Scan 19
Musical Courier 1895-07-17: Vol 31 Iss 802, 1895
63 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026. Printed page 20. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1The Flechter Case Dismissed.
2THE case against Victor S. Flechter was dismissed on Saturday by Justice Flammer in Jefferson Market Police Court. He was charged with having in his possession unlawfully a violin that was formerly the property of Prof. Jean Bott. Three witnesses testified at the last examination that the violin produced in court and that had been found in Flechter's possession was not the instrument that had belonged to Prof. Bott. Two of these witnesses were called by the prosecution, and the third was John C. Eller, a musician, who is not on friendly terms with Flechter. Eller was recalled yesterday and continued his description of the instrument. He identified a description printed in a catalogue in 1801 as referring to this violin, and it was there described as having been made by Nicholas in 1780. He said that the instrument had been branded on the inside with the name "D. Nicholas," and in another with the letters "D. Nicholas, Villi di Cremona." He said that traces of these marks were still to be seen on the inside of the violin, but evidently an effort had been made to scrape them away.
4At the conclusion of Eller's examination Assistant District Attorney Battle and Colonel Allen wanted the rest of the examinations postponed that a witness might be brought from Buffalo who would discredit Eller's testimony. They said that Eller had sold a violin to this gentleman which had not proved what he guaranteed it, and had been compelled to take it back; but Justice Flammer refused to continue the case any further, and dismissed the charge against Flechter.
6The examination ended in indescribable confusion. The demeanor of the witnesses and of the friends of the principals throughout the trial has been more remarkable than in any case that has been held in Jefferson Market. Officers who have been stationed in the court for years have come into the room to take a peep at the curious crowd that was gathered there and watch its still more curious behavior. It has been impossible to keep the friends of the defendant and the friends of Mrs. Bott apart. They would mingle together, and at times two or three independent rows would be going on in different parts of the room. Then the counsel for the defense would straighten them out, and the trial would proceed. The witnesses and spectators seem all to have been inspired by the strongest feeling, and their opinions of one another, which they made no attempt to hide, were never flattering. There were two or three amateur detectives circulating about the room in the interests of one party or the other, and it was a regular duty of the lawyers to suppress these when they became too active. The attorneys for the people were particularly annoyed by an old man with gray side whiskers, who seemed to feel that the entire responsibility for the defendant's case had fallen on his shoulders, and he was reprimanded several times. Any attempt to keep the crowd away from the witness who was testifying was useless. They would get nearer and nearer, until they were all in a close knot around the judge.
8The scene that marked the close of the examination yesterday was the most curious of all. "Thief" was the popular epithet, and it flew about the room. Everybody was calling some other man a thief, and in the general disturbance there must have been very few that dodged the appellation. Flechter's friends were exulting and triumphant over the complete collapse of the case against him, while Mrs. Bott's were quite disappointed. Twice the officers had to interfere to quiet the crowd. The friends and witnesses were gradually got out to the street, but they collected there in knots, and it was half an hour before the last of them had gone. The violin went back to the property clerk for the time being.
10Mr. Battle had secured the further custody of the violin by announcing that an investigation of the case by the grand jury would be begun on Monday. One hour afterward Assistant District Attorney Allen, who was discussing the magistrate's decision with a party of friends at his home, 22 Gramercy Park, was greatly surprised by the sudden appearance of Elmer J. Ross, claimant to the much-claimed instrument, who, although a resident of Auburn, has attended all the hearings before Magistrate Flammer.
12Mr. Ross announced that John G. Eller had waived all his rights, and that he had come to demand that the instrument be surrendered to him. Colonel Allen told him that this could not be done, whereupon Mr. Ross inquired anxiously whether he was to be indicted. When his fears on that score had been quieted Mr. Ross made a long explanation of his connection with the case, declaring that he was a "fiddle crank," and that this investigation had so disturbed his mind that he could not sleep nights. He had given up all intention of selling the instrument, he said, and had resolved to get it back if he had to stay in this city all summer.
14"Though I have bought more than 100 fiddles," he said, "I never was so fond of any one as I am of this. Though it is not a Stradivarius, it is an instrument of rich, mellow tone. Of course if anybody had asked me in Auburn I should have sworn that my fiddle was a genuine Strad., but, in truth, I have never believed that it was."
16After questioning the assistant district attorney again concerning the prosecution's available witnesses and their probable testimony, the young lawyer departed, declaring that he would sue the city in case he should discover that the instrument had been injured.—New York Sun.
18Carlo H. Dittman.
20WE regret to announce the death of Mr. Carlo H. Dittman, of the staff of THE MUSICAL COURIER. Mr. Dittman was at this office until Saturday midday, and seemed to be in his usual health and spirits. He dropped dead Sunday morning, the result of a long standing affection of the heart. Mr. Dittman was for many years a familiar figure in the musical and managerial world. He was identified with many important musical enterprises, and was Rafael Joseffy's first manager in this country in conjunction with Mr. Herman Colell. He had been connected with THE MUSICAL COURIER for several years.
