McHenry County, Illinois - Chapter 18: Personal Reminiscences, 1922

Chapter 18: Personal Reminiscences

Having assumed the position of historian of my personal reminiscences, I enter upon my task with some misgivings as to whether I shall make my story of sufficient interest to pay for a perusal thereof. If there be any criticism that my own personality be unduly in evidence, I ask you to remember that this is my story of what has happened to myself and others during the years from 1852 to 1918, and that I must necessarily be present, either as< an auditor, a participant, or a looker on. It has been the custom of some writers to introduce their subject with a long erudite disquisition of the philosophical aspects of the subjects, and with tedious, elaboration, allow their pen to run away from their subject, thereby inducing but little further interest in the story. I shall take the more modern plan of giving this short prelude and then at once start on my "Story."

First Memories

My birthplace was Sharon, Massachusetts, the date of my birth being February 12, 1838. On June 10, 1852, we arrived in the village of Woodstock, father, mother and six children. Our trip was from Boston to Buffalo, New York, by rail, thence by steamboat by way of Lake Erie to Monroe, Michigan, and from that place to Chicago, by the railroad. We stopped at the City Hotel on Lake street one night. The next day we extracted ourselves from the mud of Chicago streets and via Chicago & Galena Railroad arrived at Marengo, and from there by stage to

Woodstock. One of the passengers on the stage was a young lawyer, Theodore D. Murphy, afterwards Judge of the Circuit Court, and also of the Appellate Court. He was very pleasant and was enthusiastic about the country and its possibilities in the future, possibilities that became actualities.

I remember that I thought Mr. Todd was the finest gentleman I had ever seen and that Mrs. Todd was his fitting mate. Mr. and Mrs. Todd were exceedingly kind to us and during the years that soon passed, we became greatly attached to them. Mr. and Mrs. Todd had musical evenings, frequently, at which my brothers and sisters and I assisted. In the year 1864 the students at the seminary, under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Todd, gave a spectacular representation of the great Rebellion, which was ably gotten up. I had charge of the music. I afterward led the Presbyterian choir for several years. Mrs. Fidelia Belcher Hamilton was organist.

The question of water supply was one of a serious nature, as the wells were, most of them, only from fourteen to twenty feet deep and became dry if the seasons were dry ones. I remember of going to the well in front of the courthouse for a pail of water after nine o'clock in the evening many a time. If the season was a wet one, many cattle got mired and men' would have to get them out, or the cattle would have perished as they were helpless.

There were many rattlesnakes (Massaugers) around the sloughs. We killed eleven in one summer during haying time. While threshing on the Olson farm, as now known, some hunters over near the Pair grounds set fire to the slough grass, and we barely saved the grain stacks and threshing machine, by fighting the fire with brush and plowing furrows between the fire and the stacks. The roads were poorly built. In low places logs from the woods were laid and brush cut, and laid on the logs, and then earth laid on the brush. After driving over these roads a few times and after a good hard rain the earth was sifted and washed into and through the brush, leaving but little but logs to ride on. This caused cramps and bruises as well as blasphemy. But to be truthful, some of our roads at the present time are as bad as they were sixty years ago, and the torrents of profanity are let loose with more justice and reason than in the olden time, because machinery and methods are greatly improved and only need to be put to use intelligently to have good roads.

In Early Years

The only brick buildings on the public square were the store now owned by Mr. Lyman T. Hoy, and then used by himself as a drug store, and the old Rat Hole building, wood being the usual material for buildings until later years. In after years these old wooden buildings were destroyed by fires and replaced by brick structures. These fires will doubtless be written up in this work, hence are only referred to here. The burning of the old courthouse in the square on the evening- of July 4, 1858, was an event of much importance. The bank had purchased the old building and for a long time had neglected to remove it, which had caused some feeling as it was not pleasant to look at. After one attempt to burn the building a young attorney whose libations pouring at the shrine of Bacchus were frequent and copious, told a friend during the day that, although he had made a previous attempt to burn the old courthouse, there would be no failure this time, as he had hired a first class incendiary from Chicago. He would make no mistake ! The bank being suspicious of the attempt to thus summarily remove the old courthouse, a watchman to foil any attempt of the kind was engaged. A friend of the watchman, desiring, no doubt, somewhat to relieve the tedious lonely hours of the night, asked the watchman across the street to quench his thirst, and during the absence of this guardian of the building the first class incendiary got in his work !

