing for any one until I had heard +him after all these years, for if he did not please me I would not let +him sing. I was trying his tones and found he had developed wonderful +deep and full tones and in the second series as high as E flat, but he +could not take high F to my surprise after having two other F's so +perfect in their tone color. I was so dissatisfied, I said, "What is +the matter that you do not take this note?" and as I spoke I noticed +he kept the tongue close to the front of his teeth. I said, "Why do +you use the tongue like that," and he said, "I have always done so," +and I was most impatient at that when I am so particular with +pronunciation in a pupil. After an examination I found to my surprise +that he had all these years been tongue tied. I simply stared at him +with astonishment; to think that it was possible for any one to sing +as well as he did with this affliction. I said, "Now, Frank, you have +faithfully done everything I ever asked you. Will you do one more +thing for me?" He replied, "Will it make me sing?" I said, "Yes, will +you do it?" In an instant I had his promise and the next day his +tongue was released and on the fifth day he had his high F. He tells +me he can now sing it with power and hold it as he should. There is +nothing left to be done by me in a technical way. He is now a singer +and not a bad one. + +[Illustration: LEE TUNG FOO + +Pupil in the 90's] + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY + +WHAT I KNOW OF THE VOICE AND OF TEACHING + + +In taking up this subject, it is not my purpose to give lessons in +voice culture on paper. There is, of course, but one way to sing and +that is the right way. Every teacher thinks his is the right one. This +can be proven only by the result upon the pupil. Does every teacher +understand the training of the voice and can he impart his knowledge +to the pupil and enable him to acquire a perfect mastery over the tone +production and management of sound in singing with this invisible +instrument? Can he surmount the technical difficulties and the +mechanism of the vocal organs? The inner consciousness is the only +safe guide for teacher and student. + +The strictest attention should be directed in the beginning by all +students to the exercise of forethought, deliberation and mental +energy, attributes which are of the greatest importance, more so +perhaps than physical strength. A conscientious singer is rewarded +after arduous work by gaining the power of emotional expression which +the human voice possesses beyond any other musical medium. There are +two distinct branches used in the study of the voice--the technical +and esthetic. The mechanism and healthy production of the voice and +its development belong to the first work. Taste and feeling and a +sympathetic and sensitive nature, combined with a cultivated musical +organization, a poetic temperament and a pleasing personality, with +magnetic fire capable of holding listeners enthralled, are of the +other work. + +In my long career in song I have especially noted the appearance of a +singer. My first impressions have usually remained. In justice to the +fine contralto, Schumann-Heink, I will relate my first impressions of +her in song. Mr. L. Sherman of Sherman & Clay sent me, to my great +delight, two tickets for the opera of "Lohengrin." I had never heard +the opera nor the singer. When I heard her sing her role, her first +notes so astonished me I just held my breath, I could not realize the +voice of a woman, she sang like a baritone. The opera was given in +German, and I thought I never heard such a masculine voice in my life, +and the whole opera was spoiled by her number for me, and the +impression was so lasting that nothing could induce me to hear her +again after that opera. I could not bear to think of such a man's +voice in a woman. This was when Mapelson was here in 1884. I never +heard her again until 1908 at Ye Liberty. Everybody had lauded her all +these years, and I never expressed my opinion but held to my +impressions on my first hearing of her work. At last I asked myself, +why should all these musical people call her great and praise her tone +productions as being so perfect, and I stand alone in my opinion. I +resolved, if she ever came again, to hear and see if the fault lay +with me. The opportunity was granted me in 1908 and, engaging a box in +the gallery, I took two pupils with me to hear the great singer and +accord her justice if I had erred. I beheld a wholesome looking woman, +but not beautiful. She was gowned in a stylish robe of rich material, +and on her head a white lace hat with soft white plumes which lent a +charm and softened her otherwise angular features. If I had received a +shock at her first appearance, I certainly was the most surprised +woman in the audience when she began her group of songs. Her first +notes convinced me that she had changed her methods completely since +singing in opera. She had found that singing in concert and singing +the heavy work of Wagner were two distinct methods, and to succeed she +had chosen the Bel Canto and forsaken Wagner. I never heard a more +beautiful lullaby than she sang, with all tenderness and mother love +running throughout her lines. Her German songs were also charming and +well phrased and the interpretation perfect. Knowing the German +language myself, I was able to appreciate and understand her rendering +of them. It was only once she gave one or two of those former +bellowing notes, and as quickly as she had uttered them she changed to +the touchful notes that were more pleasing. I fully enjoyed the +concert as much as I had disliked the opera which I heard in 1884 and +which had left such an ugly impression. It is with the greatest +pleasure that I also add my best appreciation of Schumann-Heink's +singing, for she now sings just as an artist should who understands +the art of singing, correctly, naturally, easily and comfortably. + +To gain the height of vocal art is to have no apparent method, but to +sing with perfect facility from one end of the voice to the other, +emitting all the notes clearly and yet with power; to have each note +of the scale sound the same in quality and tonal beauty as the ones +before and after. This is the highest art and a lifetime of work and +study are necessary to acquire an easy emission of tone. One must have +a complete understanding of anatomical structure of the throat, mouth +and face, with their resonant cavities which are most necessary for +the proper production of voice. The whole breathing apparatus must be +understood because the whole foundation of singing is breathing and +control of all the functions which compose the musical instrument. A +singer's reliance depends upon the breath, as on the stability to +economize the air during its emission from the lungs. Steadiness, +strength, flexibility and sustaining power of the voice depend upon +this knowledge and intelligent use of it. I hold the art of singing in +such reverence that I feel I am walking upon sacred ground when I am +employed in the teaching of the human voice. It is notoriously +difficult to give rules for singing to every one alike. I have found +out in my long experience of development of different voices under my +guidance that no two persons can be taught alike. As faces and people +differ, so do also the voices. There are general rules to be observed +that all can understand, but outside of that, teaching of the voice +becomes an individual study of every conscientious and capable +teacher. No one should attempt it unless he understands perfectly the +anatomy of the muscles that are used and compose the vocal apparatus, +their placement and uses. Instructors should be perfect singers +themselves and able to give an example of every tone as accurately as +it can be produced by the human voice. A teacher who cannot produce a +perfect tone has not the right to teach. Why should the proper +training of the voice continue to be the least progressive of all +professions, and why should there be less care and work used in the +development of the most beautiful gift that has been given to mankind, +the human voice? While this gift has not been equally bestowed on +every one, yet there is not a being who could not sing if he were +properly taught. It is not the great-voiced singer that gives the most +beautiful song. While he is to be admired for his grand tones and +magnificent work, it has taken years of technique to produce those +tones through perfect knowledge of breath control. + +Teachers of the eighteenth century required many years of hard study +from the pupils before they were considered competent to illustrate +the art of tone production and before the masters considered them +singers or sent them forth as exponents of their art. Why all this +work to acquire the art of producing beautiful tones? We must use +intelligent understanding in the use of this instrument which is such +a rare gift to us. Thrice happy are those who are able to give to +listening humanity the full comprehensive and soulful touch of song +which the individual instrument is capable of producing. There is so +much more in singing than the mere possession of a beautiful voice. +The singer must be able to supplement the beauty of the voice with +intelligence in the exposition of the song. But few realize how much +skill this demands. No amount of intelligence will enable a person +rightly to interpret a song if he has not learned the elements of +singing or has not a complete command of the technique of his art. The +most important element of beautiful song is the lung capacity, and +thereon hangs the whole success; control of the breathing muscles. One +has infinite gradations of the power of this column of air to produce +the result in exquisite variations over the power and the coloring of +his tones. Attack and management of the air column is an art in +itself--a correct poise of the larynx. Upon the art of directing this +column of air the quality of the tones depends. The greatest marvel is +that those whom I have had to instruct do not know the first elements +of breathing. To breathe to live and to breathe to be a singer are as +far apart as the poles. Not one in twenty knows what lung capacity +they have. The general rule is to breathe through the nose. That is +all right if he is a gymnast or a ball player, but singing is just the +opposite of this sort of breathing. Everything is relaxed and natural, +the breath is inhaled through partly opened lips, slowly, evenly and +quietly and allows not a particle to go through the nostrils until the +lungs are completely filled and inflated. The large cells are in the +lower part of the lungs, and when they are inflated and the diaphragm +properly used so as to direct and control this column, one can sing as +long as there is a particle of air to use. For seventy years I have +used this method of breathing, and I am a perfect example of the +preservation of the voice now in my seventy-sixth year, and have every +note I ever used and can sing with as much power and breath control as +I ever could. I feel no weakness or lack of strength in any part of my +tone production. + +I taught every pupil in this way and cured many of the tremolo habit +by showing them how to breathe properly and then use this art +intelligently. The art of breathing is not alone the thing to +understand. There are many other points of importance to remember, +but the art of breathing is the fundamental stone that has to be well +grounded to secure the lasting success of the conscientious and +intelligent student. Each person must feel the action of the different +parts that go to make up the vocal instrument, which strengthens my +assertion that each individual must have his own separate instruction +as he possesses the charm of his own personality and musical +temperament. Many students may have complete knowledge of how it +should be done, and yet in the performance they do just the opposite, +from a feeling of self-consciousness and the fear of being ridiculed +in their efforts to sing. The mind must first recognize, then control, +until automatic action is established and there is no danger of +self-consciousness. One must learn the elements of singing--no amount +of intelligence will enable a person rightly to interpret a song if he +has not first learned that department thoroughly. For in order to +offer an interpretation to an audience, the singer must have a +complete command of the technique of his art. The singers of today are +not so skillful as they were in the eighteenth century, because they +are not patient enough to study the essential tone production which +must be produced to make tones that are satisfying to themselves and +also to the sensitive and cultivated ears of the listeners. A singer +must reject any unmusical sound and, above all things, rule out any +departure from the pitch. Singing out of tune is not singing at all. +They can never be relied upon and are therefore unsatisfactory for any +use at all. It seems simple enough to sing, yet to get the correct, +pure tone one must work daily to accomplish perfection. There are many +singers who attain a certain amount of distinction on the operatic +stage that cannot produce a full, round, sympathetic tone. They may +have powerful tones and astonish the public, yet in a short season the +tones become dull or heavy or sharp, ear-splitting and their +victorious career is finished and oblivion mercifully covers them. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE + +TREMOLO + + +In writing about one of the greatest faults in the teaching of vocal +music I wish to put my most emphatic criticism upon the Tremolo in the +voice and condemnation upon those who vitiate the human voice with the +most intolerable fault that any one who pretends to sing could +practice. In "The Musician" of November, 1908, there was an article +upon this subject, which I read with profound interest and I wrote to +Ditson & Co. to allow me the privilege of using the article as it was +just the very thing that the student who was learning to use the voice +ought to read. I was happily granted permission. The article entitled +"The Singers tremolo and vibrato--their origin and musical value," was +written by Lester S. Butter, who says: + +"In April, 1795, in Romano, Province of Bergano, was born Rubini, King +of tenors. His voice, small in the beginning, developed marvelously in +tone volume and the swell and diminish of tones (messa di voce) called +by the Italians 'vibrato of the voice' was the characteristic of his +style. + +"This ebbing and flowing undulating wave of sound upon sustained notes +was the source from which sprung the modern tremolo and vibrato, which +is so much in evidence among singers and so offensive to all really +refined musical taste. There seems to be considerable confusion among +singers and even writers as to the use and meaning of tremolo and +vibrato. These terms seem to be used synonymously and the latter is +used where messa di voce is meant. The Standard dictionary defines +vibrato as a trembling of pulsating effect in vocal music caused by +rapid variation or emphasis of the same tone (evidently messa di voce) +proper distinguished from tremolo, where there is a vibration of +tones; and the latter is a vibrating beating or throbbing sound +produced by the voice or instrumentally. + +[Illustration: MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON AND HER TWO SONS + +Wm. Ellery Blake + +Geo. Lincoln Blake] + +"Ferdinand Sieber, in answer to questions 286 and 287, Art of Singing, +says: 'Question 286. How should the longer sung notes be taught? Here +the rule should be enforced that every radical note should be +accompanied with a swelling of the tone where it is intended to sing +the following ones in crescendo, and on the other hand, the strength +of tone diminishes when these notes are to be sung decrescendo. If +there is a pause, a messa di voce should be executed.' + +"'Question 287. Is not then this constant vibration of the voice a +gross fault? It causes great confusion in regard to the expression +among singers of different degrees of ability. We read daily that it +is reprehensible in this or that singer to indulge in this vibration, +while in reality it is the tremolando which is blamed. The vibration +of the voice is its inmost life-throb--its pulse--its spring. Without +it there is only monotony. But if the vibration is changed to +tremolando the singer falls into an intolerable fault which is +warranted only in very rare cases when it serves as a means to express +the very highest degree of excitement.' + +"W.J. Henderson in the Art of the Singer, says of messa di voce, 'It +is by the emission of tones swelling and diminishing that we impart to +song that wave-like undulation which gives it vitality and tonal +vivacity.' But when speaking of the rendition of Handelian arias, he +evidently uses the term vibrato in the same sense as Sieber does +tremolando. He declares it probably hopeless to plead for the +abolition of the cheap and vulgar vibrato in the delivery of these old +arias, remarking further that there is no account of its use in the +writings of the contemporaries of Caffarelli and Farinelli and that +master singers of their day were praised for the steadiness of their +tones and the perfect smoothness of their style. He asserts also that +vibrato is a trick invented after that day and out of place in the +music of that period. + +"Referring to Rubini, the originator of the fault, he leaves the +impression that this singer used the vibrato only occasionally (which +may at first have been the fact) and that as a means of heightening +the dramatic effect. Grove, however, puts the matter somewhat +differently. 'Rubini,' he says, 'was the earliest to use the thrill of +the voice known as vibrato (the subsequent abuse of which we are all +familiar) at first as a means of emotional effect, afterward it was to +conceal the deterioration of the organ.' + +"Imitators brought great discredit upon Rubini and his name is +associated with an impure, corrupt vocalization. This with other +influences, brought about a sentiment in composers as well as singers +favoring vocal declamation, rather than singing in the sense in which +that word was understood by the great tenor. In 1852 there was a cloud +of imitators and it became so prevalent almost all singers of the day +indulged in it. + +"Ferri, a baritone who sang at La Scala in 1853, made such effective +use of it upon any note as to secure a place in the records of that +day as one whose whole song was a bad 'wobble.' + +"Even the great Mario, whose voice is described as 'rich Devonshire +cream,' was afflicted, but usually free from the vice. Clara Novello +was greatly admired because she indulged in it with such +discrimination, and Campanini, entirely free from the fault, was +greeted with enthusiastic pleasure whenever he appeared. (The present +writer heard Campanini in 1858, and he was one of the grandest man +singers I ever heard. Stigelli was also one of the same style of +singers at that time and I heard them both in grand opera and there +was never a tremolo in either of their voices but perfect art in messa +di voce, Bel Canto singing.) Another reference to Mr. Henderson will +show that the weed still flourishes. Almost every singer of today +tries from the beginning to acquire an habitual vibrato, (the present +writer infers that Mr. Henderson does not use 'vibrato' with the +Italian meaning messa di voce) to be used at all times without regard +to fitness. Some of our singers have cultivated the trick, they have +developed it into a perpetual tremolo. He thinks it would be +interesting to know what Porpora, or Fedi, would have thought of a +twentieth century tremolo, especially when introduced in an aria by +Carissimi. + +"It seems that the tremolo came into general use as an imitation of +the so-called 'musical sob' of Rubini, which he used to express +certain phases of emotion and excitement, and then it was cultivated +by those whose tastes were lowered or having a desire to acquire more +power than their organ was capable of safely obtaining or to conceal +under the claim of artistic and real expression, the decay of their +singing voice. + +"Emma Seiler (voice in singing) has this to say: 'Unhappily our whole +music is vitiated by this sickly sentimentalism, the perfect horror of +every person of cultivated taste. This sickly sentimental style has +also naturalized in singing a gross trick unfortunately very +prevalent, the tremolo of the notes.' In a letter to Dr. S.B. Matthews +(Music 1900), L.G. Gottschalk so succinctly gives his opinion as to +leave no doubt as to his position on the subject: 'Tremolo of the +voice is the result of either of the three following causes--diseased +vocal organs, old age, or defective breathing, and as such has no +excuse for its existence.' This is in agreement with Madam Marchesi in +answer to a question in regard to the tremolo. 'The continued vibrato +is the worst defect in singing and is a certain sign that a voice has +been forced and spoiled. It is the result of the relaxation of the +exterior muscles of the larynx which can no longer remain motionless +in the position during the emission of the sound. This distressing +permanent vibrato proceeds from ignorance or neglect of the register +limits.' W.H. Blare gives the warning, 'Do not allow the voice to +wobble, or become tremulous. A tremor is dangerous under any +circumstances and an ineffectual substitute for sustained, pathetic +tone color.' Sir Morrell Mackenzie, M.D., asserts that tremolo is +injurious, as tending to beget a depraved habit of singing. It is the +worst fault of a singer. + +"In Kofler (art of breathing) he speaks of the tremolo: 'As to the +tremolo in the voice, I will only say that frequently the air is +expelled forcibly in order to picture with the voice a violent +outburst of passion and emotion, a light tremolo will produce a good +effect to give expression to a feeling of fear, anxiety, or anguish; +outside of this, the tremolo must never be used in singing. This is +often done to hide a worn-out voice, but more often because the singer +is under a foolish delusion that this tremolo is very expressive and +dramatic. I know of no style of singing so unnatural as a perpetual +tremolando brought on by injudicious training and the ignorance of the +art of breathing correctly.'" + +I consider that I would be derelict in my duty as a teacher of voice +did I not insert this most important chapter in my book. I am glad to +have the best authorities on my side of the subject. I think it is the +true reason why we have such a dearth of fine singers in this +generation. It certainly is not because we have not the voices. +California can produce as fine voices as are found in Italy, but as +fast as they are found some unscrupulous fake comes along and finds +the unfortunate victim who begins training and in a few months the +papers are full of this wonderful find and future songstress. Then a +recital is planned and the beautiful young woman (if appearance has +any value) certainly fills all that has been noised about her. Endowed +by nature with a voice of unusual power and expressiveness she is a +most promising amateur and will perhaps be heard from in the future. +At least she will be if native gifts count. At last the opportunity +has arrived to hear this young singer of a few short months' training +in a group of songs. Our expectations are at the highest pitch as she +appears in all her youthful charms. But alas, how quickly is the spell +broken. This wonderful singer has fallen into the hands of an +incompetent teacher and the beautiful voice has been damaged until the +tremolo is unbearable and we listen with pity at the havoc made in a +few months of force upon the beautiful voice by such teaching. There +never was an age when so many singing pupils are being taught, and yet +we have no singers. Pupils do not apply themselves seriously to the +real study of the voice as they do to other studies. To sing a song is +all they aspire to do. They consider it all useless nonsense to +practice technic. They want the glory without the conscientious work +which is a daily requirement. Very few singers of today are provided +with real vocal technic. They learn to scream one note at a time. A +short life and a merry one, great glory and great salaries, +sacrificing their voices at the demand for big tone. Perhaps they +rejoice in a brief season. Afterwards their names are forgotten. Good +singing, as all other performances, consists in the due adjustment of +every factor connected with it. + +[Illustration: + +Frederick Zech +Henry Wetherbee +Adolph Klose +S. Arrillaga +William P. Melvin +John W. Metcalf +Wm. M'F. Greer + +ASSOCIATED MUSICIANS AND SINGERS + +1854-1900] + +I had my first experience in 1894 with the voice of a young girl that +had a perpetual tremolo. I was thoroughly amazed at the unsteady +wavering of each note. At last I asked her why she did not sing in a +steady tone. Her reply was she could not help it. I then inquired if +she had former instructions. She replied she had. After trying in vain +to get a pure tone, I told her I'd rather not teach her as I had no +knowledge of how to relieve her of this defect which could not be +allowed in a perfect singer. Her disappointment was so great as to +cause her to weep. My heart was touched for her misfortune and I told +her I had only one remedy and if she would try that I'd undertake the +work of restoring her voice to its normal state if possible. This was +Tuesday. I asked her to return on Friday and if I saw any improvement +I'd teach her if she would obey orders. I gave her a lesson in the art +of breathing, something which had been entirely neglected before, +and sent her away. On the following Friday she took her second lesson, +and the voice was as steady as if she had never done the other work. I +continued to teach her for two and a half years and at my first +recital she and I sang the duet, Qui est Homo, from Rossini's Stabat +Mater, and although my age was sixty and hers twenty, I was able to +use my usual strength in singing the song as if she had been a mature +singer. At the close of the number we were greeted with bravos and +applause that lasted for some time. It was the crowning reward for my +weeks of patient training and careful watchfulness. I never taught her +after that evening and I heard she had several other instructors. I +heard, however, that she had never returned to the tremolo after I had +once placed her voice in the right path. Had she been a student I +think the state of California would have been proud to have claimed +her, but she lacked stability in her work. She still sings but I have +not heard her for years. This was my first experience. + +In the year 1907 I cured twenty-five young people, both girls and +boys, of this dreadful habit, which seems to be the death knell of all +of our California young singers. Every one of these became addicted to +this habit through wrong instruction by persons who were not teachers +at all in the true sense of the word, not knowing the construction of +the voice themselves so as to lead the pupil into the proper channel, +having lost their own voices by these methods they were not competent +to instruct others. How is it possible for them to guide the young +singer when they cannot give a pure tone example themselves for the +pupil to follow? Freshness and steadiness are the most valuable +properties of a voice, but are also the most delicate and easily +injured and quickly lost. When once really impaired they can never be +restored. This is the condition of a voice which is said to be lost. +The prostration of the vocal organs are thus brought on by injudicious +training if not the result of organic disease. This must be understood +by the competent teacher who should not be mistaken in the nature of +the organ or attempt by obstinate perseverance to convert a low voice +into a high one, or vice versa. The error is equally disastrous, the +result being utterly to destroy the voice. The teacher's vocation is +first to find the natural limits of the voice in question and then +seek to develop them into their most beautiful tone production before +attempting to develop either higher or lower tones until these have +been properly understood by both teacher and pupil. The pupil should +also at once comprehend the importance of guarding the voice from +injury and not transform or extend his gifts beyond their natural +power and capability. The voice is often seriously impaired in using +the high notes in both chest and head registers, by forcing of the +high notes, and exaggerating the timbres and, if often renewed, will +eventually destroy the best voice and the tremolo follows in +consequence and the once promising voice is lost and forever +inevitably destroyed. