Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-24

Way Down in Indiana Padl Dres-
ser's latest song. was written August
II, 1901. in Chicago. at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. T. j. O'Keefe. 4s57
Michigan avenue. 1t was sung for
the first time last month when the
Indiana men living in Chicago gave
a banquet at the Auditorium hotel
which was attended by many of In
diana's most prominent men.
In telling of the inspiration for
way Down in Old Indiana Mr..
Dresser said: MIR. and Mrs. O'Keefe
are among my best friends, and ] was
several days at their home
when Mrs. O'Keefe said 10 me one af-
ternoon. Paul. why don't you write
something about your native state?
Your On the Banks of the Wabash
has made the people of Terre Haute,
your home city, proud of you. and /
am sure the people in Terre Haute
must love you after writing such
song. Now, you must compose
something that will endear you to
the people of the entire state. You
can do il. for / know il is in You. If
you viii sit down at the piano and
run over some new melodies / will
write down anything that you like.
1 went to the piano about o'clock
and at 4:3O Way Down in Old Indi-
ana was finished.
No. | never like to change either
the words or the music of my songs
after they are written, but then
/ have to do IL OF course,
/ can write only when / feel lill. it, |
After | start to work on song ]
either continue until il is finished or
until ! find out that | can't finish it. |
Some of the songs are written in "a |
few hours. while others may take "a |
day. or even longer"
Mr.. Dresser gets all his Inspirations |
from close observation. He remem-
bers anything mat he sees that may |
De used for Il new song. until he is
N the mood for composing. and then
after Il few hours time Il song is pro-
luced To be sung. not only in all
parts of the United States. but in
many foreign countries.
NO North or South Today" was
written at the Auditorium hotel in
'hicago. after Mr.. Dresser saw
thousands of soldiers wearing the
Jnion and Confederate uniforms
march together past the hotel. This
'ong was completed in three or four
hours. Before it was published Mr..
Dresser sang it to Henry Watterson,
he Louisville editor. at his room in
he Auditorium. Mr.. Watterson was
20 much impressed by the sentiment
IF the words and music that the
ears were rolling down his cheeks
when Mr.. Dresser stopped singing.
The Blue and the Gray" was com
posed after the Spanish-AmericaR
var. 1t is one of the most intricateY
# Dresser's songs, requiring three
II four days to complete this piece.
which was Il phenomenal success.
The misfortunes of a Terre Haute
nan were the inspiration for Just
ell Them That You Saw Ne" Il
net this man at Fourteenth street and
Inion Square, just n few weeks be-
ore l came here with Hoyt's y Tin
SOLDIER" said Mr.. Dresser. 81 well II
him as Il boy. He was
member of one of Terre Haute's
most prominent families, but at this
ime | would rather not have you say
lis family name. He was a handsome
Dung fellow. and popular with all
Who knew him. His parents, who in
ulged him to an extreme. still live
ere. He finally went on the stage
nd was doing fairly well until drink
tot the best of him. lie lost his po-
ition and at the time i saw him his
ppearance was rather shabby. /
old him / would be i'm Terre Haute
n a short time and / asked him if
here was any word he wanted TO
end to his family or friends. He 1
esitated a minute. and then replied,
Well. for heavens sake don't let
hem know my present condition.