An alarm of fire was heard and the watchman, rushing back to assist in quenching the fire, saw what he supposed was a pail of water (it really was a lot of camphene, a most inflammable fluid), caught up the pail and threw the contents upon the flames, which act with the preliminary work of the first class incendiary, made a complete and successful conflagration.

Free Pastures

In those early days the pastures were the commons, the forest extending from the village to the prairie. The cows would stray away through the woods and usually come home at night to be milked and fed. Sometimes our bossy would not come up. A hunt would ensue, an extended one sometimes, aud end by finding the recreant cow feeding demurely, near a thicket, greeting us with an assumption of surprise at our presence. However, when we began to explore that thicket of bushes, bossy at once became intensely interested and also our close companion in our exploration, which would end in the discovery of a calf (her baby). "We would drive the cow and calf home. The mother of the calf did not stray far from home for a number of days, she being duly impressed with the importance of her duties as a good mother.

I remember one thicket where we found a newly-born calf, and where there were several wild plum trees loaded with yellow, dead ripe plums which were delicious indeed.

The Courts

My experience in the courts of this county began when I was about nineteen years of age. Many amusing and interesting episodes occurred during the years that followed. I was deputy circuit clerk under my uncle Joel H. Johnson. Then followed many years as deputy county clerk under Elam M. Lamb, William H. Stewart, M. D. Hoy, all grand, good men who honored the position they held. November, 1876, I was elected clerk of the Circuit Court and held that office for three terms, twelve years. I met men of fine abilities. The judges were Isaac G. Wilson, a distinguished, dignified, scholarly man ; Allen C. Fuller, Charles Fuller and Robert Wright, of Belvidere; Charles Kellum, of Sycamore ; Clark W. Upton, of Waukegan ; Theo. D. Murphy, of Woodstock ; Charles H. Donnelly, also of Woodstock.

Among the attorneys who practiced in the courts were: Lawrence S. Church, William Kerr, Charles M. Willard, A. B. Coon, Merritt L. Joslyn, James H. Slavin, John B. Lyer, T. B. Workman, Frank Crosby, and many more.

There were many lively verbal passages between attorneys; sometimes approaching physical encounters. One day there was a tilt between A. B. Coon and Frank Crosby, which showed great quickness of retort. Mr. Crosby had accused Mr. Coon of conduct that was not strictly in accord with the ethics that should obtain within the sacred precincts of the courtroom. Mr. Coon replied: "Well, Mr. Crosby, I never get default the defendanl ( the husband). Be was hustled into a side room adjoining the courtroom and told to stay there. The sheriff therefore began calling the defendant's name. Richard Roe, Richard Roe, whereupon defendanl opened the door and came into the courtroom, saying: "I'm here." The attorneys began shouting to him in whispers: "Go back, go back! Go back, you darned fool, you!" A bailiff caught the defendant by the collar and yanked him back into the room. The judge was busy writing the order for default of the defendant.

County Pairs

The county fairs held a half century ago, were primitive, unsatisfactory and discouraging. The cattle, sheep and swine were exhibited along the streets. Store rooms were rented and exhibits were placed there. Later on the grounds now in use were secured.

Col. Horace Capren of Alden exhibited his herd of Devons. Xo finer animals were ever shown. E. A. Seward of .Marengo had a fine herd of Durhams. Elsworth was on hand with Poland-Chinas and David Crinklaw, of Riley, with his Berkshires. The Morgan and Black Hawk horses were the favorite breeds at that time. Charles 8. Dole, of Crystal Lake, had a stable of fine-bred horses. "Lakeland," a direct son of "Hamilton 10," "Brigand," the sire of Maud S. ; "Patchen" and many others were on exhibition. Dan Duffy, with his grinning Old Barney, w7as always a favorite in the races. It is a discouraging thing to make a county fair a success financially.

