The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-03-28

LODDlnb hp at SHOIJ illJcl Ndio, uH-
til now it Is again claimed for my
old ficnd. viii s. Hays.
Personally, Mr.. Hays, while
deligr.iul composer never said
that he wrote "Dixie and interrer-
ing fiiends can do little to credit
his n emory by making such an
empty claim.
One heroic a1venturer came
boldly to the front in the columns
~ the New York Sun and asserted
that once upon time, date not
given, man named Dixey owned
land and slaves right here in New
York, and that the song was writ
ton to the great glory of this SUI
.perlntively good Dixey.
All. indeed, but sometimes II
YOU see 1t in the Sun It isn't SO.
In this instance, for instance.
"Dixie' was written by Dan
nmm mett In 1859. while he was n
member of Bryants Minstrels, then
at Mechanics Hall, No. 472 Broad
way, New York. Besides receiving
this Information from Mr.. Embett
Dan Bryant told me all the details
connected with its composition and
production and the facts were ful
~ coiroborated by Dave Reed, who
was a me.Iber of the companv ar
that time, and who became great
faVoritc through his songs and
dance of "Nancy Fat" which was
the hit of the time.
Mr.. Emmett told me that on a
saturday night in November. 1859.
Dan Bryant came to him and said:
+" Dan, can't you get up walk
around for next week?',
AT that time the minstrels in
variably terminated their enter
;ainment with "walk -aroundv
in which the entire company ap-
Ipeared, and Emmett composed all
those used by Rryant's Minstrels.
Emmett replied that he would
do so, and during the intervening
SUNDAY wrote vi Wish 7 Were In
Dixie'. Orchestra parts were ar
ranged the same evening: the
song was thoroughly rebearsed the
following morning, produced on
Monday night. made an instantane-
'ous hit and has been popular ever
since
Emmett sent the first copy to
Billy Ndwcombc. then a member
Ruckloy's Serenaders. who paid tive
Iollsrs for It and the right to
make use OF 1t and this manuscript
is now in my possession.
It was this very copy that had
been used by Werlng, OF New Ut
leans, in publishing the song un-
der the title of "Dixie's Land" at
tributing It's authorship to Mr..
Peters. Emmett told me that ~Pet-
ers had merely harmonized the
music and. he added, ''Peters did
the job splendidly.n A dozen other
music dealers stole and published
the song, each presenting diff
ferent author. when Firth, Pond
and Co., OF New York, to whom
alone Emmet has sold the right of
publication, called a halt alonIy
the entire line. Shortly afterward
convention of music publishers
was held at the Fifth Avenue 10
cit and the subject of Dixie was
introduced and hotly discussed
Emmett personally appeared at this
/ meeting, using some mighty plain
and powerful language. even unto
cuss words and 50 completely sat
isiied all that he and he alone was
the author of "Dixie" that all the
publishers agreed to discontinue IFS
, publication, and send the plate,
10 Firth, Pond and Co. This the,
did' but Emmett said that ever,
one printed all the copies tha
could he sold in five years be
tore returning the plate
The idea of ~ Wish | Was II
Dixie" was born of Emmett,s earl,
experience in the circus busines
when all south OF Mason and Dix
MS line was Familiarity known a
: Dixie. In the autumn, when fros
overlook the southbound circus
the boys would think of the genia
sunny South, and as Emmett said
MANY time I've heard them sa
q Wish | Was in Dixies LanC
,, Dow!p
|
, Emmett was a most unassumin
and modest man, and was neve
boastful or conceited but for whic
q he might have appealed to tn
> south and made "Dixie', a certai
route to fortune. His song becan
. Famous without his aid or inte,
tion since 1t was composed merel
. 10 'hll the bin In an emeIlyenc
!, put as matter of fact IL has h,
. come sancttiied In the Sout
u where 1t is an object of idolatr,
IN the North 1t is revered an
holds high rank because of the nm
: Versally profound respect for n
: stately courcge shown by o,
brethren in the ever -deplorab
war.
nIa f..{ona aog-,