Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-05
BOX YIELDS MELODY
CoLoRED MUSICIAN OPERATES
STRANGE INSTRUMENT.

N. w. Ray, colored, has obtained from
police headquarters a permit to play what
is probably one of the most unique musical
instruments that has ever been used in the
city. -,a
Yesterday afternoon the man walked into
police headquarters. 1t was noticed that
suspended by a strap over his shoulder he
carried a box of dilapidated appearance
about four feet long, with side Of 1t
knocked out
'what can we do for you. boss2" -ques-
toned Sam Burrows, who is in charge Of
the front office of the detective bureau.
II want a permit to play this on the
street." replied the stranger. He accom-
panied this statement with motion in
which he apparently caressed the box.
"Play what?" questioned Mr.. Burrows.
"Play this box" was the answer. Then
1t was noticed, as he held up the thing.
that on the top were strung five chords
which seemed to be of common fence wire.
This is peculiar" remarked one of the
detectives quietly to Mr.. Burrows. But out
of the several people who had gathered
around the man by that time there were
some that were from places near enough to
Missouri to allow the colored man to show
them what he could do.
"Give us tune, IL you can play that
affair."" said M. Burrows. The colored man
smiled at the request and placed the box
on the floor with the strings on top. The
wires were fastened in place by various
sized blocks of wood nailed to the box.
Other wires were fastened around nails
on the side and had chips Of wood under
them near the end to prevent any metallic
sound. Under each wire. near the center
Of the continuance. was a bridge carved in
crude shape out Of a piece Of wood When
the crudenesS Of the apparatus was con-
sidered 1t seemed impossible that any mel
ody would result.
Strains Charmed Group.
colored man pulled two sticks about the size
of lead pencils and about foot long out of
| his pocket. He tested the tones of the va
rious strings. adjusted the bridges of some
and moved the braces of wood under the
ends of others. This preliminary work,
usual to the toning Of most string instru-
ments. lasted but a few seconds. Then the
| man began to beat on the wires with the
sticks.
The hearers looked with establishment as
melody of unusual sweetness came from the
crude instrument on the floor. The man
played a Georgia buck and wing" that
would have charmed the most exacting crit
ic. Astonishment grew into wonder and
admiration among the small group the
piece continued.
The musician was then directed upstairs.
and. like those below. Maj. Sylvester and
Inspector Swindells were at first doubtful
of the musical qualities of this peculiar in
strument. But at the request of Maj. Syl-
vester tune was played. That settled the
question of a permit and Inspector SWIM
dells issued the required license.
Ray says he is native of Asheville, n. c.
He has been playing his 'boxphone'-as he
calls it-for some years in churches. for en-
teEtainments and about the streets To the
group at the headquarters he related stories
connected with his travels about the country
with the crude instrument He visited New
York, he said. and played for the bulls and
the bears in Wall street until the police OBJ
jected to the crowds he attracted. He then
I'll,
New York, and he came recently to Alex
andria. where he is making his headquar-
tiers.
His idea In coming to Washington is to
get the instrument patented. He claims
that as he can play on the strings on both
sides of the bridges, and as he can play IL
by beating the strings with sticks, he has a
peculiar instrument, for which a patent NAV
be issued.