The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-05-27
Jennie Lind in Indiana.

No musical event of any magnitude can
take place in Indiana without recalling to
the minds of elderly citizens the furore &C.
cssioned by Jennie Lind. the Swedish
Nightingale. upon her concert tour IN this
country forty year ago. In this State she sang
at Madison. Il was q country boy, living
about eight miles from that city when she
sang there said ex~-Postmaster Wildman
yesterday. Il did not hear her sing. but 1
heard the event talked over at winter fire.
sides for years after by others who them
selves had not heard her, but had caught
the enthusiasm"
II attended the concert and heard her
sing" said Victor X. Hendricks. Il was
eighteen or nineteen years old at the time.
There was no place in the little city large
enough for an audience, n a pork-bouse
was made clean for the great event. scraped,
scrubbed and whitewashed."
Il was there" remarked X. s.. Mckee,
another old Madisonian. Jenny Lind was
accompanied by a very good concert COM
pany and what was then considered a fine
orchestra. Barnum was there in person.
What did she sings Well. that's not so
clear In my mind. 1 think she sung, as an
encore, L know that my Redeemer lIveth.'
and also. i believe, Home, Sweet Home.''
Madison was the only place in Indiana
favored by Jenny Lind" said William
Wesley Woolien. The event took place
early in April. 1850. at George w. Phillips
& Sons pork-house. No killing had ever
been done there; 1t was simply a packing
house. The place was whitewashed and
made sweet throughout. i forget how it
was lighted, whether with candles or lard
oil The seats were made of boards and the
building itself was a rough frame. one story
high. William Wilson, for some time q
conductor or the Madison road. conducted
the negotiations that resulted in bringing
her there. u was his own private enter
--aa2 I'D hA I'D .saA. 49, -.
those days " as an enormous 2rice-between
$4,000 and 5000. Wilson, some time after
that. became q resident of Indianapolis,
and was well known here. He was at
tsched to the army in some civil capacity,
and IN the repulse at Balls Bluff was
drowned In the Potomac. We. of to-day.
annot imagine the intense enthusiasm oc-
casioned by the Swedish Nightingale. not
only IN Madison. but all over the State.
Many persons came down from IndiaDap-
oils to hear her. 1 was at the time
treasurer of Jefferson county. of which
Madison Is the county-seat, and
the day before she sang l had gone to In
dianap0lis To make ms annual settlement
with the Auditor of State. T.. w. ii. Ellis.
i found his office closed. He had locked ND
and gone TO Madison 10 hear Jenny Lind.
The seats were put up at auction. and Capt.
David White, the p~ork-packer, paid over
the Supreme Bench. had come from Indian
epolis to hear her sing. The Judge was q
careful man, and while the bidding was
going on stood of until the high priced
seats were gone. and finally bought one at
q reasonably small price. The novel cir
cumstance of her having sung in a pork
house proved q great advertising card for
her every " here liz brought forth a fine piece
of humor from the pen of John b. Norman.
of the New Albany Ledger. who made a
very droli showing of the incoDgruity of
such q performance and such a place. min
Cling the squeals Of slaughtered swine with
the soft strains of the sweet soprano. The
house was festooned with evergreens,
which were allowed TO remain for some
time. 90 that those who did not hear her
had an opportunity TO at least see the place
thousands, who came as pilgrims &c 3
shrine