Musical Events

In the years from 1858 and afterwards, musical conventions were held. William B. Bradbury of New York, George F. Root, Everitt L. Baker of Buffalo, Prof. Fargo, Dr. Palmer, Prof. Wheeler of Boston were engaged to instruct and conduct. As many as 200 persons would attend. Our Woodstock people opened their homes to them and after a week's instruction, a grand concert would close the convention. Great enthusiasm prevailed. In 1861, Prof. Wheeler was drilling a large children's chorus. A telegram came, stating that Ft. Sumter had been fired on by rebels. I took the telegram to Prof. Wheeler. He read it and then turned to the children and said: "The rebels have fired on Ft. Sumter, on the flag, our flag, and I want you to sing the 'Star Spangled Banner' as you never sang it before." They sang it at him. they just screamed at him as he stood before them with the tears running down his face. I never knew the National Hymn sung as those children sang it. As it ought to be sung now with every fibre of our being vibrating with love and devotion for our flag, for our country.

These musical conventions were productive of a great interest in music. Among the persons who contributed their time and their talents for the promoting of further interest in music in the early years I would name Harvey Denfee, Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton, Mrs. Ball McEwan, Mrs. Olive Wright, Miss Agnes Quinlan, Mrs. Sadie Murphy, Mr. Alvois Dryer, Charles D. Lemmon, A. R. Murphy and others. The cantata of Esther, the Oratoria of Daniel and other cantatas were given. My operetta of ' ' The Reception ' ' was given and was accorded a kind reception by the audience filling the city hall and netting $210 for the public library. The Oliver Typewriter Band was an organization of which we were justly proud.

Fishing

Fishing, like hunting, "is not what it used to be." Duffield's Lake, near Woodstock, Fox Lake, Pistaqua Lake, Crystal Lake, Fox River, all furnished good fishing. Pickerel, pike, black bass, river bass, rock bass, silver bass and muskalonge were abundant in those days. I saw a fortytwo-pound muskalonge that was caught in Pistakee Bay thirty years ago. And this reminds me of a letter and a Christmas present received from a cousin of ours, a conductor on the Northern Pacific Railroad, residing at St. Paul, Minn., a splendid good fellow, albeit he is given to the perpetrating of practical jokes upon his friends. Last Christmas he sent me a Christmas present. It was in a red box, marked "Fishing Twine," and a two-pound fish would break that twine the first lunge after being hooked. It was an insinuation that that fishing twine was good enough for any fish I would catch down here. To show proper resentment, I wrote him a letter, as follows :

I in I say. Dock, when you're making such a race, With a forty-pound muskie to make the pace; When through the water, with a rush and a roar, The boat sends waves rushing from shore to shore, And everything's going nice and fine, Say. Dork: What would happen to that fishing twine.' Yours thankfully and sincerely, Dee. 27, 1916. E. E. Richards.

Among my earliest recollections was a fishing party consisting of nine persons, among whom were Charles Crawford, James Tappan, John M. Harper, myself and a few others whose names I have forgotten. The place was Fox River, near Burton's Bridge. We had a seine sixteen rods long. My share was a two-bushel grain sack full. The number of fishes taken was great. It is a crime to draw a seine now, and should have been then or at any time.

Spearing fish in Fox River was an exciting sport. "With a torch attached to the bow of the boat, the spearman with his spear poised, awaited the swiftly darting red horse and other fish. When the fish was near enough a sudden lunge impaled the fish and it was lifted struggling into the boat. Red horse- usually weighed from six to twelve pounds.

Trolling with a spoon-hook was one way to capture fish and many were taken in that manner. The stocking the waters of the State with German carp was a mistake. They destroy the breeding places of the game fish and are a nuisance.

Hunting

woodcock, quail, prairie chickens in clouds, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, woodchucks, gophers, to say nothing of the tens of thousands of ducks, wild geese, wild pigeons, etc. Hunters lived on the fat of the land. The slaughter of wild pigeons was as bad as seining fish, and consequently these pigeons are extinct. I will relate one instance to show the possibilities in hunting in the early days. An uncle of mine, living near Boston, paid us a visit. He had never been west of New York City. So one morning we called the liver-colored pointer dog and said to him: "we propose to hunt prairie chickens." The dog manifested his delight by rolling over and over. We hunted over the farms of the Hartlets and others of Greenwood Township for about three hours and bagged eleven prairie chickens, which gave my uncle great pleasure, not only the shooting, but the wonderful intelligence of the dog. The broiled prairie chicken for breakfast next morning furnished a fitting climax to the hunting trip. The spring and fall gave the hunters fine sport in hunting ducks and geese. Burney Sherman was our guide and advisor in the hunting field in the early days, and is still with us hale and hearty.

