Evening journal., 1896-05-15
A MUSIC WRITER INSANE
Composer Phelps Deranged by
Devotion to His Art.
ACTED STRANGELY FOR SOME TIME.


Friends Remove the Aged Musician TO a
Private Asylum-The First American
Composer to Write Orchestral Music.
He Achieved Great Reputation.
BROOKLYN, May 15.-E. c. Phelps, tho
first American composer TO write Orches-
ira music, and who achieved the reputa-
tion of having done more for the advance
ment of music in this country than any
othor native musician, has become men,
tally deranged through his persistency and
devotion to his art. He is 90 and lived
with his wife and family at "a Greene
avenue until last evening when he was
quietly removed TO private sanitarium
at Whitestone. While Mr. Phelps form of
insanity is not of violent nature nor ad-
vanced to any serious degree, It is very
probable that several months at loast will
elapse before he RECEIVERS sufficiently to re-
turn home and resume his work.
For over 34 years Mr.. Phelps was con-
nected with the musical staff of the board
of education of Brooklyn, and visited
number Of public schools each day to teach
music. -Four or five weeks ago he was
forced to abandon his musical work be
cause OF his mental condition. His mind
became unbalanced about two or three
months ago. His condition was noticed
by his wife, and of lato she tried TO keep
him in the house as much as possible.
not because he had ever exhibited any
tendency toward violence, but as she said,
simply because she thought it prudent TO
have him within reach Of his friends.
A few weeks ago. whom a friend called
at the house OF the composer, she found
Mr.. Phelps cutting out a newspaper pic
ture. She was surprised and inquired
whether he was interested in such things.
The musician replied:
"Oh, no; not at all You see, am sim
ply trying to get away from myself"
The Musicians Life.
The old musician was born In a small
town in Connecticut. His father was
matchmaker, and the family was in poor
circumstances. The fathers wish was
that his son should adopt his occupation,
but the composer had no taste for watch
making and could not be interested in tho
trade. The father was lover of music
and played some instrument himself, but
could not afford to give his son a musical
education. Phelps eventually became ire
sistibly fascinated with music. His fond
ness for music was a natural one Despite
the peouniary conditions which existed in
the Phelps family. he studied as hard as
possible and has since shown unparalleled
energy and success in having his works
performed. Carl Bergee, Sousa, Neuen-
dorif, Anton Seidl and other reputable
artists have played the music written by
Phelps. A. O. Burnap, the well known
Brooklyn organist when seen, said:
God never made him great genius.
He was not possible Wagner, but / al
ways admired the pertlnacious industry
with which he strove to do as well as he
possibly could. Here you have man who,
without money without lessons. without
the opportunity Of familiarizing himself
with the works Of great masters by read
ing their scores, without any one TO teach
him the theory and practice of instru-
mentation, wrote energetically, indus
triously and successfully. have told my
friends many a time that II / was a rich
man, simply In honor of his persistence. /
would have seen that he never wanted as
long as he lived "
Thus highly do the frRnds OF the aged
composer speak OF him. Many Of the mu-
sic loving psoplo of this city are familiar
with Mr.. Phelps Biblical cantata. 3" Da-
vid, the Son Of Jesse, which was first
performed 10 OF - years ago In the Acade-
my Of Music with big double chorus
and orchestra. Probably the best known
work of the composer is his Hiawatha
Symphony"