Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-10-04
The Sewing Machine and Musical In
strument Imbroglio-"The Local
Agent of the Howe and
Prince" Heard from.

Ma EDITOR HEEARD Permit me through
your columns 20 reply to the following editor
ial found in the Mineral Point TRtBUNE of
Sept. 22d
"By some hocu'-pccus the local agent for the Prince
Organ and How, Sewing machine, managed 20 secure
the blue ribbon at the Grant County tair, last week
Esty organ and the Singer sewing machine, much
20 the dissatisfaction Of the honest people of the county
who undoubtedly qualified udges, signed certih-
cato 10 the effect that in their opinion the Esiy is
far better Instrument than the Prince Notwithstanding
this decision Of the committee"
Now il is well known that editors are some
times imposed upon, and il seems the TRIBUNE
men are not TO be excepted in this instance.
We cannot think that an editor would will
| fully call DISHONEST all those who failed TO
see the Esty organ and Singer machine the
REST lie must know that of the great number
| OF people owning Princes instruments and
the Howe machine, and perfectly satisfied
| herewith, some of them at least may be re-
| spectacle and honest people; that said editors
have been imposed upon there is no doubt, By
whom j. is easy TO Judge.
The facts in this ''hocus- pocus case3 are
these at our county fair were exhibited several
kinds Of sewing mac hines and musical instru-
! ments. The Judges did not attend, on account
| OF the weather we presume, and It became
necessary 10 appoint a new board. 1t was
| my duty as Superintendent of that department
TO see u done went TO the retreshment hall
conducted by the ladies Of the Congregational
church, and made known what was wanted
the ladies present chose the judges--persons
| not preludiced or owning either Howe or
| e;~ts@- ',orhinns. eud Of tho most respected
| character as members OF society. With the
names furnished, went to the General Super
| intendent, Mr. Moore, who accepted them.
lie then called President Parker, and Sec'y
Burr, who approved of and fully accepted
the persons as proper Judges. The machines
were tested FAIRLY the committee spent
near double the time eXaming the Singer as
any other machine, and finally decided in
favor Of the Howe. In testing the organs a
young lady played upon the Esty, then i'm
| medlately upon the Prlnce--the same tune
rendering il very plain TO all present which
was The superior instrument. The whole was
conducted az fairly as il is possible 10 conduct
any rial. The next day some members OF
the now famed Bloomington Band came and
sang piece or two while a young girl ac.
companied on the Prince organ. While they
were with the Esty il was performed upon BY
good player and perhaps sounded better 10
them Notwithstanding the above from the
TRIBUNE we have found upon examination
that but -FOUR of the persons named belong "a
the Band which numbers TEN, the rest reius-
ing repeatedly 10 sign the paper OF those
four u IS said by good authority, that but two
are all competent TO judge reed instrument
of ;he other three names one Is not known al
aIl, there being no such person as /. Osborn.
The other two are not musicians nor counted
with the band. In regard 10 thu organs them
selves this same Esty organ. Price $500, was
tested in the new Methodist church in Mineral
Pom, the Sunday proceeding our fair, and or
Suncay following Prince organ was tested
price $500, and the Prince purchased from
me by the church as best aud cheapest organ
! When the "local agent Of the Esty organ
, and Singer machine residing at Mineral Point
next seeks 70 annihilaie the Howe and Prime,
he must persue a different course.
GEO. +. WALKER.
; Lancaster, Wis, Oct. 80, 1870.