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO + +MORE ABOUT THE VOICE + + + "There is little difference in the place we fill in life: + The important thing is how to fill it." + +This maxim applies also to the art of singing. There are singers and +singers, but few become artists. Thousands upon thousands of dollars +are spent upon them in America yearly. How many of these thousands of +dollars come back to these students? It is a rare occurrence if we get +one in ten thousand that really reaches this distinction in art, a +just reward for long years of patient study. When such an artist does +appear it is like a new star in the firmament, the wonder of the age. +The beauty and glory of this wonderful singer is not hidden under a +bushel, but the people of the earth flock to hear and see this rara +avis. The regret is that such a singer can not sing on forever. It is +strange that the human mind can retain the memory of song with such +distinctness and acuteness in the different singers and remember the +very songs they sang and how and where. When this can be done the +singer can well feel that his work has made a lasting impression. +Nothing less than the best will satisfy a lover of good music after +having enjoyed the best at the beginning. + +We are often annoyed when we hear foreigners say, "Oh, we have it +better in Europe." There must be a reason for it, and it is not the +lack of voices in America, for we have given many fine voices, +including the only prima donnas who have risen to the height of +distinction in our day. We are foremost in producing fine singers +today as well as in the past years, both men and women, who are +acknowledged by all to be the brightest stars in the musical +firmament. Really fine artists have a charm that is recognized by all. +They are in a class by themselves and admirers feel honored to know +them or speak with them for a short while. It is a remembrance we go +back to with pleasure every time we hear the name spoken. Not one of +our generation ever saw one of the great composers like Liszt, Verdi, +Gounod, Wagner, etc. Yet there is not a musical person on this earth +but claims an acquaintanceship and comradeship with them and they are +only known by their pictures and what has been written or spoken about +them. We reverence them for their splendid work. It is the same with +men and women singers--their faces are as familiar as though they were +among us today. It is true we still have Nordica, Melba, +Schumann-Heink, Calve, Eames, de Reszke, Adams, Sembrich and Terina, +but their stars have gained their heights, and we must expect to see +them dim and wane, but before they are entirely gone let us hope there +will be others as good to take their places. While all students cannot +be such artists they can strive for the best under good instruction +and develop their instrument as near perfection as it is possible to +bring it. + +In my concert tour to Victoria, B.C., an incident occurred after the +concert given at Olympia. It was my first trip and everything was new +to me. I supposed I was a stranger to all and was to be heard in these +places for the first time. We had sung at all the small towns along +the Puget Sound and this was our last city before we returned. Our +company was a good one--Walter C. Campbell, Vivian the Great, Margaret +Blake, Mr. Wand, pianist, Dick Kohler, cornetist and leader of the +company, and Mr. Atkins, advance agent. A very successful concert had +been given and a fine audience appreciated us. A number of +distinguished guests were present, including the governor of the state +and officials of the city of Olympia. While I was preparing to go to +my hotel, I was recalled by Mr. Kohler saying I was wanted by some +friends in the hall who wished to speak to me. Imagine my surprise. +Twenty-five ladies and gentlemen were awaiting me and I had never seen +one of them before to my knowledge, but evidently I was no stranger to +them. They were people who had repeatedly heard me sing from 1865 to +1874 in San Francisco and they were so pleased to hear me again they +concluded to know me. My curiosity was aroused so I asked them when +and where had they heard me. Some at Platt's hall, others at Howard +Methodist church, Y.M.C.A. on Sutter street, Union hall, Mission +street, Metropolitan temple, Fifth street, etc. I then asked them what +songs I sang. Mr. Kohler jotted down the songs as they were given by +the different ones, and they came out in this wise: three remembered +Annie Laurie, four When the Tide Comes In, three Gatty's Fair Dove, +two Kathleen Mavourneen, two John Anderson, My Joe, two Within a Mile +of Edinborough, etc., two The Old Man's Song to His Wife, two Home, +Sweet Home, five Last Rose of Summer, two Darby and Joan. + +[Illustration: 75th Birthday + +73d Birthday + +For Patriotic and Other Public Services + +71st Birthday + +72d Birthday + +TROPHIES AND TRIBUTES PRESENTED TO MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON] + +What a lesson it was to me of what a person can do as a singer. I had +left a lasting impression upon these people and whenever they heard +these songs spoken of or sung they went back in memory with pleasure +to the singer who sang them long ago and they were pleased to know +they were to hear me once again, even so far from where they had heard +me before, and pleased to make themselves known in this pleasant way. +I was touched deeply by their kindness and I asked Mr. Kohler to allow +me to sing for them Annie Laurie and The Last Rose of Summer. He +recalled Mr. Wand, our accompanist, and I gave them these songs as a +compliment. Such episodes occur in a singer's life and we are reminded +that when work is well done we will always have appreciation, and just +reward, and leave a lasting example for good that others may follow +with safety. These songs were not showy or brilliant, but they were +songs that touched the heart, and left an impression for good. Our +California audiences are metropolitan and changing forever. People are +here one day and in a twelfth month somewhere else and in my time it +was still more changeable than now. No matter what your audience is it +is the singer's duty to please every listener as near as possible and +leave an impression. My advice to the singer is: Make your song a part +of yourself, understand the composer's meaning, have a picture before +you of the situation, of the meaning of the sentiment. Never sing +anything that is beyond your powers, select that which you are able to +understand thoroughly yourself, and when you have mastered every +difficulty and can give yourself pleasure in the rendering of it, you +may be well assured you will make some one else happy. An audience +demands your complete resources, so you must not imagine you can +carelessly give anything but your best efforts. The selections should +always be less difficult than you are really capable of performing, a +safe rule to follow. Then your audience will know you bring authority +to your task, and authority is very necessary to command respect. + +He who does not think well of this makes a grave mistake, for while he +thinks people will not know the inferiority of his work, there is +always some one in the audience who _does know_. True artistic work +should mean more to the singer than anything else, for that is what +makes his reputation. No one can afford to be careless in the least +effort if he wishes to become an acceptable singer to all classes that +compose an audience. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE + +POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING. WORK AS A PATRIOT. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. +FLAG-RAISING AT MONTEREY + + +In recounting all these episodes of a full life of varied engagements +I must take in account my political career which has extended from the +rebellion to the present time. I have had an unbroken line of action +in political work and yet I never was a suffragette. My work was to +help the cause of my country and those who went bravely forth to +conquer or die. I come honestly by my patriotism, for I am a +descendant in a direct line from Revolutionary stock. It was therefore +most natural for me, when the battle cry was heard to "Be up and at +them." If the enemy was in the wrong and our flag was in danger my +voice went ever out in song. I can proudly say I have taken part in +every presidential campaign from Lincoln down to McKinley. From the +beginning of the Republican party I have worked for its candidates and +won every time except when James G. Blaine was defeated. Oh, what a +fight we had! I'll never forget the Mulligan letters sent out at the +last moment, too late for a reply. There was a noble quartette of us, +Charles Parent, bass; Mrs. Parent, alto; Sam Booth, tenor, and M.R. +Blake, contralto. How the old Wigwam rang with our patriotic songs, +the bands playing martial airs for the "Plumed Knight." How we stepped +off with the song of the Mulligan Guards to the appropriate parody +written by Sam Booth on these letters. Everything was done to win but +we lost and when Mr. Richart read off the returns my heart sank within +me and I said, "I never can stay to hear the result." I quietly went +off the platform to my home, only to wake in the morning to learn that +Grover Cleveland was to be the next president. He was never a favorite +candidate of mine, no matter what he was in the eyes of the world. +Impressions will remain in spite of facts. The faces of all our +presidents and their lives are as familiar to me as the faces of all +the masters of music. + +[Illustration: Sam Booth + +Conspicuous in the Seventies as a writer of political lyrics and a +campaign singer of great popularity.] + +President Lincoln came first upon my list of successful candidates and +was the sixteenth president of the United States. I was one year old +when he became a member of the bar in 1837. He was twenty-eight when I +was born in Illinois. When he was inaugurated, March 4, 1861, I was +twenty years old and at that time in Boston when the mighty civil war +began. When he was elected the second term I was in Santa Cruz, +California and in the midst of the campaign. I wonder how many times I +sang Vive l'America and the Star Spangled Banner before the victory +was won and the hurrahs filling the air at our successes. But our joy +was turned into mourning when he was assassinated on April 14, 1865. +He had only a short time to serve the nation that honored him. He was +succeeded by Andrew Johnson, the vice-president. The eighteenth +president was U.S. Grant, who served two terms, 1869-77. I was in San +Francisco then and both times I was in the campaign and won. I saw him +also in 1879 as he returned from the tour of the world. The nineteenth +president, R.B. Hayes, came next in order. I was then in San Francisco +and also in the employ of the Republican committee as vocalist. James +A. Garfield became the twentieth president. He was inaugurated March +4, 1881, and had served only three months when the assassin's bullet +laid him low. Chester A. Arthur, vice-president, took his place, the +third vice-president, to become the nation's chief executive during +the time I aided the Republican campaign committee. I now come to the +twenty-third president, Benjamin Harrison, whose campaign was a record +breaker. At that time I was living in San Bernardino, California, in +one of the largest counties of southern California. This county had +been democratic since 1849. The Republicans determined to win the +county. There were enough progressives to attempt it and war on the +corrupt old ring. The Grand Opera house was engaged as the place to +inaugurate the campaign. My son was director of the Seventh Regiment +band and also of the orchestra at the opera house. I had signed an +agreement to sing for the committee throughout the campaign. With this +arrangement the music was assured. All other details completed we were +ready for the great battle. Our initial performance took place +November 9, 1888, in the Grand Opera house, San Bernardino. The +announcement in the morning papers after the first gun was fired was +the following: + +"Record of the Democratic party shown on the Chinese question from the +days of '49, in an able and eloquent speech by Judge Adams of San Luis +Obispo, at the Republican meeting last night. + +"Patriotic and stirring music by Mrs. Blake-Alverson who was recalled +five times. + +"A magnificent speech upon the Tariff Question by Judge W.A. Cheney of +Los Angeles. + +"The assemblage was called to order by H.J. Hurley, Chairman of the +R.C. Committee, who introduced John L. Campbell as chairman of the +meeting. The list of vice-presidents was called by Lyman Evans Esq., +etc." + +This was the opening gun. The campaign began so auspiciously that the +Riverside committee desired our services and on June 29 the train for +Riverside left San Bernardino with five hundred boosters and at Colton +about twenty-five men and a drum corps got aboard. On arriving at +Riverside the visitors were received by the Republican club, the men +forming in procession and seventy-five women taking carriages for the +Glenwood and Rowell hotels. The line of march was long and when the +procession arrived at the Opera house it was discovered the vast crowd +could not be accommodated. The women were given the preference. Nearly +a thousand torches were carried in a line headed by the Colton Drum +Corps. At the Opera house, Hon. H.M. Streeter presided with E.W. +Holmes as secretary. The gathering opened with political music and +patriotic airs by the band and glee club. The address of the evening +was made by A.H. Naftzger, followed by Capt. C.W.C. Rowell. Rev. T.C. +Hunt made a ringing speech for Harrison and protection to home +industries. Capt. N.G. Gill and H.B. Everest presented the new +features of the campaign issues. Judge H.M. Jones made a fine and +telling speech, causing much enthusiasm, followed by George +Nickerson's singing with fine effect, The Red, White and Blue. Other +telling speeches followed. Then Mrs. Blake-Alverson sang Vive +l'America and in response to a tremendous applause sang the following +song, to the tune of Tippecanoe: + + The convention last week in Chicago + Decided, unanimously, too, + To put up a man for the nation, + The grandson of Tippecanoe. + They balloted lusty and strong, + Won over the enemy, too, + And when they had counted the ballots + They saw 'twas for Tippecanoe. + + CHORUS + + Then vote for our Tippecanoe, + Hurrah for our Tippecanoe; + We'll pull down the old red bandana, + And stand by the Red, White and Blue. + + Cleveland has made them a platform, + And thinks he can win for them, too; + But, boys, it's too weak and too shaky, + Free trade with us never will do. + John Bull tried to rule us before, + He found the Americans true, + And away ran the redcoats before them + And up flashed the Red, White and Blue. + + CHORUS + + Then vote for our Tippecanoe, + Hurrah for Ben Harrison, too; + We'll pull down the old red bandana, + And run up the Red, White and Blue. + +Words cannot describe the scene after this song. The Riverside papers +said next morning: "It was certainly a rouser. Nothing like it was +ever before seen or thought of in this city. Citrus fairs and all +others sink into insignificance. With stirring music and with Harrison +and Morton on top and that too without discrimination we must win, and +win nobly." + +I am not a poet by any means and in writing these verses I was put to +my wits' end to have suitable lines for the occasion. I was but three +years old when William Henry Harrison was elected president. My father +was stationed in Evansville, Indiana. Small as I was I'll never forget +the procession of Indians who frightened me so I hid under the bed and +could not be found for the day. When I heard the grandson of +Tippecanoe was nominated I began at once to sing the old song that was +used in his grandfather's time and as I was getting the morning meal +my son, William, and I set to work to compose suitable lines. How we +succeeded you can see by the verses that took the house and every one +on the platform by surprise. The cheering was deafening after each +stanza was sung. It is unnecessary to state that the immense audience +went perfectly wild with excitement. + +One of the papers said: + +"At the conclusion of her song, Hon. H.M. Streeter arose and addressed +the immense throng and said, 'I thought I was a true American in +spirit and a staunch republican all these years, but my patriotism +pales this song and the patriotic spirit of this splendid woman. I +propose we give three times three cheers to Mrs. Blake-Alverson' which +were given with a vim that left no doubts of the sincerity of the +enthusiastic people who gathered on this occasion and their +appreciation of her efforts in making this demonstration such a +stupendous success." + +This was the second rally. Already the Opera house in San Bernardino +was no longer adequate for the crowds that assembled nightly. Overflow +meetings were held in the streets each time. At last we were obliged +to have an amphitheater prepared to accommodate the crowds that were +increasing with each rally. Never was such political excitement in +that county. There was an enclosed stage erected and a piano placed +upon it and each night speeches were made (and ringing ones too) and I +think all the sleepy mossbacks were wide awake at last and realized +that their kind of Democracy was tottering and waiting for the last +blow. When Benjamin Harrison was elected the twenty-third president +of these United States, San Bernardino county had demonstrations never +equaled before or since. Every man, woman and child participated. Men +from miles around were in the procession, features and transparencies +of all kinds were carried by the marchers. After the procession they +adjourned to the amphitheater for the exercises. My voice had been in +constant use for two or three months and at the last moment I could +not sing. I had written another song to be sung to the same tune, "Old +Tippecanoe," and the chairman was obliged to let the people know I +could not sing any more--the voice was gone. Such a howl of +disappointment went up. I was obliged to stand before them and shake +my head. I was not even able to speak to them. At this juncture I +asked Mr. Brown to kindly read the verses, which were as follows: + + We've voted and won now, my comrades, + The struggle decisive and strong; + The nation's decided the question + For our bold and brave Harrison; + May the nation's protection be blest + To the workingmen's families and homes; + John Bull can decide his own problems + And call his Lord Sackville back home. + + CHORUS + + Then hurrah for our Red, White and Blue, + Three cheers for our Harrison true; + May peace and prosperity bless us + For voting for Tippecanoe. + + We'll veto no more now in Congress + The bills that should long have passed through; + The Mills Bill's a thing of oblivion + And its framer can follow it, too. + Then we'll carefully fold up the rag, + They flaunted so lusty and brave, + And bury it with the old relics, + 'Way down in Salt River's deep wave. + + CHORUS + + Then hurrah for our columns so true, + Three cheers for Ben Harrison, too; + May peace and prosperity bless us + For voting for Tippecanoe. + + The American land is a nation + And her people most loyal and true, + And all others take care how they meddle + Or insult her colors of blue. + San Berdoo and the counties around + Come in for their share of the fun + And have rolled up the numbers most nobly + And helped spike the enemy's gun. + + CHORUS + + Hurrah for the people so true, + Three cheers for Ben Harrison, too; + Secession can float their bandanas, + But the loyal, the Red, White and Blue. + +[Illustration: Mrs. Blake-Alverson in costume + +MECHANICS' INSTITUTE FAIR + +Mission Street, San Francisco, Sept. 4, 1879] + +After the excitement had somewhat subsided, Senator Streeter called +upon the platform seven veterans who had voted for the first Harrison +and in a befitting speech decorated these men with a fine red silk +badge and I had the honor to pin these badges upon their coat lapels. +As I did so tears fell upon my hands from the eyes of these patriotic +old men. I also decorated General Vandevere and in return he decorated +me as the historical and patriotic singer of California. + +The twenty-fourth president was Grover Cleveland who was elected in +1884, but was defeated in 1888 by Benjamin Harrison, and in 1892 was +re-elected and inaugurated March 4, 1893. I did not take an active +part in this campaign as I had never sung for a Democratic president +and I would not begin with Cleveland. The next president was our +beloved McKinley and in the last campaign for him I sang in the +Mechanics pavilion in San Francisco to 15,000 people. I was then +sixty-four years of age. I was worried a little that age would tell in +such a great place, but if I failed it was for a good cause and my +country. I consented to sing after much persuasion from Sam Booth and +W.H.L. Barnes. I had in all my singing life never failed. I +reluctantly consented, trusting to my knowledge of how to use the +voice. At the appointed hour I was at the pavilion with Mrs. J.M. +Case, my accompanist. When I came upon the platform I was cordially +greeted by the old guard, W.H.L. Barnes, Sam Booth and thirty-five +other men of the committee whom I had met in former years. After +taking in the situation I was a little disturbed when I found the +floor had been left for dancing and I was obliged to sing to the tiers +of seats that arose as high as I could see and all that empty space to +cross and one single voice to reach this great mass of people. For +once I felt my voice inadequate for the effort. In the highest row of +seats were several of my pupils and they were to give me the signal +that my voice and words carried distinctly. I was requested to sing +Vive l'America, the old civil war favorite song. I arose when +announced amid a most tremendous recognition from the people of San +Francisco. I was so excited I forgot my age and began my song. I had +sung but one line and on looking up I saw the signal and it aroused me +to my best efforts which proved most satisfactory. When I finished the +policemen's sticks pounded on the floors, the band gave a grand rally, +the people applauded and for many minutes nothing could be heard but +the deafening demonstration and a recall was demanded. I sang +Millard's Amalia from the Roman Charioteer and finished with the +exultant B flat which arose in the softest touch and increased to the +fullest crescendo and diminished to the pianissimo. At that moment by +a prearranged plan, unknown to me, one of the most beautiful flags +that ever floated was unfurled and fell in graceful folds by my side. +I involuntarily seized it with my hands and finished amidst one of the +greatest receptions ever given to any prima donna in my time, and I +felt I was not forgotten by the people of San Francisco whom I had +served for twenty-seven years. They gave me the honor to which my age +and experience as a singer and patriotic charitable worker in the +upbuilding of California and its institutions entitled me. Theodore +Roosevelt became president on the death of McKinley. With his victory +at the next election he became the twenty-sixth president of the +United States. My practical work for the Republican cause ceased then. +My voice and spirit still remained but the accident to me in 1901 put +an untimely end to my public work. I have sung for Decoration days and +Fourth of July demonstrations. My last one was in 1906 at the +Macdonough theater and the people of Oakland gave me a befitting +tribute. From the speaker and the twenty-five uniformed soldiers who +formed a half circle around me to the immense crowd that filled the +theater the applause for Vive l'America was spontaneous. I also sang +Annie Laurie, the favorite song of every soldier who fought in '61, a +song which was on the dying lips of hundreds of soldiers who fell +fighting and thinking of their loved ones at home. Can you wonder at +the tears coming to the eyes of our veterans when the strain is sung +And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me down and dee. I sing this song +with all the sincere feeling and personality that I possess. It is a +sacred song to me for I have heard the story many times as told by the +veterans since the war. After this final tribute of my career The +Oakland Herald had this to say next day: "The beautiful simplicity of +Mrs. Blake-Alverson's singing provoked tremendous applause and she +responded to the never-to-be-forgotten lines of Annie Laurie." The +Enquirer said: "The singing of Mrs. Blake-Alverson was a revelation. +It was enjoyed to the utmost. Every note rang clear and pure and each +stanza was applauded in a most hearty manner. This was especially true +of her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in which the enthusiasm +was unbounded." The effect of the song was heightened by the giving of +the ceremony of retreat at sunset which is carried out in every camp +and garrison of the army of the United States. The ceremony was +conducted by members of Co. A, Fifth Infantry, N.G.C., under the +charge of Sergeant Breveton and were as follows: Sergeant A. H. Jones, +Sergeant H.B. Ongerth, Musician J.W. Stock, Musician E.J. Dow, +Privates Elmer Marsh, F. Keegan, J.C. Bowden, R.L. Nichols, H.B. +Loveridge, H. Bond, R. Trethaway. + +In a letter to the editor of the Enquirer John Aubrey Jones said: +"What an inspiration it was to see and hear Mrs. Blake-Alverson sing. +Physically infirm, but vocally strong and pregnant, her pure, limpid +birdlike notes thrilled and stirred the soul and tears to the eyes did +unbidden come. It was eloquence sublime set to the all-subdivining +rhythmical harmony of divine music, rendered by a master whose spirit +was enwrapped. The writer felt an uplift in patriotic fervor that was +a joyous inspiration and so doubtless did all whose privilege it was +to hear and see Mrs. Blake-Alverson sing." + +The Oakland Tribune said: "The singing of the Star Spangled Banner by +Mrs. Blake Alverson and the oration delivered by Rev. Charles R. Brown +proved the chief features of the Fourth of July celebration held in +the Macdonough theater yesterday morning. Judge E.M. Gibson presided. +Prayer was by Rabbi M. Friedlander. A chorus from Faust by +seventy-five singers followed. The Declaration of Independence was +read by Attorney Peter J. Crosby. Next Mrs. Blake-Alverson stepped +forward upon the stage and reached the flag-draped table surrounded by +twenty-five uniformed soldiers, who separated in the center to allow +her to approach, then closed as she passed, amid applause which was +deafening, and she could do nothing but bow her acknowledgment to the +audience. As she sang Vive l'America, in spite of her years, her +voice rang out pure and clear. Again and again she was forced to +respond to encores and when Judge Gibson finally led her off the stage +she was repeatedly cheered." + +I do not think I would have done quite so well had it not been for an +incident that happened as I stepped upon the stage. When I saw the +immense crowd my heart gave one throb and I thought I had made a +mistake coming there at my age to sing. Like an electric flash I took +in the situation and said within me, "Dear Lord, help me once more," +and in answering to the repeated cheers I glanced downward to the men +in the orchestra and to my surprise saw their looks of sarcasm as if +to say, "What can that old woman do?" In one instant my patriotic +spirit was roused within me and I gave them a look of defiance and +said within myself, "I'll show you boys what she can do," and nodded +to the pianist to begin. It took just one line of Vive l'America to +make them sit up and take notice. Every eye was turned upon me, the +leader sat back in his chair and folded his arms and never moved only +to applaud with all the rest between each stanza and continued to do +so until the song was completed, and then I received a rally from all, +tributes of flowers and tri-colored ribbons floating in graceful loops +from them. I responded with Annie Laurie, and the perfect attention +with which it was received was most affecting, and I was fully repaid +for my efforts, old as I was. I had won the battle nobly and to the +people of Oakland I give my heartfelt thankfulness for their +appreciation of my efforts to please them in legitimate song and show +my loyalty. More honors awaited me at the close of the exercises. As I +stepped from my dressing room there awaited me many prominent men and +women who came back of the stage to greet me and take my hand. Among +them were Rabbi Friedlander, Major Sherman, Alfred Wilkie, Judge +Gibson, Rev. Dr. Brown, members of the different committees, unknown +to me. About thirty minutes later, when I left for my carriage, I +found to my surprise that the sidewalk in front of the theater was +crowded with men, women and children, awaiting my coming. It was with +difficulty that I reached my carriage. I must needs take the hands of +these well-pleased people who wished to thank me. Through the efforts +of Mr. John T. Bell I entered the carriage and was driven to the Hotel +Touraine, where a banquet had been prepared. When I arrived the +committee and members of the chorus were seated at the tables. I was +escorted to the table at the end of the hall, decorated with +blossoms, flags and streamers and twelve uniformed soldiers standing +guard. During the banquet the band played patriotic airs and afterward +there were short speeches by prominent men. At the close of the +banquet the master of ceremonies asked the assemblage to rise and give +a tribute of three cheers for Mrs. Blake-Alverson, the patriotic +singer of Oakland. This was given with a will and the band played +America in which we all joined. With this song the celebration was +over and my career as a public singer for sixty-five years for the +people of California in the Golden State by the Golden Gate of the Far +West, the grandest state of all the galaxy of states, was ended. + +[Illustration: ENVELOPES OF PATRIOTIC DESIGN USED DURING THE CIVIL +WAR, 1861 + +CO. K, 7th CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, CAPT. O.P. SLOAT, FROM SAN +BERNARDINO + +At the Presidio, En Route to the Philippines, 1898] + +While this closed my public life, as far as these holiday observances +went, I did not give up my music altogether, as I had no other way to +support myself and was still in possession of my voice and my ability +to teach was established. I went right on in the even tenor of my way +and did what I could toward making it possible for my pupils to take a +place with those who had succeeded in the beautiful art of music and +song. I had now taught in Oakland fifteen years and felt no uneasiness +as to the result, so I went bravely on doing what I could. My friends, +the soldiers of the G.A.R., felt their memorials and installations +were not complete without their Daughter of the Regiment who had never +denied them since 1861. Persons make a mistake who think they cannot +do much if they fail in the great achievements of life, but I contend +that the small things are not to be despised. I shall not be able to +put one-sixteenth part of my engagements in this book, but I will +illustrate with the G.A.R. and tell how often I have sung for that +organization alone. The reader will then realize the amount of work I +have done for churches, fraternal societies, missions, art classes, +sewing classes, functions of all kinds, club functions, singing +classes, holiday festivals, assistance to the young people of the +societies and Sunday schools of the churches with which I was +identified, guilds, charitable institutions and private affairs. Had I +not kept a diary for all these years I never would have known the vast +amount of work a person could do in a short life. + +From 1861 until 1864 I did not keep a diary, but saved programmes of +special events. When the war started we were constantly doing +something for the soldiers. I will tell of an episode which convinced +me that the power of song is more lasting than we realize. When the +wounded men were brought home to the hospitals the different church +choirs were sent to sing for the sick and the dying, and at the +funerals. It seemed that each Sabbath afternoon I was administering to +the needs of the sick and wounded men. In 1862 I returned to +California and lived in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Stockton and +Oakland. I was the honored guest of the Appomattox Post, Captain +Thomas commanding, on April 26, 1894. It was the yearly visit to +inspect the Old Soldiers' Home at Yountville. Mr. Arbuckle and many of +the officers of the G.A.R. were in the party. I was to give the old +veterans some of the old melodies they loved. We had a full quartette +of musical people from the different posts, and when we arrived the +large hall was filled with the veterans. When my name was called upon +the programme it was impossible to begin until they had given vent to +their enthusiasm. I was in excellent voice and with my patriotic +spirit stirred I sang with a determined will to please once again, and +I certainly received a full return of appreciation. + +After the concert a reception was held and I greeted them all as they +passed in file, and shook hands and received their expressions of +pleasure for my songs. After an excellent luncheon we inspected the +new kitchen and dining hall recently completed. One of the women, Mrs. +Sarah Markwert, and myself inspected the new kitchen and we came to +where one of the old veterans was washing the dishes. I said to my +friend, "Well, this is splendid, no one need mind washing dishes with +all these conveniences." At that moment the old man turned around and +with his hands in the dish water said to me, "Shure it's a many a long +day since I saw your face." I looked at him in astonishment and said, +"My dear comrade, where have I seen you before?" "Shure I was a sorry +looking man when you saw me in the hospital in Massachusetts as +helpless as a babe." "My dear sir, do you still remember me?" "Do we +forget the angels when once they visit us?" Then he went on with his +story until he brought the picture back to me as if it were yesterday. +Truly I was convinced of the power of song. He had listened to me when +sick and wounded and as his mind went back to the days of '61 he still +remembered the face and the singer and the song. After bidding him +good-bye and thanking him for his long remembrance of me, I turned +thoughtfully away. As we came upon the porch of the hospital I passed +a middle aged man and I nodded pleasantly and passed him by. As I +passed he said, "Are you going to forget your old postman of 120 +Charles street, Boston?" I could not reply for a moment, and I looked +at him and said, "Are you Charles Blake?" He said, "I am." "What are +you doing here, are all the Eastern soldiers here in this place?" +"No," he replied, "Only two or three of us." "I was speaking to one +just now in the