The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-01
AUTHOR OF "A HOT TIME. "
Once an Orchestral Player I'm the
Local Theaters.

Newspaper dispatches from the war say
that the soldiers of the American army in
Cuba have adopted the tuneful negro melo-
dy, "A Hot Time in the Old Town." as
national air. On the night of the first days
battle at Ell Caney the American soldiers
sang this song with vim. In the trenches
and everywhere 1t was heard. In connection
with this fact it may be interesting to know
that the author of the popular air was for
many years a citizen of Indianapolis "A
Hot Time in the Old Town was written by
Theodore A. Metz, who lived here good
many years ago, and who is remembered by
many Indianapolis musicians. Both Fl. ID.
and H. S. BeissenherZ of 1907 North Ala
bama street, recollect when Metz came to
Indianapolis. a shrewd but raw young Teu-
ton fresh from the fatherland. Metz lived
with the Beissenherz family for many years
at their home on East Market street. He
played with the orchestra at the old Metro
politan Theater when the elder Bessenherz
was leader. Afterward Metz was a member
of the orchestra at English's Theater
Metz is now about forty-five years of age,
and for several years has been playing in
the orchestra of the higher-class vaudeville
companies. He often visits Indianapolis,
and always calls at the Beissenherz home
when he comes here. Those WHO knew him
say he was full of dry humor, and was con-
stantly saying and doing comic things. In
1898 he came here with vaudeville COM
pany which performed at the Empire The
went family Gn 10 The ay Knew of
his fondness for good meal and he was
asked what kind of meat he would like:
with great frankness. His preference was
understood and the family had bologna for
supper. .
nous many years after he left Indianapolis.
When a member of the Metropolitan Thea
ter orchestra the young German Used to
watch with great interest the manner in
which Mr.. BessenherZ arranged and wrote
music. He often said to the leader, that ne,
hoped the day would come when he could
write music and make name for himself
Perhaps you may some day, who
knows?' Mr.. Biezenherz would say. but
Metz would shake his head and declare that
he had no such hopes. At that time no one
supposed the young German would ever
turn out negro melody that would catch
1t has swing to it that caught on" from
the start. The chorus runs thus:
when you hear dem bells go ding-ling-ling
All join round and sweetly you must sing
And when the verse am through, in the
Therell be hot time in the old town to-
night"
Metzs song is said to be The most popu-
lar of anything of its kind written in the
last three four years. During tie last
city campaign the Marion Glee Club made
the tune famous in Indianapolis By inn ro-
vising suitable words and rendering tire air
at all the Republican meeti lYS. On the
night of the election the Democrats hlred
a band and the musicians paraded the
streets nearly all night PLAYING, "There'll
over again. The boys at the front lave
found something particularly tLneful and
consoling about the song and they have
been singing it on all occasions. TIE Earks
of the wabash has baan another pcpu:i.r
air with the American army and 1t is said
that Marshall, Inc wounded correspcr cent
for the New York Journal, sang this song
IN his delirilm as he " rs Dcing carried from
the battle field after the fast brush VIII Oh
the Rough Riders had WITH the Span'aIds.