Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-05-23
Sings for Photographs.

ern part of the city, near the Milwau-
kee railroad tracks, Silas Leachman
puts in four or FIVE hours every day
singing at the top Of his lungs, though
not a soul is in hearing but his wife.
When he gets tired of singing, he
varies the proceedings by preaching a
negro sermon, or gives an imitation of
an Irish wake, and altogether conducts
himself in way that would lead the
neighbors to consider him fit subject
for a lunstic asylum-if there were any
neighbors, but there are not.
This is the very reason Mr.. Leach
man chose the lonely spot for his res
idence. No one ever goes out there to
hear him sing, and yet he is getting
rich at it. He earns something over
$50 every day, though he never sees
one of his auditors. Mr.. Leachman
sings for monographs, and, as he has
monopoly ofthe business in the West,
he contrives to keep busy, and has
even been heard to express a wish that
he were twins. He has better protec-
tion in his monopoly than a copyright
or an injunction, or unlimited legal
talent could afford. Nature gave him
the peculiar qualities that enable him
to reproduce his voiceperfectly on the
wax cylinders. Hundreds of persons
have attempted to break in on his proh-
table monopoly, but the results of their
efforts put an effectual stop to their
attempts. And 80 Mr.. Lsachman goes
on enjoying the monopoly and reaping
the profits thereof,
There are four other men in the East
that also do work for the phonograph;
but while they have to have man to
play the piano while they sing, another
to make the announcement, another to
change the cylinders, and fourth to
keep the machines in order, Mr.. Leach
man is the entire show in himself.
Furthermore, he can give an unlim-
tied number of impersonations, while
the other four men are limited to
few sp0cialties each. Mr.. Leachman
is natural mimic, and therein lies
the secret of his success. He sings
ballads, negro melodies, and Irish,
Chinese and Dutch dialect songs. He
PLAYS his own accompaniment on the
piano and takes care Of the machines.
He prepares three records, as the
wax cylinders are called, at one time.
To do this three monographs are
placed near the piano, with the horns
at one side pointing away from the
keyboard at an angle Of forty-fve de-
grees. The horns have to be placed
very carefully, for fifth Of an inch
makes a great difference in the tone
the cylinders will reproduce.
When the horns have been adjusted
exactly right, Mr. Leachman seats him.
self at the piano, and turning his head
away over his right shoulder. begins
TO sing as loud as he can, and that is
pretty loud, for he is man Of power
full physique, and ha, been practicing
loud singing for years. He has been
doing this work until his throat has
become calloused 70 that he no longer
becomes exhausted after singing short
time.
As soon az he has finished one song,
he slips off the wax cylinders, puts on
three fresh ones without leaving bis
seat, and goes right on singing until
passing train compels him to stop for
short time. In the four years he has
been in the business he has made near
ly $50, 900 records Sogreat is the de-
mand for them that he cannot GIL bis
orders. 1t is such exceedingly hard
work that he cannot sing more than
four hours a day. He gets thirty-hye
cents for every cylinder he prepares.
He has a repertoire Of four hundred
and twenty pieces, aud his work is put
on the market under score Of names.
He has a remarkable memory, and,
after once hearing song, cannot only
repeat the words and music correctly,
but can initiate excellently the voice
and expression Of the singer.--C Chicago
Tribune.