Original Characters

In every small town and village there are persons, men and women, who have peculiar characteristics and are denominated "characters." One man in Woodstock whose name was John Metcalf was supposed to be possessed of Indian lore, and who was perfectly willing to be considered such. He had the shuffle or walk peculiar to the Indian (assumed I think). He claimed to be able to locate bee trees, and to be familiar with the habits of the birds of the woods and fields, the wolves, the foxes, wildcats and the fishes whose habitat was the river and lake. He could and did make excellent fish lines of horse hair, and of course was by the youngsters considered a wonderful man.

Col. James M. Strode, a tall Kentuckian, who had seen service in the Black Hawk war, and was for one term Judge of this county, was a man of some peculiar characteristics. After the old courthouse was burned, courts were held in the halls of the brick blocks on the public square. One morning soon after opening court, Judge Strode, who doubtless felt the need of a stimulant to fit him for the arduous duties of the day, said to Mr. M. L. Joslyn, then a young lawyer, "Mr. Joslyn I wish to step down stairs for a few moments, will you preside in my absence until I return?" Thereupon Judge Strode retired and Mr. Joslyn assumed the position of County Judge pro tem. for a span of about two minutes, when he said, "Mr. Sheriff adjourn this court until nine o'clock tomorrow morning." Whereupon the sheriff: "Hear ye, hear ye, hoar ye, this honorable court is now adjourned until tomorrow morning." The judge pro tern, then confirmed the proclamation of the sheriff. Judge Joslyn put on his hat, and proceeded down stairs from the court room, at the head of a hilarious crowd. Meeting Judge Strode at the foot of the stairs descending the stairs, he said. "Mr. Joslyn, what does this mean .' I left you to preside during my absence." Joslyn replied - "You did Judge Strode and 1 adjourned court until tomorrow morning at nine o'clock." Of course Judge Strode was furious. His wrath was appeased upon an invitation to come and have "something" and he came! Judge Strode was an orator and indeed eloquent and pleasing. He repeated himself in his perorations, and frequently concluded his remarks thus: "But ladies and gentlemen I will not elaborate further. The few remarks I have made have been entirely without premeditation, and thanking you for your kind attention I will conclude."

('apt. Charles G. Tryon was the owner of a large farm in the southwest corner of Richland Township. The Tryon home was a hospitable one and a social center. The captain relates an incident showing the lawless condition of the country at that time (about 1840). One day as the family and some neighbors were in the front yard, Henry M. Wait the sheriff of McHenry County, rode in on horseback. A horse saddled was standing in the yard. "One of you men get onto that horse and follow me," was the sheriff's order, which was obeyed and they rode out to the highway, where a short distance ahead was a man on horseback riding towards the Wisconsin line. They galloped up to the man and Mr. Wait, the sheriff caught him by the collar, turning him around and headed for Woodstock. This man was a horse thief, caught with the goods !

Captain Tryon had one old Irishman working for him named Pat Dooley. One day in returning from the village of Richmond five or six miles distant, he was met by Pat who said: "Mr. Tryon there were siveral gintlemin from Woodstock here to see you." "Oh, probably a lot of politicians," said the captain. "No sir, they were not," said Pat. "they were perfect gintlemin."

In the year 1852, Mr. George Gage of West McHenry was a candidate for state senator and was duly elected to that honorable position. During his canvass, in company with Hank McLean, he held a meeting at the village of Alden. At the conclusion of their speeches they were invited to spend the night with a wealthy farmer, Mr. Asahel Disbrow, which invitation was accepted. The wife of the farmer provided a good luncheon. An hour was engaged in pleasant conversation. Their host then said: "Gentlemen, we usually retire at this hour, after having prayers and reading a portion of the scriptures. You may retire now if you wish to, or we would be happy to have you join us in our devotions." An invitation which they were glad to accept. There was a son in the family who was not quite right mentally. However he certainly had a brain of some use as will presently be observed. The good farmer knelt down in prayer and among his requests prayed the Lord to remember the strangers who sojourned within their gates, temporarily for a season, and especially him who would soon represent us in the Legislature and make laws for our government. "And 0 Lord, we pray that thou will give him wisdom, make him honest, Amen." "Dad, that's what he needs, make him honest, make him honest," shouted the young man who was supposed to be mentally deficient.

