The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-02-02
THE JUBILEE SINGERS.
A wondrous Change-from Slaves TO
Freemen-The History and Personnel
OF the Singers-The Concert Tonight.

A Wondfous Cnhnke-EFom Sthtes ~
Freemen-The History and Personnel
OF the sIngers-The Concert Tonight.
Through the kindness Of T. ]. Gate
wood, the manager Of the colored Jubilee
Singers, we are permitted to lay before
our readers this morning some most inter
esting incidents and historical facts con.
corning these former slaves, who have
produced profound impression where
ever they have visited.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SINGERS.
The company was organized originally
in our own State Of West Virginia, at Harr
per's Ferry in 1915, for the purpose OF
building Boarding Hall for the female
students OF Stora College still in existence
at that point. The sum required was Slo,-
600 and the troupe succeeded in raising q
portion OF this amount under the direc-
ton Of Rev. Mr.. Hess. The Boarding
Hall was built and stands to-day monu-
ment OF education. In 1878 the choir was
re.organized and have been travelling un-
interruptedly since that time, with the ex-
ception OF short vacation during the
heated term OF 1879. From the date OF
reorganization they have been singing for
churches and Sunday Schools, giving one
third OF the gross proceeds TO these OBJ
| iects and with the remaining two-thirds
paying the necessary printing, transpor-
tation, boarding, ETC., and supporting
their own families.
THE PERSONNEL.
Mrs. Katie neutrality-suspicious. a
slave girl in Charlestown, W. Va, and be-
Ilonged to Mrs. Hunter, OF that place. She
| is handsome mulatto, with bright eyes
and one OF the most remarkable voices
given to woman. The press has spoken
OF her as Prima Donna. Her expression
Is Of the sad order until lighted up in her
fayorite HYMNS OF "Jesus lover OF my
soul" Religion Is a fortune" &c.
Mrs. Fannie +. Sims-alto-is the only
member OF the company who was not
born slave. Her parents were slaves, but
becoming free removed to Pennsylvania,
where Fannie was born. She is short OF
stature and OF brown color, with perhaps
the brightest expression OF any member
OF the company. Her voice, says one, Is
"too great to describe" It's power can
we'll be imagined, when 1t is known that
It balances the combined voices OF the en-
tire choir.
Mrs. Hattie Lovett, organist and assist:
ant soprano, is perhaps the brightest and
prettiestof the company, and has every
where been regarded as one of the most
retiring and lady like OF persons. Her
voice is said to be very model-smooth,
pure and beautiful in quality OF tone.
i Mrs. Lovett was born slave in Winches-
ter, Va.
| E. w. Brown, leading tenor, was aslave
in our own State Of West Virginia. He Is
about twenty.eight years OF age, OF brown
complexion, and has clerical look. His
tenor is not strong, but remarkable In
sweetness.
John Reid, second tenor, Is very tall,
rather comical looking man OF twenty
three summers. Smiles play over his face
continually, and he generally leads in the
more lively parts OF the programme. He
was also born slave at Winchester, Va,
and made free by the proclamation oil
Abraham Lincoln. He belonged to
Philip Jones.
Robert Jenkins, basso, is perhaps the
most remarkable character. In the troupe.
He is everywhere termed the wonderful
basso. He can reach lower than the low
est octave OF piano or organ. To hear
him seems like hearing sounds from the
bottom OF some volcano. Some persons
who heard him Sunday said they feared
his lower Jaw would drop to the floor as
he opened his mouth and let out the mar
| has Ia fFnua
Winchester, Va. His specialities are
"Rocked in the cradle.o the Deep: 1.-THE
Old Sexton" and sold Black Joe" hearing
the call to die. :.
Pierce Mccullough, also basso, is well
known in Wheeling, as he has lived here
for many years. Those, however, who for
merly knew him, would scarcely now
recognize either the man or his voice, as
he Is greatly changed in every way. With
an improved life and physical frame, his
voice also always good, has greatly i'm:
proved. His faVorite songs are those oil
aAunt Dice" "King Emanuel" "sire
Humble" &c.
B. W, Thomas, musical director, Is q
student for the ministry and for two and a
half years journeyed with the Fish Uni.
yersity singers. He was with them in
Europe and at the concert at which Vic
toria was present and at which the Prince
OF Wales requested the repetition OF "No
more auction block for me-" He is
genial, intelligent colored gentlemen
whom the advantages Of travel and high
commendation have not spoiled. He was
South Carolina slave and will finish his
theological course at Fish University,
Tennessee. He was owned by pr. Mallory.
B. W. Dougherty, husband OF Mrs.
Katie Dougherty. soprano, assists in the
business matters and arrangements OF the
company. He is fine looking mulatto,
formerly student OF Stora College at
Harperts Ferry, and was a slave OF Benja.
min Sitter, Of Charlestown.
~. Gatewood, General Manager, was
slave belonging to the Pennybaoker family,
OF Eastern Virginia. His home was Har:
risonburg, and he talks intelligently Of
residents OF the Shenandoah Valley, well
known to many Of our people. Hon. J. Ed.
ward Pennybacker, member Of the West
Virginia Legislature, Is son oil his
master. Mr.. Gatewood is evidently care
ful in the business management, and has
had excellent success. To him We ex.
press thanks for many items OF interest In
this sketch. He speaks most kindly OF his
former master and mistress, and says be
was never logged by them, but frequently
by the patrols Of the State according to the
Virginia laws. He feels, however, that
his foggings did not do him material
harm. The arrangements for
THR coEoERr TONIGHT
are about completed. The neat audience
room Of the English. Lutheran Church
will no doubt be filled to 1t full seating
capacity. Only rs many tickets will be
sold as represent the sitting Of the house,
and those who want to improve an oppor-
tunity perhaps not soon again to be en-,
loved, should secure their tickets at once.
The programe will embrace seventeen
selections, in which the special power and