Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-10
A-MEMOIR OF FERD FULLMER.
Some Pleasant Incidents and Kindly
Tributes to the Dead Musician.


Some Pleasant Incidents and Kindly
Tributes to the Dead Musician.
Something more than mere transient
notice, such as that given in last weeks
issue of The GAZETTE is due the
memory of such man as Ferdinand
Fullmer-no, not Ferdinand Fullmer-
but Ferd Fullmer, as all Wilmington
has known him all through his sun
shiny, kindly life.
Who does not remember his buoyant,
strengthful stride and CHEEKY salute as
he advanced to meet one on the street,
and the genial smile born of his whole
some nature that broke upon his
features?
Although not a "man of affairs" as
the term is commonly accepted, Ferd
Fullmer was almost the most public man
in Wilmington. He was the familiar
guest at hundreds of homes.
1t is strange but true, that with all his
experience of the world, for if possible,
Ferd Fullmer was as well-known in
Saratoga, Newport, Philadelphia and
New York as here-it is strange that his
one popularity was a sensitiveness
which he was never able to fight down.
1t was not any self-consciousness but an
attribute OF uper-sensitiveness in re-
gard to his chosen profession. This fact
explains whya musician of his conceded
ability never appeared in public. The
story is told that when II years of age
he was at public concert on which oc-
casion he made piano recital. At its
close by some fateful accident, he hap
pened to overhear very unkindly criti-
cism upon his tendency Of the aria. The
lads extremely sensitive nature cringed
under the cruel, thoughtless lash and he
never recovered courage to appear in
public again. 1t was this misfortune, it
is believed ON the testimony of his pro-
fessional friends nearest him all his life,
that obscured his road to the first rank
among American pianists.
About fifteen years ago the Redpath
Opera Company was here. Miss Nichols,
the leading soprano, had just returned
from European tour. At the Grand
Opera House in ST. Petersburg she had
been called before the curtain seven
times. This, of course, at that time, was
special distinction for an American
diva. Miss Nichols with Miss Clark,
the contralto, and other members Of the
company, stayed at the Clayton House.
Some friends discovered them late in
the moonlit evening sitting out in the
balcony listening to o pianist on the
floor above. All the friends joined and
the company sat there until midnight
enjoying the rich melodies floating from
the room above. They had no idea who
this instrumentalist was, but a gentle
man who heard the eulogiums of both
the great singers say they never heard
any professional pianist accorded such
genuine praise.
An almost similar incident occurred
on an occasion when he visited the
Knabe factory in Baltimore. The
musical genius of Ferd Fullmer took
Mr.. Knabe by storm. Petra Silae of
Boston paid similar tribute to Mr..
Fullmer when he played there seven or
eight years ago.
Ferd Fullmer was one of the original
members of the NIillard Club and was
its accompanist. Although a good
violinist he devoted his time specially to
the piano.
"ie was" says G. B. Rhoads, "the
most rapid prima vista reader | ever
knew. He would catch the hidden
spirit of new passage and read it at
sight
From early childhood he was under
the music tutelage of his sister, after
wards Mrs. Mary Wright, q well-known
New York organist. She was his first
teacher and she impaired to him u most
thorough technical knowlege. As an
accompanist his great advantage was
sympathy. His organ improvisations
also always aroused attention.
The board of directors of the Tuesday
Club met last night week at the home of
Henry Baird, when the following reso-
-ution was passed:
AT special meeting of the board of
directors of the Tuesday Club, hastily
called for that purpose, a resolution was
moved and adopted expressing the pro-
found regret of that body at the sad news
of the death of the clubs accompanist,
Ierd Fullmer.
Although it was known how serious was
his sickness. and although it was known
what little chance there was of his ultimate
recovery, nevertheless the knowledge that
the end had come was more the less sad,
and his loss--hoth to the community and
the Tuesday Clubs more the less ire
parable.
For three years his had been an almost
never absent presence at the clubs meet
ings; for three years he has given it his
unremitting and untiring aid; for three
years he had lent it the benefit both of his
art and of his skill, and all has been given
freely, heartily and with an unexceeded
generosity
His presence will be missed from
amongst us as almost no other presence
could be missed, and his death will leave
vacant Il place that no one else can fill.
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