LIBRARY THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA PRESENTED BY MRS. J. M. DILLMAN y PAo/o, Oakland, 1912 SIXTY YEARS 8T CALIFORNIA SONG M. B. ALVERSON 1913 Address all correspondence to MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON 1429 SECOND AVENUE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA Copyright 1913 by MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON All rights reserved SUNSET Man must reap and sow and sing; Trade and traffic and sing; Love and forgive ana 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 INDIVI- DUALS 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. Benecia 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. Famous 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 Holi- days 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 Har- rold, 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 Revolu- tion 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 Fran- cisco. 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, Oak- land, 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 Associ- ated : 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 Koh- ler, 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 Parting- ton. 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. Dohr- mann, 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. Lath- rop faces page 128 Musical Directors, May Festival, San Francisco, 1878 : John P. Morgan, Carl Zerrahn, Rudolf Herrold 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 Wat- kins-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 Cos- tume 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 Gushing, Lillian 224 Davies, Alice 256 Deetkin, Marjorie 268 Derby, Hattie 224 Dickey, Lorena > 244 Dobbins-Ames, Mrs. Grace E 220 Dowdle, Everett S... 212 Bowling, 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, lima 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 Srouf e, 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 S 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 posses- sion 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 men- tioned 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 difficul- ties 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 congrega- tion. 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 get- ting 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 Evans- ville, 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 particu- larly 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 re- store 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 mem- bers 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 bene- diction 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 flourished 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, 111., 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 congrega- tion were in waiting and the elders and trustees were on JEWEL WORN BY LADY BARBARA METZGER Great-grandmother of Mrs. Blake-Alverson hand to see to the conveyance of the household goods, which were quickly put in waiting wagons. 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 fire- place, 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 prepara- tion 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 bless- ing 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 home-spun 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 theo- logical 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 Cin- cinnati, Ohio. We had lived so long here, w T e 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 dur- ing 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 prepara- tions 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 dif- ferent 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 vege- tables, 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 neces- sary 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 miss- 8 ing. 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 with- out 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 unfortu- nate 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 10 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 Alary 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 re- 11 hearsal until we had sung, and the young master had so beautifully rendered the obligate 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 color- ing 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 knowl- edge, 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. 12 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 T 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 excite- ment. 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 Cali- fornia. 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 educa- tion, with knitting and crocheting. I was born in the 13 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 bot- tom 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 immacu- late 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 impres- sions 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, espe- cially 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 get- ting it over the Isthmus. All our long-cherished house- hold 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 here- tofore 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. Cali- 14 fornia was too far she was going out to the great un- known 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 fol- lowed her at a distance all the way going and coming. \Yhat 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 15 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 16 Virtue Alone Ennobles THE FAMILY COAT OF ARMS a month we arrived at Aspinwall, and when our belong- ings were properly taken care of we started on our jour- ney across the Isthmus of Panama. We were nine days going up the Chagres river in flat- boats. 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 chil- dren, 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 rail- road 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 gutteral 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 17 appear like spring. At first we felt afraid of our boat- men, 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 alli- gators 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, how- ever, 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 con- tinued 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 rail- road. We found quite a number of white men and Mexi- cans 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 gra- cious. So we journeyed for ten days, each day bringing forth some new feature. At night we left the boats and 18 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 Ameri- cans 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 indis- pensable 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 forgot- ten. 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 Cincin- nati 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 trans- ferred 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 19 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 faith- ful. 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 steam- ship Tennessee, Captain Totten, commander. The ride on the burros over mountains, hills and dales was an ex- perience 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 20 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. 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. 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." 21 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 even- ing 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 every- body 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 appre- ciated 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 22 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 distinguish- ing 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 disap- pointed 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 Ten- nessee 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 break- fasted 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 Marys- ville, 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 23 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 hos- pitality. 