Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-08
"A STORE FOR MUSICIANS.
RUN BY MUSICIANS.'

A novel sign appears over the dis
play of F. w. Banner Co. at the Fair,
which reads: "a Store for Musicians,
Run by Musicians-F. w. Banner Co."
The peculiarly of this attracted a
Register reporter. A little knowledge
of the personnel of the company shows,
however, that the sign is a most ap-
propriate one
Mr.. F. w. Banner, the president of
the company, is one of the best known
men in this city, and is a musician of
more than ordinary ability. For many
years he was one of the leading pianists
of Wheeling, and served, N frequent
occasions, as accompanist for the finest
singers giving concerts here. Mr..
Banner has always shown unusual in
terest in all matters musical, and his
opinions have carried great weight.
The vice president of the company,
Mr.. John E. Mendel, is no less known
among Wheeling musicians. For over
three years he was director Of the choir
of the First Presbyterian church, and
for eleven years was director of the
choir at st. Matthews church. In fact,
Mr.. Mendel has always been looked on
as authority in matters pertaining to
| church music, and many church sin
ger and organist owes his position to
his efforts.
Mr.. l.. H. Clement, the manager of
the company. who became resident
of Wheeling something over a year
ago, is a superior violinist, having
served in that capacity in one Of the
largest theatres in Chicago, and was
director in large orchestra something
| like nine years. He is president of the
Wheeling Oratorio Society, in which
capacity and many others, he has
proven a real musical enthusiast. His
| interest in music is marked and his
| influence in musical matters in Wheel
! ing valuable.
The secretary, Mr.. T. J. Banner, is
| also connected with the choir at st.
Luke's, and has taken part in most of
| the concerts given for charitable and
| similar purposes in recent years.
Among the statesmen of the F. w.
| Banner Co. are eight other musicians
| of ability, and the whole atmosphere
of this store shows the influence of the
i musical enthusiasm of the various mem
| bers. In no better way is this shown
| than in the line of instrumets they
| sell. headed by the Steinway piano.
which is known in every country of
the globe as the finest piano now man
ufactured.
Their line also contains the Krakauer
piano, of which nearly LOO have been
sold by this firm in the fourteen years
| they have held this agency. Messrs.
Krakauer Bros are also musicians and
three generations combine in this
| fo-,o RI he
cent piano bearing their name. Here
father, three sons and a grand son,
pianists and violinists, all practical
! musicians use their skill and knowl
edge which everywhere has made for
| their piano remarkable name among
| discriminating musicians.
| Their line also includes the Clifford
| piano, made by Mr.. Clifford c. Chick
ering, who for years was connected
with the old Boston house of the same
| name. and the Ludwig piano, of which
nearly 700 are giving pleasure to their
owners in Wheeling and vicinity.
| The firm also exhibits at the Fair a
| fine vocation pipe organ, which for
| church purposes. especially, will appeal
to anyone fond of good organ music
| The most novel instrument exhibit
| ed by them is an aeolian, an organ
! which is practically self-playing. On
/ this instrument the most inexperienced
| person. with no knowledge of music,
| can. in a few days, play in re most
| perfect manner any piece of music
| however difficult. The Aeolian has re-
| ceived much attention in the F. w.
| Banner Co. booth.
| 1t is not surprising that firm of
| musicians have acquired the leading
musical instruments of all kinds, and
hence their line "A Store for Musi-
clans, Run by Musicians" is a most
effective one