Dan Sweeney was a good hearted Irishman, who never in his life harmed anyone. He unfortunately was addicted and wedded to the use of the "ardent," and didn't believe in divorces. He evidently adhered to the advice given by Timothy (1-5-23) "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. " Dan was taking care of an old hermit who lived in a little hut in Hartland and was very ill. Doctor Windmuller was sent for. Answering the call he went to the hut and going in saw at once that the man was dying. He sat down and in a few minutes the old hermit died. At that moment a woman opened the door, looked in and said, "Dan Sweeney, how's the mons?" "Well, Madame by the grace of God and the help of Doctor Windmuller, he's dead," was Dan's reply.

Musical Reminiscences Of Half A Century

No better index of the musical talent that has been displayed in Mr- Henry County can be given here than to insert portions of a lengthy, and highly interesting "paper" read before the Woman's Club in Woodstock, in the winter of 1918-19, the same being by pioneer E. E. Richards, the gifted composer, director and tenor singer, who has been at the head of music as leader since the days of the Civil War : myself. Therefore I have called to my aid some musical friends to wit: .Miss Agnes Quinlan, .Mrs. Olive Wright, Mrs. Jessie diaries. Mrs. Mary Buck. Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton would, I know, have joined me as a collaborator in this work had her bodily health permitted.

"If tins write-up reads like an autobiography and if the personal pronoun, 1, obtrudes itself too persistently, please remember that I am writing of what I have seen and what I have heard and many times have had a part in the performances of the years long ago.

"In this history, we begin at the years 1853-4-5, when the only Protestant church here was a small wood building where Dacy's lumber yard now is. The Presbyterian Church, and I remember the Catholic Church nearly on the site of the present splendid edifice now owned by that society. Other societies held their services iu halls.

"In 1852-3-4-5 musical instruments were not numerous. Churches did not have organs. I remember that Fidelia Belcher (now Hamilton) had a melodion that was played in the lap of the performer. The Baptist Church at a later date secured a bass viol, presented to them by the Baptist Church of Sharon, Massachusetts, where my father played it.

"When I was fifteen or sixteen years old, I began playing the violin in the choir of the Baptist Church. One old lady, a member, objected, saying, if she saw a fiddle in church, she didn't know but she would want to dance. My mother, also a member of the Baptist Church, and a worthy one, said to this disciple of terpsichore, that if her thoughts were on sacred things, she would not be thinking of dancing.

"Professor Tower of Greenwood was the singing teacher, and taught us rurals to sing do, re, me, fa, sol, etc. and then hymns and anthems and choruses. A revival of old fashioned singing schools would be of value to many who now become members of church choirs, knowing little or nothing of pitch, rhythm, the value of notes, whole, half, quarter, etc., but gifted by dynamics especially in the fortissimos, and who demoralize choirs, and suggest bad language to the leader of the choir.

".Mrs. Martha Clover Todd, wife of Rev. Richard K. Todd, was a gifted woman and did much for the advancement of music in those early days. Dr. C. B. Durfee and Harvey Durfee were prominent in musical affairs. Harvey Durfee was a gifted musician and had a voice of great sweetness and power. He did mitch for church music. Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton and the writer of this paper were in charge of the Presbyterian choir at this period, and labored early and late in the attempt to furnish

"In those days of fifty and sixty years ago, the choir of the Catholic Church was composed of singers, most of whom have since joined the heavenly choir above. Among those singers were Mary Quinlan, now deceased, Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy, and a tenor, a brother of Mrs. Quinlan. The daughters of these noble women have since that time taken the places of their mothers in the musical services of the church and it has been wonderfully blessed by the talents and ability of their daughters, given willingly and with sincerity and fidelity.

"Miss Agnes Quinlan for many years had charge of the music of her church and was an able and faithful director of the musical services. Miss Eveline Murphy, a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy, was a lovely young woman. Her musical education was thorough. Her compositions for the piano were of great merit and were portrayals of the fineness and loveliness of her character.

' ' It was the custom in the years prior to the Civil War to hold musical conventions, singers coming to Woodstock from all parts of the county, sometimes to the number of 200 and hold their conventions for a whole week, the citizens of Woodstock taking the singers into their homes willingly.

