LeMars Globe-Post
August 1, 1957
“History is little else than a picture of human crimes and misfortunes.” ~Voltaire.
The last rehearsal of the opera house orchestra under direction of Mr. Koerting was held at the Bellaire music store on Main street. Further identifying the location under since revamped naming and numbering of thoroughfares would have me calling it 109 Central Ave. N.W. and without missing it far.
-o.p.-
Present for the occasion were those I have mentioned earlier as members and together with several others who now and then sat in with us. I am unable to recall as to whether we remembered the Koertings with a going-away gift, but I am sure the others were as touched as I at thoughts of their leave-taking. Among earliest of residents of Le Mars, the amiable Nick Koerting and his equally fine son, Gus, would be terribly missed. And like others before them, and since, who believed it to be for the best to break home ties and settle in the distant West, it could be said of the Koertings that they were also far from dry-eyed.
-o.p.-
Near close of the rehearsal Mr. Koerting asked to say a few words of farewell. He spoke of his years in Le Mars, his many friends to be left behind and of his deep appreciation for the co-operation we had given him. And then, as though shifting further responsibility to the shoulders of another, Mr. Koerting addressed himself to George Kluckhohn, and said, “Remember, Georgie, whatever you do – don’t give up the orchestra!”
-o.p.-
Now fifty years later, with one (Joe Wise) unaccounted for, three of five who still live. As one of the five, I have contacted the others including a personal call on Fred Miller, still a resident of Le Mars.
-o.p.-
My letter from Louis Bellaire, 45 Pondfield Road West, Bronxville, N.Y., furnished me with material on the old opera house itself that kept me busy. And best of all, readers liked it very much. The response was truly heart-warming. And only now, I am in receipt of even a longer letter from Mr. Bellaire, and with permission to use any or all in my work later.
-o.p.-
August N. (Gus) Koerting, Box 865, Laramie, Wyo., was born in Le Mars in 1881. He became the father of four sons, still living: One with United Air Lines in Inglewood; one an engineer on a Union Pacific streamliner; another an electrician for the same railroad; and the youngest associated with his father in the retail liquor business in Laramie. Gus still plays clarinet in band and orchestra. He is also Secretary of Local 662, American Federation of Musicians, Laramie, Wyo. His sister, the lovely Kate Koerting, became Mrs. Ed. Butler. Her home address 626 Huntington Road, Kansas City 13, Mo.
-o.p.-
We must make allowances for an absence of fifty years and the errors that creep in as I quote from Gus Koerting’s letter. “Do you remember, Bill Koenig? He was a barber with his father in Le Mars. His brothers were Jacob and George. He came here several years ago and he died about four years ago. He has a daughter who is Mrs. Zola Nazarenus, a nurse. There is also a barber here by the name of Harry Jones. He worked for Hammond, the barber in the shop under the bank next to your father’s drug store in Le Mars.”
-o.p.-
More correctly, it was Walter Koenig, who located in Laramie, Wyo. Not Bill Koenig. And even I would have to ask to be excused when it comes to straightening out the Koenig relationship. However, Gus couldn’t have done worse. Mrs. Walter Koenig continues to live there, and her address is: Box 655, Laramie, Wyo.
-o.p.-
Maude E. Steiner, 2214 Divisadero St., San Francisco 15, California, is the sole survivor of the A. B. Steiner family, long-ago residents of Le Mars. Others of the family, as I remember, were: Stella, Bertha, and A. B. (Fred) junior. The Steiner home, later to become the elder J. G. Koenig home (the house next to the new one on the corner), was a popular gathering place for young musicians.
-o.p.-
My note to Maude Steiner asking for her recollections of the opera house orchestra brought a reply I truly enjoyed. For one thing, she sent along a flashlight photo take in their home at an orchestra rehearsal. And will somebody remind me to return the picture to Maud one of these first days.
-o.p.-
The Steiner family left Le Mars something over 40 years ago. Locating in San Francisco. Maud continued her orchestra work until 1915. She played with theatre orchestras in the pit, and also at leading hotels for Sunday evening dinners. She was also a member of an all-girl orchestra in San Francisco.
-o.p.-
Best of all, Maud reads The Globe-Post. Commenting on this, she writes: “The personal make-up of Le Mars has changed so with the years that many of the names are alien to me. However, I richly enjoy the items with old familiar names attached. Your column is always much enjoyed. And it seems no matter how often I scan the pages of the much-prized Morsels volume, I find some item out of our dearly-beloved childhood days that kindles a flame of joy and happy memories that can be relived as often as my eyes light upon the word-pictures of those dear old personalities.”
-o.p.-
Now then – if that ain’t love, what is!
