The Washington herald., 1909-10-31

One Of the most popular or all the
songs sung in the home and In the
Sunday school is; THE Sweet Bye
and Bye" the words of which were
written by Samuel Fillmore Ben
nett. and the pretty air by J. P.
Webster. a composer Of music. who
won great popularity by his musi-
cal setting 81 'Lorenar' Paul
Vane." and Little Maud
At the time Of the writing Of the
music. in the early SOS. Webster
lived at the little town Of Elkhorn,
Wis. and about twice each year he
woulc go to Chicago with a role OF
manus, ript songs, and invariably
disposed Of them to II. VI. Higgins,
the music publisher.
They were usually written with
pencil. and in a hasty. scrawling
manner. though the notes were al
ways legibIe The songs he offered
for sale at S25 apiece. and the pub
Usher would select those which he
thought would sell, and either pay
the composer, OF agree upon g roy
atty
Webster's appearance when he
went 20 the store was usually IN
common. He wore his hair hanging
to the shoulders. Il was light
brown. and his complexion was for
id. He had clear blue eyes and
heavy eyelashes. He was Of medium
height rather slender. and walked
with a gait that suggested hu-
mility.
In 1856 or 1867. a young physi-
clan. Samuel Fillmore Bennett. then
lately graduated from Ann Arbor
University. had become an intimate
friend OF Webster. They were. in
fact. almost inseparable. One day
webster came into his Office IN
most respondent frame Of mind.
What is the trouble nOw?' his
friend asked.
1T is no matter webster an
swered with a sigh TT viii be all
right bye and bye"
Like an inspiration. the idea
flashed upon Bennett. who had
written several war poems, 70
write some verses. and he said:
why not make a song OF the
sweet bye and bye" Webster an
swered:
You write the verses and I'll
make the music"
Turning 20 his desk. Bennett has
tily scrubbed line after line, and
I'm less than a half hour the verses
were completed. He then handed
them TO Webster. who raised his
violin just as two friends entered.
Not waiting TO greet them. he drew
his bow. and. without any hesita-
tion. played the tune which since
has been sung by millions He
hastily jotted IT down on waste
paper and in less than ten minutes
from the time he began the compo-
sition the four men were singing
The Sweet Bye and Bye"
Thus originated the words and
music Of a hymn which has given
consolation and hope TO the whole
Christian world. The characters IN
the drama are few and humble. the
surroundings most simple-the poor
respondent musician. the young
physician. two friends. and a COM
mon Office in a Western town.
The composer. with HIS manu-
script songs under his arm. appear
ed In Chicago soon afterward. He
hoped and expected TO sell the man
uscripts for $50 each; this means
$50 or 5000 TO take home. He
went to the music store Of Root &
Cady. who had made a fortune with
The Battle Cry Of Freedom" and
other war songs. They examined his
manuscripts and took all except
The Sweet Bye and Bye" That
song they did not think worth
publishing"
Poor Webster, The composition
he had counted upon most was re-
jected. He could not go TO Higgins
again. for Higgins had hurt hts
feelings and had refused to publish
any more OF his songs. He finally
men. lately from Boston. Lyon &
Hesly. They had treated him cour-
teously. though they had published
nothing Of his. He went 70 their
place Of business and was intro
duced to Mr.. Healy.
Copyright 1909. I