The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-09-17

lean forward in their seats to catch the
dying tones, and then how he would
lift the hair of the bow from the strings.
but retain his attitude for several sec
opds and thus deceive them into the
belief that he was still playing This
story is characteristic of ole Bulrs
manner throughout his long career;
tricks Like this, together with his eccen-.
tricity OF appearance and conduct, were
relied on to produce the effects that
made the impressible and not very dis
eliminating American people wild with
enthusiasm. Behind it all, however.
was q vast deal Of native genius and ex-
traOrdinary talent.
Ole Bornemann Bull was born in
Bergen, Norway, on the 5th dav of
February, 1910. His father, an apoth-
ecary, and his uncle, q newspaper
editor, were both men of musical
tastes. From the latter he learned his
first notes and received his first violin.
His progress was rapid on the instru-
ment. and at eight years of age he
played first violin in performance of
Beethoven's Symphony in D. When
twenty one years old he made his first
concert tour. It led through Denmark
and Holland and its goal was, of course.
Paris. he reached the French capital
in 1881, during the prevalence Of an
epidemic of cholera, and for time his
lines were hard indeed. His small say.
ings ebbed away, and finally he was
robbed OF his little property, including
his violin. Now he despaired and tried
to drown himself, but was rescued bv q
woman named Villeminot. Two wears
later he made prominent concert ap-
pearance and success. and from that
time his progress in public favor was
rapid. He travelled in France, Italv.
England and Germany; and created a
furore everywhere. In 1843 he came
to the United States, receiving a cor
dial reception. One of the incidents of
his first visit to this country he told in
q newspaper interview three years ago.
Said he: cat Washington 1 gave a
grand concert, which was attended bv
the President, Senate, House of Repre-.
sentatives, and the members of the
diplomatic corps. There is little his
tory how that was brought about which
will tell you. Henry Clay was very
sick, and was invited to visit him by
. mutual friend. accepted. and pro-
posed that I should take my violin and
play for him. The idea was approved
BY my friend. who said that
Henry Clay would, no doubt, be
delighted. On arriving in the
house, l took up a position adjoining
The sick chamber and played, in q low
,one, Clay's favorite melody, 'sThe
Last Rose of Summer His interest
vas Immediately aroused. and he asked
+ some one was not playing in the
street. As the tone was raised, he
aid, .Ah! that must be Ole Bull; no
me but him could play that air.
When l ended the doors were thrown
'pen and the great man came and en-
'raced me, and I felt that higher
lonor than if all the sovereigns in the
world had embraced me. When this
Incident became known I was request
ID to give concert in Washing ton,
md the request was signed by the Sem
tors and Representatives and also bv
President Fillmore"
He returned to Bergen in 184S, hav-
oAAoSoO0 q AOAOuu Ills |
an to great enterprises. He wanted to
ound National theater of a model
ind, but the project fell through. He
vas back in the United States in 1852,
nd embarked in great colonization
cheme. He purchased one hundred
nd twenty thousand acres of untitled
and in Potter County, Pa, and estab-
shed the Norwegian Colony of OLE
ma. The colony was failure. and q
ubsequent venture as lessee of the
lew York Academy of Music was a J
isastrous failure. Since then he has
ivided his time between Norway and
he United States, having married a !
Dung lady of Wisconsin in 1870.
fter returning to Europe in 1877, he
ave concerts throughout Germany,
nd played his violin on the top of the
reat pyramid, promptly notifying the {
lhedive of his latter exploit. He was s
uried in his native town, where he 1
ied.-Missouri Republican. ,
Sow Clover.