In 1896, January 28, May 30 and 31, June 20, reception to
General-in-Chief Lawlor, G.A.R., were days to be remembered, but of
July 7 I must make special mention, as it was an honor that can only
come once to a singer. It was the golden jubilee of the flag-raising
at Monterey fifty years before, a scene of patriotic enthusiasm in
which I, with other patriotic people, participated. Through Major
Edwin Sherman, head of the arrangements committee, I was engaged to
assist in the demonstration. I had a previous engagement with Frank
Gilder at Santa Cruz for his concert a day or two before the flag
raising. When I arrived at Monterey I was met by Major Sherman, wife
and party and escorted to the hotel. After dinner the evening was
spent with rehearsals and completing the arrangement for the morning's
exercises. The day of July 7 was ideal, the air was mild and the sun
came out in all of its splendor and the streets were alive with people
who were assembling already in preparation for this great jubilee. The
procession started promptly at 10 o'clock and passed through the
principal streets of the city. Veterans of the Mexican war, sailors
from the battleships that lay in the harbor, United States soldiers
were in line. Many appropriate emblems, floats, and bands of music
followed. School children symbolizing the American flag presented a
feature never to be forgotten.
Across from the first custom house a large platform had been erected
and upon this platform all the performers for the occasion were
placed. At the top the children were grouped to form the flag, a most
novel and beautiful sight. The officers of the day, Mexican veterans,
musicians and speakers occupied the lower platform. The old custom
house opposite, with its high flag pole, the two armored cruisers
lying in the bay, the escort of hundreds of sailors from the ships
made a never-to-be-forgotten scene. At the appropriate moment William
P. Toler, the man who fifty years before raised the flag upon the same
pole, amid cheers from the multitude descended from the platform and
made his way through the crowd and ranks of the naval battalion to
where Lieutenant Roper of the Monadnock stood. He escorted Mr. Toler
to the northwest corner of the old custom house, beneath the staff,
while the quartermaster of the Philadelphia bent the American flag on
to the halyards which were placed in Mr. Toler's hand. At this point
Major Sherman called for three cheers for Old Glory and Mr. Toler,
with all the energy of his youth and his eyes sparkling with pride and
patriotic fire, grasped the rope (but the halyards were stiffened) and
after an adjustment of the difficulty the flag soon reached the
masthead and was spread out to the breeze. Then occurred a scene not
often witnessed. The people went wild at the beautiful sight. Hats and
handkerchiefs went flying into the air. All reserve of these military
men was forgotten in the moment of patriotic enthusiasm. The two
battleships anchored in the bay puffed forth the smoke from the
cannon's mouth. The air was filled with a riot of sounds from the
crash of guns, multiplying the echoes rising above the strains of the
Star Spangled Banner. It was a touching sight to see the veterans of
war behave like boys let loose from school, the children clapping
their hands, Queen California with her maids of honor upon her throne
waving handkerchiefs. The sailors stood at attention throughout this
demonstration, but when Mr. Toler turned to ascend the platform they
seized him and bore him triumphantly to the grandstand amid shouts and
huzzas for the midshipmate of fifty years ago. After the excitement
was over he bade them all farewell. This was the last public
appearance of Mr. Toler. He passed away the following year.
Upon the platform were gathered a number of notable men. Major Sherman
was orator of the day and the ruling spirit of this patriotic
gathering. Admiral L.A. Beardslee, U.S.N., retired, was the honored
guest and spoke with patriotic fervor on this occasion of the laying
of the corner stone of the Sloat monument and flag-raising. After the
address of Major Sherman the girls of the living flag sang with
splendid effect the Star Spangled Banner. Mrs. Eliza A. Pittsinger
eloquently recited an original poem written for l'America by myself,
with full spirit of patriotic fire and sweetness of song, which was
roundly applauded. At the close I brought forth a small American flag,
which created the greatest enthusiasm and responded with Old Glory,
Flag of Liberty. It was some time before I was allowed to retire.
Hon. H.C. Gesford, grand president of Native Sons of the Golden West,
followed with a telling speech; the Hon. Niles Searles, vice-president
of the California Pioneers, made a short and witty speech, after which
the multitude joined in the anthem of America. Rev. O.E. Edmonson,
chaplain of the U.S. flagship Philadelphia, pronounced the benediction
and the great celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the taking of
California and raising of the American flag at Monterey by Commodore
Sloat was ended and his honored fame gloriously vindicated.
