July 10, 1902
LARGEST CROWD
Ever Seen in the Opera House
Heard the Old Fiddlers.
MISS GREENUP CHARMS AUDIENCE.
Large crowds have gathered at the opera house on many occasions, but the throng that filled the auditorium Friday night was the largest in the history of the house, with not a single exception. When the curtain arose on the juvenile minstrels, between nine hundred and fifty and one thousand people had been seated, and the outer hall and stairway were crowded with people seeking admittance. The seats were all sold by 8 o'clock and no more tickets were issued. Over two hundred people were refused admission by the management. People were here from all of the surrounding towns and country.
The entertainment was a brilliant success from start to finish. The immense audience was highly pleased.
The opening feature was the juvenile minstrel first part. The twenty-five little boys were the entertainers. Twenty were dressed in white sailor costumes. Mr. Virgil Moore occupied the seat on the throne steps, and as interlocutor acquitted himself admirably. The endmen wore suits of red and green. They were Masters James Bigham, Menard Woods, Emmet Koltinsky and Tom Boston. Many famous minstrels have appeared here, but none ever received the ovation tendered these youthful singers. This original feature made a great hit. The stage was beautifully decorated and the electric effects were excellent.
Miss Lotta Carleton Greenup of Louisville, the noted young lady violinist, rendered three difficult selections, of exquisite sweetness. The beautiful young lady completely charmed the audience, and she received round after round of applause. She is one of the most talented musicians the people of this city have ever had the pleasure of hearing.
Twenty old timers participated in the fiddlers contest and received their share of applause. The judges were Messrs. A. J. Duvall and P. C. Stephens.
In the contest for the "Best old time Fiddlers," W. H. Lawson and Leeson Lawson, of Blackford, won the prize--$5.00.
Mr. W. F. Edmunds of Eddyville, best player of the Mocking Bird--prize $2.
In the Crittenden and Webster contest, Webster won the prize box of cigars.
Best left-handed fiddler, Ed. Hunt--prize $1.
Best all around fiddler, J. W. Jenkins of Dixon--prize $2.
Best player of the Devil's Dream F. A. Dalton, Dycusburg--prize, fiddle bow.
The Kemp family band and the Woodall family of musicians were to participate, but owing to the late hour the management was forced to omit these splendid features.
Much credit is due Mrs. H. A. Ingram, the popular music instructor, for the success of the entertainment. The rehearsals of the minstrels were under her management. She accompanied the old fiddlers. Miss Greenup, the violinist, highly commended Mrs. Ingram's work, saying that she rarely met with a more skillful pianist. The lady's remarkable talent is fully appreciated by the management of the opera house, and no entertainment is complete or successful without Mrs. Ingram's assistance.
The old fiddlers were given a fine supper at the Gill House. Nearly one hundred persons partook of the feast. The following menu was served: Ham, beef, chickens, fish, pickles and vegetables, preserves and jellies, ice cream, lemonade and cakes of various kinds.
Mr. W. F. Edmunds, of Eddyville, was the handsomest and most graceful fiddler on the stage, and he is a violinist far above the average.
The Webster county fiddlers are hard to beat.
M. A. Nelson, Bill Marvel, Jim Loovorn [Lovvorn], Bill Duvall and Elzie Dalton did themselves proud.
The electric bones used by the endmen in the minstrels made a pretty and novel effect.
Did you ever hear better boy singers than Harry Ramage and the colored quartet?
The bugle calls rendered by Mr. John Sutherland were exceptionally good.
The entertainment was under the management of Messrs. Alvis Stephens, Henry Haynes and Walter Walker.
Source: Crittenden Press. (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, July 10, 1902, Image 10 - Chronicling America - The Library of Congress.
[My comments are in brackets.]
