The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-07-30
OLD FIDDLERS AMUSE GRAFTONIANS
The Old Fiddlers Contest Pleasing in the
Extreme-The Winners.

Inc VIA EIddiers contest Pleasing i'll the
Extreme-The Winners.
When the curtain in Brifkman op-
era house went up Saturday evening
on the first scene in the Old Fiddler's
Contest, a ripple of amusement went
oyer the audience. The old fiddlers
were discovered quite picturesquely
grouped about the stage, nearly all of
them in their shirt sleeves, and every
one of the seventeen or eighteen con-
testants holding a violin on his knee.
So many fiddlers were never seen in
Grafton at one time before, and likely
never will again. The introductory
remarks were made by Hon. r. T.
Browning of Oakland, an ex Senator
of our sister state. and the contest
opened without loss of time. Each
fiddler was entitled to play two tunes,
and the manner in which each came
toward, making his best bow to the
audience assembled, and each employ
ing a method all his own in the rem
dition of the old-time melodies, capti-
waited the audience from the very be-
ginning, and applause was very liber-
al at the conclusion of every piece.
The six famous Browning Brothers,
Messrs. Stephen, Ralph, Abel, Ed
ward, John and Thomas Browning,
were all present as promised, and the
first to lead off. Mr.. Geo. w. Flowers
of Harris on county, aged over eighty
one years, was in attendance, and was
the third to contest for the prize.
When this venerable old fiddler came
forward and seated himself he was
made the subject of a veritbale oya-
ton, and when his fiddle spoke with
no uncertain or trembling voice, the
applause was continued so voicifero-
usly that the notes of the tune could
not be heard at all. Mr. Flowers rem
dered his two pieces in very good
style and in a remarkable manner for
one of his age and although he did
not get first prize according to the
JbaNSSni hC NClo q III Vi Ullc
audience present. Stephen Brown
ing of Oakland, drew forth much APP
plause in both of his renditions, as
did also several others of this famous
family of tiddlers. The entire occasion
was enjoyable and occupied just en-
ough time not to tire the attendance.
The selections were all good, the dane
ing of Prof. Olthus received merit APP
plause and when the entire company
joined in "violin chorus, sixteen
Instruments being employed, the
effect was amazing. The judges were
Prof. S. G. Smith of Oakland, D. Grant
Smith and Leo. Rasche of this city,
and prizes were awarded as follows:
First class (fiddlers over fifty years of
age)-1st prize, John Browning; 2nd
prize, Stephen Browning; Sd prize,
Prof. Gus Cronston; 4th prize, Geo.
w. Flowers. Second class under fifty
years of age-1st prize, Abel Brown
ing; End prize, Frank DeWitt;3d prize,
L. ii. dam1nlll. Inc prizes consisted
of violins, bows, cases, mandolin, etc.
In conclusion the Brownings played
in unison, pleasing all who heard. To
any city of this or other states desir-
ing really novel and unprecedented
entertainment, we would say, secure
contest of the old fiddlers. The
managers of these contests are T. A.
Kimmell and J. w. Whorton of Oak
land, Md. Those who attended the
contest here will long remember it,
Grafton Sentinel.