Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-06-22

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soubrette ever made better hit than
Mr.. Jones, who, by the way, carried off
the prize for the Oldest fiddler, being
n years old. He was called back to
play the piece over, and stated that il
had been q great favorite with Gem
eraI jackson.
So enthused was Jesse Barnett, of
vandalia, with his old piece that he for
got that he was seated in q concourse
of great players and before an ad-
miring public. He dreamed that he
was in the rustling forest by the side
of bubbling brooks; 30 fully. did this
idea permeate ''the fiddling par
son's'' mind that ho leaned his chair
back against a massive oak (painted
on a drop curtain Guess from the
way he fell he thought that the
fellow who had named that curtain
had enjoyed q similar experience.
q. W. Ely, who carried of the prize
for the fattest fiddler, played horn
pipe and was followed by the man
who won third prize for the best I'D
dler--J. II. Hardestyj this gentleman
played variety Of pieces, two OF
them being old-time pieces, which
brought tears to the eyes of more
than one OF the audience. Old memo
ries rushed to those old folks and they
reveied in thoughts both sad and
happy.
ID. B.Jones, the winner OF the prize
for the best fiddler, played a beauti-
fully toned instrument, and, by the
way, that prize was well awarded; he
won 9 fiddlers contest in Columbia
few days ago.
Wilfred Fields, 10 years old, son Of
VIM. Il. Fields, of Martinsburg, made
quite hit with his playing; his
brother, Wendell, years old, and
winner OF prizes for the youngest
fiddler and for the best trick fiddler,
did well.
Fl. o. Drown, of Cant, said that he
entered to win the prize for the ugliest
fiddler; he did and was warmly en-
cored.
Judge 8. e, Kendall, among other
selections, played the "ArkansasTrav-
eler." He won second prize for the
best fiddler.
Jesse Barnett, who leaned against
that tree, followed and was we'll re-
ceived by the audience.
Squire Joe Hitt was the winner Of
the prize for the best looking player.
As well as being good looking Squire
Hit can tear some pretty good music
out of violin.
d. Fl. Lewis, who was barred from
winning frat prize and the one cap
tured by Squire Hitt, made an ex-
cellent showing. He showed himself
to be violinist and was therefore de-
clared to be out of the contest. In
acknowledging the encore he played
"Home, Sweet Home,u which was
beautifully executed; the audience
was quiet, satisfied only to listen dur
ing ita rendition.
d. O. Wright, winner of the prize
for the leanest fiddler, was well re-
ceived. He played on an instrument
Of his own make, as did his daughter,
Miss Bessie. who followed. She won
the prize for the best lady fiddler.
Miss Wright is fine musician.
James Kemp played amid much
laughter. when he played an old
time rag piece and called the dance
at the same time he was well APP
plauded; he responded to the encore.
Ben Drown played well, as did W,
II. Northcutt, who finished up with
"Home, Sweet Home," and did NOT
want TO pay attention to the gavel-
3 screw-d -driver-in the hands of time-
keeper Joe Mcintyre. Frank jenkins
also played.
Wendell Fields in doing some trick
playing did well.
While awaiting the decision OF the
judges several duets and solos were
played by the following:
Judge Kendall and Jesse Barnett
duets.
D. II. Lewis, solos,a accompanied
on the piano by Miss Wright and
Simon Phillip.
]. 8. Jones, solo, accompanied BY
Miss Wright.
The receipts were over $3.50, ane
after the expenses are paid the re-
mainder viii be given to the band.
FIDDLE AND BOW NOTES.
"Unele John" Jones brought hi
fiddle down In q -four sack.
The house was so crowded that ths
mems whiskers hung out the win
dows.
It was difficult to decide between
Judge Kendall, J. II. Hardesty, jim
Kemp and Joe Hit.
The audience was composed largely
of old-timers, both women and men
People we're there who were never il
the Opera House before.
W. H. Northcuts, southeast o.
town, also played. The way he tuned
his fiddle was source of amusement
Frank jenkins drew 8 loose kind o.
q don't-care-a-darn bow like he'd