The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-08
TREBBLLI AND
beer BOTTLES
They Both Shocked the
First Congregational
Church.
Pastor Browns Study Used as
a Dressing Room by a
Prima Donna.
Her Manager Smoked in the Aisles
and Sometimes Used Iheatri-
cal Language.

OAKLAND, CAL, Aug. THE secret
OF the sudden disowning of the Sunday
school orchestra, the pride OF the great
Christian Endeavor Convention, by the
board of the First Congre gational Church.
was made public tonight. 1t is due to
Nine. Trebell's practice of drinking beer
when she sings, to her managers using the
atrical language in the church parlors,
and because the lady positively refused to
make up" for her appearance in public
in any other place than the pastors study,
or to arrange her corsage except before
the handsome mirror where the pastor
adjusts his tie before entering the pulpit.
1t was we'll known that something very
serious must have occurred to have caused
the trustees to send such an abrupt letter
to the manager, William A. Fine. No
one will say what was in the letter, and
Mr.. Fine is keeping it under lock and key.
There is nothing in it about Madame
Trebelli, but it is known to be very much
to the point. and it is also known that it
Goes not contain the name of City Au-
ditor Snow, who is a pillar of the First
Congregational Church. Mr.. Snow
thought it was altogether too curt, and
The orchestra has had successful ex-
istence of twelve years and has always
been considered a strong adjunct to the
church. For a long time 1t has been an
independent organization, and Manager
Fine said tonight hat 1t would have
severed its connection with the church
some time ago but for the fact that it was
pledged to play at the National Christian
Endeavor convention.
According to Alexander T. Stewart, its
former director, there are many causes
that have led up 10 its sudden dismissal
from the church and the desire that it
take another name. The GROWING point
of di> satisfaction was reached a few
months ago, when Nine. Trebell1 was en-
gagged for concert.
For several days there was strong
odor OF tobacco-smoke in the church par
lors, and it is reported that couple of
beer bottles were discovered in a corner
near the pastors study. An inquiry was
made and it was learned that they were
the relics of the Trebelli concert. Her
manager smoked the cigars in the corri-
doris and used language tn at is not usually
heard in church, and the ushers were
asiounded.
the madame is very particular when
she goes on the stage. She requires d
drink OF beer to enable her to do her work
perfectly, and she Is also very particular
about her dressing room. She insisted
upon her making up in the pastor study,
and it is also stated that her favorite re.
freshment was carried into the church.
All tLese things reached the ears of the
trustees and the pastor, Rev. c. r. Brown,
and it was agreed that church was not a
proper place for concerts with such at
tributes. A conference was held, but
kept profound Sc cret, between the church
board and the orchestra management and
!, nod hat na CHI
be severed after the c. E. convention. AS
no intimation of the event was given out
the news that the orchestra had been dis
owned was great surprise, especially as
all the visiting delegates had been led TO
believe it was genuine church organiza-
ton and one of the wonders of California.
Now it appears it is not even protested
to have been part OF the church organizA-
ton for a long time. "Our connection
with the church," said Manager Fine to-
night, was a purely business one We
supplied a few players TO help out the
church music, and IN return we got the
church rent free when we r hearsed and
gave our concerts. A large number OF
our mem bers 90 not belong to the church.
We have no fault to find with the church
trustees or pastor, who have done their
duty. 1t is unfortunate that the name
of the pastor has been mentioned
in this connection. He is only acting in
connection with the church board, and
what has been carried out was practically
agreed on as soon as he came to the
church" A very quiet little plan had
Been agreed upon to prevent the fact be-
coming known. The orchestra was to
have called business meeting and to
have changed Its name, and the public
was not to have known the reason for the
change. The plan, however, became
known, and the secret of the whole matter
was quickly after revealed.