The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-07-16
THE FIRST TUNE pLAYED UPON THE PRIZE

THE FIRST TUNE PLAyED UPON THE PRIZE
II having been announced that tho WASH
lngton scngerbund, OF this city, with their
grand prize plano, awarded 10 them at the
Baltimore sengerfest, would arrive In this
city by the train due at G;i0 last evening, q
large number Of their German fcllow-citi-
zcns assembled at the Baltimore depot for
the purpose of receiving the victorious sing
ors with becoming honors.
OF the German associations Of the city
there were In waiting; Tho Washington
Schutzen Verein, marshalcd by Louis Boyer;
Germania Schutzen ycreln, marshaled by
Mr.. Reed; Arion Quartetto Club, marshaled
by Adam Kraft; Columbia Turn Verein and
the Washington Turn Verein-ln all about
500 members. The Washington Schutzon
were headed by Heald's brass band, while
the Germania had procured the services Of a
portion OF the Marine band, led by Prospect.
One Of Adams Express wagons, drawn by
four large hay horses, had been obtained
and beautifully decorated, to be used to con-
vey the prize piano, when II should arrive.
Tho decorations consisted OF q covering of
red, white and blue cambria, fcstooncd with
wrcaths OF eyergreena and roses, fastened
with red, white and blue rosettes. On the
front OF the wagon an arch was erected COW
cred with wreaths OF flowers. Flags OF the
United States and the German Confedcra-
ton were placed all round the body Of the
wagon.
About $50 O'Clock the whistle Of the ap-
preaching train was heard, and the expect
ant Germans rushed TO the reception plat
form, each seemingly anxious to be the first
TO congratulate their victorious brethren.
As the train "slowed up" members of the
spngcrbund appeared at the doors Of the
baggage car holding up 10 the view Of the
multitude each leg Of the piano, while an
other fortunate one waved aloft the "lyrn"
of the instrument. As the singers disem-
barkcd they were greeted with hearty cheers,
cordial grasps Of the hand and the loud con
ordinations Of their friends and associates.
1t having been made known that Cappcll
Nester Tschirch, of Gera, Prussia, was a
guest of the sengerbund, he was greeted
with loud huzzas.
This over . procession was formed on
New Jersey avenue, which, headed by the
Marine band, and with the wagon bearing
the piano In Its centre, moved up Pcnnsyl-
yanla avenue TO Third street, thence to In
diana avenue, thence to d street, along d
to seventh street, up Seventh to +, + To
Fourteenth, to ii, along Ii 10 Sixteen-and-a-
half street, thence to west gate Of the en-
trance to the Executive Mansion, which was
passed amid hearty cheers for President
Grant, thence to Pennsylvania avenue TO
Metzcrott Hall, on the avenue, between
Ninth and Tenth streets.
THE RECEPTION.
Messrs. Metzerott Il Co. having kindly
rendered the use Of their hall for tho recep.
ton of the piano, which invitation had
been accepted, halt was made, and the
piano taken from the wagon up into the
hail, and placed upon the stage. Mr.. Krall,
foreman Of Mr.. Knabe's factory, (the maker
Of the instrument,) speedily fitted the legs
and lyra, and it was opened amid the ap-
plause OF the singers and their friends, who
had nearly filed the hall.
Mr.. Peters, president OF the German
schuetzen yerein, then advanced to the
front Of the stage, having on either side Of
him Mr.. Waldecker, the president, and Prof.
Carl Richter, director OF the Saengerbund.
In q short address Tin Germany Mr.. Peters
welcomed home again the victorious Saen-
gerbund, who had so nobly upheld the good
name OF the German singers Of ~ashi ng-
ton, and borne of a portion Of the honors
of the great national saengerfest. He con.
graduated them upon their victory, Will oh
was such a source of Joy and pride TO the
citizens of the capital OF the nation.
To this address Mr.. Waldecker responded
at some length, thanking the various asso
Citations In the name OF the Saengerbund fol
the courteous and pleasant reception. ii,
rehcarsed the scene on the night Of tn,
trial singing, and said that the Saengerbunt
had worked hard for the honor they hat
gained, and were proud that their friend
recognized the fact that they worked, no
only for their associations fame, but /,
uphold the honor OF tho singers Of Wash
lngton.
During his address, Mr.. Waldccker wa
frequently applauded. He concluded his re
marks with high and well-deserved com
piiment to Professor Carl Richter, the dircC
tor, 10 whom he said was due much OF tn
honor accorded to the Bund. Professor Ricl
ter smilingly acknowledged the complimen
by running his fingers over the keys Of tn
prize, In order to show the splendid tone
the instrument, after which he called u
members OF the saengcrbund together 81
land"
President waldecker then introduced
the audience, Cappen Mclster Tschlrch, who
he said had come from Fatherland TO rep
sent $4,000 singers at the Saengerfest. n
Tschirch was loudly chcered, and In a she
address, spoke OF the hearty welcome Civ
him upon his arrival in this country, a
complimented the Washingtonians upon /
splendid singing Of their representative
which Mr.. waldccker stated that N
Tschirch would try the piano, and Il
would then proceed TO Saengerbund he,
quarters for refreshments.
The Cappell meister seated himself ut
instrument, and after running the scale oil
or twice commenced playing the grand
tune "Amerlca," singing meanwhile. I
air was caught by those near him, and SC
the hall rung with the melody of our
tional anthem, as sung by full three hundI
of our adopted citizens. AS was well
marked, Mr.. Tschirch was exceeding
happy in his selection Of the first tune play
upon the prize. The company then d
persed. The procession was reformed a
marched to Arbiter Hall, which was han
somely decorated and Illuminated, whe
refreshments were served aud a very hap
time had for several hours.
THE PIANO.
The prize piano was manufactured
VIM. Knabe, Of Baltimore, and was, with
mate, presented to the sengerfest TO be COZ
peted for at the trial singing. II ID of roe
wood, highly polished and carved, and Is
all respects q splendid instrument. It
valued at o., 900. II will probably be
moved TO sengerbund headquarters to-da
BLADEssBURG ISUsDATED.-The troub
for many years at the ancient town
Bladensburg has been the scarcity OF waite
The head Of navigation was long since d
capitated, and except for its historic mem
rles and occasional bits OF scandal, I'll
rural village would be almost entirely o
liberated from the map Of the United State
On Wednesday night the vicinity Of ye We
cradle town was visited by very hea,
rain storm, which caused considerable dan
age to property. In about one half OF Il
town the lower stories Of dwellings wei
flooded and the bridge was covered, as ali
the Spa Springs. Many clerks and Cover
ment employees, residing there, had TO
ferried across the branch yesterday mornin
TO reach the cars. Mr.. Carlton, a mile
being near the village, had about fifty ton
of hay washed away.
The GAINES Y.-Ycsterday aiteruoo
the Jury In the case Of Mile Gaines, wit
ballins Edwards and Sprague, had the
photographs taken. As this Is the first jur
In this District composed ofan equal numbC
of white and colored men, engaged In III
trial OF colored woman for killing whit
man, the picture will possess some interes
Tho Jury afterwards took a ride around th
city In carriages provided for them.
ST. DoNIsICK's BENEVOLENT SOCIETY,"
At the regular weekly meeting OF 81. Doml
nick Benevolent Society the sum Of 500 wa
donated to the Sisters Of 81. Domlnlck, VIII,
have done SO much toward educating tn