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 chil- dren 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' separa- tion. 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 wan- derers. 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 neg- lected 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 24 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. First Presbyterian Church, Washington itreet, 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 25 in the Presbyterian church. A melodeon was to be pur- chased. 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. 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, every- Pionecr home of the family of Rev. Dr. Henry Kroh, the father of Margaret Blake- Alverson, Stockton, California, December, 1851. thing 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 furnish- ings 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 26 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 Stock- ton 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. Dur- ing that time we had formed the acquaintance of the fore- most merchants, bankers and professional men. The first Thanksgiving we invited the following gentlemen to din- ner: William H. Knight, Samuel Grove, William Belding, 27 William Gray, Austin Sperry, Frederick Lux, C. V. Pay- ton, 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 pre- pared 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 every- thing 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 gath- ered and placed in bowls to grace the tables with the greens which were arranged tastefully in wreaths and fes- toons, 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 for- gotten to bring our brass candlesticks among our house- hold 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 28 Richard Condy Mrs. Anna Bowden-Shattuck Mr. Schnable Judge H. B. Underbill Lizzie Fisher Ellen Lloyd Mary Jane Lloyd Carrie Heineman Mrs. Taylor ASSOCIATED MUSICIANS AND SINGERS 1853 to 1879 California until the dinner was over and we adjourned to the parlor. The dinner made such an impression that before the guests departed they had it all arranged that we were to take them ah 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. Trembley 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 amuse- ments 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 29 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 diffi- cult 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 eye- sore 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, every- thing being brought to us. We were almost as closely confined as prisoners. There was no drainage, conse- quently 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 festivi- ties. 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 thor- oughly satisfied. Sometimes we could get bananas from Mexico, cocoanuts and oranges, but not very often. Christ- mas 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 espe- cially attentive to her. 30 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 per- formance of her duty to her parents and as full apprecia- tion. James Harrold, C. V. Payton, Charles Greenly, David Trembly, William Cobb, Charles Deering, Gilbert Clai- borne, William H. Knight, Samuel Grove, A. M. Thomp- son, 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 instru- ment. She stood for a moment unable to proceed. Seat- ing herself upon the stool, she began to play the Dox- ology, 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 31 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. 32 Austin Sperry Win. H. Knight Geo. Henry Sanderson Jas. Harrold BUSINESS MEN OF STOCKTON, 1852 CHAPTER THREE STOCKTON IN THE FIFTIES. BENICIA SEMINARY. GENESIS OF MILLS COLLEGE. DISTINGUISHED PIONEERS. MARRIAGE FTER 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 edu- cation 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. 33 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 mean- time and, June 18th, my sister Jane became Mrs. Wm. H. Knight and the first break came in our family circle. Dur- ing 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 Cin- cinnati 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 bron- chitis, 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 34 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 com- mencement 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 princi- pal and teacher of all the classes of the school. The number of boarders were 35 or 40, the attendance being 35 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 estab- lished 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 under- stood the great task of establishing an institution of learn- ing 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 Cali- fornia 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 excep- tions, 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 Alumnse, 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 Septem- ber, 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. "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 exer- cises. It was in this hall, June 12, 1856, that I sang Schubert's Serenade for the first time with Johanna 36 Prof. Joseph Trenkle Prof. Beutler Old Courthouse Young Ladies' Seminary Prof. Schumacher Prof. Paul Pioda REMINISCENT OF BENICIA IN THE EARLY FIFTIES Lapfgeer, soprano, afterwards Mrs. Dr. Bryant of San Francisco. I stilJ 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 reputa- tions 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 Lapf- geer, piano and German; Samuel Gray, bookkeeping; Margaret Kroh, writing and drawing. The directors were : Dr. S. Woodbridge, B. W. Mudge, Samuel Gray, Dr. Pea- body, 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 Wood- bridge, Benicia; May Hook, Benicia; Mary Riddell, Be- nicia; 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 Rol- lins, Martinez; May O'Neil, Sacramento; Aggie Bell, Sac- ramento; Maggie Kroh, Stockton; Sophia Dallas, Stock- ton; Mary Dallas, Stockton; Nellie Meader, Stockton; Mary Vincent, Sacramento ; Ella Hunt, San Francisco ; May Warren, San Francisco; Georgia Warren, San Fran- 37 cisco; Grace Woodbridge, Benicia; Ruth Vaughn, Sacra- mento. "The day pupils were: Mary Hastings, Benicia; Vir- ginia Hubbs, Benicia; Lou Boggs, Napa; Percy Garritson, Benicia ; Maria Barber, Martinez ; Amanda Hook, Mar- tinez; May Hook, Martinez; Mattie Carpenter, San Fran- cisco ; 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. 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 Revo- lution and a skillful diplomat in the councils of his coun- try. 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 com- mittee of correspondence. In 1776 he received the appont- ment 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 38 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 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 miser- ably destitute and disorderly condition. But his indefati- 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. gable 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 reduc- tion of Yorktown and of conducting the defeated army to the field, where they were to lay down their arms at 39 the feet of the illustrious Washington. General Lincoln took the sword from Lord Cornwallis and delivered it to his Commander-in-Chief, Washington. 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-Go vernor, 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 presi- dent 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 unex- celled 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 llth day of Septem- ber 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 40 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 41 the home, as much missed as mother or father. She was my pattern and guide and if I have ever achieved any- thing 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. Sacred to the memory of Mary Kroh-Trembly, pioneer organist, Stockton, California, 1852. j 42 CHAPTER FOUR HOW I MADE THE FIRST BEAR FLAG IN CALIFORNIA HEN 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- 43 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. 