Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-08
MONUMENT FOR FOSTER.
Composer of the ''old Folks at Home,
to Be Honored In Pittxburv

Composer of the "0ld Folks at Home,
to Be Honored In Pittsburr.
stephen Collins Foster is finally 70
have a monument in Pittsburg. where
he was born and where he spent many
years OF his life. Lawrencevine. Pa.
the actual place of his birth. is now
part of Pittsburg, and when attention
was called to that fact several wears
ago, it was determined to see what
could be done toward raising a monu-
ment TO the memory of the man who
wrote Way Down on the Suwaneo
River MaSsa's in the Cold, Cold
Ground 'Old Black joe" and many
other songs. The Contributions for
the monument came from many sources
although most of them naturally were
given oy citizens OF Pttsourg. The
statue is to be unveiled on September
18th in Highland Park under very in
teresting circumstances. A chorus OF
children's voices 10 the number of 5000
has been made up in pittsburg. Allie
gheny and Mckeesport, the three towns
OF the county, ana 1t VIII be devoted
almost exclusively TO the singing of
Fosters music, A collection OF bands
from other cities will supply the or
chestra music and that will be made
up entirely OF Fosters songs.
The monument is the work of Giu-
seppe Marchetti, of Pittsburg, and the
large number of competitors included
scuqptors from all parts of the eoun-
try. The design of the monumeGt was
suggested by T. J. keenan,, Jr., OF
Pittsburg. and the committee which ac-
cepted Sig, Marchetti's work consisted
of A. w. Mellon, Robert Pitcairn. L.
NJ. Bigelow, ". n, trew J w.
Beatty and Senator G. l.. Magee.
The statue is TO be the first one set
up in Highland Park. and the commit
tee has exercised care 10 protect itself
against unsatisfactory work. The base
OF the memorial is OF granite and is
fourteen feet high The figures are in
bronze. The poet Is seated, and holds
in his hand a book and pencil Seat
ed at his feet Is an old negro, who Is
playing on banjo. The song composer
is evidently seeking inspiration from
the negro's music. The statue is TO
be placed at the left of the main en-
trance OF the park. II is proposed TO
make the exercises at the unveiling al
most wholly musical, and only one adj
dress will be delivered 1t is expected
that 100000 persons will be present at
the ceremonies. and as Fosters music
is probably better known to the peo-
Pile of this country than any other COM
poser's, it is thought that many Will
join in the choruses. America" Will
be the only song on the programme
that is not the work of Foster.
The composer was born on July 4,
1926, and died in New York 50 years
later. He taught himself music and
studied with great assiduity. His
compositions include l60 songs OF which
the first written was open Thy Lat
tiee, Love" published in 1912. and
the last was Beautiful Dreamer,
composed in 1864, the last year OF his
life. Gentle Annie Willie, We
Have Missed You. "old Dog Tray,
Come Where My Love Lies Dream
ing Nellie Was a Lady My Old
Kentucky Home, Maggie by My Side
and Ellen Bayne," the music OF wnlch
is now used for John Browns Body
Lies a Wondering in the Grave were
some OF the best known among his
compositions AS a rule he wrote both
the words and music OF his songs.