kitchen who remembered me." "Oh, yes, Patrick, he was +in the same place I was." "How did you happen to come here?" I asked +him. "My letter pouch became too heavy for me to carry and I asked to +be sent here, and I expect to remain the rest of my life." Truly, +wonders will never cease, said I, as we left him and went to the sick +room. There we saw rows of beds all occupied except three or four. At +the head of the stairs we stopped to speak to the old veteran and +inquired of his health. He said, "My days are short and I am ready to +go at any time now." I said, "You were unable to hear the music +today?" "Yes," he said, "I thought once or twice I could catch a sound +of it, but I could not tell." I asked him if he liked music and he +said, "Very much, and I wanted to hear the singer today for I had +heard her sing before I got bedridden, when she was a young woman, and +I was so sorry to have missed it." I said, "What song would you like +best to hear, now that you are sick, if you could hear anyone sing?" +"The song I have in my mind now is Nearer, My God, to Thee." I took +his wasted hand in mine and stood at the head of his bed and sang to +him and to all the sick in the ward. After I had finished a silence +was o'er all, save a sob or two from those who were deeply affected by +the song. The nurse approached and asked me if I would sing Rock of +Ages for one veteran who was lying at the other end of the ward. I +complied and when I had finished these poor afflicted men wanted to +thank me, so I passed from one bed to another and said a parting word +to each, and as I passed the bed of the old dying man, on my return, +he said with tears, "I shall not forget the song or the singer. The +memory of both will go with me to the gates of Paradise. I'll not +forget, good-bye." He lingered for another week, they told me, and his +last words were from the hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee. + +I have felt it my sacred duty to always answer the call of the +soldier. It began in 1861 and has always been listened to by me since. +I have sung at many exercises, at the Memorial exercises, which began +in 1880, I sang for the George Thomas Post. On January 18, 1885, I was +at the installation of post officers. Memorial day of that year I sang +at the Metropolitan hall, San Francisco. In 1886 I sang in the same +auditorium, which was packed, and I sang there again in 1887. In 1888 +I sang for the W.R. Cornman Post, No. 57, San Bernardino. On January +5, 1889, installation exercises, and on January 30, 1889, G.A.R. camp +fire for veterans, I sang at San Bernardino. Returning to San +Francisco, I sang at the installation exercises in May, 1889, on +Memorial Day. On September 3, George Thomas Post concert in aid of +veterans' families. In 1890 I sang at the Sabbath service in the +Methodist Church for veterans. On May 30, Congregational Church, +Oakland, to a great congregation. Music was furnished by thirty picked +voices. Alfred Wilkie sang the Sword of Bunker Hill; Vive l'America, +and Tender and True were sung next. As Captain Thomas remarked, this +song was sung by the same singer in 1861, twenty-nine years before, +when the war was on, and once again to commemorate the brave who died. +On March 6, 1894, I participated at a grand rally and musical of Lyon +post and corps. On March 15, at Appomattox corps and post concert; +April 23, G.A.R. reception, Congregational Church, Edwin C. Seymour +and General W.H.L. Barnes, speakers, Mrs. Blake-Alverson, vocalist. On +April 24, reception of G.A.R. at Mills Tabernacle, Governor Markham +and staff present. The building was densely crowded and the enthusiasm +was marked. The band played the national anthems. I sang the Star +Spangled Banner and Annie Laurie amid the cheers and tremendous +applause of veterans and others present. On April 26 the Yountville +yearly visit to the Soldiers' Home was made by the Appomattox posts +and a concert was given and a general inspection of the home was held. +On May 8, 9, and 22 were days of receptions and entertainments to +raise funds. On May 30 I sang in the Methodist Church, Berkeley. On +June 14 I sang at the tenth anniversary of Appomattox Post and on June +15 anniversary of Lyon Corps and banquet. On July 19 I sang at +reception of G.A.R. officers and their families who had assembled from +other California cities and the East. August 6, September 1, 4, 22, +Admiral Porter Post No. 169, Lyon Post, Cole. E.D., Baker Camp No. 5; +October 25, National Guard of California; November 16, Flags of all +Nations concert; December 11, Lyon Corps entertainment. In 1895, +January 3, 8, March 13, May 30, July 4, July 9, 31, September 11, +November 13, were days of installation, memorials, processions of +importance, bazaars and concerts. In all I participated. + +[Illustration: + +Georgia Sroufe +Mrs. Dollie Sroufe-Tiffany +Sophia Faull +Rose Faull +Edith Beam +Biddle Bishop +Carrie Brainard, Birdie Brainard +Bessie Graves +Ada Van Winkle +Mrs. Hattie Brainard +Susan Sroufe + +PUPILS OF THE 80's] + +In 1896, January 28, May 30 and 31, June 20, reception to +General-in-Chief Lawlor, G.A.R., were days to be remembered, but of +July 7 I must make special mention, as it was an honor that can only +come once to a singer. It was the golden jubilee of the flag-raising +at Monterey fifty years before, a scene of patriotic enthusiasm in +which I, with other patriotic people, participated. Through Major +Edwin Sherman, head of the arrangements committee, I was engaged to +assist in the demonstration. I had a previous engagement with Frank +Gilder at Santa Cruz for his concert a day or two before the flag +raising. When I arrived at Monterey I was met by Major Sherman, wife +and party and escorted to the hotel. After dinner the evening was +spent with rehearsals and completing the arrangement for the morning's +exercises. The day of July 7 was ideal, the air was mild and the sun +came out in all of its splendor and the streets were alive with people +who were assembling already in preparation for this great jubilee. The +procession started promptly at 10 o'clock and passed through the +principal streets of the city. Veterans of the Mexican war, sailors +from the battleships that lay in the harbor, United States soldiers +were in line. Many appropriate emblems, floats, and bands of music +followed. School children symbolizing the American flag presented a +feature never to be forgotten. + +Across from the first custom house a large platform had been erected +and upon this platform all the performers for the occasion were +placed. At the top the children were grouped to form the flag, a most +novel and beautiful sight. The officers of the day, Mexican veterans, +musicians and speakers occupied the lower platform. The old custom +house opposite, with its high flag pole, the two armored cruisers +lying in the bay, the escort of hundreds of sailors from the ships +made a never-to-be-forgotten scene. At the appropriate moment William +P. Toler, the man who fifty years before raised the flag upon the same +pole, amid cheers from the multitude descended from the platform and +made his way through the crowd and ranks of the naval battalion to +where Lieutenant Roper of the Monadnock stood. He escorted Mr. Toler +to the northwest corner of the old custom house, beneath the staff, +while the quartermaster of the Philadelphia bent the American flag on +to the halyards which were placed in Mr. Toler's hand. At this point +Major Sherman called for three cheers for Old Glory and Mr. Toler, +with all the energy of his youth and his eyes sparkling with pride and +patriotic fire, grasped the rope (but the halyards were stiffened) and +after an adjustment of the difficulty the flag soon reached the +masthead and was spread out to the breeze. Then occurred a scene not +often witnessed. The people went wild at the beautiful sight. Hats and +handkerchiefs went flying into the air. All reserve of these military +men was forgotten in the moment of patriotic enthusiasm. The two +battleships anchored in the bay puffed forth the smoke from the +cannon's mouth. The air was filled with a riot of sounds from the +crash of guns, multiplying the echoes rising above the strains of the +Star Spangled Banner. It was a touching sight to see the veterans of +war behave like boys let loose from school, the children clapping +their hands, Queen California with her maids of honor upon her throne +waving handkerchiefs. The sailors stood at attention throughout this +demonstration, but when Mr. Toler turned to ascend the platform they +seized him and bore him triumphantly to the grandstand amid shouts and +huzzas for the midshipmate of fifty years ago. After the excitement +was over he bade them all farewell. This was the last public +appearance of Mr. Toler. He passed away the following year. + +Upon the platform were gathered a number of notable men. Major Sherman +was orator of the day and the ruling spirit of this patriotic +gathering. Admiral L.A. Beardslee, U.S.N., retired, was the honored +guest and spoke with patriotic fervor on this occasion of the laying +of the corner stone of the Sloat monument and flag-raising. After the +address of Major Sherman the girls of the living flag sang with +splendid effect the Star Spangled Banner. Mrs. Eliza A. Pittsinger +eloquently recited an original poem written for l'America by myself, +with full spirit of patriotic fire and sweetness of song, which was +roundly applauded. At the close I brought forth a small American flag, +which created the greatest enthusiasm and responded with Old Glory, +Flag of Liberty. It was some time before I was allowed to retire. + +Hon. H.C. Gesford, grand president of Native Sons of the Golden West, +followed with a telling speech; the Hon. Niles Searles, vice-president +of the California Pioneers, made a short and witty speech, after which +the multitude joined in the anthem of America. Rev. O.E. Edmonson, +chaplain of the U.S. flagship Philadelphia, pronounced the benediction +and the great celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the taking of +California and raising of the American flag at Monterey by Commodore +Sloat was ended and his honored fame gloriously vindicated. + +My next work for the Grand Army was at an entertainment, July 14, +1896. I was asked to speak on the theme of Old Glory. I made my first +speech in public with Judge E.M. Gibson, Mr. Arbuckle and others who +were veterans on the speaking platform. In 1897 I sang at Memorial Day +exercises; May 28, Lincoln's memorial; December 14, Lyon Corps fete of +all nations closed the engagements of this year, with the addition of +many dollars finding their way into the depleted treasury. In 1898 +Memorial Day was the first of the varied performances of the year; +June 25 was another departure from the regular things that took place +in the G.A.R. needs. About eight or nine of the patriotic women, +myself and four other singers of the different corps, went to visit +the boys enlisted for the Spanish-American war and staying at Camp +Merritt at the Presidio. They were awaiting the call to the +Philippines. We arrived in camp about four o'clock in the afternoon +and visited the different divisions and chatted with the soldiers +until eight o'clock, when we were due at the tent where Captain Sloat +was quartered, and his fine boys of San Bernardino, Cal. + +We assisted the boys in their songs and listened to the remarks by +able men and women until nine o'clock, when Captain Sloat addressed +his men and called upon me to tell the boys of our work in 1861--a new +departure for me. I generally sang my patriotism, but this time it +took the form of a recital of events for about fifteen minutes, and +was listened to with the greatest attention. I told them of the dying +soldiers who passed away with the song of Annie Laurie on their lips. +Afterwards I sang it for them and gave them other songs. At the close +of my work Capt. Sloat made me an offering in the name of his men of +the most beautiful tribute of roses and ferns, contributed by the +individual members. I received their tribute with heartfelt gratitude +and appreciation. We were served with refreshments by the hospitable +women of the Red Cross before returning to the city. Taps sounded at +ten o'clock and we departed for our homes. October 11, 21, 24 finished +the entertainments for the year 1898. In 1899, January 5, the +installation of Appomattox Post and corps took place, followed on +February 21 with a grand reception of veterans and newly elected +officers and their wives. A musical program was provided as usual. On +May 30 the Memorial services were held in the Methodist Church with +suitable programme. On July 11 and 29 the Relief Corps had the usual +entertainment for friends. On September 3 memorial exercises for +soldiers who fell in the Philippine war were held. Nothing special +occurred in 1900 until Memorial Day, which was celebrated by befitting +exercises. On June 19 the Lyon Corps had an extra entertainment. On +June 23 the grand McKinley demonstration, San Francisco, closed the +engagements of the year 1900. I did not sing again for the G.A.R. +until 1903, because of my accident. On March 31, 1903, Lyon Post, as a +special request, needed my services. On August 21 and December 15, +they celebrated Veterans' Day, Lyon Post installation. On May 12, +1904, Captain Stillwell wanted the boys to have patriotic singing in +their armory opening, and asked me to sing for them Vive l'America. +This entertainment and Memorial Day, May 31, closed my work for this +year. 1905 began with the Lyon Corps and Post installation. On +Memorial Day I sang in the Congregational Church. As I sang The +Offering of Flowers I quietly placed a wreath of roses over the spear +of the flag, as it projected in front of me in the gallery over the +pulpit, and in an instant the audience rose to their feet in silent +appreciation for my tribute to the dead, comrades knowing my inability +to go to the cemetery for the services there. At the close of the +services, before I could leave my place in the gallery, many G.A.R. +officers and strangers paid their affectionate tributes of praise for +my services of song and honor to the dead. Once more I was urged to +sing at the Macdonough theater on the Fourth of July of that year, and +I received a most enthusiastic reception from the public. The banquet +of Lyon Corps for the post, July 11, and the memorial services of post +and corps for the annual deaths closed this year's services. I +supposed this would be my last public appearance, but in 1906 I was +needed at the installation as usual, and on the Fourth of July at the +Macdonough theater. In 1907 I sang at a special reception to veterans +and department officers of California and their wives. Judge Dibble +was most eloquent in his address, which was enthusiastically received +by the veterans. On July 31 and August 20 I closed my G.A.R. work for +the year. In 1908 I sang on two occasions, and in 1909 I sang at the +Bay School for Mr. Crawford, taking a quartette with me. We gave the +children some of the old songs for the inspiration of their patriotic +spirit. They in return gave us the "Red, White and Blue" with splendid +effect, led by Mr. Crawford, who is a patriotic spirit among the young +in the schools of California. On July 8 and November 30 closed the +engagements for 1910 and 1911, up to May 30, 1912. How many more +times I shall be able to help the Boys in Blue I do not know, but as +long as I have a musical note left it shall be to serve them. + +My book has already assumed such proportions that I shall not be able +to give many of the interesting and worthy occurrences which have +occurred in my public life as a singer. I have sung for the Masonic +lodges, Knights of Pythias, Rebekahs, Eastern Star. I have sung at +concerts for the different charities, church societies, Christian +associations, on anniversaries of special nature, at public +demonstrations in the school department, among them the tree-planting +by the children of the Lincoln school and demonstration chorus singing +by the children in Mills Tabernacle. I have entertained artists who +have come to our coast and sung in opera and concert. Madam Etelka +Gerster and her company were entertained in my home in 1884; the prima +donna, Materna, of Wagner fame, and her tenor, Ondricek, and Madame +Anna Bishop and her artists were also my guests. I have enjoyed the +friendships of our artists, Rudolph Herold, Ernest Hartman, Prof. +Trenkle, J.H. Dohrmann and hosts of others. When Henry Clay Barnabee +and his opera company were at the Columbia theater I enjoyed many +hours of real comradeship, chatting about old times in Boston and +other artists of our day. Emma Shafter Howard made it possible for +many musical people to meet the celebrated violinist, Ysaye, a number +of years ago. It would require many pages to recount the number of +such meetings which have taken place during my sojourn in Boston, +Mass.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Oregon, Victoria, and throughout the cities +of California. In San Bernardino I found during my sixteen months' +stay many prominent families who extended their cordial support and +appreciation and welcome. I take great pleasure in mentioning +especially Mr. Seth Marshall and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Addison Collins, +Mr. and Mrs. Charles Perkins. + +On returning to Oakland I received the right hand of fellowship from +Horace A. Redfield, who visited me in my studio, and his wife, Addie +Lowell Redfield and her sister Mrs. Gussie Lowell Garthwaite. Through +these friends it became known that I had come to this city to reside. +At that time Mr. Redfield was prominent as an impresario, a musical +critic and the writer of the Lyre and Song column in the Oakland +Enquirer. Through my singing in church choirs and public concerts I +later made permanent friends of many of the good people of Oakland who +encouraged music of the highest order in their homes. Mrs. Gutterson, +Mrs. John L. Howard, Mrs. Emma Shafter-Howard were among the earlier +friends and later in East Oakland Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Goodfellow, who +are thoroughly musical. He possessed a fine tenor voice while his wife +was a splendid musician and pianist. It was my good fortune to gain +their friendship while I served the Church of the Advent for eight +months, they being members of that diocese. During the life of Stephen +W. Leach, Mr. Goodfellow formed the Glee Club of friends who were well +known singers and players. S.W. Leach was director of this club. It +was Mr. Goodfellow's recreation from his much worry and work in his +profession. Mr. and Mrs. William Angus, Mr. George Collins, wife and +two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Klose and Miss Augusta Klose were the +friends who were among the musical people of the club. It was in 1896 +I began singing in the choir and in looking around for the leader for +the club I was accepted as soloist and leader. I was reluctant to do +this, as I well knew the ability of Mr. Leach, having belonged to his +Madrigal club long years before in San Francisco, but my good fortune +lay in knowing how to sing these English, Scotch and Welsh madrigals +and airs, many of them so familiar to me. For nearly three years we +enjoyed the advantage of the club and the carefully selected musical +library which Mr. Goodfellow possessed and placed at our convenience. +It was a delightful gathering of congenial friends and gave restful +pleasure to our good host and charming hostess who made it possible +for us all to benefit by their generous hospitality. These delightful +weekly gatherings were only discontinued when Mr. Goodfellow was +obliged to rest from his labor and travel for a year. Our last meeting +occurred February 2, 1900, when he and his wife left for their tour of +the world. During their absence changes had taken place among the +families. It has been my good fortune to meet prominent men and women +in the different cities where I have lived who devoted time and money +to promote the best music in their home cities. By their generosity +many worthy aspirants have received encouragement to greater +advancement in their chosen career who perhaps would not have had +opportunity to be known or heard otherwise. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR + +REPERTOIRE AND OTHER DATA. MUSICIANS AND SINGERS OF THE LAST CENTURY + + +Thinking it may be of interest to my readers and also of some +historical value, I append a list of the halls and theaters as well as +the churches where I have sung. A list of the masses, oratorios, +cantatas, etc., is also given. I also give a list of the pastors of +the various churches where I have sung. + + +HALLS AND THEATERS WHERE I HAVE SUNG + +Alcazar Hall, O'Farrell street. +B'nai B'rith Hall, O'Farrell street. +California Theatre, Bush street. +Old Metropolitan Hall, Montgomery street. +Pacific Hall, Bush street. +Mechanics Library Hall, Bush street. +Sherman and Clay Hall, Sutter street. +Old Dashaway Hall, Post street. +Greer's Hall, Minna street, between 17th and 18th streets. +Western Addition Hall, Mission street. +Grand Western Hall, corner Bush and Polk streets. +Hamilton Hall, corner Steiner and Geary streets. +Mission Music Hall, 21st and Howard streets. +Laurel Hall, Shiel's Building, O'Farrell street. +Mission Opera Hall, Grove and Laguna streets. +Old Platt Hall, Montgomery street. +Pacific Hall, Howard street. +Union Hall, Mission street. +Masonic Temple, corner Montgomery and Sutter streets. +Mechanics Pavilion, Union Square. +Mechanics Pavilion, Mission street. +Mechanics Pavilion, Market street. +Knights of Pythias Hall, Market street. +Woodward's Gardens, Mission street. +Pioneer Hall, Fourth street, between Market and Mission streets. +Metropolitan Temple, Fifth street. +Y.M.C.A. Hall, Sutter street. Sang eight years here. +Wigwam, political meetings, James G. Blaine and others, Stockton and + Geary streets. +Odd Fellows Hall, Western Addition, Geary and Steiner streets. +Mark Hopkins Institute, California street. +Odd Fellows Hall, Mission street. +Tent Pavilion, Mission street, back of the old Palace Hotel. +Ixora Hall, Mission street. +Winter Garden, Stockton street, between Sutter and Post streets. +Ladies' Relief Society. +Protestant Orphan Asylum. + +[Illustration: + +Mae Whitney +Mrs. May Stewart-Jolly +Elizabeth Harrold +Gussie Graves +Mary Harrold +Nettie Worden +Mary R. Beam +Mrs. Louis Glass +Mme. Annie Tregar + +PUPILS OF THE 80's] + + +CHURCHES WHERE I HAVE SUNG + +First Presbyterian Church, 1870-1871, Stockton street. +St. John's Presbyterian Church, Post street. +St. Patrick's Church, Mission street, March 21, 1869, 1870-1874. +St. Mary's, California and Dupont streets, 1869, 1870; 3 months. +Congregational Church, Dupont and California streets. +Calvary Church, Bush street. +Calvary Church, Geary street, May 7, 1882. +Fruitvale Congregational Church, Oakland. +Noe Valley Mission, Noe Valley. +Hamilton Hall Mission, Western Addition. +Howard Presbyterian Church, Howard street. +First Methodist Church, Mission street. +Church of the Advent, Mission street. +Church of the Advent, East Oakland. +Powell Street Methodist Church, Powell street. +Green Street Church, Green street. +Episcopal Church, Stockton street. +Larkin Presbyterian Church, Larkin street. +O Habi Sholom, Mason street, September 15, 1887, 1888. +Old Catholic Mission Church, Mission Street. +Pilgrim Congregational Church, East Oakland. +St. Brigid's, Western Addition, San Francisco. +San Bruno Road Catholic Church, 1875. +St. Ignatius Church, Market street, 1869. +Notre Dame, French Catholic Church; Organist, R.A. Lucchesi. +Unitarian Church, Geary street; Harry Hunt, organist. +Howard Street Methodist Church; Martin Schultz, organist. +St. Luke's Episcopal Church. +Trinity Church, Powell street. +Grace Cathedral, corner California and Stockton streets. +Alemany, Bishop, St. Mary's Catholic Church, California street, San + Francisco. +Akerly, Father, St. John's Episcopal Church, Oakland. +Anderson, Rev. John, First Presbyterian Church, Stockton street, San + Francisco. +Anderson, Rev. John Jr. (assistant), First Presbyterian Church, + Stockton street, San Francisco. +Buchard, Rev. Father, St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Market + street, San Francisco. +Baylis, Rev. Mr., First Presbyterian Church, Stockton street, San + Francisco. +Barrows, Rev. D.D., Calvary Church, Bush street, San Francisco. +Beecher, Henry Ward, Congregational Church, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, + Ohio. +Bettleheim, Rabbi, Jewish, Mason street, San Francisco. +Bailey, Rev. Mr., Congregational Mission, Sixteenth street, Oakland. +Beecher, Lyman R., Congregational Church, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, + Ohio. +Bokum, Rev. Henry, Reformed Church, Betts street, Cincinnati, Ohio. +Burgess, Rev. Dr., Congregational Church, Dedham, Mass. +Birmingham, Rev. Father, Roman Catholic Church, Mission street, San + Francisco. +Burrows, Dr., School for Boys, Stockton and Geary streets, San + Francisco. +Curry, Rev. James, Emanuel Presbyterian Church, Oakland. +Cunningham, Rev. Dr. D., Presbyterian Church, Stockton street, San + Francisco. +Cool, Rev. P.Y., First Methodist Church, Santa Cruz, California. +Cook, Rev. Dr., Y.M.C.A., Sutter street, San Francisco. +Cheney, Rev. B.G., Baptist Church, Washington street, San Francisco. +Cox, Rev. H., Methodist Church, Mission street, San Francisco. +Chapman, Rev. Dr., Congregational Church, East Oakland, California. +Dixon, Rev. Frank, Y.M.C.A., Sutter street, San Francisco. +Dille, Rev. E.R., Methodist Church, Fourteenth and Clay streets, + Oakland. +Dodge, Dr., Presbyterian Church. +Ells, Rev. James, Presbyterian Church, Stockton street, San Francisco. +Edwards, Rev. Mr., Hamilton Hall, Oakland. +Eston, Rev. Giles, Episcopal Church, Santa Cruz. +Freer, Rev. James, Congregational Church, Santa Cruz. +Frisk, Rev., Congregational Church, San Francisco. +Freidlander, Rabbi, Jewish, Fourteenth street, Oakland. +Gray, Rev. Father, Roman Catholic Church, Mission street, San + Francisco. +Gibson, Rev. M., Scotch Presbyterian Church, Jones street, San + Francisco. +Gerrior, Rev. Mr., Congregational Church, Jones avenue and East + Fourteenth street, Oakland. +Guard, Rev. Thomas, Presbyterian Church, Bush street, San Francisco. +Hemphill, Rev. John, Presbyterian Church, Geary and Powell streets, + San Francisco. +Hemphill, Rev. Joseph, Presbyterian Church, Noe Valley, San Francisco. +Hewes, Rev. Mr., Baptist Church, Mission District, San Francisco. +Horton, Rev. Mr., Presbyterian Church, Fourteenth and Franklin streets, + Oakland. +Hagar, Rev. E.W., Episcopal Church, Stockton, California. +Happersett, Rev. Mr., Presbyterian Church, Stockton, California. +Jewell, Rev. Frank, Methodist Church, Mission street, San Francisco. +Kip, Bishop Ingraham, Grace Episcopal Church, San Francisco. +Koenig, Rev. Father, Roman Catholic Church, San Bernardino. +Kroh, Rev. Henry, German Reformed Church, Betts street, Cincinnati, + Ohio. +Kroh, Rev. Phillip H., German Reformed Church, Stockton and Anna, + Jonesboro, Union County, Illinois. +Levy, Rabbi, Jewish Synagogue, Mason street, San Francisco. +Lathrop, Rev. H.D., Episcopal Church, San Francisco and Oakland. +Lacey, Rev. E.S., Congregational Church, Dupont and California streets, + San Francisco. +Larkin, Rev. James, Roman Catholic Church, Mission street. +Law, Rev. V. Marshall, Episcopal Church, East Oakland. +McClean, Rev. Dr. D., Congregational Church, Twelfth and Clay streets, + Oakland. +McSweeney, Father, Roman Catholic Church, Grove and Hobart streets, + Oakland. +Morrison, Rabbi, Jewish, Mason street, San Francisco. +McKenzie, Rev. Robert, Presbyterian Church, Mission street, San + Francisco. +Morrisey, Rev. Father, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, San + Francisco. +Machias, Rev. James, Presbyterian Church, Geary and Powell streets, San + Francisco. +Myerson, Rev. Dr., Jewish, Mason street, San Francisco. +Mathews, Rev. James, Presbyterian and Calvary Churches, San Francisco. +McNutt, Rev. George L., Congregational Church, East Oakland. +Nugent, Rev. J.F., Roman Catholic Church, Mission street, San + Francisco. +O'Brien, Rev. W.J., Episcopal Church, San Bernardino. +O'Connor, Rev. Father, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, San + Francisco. +Palmer, Rev. Mr., Congregational Church, Oakland, California. +Pittblado, Rev. Dr., Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco and New + York. +Patterson, Rev. Mr., Presbyterian Church, Stockton. +Rust, Rev. Henry, German Reformed Church, Betts street, Cincinnati, + Ohio. +Rader, Rev. Wm., Congregational Church, Oakland and San Francisco. +Reed, Rev. S.F., Presbyterian Church, San Francisco; came from + Victoria. +Smith, Mathew Hale, Presbyterian Church, San Francisco; came from New + York. +Scott, Rev. Dr., Presbyterian Church, San Francisco; came from Glasgow, + Scotland. +Stone, Dr. A.L., Congregational Church, Mason street, San Francisco. +Sprecher, Rev. Dr., Presbyterian and Calvary Churches, San Francisco. +Silcox, Rev. Dr., Congregational Church, East Oakland. +Simmons, Rev. Dr. (1852), Methodist Church, Stockton. +Starr-King, Rev., Unitarian Church, Stockton street, San Francisco. +Stebbins, Rev. Horatio, Unitarian Church, Geary street, San Francisco. +Scott, Rev. W.A., D.D., LL.S., St. John's Presbyterian Church, Post + street, San Francisco. +Stockman, Father, Roman Catholic Church, San Bernardino, California. +Scudder, Rev. Dr., Presbyterian Church, Mission street, San Francisco. +Talmage, Rev. DeWitt, Presbyterian and Calvary Churches, San Francisco + and New York. +Thompson, Rev. J., Presbyterian Church, Mission street, San Francisco. +Upchurch, Rev. J., Methodist Church, Mission street, San Francisco + (Eastern minister). +Wood, Rev. James, Presbyterian Church, Stockton. +Woodbridge, Rev. Sylvester, First Presbyterian Church, Benicia. +Wadsworth, Rev. Dr., Calvary Presbyterian Church, Bush street, San + Francisco. +Wendte, Rev. Mr., Unitarian Church, Oakland. +Williams, Rev. Albert, Presbyterian Church; founder of the first + Presbyterian Church of San Francisco. +Wheeler, Rev. O.C., Baptist Church, San Francisco. +Willey, Rev. H.S., Presbyterian Church, Mission street, San Francisco. +Weber, Archdeacon, Episcopal missioner at Church of the Advent, East + Oakland. + + +ORATORIOS AND CANTATAS I HAVE SUNG IN BOSTON, SAN FRANCISCO, +SACRAMENTO, STOCKTON, OAKLAND, SAN BERNARDINO AND SANTA CRUZ + +David. +Saul. +St. Paul. +Moses in Egypt, by Rossini. +Creation, Haydn. +Messiah, Handel. +Samson, Handel. +Elijah, six different times. +Israel in Egypt, Handel. +Stabat Mater, Rossini. +Racine's Athalie, Mendelssohn Bartholdy. +Paradise and the Peri. +Schumann's Cantata. +Erlking's Daughter, Miles W. Gade. +First Walpurgis Night. +Daughter of Jarius, J. Stainer. +God, Thou Are Great, L. Spohr. +Esther. +Baumbach's Collections Sacred Music. +Mosenthal's Quartettes--church and home collection. + +Sacred music sung in San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Cruz, San +Bernardino, and other cities in California and United States. + +All of Sudd's collections. + +Millard's collection of songs for Sunday school children, Episcopal +service. + +While in Boston I was a member of the Edwin Bruce United Choir Chorus, +composed of the best soloists of the day. + +Dr. Burgess' choir of Dedham. +Newton Musical Association. +Bowdoin Street choir, 200 voices, and +Church of the Unity choir. + +We formed an operatic bouquet of artists. All through the war we gave +concerts for the volunteer soldiers of the State of Massachusetts. Our +repertoire consisted of choruses from: + +Il Trovatore +Norma +Martha +Semiramide +Sicilian Vespers, Verdi +Lucrezia Borgia +Solo and choruses from Lucrezia Borgia, Donizetti +Solo and choruses from Il Templario, Nicolai +Quintette and chorus, Martha, Flotow +Miserere, Il Trovatore, Verdi +Les Huguenots +Bohemian Girl +Puritani +Charity, Rossini +Masaniello +Chorus, La Fille Du Regiment, Donizetti. +Chorus, Maritana, Wallace +I Lombardi, Verdi +Trio and chorus, Attila, Verdi +Solo and chorus, Martha, Flotow +Chorus, Donizetti, The Martyrs + + +MASSES I HAVE SUNG IN THE DIFFERENT CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN CALIFORNIA + +Mozart's 12th. +Haydn's 6th in B flat. +Mercadanti, three-voice mass. +Haydn's 3d in D. +Mozart's mass in C, No. 1. +Haydn's in C, No. 2. +Farmer's mass in G. +Haydn's 3d in D. +Mozart's No. 7. +Haydn's 8th. +Peter's mass in E flat. +Haydn's 16th in B flat. +Concone, three-voice mass. +Roeder's mass. Sung July 5th, 1874, for first time. +Weber's mass in G. +Mozart's 16th mass, St. Mary's church. +Weber's mass in E flat. +Beethoven's in C. +Mozart's No. 1. +Mozart's No. 7. +Bach's mass in B minor for five voices. Sung April 17th at St. + Patrick's. +Haydn's No. 1. +Millard's mass. +Haydn's 16th mass in B flat. +Schubert's 2d mass and vespers. +Schubert's 3d. +Schubert's 4th. +Haydn's 3d mass in D. +Weber's mass in G. +Beethoven's mass in C. +Mozart's vespers in C dur. +Mozart's No. 1. +Mozart's No. 2. +Mozart's No. 3. +Buchler's vespers. +Mozart's 9th requiem. +Mozart's 4th mass and vespers. +Mozart's 5th mass. (Sung on June 20th at dedication of new organ which + the choir aided in purchasing.) + +[Illustration: + +Lillian Jory +Chelice Beretta +Cloy Bouton +Mabel Caswell +Dr. Addison Collins +Etta Pollard +Daisy Pollard +Sue Stewart +Mrs. Minnie M. Collins + +PUPILS OF THE 80's AND 90's] + + +MASSES SUNG IN 1869 + +March 20, began singing in St. Patrick's church. +Candlemas Day, St. Ignatius church (Market street), Mozart's Twelfth. +March 15th, Notre Dame school. +April 4th, St. Patrick's. +April 11th, 18th and 27th, requiem mass. +May 2d, St. Patrick's. +August 29th, St. Mary's. +October 7th, September 6th, requiem at St. Mary's. +October 21st, requiem at St. Patrick's. +October 26th, requiem at St. Patrick's. +November 2d, 5th and 27th, requiem at St. Patrick's. +December 5th, 19th, and 23d, St. Patrick's. +Eighteen Mozart masses. +Requiem brevis. +Sixteen Haydn masses. +Lambillotte, First Mass in D. +Beethoven, two masses, one in C and one in D; very difficult. +October 31st, Weber's E flat (mostly sung). +Schubert's five masses. + +On All Saints' Day, 1870, we sang Rossini's "Solenelle Requiem" with +16 solo voices and a full orchestra, and 35 in chorus. + +I.J. Paine of Boston, first mass; very difficult. +Bach's masses. +Peter's smaller masses (complete). +Cherubini's masses (complete). + +Choir in St. Patrick's during these years were: Soprano, Mrs. Urig, +Miss Louisa Tourney, Mrs. Young and Mrs. Taylor; mezzo-soprano, Mme. +Bianchi and Mrs. Herman; mezzo-contralto, Mrs. M.R. Blake; contralto, +Ella Steele; tenor, Mr. Buch; bass, Mr. Schnable. + + +MASSES SUNG AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, MISSION STREET, 1870 + +December 24th, Midnight mass. +December 25th, repeated Christmas Day. +December 27th, requiem. +January 27th, requiem at 8:30 a.m. +June 25th, mass. +June 26th, mass and vespers. +July 7th, requiem at 8:30. +July 10th, Mercadanti, four-voice mass. +July 17th, Mozart's mass. +July 27th, requiem at 8:30. +July 31st, Lambillotte mass. +August 21st, Weber's mass E flat. +August 28th, Farmer's mass. +August 18th, Beethoven's mass in C. +September 4th, Beethoven's mass in C. +September 20th, requiem at 8:30. +September 25th, Beethoven's mass in C. +October 2d, Mozart's mass No. 1, vespers at six o'clock. +October 3d, requiem at 8:30 a.m. +October 7th, requiem, Mission Dolores. +October 8th, requiem at 8:30, St. Patrick's. +October 9th, Mozart's mass No. 1. +October 13th, requiem at 8:30. +October 16th, Mozart's 7th mass and vespers. +October 23d, Haydn's No. 1 vespers (black book). +October 30th, Beethoven's mass in C. +October 31st, benediction at church All Saints' Day. Requiem + and chants. Rossini's "Solenelle" for first time in California. +November 1st, Beuhler's mass. +November 2d, requiem, All Souls' Day, 2 p.m. +November 3d, benediction evening. I sang solo. +November 3d, sang requiem at 10 a.m. +November 6th, Haydn's 5th mass. Benediction. +November 18th, requiem at 8:30. +November 20th, Mozart's mass No. 2. +November 27th, repeated same mass. +December 4th, Farmer's mass. +December 11th, repeated mass. +December 18th, Mozart's mass No. 2. +December 19th, 20th, 21st, rehearsal with orchestra. +December 24th, midnight mass. +December 25th, repeated midnight mass. + + +SOLEMN HIGH MASS FOR POPE PIUS IX, 1880 + +Rev. Father Bingham officiated as celebrant. Deacon, Rev. T. Larkin, +sub-deacon Rev. J.P. Nugent, Rev. P.J. Gray acted as master of +ceremonies. Father Gray delivered a brief discourse on the life and +character of Pope Pius IX. The music by the choir was of high order +and excellently rendered. The selections included Introit, Dies Irae, +Lacrimosa, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei and Lux Aeterna--all from L. +Cherubini's compositions. Offertory, Domini from Verdi and Libera from +Palestrina. Artists were: + +_Soprano_--Miss Brandel, Miss C. Bush. +_Contralto_--Mrs. M. Blake, Signora Bianchi. +_Tenor_--Signor Bianchi and Signor Meize. +_Bass_--Mr. Stockmyer and Mr. Yarndley. +_Organist_--J.H. Dohrmann. +Full orchestra, thirty pieces. + + +MASSES SUNG IN ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, 1873 AND 1875 + +Mozart's 12th. +Haydn's 6th in B flat. +Mercadanti, three-voice. +Haydn's 3d in D. +Mozart's No. 1 in C. +Haydn's No. 2. +Farmer's mass in B flat. +Weber's in G. +Haydn's 3d in D. +Mozart's No. 7. +Haydn's mass No. 8. +Peter's mass in E flat. +Haydn's 16th in B flat. + + +MASSES SUNG IN ST. MARY'S CHURCH + +Mozart's 12th. +Farmer's in B flat. +Weber's in E flat. + + +MASS SUNG IN ST. IGNATIUS CHURCH + +Mozart's 12th in C. + + +MASS SUNG IN THE FRENCH CHURCH + +Weber's mass in G. + + +MASSES SUNG IN 1874 + +June 20th, Mozart's 5th mass. +June 21st, Concone's three-voice mass. +July 2d, a high mass for wedding at 10 a.m.; full choir and orchestra. +July 5th, Roeder's mass. +July 12th, requiem. +July 17th, requiem. +July 19th, Mercadanti mass. +July 26th, repeated the mass. +July 29th, requiem. +August 2d, Peter's mass. +August 8th, requiem. +August 9th, Roeder's mass. +August 11th, requiem. +August 14th, requiem. +August 15th, Holy Thursday. +Haydn's 16th in B flat. +Schubert's 2d mass and vespers. +Schubert's 3d mass. +Schubert's 4th mass. +Haydn's 3d in D. +Weber's Mass in G. +Beethoven's in C. +Mozart's vespers in C dur. +Mozart's 1st and 2d mass. +Mozart's 3d mass. +Buchler's vespers. +Mozart's 9th requiem. +Mozart's 5th mass. +Mozart's 12th, 6th, 7th and 8th. +Mozart's 9th +Haydn's 6th in B flat. +Mozart's No. 1 in C. +Haydn's No. 2 in C. +Farmer's mass in B flat. +Haydn's 8th. +Peter's mass in E flat. + + +GRAND HIGH MASS AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, 1881 + +April 17th, Easter Day. + +CHOIR + +Miss H. Brandel, _soprano_ +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_ +Signora Bianchi, _mezzo-soprano_ +Signor Bianchi, _tenor_ +F. Shoenstein, _bass_ + +Music rendered: + +Vide Aquam, V. Novello. +Veni Creator, Mrs. M.R. Blake. +"Alma Vergo," Mrs. Brandel. +Mass in B minor (five voices), John Sebastian Bach. Sung for + the first time in San Francisco. +J.H. Dohrmann, master and organist. +Romberg's Te Deum--Orchestra. +J.K. Paine, mass. +W.A. Leonard's mass in B flat, four voices. +Regina Coeli (Paolo Giorza). +April 8th, extra Easter music--violin, organ, voice. + + +1888 + +October 28th, Concone mass. Vespers at 4 p.m. +November 20th, requiem--Father Koenig--Father Stockman. +December 2d, Bordeuse mass. +December 8th, requiem at 8:30. +December 22d, Bordeuse mass. + + +1889 + +January 1st, Bordeuse mass. +January 6th, part of three masses. +January 13th, Werner's mass. +January 20th, Bordeuse mass. +January 27th, Peter's mass. +February 17th, Bordeuse mass. +February 24th, high mass--Millard's mass, second time. +March 3d, mass, Concone. Vespers at 4 p.m. +March 10th, Peter's mass. Vespers at 4 p.m. +March 24th, third Sunday in Lent, Gregorian chants. +March 31st, Gloria and Kyrie from Easter mass. +April 7th, Werner's mass. Vespers at 4 p.m. +April 14th, Palm Sunday, Millard's mass. +April 19th, Good Friday, requiem from green book. +April 21st, Easter Sunday, Buchler's mass and vespers. +April 25th, sang for the Sodality in the afternoon (Sisters of Mercy). +April 30th, closed my engagements at this church. + + +EARLY MUSICIANS OF CALIFORNIA + +1852--Mary Matilda Kroh, organ, piano, Stockton, Cal., from + Cincinnati, O. +1853--H.B. Underhill, organ, piano, Stockton, from New York. +1853--Paul Pioda, Benicia Female Seminary, from Italy. +1853--Mary E. Woodbridge, piano, organ, Benicia Female Seminary. +1853--Emily Wash, piano, Benicia Female Seminary. +1854--Johanna Lapfgeer, piano and organ, Benicia Female Seminary. + + +FIRST CHOIR OF SINGERS, 1852 + +Mary Matilda Kroh, _organist_ +Emma Jane Kroh, _soprano_ +Sarah Rebecca Kroh, _soprano_ +Margaret R. Kroh, _alto_ +Mary Matilda Kroh, _alto_ +James Holmes, _bass_ +Wm. W. Trembly, _tenor_ +H. Noel, _tenor_ +Geo. H. Blake, _tenor_ +Wm. Belding, _bass_ +Amos Durant, _bass_ + +[Illustration: + +Mrs. Wm. E. Blake +Ethel Jones +Mrs. Chas. Lessig +Everett S. Dowdle +Louisa Crosett +Margaret Oakes +Josie Crew +Grace LaRue + +PUPILS AND ACCOMPANISTS OF THE 90's] + + +1853 + +Lucy Grove, _soprano_ +Mary Newell, _soprano_ +Lizzie Fisher, _alto_ +Jennie Grove, _alto_ +Sam Grove, _tenor_ +Wm. H. Cobb, _tenor_ +James Holmes, _bass_ +The Ainsa Family (Castilians), Lola, Anita, Belana, Leonore, (1852) +H.B. Underhill, _organist and piano_ (1854) +Louisa Falkenburg, _pianist_ + + +EMINENT SINGERS, 1854 + +Anna Thillon's corps of artists were: + +Julia Gould +S.W. Leach +Mr. Ronconvieri +Mr. Hudson +Geo. Loder, _director_ + + +MUSICIANS WHO CAME LATER IN THE FIFTIES + +Beutler, Prof., _piano_ +Bodecker, Louis, _piano_ +Bosworth, H.M., _piano, organ_ +Batkin, I., _piano, organ_ +Bulle, Ole, _violin virtuoso_, 1854 +Brandt, Herman, _violinist_, arrived 1894 +Blankart, Otto, _violinist_ +Blake, Geo. L., _cornet and drum, French horn_ +Coggins, I.O., _cornet_ +Dohrmann, J.H., _piano, organ, harmony, composer_ +Dellepiane, F., _piano, organ_ +Eaton, Prof., _organ, composer_ +Espinosa, Signor, _organ_ +Evans, George, _organ_ +Fabbri, Mulder, _organ_ +Foley, Prof., _violin_ +Gee, George, _piano, organ_ +Homier, Louis, _piano, violin_ +Hunt, Harry, _organ_ and _piano_ +Hartmann, Ernest, _piano_ +Hemme, Prof., _piano_ +Heyman, Henry, _violin_ +Hefferman, Prof., _leader of band_ +Herold, Rudolph, _piano_ +Hinrichs, Julius, _violoncello_ +Hinrichs, August, _violin, leader_ +Hinrichs, Gustave, _piano_ +Hartdegan, Prof. A., _violoncello_ +Herzog, Theo., _violin_ +Herold, Oscar, _piano, leader_ +Holt, Prof., _organ_ +Koppitz, George, _flute_ +Koppitz, Henry, _arranger of music_ +Kohler, Dick, _cornet_ +Kuhne, Arnold, _piano, organ_ +Katzenbach, Fred'k, _piano, organ_ +Lisser, Louis, _pianist_ +Loring, D.W., _Loring Club leader_ +Linden, Otto, _piano_ +Little, Geo. C., _organ, piano_ +Mayer, James C, _organ_ +Mayer, D. Samuel, _organ, piano_ +Mundwyler, John, _bassoon, double bass_ +Mundwyler, Louis, _oboe, clarionet, violin_ +Mundwyler, Fred, _trombone, viola_ +McDougall, W.J., _organ, piano_ +Mansfeldt, Hugo, _pianist virtuoso_, 1873 +McCume, Chas., _piano_ +Oettl, Julius, _piano_ +Pettinos, George, _organ, piano_ +Pipers, Fritz, _violin_ +Paddock, Nellie, _piano_ +Rosenberg, A.A., _piano_ +Rosewald, Prof., _violin_ +Sabin, Wallace, _piano, organ, composer_ +Schmidt, Louis Sr., _violin leader_ +Schmidt, Louis Jr., _violin_ +Schmidt, Ernest, _violin_ +Schmidt, Clifford, _violoncello_ +Schmidt, Alice, _piano_ +Simonson, Martin, _violin virtuoso_ +Scott, Gustave, _piano and organ_ +Stedman, H.S., _organ, piano_ +Sewell, Prof., _organ, piano_ +Schultz, Charles, _pianist_. California Theater leader. +Schlott, Ernest, _French horn_ +Schmitz, Christof, _French horn_ +Schmitz, Joseph, _Leader_ +Spadina, Prof., _clarionet_ and _director_ +Solano, Mauro, _harp, piano, cello_ +Seward, William, _organ, piano_ +Stadfeldt, Jacob, _piano_ and _singer_ +Sleuter, Prof., _piano_ +Schultz, Martin, _organ, piano_ +Seib, Prof., _organ, piano_ +Trenkle, Joseph, _piano_ +Toepke, Wm., _piano_ +Uhlig, Robert, _violin_ +Urba, Prof., _horn_ +Von der Mehden, L., _cornet, flute, violin_ +Wand, Prof., _piano_ +Weil, Oscar, _piano composer_ +Wysham, Clay, _flute_ +Yarndley, T.R., _organ_ +Zech, August, _pianist_, Royal Court of Leipsic + + +WOMEN PIANISTS + +Beutler, Clara, _piano_ +Blankart, Theresa Mrs., _piano_ +Bacon, Alice M., _piano_ +Carmichael, Carr, _piano_ +Carusi, Inez, _piano_ and _harp_ +Cohen, Madam Waldo, _piano_ +Dillaye, Miss, _piano, organ_ +Jaffa, Madam, _piano_ +Cottlow, Augusta, _piano virtuoso_ +Lada, Madam, _piano_ +Tojetti, Madam, _piano_ + + +WOMEN SINGERS OF EARLY YEARS, 60'S AND 70'S + +Abby, Mrs. A., _mezzo-soprano_ +Biscaccianti, Mme. E. (nee Eliza Ostinello), _coloratura singer, + soprano_ +Brambrilla, Signora Elvira, _prima donna, soprano_ +Bianchi, Signora, _mezzo-soprano_ +Bishop, Mme. Anna, _prima donna, soprano_ +Blake, Margaret M., _mezzo-contralto_ +Beutler, Clara, _soprano_ +Beutler, Ida, _mezzo_ +Beutler, Emma, _contralto_ +Bateman Sisters, in 1854 +Bowden, Mrs. Anna Shattuck, _soprano_ +Buthen, Mrs., _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) +Carusi, Inez, _soprano_ +Cowen, Safa Tate, _soprano_ +Campbell, Mrs. Marriner, _coloratura soprano_ +Chisolm, Mrs., _contralto_ +Cameron, Mrs. _soprano_ +Escott, Lucy, _prima donna, soprano_ +Elzer, Anna, _prima donna, contralto_ +Fabri, Inez, _prima donna, soprano_ +Gerster, Etelka, _prima donna soprano_ +Galton, Susan, _lyric soprano_ +Gould, Susan, _contralto_ +Howard, Etna, _soprano_ +Keen, Laura, _soprano_ +Little, Sarah Watkins, _soprano_ (1864) +Leach, Georgiana, _soprano_ +Lester, Louisa, _soprano_ +Mills, Louisa, _prima donna, soprano_ +Melville, Emily, _prima donna, soprano_ +Menans, Madam, _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) +Moore, Hattie, _soprano_ (opera) +Mohrig, Ida Semminaro, _mezzo-soprano_ +Northrup, Elizabeth, _mezzo-soprano_ +Neilson, Alice, _soprano_ (opera) +Orlandini, Gabriela, _soprano_ (opera) +Parker, Elizabeth, _soprano_ +Pierce, Mrs. J.M., _soprano_ +Rightmire, Sallie, _contralto_ +Rosewald, Julia, _prima donna soprano_ (opera) +Shattuck, Anna B., _soprano_ +Sconcia, Madame, _soprano_ +Stone, Kate, _contralto_ +Schultz, Susan, _soprano_ +States, Agatha, _soprano_ +Taylor, Mrs., _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) +Tourney, Louisa, _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) +Thursby, Louisa, _prima donna, soprano_ +Uhrig, Mrs., _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) +Van Brunt, Mrs. R.A., _soprano_, (Calvary Church) +Valerga, Ida, _mezzo-soprano_ (opera) +Wilson, Alice, _soprano_ +Wetherbee, Nellie, _mezzo-soprano_ +Williams, Mrs. Barney, _soprano_ +Young, Mrs. _soprano_ (St. Patrick's) + + +1896 + +McDonough, Luckstone, _piano_ +Materna, Amelia, _famous prima donna_ +Frantz, Ondricek, _famous tenor_ + + +MEN SINGERS IN EARLY DAYS + +Adler, Herman, _baritone_ +Bianchi, Signor, _tenor_ +Borneman, Fred, _bass_ +Bettencourt, J. de S., _tenor_ +Campbell, Walter, _bass_ (1859) +Clark, Benjamin, _tenor_ (1854) +Coch, S.W., _bass_ +Dugan, Charles, _baritone_ +Duffy, Thomas, _baritone_ +Elliott, Washington, _tenor_ +Formes, Karl, _basso profundo_ +Fuchs, Prof., _tenor_ +Freedburg, A., _tenor_ +Gates, Harvey, _tenor_ +Goe, Dr. S.E., _tenor_ +Hughes, D.P., _tenor_ +Howard, Frank, _baritone_ +Kelleher, Alfred, _tenor_ +Langstroth, J.A., _tenor_ +Lyster, Fred, _tenor_ +Leach, Stephen W., _baritone_ +Mayer, Samuel D., _tenor_ +Morley, Signor, _tenor_ +Makin, Cornelius, _bass_ +Mancusi, Signor, _baritone_ +Maguire, Joseph, _tenor_ +Nesfield, D.W.C, _baritone_ +Otty, Major W.N., _tenor_ +Reuling, Signor, _baritone_ +Richel, M.D., _basso profundi_ +Squires, Henry, _tenor primo_ +Stadfeldt, Jacob, _basso_ +Stockmyer, Herr, _basso_ +Tippetts, J.E., _tenor_ +Trehane, John, _tenor_ +Wilder, Dr. A.M., _tenor_ +Wetherbee, Henry, _tenor_ +Williams, Barney (1854), _tenor_ + + +CALIFORNIA COMPOSERS + +Sabin, Wallace A. +Metcalf, John W. +Koppitz, Geo. +Lejeal, Alois +Dohrmann, J.H. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE + +EARLY CALIFORNIA REMINISCENCES OF MUSICIANS AND SINGERS + + +RUDOLPH HEROLD + +The first famous orchestra leader in San Francisco was Rudolph Herold, +born in Prussia, Germany, March 29, 1832, and died in San Francisco, +July 25, 1889. He received his musical education at Leipsic +Conservatory with Plaidy and Moscheles, his teachers on the piano, and +Mendelssohn, teacher of the theory of music and composition. + +He arrived in San Francisco in 1852 as solo pianist and accompanist +with the famous Catherine Hayes. He saw opportunities in this young +city for fostering and cultivating good music and remained here until +his death. He was closely identified with every important musical +event up to the time when he was stricken with paralysis three years +preceding his death. + +In the early fifties he organized, under the patronage of Harry +Meiggs, who was an ardent lover of music, the San Francisco +Philharmonic society and rendered such important works as Elijah, St. +Paulus, by Mendelssohn, Mass Requiem, by Mozart, The Desert, by +Felician David, etc., etc. He also organized the famous San Francisco +Harmonie, a singing society for male voices. He was organist at St. +Mary's Cathedral and the First Unitarian Church for over twenty years +and Temple Emanuel for twenty-five years. He had full charge of the +great musical festival in 1870, given by Camilla Urso in aid of the +Mercantile Library fund and conducted at the second festival given by +Sumner Bugbee in conjunction with Carl Zerrahn of Boston. He conducted +all the earlier Italian opera seasons given by Bianchi at the old +Metropolitan, Maguire's opera house. In 1874 he organized his Symphony +orchestra and continued his concerts without financial backing up to +the time of his illness, producing the standard symphonic works of the +old masters and also those of the more modern composers, such as +Schuman, Rubinstein, Raff, Brahms and St. Saens. + + +J.H. DOHRMANN + +Mr. Dohrmann, a native of Hesse, Germany, took his first piano lesson +when but six years old. At the age of eleven years he had made such +remarkable progress that his parents sent him to a seminary at Homburg +to further develop his musical talent and other studies. Dr. Wilhelm +Volekmar, an eminent organist, pianist and accomplished musician, was +the head of the musical department. Under his tuition he became a +brilliant pianist and a good organist. He was an indefatigable +student, not only in music but also languages--the foundations of +which were laid there. After remaining a few years there, his parents +decided to emigrate to America and came to San Francisco, where a son +had preceded them in 1854. + +Dohrmann went to school there to perfect his knowledge of the English +language, and continued his studies in music, harmony, theory and +instrumentation for some time, under the guidance of Prof. R. Herold, +and later alone, when compelled to live in the country on account of +failing health. + +In 1857 he located in Sacramento, where he remained one year, then +went to San Jose, where he was successful as a teacher, also as +director of singing societies. However, being ambitious to associate +with better musicians, and to be in a greater field for music, in 1861 +he came to San Francisco. There he soon became a favorite with the +musicians as a pianist. In 1862 he made his advent as pianist in a +theater of which he became the leader of the orchestra later. Since +then he has been the musical director in a number of theaters in San +Francisco--Metropolitan, Montgomery street; American, Sansome street; +Alhambra (later Bush Street Theater); Shiels Opera house, Bush street; +Platts Hall, Montgomery street; a few performances at the California +Theater, in 1876; Grand Opera House, Mission street; Winter Garden, +Post and Stockton streets; Tivoli, Eddy street; in Oakland, Oakland +Tivoli; Cameron Hall, Fourteenth street; Oakland theater, later +Coliseum, Twelfth street; also was director of the Oakland Harmonic +society until he became director at the Grand Opera House, San +Francisco. Became organist at St. Patrick's church, March, 1864, then +located at the corner of Annie and Market streets, San Francisco, +later on Mission street. Held that position until May, 1899. During +the greater part of his musical career he has resided in Oakland, +where he is still busy as a teacher. + +I.G. Drebler, in April, 1910, desired him to accept the chair of +musical director and critic of the Technique System Conservatory of +Music, Los Angeles. His business of so many years' standing could not +be properly adjusted for him to accept this advantageous offer and he +still continues his musical instructions in his home studio, Eighth +street, Oakland, and San Francisco. + + +RICHARD CONDY + +Mr. Condy was from Philadelphia. I never knew with whom he studied, +but I can safely say he was a thorough musician. In 1856 he organized +the first brass band in Stockton and was identified with it for four +years. He was unexcelled as an E flat cornet player and played several +instruments with great artistic skill. He was also a most beautiful +flute player. All the years of his residence he was closely allied +with the advancement of the best music in Stockton. In 1862 he +enlisted in the third regiment of cavalry and became the leader of the +cavalry band. At the close of the war he became a prominent member of +Rawlins Post, G.A.R. He also stood high in Odd Fellowship. His second +wife was Miss Lizzie Fisher, my early companion, the only daughter of +Alvin Fisher, who with his brother, Samuel Fisher, ran the first stage +coach line into Stockton. She came to Stockton from the East in 1854 +and sang with me in the Episcopal choir. Being a fine alto singer she +was gladly welcomed among the musical colony of Stockton. Condy died +November 3, 1903, and was deeply mourned by many sincere friends who +honored and esteemed him. With his death the last of the pioneer +musicians are gone. He is survived by Mrs. Condy and three sons. + + +FREDERICK KRAUS + +Mr. Kraus was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1827. He arrived in San +Francisco in 1851. He was not only a fine musician but also took an +active part in civic affairs. He was one of the Vigilance committee, +of the Empire Engine Company, volunteers, and also belonged to the +Swiss sharpshooters. He was a familiar figure in those societies, very +few parades were formed without Fred Kraus, and his company of +sharpshooters, or as the leader of the Sixth Regiment band. He was +every inch a soldier and marched with his stately body erect, with +dignified step, proud of his companions and his band of fine +musicians. He also belonged to the Musicians' union for many years. +He answered his last call January 16, 1912. Five children survive him. + + +SARAH P. WATKINS-LITTLE + +Miss Watkins was born in the little town of Mendham, N.J., July 10, +1842. She came to California in 1859 and to Oakland on the day before +Christmas. The following year she was engaged to sing soprano in the +First Presbyterian church. After two and one-half years there she went +to Calvary Church where she sang for another two and a half years and +then went to the Unitarian Church, where Rev. Dr. Stebbins preached. +In 1864 she was married to William C. Little. + +Geo. F. Pettinos was organist in the First Presbyterian Church; Mr. +Anderson was tenor, Emily King, now Mrs. K.S. Latham, contralto, and +Mrs. Blake-Alverson contralto. + +The choir in Calvary Church: Organist, Gustave Scott; large choir with +quartette, Washington Elliott, leader. + +Choir Unitarian Church: Rudolph Herold, organist; Mr. Wunderlich, +superb basso; Mr. Mitchell, tenor; Miss Fisher, alto; Mrs. Little, +soprano. + +She was much interested in the oratorio society, Handel and Haydn, in +which she took part in Oakland, and was soprano at St. John's Church, +following Mrs. Shipman. + +When Dr. Eells came to the First Presbyterian Church in Oakland she +had charge of the choir and was the soprano. She raised about $1500 +toward the purchase of an organ for the church. She took part in solos +when Creation was given there. + +When Hattie Crocker Alexander presented the First Congregational +Church of San Francisco with a large organ, Mrs. Watkins raised money +and purchased the original organ for Plymouth Church of Oakland and it +is now in use in that church. The first choir was as follows: Emily +King, contralto; Mr. Anderson, tenor; Sallie Little, soprano; George +Pettinos, organist. + +After two and a half years she went to Calvary Church. Mr. Elliott was +leader of the choir and Gustave Scott, organist; Dr. Wadsworth, +pastor. Mrs. Little now lives in Oakland with her daughter, who is +also a gifted singer and a teacher of voice. + + +WALTER CHAUNCY CAMPBELL + +Mr. Campbell, basso, was born at Sacketts Harbor, St. Lawrence County, +New York, October 30, 1838. His parents removed to Buffalo, New York, +in 1842 and he was graduated from the high school in 1854. He left +New York October, 1858, for California via Straits of Magellan, +arriving at San Francisco July 2, 1859. After spending two years in +placer mining he returned to San Francisco in 1861. He joined the +Handel and Haydn society under its first conductor, Mr. Oliver of +Boston, and commenced the cultivation of his voice in oratorio with +Stephen W. Leach and in German with Mr. J.B. Butler, father of Mrs. +Clara Tippett, well known soprano who left this city for Boston some +twenty-five years ago where she was soprano of the Old South Church +for a great many years. After studying with them for several years he +went to New York City to live with his father and continued his study +of vocal music, commencing with some of the prominent Italian teachers +who were so pleased with his voice that they wished him to study for +grand opera, but not liking their methods of teaching he finally +secured a teacher who did him the most good, Mr. Phillip Meyer, a +German and a fine baritone singer, who after a year's teaching, +allowed him to make his debut at Irving hall, at an afternoon recital +at which a celebrated pianist, Mr. Wehli, just arrived from Europe, +made his first appearance in America. His success was great enough to +induce Mr. Lafayette Harrison, a well known manager to engage him to +sing at the opening of Steinway's new hall in June, 1867, at which +concert Mlle. Parepa made her first appearance in America. She +afterwards became Madame Parepa-Rosa. They were both under engagement +to Mr. Harrison for the season, singing in oratorio and concerts in +New York and Brooklyn. + +After the summer of 1867 he returned to San Francisco and was engaged +as basso at Howard Presbyterian church. He remained there several +years, then went to First Unitarian Church where he sang for seven +years and then went to Grace Cathedral. He sang there for ten years +and then took charge of the choir at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, +resigning March 1, 1906, after eight years of service. During all +those years he was known throughout the coast as the San Francisco +basso. He made one tour of British Columbia, Washington, a territory +then, Oregon and California with Madam Anna Bishop. He made another +tour of California with Madam Camilla Urso, the violiniste, and a +second tour of the northwest with Charles Kohler, Charles Vivian and +Mrs. Blake-Alverson. He sang in all of the oratorios given by the +Handel and Haydn society of San Francisco as bass soloist, Creation, +St. Paul, Elijah, Samson, Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise and Messiah. +He also sang as basso of the Temple Emanuel from 1874 to 1888, +thirteen consecutive years, and was the basso profundo of that +celebrated male quartette, The Amphions, composed of Joseph Maguire, +H.J. Tippett, Jacob Stadfeldt, Campbell and Harry Hunt, pianist. Upon +the death of Joseph Maguire in 1878 the quartette disbanded as we were +unable to fill his place. While singing at the First Unitarian Church +the choir was composed of Mrs. Marriner, soprano; Miss Sallie +Rightmire, alto; Joseph Maguire, tenor; W.C. Campbell, basso. The +soprano and bass were united in the holy bonds of wedlock and are +still living happily together. Having given up concert singing for +several years past, Mr. Campbell still retains his magnificent voice +which gives great pleasure to those who hear him. His voice has a +range of two and one-half octaves from high F to low B flat, a +remarkable range at the present time. + +[Illustration: + +Ada Koch +Geo. G. Peterson +Lauretta Shaw +Bessie G. Newell +Mrs. Grace E. Dobbins-Ames +Susan Culver +Mrs. J.R. Case + +PUPILS OF THE 90's] + + +FREDERICK ZECH, JR. + +Mr. Zech, pianist and composer, was born in Philadelphia, +Pennsylvania, and came here with his family in 1860. He began his +musical studies early in life. He made such progress in his studies +that later he went abroad and studied from 1882 to 1887. While in +Berlin he became a private pupil of Theodore Kullack. He began to +teach in 1878. His first academy was the New Academy of the Tone Art +in Berlin. Before going abroad he had conducted symphony concerts and +recitals and was a successful teacher, also composed many beautiful +compositions in serious music, two symphonic poems and orchestral +music and conducted the same successfully. + + +HENRY HEYMAN + +Sir Henry Heyman is the dean of coast violinists, and occupies one of +the highest positions as a conscientious artist and a most successful +teacher. His beginning was under the direction of Frederick Buch, a +noted instrumentalist of his time. He studied a number of years in +Leipsig under such famous teachers as Ferdinand David, E.F. Richter, +E. Rontgen, Fred Herman, Carl Reinke and S. Jadassohn. During his +studies abroad he was prize graduate at the Royal Conservatory of +Music in Leipsig. On returning to his home in San Francisco he +organized the Henry Heyman String Quartette. With his own company he +gave concerts all over the coast cities as far north as Victoria, +B.C., and as far south as Honolulu, on which occasion he was knighted +by King Kalakua, who made him Knight of the Royal Order of the Star of +Oceanic, also solo violinist to His Majesty, an honor he fully +appreciates. Sir Henry is a vice-president of the Royal College of +Violinists of London, also an honorary member of the Bohemian Club, +and the Family, the latter one of San Francisco's most exclusive +organizations. Apart from his great success as a teacher and concert +leader he occupies a unique position in the social and musical life of +the city. He still teaches and acts as musical director at all great +functions. He is also an intimate friend of all the European and +American celebrities, including Paderewski, Joseph Hoffman, Ysaye, +Kubelik, Elman, Joseffy and many others who visit San Francisco as +artists and are entertained by Sir Henry. Many noted composers have +dedicated their works to him. As director and honorary secretary of +the San Francisco Institute of Art, Sir Henry comes closely in touch +with the younger generation of musical aspirants--many of the best +violinists of today are proud to call themselves his pupils. On the +occasion of the eight hundredth anniversary of the founding of Bologne +(Italy) university, he was made corresponding member of the musical +section for California. He is a member of the American Guild of +Violinists and later has been the recipient of many honors here and +abroad from those who appreciate him as a musician and genial friend +to those who know him best. + + +MRS. LOUISA MARRINER-CAMPBELL + +Mrs. Marriner-Campbell was born and educated in Waterville, Maine. She +was one of the early musical people who came here and has lived in +this state, especially San Francisco since the early sixties. Of