The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-12-17
Mrs. Russell's Charity Concert.


The second charity concert given by Mrs.
W. ID. Russell and her pupils, assisted by
some OF our best gentleman singers, Tor the
benefit of the ladies aid society, in this c'ty,
last Wednesday night, asas signal success.
The afternoon accommodation train with two
passenger coaches attached, brought down
upwards Of one hundred and fifty ladies and
gentlemen from our sister towns Of Newton,
Peabody and Sedgwick City. This large
number OF ladies and gentlemen were OF the
fashionable, intelligent and leading elements
of their respective places. Over and beyond
the mere qualification of SO large company
our people felt highly honored in its charac-
ter. At an early hour Eagle hall was crowd
ed. Over six hundred people were present.
Heretofore we have been 30 unfortunate as to
be unable TO attend any Of the concerts d.
rected by Mrs. Russell. the gifted artist and
charitable lady. Her pupils clearly evinced
| her wonderful success as a teacher and war
rants us in saying that her work viii bear
abundant fruits for many years to come,
moulding and giving character and promi-
nence TO the musical taste and musical culture
Of our young city. We have not space TO no
tice the concert Mt length as we should take
pleasure in doing, nor TO make special and
personal commcndatory remarks, but must
crowd and hurry our criticisms. Miss Louisa
Caldwell and Miss May Willard broke the ice
of expectation in an opening piece,-piano
and organ--which was not only pretty but
well executed ''The Patriotic Band,'' quar-
tette By Messrs. Caldwell, Mcmillan. Davidson
and Pollock, lacked force but was good. Miss
Flora Rediicld has a promising future before
her if she but perseyeTes. Five O'Clock IN
the morning. was rot only sang very sweet,
but her enunciation and intonations were
, wonderfully distinct and a pleasure to listen
to; and OF Miss Carrie. her sister. everybody
exclaimed of Faith and Hope nice and in
good taste. Master Willie Russell, scarce five
years old, took his audience by storm aud
more fathers than the one who stood IN the
treasury box wanted to hug him. Miss Patty
Todd, in Scottish costume, sang 4 character
piece, "Oh, whistle and I'll come to you my
lad.'' in way that made many young mascu-
line eyes twinkle. The rich expression given
to ''The Return" by the full womanIy voice
OF Miss Emma Hills was appreciated by the
entire audience. .When the tide comes in.r
was sung by Miss Caldwell in manner so
spirited and animated as to elicit many com
plimentary whispers. From where we sat we
could not see the manner and style Of Miss
Lulu McCabe, but rs mistress of her instru-
ment she has few equals of her age. Mrs.
Russell was set down on the programme for
but one piece, yet sang the second in response
to the most vociierous encorng. We shall
attempt no description Of her perfect manner,
or Of her superb and beautiful voice. In her
'Sing, sweet Bird masters or composers
might do her justice; it is certain we can't.
The inimitable Hyde, in character songs,
Dutch and Irish, Sraciously consented, in an
amateur way TO bring down to the house. If
all were apriauded and cncored Hyde surely
got his share Of that kind of honor. One of
the most delightful things offered during the
evening was quaTtette sang by Miss Hills,
Mrs. Russell, Messrs Caldwell and Mcmillan.
The most perfect order was maintained
throughout the evening. The receipts
amounted to about 1928. Our visitors from
abroad, together with many of our people
spent the hours until the starting out of the
night train in social intercourse and dancing
at the parlOrs OF the Occidental.