The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-03-05
THE LATE STEPHEN C. FOSTER

'SNNN4NNS Va loO POPNIol
"Tbis afternoon the mortal remains Of
Stephen G. Foster were carried to their last
abode. AS the incidents connected with
one who has added so much to the musical
fame of our country are of interest to all at
home, as well as abroad, we propose to give
a brief biographical sketch of our townsman
TO tell who he was and what be did, Ste
phen G. Foster was born on the 4th day of
July, 1896, the same day on which Thomas
Jefferson and John Adams died. His faith
er, VIM. B. Foster, ST., was a native Of
Virginia. who settled in Pittsburg in the
year 1896. In 1914 he laid out his farm
(including the ground on which the United
States Arsenal now stands, two and half
miles from Pittsburgh into town, intend
ing to call it FosterViHe. Soon afterwards,
however, the gallant Captain Lawrence was
Killed, fighting with his ship, the "Chesa-
peaBe," and Mr.. Foster patriohcally chang
ed the name of his town to LawrencevlIe,
adopting as the motto on the corporation
seal the dying word Of Lawrence, Don't
give up the ship"
Stephen, at very early age, manifested
musical talents Of an unusual order. At
the age of seven years fageolet was plac-
ed in his hands, and within a wonderfully
short time he had, unaided mastered its
stops and sounds, so as to play, with effect.
several familiar airs of the day. He'never,
however, aspired to greatness as a perform
er, either vocal or instrumental, though the
taste and sweetness with which he brought
forth the most touching tones of the piano
aRd flute could fix his audience with wrapt
attention. And when he sang lis OaUn songs
H. Il.
guitar there was plaintve sadness in his
voice, and magic in his touch that brought
tears to listeners eyes. Not the most &C
complished public singers could ever equal
the effect with witch he himself sang his own
popular strains.
1t was in higher sphere than that of
performer Of music that Mr.. Foster sought
and won fame. He zealously aimed to mas
ter music as a science, and earnestly devo
ted himself for years to the study of harmo
MES The works Of Mozart, Beethoven
and Weber were his chief delight and fire.
quent theme OF conversation. His melo-
dies were the spontaneous and original en-
anations of his own peculiar musical taste.
but, at an early age he had so cultivated
that taste in the true science Of harmony,
that those melodies came forth refined as
gold, and when he reduced them to printed
notes, and launched them on the world, he
knew that they would be successful and
would strike popular chord. His talent
for writing the poetry, as well as the music
Of his songs "a combination rarely met
with }, gave him an advantage in setting the
notes of music to words of corresponding
euphouy and Accent. This advantage can
only be realized by one who has experience
ed the great difficulty which a composer,
who does not write his own lines, meets
with in seeking to harmonic words and
sounds.
Mr.. Foster was an ardent student in 9TH
er branches Of learning. He taught him
self many of the languages. In French and
German he was quite proficient, and some
of the water-color paintings of his youth
are still the admiration of his friends. At
no time, however, could he be induced to
submit regularly to the restraints of the
school-roem. From childhood he loved
to wander alone among the beautiful hills
and woods that surrounded his native city,
and. with his book and pencil, seat himself
where the rustling of the leaves, the rip
plng water, the falling twigs and the twit-
lering of birds, fell peacefully and harmo-
niousy upon his sensitive ear. For years
be pursued his studies in this quiet harm
less way, and his parents, finding that he
always progressed tsvorably, soon ceased to
insist on his combining himself, Ike other
| boys, to the school room, but allowed him
to pursue his studies in his own way.
His first published song, called, "Open
/ thy Lattice, Love-" was issued about the
year 1919. by George Willig. in Baltimore.
"Old Uncle Ned and ooh, Susanna"
were not long afterwards issued by w c.
Peters, in Cincinnati No remuneration
was asked or thought of BY Mr. Foster for
these, though they proved immensely prof
! liable is the publisher. Returning to Pitts
burg, Mr.. Foster produced, successfully,
the Louisiana Belle. "''Nelly was Lady,
"Camp:own Races ''My Old Kentucky
/ Home" Masters in the Cold, Cold
! Ground, "'''Nelly Bly," "Oh, Boys, Carry
me Long" and the world renowned cold
Folks at Home" together with large mum
Der of other songs suitable for the perform
ances of the Ethiopian Ministries. He was
induced to compose his songs at this time
in the shape OF negro melodies on account
of the wonderful interest all classes then
took in that style of music.
For tie past ten years, however, he con
fined his productions TO airs and words OF a
sentimental or devotional character. Among
these are ''Wilhe, We have Missed You, -
ELLEN Bayne." Maggie by my Side. .
"Come where my Love Lies Dreaming
'Lttle Ella, ""Jennie with the Light brown
Hair" Willie. my Brave, Farewell, my
Lille Dear 'Oh, Comrades. Fill no Glass
for Me, ""Old Dog Tray" ''Mollie. GO you
Love Me?" Summer Breath" ''Ah. may
the Red Rose Live Away" "Come with
thy Sweet Voice Again, L see her still in
my Dreams "Suffer Little Children tc
Come unto Me-" ''ltIla is an Angel. " and