Scan 26
Musical Courier 1895-10-16: Vol 31 Iss 815, 1895
92 lines. Read by computer on 20 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 27. See the scan on archive.org.
1Farrand & Votey, Pittsburg.
2A Circular.
4Pittsburg.
6Having decided to open a branch office in Pittsburg, Pa., similar to those we have established in New York and Chicago, we have secured as manager Mr. Philipp Wirsching, who is well known in the organ world as the builder of some of the finest organs in Pittsburg and vicinity, which stand as a monument of his artistic taste and thorough familiarity with the business.
8Mr. Wirsching will have here permanently a good force of artisans, both voicers and action men, capable of attending to the most intricate parts of organ work, and will be pleased to take annual contracts for the care of organs, tuning being attended to in a systematic manner, weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly, according to contract, and at the same time being prepared for emergency calls at all times.
10He is also prepared to make special estimates for cleaning, repairing, rebuilding or enlarging old organs, as well as offering proposals for new work of all kinds.
12Our object in opening these branches is to provide in different parts of the country thoroughly competent men, whose work we guarantee, to attend to this work rather than have organs ruined by men who do not understand the business and whose only knowledge is what they may have picked up.
14We shall be pleased to have you correspond with us regarding anything you or your friends may need.
16Yours respectfully,
17FARRAND & VOTHEY ORGAN COMPANY.
19Fun at Atlanta.
21Editors The Musical Courier:
23There was an amusing but exceedingly potent coup d'etat at the Cotton States and International Exposition at Atlanta, Ga., the other day, which set the very large and diversified piano family all agog.
25It was "Tennessee Day" at the exposition, and the delegation from Tennessee was large and luminous. As is usual upon such specific events the ladies had things much their own way. They besieged the president, Mr. Collier, the board of directors, the executive committee and all the other committees they could hear of for this, that and the other, and, of course, carried their point in everything, whether they really wanted it or not.
27To President Collier: "We must have Gilmore's Band play for us to-day, sure. Oh, yes! We can't do without it!" and "Won't you ask Mr. Victor Herbert to play our piano accompaniment for us? We must have him, sure!" &c.
29In sheer desperation the obliging president referred the ladies to Mr. Herbert and his excellent band. To Mr. Victor Herbert: "Oh, you must play for us to-day during our ceremonies; oh, yes! The president himself sent us straight to you, and you must come, and the band, and you must play piano accompaniments to our songs!" and dear knows what all.
31"So I" queried Victor Herbert. "Well, the band may play for you, but as for the piano parts, I would be most happy, but—I have no piano." one of two readings
32"So I!" queried Victor Herbert. "Well, the band may play for you, but as for the piano parts, I would be most happy, but—I have no piano." one of two readings
34"Oh, yes!" the ladies answered in chorus, "there is a grand piano right over there, yonder—somewhere in some building or other. We can have that one; a sweet, dear so and so!"
36"But," demanded the gallant though faltering director, "I do not play that piano. I learned to play on a Steinway and I don't know how to play any other!"
38"Oh, we'll get a Steinway then right off!" and away scurried the ladies to the astounded president again. What was said during the next half hour is not recorded, because no shorthand writer could half keep up, but when the ladies did leave the president he was a subject for medical resuscitation.
40In less than two swiftly fleeting hours a Steinway concert grand stood proudly on the stage in the Exposition Auditorium, and Victor Herbert played, and the band played on and on, and the chimes in the tall tower beyond the plaza and the terrace sweetly murmured the hour of 5 ere Victor Herbert, dejected, starving, limp and gasping, tottered from the stage door and ravenously devoured the first sandwich his pearly teeth had closed down upon since the golden morn.
42I may be pardoned for recalling the fact, heretofore recorded by The Musical Courier, that, with one or two exceptions, all makes of pianos were barred from the exposition grounds at Atlanta. All others were even fired incontinently from the various State buildings in which they were found. But a break came at last, and the Tennessee ladies were the architects of that break. And all the piano men are smiling—we are all smiling in fact.
44G. L.
46The House of Ludwig.
48Work goes merrily along in the Ludwig factory, despite the fact that it is besieged by builders who are enlarging it. The latter undertaking, which when completed will add largely to the facilities of the factory, is not progressing any more rapidly than is the work of constructing pianos there, for the Ludwig firm is behind with its orders, and every effort is being made to catch up and be ready when the real fall trade comes along. Mr. John Ludwig had this to say to a representative of The Musical Courier a few days ago:
50"Many people are under the impression that our firm makes a low grade piano. In the first place we use the Staub action, and every dealer knows that it is a good one. We use only high grade material in our instruments, and we make our own cases. The latter have hardwood edges, trusses and pilasters of the same material; they are double veneered throughout, and our varnish work is as good as skilled labor can make it. We do not claim that the Ludwig is a high grade piano, but good workmanship and material certainly entitle it to a medium grade classification. We have built up a big business during the last two years with some of the biggest and best firms in the country, and we could not have done that with a low grade piano."
52Mr. Decker Marries.
