St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-10
LAST SOLO AS A BOY.
Little Blatchford Kavanagh's
Voice Has Changed.

Voice Has Changed.
CHICAGO, Oct. 9.-Blatchford Kav-
anagh has sung his last solo as boy
singer. 1t was evident last Sunday
morning that the worshlpers at Grace
expected some incident of especial in
terest, and it came at the close of the
Offertory when the boy rose in his white
vestme1ts and sang with thrilling
pathos, He Was Despised," from the
messiah" The child and the au-
dience knew it was his last solo as boy
singer. The emotions of the hour nearly
everthrew the equipoise, which has al
ways been so distinguishing trait of his
manner. On the part of the congrega-
ton there was no conceament OF the
sharp regret that every one felt at the
loss of the boy. The once high voice
has for the last three or four months been
gradually and almost imperceptibly
undergoing the inevitable change until
it is now contraltO, but still of phe-
nomenal depth and power. During that
time his songs have been transpoSed to
meet the progress of the change, and
he has continued singing without in
jury or impaired quality. He could
doubtless continued doing SO for some
time, but an invitation from Henry III.
Getty and his daughter, Miss Alice E.
Getty, of 2461 Prairie avenue. to travel
with them for six months in Europe,
India, Egypt, British Burmah and
Turkey offered so great advantages that
parents and manager gave glad consent,
and young Kavanagh has been with
drawn from tho choir and the concert
stage.
The friends of the child have found
him as remarkable boy as he has been
phenomenal singer. Some of the in
cldents of his parting with the choir
we'll illustrated those points of his
character which have endeared him to
all those who have known him as much
as has his singing. Each year there is
awarded to some member of Grace
Church choir a gold medal for progress
in singing, another for reverent be-
havior, another for manliness, and still
another for general excellence in all
things. This highest honor of the choir
was pinned on young kavanagh's white
Surplice but a few months after he
came 10 sing at Grace. He has worn it
with the most hearty approval of his
mates ever since. At the services Sun
day evening ne surrendered this badge
to Rev. DR.. Locke.
well, know that you could have
worn it with equal honor for many
years." SAID the doctor, eff you had re-
manned with us. l am filled with sad
ness that the time has come for us to
part. You have always been good,
obedient. reverent,and above all humble
and modest. You are just what you
were when you began your wonderful
career. Your voice was the gift of
God, and it has beenu Sed faithfully in
singing his praises"
And then the choir sang the anthem
1.-The Lord Prosper You" After the
service the choir presented the boy
with a parchment on which were en-
| crossed resolutions of love and good
wishes signed by each of the seventy
five members of the choir. There were
other and more substantial presents.
too.
Yesterday his manager, Prof. Henry
b. Roney, handed young Kavanagh a
check for $1,000, which has resulted
from the sale of his photographs, an
other illustration of the public's inter-
est. The photographs have been on
sale by several dealers here, who have
| charged no profit on the understanding
that the amount realized is to be used
for the boys education.
| Ibis voice is mot WORD out" said
Prof. Roney yesterday, ''nor has it been
overtaXed. as reported by the country
| papers. He never sang more grandly
than in his farewell solo. So much of
the change as has come and the further
change that is close at hand was only
the inevitable change that no amount OF
care could ward off. 1t will be at least
one year. and perhaps two years, before
it can be accurately determined whether
his mans voice will be as phenomenal
as has been his youths. He will sing
no more till the change is complete
He is not going to Europe to study, but
only to take advantage of the oppor.
| tunity to travel"