Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-06-14

~~S'S'AANs n.y. cuiiC l1.SpSSAuA
trains from all parts OF the country are
bringing home corners to the reunion
and odd Home Week" festival. From
the crowds that throng the streets and
other public places it would appear
that good proportion of the soc, 900
Kentuckians who have emigrated to
other states had accepted the invita-
ton of the Louisville Commercial club
ito come home and see the folks"
Kansas City, st. Louis, Indianapolis.
Cincinnati and other cities sent heavily
loaded special trains with bands and
banners flying. The city is splendidly
adorned for the occasion. The most
extraordinary enthusiasm prevails and
the musicians are vying with each
othed in the production of MY Old
Kentucky Home"
The festivities are to continue
through the remainder of the week.
Yesterday was given over to the re-
ception of the visitors. the formal
welcome being made by Henry Waiter
son and the response by David r.
Francis former governor of Missouri
and native Of Kentucky. The exer-
cises take place in the new armory,
which is handsomely decorated both
inside and out.
In Memory Song Writer.
Today is Foster Day in memory
Of Stephen Collins Foster the author
of the immortal song, my Old Ken
| ,<O ~F hn doV
will include brass band and VIOLA con-
certs, it being planned to mass several
bands to render my Old Kentucky
! Home" and have a chorus Of several
thousand children honor Fosters MEM
| ory. Another event OF the day will be
the unwilling Of statue Of Foster
which later Is to be placed in the
new state capitol at Frankfort.
In the unwilling of this monument
Kentucky will pay loving tribute to
| Stephen Collins Foster, author OF my
Old Kentucky Home" and many other
familiar ballads, which have endeare"
themselves to thousands throughout
this broad land.
Nor is Kentcky alone In hon.
oring this gentle genius whose melodies
have touched the heartstrings OF mil
lions, for ne Is beyond question the
most popular song writer America has
ever known, and his music, composed
half century ago. IA as fresh today as
4 when 1t was first heard. 1t is hard to
i estimate such an influence as his. but
IL one will stop to thing how some song
by Foster Is linked with fond MEM
cries, the boon OF such gift to ma
ton will be appreciated.
The statue of Foster comes from the
4 school children Of Kentucky, who con-
tributed their pennies to the fund.
I, Wrote Many Songs.
The two songs by which Foster most
endeared himself to Americans are
"Old Kentucky Home" and "Old Folks
J at Home" the latter being known al
, "Suwanee Rubber" While southern In
} scene and sentiment. their beauty and
pathos are such that they are beyond
section, and they have long since be.
: come part OF the country's heritage O
, song. The resident of Maine and thu
4 1 uWGlcT III MOlAtulA0 "a e 10 AsssA~sN 800
! ject to their tender influence a. tn
Kentuckian or one from the far south
s But It IL not by these two songs
alone that Foster is remembered. 10
there are many others. not unknown I
the present generation and perfectl
familiar to those who can remembe
25 years back that were his production
q Especially IL this so Of the negr
: songs which preserve the most beauti
!. ful features OF the days before the wal
. when the negro belonged to his master
2i Although a Pennsylvanian by brit
Foster spent much of his time in Ken
lucky, where slavery existed In i
manifest form. and the bond betwee
the darlkies and master and missus
was one Of love- All that was tende
and pathetic in this institution appeal
ed to Foster and inspired many beau
tiful songs. Foremost are those q
ready mentioned.
Some o. tts Favorite Ballads.
In THE Old Kentucky Home" tn
negro laments the happy days that Al
. rome. The same sentiment pervade
= "Old Folks at Home" and not eve
~ "Hor-a, Sweet Home" has sunk deeps
4 into the heart Of the homesick than Il
: lines
Il .Au up and down the whole creation
= Sadly I roam,
ID still longing for the old plantation
= And for the old folks at home"
~ .Old Black Joe" II perfect in its sin
nile pathos, and the grooming chant
. the old nesro's sad refrain a. he y
: rents the friends that have departed
.rm coming Tn coming.
For my head IL bending low.