54The well-known head of the house of Decker Brothers, Mr. William Frederick Decker, was married on the evening of Wednesday, October 9, the bride being Miss Elizabeth Price Debevoise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Debevoise, 23 West 124th street, at whose residence the nuptial ceremony was performed. The Rev. Dr. Charles DeWitt Bridgman, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, officiated. Among the large number of guests present was Mr. Charles H. Fischer, the son of Mr. Wm. G. Fischer, who for many years past has represented the Decker piano in Philadelphia.
56While it is not exactly an occasion for special reference to affairs of trade, the fact cannot be overlooked that a leading piano manufacturer of the United States has become a benedict, and the only way in which Mr. Decker could have prevented a notice of this kind from being published in these columns was by remaining a bachelor.
58Those Automatic Suits.
60While some of the lesser trade papers have devoted columns of space to the airing of the fight between Mr. Emile Klaber, as representing the Automaton Piano Company, and Mr. G. Howlett Davis, who severed his connection with the Automaton Piano Company to form the Electric Self Playing Piano Company, The Musical Courier has studiously avoided any comment in the matter and has confined its reports to cogent statements of facts as they transpired without giving room to the individual opinions of the parties concerned as to the other parties concerned.
62It will be recalled that Mr. Klaber had Mr. Davis arrested on the serious charge of burglary, claiming that he had broken into and taken from the factory of the Automaton Piano Company certain property, &c., that belonged to the Automaton Piano Company. It is not necessary, it is not interesting, to go further into the details here. The decision of City Magistrate Cornell, rendered at 4 p.m. on October 9, at Essex Market Court, so fully covers the matter that it should be dropped for ever.
64Mr. Davis, immediately on hearing of the decision, instituted a suit for $10,000 against the Automaton Piano Company for false arrest, basing the action upon the comprehensive decision of the magistrate, which is here given:
66I must apologize for my delay in rendering my decision in this case. The delay has been due to my having to read the voluminous testimony and examine certain records.
68I have gone over the entire case with special care. The charge against Mr. Davis is burglary, to constitute which two elements are essential: First, breaking, and second, intent to commit a crime, and both of which must be clearly proven.
70Both of these elements appear to be entirely lacking, as Davis was entitled to entry under his lease dated April 8, 1896, and to possession of his machine under his contracts, especially the one dated November 27, 1894.
72As Mr. Jones, one of his counsel, was with him at the time of taking the machine, and from facts disclosed by the evidence, there was certainly no intent to commit a crime.
74I have also considered whether he might be held upon some other charge, such, for instance, as forcible entry and detainer, but I find absolutely no criminal charge upon which he can be held, and he is therefore discharged.
76Mr. Davis is naturally jubilant over the result of the trial and over the prospect he sees for recovering damages while the order books of the Electric Self Playing Piano Company show plainly that his business is in a most satisfactory state of advancement.
78Musicians affirm that no piano is satisfactory unless the "feel" of the Action is in harmony with their technical requirements. The Roth & Engelhardt Actions made at St Johnsville, N. Y., "feel" right and are thoroughly satisfactory to the artistic sense of a musician.
80A Successful Experiment.
82About two years ago when Hamilton S. Gordon moved his publishing business from Fourteenth street to the large new building on Fifth avenue, near Twentieth street, he decided to enter the field as a manufacturer and jobber of small musical instruments and everything pertaining thereto. He secured the sole right and title to the Converse solid arm banjo and began manufacturing them. He secured also, to further the interests of this banjo in the trade, the services of Mr. Wm. H. Freeland, of Philadelphia, a thoroughly competent man who had been connected with Robt. C. Kretschman, of that city, for many years. The banjos sold readily and profitably. This led to the manufacture of the Gordon mandolin and Gordon guitar, and upon the advice of Mr. Freeland the carrying of a complete stock of all small goods connected with the trade was decided upon and also the issuing of a catalogue.
84There seemed to be an opening for a fresh, carefully selected stock of goods, under competent direction and up to date ideas. Such can be found on the second floor of the Gordon building. From the very small beginning of two years ago has grown a large and, Mr. Gordon says, the most prosperous portion of his business. Two salesmen, Mr. J. H. Thomas and Mr. D. Behrend, are continually on the road covering the entire country. Special mention should be made of Mr. Gordon's assortment of old Italian violins and bows, ranging in price from $150 to $1,000; also to a violin and banjo gut string made for his own trade.
86There is a steady and increasing demand for the Gordon pianos and the factory is fully occupied in the construction of these instruments.
88—L. C. Hockett has moved his music business from the Boyce Block to the Arcade Building, in Muncie, Ind.
89—Wilmet V. Conkling, of Port Jervis, N. Y., has sold his music store to take a position with his uncle Wm. F. Conkling, in the same business in Port Jervis.
90—The New London, Conn., newspapers state that William O. Hoyt, a well-known music dealer of Danbury, that State, has been arrested, charged with mailing an obscene postal card to his wife. Proceedings for divorce on Mr. Hoyt's application are said to be pending.
91—The Junger & Gas Company, of Dauphin street, Mobile, Ala., has purchased the entire stock of the J. H. Snow Piano Company, of that place, and announces a sale of everything bought at a discount. Mr. Snow, who is one of the oldest members of the music trade—he must be now well up in the eighties—has not yet formulated plans for the future.
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