My next work for the Grand Army was at an entertainment, July 14,
1896. I was asked to speak on the theme of Old Glory. I made my first
speech in public with Judge E.M. Gibson, Mr. Arbuckle and others who
were veterans on the speaking platform. In 1897 I sang at Memorial Day
exercises; May 28, Lincoln's memorial; December 14, Lyon Corps fete of
all nations closed the engagements of this year, with the addition of
many dollars finding their way into the depleted treasury. In 1898
Memorial Day was the first of the varied performances of the year;
June 25 was another departure from the regular things that took place
in the G.A.R. needs. About eight or nine of the patriotic women,
myself and four other singers of the different corps, went to visit
the boys enlisted for the Spanish-American war and staying at Camp
Merritt at the Presidio. They were awaiting the call to the
Philippines. We arrived in camp about four o'clock in the afternoon
and visited the different divisions and chatted with the soldiers
until eight o'clock, when we were due at the tent where Captain Sloat
was quartered, and his fine boys of San Bernardino, Cal.
We assisted the boys in their songs and listened to the remarks by
able men and women until nine o'clock, when Captain Sloat addressed
his men and called upon me to tell the boys of our work in 1861--a new
departure for me. I generally sang my patriotism, but this time it
took the form of a recital of events for about fifteen minutes, and
was listened to with the greatest attention. I told them of the dying
soldiers who passed away with the song of Annie Laurie on their lips.
Afterwards I sang it for them and gave them other songs. At the close
of my work Capt. Sloat made me an offering in the name of his men of
the most beautiful tribute of roses and ferns, contributed by the
individual members. I received their tribute with heartfelt gratitude
and appreciation. We were served with refreshments by the hospitable
women of the Red Cross before returning to the city. Taps sounded at
ten o'clock and we departed for our homes. October 11, 21, 24 finished
the entertainments for the year 1898. In 1899, January 5, the
installation of Appomattox Post and corps took place, followed on
February 21 with a grand reception of veterans and newly elected
officers and their wives. A musical program was provided as usual. On
May 30 the Memorial services were held in the Methodist Church with
suitable programme. On July 11 and 29 the Relief Corps had the usual
entertainment for friends. On September 3 memorial exercises for
soldiers who fell in the Philippine war were held. Nothing special
occurred in 1900 until Memorial Day, which was celebrated by befitting
exercises. On June 19 the Lyon Corps had an extra entertainment. On
June 23 the grand McKinley demonstration, San Francisco, closed the
engagements of the year 1900. I did not sing again for the G.A.R.
until 1903, because of my accident. On March 31, 1903, Lyon Post, as a
special request, needed my services. On August 21 and December 15,
they celebrated Veterans' Day, Lyon Post installation. On May 12,
1904, Captain Stillwell wanted the boys to have patriotic singing in
their armory opening, and asked me to sing for them Vive l'America.
This entertainment and Memorial Day, May 31, closed my work for this
year. 1905 began with the Lyon Corps and Post installation. On
Memorial Day I sang in the Congregational Church. As I sang The
Offering of Flowers I quietly placed a wreath of roses over the spear
of the flag, as it projected in front of me in the gallery over the
pulpit, and in an instant the audience rose to their feet in silent
appreciation for my tribute to the dead, comrades knowing my inability
to go to the cemetery for the services there. At the close of the
services, before I could leave my place in the gallery, many G.A.R.
officers and strangers paid their affectionate tributes of praise for
my services of song and honor to the dead. Once more I was urged to
sing at the Macdonough theater on the Fourth of July of that year, and
I received a most enthusiastic reception from the public. The banquet
of Lyon Corps for the post, July 11, and the memorial services of post
and corps for the annual deaths closed this year's services. I
supposed this would be my last public appearance, but in 1906 I was
needed at the installation as usual, and on the Fourth of July at the
Macdonough theater. In 1907 I sang at a special reception to veterans
and department officers of California and their wives. Judge Dibble
was most eloquent in his address, which was enthusiastically received
by the veterans. On July 31 and August 20 I closed my G.A.R. work for
the year. In 1908 I sang on two occasions, and in 1909 I sang at the
Bay School for Mr. Crawford, taking a quartette with me. We gave the
children some of the old songs for the inspiration of their patriotic
spirit. They in return gave us the "Red, White and Blue" with splendid
effect, led by Mr. Crawford, who is a patriotic spirit among the young
in the schools of California. On July 8 and November 30 closed the
engagements for 1910 and 1911, up to May 30, 1912. How many more
times I shall be able to help the Boys in Blue I do not know, but as
long as I have a musical note left it shall be to serve them.
