Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-03-22
A MUSICAL PRODIGY
Four Year old Grandson of Prof. John
Thaler Exhibits Wonderful Mas.
terry of the Violin.

We publish herewith telegram
sent from Elk Point, S. D., to the
Sioux City Tribune because it is OF
local interest, and because it tells OF
the astounding performances upon the
voilin of boy four years old, Master
John Mcdonald, grandson of Prof.
John Thaler of Calmar, whose know
ledge of music and mastery Of the
violin is we'll known throughout
northeastern Iowa. 1t is as follows:
Elk Point, SD, Ten thousand
dollars year for the services of -four
year old boy.
This is the amount that DR.. w. nj.
Mcdonald, of this place has refused
without moments hesitation, in
behalf of his little son, John. For
lyceum bureaus and theatrical mana |
gers have for two years been sending
tempting offers for contracts for the
little boy to appear in public with
his violin.
Il care not if he can only run the
scale wrote Henry W. Savage, in his
Offer
But the boy could, when two years
old, play standard selections, reading
his own music, and now at four years
and eight months, plays Wagner and
Bach with the ease of a master, and
in fashion that has thrilled everyone
who has ever heard him. His
childish hands though unable to write
a single word of the English language,
put on paper his own music with an
amusing comprehension; though he
cannot read printed word, he can
follow the bars in his music book far
more quickly than he can play.
But his father has declared positively
that the boy is not to appear
in public until he has finished his
education; and this year he will leave
for Europe and will not return until
he has studied under every master of
the violin on the continent.
When the boy was less than two
years of age his mother left out her
violin one day. A little later she
heard some one playing softly
She hurriedly followed the sound
and found, to her amazement, her
little boy, the violin in his lap, rap
ture written on his face, his chubby
fingers awkwardly but faithfully
her play. When the little fellow
in fear TO hers, tears filled her eyes
and she clasped him to her arms with
q great joy in her heart
For the mother herself possesses
the soul of music; and her father
Professor John Thaler. is a soloist,
composer and instructor of some note.
And this with the fact that his
father comes from long line of
musicians doubtless explains the re-
markabie talent of the boy.
Like handel, the boy has watched
every chance thereafter to steal away
with his mothers violin, and play
for hours at a time. Then one
glorious morning, there came for the
little fellow d violin to be all his
own. He was in bed when it was
brought in. Leaping out in his gown,
nothing could restrain him until he |
had played half dozen of his favorite
airs. For weeks he could not be in !
duced to close his eyes in sleep unless |
the beloved violin was by his side
clasped in his arms.
One day an amateur troupe met at |
Mcdonald home to practice "Pina- |
FORE which was to be presented at |
the local opera house. The little boy, |
unnoticed listened with rapt attention |
throughout the performance. After |
the company had gone he took up his |
violin and played the music from end |
to end by memory, and as far as his |
mother could tell, without blunder. |
And ever since he has played this
opera and has never seen the music.
AT the age of three years John made |
his first and only public appearance,
his father allowing him to appear be-
fore the Beethoven club. a musical |
organization of Sioux City. He as
tended this club by playing we'll !
known music with depth of feeling
many an ambitious musician would be
glad to possess. This attracted so
mnch attention that his father soon
began receiving visits and letters from
lyceum bureaus and theatrical man.
ayers, and he was told he could have
a weekly salary of from 500 to 5000
for his boy. But he has steadfastly
refused, believing it better for the
child 10 first receive thorough educa-
tion. For the same reason he discour-
aged advertisement of the boys talent
and, although Chicago, Minneapolis
and other dailes together with musical
paper, have wanted to publish
sketches of the boy, he would never
consent until now.