her +early musical life I know nothing, it was only through our musical +life in California that we became known to each other and always have +been loyal friends. The first time I ever saw and heard her was at Dr. +Lacy's church when the Handel and Haydn society gave the Creation. She +sang the solo parts and I never have forgotten her or her singing. She +was gowned in a stylish robe of some soft clinging wine-colored +material and her blonde hair was done up in a soft coil on the crown +of her head. At her throat was a soft frill of lace, becomingly +arranged and finishing the picture, leaving a lasting impression, +which was still more strengthened by her beautiful singing, for which +she received the most hearty reception. Her voice was exceedingly +high and her trills were like a bird's in their perfect oscillations +and accurate touch, showing her perfect control of the vocal organs. +At that time she was Mrs. Marriner. Several years after her husband's +death she became Mrs. W.C. Campbell. She and her husband have both +been extremely popular in all undertakings of a musical nature. She +was the highest salaried singer of her time and foremost in all +musical advancement twenty-five years ago. Her musical career, which +has been exceptionally well-balanced and harmonious, is like a statue +of fine proportions that beckons the young to emulation. Mrs. Campbell +confines herself entirely to teaching the young people of San +Francisco and is acknowledged as a teacher par excellence. She has +studied abroad--in England, France and Italy, and during the years of +the seventies was coached by the famous prima donna, Madam Anna +Bishop, receiving from her all the traditions of the English school +and particularly the oratorio traditions. She is still in California +and happy both in her home and occupation of developing the young +voices of her city. While abroad Mrs. Campbell studied with Errani, +Albites and Muzio, a nephew of Verdi. + + +SAMUEL D. MAYER + +Mr. Mayer, organist and tenor, arrived in San Francisco, May 13, 1866, +from New York City where he was organist of Calvary and other churches +and solo tenor of Trinity Episcopal Church. The Sunday following his +arrival he commenced his duties as tenor of Trinity Episcopal Church +in San Francisco where his brother, James C. Mayer, was at that time +the organist. Continuing in that position until May 1, 1868, he +resigned to accept the position of organist in St. John's Episcopal +Church, Oakland, remaining there until May 1, 1872, when he was +appointed organist and tenor of the First Congregational Church of San +Francisco, serving in this dual capacity for forty years. He +relinquished the position of tenor but continued to act as organist +and musical director and on May 1, 1912, he will have completed forty +years of consecutive service in this church. + + +MRS. J.M. PIERCE + +Mrs. Pierce has been identified with the history of music in San +Francisco since the early days. Born in Philadelphia, and losing her +mother when she was but five years of age, her father, Mr. Samuel +Cameron, brought her to California across the Isthmus, to place her +in the loving and motherly care of his sister, Mrs. Eugene Doyle, who +had one daughter of almost the same age. These cousins afterward +became very well known in the public school and church histories by +their duet singing, Ida Doyle and Maggie Cameron being in demand on +all important public festivals. On the night of the arrival of the +steamer when the father and little daughter reached the home on Rincon +Point, then the best residential part of San Francisco, where a hearty +welcome awaited them, the little five-year-old child was told to "sing +for her new-found relatives" and with pale face and dressed in deep +mourning even to a little black silk bonnet, for the lost mother, she +sang Lily Dale and Old Dog Tray while all listened with tears and +astonishment to the sympathetic voice, and an uncle, Mr. James +Cameron, exclaimed, "It's not a child, it's a witch." In the old +Rincon school, so famous for its splendid teachers and also many +scholars who afterwards became famous in California history, Maggie +Cameron was called Hail Columbia because her voice could lead the +singing of the entire school so strongly. In the old high school, +corner of Bush and Stockton streets, under the leadership of Mr. Ellis +Holmes, who was a devotee of music and himself possessed of a rich +bass voice, Miss Cameron developed into a public singer, doing her +first solo work on the "musical days" of the Girls' High School. + +She was a pupil of Mrs. Marriner-Campbell five consecutive years, +singing with her teacher in duets all over the state; of Otto Linden +in sight reading; Mme. Rosewald, operatic repertoire, and of Richard +Mulder, husband of Inez Fabbri. Mr. Mulder called Mrs. Pierce "his +most distinguished pupil." + +At this time she was also soprano at the First Baptist Church on +Washington street, Dr. Cheney, pastor. This historic old church +afterwards became a Chinese theater. Before graduation from school +Miss Cameron accepted the position of soprano in the choir of Rev. Dr. +A.L. Stone's church, corner of Dupont and California streets. Dr. Geo. +H. Powers was the organist. While in this church Miss Cameron was +married to Mr. James M. Pierce. + +[Illustration: + +Clara Avan +Mrs. Emma D. Monnet-Swalley +Dr. J.B. Wood +Hattie Derby +Lillian Cushing +Minnie Peterson +Charlotte Zimmerman +Pauline Peterson +Edward Thomas + +PUPILS, 1896-1900] + +Soon after this Mrs. Pierce accepted the position of soprano at the +Church of the Advent, Rev. Mr. Lathrop, pastor; Louis Schmidt, +organist. After two years she joined the choir of the Plymouth Church, +which celebrated its golden anniversary January 12, 1912, Rev. T.K. +Noble, pastor. She was a member and the soprano of this flourishing +church for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce and their two children then +took a trip East with the intention of making Boston their home, but +the longing for California was too strong and after an absence of two +years, during which time Mrs. Pierce was soprano in the largest +Congregational Church of Freetown, Mass., they returned to California +where Mrs. Pierce again resumed her church and concert work, singing +in the Church of the Advent, Mr. Lathrop, and after eighteen months in +Grace cathedral, Dr. William Platt, rector, and William Whittaker, +organist, where she remained as soprano six years. The fine +instruction she had received as a singer enabled Mrs. Pierce to hold +several important positions as teacher, being several years at the +Perry Seminary in Sacramento and also at the Irving Institute, San +Francisco, under Mr. and Mrs. Church. She had a large class of pupils, +many of whom hold important positions today. The position of soprano +of the First Unitarian Church, then the largest and most fashionable +congregation in San Francisco, being offered Mrs. Pierce, she accepted +it, and was for ten years in this very happy connection, Dr. Horatio +Stebbins, pastor, Mr. Louis Schmidt, Mr. J. Humphrey Stewart and Mr. +Henry Bretherick, the present incumbent, being organists. At this +period Mr. and Mrs. Pierce gave up their home in San Francisco, which +had always been recognized for its hospitality and charming musical +atmosphere, always welcoming and entertaining the musicians of the +city and new arrivals, and removed to Berkeley to enter their son and +daughter into the University. Here Mrs. Pierce again took up the +leadership in the Unitarian church choir, then being held in Stiles +hall and until the new church was built she sang but after the service +of dedication of the church she resigned, the singing being of a +congregational form and led by a baritone voice. At clubs and parlor +receptions, Mrs. Pierce is still a favorite ballad singer and is +always greeted with appreciation and pleasure, for her voice though +not so powerful as in its prime, still exemplifies the value of her +early training and fine method of pure Bel Canto. Like the authoress +of this book, she proves a perfect method in youth preserves the +beauty of the voice even unto and beyond the three score and ten. Mrs. +Pierce and Mrs. Marriner-Campbell were the singers at the famous +Chamber concerts given by Messrs. Schmidt and Weil and who were +considered by a patronizing public the exponents of the best music +ever given in California, and at the concerts given by Mr. Henry +Heyman and those of Mr. Jacob Rosewald. Mr. Joseph Maguire's last +appearance in public was when he and Mrs. Pierce sang at a concert +under the direction of Mr. Stephen Leach. They sang the fine old +English duet, When Thy Bosom Heaves the Sigh to tumultuous applause +and were recalled again and again. Before Mrs. Campbell's departure +for Europe, at a farewell concert (held in the Howard Presbyterian +Church, Mission street, before 1800 persons), Mr. Walter Campbell and +Mrs. Pierce gave a most spirited rendering of the difficult old +Italian duet for basso and soprano of Master and Scholar with +tremendous effect. At the music jubilee held in old Mechanics' +pavilion in 1878, Mrs. Pierce was seated in the third row of sopranos +and very willingly took her place, when after the first chorus, Mr. +Zerrahn, the leader, leaned forward and said, "Please, that lady, come +out here," and placed her at his side, so telling and pure was the +carrying quality of her voice that he at once singled her out for the +cherished "front row." + +Always associated with the highest efforts in music, Mrs. Pierce is +one of the founders of the successful Musical Association of Berkeley +and also of the New Oratorio Society of Berkeley which has in its +membership many of the most prominent musicians in the University +town, the musical center of California. + +A very high compliment was paid Mrs. Pierce on her departure for the +East in 1876 when the Handel and Haydn society of San Francisco, under +the distinguished leader, John P. Morgan, gave her a letter of +introduction to the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, bespeaking for +her all the privileges which it could grant to a "devoted and well +beloved member of its sister society on the Pacific Coast." This was +the first time this signal honor had ever been given to a member. + +One of the most pleasurable remembrances I have of Mrs. Pierce is +associated with a Handel and Haydn concert in Mechanics' Pavilion. +Elijah was given and with Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Haydn, Mrs. Pierce +sang the immortal trio, Lift Thine Eyes, to tremendous enthusiasm. The +trio had to be repeated three times, so evenly and perfectly were the +voices blended. Later this trio was sung with great success at a +reception given by the Bohemian club. Mrs. Pierce, Miss Wood and Mrs. +Birmingham were the singers. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX + +REMINISCENCES OF LATER CALIFORNIA MUSICIANS AND SINGERS + + +JOSEPH MAGUIRE + +In the death of Joseph Maguire, California lost one of its finest +tenors. He was known to a wide circle, both in this state and Nevada. + +He was a mining man, but it was as a musician that he made his +reputation. He was a tenor singer of great sweetness and power. The +public had a keen appreciation of the purity of his vocalization and +had the opportunity to hear him weekly at the Unitarian Church, Dr. +Stebbins, pastor. His sickness was of short duration and his death +came as a severe blow to his many musical friends and associates. He +was a member of the Amphion Quartette and Bohemian Club chorus. He was +tenor in the St. John's Presbyterian Church on Post street, in the +quartette, where he and I sang for two and a half years. It was a half +hour previous to his death while in a delirium that he sang like a +bird Gounod's Ave Maria, imagining himself at a musical gathering. The +last sad rites were performed under the auspices of Occidental Lodge, +F. & A.M., of which Mr. Maguire was a well-beloved member. He was a +native of Bolton, England, aged forty-four years. + +In memory of our much beloved Joe Maguire, as he was affectionately +called by his California friends who loved him for his beautiful +singing and for his own self, I shall give the musical service as it +was rendered at the church. A most beautiful tribute of flowers, in +the shape of a lyre with the silver strings snapped and hanging +loosely, was placed in the choir where he stood each Sabbath and sang +his glorious songs. Certainly no one knew him but to love him, and the +last tribute of song given him by his friends will last as long as +memory remains in the living musicians who assisted in the ceremonies +at the church. + + Funeral Services in Memory of + _JOSEPH MAGUIRE_ + + September, 1833--March, 1878 + First Unitarian Church, Geary street + San Francisco, Sunday, March 24, 1878. + + 1. Organ voluntary. + + 2. Chorus of male voices: + + Brother, through from yonder sky + Cometh neither voice nor cry, + Yet we know from thee today + Every pain has passed away. + + Brother, in that solemn trust + We commend thee dust to dust, + In that faith we wait 'till risen, + Thou shalt meet us all in heaven. + + 3. Readings from the Scripture: Extracts from the Book of + Job. + + Rev. Horatio Stebbins. + + 4. Double quartette for female voices. + + Their sun shall no more go down; the Lord shall be their + everlasting light; and the days of their mourning are ended. + For the Lord shall feed them and God shall wipe away all + tears from their eyes. + + 5. Funeral oration, by Harry Edwards. + + 6. Choral from Spohr's Last Judgment. + + Lord God Almighty, we adore Thee; Thou, Lord, will take away + every sorrow; Thou wilt wipe away all tears from my eyes. + Yea, every tear and every sorrow Thou wilt wipe away from our + eyes; nor death, nor pain, nor sorrow shalt then be known. + + 7. Remarks and Prayer, by Horatio Stebbins. + + 8. Hymn, Abide With Me. + +There were thirty-five voices in all from the societies with which he +had affiliated, and the sixteen female voices were the soloists of the +different choirs in which he had sung so many years. They were grouped +about his casket and with superhuman effort performed the last tribute +of affection for one of God's most beautiful singers whom all loved. +Rest, sweet spirit, rest. + +[Illustration: STEPHEN W. LEACH + +Musical Director, Buffo Singer and beloved Bohemian--Member of the +famous old California Theatre Company in the 70's and 80's] + + +MR. AND MRS. STEPHEN W. LEACH + +Among our first singers were Stephen W. Leach and his wife, Georgiana +Leach. He was an English buffo singer. His wife was a beautiful +soprano singer and was soloist in the Unitarian Church in the days of +the sixties when the church was on Stockton. When the new Starr King +church was built on Geary street, this old church was bought by the +colored Methodist people. Mr. Leach formed a madrigal society in +that year, and we had weekly rehearsals, perfecting ourselves for +concert and other public demonstrations when required. I shall here +give one of our noted programs, given by the most prominent musicians, +both men and women, of our time. The numbers are worthy of historical +notice for the sake of the music and the musicians who took part in +this memorable concert, the first of the series. + +Program of +_S.W. LEACH CONCERT_ +At Platt's Hall +Monday Evening, Dec. 9th, 1878 + +1. Part Song. Strike the Lyre Cooke + Mr. Gee and Madrigal Society + +2. Song. I Fear No Foe Pinsuti + Walter Campbell + +3. Quartette for piano and stringed instruments. Sostenuto + assai, Allegro ma non troppo. Schumann + Miss Alice Schmidt, piano; Mr. Clifford Schmidt, first violin; + Mr. Louis Schmidt, Jr., viola; Mr. Ernest Schmidt, cello. + +4. My Queen Blumenthal + Alfred Kelleher + +5. Duet. Quanto Amore Donizetti + Mrs. J.E. Tippett and S.W. Leach + +6. Let All Obey S.W. Leach + C.W. Dugan + +7. Valse Chantee--Rajon de Bonhure Mattiozzi + [Transcriber's Note: Possibly a misspelling of "Raison de Bonheur"] + Mrs. Marriner-Campbell + +8. Reading + Daniel O'Connell + +9. Part Song. Introduction and Valse S.W. Leach + _Madrigal Society_ + +10. French Horn Solo + Ernest Schlott + +11. Solo + Mrs. J.E. Tippett + +12. Violin Concerto. Andante and Finale Mendelssohn + Clifford Schmidt + +13. Duet and Chorus. In the Days of Old Lang Syne Neidermeyer + Mrs. Marriner-Campbell and Ben Clark + +14. Trio. This Magic Wove Scarf + Mrs. J.M. Pierce, J.E. Tippett, S.W. Leach + +15. Madrigal. O by Rivers (words by Shakespeare. Composed + A.D. 1600) + Accompanists, Geo. J. Gee and H.O. Hunt; + conductor, S.W. Leach. + +Concert to commence punctually at 8 p.m. + +MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY + +_Conductor_--S.W. Leach. +_Sopranos_--Mrs. Marriner-Campbell, Mrs. J.E. Tippett, Mrs. + J.M. Pierce, Mrs. Sarah Little. +_Altos_--Mrs. M.R. Blake, Miss E. Beutler, Miss Ida Beutler, + Mrs. Chisolm. +_Tenors_--J.E. Tippett, Ben Clark, J. Webber. +_Bassos_--Walter C. Campbell, C.W. Dugan, Will B. Edwards. +_Pianist_--Geo. J. Gee. + +For years we served the public, winning fresh laurels yearly and +adding to our repertoire of madrigals and songs worthy the aspirations +of any competent and conscientious singers. Every number was a gem of +the music writer's art. Good music never grows old, and songs like +these should claim the student's attention in place of the common +everyday songs that cater to a lower taste or create a laugh. They +lower the standard of the singer. There are many comic songs that will +bring the wholesome laugh and be welcomed by an appreciative audience. +The singer makes the song as she builds her own character. It is the +understanding of the writer's meaning, of the sentiment he has tried +to embody, which shows the intelligent and artistic singer. Happy +indeed is the singer if his success follows the rendering of his +songs. This is the way our reputations are made. Is it not a great +happiness to the singer and the listener that the tones come pure and +limpid from the long-cherished instrument that still answers to the +beautiful strains of the Last Rose of Summer or Safe in the Arms of +Jesus? Can any one conceive the devotion with which a singer nurses +the beautiful gift which is above rubies--a priceless gem--only to be +made more beautiful when it returns to the God who gave it, and made +more beautiful by the knowledge that he has done what is possible with +the talent entrusted to him, and unconsciously made the gift more +suitable to join the Everlasting Choir, Eternal in the Heavens, to +join in the congregation of saints who had found the harmony of the +Lost Chord, and to make the heavens ring with the melody of the last +strain, Only in heaven I shall hear that grand Amen? + +It is a fact that in writing my memoirs I felt a little reluctant at +first to write all about myself and my work, but I have come to the +conclusion that it is not vanity on my part to report history, and +certainly I have left no stone unturned to hunt out real facts and +occurrences from my letters, programs, diaries and other papers. As I +have been first in many things, perhaps it may be interesting to know +who sang the Lost Chord the first time in California, a song so +widely known and sung by so many singers. In the year 1878, while Mrs. +Louisa Marriner was in London on one of her yearly visits, in her +generous kindness she sent me the Lost Chord and also Sullivan's Let +Me Dream Again, two new compositions which, she said, were just +written for me. During this year Calvary Literary society gave an +evening of song for the Ladies' Relief society, and among the numbers +of the programme was the Lost Chord, with piano and organ +accompaniment. Mrs. Henry Norton was soprano; Mrs. M.R. Blake, +contralto; C.L. Gage, bass; J. de S. Bettincourt, tenor; C. Howland, +second tenor; E. McD. Johnston, bass; Miss F.A. Dillaye, organist; +H.M. Bosworth, organ and piano, and Prof. Theo. Herzog, violin. It was +on this occasion that I sang the song of the Lost Chord, with organ +and piano. + +Sometimes in recounting incidents in our lives we often wonder how +they began, as, in this instance, "I wonder who sang the Lost Chord +first on this coast?" In this article you have the answer. + + +PROF. FREDERICK KATZENBACH + +Prof. Katzenbach was born in the city of Freimersheim, Germany, 1834. +He came to America at the age of sixteen. He again returned to Germany +when twenty years old and studied in Mainz, under Prof. E. Paner and +Thopelus Syfert. His first position as organist was in the city of +Schwabsburgh, Germany, at the age of twelve years, a position he held +until he came to America, four years later. In the seventies he was in +San Francisco. His first position as organist was at the Howard Street +Methodist Church. Later he went to the First Presbyterian Church in +Van Ness avenue, and in 1874 he was organist for St. John's Church in +Post street, Dr. Scott, pastor. The choir was composed of Mrs. Robert +Moore, soprano; Mrs. M.R. Blake, contralto; Joseph Maguire, tenor, and +Cornelius Makin, bass. From 1870 to 1873 he taught piano at Mills +seminary. During this time his wife passed out of life and he was left +with one daughter and three sons. He grieved so much at his loss that +he gave up his position and went East, but his love for California was +too strong and he returned in 1875. He took up his musical profession +once more and for a while was organist at Calvary Presbyterian Church, +Rev. John Hemphill, pastor. The choir consisted of Mrs. Van Brunt, +soprano; Mrs. M. Blake, contralto; Cornelius Makin, bass, and John +Trehane, tenor. Later he moved to Oakland and played in the First +Unitarian Church in Castro street. Some years after that he had an +organ at St. Paul's Church in Harrison street. For thirty-five years +he was engaged in the churches and teaching piano, and taught many +fine players in San Francisco, Oakland and other places. He never had +gotten over the loss of his dear wife, and it unfortunately saddened +his life, for she was indeed a perfect mother in her family. His +daughter, Miss Elizabeth, was the image of her mother and was his +constant thought, and his ambition was to have her life guided into +the same channel of perfect womanhood. He began early with her +education in music and taught her until she had grown to womanhood, +and for a number of years before his death she taught with him in his +studio in Tenth street in West Oakland. Some time in the eighties he +desired his daughter to have a little instruction in the old-world +music centers. In 1903 she journeyed to Munich, Germany, and studied +for three years with Heinrich Schwartz. In 1906 she returned to +California and expected to meet her father at the station, but he was +taken suddenly ill and died shortly after from a nervous breakdown. +His daughter returned just two days after he died, doubly bereaved, as +he had been father and mother to her and her brothers since she was a +child of three years. After many months she took up her music once +more, where she had necessarily laid it down during her days of +mourning. She is busy always and is now one of our foremost teachers +of piano, and faithfully and successfully follows in the footsteps of +her honored father. + + +RICHARD THOMAS YARNDLEY + +Mr. Yarndley was born December 5, 1840, in Manchester, England. His +parents were both musicians of a high order. His father was an +organist of the first rank and a viola player of exceptional ability. +He was first viola in the celebrated band of Sir Charles Halle and was +complimented at one time by Mendelssohn, the great composer. The Earl +of Ellsmere was his patron, who bought his pipe organ when he left for +America. Mr. Yarndley's mother was a concert singer, possessing a pure +soprano voice of rare sweetness and power. She sang repeatedly under +Mendelssohn's directing with such artists as Madame Anna and Sir Henry +Bishop, Sir George Smart, Simms Reeves, Parepa Rosa, Jenny Lind and +other great singers of her day, going to Dublin at one time with the +"Swedish Nightingale" as assistant at her concert. + +The little Richard from the tender age of five years accompanied his +mother regularly at these concerts as her small chevalier. He was +thus from infancy reared in an atmosphere of the best music. His +training was principally under his father, although he received +instruction from the best teachers of the city. At the age of +seventeen years he was sent to this country to hold an organ position +at Detroit, Mich., for his father who was to come with the family the +following year. He was playing at that time in the largest church in +Manchester. He created quite a sensation the first Sunday, dressed as +all English boys were, in a roundabout jacket, broad turned-down +collar, and Scotch cap with long ribbons behind. During his ten years' +residence in the "City of the Streets" he acquired a reputation as +piano teacher, organist and conductor of the Handel and Haydn society. +In 1870 he removed to San Francisco and was at once invited to take +charge of the Harmonic society of Oakland and the organ of the +Congregational church of that city, which position he filled until his +departure for Portland, Ore., some three years later. Afterwards, +returning to California, he held positions in Grace Church and St. +Luke's Church, San Francisco, and in the Presbyterian church of +Oakland. He was an all-round musician of no mean order and might have +accomplished much, had he not been handicapped by ill health. Probably +his most marked success was in Albany, N.Y., where he was intimately +associated with Miss Emma La Jeunesse, afterwards Albani, who was his +lifelong friend. He was given many brilliant testimonials from the +musical association and citizens of Albany. Music was with him a holy +passion as well as vocation. He was a man of high moral principals, +singularly guileless and of a deep religious fervor. He died at +Livermore, Cal., September 7, 1895, aged fifty-four years, and was +laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery there. + + +WILLIAM M'FARLAND GREER + +Mr. Greer was born in St. Louis, Mo., September 22, 1850. He began his +musical education early in life, first on the violin. When he had +played for some years he sang in the boys' choir before his voice was +placed. After he had it trained he sang in the choirs of the churches +in Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans, St. Louis and San Francisco. He +was a member of the May Festival singers. He also sang in Temple +Emanuel, Sutter street, Louis Schmidt, organist; in the Mason street +synagogue and in the First Methodist Church on Mission street. In +Oakland, twenty years ago, he was one of the members of the early +choir of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, East Oakland. He has passed +out of life to join the Invisible Choir. He left a wife, daughter and +sons to mourn his loss. While in Trinity choir I had the pleasure of +singing with him often at high days and funeral services. He had a +beautiful tenor-baritone voice which was melody itself, and he knew +how to sing. It was evident to all, for he was always in demand as a +church singer and occupied these positions during his life. His +daughter is also the possessor of a voice of fine quality, and by +accident I found her and it gave me the same great pleasure to teach +the daughter as it gave me to sing with the father long ago. She +occupies the position of sewing teacher in the Girl's High School, San +Francisco, and is a most efficient teacher. + + +MARY CHENEY-CLARK + +Mrs. Clark, daughter of Rev. D.B. Cheney, was a resident of San +Francisco for years as a singer and teacher. Her voice was contralto +and she occupied that position in her father's choirs. She studied +voice with Mrs. Georgiana Leach, one of California's rare sopranos and +wife of Stephen W. Leach, the well-known baritone. Her instructors in +instrumental music were Rudolph Herold and Professor Beutler. Later +she went to Boston and studied at the New England Conservatory and her +teachers were Fannie Fraser Foster, Carlyle Petersilea and Zerrahn. +She is still among us, but takes no active part in music outside of +her home circle in Berkeley. + + +CHAS. H. SCHULTZ + +Mr. Schultz was born in Herzheim by Landan, Rheinplatz, Baiern, +Germany, in 1830. His father, an organist of note in Herxheim, +superintended his musical education under Herr Geiger until his +gymnasium years, when he continued his studies under Professor Lutz of +Spire until he entered Heidelberg University. Coming to America in +1854, he accepted the position of musical instructor of Minerva +college, Nashville, Tenn. He married, in 1858, a cousin of "Fighting +Joe" Wheeler, the famous Southern general. After the death of his +wife, in 1871, he came to California, locating in Visalia, where he +gave private instruction and was organist of St. Mary's Church. In +1876 he married Mrs. Catherine Griffith and to this union four +children were born. In 1880 he moved with his family to San Jose and, +continuing his private instruction, he became one of the best known of +the musical instructors of Santa Clara county. In his seventieth year +he retired and a few years ago decided to make Alameda his home +where, at the fine old age of eighty-two, he is still enjoying a happy +and contented life. + + +OTTO BLANKART + +Mr. Blankart studied the violin in Mannheim, Germany, with Carl Heydt, +second violin of the then renowned Jean Becker quartette. +Notwithstanding his showing of great talent in his youth, his father +refused to send him to the Leipsig Conservatory because of trouble +with his ears. His father apprenticed him to a wholesale coffee house. +When twenty-one years old he left for America. He went first to his +sister in Indianapolis, then to Quincy, Ill., where he took up his +violin studies again, played in concerts with Eastern pianists, got +pupils, besides having a position in a music store. There he met and +married Mrs. Blankart and they worked together constantly. About 1874 +he came to San Francisco and gradually he gained ground as a teacher +and did very well. When the Blankarts had their studios on Geary +street, near Larkin, about 1882-89, they gave musicals every two +weeks, and musicians like Edgar S. Kelly, Fred Zech, Jr., Otto Bendix, +Luchesi, Miss Hanchette and others played there. During those years +Professor Blankart formed also, in connection with Miss Hanchette, the +Beethoven Quartette club and gave for several seasons in succession +public concerts. In the early nineties he left San Francisco for +Oakland. He went about three times to Europe on business matters, but +as usual discovered that it is better to stay with one's profession +than to change, and eventually, after some time, came back to the fold +and worked in a quiet way; that is, he practiced hard and gave +lessons. He has had the satisfaction of giving pleasure and rousing +interest for the better classical music. + + +MRS. THERESA BLANKART + +Mrs. Blankart had her musical education with the renowned Louis Kohler +in Konigsberg, East Prussia, Germany. From the first she wanted to be +a concert player. There being no piano in her home, she was compelled +to practice at a piano house every morning from eight until twelve +o'clock, and she said many times that she could have practiced longer +if the military band passing the store daily at noon had not reminded +her of the time. She kept up this arduous practice until she broke +down with typhoid fever and was near death's door. When she was able +to start work again, Louis Kohler did not recognize her at all, she +had changed so much. He encouraged her very much, but stated at once +that, under the conditions, she ought to give up all hope of becoming +a performer, as she could not stand the strain. He said she could make +an excellent teacher and that he would help her in every way. For two +years she taught under the guidance of this great teacher and in 1868 +came to America. She taught about seven years in the East and