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 44 Sallie Knox Mary O'Neill Mary Atkins FIRST GRADUATING CLASS Principal Mary Emma Woodbridge, Mary Ridell, Mary Hook, Mary Emily Walsh Kate Sherman Agnes Bell YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY, BENICIA, FOUNDED 1852 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 CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC 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. 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 neat- ness. When brother returned it was our turn to be astonished to see these beautiful decanter stands, fit to grace the side-board 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 45 so much money in all my life before. You can readily believe it was a ten days' wonder. 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 46 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.) 47 CHAPTER FIVE BOSTON. DEDHAM CHOIR, 1858. THE CIVIL WAR. FAMOUS MUSICIANS. RETURN TO CALIFORNIA. SANTA CRUZ. N 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 48 Geo. M. Wight Henry Sherwin C. Churchill Charles Wight H. Hitchings Adelbert Calder Edwin Bruce Chas. J. Capen Geo. H. Blake Dr. Burgess J. G. Taft Dr. Edwin Burgess Alvin Fisher Mr. Black MEN SINGERS, DEDHAM, MASS., Congregational Church Choir G. W. Macbeth J. Eaton E. M. Everett C. B. Danforth Ellery C. Daniells 1861 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 Hayden 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 atmos- phere of music continually for four years. 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 rilled 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 Com- mission Society and began systematically to plan ways and means to meet the situation which needed so much atten- tion 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 con- cert 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 49 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 fore- most 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 Congrega- tional Church Choir in 1858 were : Adams, Louisa, Miss, prima donna Burgess, Dr. E. P., bass Adams, Henrietta, Miss, contralto Burgess, Edwin, tenor Blake, Margaret, Mrs., Churchill, C. C., bass mezzo-contralto Calder, Bert, bass Bates, Helen, Miss, soprano Danforth, C. B., bass Bullard, Mary, Miss, soprano Eaton, J., bass Bpyd, Mary Miss, soprano Everett, E., bass Bickner, Clara, Miss, soprano Fisher, Alvin J., bass Covell, O. M., Miss, contralto (former choir master) Draper, M. J. Mrs., soprano Hitchings, Henry, bass Daniel, Olive, Mrs. contralto Sherwin, Henry, tenor Everett, Hattie, Miss, soprano Taft, J. G., bass Fisher, Mattie E., Mrs., contralto Wright, Geo., tenor Guild, Hattie, Miss, contralto Wright, Charles, bass Guild, Mary, Miss, soprano Macbeth, G. W., bass Kingsbury, Susan, Miss, soprano Capen, Chas. J., organist Taft, Louisa, Miss, soprano Bruce, Edwin, director Williams, N. R., Mrs., contralto Daniel, Ellery C., choir master Blake, Geo. H., tenor 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 con- trolled three other quartette and chorus choirs that could 50 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 Hayden 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 Edward Hamilton, bass Miss Louisa Adams, coloratura so- C. R. Adams, tenor prano George Wright, Jr., bass ]. P. Draper, tenor Carl Zerrahn, conductor P. H. Powers, bass 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 ora- torios 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, conse- quently 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 rebel- lion 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. 51 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 Ameri- can 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. 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 B. F. Gilbert, tenor Mrs. Washburn, soprano C. E. Pickett, tenor Isabelle Hinkley, soprano I. P. Draper, bass Abbie Plummer, contralto Mr. Wadleigh, bass Miss Louisa Adams, coloratura so- Mr. Emerson, tenor prano Henry Clay Barnabee, tenor Mrs. Margaret Blake, mezzo con- tralto 52 Susan Kingsbury Olive M. CovcII Hattie Everett Clara Bickner Mrs. Alvin Fisher Louisa Adams Mary Bullard Mrs. Olive Daniel! 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 1860. Prof. B. J. Lang, pianist Madam Colspn Howard M. Dow, organist Adelaide Phillips Adolph Baumbach, pianist Anna Louisa Carey Carl Zerrahn, conductor Carl Formes, basso prof undo Mile. Carlotta Patti 1861. PROGRAMMES. Martha II Guiramento Lucia Di Lammermoor The Messiah Un Ballo in Maschera Moses in Egito La Juive 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 for- ever 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 lame- ness 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 stan- dard 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 53 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 im- promptu 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 cos- tume, 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 tak- ing 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 rAmerica," 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 54 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 re- mained and the pastor and family. The Sabbath school-room 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 preserva- tion in 1861. 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 hope- ful 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 Mar- ket 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 55 TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 3d, 1863. HANDEL & HAYDN SOCIETY WITH FULL ORCHESTRA. FIRST PERFORMANCE IN CALIFORNIA - O V - 'js tend gramatw <9ratori0: LAST APPEARANCE IN ORATORIO OF Samson Mr. BAEN WELL Palila. his wift. , MISS PARKER Micah, his friend, Mrs. CUTLER Manoali, his father Mr. SHATTUCK Israelitish Messenger Mr. PORTER Israelitish Woman, Israelites. Girls attending Dalila by ten young ladies of the Society. Harapha, a giant of Oath Mr. WUNDERL1CH f" Priest of Dagon Mr. CLARK Philistine Women Mrs. CAMERON and Mrs. TAYLOR Philistines Organist to the Society, GUSTAVE A. SCOTT. TO COMMENCE PBOMPTLY AT EIGHT O'CLOCK., _PL ATT'S MIJSIC HALL ! Subtcribcri to Rrarntcl Soots tuny cciirt lhl Oray'i Mude Store. Oibtr Mn o\loik. M H will tlico dote auJ ihc from 4or opvn Seat, will b* found ty ttivtbod. Dew n in ilfr plar? we fill in lift: 3Hp tutjuiriattt tljimt ta hum tn fill it" HIS MAXIM applies also to the art of sing- ing. 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 occur- rence 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 179 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, DeRezke, 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 con- cert 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, 180 75th Birthday For Patriotic and Other Public Services 73d Birthday 71st Birthday 72d Birthday TROPHIES AND TRIBUTES PRESENTED TO MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON three Gatty's Fair Dove, two Kathleen Mavourneen, two John Anderson, My Joe, two Within a Mile of Edin- borough, etc., two The Old Man's Song to His Wife, two Home, Sweet Home, five Last Rose of Summer, two Darby and Joan. 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 compli- ment. 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 your- self 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 selec- tions should always be less difficult than you are really capa- ble of performing, a safe rule to follow. Then your audi- ence 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 181 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. 182 CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING. WORK AS A PATRIOT. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. FLAG-RAISING AT MONTEREY N recounting all these episodes of a full life of varied engagements I must take in account my political career which has extended from the re- bellion to the present time. I have had an un- broken 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 descend- ant in a direct line from Revolutionary stock. It was there- fore 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. Elaine 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 Cleve- land 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. President Lincoln came first upon my list of successful candidates and was the sixteenth president of the United 183 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 1'America and the Star Spangled Banner be- Conspicuous in the Seventies as a writer of political lyrics and a campaign singer of great popularity. fore the victory was won and the hurrahs filling the air at our successes. But our joy was turned into mourn- ing 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-presi- dent. 