Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-05
TIE SONG OF "OIxle."
Said to Have Been Sung IN Richwqp@ In
october. 1860.
NV YORK, March /, 1893.


To g,e Editor of the 1DisDG'chS
As there has been oonf derable news
paper controversy concerning the author.
Ship of Dixie" please allow me TO give
Won what l am almost positive IS the cor
rect introduction of "D1xie's Land" in
the South. The first time the song was
sung in the southern country was ut Rich
mond, Va, the latter part Of October,
1850. by George Christy's MinSu els In the
lBlues'l Armory Hall. on Ninth street. di-
rectly facing Bank street.
Dan Emnet. Of Tie Brgdnts' MN res Ne,o
York. is wt.om the least shddote Of a douo' rs
0sihor. | am quite certain he vi 'ote the
song Tor walk around) In the 81 ring OF
1850. ! was business manager of George
Chrlsty's Minstrels for several years After
the Christys left Richmond they pc form
ca through the southern country, be lng IN
Charlestop. s. c., at the time the State Sc
coded from the Union. While III ChiTies-
ton a serenade was tenderod To eX-NOV-
ernor Pickens, who had just rein, ned
from Russia. The serenade was glye' az
thesugcestion of an old friend of mlne, Mr.
Carlisle, of the Charleston COWG.
RxSDKgED FROM THE BALCONY.
The song OF Dixie was rendered from
the InlCOnf OF tIt MlltS hOu1O OtAOlV ~
least 10000 people. Governor Pickens.
who was a guest at the hotel, was on the
balcony when the Cnristys sang Dixie
among other selections. l don't THINK L
ever saw such enthusiasm as the song
created. Men threw up their hats. ladies
waved handkerchiefs, and the great crowd
yelled and cheered as southern mep know
how 10 veil"
The Chri.tys sang Dixie" in New Orleans
- ~ ap.danW ON NuSlc AT
oyerY performance tor SIX consecutive
weeks. MIR. Carlisle remarked 70 me the
NIGHT Of the serenade that "Dixie" " shopId
he the na'iona. OR of the South. and TIE
levs thcy adopted the song when the war
commenced.
rgy COPYRIGHT orYERuD THE SOUTH.
Aftor NV return 70 New York called at
10. Az broadway. whore Dan Emmett was
Reforming with the Bryants MINISTRIES L
told bin Dixie" had been selected as the
national soug OF the South. lie SAID ne
would presont the original copyright TO
the south it he knew how 70 arrange IT.
but tie war broke out In the mean time
and nothing further was done.
'rhe author Of Dixie" IS Daniel Emmett,
who IL rs wears old, and has been chOpplne
wood and dong other chores III Nti 10
town in Ohio tor some time past. Inc
Actors Fund when they heard OF his con-
rontv) sent him = check for $50. When
tao check was handed 10 MIR. Emmett be
thought Il was dream, but when he was
convinced of It's commences the ola man
cned like a child. With tears rolling down
his cheeks be said: The money rs god
Send. but the thought that am no' Tor
gotten almost humans me-"
DON'T LIT DAN sUFFER.
believe the southern people will not
allow Dan Emmet TO want.
Ny IMPRESSION is that every person in
the South and southsrnsrs living in New
York will contribute literally towards
making the remainder Of Mr.. Emmets
life comfortable.
have teicgraphed the Old gentleman TO
come TO New York, and viii wait until no
arrives before suggesting a method OF col
lecting funds tor his relief. The action OF
the Actors Fund is worthy OF all praise.
D that institution hunted him up aud was
the fret 10 give old Dan helping hand.
Very respectfully. JoHs p. Smith.