came to +California about 1874. She made the acquaintance of the then prominent +San Francisco piano teachers--Trenkle, Kuhne, Holzhauer, Hartman--and +they all very kindly recommended her after examination. She gradually +built up her reputation and had the satisfaction to see many of her +pupils become fine players. She was at the California College, +teaching for over twenty years, and many a pupil from this college is +today teaching with success. She always strictly attended to her +profession with great love and devotion and never had time to attend +social duties. Notwithstanding, she made many friends among her pupils +and others. + + +M. AUGUSTA LOWELL-GARTHWAITE + +"Gussie" Lowell was born in San Francisco in 1857 of New England +parentage and began her first musical study with Professor Striby, one +of the earliest piano teachers. On moving to Oakland, when nine years +old, she studied first with Miss Mary Simpson (now Mrs. Barker) of the +Blake seminary, then Miss Gaskill (now Mrs. Andrews) and afterwards +with Mrs. Blanche Emerson and Mrs. Babcock. Organ study (on the reed +organ) was begun in 1874 with John H. Pratt, and when John P. Morgan +in 1875 came to Oakland from New York, where he had for years been the +beloved organist of Trinity Church, Miss Lowell took up the study of +the pipe organ at the old Congregational Church in Oakland and +practiced there, at the First Presbyterian Church and the Independent +Church, where she later became organist after a two years' service at +the First Baptist Church. As Mr. Morgan was the conductor of the San +Francisco Handel and Haydn Oratorio society and the Oakland Harmonic, +Miss Lowell had the unusual advantage as organist of these societies +of playing in all the oratorios given under the direction of Mr. +Morgan as well as Mr. Toepke and Mr. Gustave Hinrichs. After Mr. +Morgan's lamented death, Miss Lowell took his place as teacher of the +organ in the conservatory founded by him, where also taught Mr. Morgan +(piano), Mr. Louis Lisser, Mr. Henry Heyneman and Mr. Julius +Hinrichs (violoncello), Miss Susie Morgan, Mr. D.P. Hughes and dear +old Stephen W. Leach (voice culture). + +[Illustration: + +Rose Champion +Elsie Mae Hunt +Mrs. Cora Rayburn +Mrs. Mayme Bassford +Arthur Victory +Elizabeth Lanktree +Elsie Noonan +Jennie Christofferson +Harry Crandall + +PUPILS, 1898-1902] + +For three years prior to Miss Lowell's departure for New York in 1880, +she was organist for Rev. Mr. Hamilton's Independent Presbyterian +Church, where she conducted a large choir of sixteen voices. + +She studied for a short time in the New England Conservatory of Music +at Boston, but as New York had the greater attraction in the presence +of Mr. Samuel P. Warren, the leading organist of the country, she went +there and throughout her ten years' residence in the East studied +solely with Mr. Warren, but added two seasons of study in harmony +technique under that master, John H. Cornell. Miss Lowell's California +experience proved of great advantage to her in obtaining church +positions in the big city, and immediately upon her arrival in New +York she became assistant organist at St. George's and later St. +Bartholomew's, Grace and other churches, and for three years was +organist at the Madison Avenue Dutch Reformed Church. The desire of +her heart was attained, however, when the position was offered to her +as organist at the beautiful new Roosevelt organ at the Church of the +Incarnation (Arthur Brooks, brother of Phillips Brooks, pastor), to +succeed Frederick Archer, the great English organist. This position +she held for seven years, until her marriage in 1890. The choir of +thirty paid voices was the finest in the city, and at this organ Miss +Lowell gave over sixty recitals. While in New York, Miss Lowell played +in many public and private concerts and was conductor for seven years +of the Ladies' Vocal club at Montclair, N.J., and for three years of +the Choral club (ladies'), Mt. Vernon, N.Y. + +After her marriage in Oakland in 1890 to Edwin Garthwaite, a mining +engineer of great reputation, she retired from public life and went +with him to Mexico, where much piano and ensemble work was enjoyed, +then later to South Africa for twelve years. While there was no organ +playing in the parts where she lived, she was able to gather musical +people about her always, and in her home near Johannesburg she +conducted a fine glee club of mixed voices. Up in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, +she was always identified with good music and formed a musical club, +where much fine work in ensemble and choral music was accomplished. + +On her return to her native land, five years ago, after nearly twenty +years' absence practically from the organ, Mrs. Garthwaite was able +to give occasional public performances, playing as organist in the +First Church of Christ, Scientist, for a year and a half, and after +all these years is again organist of the First Baptist Church in +Oakland, the church where she began her career as a girl of nineteen +for five dollars a month. + +Mrs. Garthwaite considers the most noteworthy event in her career to +be the anniversary recital given last year in the Baptist Church, when +she repeated her performance of twenty years before, substituting her +two sons and her nephew, Lowell Redfield, for Mr. Sigmund Beel and +Miss Lizzie Bogue, and giving as a great surprise to her audience a +wonderful and inspiring performance by Mrs. Blake-Alverson of "The +Last Rose of Summer." It was said afterwards that it was like a song +from heaven and would never be forgotten. + + +SANTIAGO ARRILLAGA Y ANSOLA + +Mr. Arrillaga was born in 1848 at Iolosa in the Province of Guipuzcoa, +Spain, and at the age of ten began the study of music in the old +Spanish fashion, with a solfeggio master who employed no instrumental +accompaniment whatever. In the course of a year he had fully mastered +all that could be taught him by his master. He then began the study of +the piano as a recreation, his teacher being D.E. Aguayo, organist of +the parish church. He attended school, both in Spain and France, until +the age of sixteen, when, having decided to pursue the musical art as +a profession, he was sent to the Royal Conservatory at Madrid, where +he became the pupil of Don M. Mendizabal in piano, Don R. Hermando in +harmony and Dr. H. Esloa in counterpoint. At the close of three years +he was graduated with the highest honors, having obtained the first +prize at the public examination and being decorated with the gold +medal of the university, which was conferred on him by Queen Isabella +(the second). In 1867 Senor Arrillaga went to Paris, where he studied +at the conservatory and also took private lessons. At the age of +twenty-one he was seized with a desire to travel and, after a sojourn +in several South American cities and in the Antilles, he came to this +country. + +At San Jose de Costa Rica he remained for five years and he would in +all probability have made his home at that delightful place, as he had +every inducement offered him to do so, had not the climate of the +tropics shattered his health. This compelled him to seek a more +congenial locality, and in 1875 he departed for San Francisco, where +he has since resided. In all the places where he has resided or +visited he has given concerts with marked success, his playing being +particularly admired for the elegant and graceful style and his facile +technique. When Carlotta Patti visited the Pacific coast she +especially engaged him to act as her accompanist for her concert tour. +Although his time has mainly been devoted to teaching, he has found +opportunity to do clever and characteristic work as a composer. +Conspicuously successful have been his "Gata and Danga Habanera" and +his "Trip to Spain," the latter being for piano and orchestra. He has +written many piano compositions, two masses and a great deal of church +music, generally distinguished for its imaginative and musicianly +qualities. As a teacher, Senor Arrillaga has been remarkably +successful, and during his long sojourn in San Francisco he has +gathered about him a large coterie of pupils, to whom he is guide in +art and a valued personal friend. + +[From "A Hundred Years of Music in America," published in 1889, +Chicago, by G.L. Howe and W.S.B. Matthews.] + + +MISS CARRIE HEINEMANN + +Miss Heinemann was born in the city of New York, June 12, 1863. At the +age of thirteen she came with her parents to San Francisco, where her +father went into business on Leavenworth street. At the age of +fifteen, while visiting friends, her voice was tested under the +tuition of Miss Louisa Tourney, who successfully brought her out after +three years of study, so she was able to take her place as a leading +mezzo-soprano, suitable for church work and concert singing. The music +committee of the O Habai Sholom choir very promptly engaged her as +their soprano, a place which she successfully held for fifteen years. +During her time in this synagogue she was prominent in concerts and +festivals and sang at special services in different churches and +societies. During her singing career she was also a generous and +charitable singer and gave her services often to aid other churches, +societies and charities without regard to creed. I had the pleasure of +singing in the same choir with her. We were together six years with +the following members of the choir: Soprano, Carrie Heinemann; +contralto, Mrs. Blake-Alverson; basso, Mr. Mills; tenor, Mr. Newman, +and organist, G.A. Scott. On holidays extra singers assisted the +regular choir. I resigned from this choir to go to San Bernardino, +while she remained indefinitely. She married at that time. She still +continues her singing and assists the fraternal orders in San +Francisco, of which she is a prominent member as Mrs. Carrie +Wallenstein. + + +HENRY S. STEDMAN + +Mr. Stedman received his first instruction on the organ from Thos. N. +Caulfield at Indianapolis, Ind. During the ten years preceding 1876 he +was engaged continuously in the churches of that city, the larger +portion being in the First Presbyterian, the church of which President +Benjamin Harrison was a member and at that time a teacher of a Bible +class. In October, 1876, he arrived in San Francisco, having come to +the coast under engagement to the firm of Sherman and Hyde. He had +already been engaged as organist of the Howard M.E. Church and took up +that work at once. The "silver-tongued orator," Rev. Thomas Guard, was +in charge of the church then, and his popularity drew large audiences, +who were entertained not only with oratory but music also. The church +choir was under the leadership of Mr. Geo. W. Jackson, who was one of +the first to announce himself as a "voice builder." May 1, 1878, Mr. +Stedman was seated as organist and director of music in Plymouth +Congregational Church, a position filled continuously for twenty +years. During this period many of the very best known and ablest +singers, now occupying positions in the highest salaried choirs of the +coast as well as in the East, had their first start and encouragement +from this source. In 1898 the First Congregational Church of Alameda +made offers that, added to the comfort of being at home and free from +travel across the bay, were accepted, and Mr. Stedman began a service +which continued for five years. At this time business interests +impelled a change of residence to San Francisco and, having already +put in a goodly portion of time on the bench, all offers for +additional service were rejected, and no work of importance has been +undertaken in the way of organ-playing save an occasional day as +"substitute" for a friend. + +[Illustration: + +Freda Lahre +Mrs. O.B. Caldwell +Mrs. Akerly +Florence Bruce +Mrs. Ethel B. Nagle-Pittman +Geo. Flick +Mrs. Ruth Bruce-Wold +Mrs. Sue Lanktree-Kenney +Louisa Garcia + +PUPILS OF THE 1900's] + + +THE HINRICHS FAMILY + +One of the musical families of early years was the Hinrichs family. I +think Gustav, the object of this sketch, is the oldest. He was +connected with the old Tivoli and was the first to introduce opera +there at popular prices. His success was permanent. He is not only +a fine director but a teacher of the voice as well and is a busy man. +Even in the summer, when vacation comes, he is obliged to remain in +the city. Through Joseffy he was persuaded to go to New York, as the +field was broader. + +In opera naturally the leading singers, the chorus, the musicians, all +play an important part, but by far the most important of all is that +assumed by the musical director. It is his hand that binds all the +component parts, that might otherwise not act in unison, into a +harmonious whole; his genius that brings out all the hidden beauties +of the score, all the delicate nuances the composer had in mind. It +was therefore an event of more than ordinary importance and an +entirely new departure in the musical world when Henry W. Savage made +the announcement in regard to his immensely popular comic opera. The +Prince of Pilsen, that he had as musical director no less a celebrated +maestro than Gustav Hinrichs, formerly conductor for the Metropolitan +grand opera company. Mr. Hinrichs ranks among the very foremost +operatic musical directors, standing on a level with such geniuses as +Alfred Hertz, Toscanini, Mancinelli, Campanari, Gustav Mahler and +Leopold Damrosch. + +Julius Hinrichs was the cello player and a most sympathetic and +beautiful one. I remember in 1875 I gave a concert in old Platt's hall +in Montgomery street, and he played for me that night and also played +the obbligato to the slumber song by Randegger. I never sang it so +well in my life. Gustave Scott was the accompanist that evening, and +it proved to be the choice number of the concert. Mr. Hinrichs married +one of my talented pupils, Miss Nellie Paddock. She was not only a +sweet singer, but also a pianist of repute, and to hear those artists +play was truly a treat. They were popular for a number of years before +Julius died, some time in the eighties. I never heard what Mrs. +Hinrichs did after the death of her husband. I was living in San +Bernardino at the time, and when I returned to San Francisco I moved +to the Western addition and never met any of the Hinrichs family until +years after, when I moved to Oakland in 1891 and after the earthquake. +The youngest son, August Hinrichs, is the popular leader of Ye Liberty +theater orchestra, Oakland, and at this theater he charms his hearers +with the magic touch of his treasured Stradivarius which he uses with +such artistic skill. For years he was leader in the orchestras of old +San Francisco. After the earthquake he found in Oakland a permanent +refuge where he can continue his excellent work, which is duly +appreciated by the constant patrons of this theater. + + +H.B. PASMORE + +Mr. Pasmore, composer and teacher of harmony, studied harmony and +organ and singing with John P. Morgan until the latter's death. Later +he studied organ with J.H. Dohrmann and piano with Professor Lisser. +When he was twenty-five years old he studied in Leipsic the art of +composition and harmony, a branch of music he is eminently able to +teach. He is still teaching in San Francisco. He has written many fine +songs and has translated with Torek, Jodassohn's "Manual of Harmony." + + +WALLACE A. SABIN, F.R.C.O., F.A.G.O. + +Mr. Sabin was born in Northamptonshire, England. His education was +acquired at Chardstock College and Magdalen College, school, Brackley. +He studied piano and organ under Dr. M.J. Monk, organist of Banbury +parish church, and later piano, organ, theory, etc., under Dr. T.W. +Dodds, Queen's College, Oxford. He was graduated as associate and +later as fellow the Royal College of Organists, London. He was +organist of Magdalen College school, Brackley, 1882-1886; St. George's +church, Oxford, 1887-1889; organist and choirmaster, S.S., Mary and +John, Oxford, 1889-1893; assistant organist, Queen's College, Oxford, +1886-1893; organist and choirmaster, All Saints', Warwick, 1893-1894. +He came to California in October, 1894, to take position of organist +and choirmaster of St. Luke's Church, San Francisco, which position he +held until the fire of 1906. Since that time he has played at First +Church of Christ, Scientist, San Francisco. In 1895 he became organist +of Temple Emanuel, San Francisco, which position he still holds. He +has been director since 1894 of Vested Choir Association of San +Francisco and vicinity; director of Saturday Morning (ladies') +orchestra and Twentieth Century Musical club, giving such works as +Bach's "Passion," Handel's "Alexander's Feast," etc. He was +representative as California organist, World's Fair, St. Louis, 1904, +giving two recitals. He has been president of the Musicians' club, +twice a director of the Bohemian club, and composed the music for a +forest play entitled St. Patrick at Tara, given at a midsummer jinks +of the Bohemian club. At present he is dean of the Northern California +Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, conductor of the Loring +club and the choral section of the San Francisco Musical club, and is +engaged in teaching and composition. + + +JOHN W. METCALF + +California has produced her share of composers. They have been +prominent as pianists, violinists, leaders of musical bodies and +teachers of harmony. They are writers of the highest merit and some +can be classed with the song writers of Europe. The state is too young +for many native composers. Our musicians all came to us in the days of +gold, and others who came later educated their sons and daughters in +the East and in Europe in the highest art of music and, returning to +the state, made a place for themselves as writers of music. + +John W. Metcalf for the last twenty-one years has been among us as +teacher of piano, harmony and a song writer of the highest order, and +we are glad to claim him, even if he is not a native son. We love his +music and appreciate the writer who is able to give to the singing +world soulful compositions that compare with those of Schubert and +Mendelssohn. They are superlatively correct and scholarly. I am not a +song writer but a song singer, and when I find such compositions I am +proud to interpret them to the best of my ability. + +John W. Metcalf is a product of my state, Illinois, and, like the +writer, he inherited his musical talent from the maternal side. His +first teacher was his mother's sister, who was a pupil of Bozzini and +prominent as a pianist and vocalist. In 1877 he went to Leipsic to +complete his schooling in music. He was accepted as a pupil at the +Royal Conservatory and was one of thirty who passed. He studied +faithfully three or four years, piano with Carle Reinecke and Louis +Maas; theory with Ernest and Alfred Richter; composition with +Reinecke, Rust and Jasassohn. The director of the conservatory, Conrad +Schleints, a warm personal friend of Mendelssohn, gave solicitous +attention to the promising young American and bestowed upon him at +graduation the coveted Hilbig prize, which had been won but twelve +times in the history of the conservatory. After returning to America, +he taught four years near Chicago, one year at the Dana Institute in +Ohio, and one year as head of the piano department of the Boston +Conservatory. He left Boston on account of ill health. After directing +for three years the Garfield University at Wichita, Kas., he came to +Oakland, Cal., where he still resides, and we are proud to claim him +as one of California's composers and renowned teachers of the +pianoforte. I feel honored to sing his songs and teach them to my +pupils. I append what I consider one of his best: + + ABSENCE + + Sometimes between long shadows on the grass + The little truant waves of sunlight pass, + My eyes grow dim with tenderness the while, + Thinking I see thee, thinking I see thee smile. + + And sometimes in the twilight gloom, apart, + The tall trees whisper, whisper heart to heart, + From my fond lips the eager answers fall, + Thinking I hear thee, thinking I hear thee call. + + +GEORGE LINCOLN BLAKE + +Mr. Blake, eldest son of George H. Blake and Margaret R. Blake, was +born in Stockton, California, July 8, 1858. When he was twelve years +old he began his musical education under Prof. Henry Von der Mehden. +He was a conscientious and faithful student. Four years later his +progress was so marked that his instructor gave him first cornet place +in the Silver Cornet Band, which was composed of his advanced pupils. +The excellent work of the band was soon recognized and the first great +public performance was at the old Woodwards Garden, before ten +thousand people. Their performance was received with tremendous +acknowledgment from the public. The band continued in its good work +for a number of years. In 1875 he made an educational visit around the +world and visited all places of interest and heard the music of the +Old World and when occasion presented also assisted in various +theaters in the cities where he sojourned. He returned once more to +California in the fall of 1876, resuming his musical and professional +engagements until September 30, 1879. He then made a second trip to +the Old World, visiting Queenstown, Antwerp, Cork and other cities. He +returned to California once more by way of the Indias and Japan, +November 1, 1881. + +When he was twenty-four years old he began playing in the California +theater orchestra and remained there during the leadership of Charles +Schultz, and at the same time was a member of the Second Regiment band +at the Park. In 1887 he moved to San Bernardino and during his +residence there formed and was leader of the Seventh Regiment band, +was also the local leader of the orchestra at the Grand Opera house +when his services were needed for the passing shows without orchestra. +He remained in this capacity until 1879 when he moved to Santa Cruz +and remained until 1894 returning to Oakland and finally settling in +San Francisco where he continued in his professional line in the +various theaters and musical demonstrations which presented themselves +until the earthquake, when the theater where he was employed was +destroyed and music, like other business was at a standstill. For over +thirty years he has played with the best musical talent on the coast +and has been an acceptable and reliable musician in any capacity in +which he has been called. After the disaster he came to Oakland and +was at once engaged to play at the Ye Liberty theater under the able +management of Director August Hinrichs. At this theater he is at +present actively employed. + +[Illustration: + +Mrs. Winona Bruce-Schmidt +Jean Louderback +Bernard McMahan +Juliet McMaul +Lorena Dickey +Lorena Kimball +Mabel L. Drake +Dolores D. Ferguson +Geo. Allison + +PUPILS OF THE 1900's] + + +PROF. HUGO MANSFELDT + +Prof. Mansfeldt, whom all recognize as the dean of pianists, needs no +words from me to place him in higher estimation of the people of +California. My friendship with him extends through many years of +musical companionship and during that time he has risen until now he +is the acknowledged master of the instrument, and holds the most +distinguished position in the musical world. His art in bringing out +from time to time such a splendid array of clever pianists is proof +positive of his excellent qualities as a teacher and has fixed his +reputation beyond cavil. Much more could be said in regard to his +artistic reputation but it would be superfluous reiterations of facts +that are known to all who have heard him or have the advantage of a +personal acquaintance with him as I have. I feel honored to place this +sketch of him in my history with other distinguished musical +celebrities of this age and generation. + + +A.W. KLOSE. + +The subject of my sketch, A.W. Klose, was one of our pioneer singers. +In 1852, when I was a girl of sixteen, he sang the bass in the choir +of the Presbyterian Church of Stockton. He was there for three years. +He was born January 25, 1831, in Verden, kingdom of Hanover, Germany +and educated there. He came to California in 1849, to Stockton in the +early part of 1854. Business called him to San Francisco in 1862. +After he left Stockton we never met again until September 26, 1896, +in Oakland, after forty-two years. He belonged to the Handel & Haydn +society from 1860 to 1867. At that time I was in Santa Cruz. He was +one of the organizers of the Harmonic society, Prof. Dohrmann, +director. Later John P. Morgan was leader. He was also one of the +charter members of the Orpheus society of male singers, conductor, +Prof. McDougal. Connected with the Orpheus was also a choral of +women's and men's voices. They gave some fine concerts in Oakland at +that time. At the death of Prof. McDougal this society went out of +existence, but afterward reorganized with men's voices only, as it now +exists. Mr. Klose was one of the members of its musical committee for +years. While in San Francisco he was director of the Methodist choir +until he came to Oakland to reside. He sang in the First Presbyterian +church choir for over thirty-five years. He retired about three years +ago. He went to his final rest August 19, 1912, at the age of +eighty-one years. The death of my friend records the last of the +galaxy of fine men singers who came here in the earlier days to seek +wealth. He was always ready to assist in the advancement of the best +music. He sang in the days when we were judged by the knowledge of how +to sing correctly and with intelligent understanding of the work. He +was always a devout Christian, an efficient worker in the Sabbath +school and endeared himself to all by his quiet, dignified manner. I +think this testimony will stand for him in every community where he +sojourned. I, as one of his earliest friends, gladly pay him my last +tribute of respect and place his name in affectionate remembrance in +my record of old singers. Old-time friend, "rest in Peace." + + +SAN FRANCISCO'S CELEBRATED FRENCH HORN QUARTETTE + +GEO. FLETCHER, WM. E. BLAKE, NATHANIEL PAGE, GEORGE STOREY + +The picture facing page 118 was taken in the Bohemian Grove on the +Russian river during the annual outing in 1895. This quartette was +part of the Philharmonic society of San Francisco. These musicians +with Mr. Wm. Wellman, flutist, were engaged during the season of +revelry among the pines and with their leader, Herman Brandt, +discoursed the music that made the hills resound with their funeral +chants over the death of dull care. Since this time Mr. Fletcher has +died, Mr. Page is now in London and has risen with great honors as a +composer as well as a fine musician and California is proud of her +native son. Mr. Storey and my son, Mr. Blake, are still in San +Francisco, playing when the occasion presents. + +[Illustration: + +Pauline Joran +Elsie Joran +Mrs. Blake-Alverson +Lulu Joran + +THE JORAN QUARTETTE, 1883] + + +PROF. MAURO SOLANO + +Prof. Solano, one of our best known musicians, has been a prominent +harpist among us since 1873, when he came here from Guadalajara, +Mexico. He was married July 24, 1862. He resided in Guadalajara eight +years, then moved to Mazatlan and lived there three years. Later he +came to San Francisco and taught the harp there for seventeen years. I +had always enjoyed his excellent playing in the different theaters of +San Francisco but it was not until I returned to San Francisco in 1888 +that I fully appreciated his wonderful art in playing the Spanish +harp. I took up my residence on Geary street in a lower flat and +across the court in the upper flat was the professor's studio. We +became mutual friends, being in the same line of work and I had the +advantage of listening to his best efforts at his own practice hour +night after night, if he had no other engagement. How I longed to try +my voice with this beautiful music and be accompanied by a master. At +last my opportunity arrived when he asked me to come and sing for him. +He had fine songs for my voice. I gladly accepted his gracious +compliment and it truly was an hour of musical delight. It was not my +last pleasure for we had many such hours and his charming wife was an +appreciative listener and would enthusiastically applaud our efforts. +Those were happy hours but they too soon came to an end for he had +built a home in Alameda for his old age. Later I came to Oakland and +we have never met since. He was actively employed for several years +after that period but has retired and lives in Alameda. I read an +account of his fiftieth wedding anniversary on June 24, 1912, which +was celebrated with a high mass of thanks at St. Joseph's Church in +Alameda. In his profession he had many of our best known women for his +pupils, among them Miss Beatrice Tobin who is now Madam Duval of +Paris, Miss Theresa Fair now Mrs. Oelrichs of New York; Mrs. +Fitzsimmons, Miss Jenny Dunphy, Miss Gertrude Carroll. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN + +WITH MY PUPILS + + +WILLIAM H. KEITH + +Mr. Keith was born in the sixties in San Francisco. As a young man he +held for several years the position of manager of the art department +of Shreve's, corner of Montgomery and Sutter streets. He began his +voice lessons with Moretti. After a period he [Transcriber's Note: +missing word supplied] discontinued and began his studies with Madam +Blake-Alverson. After studying with her some time, he decided to adopt +music as his profession. He went to Paris in 1890 where, upon the +advice of Jean de Reszke, he studied several years with Sbriglia and +then prepared himself for opera under Giraudet of the Conservatory of +Music. He then went to London and prepared himself for oratorio under +Randegger. His European career was one of continuous success and he +sang in London, Edinburg, Berlin, Dresden, Paris, etc. His first great +work in American concerts was at the Worcester musical festival in +company with Madam Melba, Mme. Lillian Blauvelt, Campanari and other +artists, all under the baton of Carl Zerrahn. After singing in concert +and oratorio and other musical attractions for a number of years, he +received a flattering offer from the Mollenhauer Conservatory of +Music, Brooklyn, to teach the vocal department, the place he has so +successfully held since 1901, besides having large classes of private +pupils, both in Brooklyn and New York. He is considered a leading +concert baritone of New York and his services are constantly in +demand. Mr. Keith has made several visits to California with eminent +artists like Rivarde, Lachaume and others. + + +MADAM TREGAR + +Madam Tregar was one of my San Bernardino pupils of English parentage. +At that time she was married and living in a modest way, desiring some +day to be able to satisfy her longing to sing. When she heard of my +singing and teaching she ventured to call and consult me in regard to +her voice. Her appearance did not inspire me with much encouragement, +but after hearing her story I decided to see what could be done. She +had never had any instruction except on the piano. I tried her rather +doubtfully. To my surprise I found she possessed more pure and natural +tones than I had ever heard in any voice. She had a range of almost +two octaves, every note without a flaw. I felt sorry that there was so +much to find in the voice, without a personality to round out the +perfect instrument. It was evident she would be a thorough student, +and do her work conscientiously, if she began. I resolved to try and +see what could be done. At the end of sixteen months the change in the +voice and woman was almost incomprehensible. The obstacles which +seemed unsurmountable at first were but the first defects to be +overcome, but with good understanding and proper placement these +faults disappeared as quickly as the frost before the morning sun. At +the closing recital of my sixteen months' stay she sang for her number +Gounod's Ave Maria with violin accompaniment, in the original key, to +the delight and great astonishment of the San Bernardino people, who +rather made her the butt of their musical jokes and hardly gave her +recognition previously, as they thought her musical ability was of the +most amateur sort. Her singing in the sixteen months of application in +the right direction and proper placement, brought out one of the most +phenomenal voices which has found favor abroad. She lives in London; +sang for the late King Edward and his royal household guests and still +holds sway among the musical people of London as the highest soprano +from America in this century. After leaving the south I never knew +what had become of her and often wondered if she kept up the good work +begun in 1888. In 1904, eighteen years after, she surprised me by +calling upon me to thank me for what I had done for her and her story +in this time seemed like a romance to me. After I left San Bernardino +she had succeeded so well that she concluded to go to her former home +in London and continue the work and, after eighteen years of success, +she came to San Francisco, stopped by the wayside to find her first +instructor and with deep emotion thanked her for her assistance and +good work when she needed a friend. + + +THE JORAN QUARTET + +Prominent among the younger musicians of San Francisco in the 80's +were three talented children since become famous both in this country +and England, where they now reside. Their only teacher was their +mother, who was an English pianist of repute. They formed a concert +troupe in 1883 with Miss M. Hyde, accompanist and director. + +Miss M. Hyde, _accompanist and director_. +Miss Lulu Joran, 16 years old, _piano virtuoso_. +Miss Pauline, 14 years old, _violin virtuoso_. +Miss Elsie, 12 years old, _piano virtuoso_. +Mrs. M.R. Blake, _soloist_. + +It was most remarkable how these children interpreted the most +difficult masterpieces, and played them with art. Once at a special +concert in the Metropolitan temple, San Francisco, the youngest of +them, Miss Elsie, was seated at a Steinway grand piano, too small to +touch the pedals, (an adjustment had to be made) and with sixty of our +best musicians on the stage she played from memory the most difficult +concerto. All the children possessed the art of absolute pitch and +they were able with bandaged eyes to tell the notes of any chords that +were sounded. Miss Pauline was an excellent violinist besides +possessing a fine contralto voice which I had trained for the space of +a year and a half. She is, I am very proud to say, a most beautiful +singer in London today at the age of forty years. In 1910 I clipped +from one of the English papers the following: "Pauline Joran, one of +the most gifted young American opera singers now in Europe, made her +debut recently in Milan under Sonzogno, singing at the Teatro Lirico, +the role of Santuzza and Nedda with the greatest success. She has been +singing in Great Britain under Sir Augustus Harris and will be heard +here next season." + +A teacher can be proud that her work of the foundation of tone +building resulted in such a successful finish. Pauline possessed the +talent and I could foresee the future if she had the proper means, for +she sang with taste and feeling. She accompanied the singer with +graceful interpretation on her violin and played the piano like an +artist. We traveled and sang together for two years and went to +Stockton, Sacramento, San Jose and all the smaller places around San +Francisco. The latter part of the eighties the Jorans returned to +London where they have remained ever since. In her girlish way Pauline +used to say, "Oh, dear auntie, when I am a great singer won't you be +glad and proud of me?" And so I am, and I hope all who have had the +same help will be as successful as this young pupil. + + +WM. P. MELVIN + +During my professional life as a vocal teacher I have been called upon +to part with some of my musical family and also to perform the last +tribute which one friend can pay to another--to sing the song asked +for on his deathbed. During my residence in Oakland I have parted with +five of my beloved pupils. The first string of my lute was severed by +God's decree when he called William P. Melvin to a higher life. He was +born in Steubenville, Ohio, March 18, 1859, and came here in his +infancy with his parents from Springfield, Ill. Dr. Melvin, his +father, entered the drug business and William was engaged in the same +business with him. Later on William was secretary of the Mountain View +Cemetery association, which office he held until his last illness. + +He had a beautiful, resonant and full bass voice. He came to my studio +some time in 1895 and was enrolled among my students, and coming from +a musical family, his brother, Supreme Justice Henry Melvin, +possessing a fine baritone voice, and his beloved sister, Mrs. Mollie +Melvin-Dewing, an excellent mezzo-soprano, it was not strange he sang +so well in a few months. William received his instruction in the +evening when his daily duties were over and came to my studio which +was on the third floor of the building at 1108-1/2 Broadway, over the +Clark Wise music store. He continued his studies until 1897 when his +sickness began to affect his beautiful voice and his lessons were +necessarily discontinued. The first two years his progress was so +satisfactory that I hoped his third year would be the crowning year of +his efforts as an efficient and splendid bass singer. My heart sank +within me when I had learned the nature of the sickness that had +permanently fastened itself upon him. He was as reluctant to +discontinue as I was to have him, but we were obliged to submit to the +inevitable decree, "Thou shalt die and not live." It was a sad +parting. I tried to be cheerful and held out hopes for his recovery, +but it was not to be. On October 3, 1899, he was laid away in the +quiet tomb amidst beautiful blossoms and many tears from those who +knew him best. Mr. Melvin was one of the most delightful +personalities--gentle and kind as a woman, always genial and +accommodating, with always a pleasant word for every one. Even though +suffering from this disease which no doubt made life a burden, no one +in his presence was aware of his suffering. He was always bright and +cheery. As I passed his casket with other sad friends to take a +farewell look upon him and place upon his coffin my tribute of +violets, my tears dropped upon his last resting place as I beheld all +that was mortal of my beloved and affectionate pupil for whom I +mourned as a mother mourns for her son. A prayer arose to my lips to +the God of the universe that as peacefully as he slept in his earthly +casket that He would give him the peace that passeth all understanding +when he entered the portals of Heaven. Rest, sweet spirit, rest. You +are absent but not forgotten by your sincere and devoted teacher and +friend. + + +ROSE CHAMPION + +The second one of my musical family to pass out of life was Miss Rose +Champion. As Jesus wept at the grave of his dear friend Lazarus, I +wept, that one so young and gifted should be taken away from her +little family of three beautiful girls, and a sweet-voiced singer +should be forever stilled. She began her lessons with me in 1897 and +continued until 1899. She was possessed of a clear, lyric soprano +voice and sang with ease and grace and with soulful touch she +fascinated the listener by her intelligent interpretation of song. I +predicted for her a future to be envied, but circumstances over which +I had no control came in the way of her future progress and she +unwillingly made a change and I never heard a song from her after +that. When she was married she sent for me to sing at her wedding at +her home. As I was ready to return to my home she came to me before +she went on her trip, and embraced me and said, "I knew you would +come, and you have made me most happy for I always loved you so. It +was not my fault that I left you." I told her I was sure of that and +that I sang for her with all my heart and the fact that she had sent +for me to perform the highest favor she could ask was sufficient proof +that she had been loyal to her first instructions. For several years +she lived happily as Mrs. James Lanyon. On April 21, 1908, I read with +the deepest regret the announcement of her death. Having met with an +accident I was not able to attend the funeral or to hear the story of +the taking away of such a bright, intelligent and young mother and +sweet singer, but there lingers a sweet memory which will last as long +as I live. When I think of her, I also think of what might have +been had circumstances decreed otherwise. It is to be hoped she may be +foremost in the songs of the Immortal Choir. Sweetly sleep, sweet +singer, until the Grand Amen of the Lost Chord shall be sung at the +last great day, with all the redeemed in the congregation of the +righteous. + +[Illustration: + +Gertrude Dowling +Inza Valentine +Mrs. Mary Kroh-Rodan +Stella Kiel +Anna Krueckle +Stella Valentine +Mrs. Caroline Louderback + +PUPILS OF THE 1900's] + + +LORINA ALLEN KIMBALL + +The third string of my musical lute was snapped asunder when the death +knell sounded for a most beloved and talented pupil, Miss Lorina Allen +Kimball. A young miss of sixteen summers, she had come to my studio, +212 Eleventh street, with her mother one afternoon in 1903. I found a +voice and a personality that could not be overlooked in one so young. +Her notes were pure and limpid, untouched by improper use or bad +training. I gladly enrolled her among my singers and she began at once +with her vocal instruction. She sang with marked progress for four +months when there was a break in the regularity of her lessons. She +had entered the Oakland High school and with her studies she was +unable to attend to the voice as she should. Lorina was born in +Manchester, New Hampshire, March 12, 1886, and her death occurred in +Oakland, August 5, 1906, at the age of twenty years. In 1905 her +mother was called away to Manchester on business and Lorina came to +live with me during her mother's absence. It was then that I learned +to know and understand her character and personality. I had moved to +116 Eleventh street, to the old Abbott home. There was a large room +built on for an art studio and another room led off from it which +Lorina called her room. I made this large room my studio and occupied +my couch on one side of it and it was here we worked each evening. She +was a most excellent student and no time was wasted when her lessons +were to be attended to. A bright pupil with clear reasoning ability, +she was first at one lesson, then the other. I used to watch her +evenings as she sat at the opposite side of the table with her books, +in deep study. I often thought of her possibilities and speculated on +all she could do. But our Master gives us from time to time just such +rare flowers of promise for a short season, then quietly transplants +them into His safe keeping from the bitter blasts of life's stormy +weather. He knows they are not made to stand the rough usages of life. +After finishing her term at the high school she entered the summer +school at Berkeley. While there she contracted a cold which became +alarming but she was unconscious that it was touching her vitals and +kept busy with her books. After the school closed her mother returned +and finding she did not improve, removed her to her home and concluded +she had better be attended to at once. She had been gone for over a +month and I supposed she was all right and was hoping to see her each +week return and resume her work. After eight weeks had passed I began +to be alarmed and made inquiries about her and I was informed that she +had been seriously ill for days and by her request the news was kept +from me. She failed rapidly after she went home. + +On the morning of August 5, 1906, while I was at my breakfast table, +the telephone bell rang and a voice, strange to me, said "Mrs. +Alverson, Lorina Kimball is dead." Without any warning or thought of +receiving such a shock, of course, the day was done for me. I mourned +for her as for my own. A bright, sunny child, singing and laughing in +her childish glee, she made many friends, among them, members of the +Amoskeg Veterans who made her the Daughter of the Regiment in +Washington, D.C., and presented her with a beautiful silk flag and an +elegant crescent pin of jewels for her fine recitations and character +readings. + +A clearer mind I never taught and I prayed and hoped that nothing +would intervene to stop her progress that had been so brilliantly +begun. But my hopes did not avail. Before the bud had unfolded into +maturity it was transplanted into the Garden of Eden above. Only those +who have lost loved ones are able to feel how my heart's deepest +sorrow went out with this young life. It was a pity that her notes +could not have been recorded as they floated out into the still hour +of the night. After her studies were over she would beg of me to join +her in the song duets which we had perfected. When I reasoned with her +not to sing, when so tired, like a spoiled child she pleaded. "My dear +Lady Margaret, I am tired only with my studies, sing with me, I want +to rest before I sleep." Who could resist the tender pleadings of the +tired song bird. I called her my nightingale for her singing was done +at night. One of her songs was the Nightingale's Trill or Queen of the +Night. The memory of her singing ever lingers with me like the sweet +perfume wafted from the distant isle, its subtle influence sinking +upon the senses, calming the tired child as upon the mother's breast +it rests in perfect peace and confidence. Its message accomplished, it +floated away into space to travel on, and, forever until it reached +the Giver of every perfect gift and rested in the Heavenly Courts +above from everlasting to everlasting. + + Rest, weary pilgrim, from toil reposing, + Night's darkening shadow round thee is closing, + Drear is the pathway frowning before thee, + No stars on high to guide and watch o'er me; + Rest, weary pilgrim; rest, weary pilgrim. + + Rest, weary pilgrim, 'till morning breaking, + And birds around thee bright songs awakening; + Hark, through the forest chill winds are blowing, + Here there is friendship and kind welcome glowing, + Rest, weary pilgrim; rest, weary pilgrim. + + --Donizetti. + + +PAULINE PETERSON + +The fourth discordant note in my instrument came to me by the death of +one of my later pupils, Miss Pauline Peterson, who began with her +sister, Miss Minnie Peterson, in 1896. She was fair to look upon and +her voice was sweet and pure and in range two full octaves. She was a +member of the English Lutheran church in Grove and Sixteenth streets, +was one of the Christian Endeavor workers and Sabbath school teachers +and her ambition was to sing in the choir and among the young people +of the church. During the three years' directorship of the choir, I +had gathered the young people together and the music was of a high +order. A number of them sang in the choir. + +During these years Miss Pauline had become the promised bride of the +man of her choice and the day was drawing near and all preparations +were completed and the cozy home furnished. Only a few weeks remained +before the chorus of Lohengrin was to be sung by the young voices of +her friends who loved her so well. While we propose, God disposes, and +our expectant bride fell sick and the edict went forth that she should +be the Bride of Heaven and on May 1, 1905, she passed away. Instead of +the wedding song I was called upon to sing the parting song for the +beloved pupil. I thought I had fully prepared myself for the ordeal +and was ready to comply and perform the sad task which befell me. +After the family had passed into their pew, my tears began to start as +I saw the bowed head of her devoted mother, who was giving up her +first-born child so young to lie in the tomb. But I was not prepared +for the sight of the white casket as it was wheeled into the church, +with the solitary mourner, her promised husband, slowly following all +that was left of his bride-to-be, robed as for the bridal and her +shimmering veil tied in a large bow knot and the bridal wreath placed +lightly upon the casket with lilies of the valley and maiden-hair +ferns, trailing in graceful festoons around the casket. Truly all the +heroes do not face the cannon's mouth. It requires bravery beyond +conception to do this last mission for those we love and esteem. I +realized for a moment the difficult task and during the reading of the +scriptures the battle was raging within me. When the moment came and +the organ began the prelude, I arose as in a dream, and casting my +eyes away from the beloved form, I began in a low voice the beautiful +song (by Felix Marti) "By the River." As I sang I forgot all earthly +sorrow and directed my thought above the earthly home into the blue +vault of Heaven and I followed the young spirit into the everlasting +gates of pearl and left her there. + + Safe in the Arms of Jesus, + Safe on his gentle breast, + There by his love o'ershadowed + Sweetly her soul shall rest. + +[Illustration: + +Dolores Bradley +Geneva Griswold +Geo. Jackson +Blanche Kroh +Leslie E. Woodworth +Peter Ramsey +Maud Gerrior +Alice Davies +Edw. H. Sanford + +PUPILS, 1908-1912] + + +BERTHA GRACE HUNTER + +The last and fifth string of my musical lute became silent and was +hushed forever when my sweet friend and pupil passed beyond into the +unknown home not made with hands of mortals. Miss Bertha Grace Hunter +was born in Liverpool, England, and in 1889 came to America and then +to San Francisco with her parents, later removing to Oakland. She had +studied the piano in England and played well. In 1893 she decided to +take up music as a profession. She consulted Mrs. Gutterson who +informed her she possessed decided musical ability, well worth the +cultivation. She began to study with Otto Bendix of San Francisco who +informed her that she understood interpretation better than most of +his pupils. Afterward she wished to become an organist and became the +pupil of Mr. H. Bretherick. It was at Pilgrim church that I first met +her. She was organist there, while I occupied a choir position. She +was a beautiful accompanist as well and I could feel assured that I +would have her full artistic nature woven into the song I sang and +give me the inspiration to sing so as to call forth expressions of +approval from the worshippers from week to week for us both. She also +had a contralto voice of much feeling and sympathy and came to me for +vocal lessons in 1896 and was my accompanist in the studio for a year, +when she decided to visit England and perfect herself on the organ. +She studied three years with Dr. George Smith from the Royal Academy +of Music in London. She had remained so long abroad she became +homesick and great was the disappointment of her teacher that she +could not remain three months longer to take her degree. Her longing +for home became so strong she forfeited her honors to meet her family +at Christmas. Upon reaching Oakland she was appointed organist of the +First Christian Scientist church, which position she held for seven +years. Her untimely death in September, 1911, was a shock to her +family and friends. Being of a quiet disposition one would not expect +to find such a soulful and affectionate nature. To know her was to +love her. My long association with her in church and studio gave me an +opportunity to know her well and love her for her worth as a true +friend, a musical nature and loyal to all her associates and friends +and a most ardent student in her profession. She was in England when +my accident occurred and since her return I met her but seldom. Her +work lay in another direction in Berkeley. Her death was a sad +surprise to me and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her bereaved +parents and devoted brother who mourn her loss grievously like David +mourned for his son and could not be comforted. + + +GEORGE G. PETERSON + +The subject of my sketch, George G. Peterson, began his studies at my +studio 1108-1/2 Broadway. He had a deep bass voice of fine quality +which he used with excellent understanding and soon attracted +attention at the First Christian church where he worshipped. George +was a devout Christian and prominent worker in the church and was in +demand for his musical worth as well, singing so well that he became +leading bass in the choir and occupied the position with honor. With +all his daily work as an artisan he found time to master and play +successfully the violin, mandolin, auto harp and harmonica combined, +banjo and guitar. He passed out of life April 26th, 1912, leaving a +wife, son and daughter to mourn the loss of a talented father. So my +musical family comes and goes and I am called upon to lose them first +in one way and then in another. This was a sad surprise and a shock to +me. I wrote to him to come and see me and the answer came, "George has +gone up higher. He is not here among us any longer." It was a sad +message from the devoted wife. He was still a young, bright and active +man, but thirty-seven years of age. Truly "God moves in a mysterious +way His wonders to perform." In all things may we be able to say, "Thy +will, not mine, be done." + + ODE TO A VOICE + + Dedicated to Lady Margaret, with much love, by Mary Alice Sanford. + Christmas, 1909. + + Singing forever from morn until night, + From low and sad to high and bright, + The voice of my Lady resounds in the air, + And tells all the world to put aside care. + + As if watching the distant horizon blue, + We finally see the ships come in view, + We hear the soft music rise to her lips, + And those beautiful tones are our stately ships. + + But listen again! Now what do we hear? + Why the rippling of the waters clear, + Or the lark's sweet song in yonder skies. + Or the soft flight of the butterflies. + + The low murmuring of the breeze, + The nodding of the leaves on trees, + The blushing rose, the lily pure, + Is sung by a voice which can never be truer. + + The anger of the stormy water, + The passion of lovers who never falter, + The insanity of a jealous husband's rage + Is sung by the marvelous voice of the age. + + Her voice is borne on the wings of a dove, + With many kind thoughts and praises of love, + She has sung to us all, and we'll never forget + The beautiful voice of my Lady Margaret. + +The writer of this poem, Mary Alice Sanford, came into my life in +1908. Her family moved into the flat above mine some time in August of +that year. Her mother informed me that she was musical, and from the +way she spoke I expected to see a young woman of about nineteen or +twenty years. I was surprised, instead, a few days later, to see a +slip of a schoolgirl looking at me in a timid way and rather reserved +in manner. Later I invited her into the studio and I asked her if she +liked music, to which she said yes. During the call she said she +wished to sing. She had never had any instruction, her music was +instrumental altogether. After she had given me an example of her +instrumental work I said she should sing also, but at this she +informed me she could not afford the vocal with the other, but her +desire was to sing as well as play. I asked her what ability she had +for reading or accompanying. She informed me she read her notes +rapidly. At this I handed her the fifty lessons by Concone and opened +to the first exercises, asked her to play while I sang for her. I +thought perhaps the first lessons were too easy so I gave her a more +difficult one, and I found she could read the most difficult lessons +in the book and accompany with the greatest ease. I asked her her age, +and she informed me in a month she would be sixteen years old. I asked +her if she would like to earn her own lessons. She looked at me +surprised at my proposition. Before her visit was over it was agreed +she should be accompanist for my students, who needed her services. +This was glorious news to her mother, who so greatly desired her to +sing but was unable to give her both branches at this time, and she +had also just pride that her daughter was able through her musical +knowledge to give herself the much longed for opportunity which had +come to her so unexpectedly. Everything was complete now, and the +lessons began at once. + +I found in her a real student, a most attentive listener, a voice +small but clear and high. Later on in the development it proved very +elastic, nothing acceptable below middle C. A pure lyric soprano, it +was constantly developing higher in the tones. I often cautioned her +not to sing so high, it would not do, when she would reply, "I cannot +help it, it just goes there." I paid my closest attention to her for +the period of four years. In that time she had not only learned to +sing and play, but also studied harmony and languages. Latin and +German she studied in school, Italian in the studio with Professor +Arena, Spanish from her father, who is a linguist. With all this +colossal work for this young mind and her achievements in technic and +languages I was yet dissatisfied, for I had not yet received a +response that I had longed and hoped for while she was drinking in all +this vast amount of knowledge. She never gave out to let me see any +result of all this accumulation of musical knowledge which I knew she +possessed, never asking a question or advancing any question or +enthusiastic outburst of expression. Being romantic in my +interpretation of song I hoped she had imbibed also a strain of it +which she lacked, as I noticed in the beginning. I was at my wits' +ends to find the spring, but she resisted all my efforts. I knew she +was excessively shy but did not think that would prevent her in +showing in some way her appreciation of the instruction and her idea +of what she had formed of all this teaching, explanation and example +in these years. + +Her songs were accurately sung in any language with which she was +familiar. Her singing was highly complimented upon, yet there was +something I had not yet found. I sang many hours for her the old and +the new songs and she accompanied with musicianly art, but no +expression came to me from her. I got an idea from her mother which +songs she liked best and I soon found she had supplied herself with +those she did like and I had sung for her in practice. In December, +1909, I at last reaped my reward. She, with other pupils, remembered +me, and before bringing her gift she felt as though she had not given +me enough, and at last she said, "I must do something more," and +entered her room, and closed the door for a half hour. She had given +me in verse what she could not say to me. Her excessive shyness +prevented her, much as she appreciated my singing and teaching and the +interpretation of song and its different modes of expression, whether +it be sacred, descriptive, florid or romantic. She portrayed these +lines with a poet's art--never did Tennyson write his first efforts +with more beautiful description than this young poetess has written in +these beautiful lines which I cannot read without emotion. She gave me +her affectionate expression in this poem which I appreciate more +highly than rubies, and with pride I place her offering in this book +of memoirs for all to read and for all young persons who are students +to feel that a conscientious teacher deserves their love and +appreciation in return for their efforts to develop the highest +perfection in the pupil. They cannot all be poets but they can at +least honor the master by showing appreciation. + +In these four years of study she had outdistanced all of those who +began with her in 1908. She plays the organ each Sabbath at the +English Lutheran Church. She has several piano pupils and once a week +practices two hours in a private ensemble club, violins, cello and +piano; has completed the course of harmony of three months, has +studied composition, writes songs and the words for them. She has +written a number of instrumental pieces for both hands, and two +numbers for the left hand. I have been honored with the gift of two of +her songs, one sacred and the other a lullaby. She began in earnest to +compose some time ago and these pieces have been the result. She +practices the piano about four hours daily. Her compositions are very +meritorious. It is my opinion if she keeps up her work that it will +not be long before the public of California will have another musician +to add to the already great number gone before her. There is but one +regret in the makeup of this young aspirant. It is her self-consciousness +or excessive shyness, whether physical or mental, in relation to the +opinion of others. She is so thoroughly conscientious she will not do +anything unless it is just right. If she can overcome this malady in +her contact with people there is nothing left in her pathway to +prevent her successful career. It has been difficult for me to bear +with patience this affliction, for I see too well her future. Shyness +is no respecter of persons. Many of our great men like Charles +Matthews, Garrick, Sir Isaac Newton, Byron, were afflicted with it and +shunned all notoriety. She has fought successfully her other battles, +let us hope she will conquer this obstacle also. I, her instructor, +will be the first to rejoice in her victory and her Lady Margaret will +compel her to write another song. But this time it will be a song of +rejoicing and victory. + +[Illustration: + +Ruth A. Hitchcock +Anita Osborn +Christine Hermansen +Ilma Jones +Grace Cooke +Leo Dowling + +PUPILS, 1910-1911] + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT + +A LIST OF MY PUPILS + + +Ach, Annie, 1903, '04 _High soprano_ +Ackerly, Mrs., 1901, '02, '03 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Adler, Celia, 1890 _Soprano_ +Adler, Dora, 1890 _Soprano_ +Adler, Elsie, 1900 _Soprano_ +Aiken, Mrs., 1896 _Soprano_ +Aitken, Mabel, 1898 _Soprano_ +Aitken, Mr., 1897 _High tenor_ +Allison, George, 1906, '07, '08 _Baritone, bass_ +Alwyn, Robert, 1897, '98 _Baritone, tenor_ +Alwyn, Stella, 1898 _Soprano, low_ +Ames, Lucille, 1910, '11 _Deep contralto_ +Andrews, Mattie, 1892, '93 _Alto_ +Andrews, Vina, 1892, '93 _Soprano_ +Angus, Alice, 1899, 1900, '02, '03 _Soprano_ +Angus, Mrs. Helen, 1899, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Angus, Wm., 1899, 1900, '01 _Tenor, primo_ +Arena, Angelina, 1901, '02, '10 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Arena, Irvin, 1912 _Boy soprano_ +Arbergast, Mr. A., 1900, '01 _Tenor_ +Ashley, Chas. H., 1911, '12 _Lyric tenor_ +Atchison, Mrs. L.F., 1906 _Soprano_ +Atherton, Ethel, 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Atkins, Mr., 1896 _Baritone_ +Atkins, Mrs., 1896 _Soprano_ +Austin, Grace B., 1887 _Soprano_ +Austin, Mrs. L.M., 1895 _Soprano_ +Avan, Clara, 1898, '99, '00, '01, '02, '03 _Soprano_ +Avan, Hattie, 1902, '03 _Contralto_ +Avis, Ethel, 1908 _Contralto_ +Bacon, Helen, 1898 _Soprano_ +Baer, Mr., 1900 _Tenor_ +Baker, Miss Sarah, 1898 _Soprano_ +Ball, Louie, 1892 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Ballentyne, Will, 1896 _Bass, baritone_ +Banta, Clae, 1906, '07 _High Tenor_ +Barnes, Pearl, 1909, '10 _Contralto_ +Bartlett, Mrs., 1891 _Contralto_ +Bauske, Hazel, 1910, '11, '12 _High soprano_ +Baylis, Etta, 1905, '06 _Soprano_ +Beam, Edith, 1879, '80, '82, '84, '85, '87 _Soprano, also + accompanist_ +Beam, Mary, 1879, '82, '85 _Soprano_ +BeDell, Miss, 1897, '98 _Soprano_ +Bercham, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ +Beretta, Chelice, 1890, '91 _Low voice_ +Beretta, Mrs. I.A., 1894, '95 _Mezzo-soprano._ + Passed out of + life +Bernard, Dan, 1890 _Baritone_ +Bernard, Grace, 1890, '91, '95 _Soprano_ +Bernard, Fred, 1890, '91 _Baritone_ +Bernard, L.A., 1895 _Tenor_ +Bettis, Mrs., 1894, '95, '96, '97 _Soprano_ +Bichtel, Helen, 1901 _Soprano_ +Bills, Miss, 1897 _Light soprano_ +Bishop, Biddle, 1879, '80 _Bass, baritone_ +Bisquer, Marceline, 1912 _Soprano_ +Blake, Edith, 1886 _Soprano_ +Blake, Ella, 1887 _Contralto_ +Blake, Mrs. W.E., 1894, '95, '99, '00, '01, '02 _High soprano. + Accompanist