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 184 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 ex- ecutive during the time I aided the Republican cam- paign committee. I now come to the twenty-third presi- dent, 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 agree- ment 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 announce- ment 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 185 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 pre- sided 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. 186 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 187 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 pro- cession, 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 Tippe- canoe," 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. 188 Mrs. Blake-Alverson in costume MECHANICS' INSTITUTE FAIR Mission Street, San Francisco, Sept. 4, 1879 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. 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 Van- devere 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 Demo- cratic 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 189 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 car- ried distinctly. I was requested to sing Vive 1'Amer- ica, the old civil war favorite song. I arose when an- nounced 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 demon- stration 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, un- known 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 demonstra- tions. 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 I'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 * 190 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 Oak- land Herald had this to say next day: "The beautiful simplicity of Mrs. Blake-Alverson's singing provoked tre- mendous 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 mem- bers 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 Fausto 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 191 sang Vive I'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 TAmerica 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 com- pleted, 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 appreci- ation 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 192 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. 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 estab- lished. 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 con- tend 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, sing- ing 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 193 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 pro- gramme 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 con- veniences." 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 Massa- chusetts 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, 1 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, 194 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 195 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, Con- gregational Church, Oakland, to a great congregation. Music was furnished by thirty picked voices. Alfred Wilkie sang the Sword of Bunker Hill; Vive 1'Amer- ica, and Tender and True were sung next. As Cap- tain 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 Taber- nacle, 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 enter- tainments to raise funds. On May 30 I sang in the Methodist Church, Berkeley. On June 14 I sang at the tenth 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 entertain- ment. In 1895, January 3, 8, March 13, May 30, July 4, July 9, 31, September 11, November 13, were days of in- stallation, memorials, processions of importance, bazaars and concerts. In all I participated. 196 Georgia Sroufe Mrs. Dollie Sroufe-Tiffany Sophia Faull Rose Faull Edith Beam Bessie Graves Biddle Bishop Ada Van Winkle Carrie Bramard, Birdie Brainard Mrs. Hattie Brainard Susan Sroufe PUPILS OF THE 80's In 1896, January 28, May 30 and 31, June 20, recep- tion 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 Sher- man, wife and party and escorted to the hotel. After dinner the evening was spent with rehearsals and com- pleting 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 battle- ships 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 quarter- master 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 197 adjustment of the difficulty the flag soon reached the mast- head 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 battle- ships 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 atten- tion 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 this celebration, and was followed by the singing of Vive I'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 198 Sloat was ended and his honored fame gloriously vindicated. My next work for the Grand Army was at an enter- tainment, 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 perform- ances 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 199 Corps had the usual entertainment for friends. On Sep- tember 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 be- fitting 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 1' 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 enthusi- astic 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 appear- ance, 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 depart- ment officers of California and their wives. Judge Dibble was most eloquent in his address, which was enthusiasti- cally 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. Craw- ford, 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. 200 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 con- certs 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 comrade- ship, 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 Cali- fornia. 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, 201 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. Good- fellow 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 arid 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 de- voted 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. 202 CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR REPERTOIRE AND OTHER DATA. MUSICIANS AND SINGERS OF THE LAST CENTURY HINKING it may be of interest to my read- ers 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. Elaine 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. 203 Winter Garden, Stockton street, between Sutter and Post streets. Ladies' Relief Society. Protestant Orphan Asylum. 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 streets, 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, Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Bokum, Rev. Henry, Reformed Church, Betts street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Burgess, Rev. Dr., Congregational Church, Dedham, Mass. 204 Mae Whitney Gussie Graves Mary R. Beam Mrs. May Stewart-Jolly Mary Harrold Mrs. Louis Glass Elizabeth Harrold Nettie Worden Mme. Annie Tregar PUPILS OF THE 80's 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, Cali- fornia. 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. Krph, Rev. Henry, German Reformed Church, Betts street, Cin- cinnati, 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 Cali- fornia streets, San Francisco. Larkin, Rev. James, Roman Catholic Church, Mission street. Law, Rev. V. Marshall, Episcopal Church, East Oakland. 205 McLean, 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, Cin- cinnati, 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. 206 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 Ad- vent, 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, Hayden. 