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Shelby County |
Home 1915 History Index |
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Shelby County |
Home 1915 History Index |
CHAPTER XX. (CONT'D)SINGING SCHOOLS.
In January, 1873, there was a singing school meeting at the Baptist church in Harlan at 6:30 o'clock one evening each week.
On March 11, 1874, the Harlan Musical Association gave a concert at the Baptist church. At the French school house in Douglas township in 1875, a singing school was held every Wednesday night. In February, 1875, Prof. C. C. Hotchkiss was conducting a singing school at Harlan. On February 13, 1875, he together with his scholars gave a concert at the Baptist church. It might prove interesting to some of the people interested in music to know the titles of the solos, songs, choruses and instrumental selections given at this concert. They are as follows: Vocal -- "Make a Joyful Noise." "How Lovely is Zion," "Home of Rest," "Soft Floating on the Air," "Touch Not the Cup," "Jennie Lnd Song," "When Grand-Mama is Gone," "Gathering Home," "The Old Canoe," "Over the Hill to the Poor House," "The Old College Bell," "Master and Pupils," "Forest Echoes." Instrumental -- "Jovial Farmer's Boy," "Home Again Returning," "The Gushing Rill," "Silver Threads Were Golden Then," "The Farmer and the Seasons," "Prairie Home," "Oh! Join this Laughing Lay," "The Trundle-Bed," "Only Waiting," "The Beautiful Hills." In March, 1875, a musical society had been formed in Harlan, under the name of the Shelby County Musical Union. It wasintended for the improvement of all the members, and all wishing to avail themselves of its benefits were invited to become members. The union met, once each week. This organization is said to have benefitted greatly the singing in all the churches. In 1877 a singing school was in existence at the Fritz school house in Jackson township, with Miss Plummer as teacher. During the eighties concerts were given at different places in the county by Nannie Duncan and Frank Duncan, blind children of T. P. Duncan, of Bowman's Grove. These children were educated in the Asylum for the Blind at Vinton, Iowa. Among the places where they gave concerts were the George Allen school on Indian creek in Jackson township, the French school house in Douglas township and the Philson school house in Jackson township. They gave these concerts so early as 1879, part of the proceeds going to aid in building a new Baptist church at Bowman's Grove. In April 1881, a cantata, entitled "Hay Makers," was presented at the Christian church in Harlan by the Shelby County Musical Association, composed of the best musical talent in the county. The association had been drilled by Attorney D. O. Stuart, of Harlan, himself a singer of unusual power and ability. In January, 1885, the young folks of Union township had organized a singing school at the Flaugher school house. In February and March, 1888, Professor Hubbard had a singing school in Harlan containing a class of nearly one hundred, which at the close of the term gave a concert. Harlan must had had much musical talent going to waste so early as 1879, since a correspondent, writing from Harlan to the Council Bluffs Bugle, gives an interesting and glowing account of the business of the town and also of the proceedings in the circuit court at this place. The letter winds up as follows: "Harlan has a band of sweet-voiced young men, who these moonlight nights amuse themselves by taking one of their number, placing him on a wheelbarrow and, equipped with a mouth-organ, he is trundled about the streets to the tunes which his musical skill is able to evolve from this humble instrument, while the heavenly choir who take turns at the handles accompany him him with voices as well as feet. There is nothing rude or boisterous about their fun --- but fun it is." In April, 1883, Messrs. Potter, Hutt, Miller and McGrew had formed a male quartette to be known as the "Jolly Troubadours." In January, 1873, Mr. Hartsough was giving music lessons at Cuppy's Grove and also at Harlan. So early as September, 1878, these persons had purchased new pianos: Thomas McDonald, B. B. Mastick, J. B. Swain, Thomas Leytham, and perhaps others. An interesting event scheduled to occur at the Baptist church in Harlan, in February, 1874, as a trial of excellence between three different organs. Mr. Goodyear brought an organ from Windy Knoll and also a person to play it. The contest did not develop; somebody apparently faltered. Harlan appears to have organized a brass band so early as November, 1875, for the editor of the Shelby County Record, under date of November 24, 1875, informs the public: "Harlan is to have a brass band -- a real live band. The instruments, ten pieces, have been ordered and will be here next week. In view of this mournful fact, we are anxious to dispose of our house and move out into the country four or five miles." In February, 1879, there were two excellent bands and orchestras in Harlan, one being the Danish band and orchestra. The Danish band secured uniforms from Chicago in the summer of 1881. In August, 1882, about one hundred of the Danish citizens celebrated the anniversary of the organization of the Danish band. The Shelby Cornet Band, in December, 1878, was composed of nine members instead of five as when first organized. Shelby appears to have developed an excellent band so early as June, 1879, for in that month the band came to Harlan and gave the people of Harlan some music that was highly praised. During the eighties, Shelby had a fine band under the leadership of George H. Rink. The early eighties seem to have been particularly favorable for the establishment of musical organizations in Harlan. In the fall of 1882 the band boys had organized a fine orchestra of nine pieces. Harlan at that time had two excellent bands, and the Danish people had a musical organization, established for the purpose of the encouragement and development of music. In 1884 the Harlan Independent Cornet Band seems to have been composed of the following members: K. Petersen, leader; Albert DeWild, president; J. B. Watts, secretary; W. W. Smith, J. Merrill, E. Zimmerman, H. Adkins, E. B. Humphrey, S. Ward, Charles Smith, C. McDowell, F. Williams, C. L. Ingvartsen. In 1887 Cuppy's Grove had a fine string band, which a local correspondent said furnished excellent music. In 1887 Shelby had a ladies' cornet band, with George Rink as instructor. In November, 1888, the enterprising young men of Harlan had organized a new band (with J. C. Moore as leader), composed of the following persons playing the instruments, respectively named: George Knapp, E-flat horn; Jay Wyland, E-flat; J. C. Moore, B-flat; Arley Parker, B-flat; Herman Noble, B-flat; Howard Haddock, tenor; Steve Morrisy, tenor; Ed Fisher, alto; Will Holcomb, alto; Charles Keyser, tuba; Fred Blackstone, bass drum; Ben Fisher, snare drum. In March, 1889, Herman Noble was elected leader of this Harlan Cornet Band. In the early nineties Harlan young people had an organization known as the Harlan Mandolin and Guitar Club. It was coposed of George Duval, Lem Stanley, Vira Cass, Carrie Noble, Anna Robinson, Millie Walter, Maude Swain and Bessie Swain.
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