The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-05
PATRIARCHOF THEMODOCS
Tom Anderson Celebrates With the
Younger Members of His Club.

4GA AnQeESOn CeAE D>&AGs WIN sAG
Younger Members of His Club.
There were no members absent from
the nineteenth birthday party in the
rooms of the Modocs in the Dennis
EwarE building last night who could pcs
sibly get there. They came docking IN
at twice the speed they do on q re-
hearsaI evening. They all came early
and remained until the street cars had
long since sunk to rest" and president
Ii ajor Tom Anderson was the last one
to 90.
While lunch was being prepared the
president of the club aggravated the ap-
petites of those present by few remini-
SCIENCES. Major Anderson and W.
Stagg seem to have been the fttest mem
bers of the original AIodocs, for they are
the only ones who have survived as
members of the organization Mr. An
derson has always been president of the
society and the kicks on his rulings and
decisions have not averaged more than
three or four a day.
The Modocs proudly claim the dis
tinctiOn Of being the oldest musical or
ganization west of Chicago. mot even
in Salt Lake is there anything rs old as
U.s." said the president with pride; and
probably nothing in the lake as fresh for
its age.
Away back in '6a musical
club was founded and sang on
different occasions around the country.
But not until rs was the name chosen
by which they have ever since then
been known and which they have made
famous. They date their beginning as
an organization from that time.
HIhe choosing of the name came a bout
through the Modoc Indian war at that
time. There were large numb Der Of the
Indians confined as prisoners at
Leavenworth and it Was the one
topic of conversation.
This was also at the time of the Cen
teuuiaI exhibition at Philadelphia. Prot
Henry WorraIl lad designed the Kansas
exhibit in the Kansas Colorado building
at the exposition. but the credit for It
was being taken by Alfred Gray, of the
state board of agriculture. a benefit
and testimonial was given for Mr.. Wor-
rail- by Tapeka citizeus and It WAS there
that the NJ odocs got their name.
The entertainment was held in Costa 5
opera house on Kansas avenue in the
same place as the Crawford is now. The
club appeared on the programme and as
some name had to be chosen the name
Nodes was put down"
After Major Anderson subsidized Mert
Holman announced 80 minutes rehearsal
pending attack on the tables
The rehearsal was 4 concert The
club gave several choruses. Among the
prettIest was Hail, Happy Greeting"
which was composed By 4 B. Woolver-
ton CT Topeka. He is also the author of
The Loyal Legioneer" with which the
Modocs never fail to secure 4 hit
After vociferous calls Mai. Ander-
son bIushingly stepped forward aud after
the piano had been tuned to suit his
voice, sang in sweet. plaintive tones, his
topical and tropical louisville soug,
IN Old Kentucky" The words were
written by Capt. A A RawIey.
It makes no difference how many
times you have heard swim
Out O'Grady," no matter if you
have heard Thomas @. Seabrooke
himself, you haven't really had the worth
of your money until you have listened
enraptured to Sherman RowIes' original
Interpretation of the piece. Mr. Ander-
son had scarcely left the piano until
RowIes advanced with his child like
modesty to the instrument. His pen
sive head dropped on one side ike a
fraiI lily on its stem. His dialect
was exceedingly funny and he used
'steau different kinds in the piece. He
kept the club il a roar most Of the even
ing.
assisted by the club Charles Reeske
gave king of the Forest" W it'll the club
IN an excellent manner.
Refreshments here stopped the aging
for time. Alter part Of them were dis
posed of the singing went GA indis-
crimiuately, and cards occupied the at
teRtioa of the most of the party. After
enjoying several hours this way, II which
Mr. R3wIes won the audible smiles
of those there by his representations, the
mem bers left to wait whole year before
another birthday comes around There
are Others" but no others compared to
the Nodes.