22Mr. Dittman was a man of exceptional ability, refinement and charm of manner. He was universally liked, and among his intimate friends genuinely beloved. His death is sincerely mourned. He leaves a widow.
24From Galveston to Paris.—Miss Mary Goggan, the fifteen year old daughter of Mr. John Goggan, and Miss Lucie Hickenlooper, both native Texans, will leave Galveston next week for New York, thence to Paris. These young misses possess a very superior musical ability which their parents intend having cultivated to the highest extent. It is hoped they will succeed in gaining admission to the Conservatory of Music in Paris. The music critics here predict for the girls prominent positions as pianists. Mrs. L. P. Grünwald and Mrs. C. Hickenlooper will accompany them to Paris.
26FRIEDA SIMONSON,
27The Celebrated Youthful Pianist.
28THE PRESS OF TWO CONTINENTS UNITE IN HER PRAISE.
29Toured with Patti, Melba, Albani and Sir Augustus Harris' Operatic Concerts, London.
30American tour last season with Victor Herbert.
31PIANO RECITALS, MUSICALS, CONCERT ENGAGEMENTS.
32ADDRESS
33WILLIAM REARDON, Steinway Hall,
34New York,
35or THE ARTIST, BERLIN: Potsdamerstrasse 27, B.
37Correspondence
38San Francisco.
39San Francisco, Cal., June 22, 1895.
40THE principal item of musical interest just now is regarding the status of Mr. Fritz Scheel. He brought a lot of players out to the Midwinter Fair, agreeing to send them home again. He did so, I believe, but not "in first-class style," and their claim to a difference of over $1,000, which he saved on their passage, though disallowed by the local union, has just been awarded by a superior Sanhedrim somewhere.
42Just at this time Adolph Bauer, who used to give us a wholesome amount of symphony concerts, incidental to his conducting opera at the Tivoli, has opportunely returned, and resumes the baton there next week. He has been making a very successful tour with the Della Fox Company. We are glad to have him back, and perhaps Bauer will come to the rescue with another series of what were the most satisfactory symphony concerts we have ever enjoyed.
44I have received a circular dated May 27, announcing the formation of the San Francisco Oratorio Society, for the purpose of producing standard works with organ, orchestra, &c., in the grandest style. Mr. James Hamilton Howe, late of Boston, Mass. (the home of oratorio in America), a disciple of Carl Zerrahn, will direct the society.
46The names of forty-five musicians are given who, the circular says, "are numbered among the lights of the profession."
48Well, it is some years since our last oratorio society languished and died, leaving the customary moribund flavor of debt and discord on the circumjacent air. By all means let a new one be born; though I hope it will contain livers as well as lights enough to furnish a healthy internal economy, lest it also pine away and die like its numerous predecessors. Ere Mr. Howe brings it to maturity, though, I fear he'll often have occasion to sing that lovely hymn, O Do Not Be Discouraged!
50On the heels of Mr. Howe's circular comes another one "begging to inform" me that Mr. E. Werner has already formed a society, which had its first rehearsal last week with Mr. Scheel, and that it is intended to have a musical festival next fall, when Beethoven's ninth symphony will be performed.
52The correspondent of THE MUSICAL COURIER has taken a room at 26 O'Farrell street, at which address he will be pleased to receive any musical news or information which will interest him and your other readers. Nota bene!
54Mr. Gustave Rowan, one of Scheel's orchestra, who sought to escape from San Francisco by the shipwrecked steamer Colima, has returned to Nineveh, as it were, and takes a benefit this afternoon. He says, after being in the water twenty-nine hours, he was about to give up in despair, when the sound of the orchestra came to his ears so distinctly as to brace him up and save his life. Whether it operated as a tonic he does not say. I hope the poor fellow will have enough encouragement at his benefit to brace up his pocket.
56Another worry has attacked the trades union adherents. A Japanese brass band played in the Fourth of July procession. Great Scott! Japs are worse than Chinamen! Who can't play our music? What are we coming to?
58Two deaths have occurred here this month of mournful interest to Americans.
60Herr Charles Goffrie, the violinist, and Signor Eugenio Bianchi, the operatic tenor. Though Goffrie had been a resident for nearly twenty years, Bianchi had been here twice that length of time. He and his wife, who died only four months ago, were intimately associated with most of the local ventures in Italian opera in early days, and were both great favorites with a former generation of auditors. It is many years since either has been publicly heard, except in an occasional church service.
62Bianchi was a quiet, conscientious teacher, who endeared himself to all his pupils and died in the harness, having taught almost to the day of his death. His pupils speak of him in most affectionate terms. He seemed to teach more for love than money, and thought high prices for lessons extortionate. He was an ardent advocate of the Italian method, of which he leaves no better exponent. Though intended for the Church, Bianchi persisted—much against parental desire—in going into opera. He died as far out of the Church as possible and was consistent
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