My book has already assumed such proportions that I shall not be able
to give many of the interesting and worthy occurrences which have
occurred in my public life as a singer. I have sung for the Masonic
lodges, Knights of Pythias, Rebekahs, Eastern Star. I have sung at
concerts for the different charities, church societies, Christian
associations, on anniversaries of special nature, at public
demonstrations in the school department, among them the tree-planting
by the children of the Lincoln school and demonstration chorus singing
by the children in Mills Tabernacle. I have entertained artists who
have come to our coast and sung in opera and concert. Madam Etelka
Gerster and her company were entertained in my home in 1884; the prima
donna, Materna, of Wagner fame, and her tenor, Ondricek, and Madame
Anna Bishop and her artists were also my guests. I have enjoyed the
friendships of our artists, Rudolph Herold, Ernest Hartman, Prof.
Trenkle, J.H. Dohrmann and hosts of others. When Henry Clay Barnabee
and his opera company were at the Columbia theater I enjoyed many
hours of real comradeship, chatting about old times in Boston and
other artists of our day. Emma Shafter Howard made it possible for
many musical people to meet the celebrated violinist, Ysaye, a number
of years ago. It would require many pages to recount the number of
such meetings which have taken place during my sojourn in Boston,
Mass.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Oregon, Victoria, and throughout the cities
of California. In San Bernardino I found during my sixteen months'
stay many prominent families who extended their cordial support and
appreciation and welcome. I take great pleasure in mentioning
especially Mr. Seth Marshall and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Addison Collins,
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Perkins.
On returning to Oakland I received the right hand of fellowship from
Horace A. Redfield, who visited me in my studio, and his wife, Addie
Lowell Redfield and her sister Mrs. Gussie Lowell Garthwaite. Through
these friends it became known that I had come to this city to reside.
At that time Mr. Redfield was prominent as an impresario, a musical
critic and the writer of the Lyre and Song column in the Oakland
Enquirer. Through my singing in church choirs and public concerts I
later made permanent friends of many of the good people of Oakland who
encouraged music of the highest order in their homes. Mrs. Gutterson,
Mrs. John L. Howard, Mrs. Emma Shafter-Howard were among the earlier
friends and later in East Oakland Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Goodfellow, who
are thoroughly musical. He possessed a fine tenor voice while his wife
was a splendid musician and pianist. It was my good fortune to gain
their friendship while I served the Church of the Advent for eight
months, they being members of that diocese. During the life of Stephen
W. Leach, Mr. Goodfellow formed the Glee Club of friends who were well
known singers and players. S.W. Leach was director of this club. It
was Mr. Goodfellow's recreation from his much worry and work in his
profession. Mr. and Mrs. William Angus, Mr. George Collins, wife and
two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Klose and Miss Augusta Klose were the
friends who were among the musical people of the club. It was in 1896
I began singing in the choir and in looking around for the leader for
the club I was accepted as soloist and leader. I was reluctant to do
this, as I well knew the ability of Mr. Leach, having belonged to his
Madrigal club long years before in San Francisco, but my good fortune
lay in knowing how to sing these English, Scotch and Welsh madrigals
and airs, many of them so familiar to me. For nearly three years we
enjoyed the advantage of the club and the carefully selected musical
library which Mr. Goodfellow possessed and placed at our convenience.
It was a delightful gathering of congenial friends and gave restful
pleasure to our good host and charming hostess who made it possible
for us all to benefit by their generous hospitality. These delightful
weekly gatherings were only discontinued when Mr. Goodfellow was
obliged to rest from his labor and travel for a year. Our last meeting
occurred February 2, 1900, when he and his wife left for their tour of
the world. During their absence changes had taken place among the
families. It has been my good fortune to meet prominent men and women
in the different cities where I have lived who devoted time and money
to promote the best music in their home cities. By their generosity
many worthy aspirants have received encouragement to greater
advancement in their chosen career who perhaps would not have had
opportunity to be known or heard otherwise.