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 Walpurges 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: II Trovatore Solo and choruses from Lucrezia Norma Borgia, Donizetti Martha _ Solo and choruses from II Semiramide Templario, Nicolai Cecilian Vespers, Verdi Quintette and chorus, Martha, Lucrezia Borgia Flotow 207 Miserere, II Trovatore, Verdi Chorus, La Fille Du Regiment, Les Huguenots Donizetti. Bohemian Girl Chorus, Maritana, Wallace Puritani I. Lombardi, Verdi Charity, Rossini Trio and chorus, Attila, Verdi Masaniello Solo and chorus, Martha, Flotow Chorus, Donizetti, The Martyrs MASSES T HAVE SUNG IN THE DIFFERENT CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN CALIFORNIA Mozart's 12th. Hayden's 6th in B flat. Mercedanti, three-voice mass. Hayden's 3d in D. Mozart's mass in C, No. 1. Hayden's in C, No. 2. Farmer's mass in G. Hayden's 3d in D. Mozart's No. 7. Hayden's 8th. Peter's mass in E flat. Hayden'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. Hayden's No. 1. Millard's mass. Hayden's 16th mass in B flat. Schubert's 2d mass and vespers. Schubert's 3d. Schubert's 4th. Hayden'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.) 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. 208 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 April 4th, St. Patrick's. April llth, 18th and 27th, requiem mass. May 2d, St. Patrick's. i 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 bravis. Sixteen Hayden masses. Lambilot, 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^ 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, Mercedanti, four-voice mass. July 17th, Mozart's mass. July 27th, requiem at 8:30. July 31st, Lambalott 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, Hayden's No. 1 vespers (black book). October 30th, Beethoven's mass in C. 209 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, Hayden's Sth 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 llth, 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 excel- lently rendered. The selections included Introit, Dies Irae, Lacramosa, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei and Lux Aeterna all from L. Cherubini's compositions. Offer- tory, Domini from Verdi and Libera from Palestrina. Artists were: Soprano Miss Brandel, Miss C. Bush. Contralto Mrs. M. Blake, Signora Bianchi. Tenor Signer Bianchi and Signor Meize. Bass Mr. Stockmyer and Mr. Yarndley. Organist J. H. Dohrmann. Full orchestra, thirty pieces. MASSES SUNG IN ST. PATRICK^ CHURCH, 1873 AND 1875 Mozart's 12th. Hayden's 6th in B flat. Mercadanti, three-voice. Hayden's 3d in D. Mozart's No. 1 in C. Hayden's No. 2. Farmer's mass in B flat. Weber's in G. Hayden's 3d in D. Mozart's No. 7. Hayden's mass No. 8. , Peter's mass in E flat. Hayden'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. 210 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 Sth, Roeder's mass. July 12th, requiem. July 17th, requiem. July 19th, Mercadante mass. July 26th, repeated the mass. July 29th, requiem. August 2d, Peter's mass. August Sth, requiem. August 9th, Roeder's mass. August llth, requiem. August 14th, requiem. August 15th, Holy Thursday. Hayden's 16th in B flat. Schubert's 2d mass and vespers. Schubert's 3d mass. Schubert's 4th mass. Hayden'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 Sth mass. Mozart's 12th, 6th, 7th and Sth. Mozart's 9th Hayden's 6th in B flat. Mozart's No. 1 in C. Hayden's No. 2 in C. Farmer's mass in B flat. Hayden's Sth. Peter's mass in E flat. GRAND HIGH MASS AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, 1881 April 17th, Easter Day. CHOIR Miss H. Brandel, soprano Signora Bianchi, messo-soprano Mrs. M. R. Blake, contralto Signer 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. 211 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 (Paola 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 Cin- cinnati, O. 1853 H. B. Underbill, 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 Wm. W. Trembly, tenor Emma Jane Kroh, soprano H. Noel, tenor Sarah Rebecca Kroh, soprano Geo. H. Blake, tenor Margaret R. Kroh, alto Wm. Belding, bass Mary Matilda Kroh, alto Amos Durant, bass James Holmes, bass 212 Mrs Wm. E. Blake Margaret Oakes Ethel Jones Everett S. Dowdle Josie Crew Mrs. Chas. Lessig Louisa Crossett Grace La Rue PUPILS AND ACCOMPANISTS OF THE 90's 1853 Lucy Grove, soprano The Ainse Family (Castilians), Mary Newell, soprano Lola, Anita, Belana, Leonore, Lizzie Fisher, alto (1852) Jennie Grove, alto H. B. Underbill, organist and Sam Grove, tenor piano (1854) Wm. H. Cobb, tenor Louisa Falkenburg, pianist James Holmes, bass EMINENT SINGERS, 1854 Anna Thillon's corps of artists were : Julia Gould Mr. Hudson S. W. Leach Geo. Loder, director Mr. Ronconvieri MUSICIANS WHO CAME LATER IN THE FIFTIES Beutler, Prof., piano Loring, D. W., Loring Club leader Bodecker, Louis, piano Linden, Otto, piano Bosworth, H. M., piano, organ Little, Geo. C, organ, piano Batkin, I., piano, organ Mayer, James C, organ Bulle, Ole, violin virtuoso, 1854 Mayer, D. Samuel, organ, piano Brandt, Herman, -violinist, ar- Mundwyler, John, bassoon, double rived 1894 bass Blankart, Otto, violinist Mundwyler, Louis, oboe, clarionet, Blake, Geo. L., cornet and drum, violin French horn Mundwyler, Fred, trombone, viola Coggins, I. O., cornet McDougall, W. J., organ, piano Dohrmann, J. H., piano, organ, Mansfeldt, Hugo, pianist virtu- harmony, composer oso, 1873 Dellepiane, F., piano, organ McCume, Chas., piano Eaton, Prof., organ, composer Oettl, Julius, piano Espinosa, Signer, organ Pettinos, George, organ, piano Evans, George, organ Pipers, Fritz, violin Fabbri, Mulder, organ Paddock, Nellie, piano Foley, Prof., violin Rosenberg, A. A., piano Gee, George, piano, organ Rosewald, Prof., violin Homier, Louis, piano, violin Sabin, Wallace, piano, organ, Hunt, Harry, organ and piano composer Hartmann, Ernest, piano Schmidt, Louis Sr., violin leader Hemme, Prof., piano Schmidt, Louis Jr., violin Heyman, Henry, violin Schmidt, Ernest, violin Hefferman, Prof, leader of band Schmidt, Clifford, violin cello Herold, Rudolph, piano Schmidt, Alice, piano Hinrichs, Julius, violincello Simonson, Martin, violin virtuoso Hinrichs, August, violin, leader Scott, Gustave, piano and organ Hinrichs, Gustave, piano Stedman, H. S., organ, piano Hartdegan, Prof. A., violincello Sewell, Prof., organ, piano Herzog, Theo., violin Schultz, Charles, pianist. Cali- Herold, Oscar, piano, leader fornia Theater leader. Holt, Prof., organ Schlott, Ernest, French horn Koppitz, George, flute Schmitz, Christof, French horn Koppitz, Henry, arranger of music Schmitz, Joseph, Leader Kohler, Dick, cornet Spadina, Prof., clarionet and di- Kuhne, Arnold, piano, organ rector Katzenbach, Fred'k, piano, organ Solano, Mauro, harp, piano, cello Lisser, Louis, pianist Seward, William, organ, piano 213 Stadfeldt, Jacob, piano and singer Von der Mehden, L., cornet, flute, Sleuter, Prof., piano violin Schultz, Martin, organ, piano Wand, Prof., piano Seib, Prof., organ, piano Weil, Oscar, piano composer Trenkle, Joseph, piano Wysham, Clay, flute Toepke, Wm., piano Yarndley, T. R., organ Uhlig, Robert, violin Zech, August, pianist, Royal Urba, Prof., horn Court of Leipsic WOMEN PIANISTS Beutler, Clara, piano Dillaye, Miss, piano, organ Blankart, Theresa Mrs., piano Jaffa, Madam, piano Bacon, Alice M., piano Cottlow, Augusta, piano virtuoso Carmichael, Carr, piano Lada, Madam, piano Carusi, Inez, piano and harp Tojetti, Madam, piano Cohen, Madam Waldo, piano WOMEN SINGERS OF EARLY YEARS, 60'S AND 70'S Abby, Mrs. A., mezzo soprano Mills, Louisa, prima donna, so- Biscaccianti, Mme. E. (nee Eliza prano Ostinello), coloratura singer, Melville, Emily, prima donna, so- soprano prano Brambrilla, Signora Elvira, prima Menans, Madam, soprano (St. donna, soprano Patrick's) Bianchi, Signora, mezzo soprano Moore, Hattie, soprano (opera) Bishop, Mme. Anna, prima donna, Mohrig, Ida Semminaro, mezzo soprano soprano Blake, Margaret M., mezzo con- Northrup, Elizabeth, mezzo so- tralto prano Beutler, Clara, soprano Neilson, Alice, soprano (opera) Beutler, Ida, mezzo Orlandini, Gabriela, soprano (op- Beutler, Emma, contralto era) Bateman Sisters, in 1854 Parker, Elizabeth, soprano Bowden, Mrs. Anna Shattuck, jo-Pierce, Mrs. J. M., soprano prano Rightmire, Sallie, contralto Buthen, Mrs., soprano (St. Pat- Rosewald, Julia, prima donna so- ricks) prano (opera) Carusi, Inez, soprano Shattuck, Anna B., soprano Cowen, Safa Tate, soprano Sconcia, Madame, soprano Campbell, Mrs. Marriner, colora- Stone, Kate, contralto tura soprano Schultz, Susan, soprano Chisolm, Mrs., contralto States, Agatha, soprano Cameron, Mrs. soprano Taylor, Mrs., soprano (St. Pat- Escott, Lucy, prima donna, so- rick's) prano Tourney, Louisa, soprano (St. Elzer, Anna, prima donna, con- Patrick's) tralto Thursby, Louisa, prima donna, Fabri, Inez, prima donna, soprano soprano Gerster, Etelka, prima donna so- Uhrig, Mrs., soprano (St. Pat- prano rick's) Galton, Susan, lyric soprano Van Brunt, Mrs. R. A., soprano, Gould, Susan, contralto (Calvary Church) Howard, Etna, soprano Valerga, Ida, mezzo-soprano (op- Keen, Laura, soprano era) Little, Sarah Watkins, soprano Wilson, Alice, soprano (1864) Wetherbee, Nellie, mezzo-soprano Leach, Georgiana, soprano Williams, Mrs. Barney, soprano Lester, Louisa, soprano Young, Mrs. soprano (St. Pat- rick's) 214 1896 McDonough, Luckstone, piano Frantz, Ondricek, famous tenor Materna, Amelia, famous prima donna MEN SINGERS IN EARLY DAYS Adler, Herman, baritone Bianchi, Signer, 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 pro/undo 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, Signer, tenor Makin, Cornelius, bass Mancusi, Signer, baritone Maguire, Joseph, tenor Nesfield, D. W. C, baritone Otty, Major W. N., tenor Reuling, Signer, 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 Sabin, Wallace A. Metcalf, John W. CALIFORNIA COMPOSERS Koppitz, Gee. Lejeal, Alois Dohrmann, J. H. 215 CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE EARLY CALIFORNIA REMINISCENCES OF MUSICIANS AND SINGERS RUDOLPH HEROLD HE FIRST famous orchestra leader in San Francisco was Rudolph Herold, born in Prus- sia, 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 compo- sition. 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 Harmonic, a singing society for male voices. He was organist at St. Mary's Cathedral and the First Uni- tarian 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 conjunc- tion 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 organ- ized 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. 216 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 founda- tions 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 knowl- edge 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. How- ever, 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, Mont- gomery 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, Four- teenth 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. 217 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 thor- ough 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 regi- ment 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 Stock- ton 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 commit- tee, 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 Regi- ment 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 218 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 Mend- ham, 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 Presbyte- rian 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 Hayden, 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 219 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 Hayden 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, commenc- ing 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 Mile. 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 Fran- cisco and was engaged as basso at Howard Presby- terian 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, Wash- ington, a territory then, Oregon and California with Madam Anna Bishop. He made another tour of Cali- fornia 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 Hayden society of San Francisco as bass soloist, Creation, St. Paul, 220 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 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 quar- tette, 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. FREDERICK ZECH, JR. Mr. Zech, pianist and composer, was born in Phila- delphia, 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 con- ducted symphony concerts and recitals and was a success- ful 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 violin- ists, 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 Con- servatory 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 con- certs all over the coast cities as far north as Victoria, 221 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 violin- ists 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 Cali- fornia. 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 Hayden 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, leav- ing a lasting impression, which was still more strength- ened by her beautiful singing, for which she received the 222 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 fore- most 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 propor- tions 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 Fran- cisco, 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. Con- tinuing 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 posi- tion 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 Phila- delphia, and losing her mother when she was but five years of age, her father, Mr. Samuel Cameron, brought 223 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 con- secutive years, singing with her teacher in duets all over the state; of Otto Linden in sight reading; Mme. Rose- wald, 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. 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 224 Clara Avan Hattie Derby Mrs. Emma D. Monnet-Swalley Lillian Gushing Dr. J. B. Wood Minnie Peterson PUPILS, 1896-1900 Charlotte Zimmerman Pauline Peterson Edward Thomas 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 congre- gational 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 pleas- ure, 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 225 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 Rose- wald. Mr. Joseph Maguire's last appearance in pub- lic 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 Pres- byterian Church, Mission street, before 1800 persons), Mr. Walter Campbell and Mrs. Pierce gave a most spir- ited 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 carry- ing 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 member- ship many of the most prominent musicians in the Uni- versity 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 Hayden society of San Francisco, under the distinguished leader, John P. Morgan, gave her a letter of introduction to the Handel and Hayden 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 Hayden concert in Mechanics' Pavilion. Elijah was given and with Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Hayden, 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. 226 CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX REMINISCENCES OF LATER CALIFORNIA MUSICIANS AND SINGERS JOSEPH MAGUIRE N 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 Uni- tarian 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 mem- ber 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 Sab- bath 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. 227 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. 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 228 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 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 promi- nent 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 memor- able 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. Sostenuot 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 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. Com- posed A. D. 1600) Accompanists, Geo. J. Gee and H. O. Hunt ; conductor, S. W. Leach. Concert to commence punctually at 8 p. m. 229 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 con- scientious 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 230 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 com- positions which, she said, were just written for me. Dur- ing this year Calvary Literary society gave an evening of song for the Ladies' Relief society, and among the num- bers 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. Rowland, second tenor; E. McD. Johnston, bass; Miss F. A. Dillaye, organist; H. M. Bos worth, 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 Schwabs- burgh, 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, con- tralto; 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 231 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 YARNDL^Y Mr. Yarndley was born December 5, 1840, in Man- chester, 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 Hallie and was complimented at one time by Mendelssohn, the great com- poser. 