The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-08-13
Evansvtne Me1odeon Mnnnfactorv.


( ton to an interesting branch of business
now actively prosecuted in this city, the ex.
istence of which, we doubt not, is unknown
to many of our citizens. We allude to the
manufacture of Melodeons, and other Musical
Instruments. A short time since we visited
/ the MeIodeon mandatory of Mr.. H. D. Hunt,
situated on Fourth street, opposite the Upper
Market House, and were shown through
/ its different departments by the gentlemanly
/ proprietor. The first object which attracted
I our attention was a curious combination OF
mechanism formed Of a turning lathe, NOR
ticiug and boring machine, and upright and
circular saws. all joined together in the same
Z instrument. We mention it as showing the
ingenuity Of the builder, Mr.. Hunt. This
was in the department where the frames or
cases of the melodeons are made. We were
next shown the vanishing and finishing
! rooms, the place where the instruments are
taned, sc. All the instruments of Mr.
Hunts manufacture are very substantially
made, heavily veneered with the finest rose
wood, and elegantly finished in various
styles and sizes, from very small portable
instrument designed for the use of serena
ders, or travelling musicians, which folds up
together, and is conveniently carried under
the arm, to large double reed instrument
comprising seven octaves, and finished in
piano-forte style. All of the larger instru-
ments are fitted with the independent ac-
tion divided swell, with all the latest i'm
provements, which enables the performer to
execute loud and brilliant air with a sub
dued base, and rice perSa, combining in one,
the power of two separate instruments. We
examined one of these, which was nearly
finished, and were surprised at the great
strength, depth, and purity of its tone, which
was but little, if at all inferior to that of an
ordinary church organ.
Besides other improvements tending to
increase the durability of his work. we no
ticed that the music rest which is usually
cut with "a wreath saw from piece of thin
board, and is therefore very liable to become
broken, in Mr.. Hunts instruments is framed
from pieces of solid rosewood, making it as
substantial as any part of the instrument.
MeIodeons of Mr.. Hunts manufacture are
in no respect inferior, and in many superior,
to the best Of Eastern make, and yet he Of
fers them at from $40 to 500 lower than
the latter can be obtained. For instance, an
instrument of large size, such as usually sells
for A. az, G. I
other sizes in proportion. When we mention
the fact that Mr.. Hunt in conjunction with
Messrs. Prince and Carhart, inUented the
first meodeon ever constructed, and that he
has borne part in many of the most i'm
portant improvements which have since been
added to it, the public will be assured that
the quality of his instruments cannot be
called in question. Mr.. H. was for several
years extensively engaged in their manufac-
ture in the city of New Orleans, but failing
in business during the financial crisis of 1857
has recently come to try his fortunes in
this part of the country, and we hope our
citizens will yield him such encouragement
will leave him no room to regret his
choice of location. As yet, the bulk of the
patronage Mr. Hunt has received has been
from the South, but when our citizens,
who patronize Eastern manufacturers, be-
come aware that they can procure superior
instruments at home, we think they will
not neglect the opportunity to do so.
As show ing the spirit of enterprise mani
tested by Mr.. Hunt, we will mention that he
is now giving course of instructions in
vocal music, and the use of the melodeon,
to large class of young ladies' entirely free
of expense to them. We hope our citizens
will exhibit an equal degree of public
spirit towards him.