The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-02
SAN FOR A QUEEN
JohrD, Jones Once Appeared
Bfore Englaad's Royalty.
IN A GREAT CONTEST
Victoria Asks Him TO Re0aat
His Song

wichita has a resident who bears the
Distraction Of having sung in the pres
me Of Englands late Queen Victoria
rfat individual is John D. Jones, stock
nan, now g years old Mr.. Jones IS a
native Of Wales. Els parents were music
bving people and when stiu quite young.
John was given instructions in music,
and even today though for many years
ne has not given much Of his time to it,
he gives evidence Of his early musical
training.
When the great international musical
contest was held in England, Wales. with
the rest Of the world. sent her choir Of
girls and boys TO compete for the prize.
Among the number was John D. Jones.
Re was then a boy about Is years old and
Possessed clear alto voice which was
narvelousiy rich and pure of tone. On
the scheduled day the We.ch choir APP
peared in the large auditorium which had
been arranged for the contest. The roy
atty also bad It's box IN the han. Because
Of his size Mr.. Jones was placed ia the
front ranks Of the alto singers and di-
rectly ia front OF the box reserved for
the queen. When the singing began her
majesty was attracted 10y the voice of the
young Welchman. and during the entire
performance she sal as th0ugh fascinated
AT the c1nciusion Of the song that had
been rendered by the choir. the queen re-
Quested The name Of the singer and then
asked him 70 repeat a portion Of the song
that had Just been concluded. Jones sang
as he had never sang before. His voice
was clear and sweet, and not only i'm
pressed her majesty. but also the entire
audience. The queen kindly told him that
he must cultivate bis voice. and that IL
he would follow her advice in the matter
he might some day become q great
singer. She then requs stad the entire
choir 70 assemble under her window in
the palace on the following morning and
there repeat a number of selections This
was done. and that same day the WEIGH
choir was awarded the prize. which was
equivalent TO nearly $50 IN American
MONEY. At the time e was said that Il
was In large manner due to Jones that
the Weich choir carried off the honors of
the contest
Jones did not follow the advice Of the
good queen. His parents needed his aid
and he soon gave up his promising
musical career to assist IN their support
He married when he was 20 years cid.
but three years later he was bereft of-b.s
wife by the cruel hand of death Coming
TO this country he first located In Column
bus. Ohio and when the boom OF the
west began years ago he settled in En-
poria, aad i've years ago he came 10
Wichita He has never married since ana
is now leading the life OF a bachelor. 1Ir.
Jones said that the memory 81 the day he
appeared before the queen and the kind
words she addressed TO him wiu always
he cherished by him as one of the happi-
est moments OF his lfe
Mr. Jones has a faculty Of being liked
by all Of those who know him ana when
ever he made friend it was usually one
for he Those who know him best love
to hear him tell the story of the great
singing contest when be sang for the dead
queen. Sometimes after coming to Wich-
TIA he would sing IN private and those
Uho heard him sing at those times. state
that his voice IS SIN remarkably SOFT ana
clear