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 232 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 posi- tion 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 con- ductor of the Handel and Hayden 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 handi- capped 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, singu- larly 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 GREEK 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 Fran- cisco. 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 233 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 sing-ing 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 resi- dent 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 instruc- tors in instrumental music were Rudolph Herold and Pro- fessor 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, Rhein- platz, 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 M in- erva 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 in- struction 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 234 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, 111., 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 Han- chette and others played there. During those years Pro- fessor Blankart formed also, in connection with Miss Hanchette, the Beethoven Quartette club and gave for sev- eral 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 Blankart had her musical education with the re- nowned Louis Kohler in Konigsberg, East Prussia, Ger- many. 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 235 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 ex- cellent 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 Congrega- tional 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 Hayden 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, 236 Rose Champion Elsie Mae Hunt Mrs. Cora Rayburn Mrs. Mayme Bass ford Arthur Victory Elizabeth Lanktree PUPILS, 1898-1902 Elsie Noonan Jennie Christofferson Harry Cranclall Mr. Henry Heyneman and Mr. Julius Hinrichs (violin- cello), Miss Susie Morgan, Mr. D. P. Hughes and dear old Stephen W. Leach (voice culture). For three years prior to Miss Lowell's departure for New York in 1880, she was organist for Rev. Mr. Hamil- ton's Independent Presbyterian Church, where she con- ducted a large choir of sixteen voices. She studied for a short time in the New England Con- servatory of Music at Boston, but as New York had the greater attraction in the presence of Mr. Samuel P. War- ren, 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 ad- vantage 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 Re- formed 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 con- ductor for seven years of the Ladies' Vocal club at Mont- clair, 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, 237 Mrs. Garthwaite was able to give occasional public per- formances, 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 lolosa in the Prov- ince 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 what- ever. 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 counter- point. 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 238 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 en- gaged 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 per- sonal friend. [From "A Hundred Years of Music in America," pub- lished 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 busi- ness 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. Dur- ing her time in this synagogue she was prominent in con- certs 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 re- 239 signed 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 Fran- cisco, 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 enter- tained 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 postion 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 resi- dence to San Francisco and, having already put in a goodly portion of time on the bench, all offers for addi- tional 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. 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 popu- 240 Freda Lahre Florence Bruce Mrs. Ruth Bruce- Wold Mrs. O. B. Caldwell Mrs. Ethel B. Nagle-Pittman Mrs. Sue Lanktree-Kenney Mrs. Akerly Geo. Flick Louisa Garcia PUPILS OF THE I900's lar 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 con- ductor 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 obligato 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 Oak- land in 1891 and after the earthquake. The youngest son, August Hinrichs, is the popular leader of Ye Lib- erty 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 Fran- cisco. After the earthquake he found in Oakland a per- 241 manent 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 com- position 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 Mag- dalen 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; or- ganist 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 presi- dent of the Musicians' club, twice a director of the Bo- hemian 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 242 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 cor- rect 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 con- servatory. 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 Uni- versity at Wichita, Kas., he came to Oakland, Cal., where 243 he still resides, and we are proud to claim him as one of California's composers and renowned teachers of the piano- forte. 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 Cali- fornia in the fall of 1876, resuming his musical and pro- fessional 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 Califor- nia once more by way of the Indias and Japan, Novem- ber 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 244 Mrs. Winona Bruce-Schmidt Juliet McMaul Mabel L. Drake Jean Louderback Lorena Dickey Dolores D. Ferguson Bernard McMahan Lorena Kimball Geo. Allison PUPILS OF THE 1900's 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 accept- able 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 em- ployed. PROP. 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 repu- tation 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 six- teen, 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 Han- over, Germany and educated there. He came to Cali- fornia in 1849, to Stockton in the early part of 1854. Business called him to San Francisco in 1862. After 245 he left Stockton we never met again until September 26, 1896, in Oakland, after forty-two years. He belonged to the Handel & Hayden 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 246 Pauline Joran Elsie Joran Mrs. Blake-Alverson Lulu Joran THE JORAN QUARTETTE, 1883 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. PROF 1 . 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 seven- teen 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 profes- sor'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 accom- panied 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. 247 CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN WITH MY PUPILS WILLIAM H. KEITH |R. 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 depart- ment of Shreve's, corner of Montgomery and Sutter streets. He began his voice lessons with Moretti. After a period discontinued and began his studies with Madam Blake- Alverson. After studying with her some time, he decided to adopt music as his pro- fession. He went to Paris in 1890 where, upon the advice of Jean de Rezske, 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 Ran- degger. His European career was one of continuous success and he sang in London, Edinburg, Berlin, Dres- den, Paris, etc. His first great work in American con- certs 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 liv- ing in a modest way, desiring some day to be able to satisfy her longing to sing. When she heard of my singing 248 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 thor- ough 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 sur- prised 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. 