"Eminent musicians were engaged to conduct the meetings. Such men as William B. Bradbury, George F. Root, Everett L. Baker, Mr. Wheeler of Boston, Dr. Fargo and Dr. Palmer came and under the direction and instruction we sang the musical compositions of Mozart, Beethoven, Franz Abt. Also those of William Bradbury, George F. Root, Lowell Mason and many others, thereby becoming familiar with better music than we had known and being greatly benefitted thereby.

"The cantata of Esther, composed by Mr. Bradbury was sung under his direction and instruction, my sister Mrs. Harper, taking the part of Esther. George F. Root was with us at Marengo, and a most interesting meeting was held. At Marengo a quartette composed of Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton, Mrs. Lorietta Harper (my sister), John Harper, her husband, and myself sang for George F. Root, he playing our accompaniments. In the midst of one of our pieces Mr. Root stopped playing, stood up and said: 'Young ladies and gentlemen you sing splendidly.' Of course we were proud of such a compliment from such a man.

"Professor Fargo and Dr. H. L. Palmer were here, also Professor Wheeler of Boston. Everett L. Baker of Buffalo, a fine pianist and singer was also here. Professor Tower of Greenwood was here and acted as mast it of ceremonies. As was his usual custom he called on some of the lawyers to make remarks, knowing that they would say something complimentary about our singing. Among those called was Rev. Adonisoni Joslyn, brother of M. L. Joslyn, who referred to the chorus we sang,

'Hail, Hail, This Happy Day,' and said that he didn't quite understand the allusion to happy and sappy days. Mr. Baker was always ready at repartee, quickly replied that the reverend gentleman must admit there was some sap and some snap in the singing of the chorus, that no one would go to sleep while the chorus was sung, and that lie was very well satisfied with the singing.

"The cantata of Queen Esther was given here several times, including one when A. R. Murphy acted as king, .Mrs. Belle McEwen as Queen Esther. Mrs. ('hollar as Zeresh, James R. Reynolds as Hainan, E. B. Richards as Mordecai the Jew, and with other officers personated and with a fine chorus we gave three representations of the cantata, which netted us $400. After paying our expenses, however, we had the princely sum of $75 left. We rented costumes in Chicago which were valued at $700.

"The Oratorio of Belshazzar's Feast was sung at Greenwood, under the direction of Professor Tower. Mrs. Mary Buck and Mrs. George Hunt took solo parts.

"The brothers Frank and Jule Lumhard were heard in concerts here. The celebrated Baker family, with George Baker as lion bass, often gave concerts in Woodstock, and these were great musical events."

"Mrs. Bell McEwen and her daughter Mrs. Winnie Curtis; Mrs. Olive Wright, for years organizer in the Congregational Church; Mrs. Fidelia B. Hamilton, organist in the Presbyterian Church for many years: Mrs. Sadie Murphy, pianist and organist; Mrs. Ethel Greenleaf, pianist has studied under eminent instructors; Mrs. Florence Sherwood once prominent here was a fine pianist and harpist. Alois Dryer, leader of the choir at the Presbyterian Church many years, had a beautiful tenor voice. Charles W. Lammers, basso, was always public spirited and ready to do his part in music. Walter T. Wheeler and his wife Fanny, have at all times contributed of their talent. Mrs. Bessie Allen and Mrs. Jessie Charles, and Anderson Murphy have all been faithful workers in the interest of good music. A. Dwight Hoy is a fine pianist as well as organist. Mrs. Rollo Andrews Southworth has on more than one occasion delighted Woodstock audiences."

On April 25, 1895, the Operetta, "The Reception," the libretto and music being composed by E. E. Richards of Woodstock, was given before a large audience in the opera house, under direction of the composer. This was a musical success with all home talent and was greatly appreciated.

The Oliver Typewriter band organized by E. E. Richards, we believe, has always been one of musical features of Woodstock. Mr. Richards retired from active part in musicals several years ago hence he leaves the history of music in this county at the point where he quit, but certain it is, he has had wonderful experiences in McHenry County along the line of voice culture, and instrumental music, both as composer and performer. But few communicants can point to so great a number of excellent musicians, some of whom are still living while many of the earlier ones have gone beyond.