for + the studio_ +Blanc, Lottie, 1884 _Alto_ +Bloss, Kittie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Boise, Miss E., 1879, '85 _Soprano_ +Bonham, Mrs., 1900 _Dramatic + soprano_ +Bolzer, Miss, 1896, '97 _Soprano_ +Booth, Miss A.G., 1879, '80, '81 _Soprano_ +Booth, Maud, 1908 _Contralto_ +Booth, Sue, 1909 _Contralto_ +Boutton, Miss Cloy, 1899, '90, '91 _Dramatic + Soprano_ +Bowers, Genevieve, 1907, '08 _Contralto_ +Bowers, Cornelia, 1907, '08, '09 _Deep contralto_ +Bowen, Mary, 1884 _Soprano_ +Bowles, Bessie, 1908 _Soprano_ +Bowles, Kitty, 1898 _Light soprano_ +Bowley, Kittie, 1884 _Dramatic + soprano_ +Bradley, Dolores, 1908, '09, '10 _Contralto_ +Brainard, Birdie, 1879, '83, '86, '87 _Alto_ (child) +Brainard, Carrie, 1879, '82, '83, '86, '87 _Soprano_ (child) +Brandeline, Mrs., 1909 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Braun, Mr., 1898 _Tenor-baritone_ +Brennan, Misses, 1884 _Soprano and + contralto_ + (sisters) +Brown, Elizabeth, 1879 _Soprano_ +Brown, Evelyn, 1890, '91, '92 _Soprano_ +Brown, Miss, 1888, '89 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Brown, Miss L., 1880, '81 _Soprano_ +Brown, Mary, 1884 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Bruce, Florence, 1903, '04, '05 _Lyric soprano_ +Bruce, Mrs. S.J., 1903, '04, '05 _Light soprano_ +Bruce, Ruth, 1904, '05 _Contralto_ +Bruce, Winona, 1904, '05, '06 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Bruenn, Mrs., 1892, '93 _Mezzo voice_ +Brunning, Olive, 1899, 1900 _Mezzo voice_ +Brunning, Helen, 1899, 1900 _Soprano_ +Brydges, Ada Miss, 1912 _Contralto-mezzo_ +Bryant, Miss, 1897, '98, '99, 1900 _High soprano_ +Bufford, Anna, 1888 _Soprano_ +Bufford, Tidy, 1888 _Contralto_ +Bullington, Marie, 1912 _Soprano_ +Burch, Madeline, 1912 _Soprano_ +Burch, Mrs., 1903 _Contralto_ +Burns, Belle, 1892, '93, '96 _Contralto_ +Burns, Herbert, 1906 _Second tenor_ +Burrell, Mrs., 1895 _Second alto_ +Burton, Lester, 1905, '06, '07 _Bass, baritone_ + (Dead) +Caldwell, Mrs. O.B., 1900, '01 _Contralto_ +Calvin, Alice, 1901, '02, '03, '04, '05 _Contralto_ + _Also accompanist + for the studio_ +Campbell, Mrs. Carrie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Campbell, Mrs. J.A., 1881 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Cantua, Theresa, 1898, '99, 1900 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Cantrell, Kate, 1884 _Soprano_ +Carpenter, Miss, 1897 _Soprano_ +Carollis, Miss, 1888 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Carovyn, Mr., 1897 _Tenor voice_ +Carrigan, Mrs., 1896 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Carrick, Mrs., 1890, '91, '92, '93 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Case, Mrs. J.M., 1894, '96, '97, '98, '99, '01 _Mezzo-soprano_ + _Also accompanist + for studio_ +Cauzza, Genevieve, 1912 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Caswell, Mabel, 1890, '91, '92, '93 _Soprano_ +Champion, Rose, 1897, '98, '99 _High soprano_ + (Dead) +Chapman, Sylvia, 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Chase, Linnie, 1906 _Soprano also + accompanist_ +Cheschron, Lillian, 1883 _Soprano_ +Chase, Mellie, 1890 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Christofferson, Jennie, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Church, Mrs. Lin, 1897 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Churchill, Byron, 1901, '02 _Tenor_ +Cianciaruolo, Lucia, 1905, '06, '07, '08, '09, + '10, '11, '12 _High soprano_ +Ciseneros, Henry, 1907 _Tenor, baritone_ +Claire, Miss, 1891 _Soprano_ +Clifford, Mrs., 1894 _Soprano_ +Coghill, Mamie, 1879, 1880 _Soprano_ +Cole, Miss, 1888 _Soprano_ +Condrin, Mamie, 1884, '85 _Soprano_ +Commins, Anna, 1889, '97, '98, '01, '02, '03 _Soprano_ +Collins, Mrs. Minnie, 1888 _Soprano_ +Conklin, Louisa, 1895 _Soprano_ +Connors, Mrs. H., 1888 _Soprano_ +Conroy, Anna, 1897, '98, 99 _Soprano_ +Cooke, Grace, 1911, '12 _High soprano_ +Cooley, Allen, 1892 _Tenor_ +Coombs, Miss, 1904, '05 _Soprano_ +Cordes, H. Mrs., 1911, '12 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Courtain, Gladys, 1903, '04 _Soprano_ +Coyne, Miss N., 1901 _Soprano_ +Craig, Carrie, 1888 _Soprano_ +Cramer, Etta, 1908, '09 _Soprano_ +Crandall, Harry, 1900, '01, '02, '10 _High tenor_ +Crew, Josie, 1897, '98 _Contralto Also + accompanist for + studio_ +Crew, Louisa Carolyn, 1897, '98, '99, '00 _Lyric soprano_ +Cropley, F.M., 1898 _Soprano_ +Crossman, Nellie, 1888 _Contralto_ +Cullen, Lila, 1904, '05 _Soprano_ +Culver, Susie, 1893, '94, '95 _Soprano_ +Cummings, Nettie, 1898 _Soprano_ +Cunningham, Miss, 1889 _Soprano_ +Cunningham, Mrs. Louisa Crossett, 1912 _Dramatic + soprano_ +Cushing, Lillian, 1898, '99, '01, '02 _Contralto_ +Dam, Miss, 1889 _Contralto_ +Danielwitz, Carrie, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Danielwitz, Rose, 1900, '03 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Danish, Mrs., 1897 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Davies, Alice, 1910 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Dean, Miss, 1890 _Soprano_ +Dean, Mrs. J.E., 1910, '11 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Deaner, Annette, 1898, '99 _Soprano_ +DeBonis, Elvera, 1908, '09 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Deetken, Marjorie, 1906, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12 _Soprano_ +Delepaine, Mrs., 1887 _Soprano_ +Derby, Charles, 1901, '02, '03, '04, '09 _Tenor_ +Derby, George, 1901, '02, '03, '04, '05 _Bass_ +Derby, Hattie, 1896, '97, '98, '99, '00, '01 _Soprano_ +Derby, Sam, 1896 _Baritone_ +Derrick, Nellie, 1882, '84, '85 _Soprano_ +DeTurbeville, Amy, 1890, '91, '92, '93 _Soprano_ +Dickey, Mrs. Clarence, 1888 _Lyric soprano_ +Dickey, Lorena, 1905 _Soprano_ +Diggins, Miss, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Doan, Rebecca, 1880 _Soprano_ +Dobbins, Miss Grace, 1894, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99 _Contralto_ +Dohrmann, Dolores, 1903, '04, '05 _Soprano, also + accompanist_ +Dorsett, Gertrude, 1911, '12 _Soprano_ +Dorr, Ruby, 1884 _Soprano_ +Dosier, Miss, 1884 _Soprano_ +Doubleday, Mr., 1890, '91 _Baritone_ +Dowdel, Addie, 1896, '97, '98, '99, '00 _Light soprano + accompanist_ +Dowdel, Everett, 1895, '96, '97, '01 _Tenor_ +Dowling, Gertrude, 1906, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Dowling, Leo, 1908 _Baritone, bass_ +Downing, Lennie, 1879, '80, '81, '82 _Soprano_ +Drais, Jessie, 1897, '98, '99 _Contralto_ +Drake, Mabel, 1904, '05 _Contralto_ +Draper, Mrs., 1888 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Dugan, Susie, 1880 _Soprano_ +Dumont, Ricardo, 1909, '10 _Tenor, baritone_ +Durbrow, Kate, 1884 _Soprano_ +Dunn, Elizabeth, 1879, '80, '81 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Dunn, Mary, 1881 _Soprano_ +Dunn, Rebecca, 1879, '80, '81, '85 _Alto_ +Dutton, Carrie, 1879, '82, '83, '85, '86, '87, '90 _Lyric soprano_ +Dwight, Mr., 1888 _Bass_ +Dyer, Ella, 1890, '91, 1900 _Contralto_ + (Died, 1900) +Edwards, Jessie, 1881 _Mezzo-contralto_ +Edwards, Morton, 1880 _Tenor_ (Dead) +Edwards, Mrs. Morton, 1886 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Edwards, Daisy, Miss, 1884 _Soprano_ +Erne, Mrs., 1894 _Soprano_ +Ellis, Miss Maud, 1901 _Soprano_ +Ellis, Will, 1904 _Baritone_ +Embly, Miss, 1897 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Englehart, Ethel, 1911 _Soprano_ +Epperly, Mrs., 1888 _Contralto_ +Eubank, Susie, 1896, '97, '98 _Soprano_ +Ewing, Nellie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Evans, Mary, 1886 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Farnum, Mrs. C.A., 1884 _Soprano_ +Faull, Mrs. Hattie, 1882, '83, '85, '86, '87 _Soprano_ +Faull, John, 1879, '82, '85, '86 _Bass, baritone_ +Faull, Rose, 1879, '82, '83, '86 _Soprano_ +Faull, Sophia, 1879, '82, '83, '86 _Alto_ (Deceased) +Faull, Will, 1894 _Bass_ +Finch, Miss Vivian, 1884, '94, '96 _Soprano_ +Finney, Miss M., 1898 _Soprano_ +Finnigan, Annie, 1886 _Soprano_ +Fisk, Mrs., 1882, '83, '84, '85 _Soprano_ +Fleming, Mrs., 1888, '89 _Soprano_ +Flick, George, 1900 _Bass_ +Flotie, Miss, 1891 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Fogarty, Miss, 1896 _Soprano_ +Folger, Mrs., 1900 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Foote, Miss, 1901 _Soprano_ +Ford, Ella, 1894 _Soprano_ +Foss, Mrs., 1908 _Alto_ +Foster, Annie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Foster, Lizzie, 1879, '82, '84, '85 _Soprano_ +Foster, Mrs., 1891 _Soprano_ +Fountain, Beryle, 1909 _Contralto_ +Fox, Mr., 1888 _Second tenor_ +Frank, Cora, 1901 _Soprano_ +Frankenstein, Sidney, 1889, '90 _Tenor_ +Frear, Bessie, 1901 _Mezzo-soprano_ +French, Miss, 1895 _Soprano_ +Friend, Mrs., 1890 _Soprano_ +Frink, Abbie, 1879, '80, '81, '84 _Soprano_ +Frink, George, 1881 _Baritone_ +Froeb, Emma, 1909 _Contralto_ +Frost, Miss, 1901 _Soprano_ +Frost, Horatio, 1879, '82, '83, '85, '86 _Tenor_ +Frost, Mrs. Mary, 1885 _Low soprano_ +Fryer, John, 1896, '97 _Tenor_ +Fryer, Regg, 1896 _Baritone_ +Fusch, Laura, 1899 _Contralto_ +Gale, Mollie, 1904 _Soprano_ +Garcia, Louisa, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Gardiner, Paloma, 1908, '09, '10 _Contralto_ +Geischen, Emma, 1893, '94, '95 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Georges, Bert, 1896 _Bass_ +Gerard, Capt, 1900 _Baritone_ +Gerrior, Maud, 1908, '09 _Contralto_ +Gerrior, Rev., 1908 _Baritone, tenor_ +Gibbs, Miss, 1880, '81 _Soprano_ +Gibbs, Miss E.J., 1907 _Contralto_ +Giffin, Miss, 1897 _Soprano_ +Gilchrist, Jennie, 1898, '99 _Contralto_ +Gladding, Annette, 1904 _Contralto_ +Gladding, Susie, 1903, '04 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Glass, Mrs. Louis, 1887, '89 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Glaze, Mrs., 1891, '92 _Contralto_ +Goddard, Mrs., 1888 _Contralto_ +Gohst, Miss, 1897 _Soprano_ +Goughenheim, Miss, 1891 _Soprano_ +Goodfellow, W.S., 1904, '05 _Primo tenor_ +Gossip, Claire, 1898 _Soprano_ +Granger, Adale, 1907 _Soprano_ +Granger, Blanche, 1907 _Contralto_ +Graves, Augusta, 1879, '82, '84, '85, '86, '87 _Contralto_ + (Deceased) +Graves, Bessie, 1879, '82, '84, '85, '86 _Mezzo voice. + Accompanist_ +Graham, Mr., 1905 _Baritone_ +Grant, E., 1904 _Contralto_ +Gray, Maud, 1901, '07 _Soprano_ +Greenman, Mrs., 1893 _Soprano_ +Greer, Yvonne, 1911, '12 _Soprano_ +Griffith, Ella, 1884 _Contralto_ +Griswold, Geneva, 1908, '09, '10, '11 _Soprano_ +Groenberg, Margot, 1897, 1900 _Soprano_ +Grossett, Louisa, 1899, '00 _Contralto_ +Guilbault, Agnes, 1898 _Lyric soprano_ +Gunn, Anna, 1909, '10 _Contralto_ +Gunn, Eva, 1909, '10 _Soprano_ +Hackett, Miss, 1879, '80, '81 _Soprano_ +Haggard, A., 1880 _Tenor_ +Haggard, A., 1881 _Soprano_ +Haines, Mr., 1904, '05 _Tenor_ +Haley, May, 1898 _Soprano_ +Hall, Mrs., 1894 _Soprano_ +Halm, Mrs., 1888 _Contralto_ +Hanson, Jennie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Harlow, Frankie, 1910, '11, '12 _Contralto_ +Harney, Miss, 1887 _Soprano_ +Harper, Janet, 1881, '82, '83, '84 _Soprano_ +Harris, Josie, 1892 _Soprano_ +Harrison, Mr., 1906, '07 _Tenor, baritone_ +Harrold, Alice, 1879, '80, '81, '84 _Contralto_ +Harrold, Elizabeth, 1879, '80, '81, '84, '85, '90, '91 _Contralto_ +Harrold, Eva, 1880 _Soprano_ +Harrold, Mary, 1879, '80, '81, '84, '90, '91 _Soprano_ +Harry, Dolly, 1887 _Soprano_ +Hart, Mrs., 1896, 97 _Soprano_ +Harvey, Flora, 1895, '96, '99 _Contralto, also + accompanist_ +Harvey, Richard, 1895 _Baritone_ +Hastie, M.A., 1884 _Soprano_ +Hawes, Alice, 1884 _Contralto_ +Herman, Mrs., 1902 _Soprano_ +Hermansen, Christine, 1910, '11 _Soprano_ +Hewes, Gertrude, 1879, '81, '84 _Contralto_ +Hewes, Miss, 1888 _Soprano_ +Hewes, Mrs., 1891 _Soprano_ +Hewes, Sarah, 1894, '95, '96 _Soprano_ +Hewes, Mr. W., 1887, 1901 _Tenor_ +Higgins, E.B., 1887 _Tenor_ + (Deceased) +Higgins, Mrs., 1887 _Soprano_ +Hill, Miss, 1896, '97 _Soprano_ +Hino, Walter, 1906 _Baritone_ +Hitchcock, Ruth, 1909, '10 _Contralto_ +Hodges, Laura, 1892 _Soprano_ +Hogan, Eva, 1903 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Holland, Julia, 1880 _Soprano_ +Holmes, Mr. 1905 _Bass_ +Holt, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ +Horton, Georgia, 1898, '99 _Contralto_ +Hosmer, Mr., 1884 _High tenor_ +Hough, Ernest, 1892 _Tenor_ +Huston, O.J., 1898, '99 _Tenor_ +Howard, Kate, 1879, '80, '81 _Contralto_ +Howard, Mrs. C.W., 1894 _Soprano_ +Hoyte, Mr., 1896 _Tenor_ +Hubbard, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ +Hudspeth, Mr., 1903, '04 _Baritone, bass_ +Hugg, Mrs. J., 1888 _Soprano_ +Huffschneider, Mrs., 1903, '04 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Huggins, Flora, 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Huggins, Hattie, 1890, '91 _Contralto_ +Hughes, Mrs., 1901, '02, '03 _Contralto_ +Hunt, Elsie May, 1897, '98, '99, '00, '01 _Dramatic + soprano_ +Hunter, Alena, 1900, '01, '02, '03, '04 _Soprano_ +Hunter, Bertha, 1900, '01 _Contralto_ +Hunter, William, 1892 _Tenor_ +Hurd, Mrs., 1903 _Soprano_ +Hussey, Ida, 1894, '95, '96 _Mezzo-contralto_ +Hussey, Minnie, 1896, '97 _Soprano_ +Hyde, Marie, 1882, '83, '84 _Contralto, also + accompanist + for studio_ +Hyde, E. Miss, 1898, '99, '00 _Soprano_ +Hymes, Mrs. 1903 _Soprano_ +Huston, Mrs., 1903 _Contralto_ +Ireland, Mrs., 1900 _Soprano_ +Israel, Dora, 1889 _Contralto_ +Jackson, George, 1908, '09, '10, '11, '12 _Tenor_ +Jackson, Mrs., 1904 _Contralto_ +Jacobs, Gertrude, 1905 _Contralto_ +Jacobs, Lena, 1905 _Soprano_ +Jacobs, Miss P., 1901 _High soprano_ +Jeffries, Jack, 1900, '01 _Baritone_ +Jewell, Mr., 1888 _Baritone, tenor_ +Johnston, Rita, 1908 _Contralto_ +Jolly, May Stewart, 1886, '87, '89 _High soprano_ +Jones, Ethel, 1898, '99, '00 _High soprano, + also + accompanist_ +Jones, Lillian, 1884 _Soprano_ +Jones, Ilma, 1908, '09, '10 _Soprano_ +Jones, J.W., 1887 _Tenor_ +Jones, Mary, 1884 _Alto_ +Jones, Miss, 1879 _Soprano_ +Jones, Mrs., 1894, '95, '97 _Contralto_ +Joran, Pauline 1884, '85 _Contralto_ +Jordan, M.F., 1895 _Soprano_ +Jory, Blanche, 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Jory, Ethel, 1890, '91 _Contralto_ +Jory, Lillian, 1886, '87 _Soprano_ +Katzenbach, Charles, 1908, '09 _Tenor_ +Kean, Mrs., 1899 _Soprano_ +Keith, Wm H., 1881 _Baritone-tenor_ +Kelly, Edith, Miss, 1885 _Soprano_ +Kelly, Miss A., 1897 _Soprano_ +Kelly, Sarah, 1879 _Soprano_ +Kelly, Louisa Foltz _Contralto, also + accompanist_ +Kerby, Mrs. A., 1903 _Soprano_ +Kennedy, Walter, 1910 _Bass, baritone_ +Kern, J., 1884, '85 _Baritone_ +Kerosier, Miss, 1889 _Soprano_ +Kiel, Stella, 1907 _Soprano_ +Kimball, Lorena, 1903, '04, '05 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Kitridge, Mary, 1879, '80 _Soprano_ +Knight, Christmas, 1903, '04 _Soprano_ +Knight, Emma, 1890, '92 _Soprano_ +Knight, Eva, 1890, '91, '92 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Koch, Ada, 1890, '91, '92 _Soprano_ +Kroh, Blanche, 1908 _Soprano_ +Kroh, Mary, 1908 _Contralto_ +Krueckle, Anna, 1904, '05, 06, '07 _Contralto, also + accompanist_ +Kullman, Celia, 1879, '80, '81, '82, '84, '85, + '86, '89, '90 _Soprano_ +Kullman, Hattie, 1885 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Ladd, Mrs., 1894 _Soprano_ +Laher, Frida, 1903, '05 _Soprano_ +Lake, Hazel, 1901 _Soprano_ +Lamping, Hazel, 1905, '06 _Soprano_ +Lancaster, Lillian, 1892 _Soprano_ +Lancaster, Lottie, 1892 _Soprano_ +Lancaster, Susie, 1892 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Lane, Clara, 1908, '09 _Soprano_ +Lang, Eliza, 1879, '80 _Soprano_ +Lanktree, Bessie, 1900, '01, '12 _Contralto_ +Lanktree, Susie, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Larue, Grace, 1895, '96 _Contralto_ +Larue, Laura, 1903 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Law, Marguerite, 1898 _Contralto_ +Lawlor, Mrs., 1893 _Soprano_ +Layes, Frankie R., 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Lazinsky, Josie, 1889 _Contralto_ +Leach, Mrs. Wm., 1895, '96, '97 _Soprano_ +Leach, Wm., 1895, '96, '97 _Tenor_ +Learn, Chas., 1897 _Bass_ +Leary, Dan, 1903 _Baritone_ +Leavenworth, Mr., 1890 _Tenor_ +Lee, Frank, 1897, '98, 1900, '01, '02, '04, '05, '06 _Bass Baritone_ +Lee, Henry T., 1906, '07,'08, '09,'10 _Tenor_ +Leist, Bertha, 1890, '91 _Contralto_ +Lenoir, Miss, 1892, '93 _Soprano_ +Lessig, Mrs. C, 1896, '98, '99 _Contralto_ +Levy, Mrs., 1890 _Contralto_ +Lewis, Mr., 1908 _Tenor_ +Lewis, Mrs. Nellie, 1895, '96 _Soprano_ +Libby, Alice, 1901, '08 _Soprano_ +Livingston, Malsie, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Lloyd, Mrs. Chas., 1899 _Soprano_ +Longmore, Miss, 1879 _Soprano_ +Lorsbach, Mrs., 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Louderback, Carol, 1904, '05, '06, '07, '08 _Soprano_ +Louderback, Jean, 1904, '05, '06, '07, '08 _Soprano_ +Louderback, Mrs. Caroline, 1904, '05, '06, '07, '08, + '11, '12 _Soprano_ +Lount, Miss, 1885 _Soprano_ +Love, Minnie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Lovick, Mary. 1906, '07, '08, '09 _Contralto_ +Lynch, Mrs. G., 1892 _Soprano_ +Lynd, Mr., 1899 _Tenor_ +Lynns, Miss, 1906 _Soprano_ +Lysale, Miss, 1902 _Contralto_ +McCarty, Miss, 1901 _Soprano_ +McCloskey, Desaix, 1905, '06, '07 _Baritone_ +McCloskey, Florence, 1904, '05, '06 _Soprano_ +McClure, Mr., 1904 _Tenor_ +McConkey, C.M., 1888 _Tenor_ +McCullough, Jennie, 1896, '97, '06 _Contralto_ +McCullough, Mrs. B.T. _Contralto_ +McCutcheon, Mattie, 1910 _Soprano_ +McDonald, Miss, 1895, '96 _Soprano_ +McDonough, Anna, 1906 _Soprano_ +McDonough, Ella, 1901 _Contralto_ +McDonough, Helen, 1905, '06 _Soprano_ +McFarlane, Ivan, 1906 _Tenor_ +McFarlane, Mabel, 1906 _Soprano_ +McGovern, Maggie, 1879 _Soprano_ +McIntosh, Miss I., 1898 _Soprano_ +McMahan, Bernard, 1906, '07, '08 _Baritone_ +McMahon, Ella, 1902, '03 _Contralto_ +McMahon, Miss, 1902, '03 _Soprano_ +McLogan, Lizzie Miss, 1884 _Soprano_ +McPhale, Mrs., 1894, '95 _Contralto_ +Mackey, Kate, 1879, '80, '81 _Soprano_ +Macomber, Mrs., 1903 _Soprano_ +Magruder, Tony, 1879, '80 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Maguire, Alice, 1882, '83, '84 _Soprano_ +Maitland, Velma, 1906 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Manning, Miss Davitte, 1897, '98 _Soprano_ +Mausel, Miss, 1901 _Soprano_ +Marvin, Josie, 1897, '98, '99, '00 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Mauerheim, Aggie, 1890, '91, '92 _Soprano_ +Mauerheim, Minnie, 1890, '91, '92 _Contralto_ +Maul, Matilda J., 1905, '06, '07 _Mezzo-soprano, + also + accompanist_ +Mayfield, Miss, 1888 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Mead, Miss C., 1886 _Soprano_ +Melvin, Will, 1894, '95, '96, '97 _Bass_ +Melquiond, Clairess, 1905, '06 _Soprano_ +Melquiond, Lester, 1906, '07 _Baritone_ +Melquiond, Mrs. Rilly, 1905, '06 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Merrill, Frank, 1898, 1903, '04 _Bass_ +Merrill, George, 1898, '99, '00 _Baritone_ +Merry sisters (2), 1897 _Soprano_ + (children) +Merzbach, Mrs., 1890, 1901 _Soprano_ +Mertzfelter, Mrs., 1890 _Soprano_ +Mesro, Mattie, 1895 _Soprano_ +Michler, Mrs., 1896 _Soprano_ +Michlosen, Mrs., 1908 _Soprano_ +Milan, Laura, 1894 _Soprano_ +Milan, Mrs., 1894 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Millar, Grace, 1900 _Soprano_ +Millar, Florence, 1903, '04 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Millar, Anna, 1896, '97 _Contralto_ +Millar, Bertha, 1903 _Soprano_ +Millar, Evelyn, 1903 _Contralto_ +Millar, Martha, 1898 _Contralto_ +Millar, Rachael, 1898, 1902 _Soprano_ +Minor, Mabel, 1907 _Soprano_ +Monett, Emma, 1898, '99, '00 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Moore, A.A. Jr., 1896 _Baritone-tenor_ +Moore, Miss Carmen, 1896 _Soprano_ +Moore, Bina, 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Morris, Mrs. H.C., 1895 _Soprano_ +Moses, Clara, 1900 _Soprano_ +Moss, Miss, 1887, '89, '90 _Soprano_ +Muhler, Mr., 1898 _Tenor_ +Mulgrew, Margaret, 1912 _Soprano_ +Mullen, Miss, 1879, '80, '82, '85 _Soprano_ +Muller, Mrs., 1908, '09 _Contralto_ +Munch, Mrs. Emma, 1906, '07, '08, '10 _Soprano_ +Munday, Evelyn, 1903 _Soprano_ +Munson, Clarence, 1898, '99, 1900, '01 _Baritone_ +Murphy, Edith, 1903 _Contralto_ +Myers, Cecile, 1905, '06, '07, '08 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Nagle, Ethel, 1898, '99, '00, '06, '07, '10, '11 _Soprano, also + accompanist_ +Near, Dr. J. LeRoy, 1908 _Bass_ +Neblicker, Frank, 1901 _Baritone-tenor_ +Newell, Bessie, 1892, '93, '94 _Soprano_ +Noble, Miss, 1880 _Soprano_ +Noonan, Elsie, 1898, '99, '00 _Soprano_ +Norcross, Mr., 1884 _Baritone_ +Nordin, Mrs. Alice, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Norman, Lillian, 1807, '08 _Soprano_ +Norton, Daisy, 1895, '96 _Soprano_ +Oaks, Marjorie, 1894, '95, '96, 1901 _Contralto, also + accompanist_ +O'Brien, Mr. and Mrs., 1907 _Soprano and + Tenor_ +O'Brien, Mrs. Alice, 1891 _Soprano_ +Olds, Brilliant, 1906 _Soprano_ +Olney, Mrs. Carrol, 1897 _Contralto_ +O'Neal, Fannie, 1900 _Soprano_ +Osborn, Anita, 1910 _Soprano_ +Osborn, Dade, 1910 _Bass_ +Oxley, Mr., 1908 _Tenor_ +Page, Miss, 1898, '99 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Palloci, Miss, 1902 _Soprano_ +Palmer, R.C., 1908 _Tenor-baritone_ +Partington, Richard, 1896, '97 _Tenor_ +Payne, John, 1907 _Bass_ +Payne, Kate, 1899, 1900, '01, '07 _Contralto_ + (Deceased) +Peart, Lloyd, 1879, '82, '85 _Baritone_ +Peck, Kate, 1880, '82 _Alto_ +Peltris, Alma, 1902 _Contralto_ +Perata, Annie, 1898, '99, 1900 _Soprano_ +Perata, Jack, 1906, '07 _Tenor-baritone_ +Percival, Mrs., 1894 _Soprano_ +Perkins, C., 1888 _Tenor_ +Persbaker, Ruby, 1899 _Contralto_ +Peterson, George, 1901, '02 _Bass_ +Peterson, Minnie, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Peterson, Pauline, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Petrie, Elite, 1911, '12 _Soprano_ +Peters, R.A., 1910 _Baritone_ +Pettie, Mr., 1898 _Tenor_ +Pettie, Mrs., 1898, '99 _Soprano_ +Pfeifer, Miss, 1894, '95 _Soprano_ +Phillips, Ethel, 1909, '10 _Soprano_ +Phillips, Miss, 1882, '85 _Soprano_ +Phillips, Myrtle, 1879 _Soprano_ +Phelps, Miss, 1908 _Soprano_ +Pierson, Henry, 1912 _Bass-baritone_ +Pinkston, Virginia, 1908, '09 _Soprano_ +Pinney, Grace, 1898, '99 _Soprano_ +Pippy, George, 1879, '80, '81 _Tenor_ +Pittman, Mrs. Ethel, 1906, '07, '08, '11, '12 _Soprano. Also + accompanist_ +Pitts, Mrs., 1894, '95 _Contralto_ +Pollard, Daisy, 1892, '93 _Soprano_ +Pollard, Etta, 1892, '93, '94 _Contralto_ + (Deceased) +Porter, Ruby, 1899 _Soprano_ +Potts, Mr., 1903 _Bass_ +Powell, Miss, 1891 _Soprano_ +Powell, Mrs., 1887, '89 _Soprano_ +Pratt, Miss, 1905, '08, '12 _Contralto_ +Pratt, Mrs. 1911, '12 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Presher, Ethel, 1906, '07 _Soprano_ +Price, Nettie, 1892, '93, '94 _Soprano_ +Price, Pauline, 1888 _Soprano_ +Prince, Mrs., 1890, '91 _Soprano_ +Pritchard, Mrs. Jessie, 1897, '98 _Soprano_ +Proctor, Arthur, 1910 _Bass_ +Quinn, Miss, 1898 _Soprano_ +Ralston, Bessie, 1900 _Soprano_ +Ramsey, Emma, 1908, '09 _Soprano_ +Ramsey, Inga, 1908, '09 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Ramsey, Peter, 1908, '09 _Tenor_ +Randall, Mrs., 1880 _Soprano_ +Rashman, Miss, 1906 _Soprano_ +Raybum, Cora, 1900, '01 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Reed, Grace, 1898 _Soprano_ +Reeves, Mr. R.E., 1895 _Baritone_ +Reyes, Mrs., 1898, '99, 1900, '02 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Reynolds, Miss, 1891 _Soprano_ +Rhinehart, Mrs., 1879, '85 _Contralto_ +Rhodes, Kitty, 1898 _Soprano_ +Rice, Amy, 1898, '99, 1901 _Soprano_ +Richardson, Mrs., 1908 _Soprano_ +Richardson, Martha, 1884 _Soprano_ +Riley, Mrs., Edna, 1907, '08, '10, '11 _Contralto_ +Robinson, Mr., 1904, '05 _Baritone_ +Roden, Mary Kroh, 1911, '12 _Contralto_ +Rodgers, Leo, 1890, '91, '98, '99, 1900 _Tenor-baritone_ +Romaine, William, 1884 _Bass_ +Rosenkranze, Maggie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Root, Kate, 1886, '87 _Soprano_ +Root, Geo. B., 1880, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86 _Tenor_ +Root, Mrs. Geo. B., 1883, '84, '85, '86, '87 _Soprano_ +Runcie, Master, 1901 _Boy soprano_ +Russell, Mrs., 1896, '97, '98 _Soprano_ +Rutherford, Marcia, 1901 _Soprano_ +Sadler, Miss, 1890 _Soprano_ +Sanderson, Georgia, 1891 _Soprano_ +Sands, Anna, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Sanford, Alice M., 1908, '09, '10, '11, '12 _Soprano, also + accompanist_ +Sanford, Elinor, 1892, '93 _Mezzo-soprano + dramatico_ +Sanford, Hoyle E., 1908, '09, '10, '11, '12 _Baritone_ +Saulsbury, Mrs., 1880, '82, '84 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Saunders, Daisy, 1900 _Soprano_ +Schmidt, Alice, 1907 _Soprano_ +Schmidt, Alma, 1895, '96 _Soprano_ +Schultz, Sayde, 1911, '12 _Contralto_ +Sellac, Mattie, 1884 _Contralto_ +Sears, Mary, 1908 _Soprano_ +Shair, Grace, 1882, '84 _Soprano_ +Shaw, Lauretta, 1894, '95, '96, '97 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Shaw, Mabel, 1894, '95, '98, '99, 1900 _Soprano_ +Shepherd, Miss, 1885 _Soprano_ +Shoonemaker, Miss, 1901 _Soprano_ +Shulken, Albert E., 1908, '09 _Baritone_ +Simmons, Mrs., 1885 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Simmons, Mr., 1884 _Tenor_ +Simmons, Mrs. M., 1907 _Soprano_ +Sinnard, Mrs., 1897 _Contralto_ +Skelly, Miss, 1885 _Soprano_ +Skinner, George, 1888 _Tenor_ +Slatterly, Mrs. W., 1895 _Soprano_ +Slaughter, Mrs., 1906 _Soprano_ +Small, Bernice, 1912 _Soprano_ +Smith, Ada, 1888 _Soprano_ +Smith, Etta, 1879, 1882 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Smith, Miss Fay, 1907 _Soprano_ +Smith, Frank, 1898, '99 _Tenor_ +Smith, Horace, 1884 _Baritone_ +Smith, Miss, 1894 _Soprano_ +Smith, Mrs. H., 1885 _Soprano_ +Smith, Luella, 1888 _Soprano_ +Smith, Anna, 1884 _Soprano_ +Smith, Mrs. S.S., 1912 _Soprano_ +Smith, W.C., 1899 _Tenor_ +Snow, J.L., 1898, '99 _Tenor_ +Solomon, Minnie, 1889, '91 _Soprano_ +Soule, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ +Sprecher, Ella, 1884 _Soprano_ +Sroufe, Dolly, 1879, '80, '82, '84, '87 _Soprano_ +Sroufe, Georgia, 1879, '80, '82, '84, '85 _Soprano_ +Sroufe, Susie, 1879, '80, '82, '84, '85 _Soprano_ +Starkey, Arma B., 1912 _Soprano_ +Steele, Mrs., 1895 _Soprano_ +Stevens, Annie, 1883 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Stevens, Carrie, 1880 _Soprano_ +Stevens, Louisa, 1887 _Contralto_ +Stevenson, Bert, 1908 _Tenor_ +Stewart, Mae, 1886, '87 _Soprano_ +Stewart, Susie, 1889 _Contralto_ +Steifvater, Ida, Mrs., 1906, '07 _Soprano_ +Stickler, Mr., 1890 _Tenor_ +Stoddard, Grace, 1903 _Soprano_ +Stoffles, Mrs., 1908, '09 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Stolp, E.J., 1898 _Baritone-tenor_ +Stolp, Miss, 1899 _Soprano_ +Stoner, Viola, 1905, '06, '07 _Contralto_ +Story, Mrs., 1888 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Storer, Miss Kate, 1903, '04, '05 _Soprano_ +Storer, Emma, 1903, '04 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Stubbs, Miss, 1905 _Soprano_ +Swain, Mrs., 1894 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Swale, Lillian, 1902 _Soprano_ +Swan, Eva, 1890 _Soprano_ +Swan, Miss P., 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Taylor, Miss, 1894, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99 _Soprano_ +Taylor, Chas., 1898, '99 _Baritone_ +Teague, Mrs. W., 1912 _Soprano, + dramatic_ +Terpening, Ruth, 1909 _Contralto_ +Thomas, Anna, 1897 _Soprano, also + accompanist_ +Thomas, Edward, 1897, '98 _Bass_ +Thompson, Mrs., 1894 _Soprano_ +Thorn, William, 1900, '01 _Baritone_ +Tooker, Elsie, 1888 _Soprano_ +Tooker, Mrs. S., 1888 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Town, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ +Treaby, Mr., 1897 _Tenor_ +Treadwell, Florence, 1896, '97, '98 _Soprano_ +Tregar, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ + (_Phenomenal, + 3 octaves_) +Trumbell, Miss, 1895 _Soprano_ +Turner, Mr., 1898 _Baritone-tenor_ +Turner, Rachael, 1902 _Soprano_ +Turner, Esther, 1902, '03 _Soprano_ +Tyler, Mrs., 1901 _Soprano_ +Upham, Mrs. Isaac, 1879, '80, '81 _Soprano_ + (Deceased) +Valentine, Inza, 1905, '06, '07, '08 _Contralto_ +Valentine, Stella, 1898, '05, '06, '07, '08 _Soprano_ +Van Pelt, Mrs. Georgia, 1884 _Soprano_ +Van Winkle, Alice, 1879, '80, '81 _Soprano_ +Van Winkle, Henry, 1879, '80 _Tenor_ +Van Winkle, Nellie, 1879, '80 _Mezzo-soprano_ +Van Winkle, Aida, 1879, '80, '81 _Soprano, also + accompanist_ +Victory, Arthur, 1901, '02, '03, '09 _Baritone-tenor_ +Von Glehn, E., 1906 _Soprano_ +Walcott, Minnie Walcott, 1884 _Soprano_ +Wakott, Louisa, 1895, '96, '98 _Soprano_ +Wall, Annie, 1888 _Contralto_ +Walls, Miss, 1901 _Soprano_ +Walther, Marie, Miss, 1896, '97 _Soprano_ +Waite, Mrs., 1888 _Soprano_ +Ward, Fanny, 1890, '91 _Contralto_ +Waterous, Miss, 1900 _Dramatic + Contralto_ +Wansner, Miss Ida, 1904, '05 _Soprano_ +Wedgewood, Mrs., 1898 _Soprano_ +Welsh, Grace, 1882 _Soprano_ +Wells, Mrs. E., 1888 _Contralto_ +Westeran, Mrs., 1908 _Dramatic + mezzo-soprano_ +Westphal, Mrs., 1891, '92, '93 _Soprano_ +White, Mabel, 1890, '91, '92 _Lyric soprano_ +Whitney, Mae, 1886, '87, '89 _Contralto, also + accompanist_ +Whittlesy, Mrs., 1884 _Soprano_ +White, Lester, 1896 _Tenor_ +Whyte, Malcolm, 1897 _Tenor_ +Wight, Edna, Mrs., 1912 _Soprano_ +Wick, Miss, 1898, '99 _Soprano_ +Wild, Ella, 1894 _Soprano_ +Wilhelm, Otto, 1901, '03, '04 _Baritone-tenor_ +Wilkins, Mae, 1894 _Soprano_ +Wilkinson, Miss, 1894 _Soprano_ +Willcox, Mr., 1907 _Tenor-baritone_ +Williams, Gertie, 1892 _Soprano_ +Williams, Miss Etta, 1894 _Soprano_ +Williams, Miss, 1889 _Soprano_ +Williams, Sadie, 1896, '97 _Contralto_ +Willings, Mr., 1896 _Bass_ +Willis, Master, 1888 _Boy soprano_ +Willis, Miss, 1888 _Soprano_ +Wilmott, Susie, 1884 _Soprano_ +Wilson, A.E., 1892, '93, '94 _Soprano_ +Wilson, Maud Booth, 1910 _Contralto_ +Wilson, Gladys, 1908, '09, '10 _Soprano_ +Wilson, Alice, 1889, '90, '91 _Soprano_ +Wilson, Miss A., 1901, '02, '03 _Soprano_ +Wilson, Ernest, 1907 _Tenor-baritone_ +Winsor, Mrs., 1896, '97, '98, '99, 1900 _Soprano_ +Wiscarver, Norma, 1911, '12 _Contralto_ +Witthall, Delia, 1894, '95, '96, '97, 1908 _Contralto_ +Wood, Dr. J.W., 1897, '98 _Tenor_ +Woodel, Miss, 1895 _Soprano_ +Woodly, Carrie, 1895 _Soprano_ +Woodside, Mrs., 1892 _Soprano_ +Woodworth, E. Leslie, 1906, '07, '09, '10 _Tenor_ +Wooly, Bessie, 1898, '99 _Soprano_ +Worden, Hattie, 1880, '81. '85, '86 _Alto_ +Worden, Nettie, 1879, '80, '81, '85, '86, '89 _Soprano_ +Wright, Mr., 1907 _Bass_ +Yarndley, Mattie, 1894 _Alto_ +Yarnold, Hattie, 1892 _Soprano_ +Young, Ruth, 1908, '09 _Soprano_ +Zander, Mattie, 1896, '98, 1900, '01 _Soprano_ +Zimmerman, Daisy, 1880, '98, '99, 1900 _Soprano_ +Zedeskie, Miss, 1888 _Mezzo-soprano, + also + accompanist_ + +[Illustration: + +Mrs. Emma A. Munch +Lucia Cianciaruolo +Marjorie Deetkin +Irma Starkey +Ruth Riley +Mrs. Edna Riley +Alice M. Sanford +Lucille E. Ames + +PUPILS, 1910-1911] + +[Illustration: + +Marceline Bisquer +Marie Bullington +Sarah Shultz +Mrs. Walter E. Teague +Yvonne Greer +Hazel Bonske +Margaret Mulgrew + +PUPILS, 1911-1912] + +This list of men, women and young people are the names of pupils who +have been under my instruction in San Bernardino, San Francisco and +Oakland for the three decades, 1882 to 1912. + +It does not include singers who have simply received coaching in +choirs I have directed, but only those who have had individual lessons +in voice placement and the art of song. + +I am very proud to know that, while all have not distinguished +themselves, there are in this list names of teachers of good repute, +also prima donnas and men singers of established renown in this +country and in Europe. + +It is especially a great satisfaction to me to note that, while +numbers of my pupils have studied with the great masters in the East +and abroad after leaving my studio, they have come back to testify to +the correctness of my prior instruction in the principles of +legitimate song. + +MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON + +_Oakland, California +February, 1913_ + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sixty Years of California Song, by +Margaret Blake-Alverson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIXTY YEARS OF CALIFORNIA SONG *** + +***** This file should be named 19528.txt or 19528.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/2/19528/ + +Produced by David Newman, Linda Cantoni, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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