The Washington times., 1902-01-01
VIOLIN SOUNDED
IN THREE WARS.
HEARD AT THE BATTLE OF QUEBEC
Played Again In Florida in the
Fight With the ScminoIes-Hit
by n Bullet During the War
of The Rebellion.

A violin which has croned out dainty
mnuets in the olden days. when the
country was sparsely settled and before
the Revolution was fought, has become
the property of c. B. Ensley, we'll
known Brooklynite. Besides its venerable
age this violin has fddled through three
wars and was shattered by bullet in the
war OF the rebellion.
1t was pieced together and the violin
now gives swec, music mellowed by age
The warlike spirit has also entered into
the instrument and its tones are at times
brave and deep and suggest tine rumbling
of the conflict.
The violin, whose maker is unknown,
has an American record, however, which
is second to none in the country. 1t is
almost 200 years old. and it appears to be
good for many more years.
NaturaIized "A Century Ago.
The violin came to this country in 1905,
when the land was young and the fiddle
was the only instrument in vogue. 1t
came with William Vines Bonner, NJ. D.,
who was born in Manchester, England. 1t
was old and venerable then. Dr. Bonner
htdleu luS DOullN Ills OIL the settlers IN
Elizabeth CITY y. c., while he played the
violin TO while away the lonesomeness and
mental fatigue DIR. Bonner married a
Miss Farron of that place in 11i0, and had
two sons. Thomas and William.
Thomas died in 1907, and William Vines
Bonner, lr., fell heir to the aged violin.
He Joined the army in 1872, and fought
against the English. Like the minstrel
boy OF the famous song, he went to war
with his violin slUng across his shoulder
Before Quebec the instrument played
Yar-A@ Doodle and other patriotic
s. nss. 1t inspired the boys on the march
and cheered them in camp. Many
camp dance was enlivened by its strains,
and Mr.. Bonner was discharged from the
army with honor and died in 1875.
Fiddle Again to the Front.
The instrument descended to his eldest
son, William Vines Bonner III. Mr..
Bonner was also a physician, and, like
his forefather, practiced about Elizabeth
City and other villages in North Caro-
lima. He joined the army during the
Seminole war and took his violin to the
front again. He played in the Everglades
of Florida. and the wild strains of the
violin could be heard or many sultry
night. In 1850 he died and left the instru-
ment to another son of the same name.
Inc FIolIE descended TO a William Vines
Bonner ".
Ee Joined the Confederate army, and
again the violin went through an ardu-
Gus campaign, this time being the first
in its history against the Union forces.
But the violin is not ashamed Of that.
II believed like its owner and its State
and played and croned for cause which
was thought just. Many a dreary camp
fire of the brave Confederate army was
Tr- mad to
'C.xie" with Just as much vim as it had
droned out Yankee Doodle
General Lee was serenaded often by the
owner of the violin. and often asked young
Bonner to come UP to his tent and play
for him. One night young Bonner was af-
fording the general pleasant entertain
ment. when spent picket's bullet struck
the instrument and slightly injured it.
Struck by Bullet.
This was the day before the battle OF
Charlottesville, and the violin was
struck right in front of the little frame
house which was used as headquarters
by General Lee. In all of its campaigning
this was the only time the old instrument
was wounded in any way. Just before the
battle, the day after the violin was shot
the instrument was buried in tire cellar
OF house. week later DR.. Bonner Sc
cured the cid instrument
At the battle of Kingston, y. g, DIR.
Bonner and the violin were captured by !
the Federals. The violin played as |
sweetly in captivity as it did in actual |
warfare, and completely won the hearts |
OF the Northern men. DR.. Bonner was |
handled carefully by the Northerners and |
received many kindnesses, which made |
him think well of the boys in blue.
After the war DR.. Bonner went back TO |
the practice of his profession, and is now |
a revered and respected practitioner at |
Wysocking, Hyde County, ~ c., only a |
few miles from his ancestral home He is |
seyenty-four years old and - the last
male member of mis- family
NT. Ensley's folk are neighhors OF the |
Boomers in the Southern State As a |
boy Mr.. EnSley used to steal away from
the strong influences OF Methodist ia
ther and learn TO play the violin, DR..
Bonner being his instructor. He learned
to love the violin because of its history
and associations, and on his last trip
South brought it back to Brooklyn with
him. 1t is nog at his home, l37 Penn
Street, where it holds the place of honor
In the music room. Mr.. Ensley is a lover
OF music, and has many historical instru-
ments. All are second. however, to the
violin with the colonial and war his
torIes.-New York World