The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-20
PROF. ]. MEssMER's BIRTHDAY.
About Fifty Of His Friends Pay
Court to the Once Famous Mu-


Few of our readers are aware OF
the fact that there is in Austin one OF
the musical prodigies of the world, q
man who at one time had a great deal
of fame, not only in Europe, but
wherever music was known and adj
mired. Such is the fact. Prof. J.
Messmer is the man. He exhibited to
a STATESMAN representative a
ponderous document, given to
him under the royal seal
of Great Britain, in testimonial
of his services in composing music for
the coronation of Queen Victoria;
and there has never lived a greater
genius in his line as musical writer
than this same broken-down old octo-
genarian was in the prime of his man.
hood. He is NV SO years of age and
yesterday, his 8Sth birthday, he sat in
the presence of about fifty of his
friends and members of the press and
composed and wrote a birthday
piece for the occasion, writing all
the parts for the brass band present
to play. This he accomplished in less
than thirty minutes. The band
played the music, and it was as de-
lightful an air as they ever played,
too. This music was presented to the
representative of THE STATESMAN,
who was present, and it is now in his
possession. There are few men in
the world to-day who could perform
such task. Capt. SaeltZer, of the
Novelty Theatre, is an
old army associate of the
professor and he and his partner, Mr..
u m hn tc in
getting up this celebrate of the octo-
genarian's eighty-eighth birthday.
The professor was at his camp, about
six miles up the river, and here the
celebration was held. Through the
Hberality Of his friends most Sump-
tuous banquet was spread, and every
thing that heart could wish was pro-
vided for the professor and his guests.
The old gentleman is still hale and
hearty, and though close on to ninety,
he looks as though he was good for
twenty years more. Before his friends
took their leave of him he requested
them to be sure and meet him on his
one hundreth birthday, which he said
he intended to live to see, and he GER
tainly looks as if he might.
Is LII Time
We clip the following from the
Houston Post A rumor is being cir
culated here to the effect that the oc-
cupation scheme against Mexico, in
augurated two or three years ago in
Texas, has been revived. 1t will be
remembered that the scheme was
started by Colonel Dalrymple, who
found many adherents in Texas, one
or two of the staff officers of Gov
Roberts enrolling themselves in the
grand army Of occupation as it was
called. The whole thing was squelched
by the vigilance and prompt action
of the Texas authorities, but it had
assumed proportions much more
formidable than many at the time
supposed. The plan was then to in
wade Mexico and begin hostilities
which would eventually end in the
annexation of that country to the
United States. It is reported now
that the same scheme has either been
revived or is being considered, and
that the movement this time will be
more carefully and Systematically
carried on, and that the American
railroad interests will materially
openly, at least in a way to
greatly facilitate it. 1t is also
said that prominent Philadelphia
is now at Laredo, who is taking OBJ
servations in the interest of the con-
templated coup d'tat, and that he will
be joined in few days by a gentle
man from Dallas and another from
Austin; and, also, that certain par
ty who held a commission as colonel
in the former move is also there.
There has been nothing heard of this
by the Texas officials, and it is posi-
BILE it may be simply a sensation; but
that there is something in the wind is
absolutely certain.