The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-01-11

FRANZ hNElSEL.
with them. OF late this tendency has
become more marked. Many must
clans prominent in their particular lines
ana whose names are familiar through
out the whole United States have
found their way to this sequestered
nook, where quiet and repcse appealed
TO them on every side and where the
outside world would not likely intrude.
Franz Kneisel, the we'll known vio-
lIniSt Of the Kneisel Quartet and the
Boston Symphony, who first visited
Blue Hill In the summer Of 1899, has
Just completed the purchase of a piece
Of property embracing upward Of 40
acres at Parker's Point, on the out
skirts of the village, and it is his in
tention to make his future summer
home here. Mr.. Kneisel, at the time
Of his original coming to Blue Hill,
rented the handsome cottage LA
MaScOtte," overlooking the BAY. and.
with his family, occupied 1t until fall.
notable gathering Of musical peo-
pie at Blue Hill resulted from Mr..
hneiseHs action. The other members
Of the quartet-Karl Ondricek, the Bo-
hemfan viOlinist; Alvin Schroeder. the
celliSt, and Louis Svecenski. the viola
player, together with Lolita Mills Of
New York. pianist for the quartet
spent the summer months here In prep
aratiOn for the winter season follow
ing. Wilhelm Gericke, director Of the
Boston Symphony orchestra, and II. e.
Krehbiel, the critic and lecturer, were
guests Of Mr.. KneiseI for a short time.
The viOlinist's two pupils-Miss Bessie
Bell Collier Of Cohasset Mass, and
Miss Helen Farrell of Lawrence-came
to the Blue Hill inn in order to contin-
ue their studying
Mr.. Kneiseps purchase is situated
along the coach road leading from Par
kers Point to BroOkline and Sedgwick
The land adjoins the home Of Wulf
Fries, the venerable old cellist, who,
with Professor Hill, instructor Of mu-
sic at Wellesley college, was the found
er of the Blue Hill musical colony
rare treat Is afforded the people Of
Blue Hill when Wulf Fries plays at the
services in the COngregationalist
church. The gray haired German,
whose magic bowling has charmed thou
sands of people, occupies a seat every
Sunday morning in the old fashioned
choir loft at the rear Of the church,
and, despite his fOurscore years. he
brings forth from his sOnorOus instru-
ment tones of surprising beauty and
HIOnnSS lof 70
Wulf Fries custom of playing in the
church is told by the members of the
congregation. During the summer Of
1899 a young man from New York city,
who assumed to be au fat on matters
Of musical eruditiOn, attended the Con-
gregatiOnal service in company with
Blue Hill friend. In the middle of the
opening hymn the knowing young Co
thamite turned to his companion, say
ing: Goodness! Listen to that miser-
able violin back there in the gallery.
| wonder what Maine farmer 1t is
that's fddling"
''Oh, that's only Wulf Fries playing
the cello" was the response. But,
then, don't blame him. He's doing the
best be can"
1t was a noticeable fact that through
out the remainder of the would be crit
les stay in Blue Hill his we'll of music
al lore was seldom drawn from.
The future Of this particular section
Of the Pine Tree State can be readily
foreseen. More than ever before will
Blue Hill become the objective point Of
those of musical accomplishment. AS
Rydal-Mount, in Westmorland county,
England, became, with its associations
of Wordsworth, Scott, Southey, Lamb,
Coleridge and De Quincy, the shrine
of the English literary world, so doubt
less in years to come will Blue Hill be
considered by music lovers in America.
Franz Kneisel and his three associ-
ates in the quartet are among the most
popular men now in the public eye. and
their appearance in the various cities
throughout the country is greeted by
great outpourings of the devotees Of
d