Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-07-29
MERRILL'S SAENGERFEST.


The SaengS-fest just held at Merrill
was the most successful ever held by the
northern circuit Of German singing
societies and barring few inconsequen-
tial rain showers the weather was
favorable for such an enterprise. On
Friday the societies of different towns
began to arrive, nearly all of them pass
ing through this city During the
forenoon of that day the Marshfeld
and Oshkosh singers, with ladies,
arrived early and from the time of
their arrival until the departure of
their train at 80 they were entertained
by Wausau people.
At one O'Clock procession was made
up of the Liederkranz and Eichenkranz
of Wausau, two societies of Oshkosh
and one of Marshfield, and the march
was taken up to the depot On
Saturday each train passing through
the city was loaded with 'excursionists
and Wausau contributed ner quota,
but Sunday was the banner day. Two
special trains, bs'des the regular
passenger, each ma up of about ten
coaches, were run each so loaded with
passengers that many people could
not secure seats and had to stand out on
the platforms. On Sunday 1855 ex-
cursion tickets were sold in Wausau,
besides the regular tickets and a large
number of half fare paste boards.
The taking of so many citizens out
of the town made Wausau almost a
deserted city and it was the most quiet
Sunday this city has witnessed u
years. That day was the greatest
the history of Merrill in point of visitors
and it is hard to estimate their number
On Saturday the grand chorus con-
cert took place which was participated
in by every society. Wausaus musical
part in the three days program is here
with given
On Friday The Saenger March was
delivered by the Wausau and Merrill
AICdOA nj dhA. 1liCOCs VI IHlo
city, also sang Little Fisher Maiden"
ana 'The Landlord at the Three
Crowns"
On Saturday Mrs F. W. Kickbusch,
of Wausau, sang as a solo. Lohengrin's
Hearts Spring" and was accompanied
on the piano by Mrs Z V. Speer, also
of Wausau.
Sunday the Wausau Liederkranz
sang Beautiful Rhine, Father Rhine"
and Mrs. Kickbusch sang a solo, an aria
from the opera Free Shooter" in
which she was accompanied by Bach's
orchestra, of Milwaukee.
Among the soloists Wausau was re-
presented by Mrs. F. W. Kickbusch,
while Mrs. E. w. Speer was prominent
among the pianists.
A parade made up of visiting societies
marched through the town after din
ner on Sunday to Braatz' park, where
the picnic was held
During the forenoon of Sunday the
meeting was held to decide the loca-
ton of the next Saengerfest and Ash
land was successful in securing IL.
Those who visited Merrill are loud
in their praises of the manner in which
they were entertained and the citizens
were liberal in their decorations, most
of which work was done by Hugo
Mumm, of this city.
August l.. Priebe, who took part in
the singing at the Saengerfest, Sunday,
with his society, the Merrill Maenner-
choir, was found dead ON the sidewalk
near his home yesterday morning. He
was sitting in an upright position and
tits supposed his death was due to heart
failure.
A number of the Wausau visitors to
the Saengerfest Sunday were touched"
by pickpockets. Henry Meisner was
the greatest loser and reports that $35
of his money found its way into the
hands of the light fingered gentry.
Gustav F!atter, Fred Klade and Frank
Gaetzman also lost small amounts,
while Ed, Holman and Herman Lemke
were fortunate enough in detecting the
pickpockets at work rifiing their peck
cts, but before they could be caught
they disappeared in the crowd George
Arson, of Merrill, was more lucky,
however. He caught one of the light
fingered individuals attempting to
sneak his diamond stud and promptly
knocked him down, checked him and
hen turned him over to the police. 1t
appears that Of late Ssengerfest meet
ings are as attractive places for the
working of pickpockets as are circuses.