The morning times., 1896-04-27
SMALLEST OF LEADERS.
Banks CreGier, of Chicago. Dwarf,
Is Head OF an Orchestra.
PHILADELPHIA Times.

Banks Cregier, of Chicago, is the smallest
orchestra leader in the United States. and
possibly in the world. Heis four feet tall
and weighs less than eighty pounds. but he
wielGS the baton with the skill and address
of a master.
HOpelessly crippled. he. ike the woman
OF old has suffered uany things OK many
physicians. Every time he faces an audi
ence. he * karresSed in steel rom his neck
tOhiS heels, and the weight Ofthe apparatus
would make strong man ache. And vet
for years he has worn il from the time
he rises in the morning until he lies down
at night.
IL Is his habit to stand while playing
With the aid or canes he moves to his
place and carefully balances himself by
means OF his braces Receiving his instru-
ment from IN attendant he draws his bow
across the strings. and from that moment
until the last thrObbiOg note dies away,
the audience is spell bound and the player
is like one eutranced. As far as possible
he ignores his infirmties- Indeed, it 5 no
infrequent sight in Chica 90 to see athjHght-
less friend swinging along at a brisk trO5,
with the little orchestra leader vibrating
with hiSCaneSlIks an industrious pCndu;uIn.
painting. out OF breath, Vet keeping ii step
with his inConsiderate pace-Daker-
Suffering has given his face a peculiarly
pathetic expression; but his Bohemian
spirit endears him to merry-DakerS- Per
sOnally he is popular with the sporting
fraternity. aud his orchestra is al ways IN
demand at the races. He has led the or
chestra at the Columbia. and Schiller
Theaters, and is "A favorite with clubs aud
social organizations.
One night he was held up by three Stai-
wart fellows. The men were going through
his pockets when they came in contact with
his steel braces. and touched with pity by
his attentuated figure, they restored his
watch and money with this Injunction,
Run home my lad, you are tOoIttle To be
out this time Of night
He is natural genius and his expert
meBts with electrical forces are Singularly
ingenious. Experts claim that bis model OF
| q slot machine is the most perfect ever
ma anufaCtured-
But music climaxes every other talent
The natural flexibiIity OF his wrist gives
him a skill rarely acquired by viOlinists.
even with years of training Under his
| touch the instrument SObs and means like
a creature in pain. as if IL were giving eX-
preston to the torture he himself has suf-
fered. When hC was lad and coveted
privilege was denied. he wouid pick up his
violin and the pleading music more elO-
uuent than words. would invariably secure
the desired boon His wife is n niece OF
Judge leopard. OF Chicago. and is n strik-
ingiy beautiful woman with violet eyes
and golden hair. Sheis tail and slender, and
her husband easily stands under hcr arm
Their only child. son. five years old,
strongly resembles his mother, both physi-
caIly and in temperament.
Recently. Mr.. Cregicr.cpad n birthday and
the little fellow was asked what he thought
would make an acceptable present for his
father. After several minutes OF serious
consideration. he replied:
Il think he would like good slice OF
sirloin steak T his certainly bespeaks a
healthy appetite for the talented orchestra
leader who, by the way, is the son OF eT
Mayor Cregier. of Chicago