249 THE JORAN QUARTET Prominent among the younger musicians of San Fran- cisco 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 Stein way 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 Bri- tain under Sir Augustus Harris and will be heard here next season." A teacher can be proud that her work of the founda- tion 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 grace- ful 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 250 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 death- bed. 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, 111. 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 associa- tion, 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 re- ceived 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^ 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 blos- soms 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 accommo- dating, with always a pleasant word for every one. Even 251 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 fare- well 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 affec- tionate 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 be- fore 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. 252 Gertrude Dowling Inza Valentine Mrs. Mary Kroh-Rodan Stella Kiel Anna Krueckle Stella Valentine Mrs. Caroline Louderback PUPILS OF THE 1900's 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. 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 after- noon 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 253 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 254 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' director- ship 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 prom- ised bride of the man of her choice and the day was draw- ing 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 pre- pared 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, 255 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 fol- lowing 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 be- yond 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. 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 remov- ing 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 in- formed 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 256 Dolores Bradley Geneva Griswold Geo. Jackson Blanche Kroh Leslie E. Woodworth Peter Ramsey PUPILS, 1908-1912 Maud Gerrior Alice Davies Edw. H. Sanford 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 Berke- ley. Her death was a sad surprise to me and my heart- felt sympathy goes out to her bereaved parents and devoted brother who mourn her loss grieviously 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^ 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 257 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 tfie 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 258 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 instru- mental 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 accompany- ing. 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 develop- ment it proved very elastic, nothing acceptable below middle C. A pure lyric soprano, it was constantly develop- ing 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 knowl- edge. 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 259 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 ex- ample in these years. Her songs were accurately sung in any language with which she was familiar. Her singing was highly compli- mented 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 be- fore bringing her gift she felt as though she had not given me enough, and at last she said, "I must do some- thing 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 260 Ruth A. Hitchcock Anita Osborn Christine Hennansen lima Jones PUPILS, 1910-1911 Grace Cooke Leo Dowling 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 com- positions are very meritorious. It is my opinion if she keeps up her work that it will not be long be- fore 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 make-up 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 per- sons. 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. 261 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., 18% 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 262 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, Marv. 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) 263 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, '00, '01 Mezzo-soprano Also accompanist for studio Cauzza, Genievieve, 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 Grossman, 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 Gushing, Lillian. 1898, '99, '01, '02 Contralto Dam, Miss, 1889 Contralto Danielwitz. Carrie, 1900. '01 Soprano Danielwitz, Rose, 1900, '03 Mezzo-soprano 264 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, '9j6, '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 Effie, 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 265 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 Meszo-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 266 Graham, Mr., 1905 Baritone Grant, E., 1904 Contralto Gray, Maud, 1901, '07 Soprano Greenman, Mrs., 1893 Soprano Greer, Yvonne, 191 1, '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 267 Hoyte, Mr.. 1896 Tenor Hubbard, Mrs., 1888 Soprano Hudspeth, Mr., 1903, '04 Baritone, bass Hugg, Mrs. J., 1888 Soprano Huff Schneider, 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, lima, 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 268 Mrs. Emma A. Munch Lucia Cianciaruolo Marjorie Deetkin Irma Starkey Ruth Riley Mrs. Edna Riley Alice M. Sanford Lucille E. Ames PUPILS, 1910-1911 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 Sobrann 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, Tean, 1904, '05, '06, '07, '08 Soprano I ouderback, Mrs. Caroline, 1904, '05, '06, '07, '08, '11, '12. . . .Soprano Lount, Miss, 1885 Soprano Love, Minnie, 1884 Soprano Lovick, Marv. 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 269 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 Mclntosh, 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 270 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 ^ George, 1879, '80, '81 Tenor 271 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 Mezso-soprano Fresher, 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 Mezso-soprano Ramsey, Peter, 1908, '09 Tenor Randall, Mrs., 1880 Soprano Rashman, Miss, 1906 Soprano Raybum, Cora, 1900, '01 Mezso-soprano Reed, Grace, 1898 Soprano Reeves, Mr. R. E., 1895 Baritone Reyes, Mrs., 1898, '99, 1900, '02 Mezzo-soprano Reynolds, Miss, 1891 Soprano Rh'inehart, 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 Mezso-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 272 Marcelme Bisquer Mrs. Walter E. Teague Hazel Bonske Marie BuIIington Sarah Shultz Yvonne Greer Margaret Mulgrew PUPILS, 1911-1912 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-sot>rano 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 273 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 VanWinkle. Alice, 1879, '80, '81 Soprano Van Winkle, Henry, 1879, '80 Tenor VanWinkle, Nellie, 1879, '80 Mezzo-soprano VanWinkle, Aida, 1879, '80, '81 Soprano, also accompanist Victory, Arthur, 1901, '02, '03, '09 Baritone-tenor VonGlehn, E., 1906 Soprano Walcott, Minnie Walcott, 1884 Soprano Walcott, 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 274 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., 18%, '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 This list of men, women and young people are the names of pupils who have been under my instruction in San Ber- nardino, 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 dis- tinguished 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 275 I\AL 3-00,1 C2. AS THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. Series 9482 A 000 633 978 2