Putnam patriot., 1912-12-27
a FATHERS TRIBUTE

ri III HOils BAA A0li - ASNdftteT NhC
died Nov. 10. 1912 II anything
could comfort me in passing through
the deep waters it viii be the kind
and loving words Of his many devoted
friends. His calling Of composer
and producer Of operas in hundreds
Of cities in New England and New
York have made him widely known,
and many press notices have been re-
eeived extoling his worth as man,
and great ability as musician
Many thousands OF singers have been
under his instruction and taken part
in his operas, and in nearly all cases
have acted as stage manager and
never have / heard a word but praise
for mis- ability. patience and kindly
treatment 10 al No bombast. no
hluster. but a gentleman under all
circumstances. As some of the
press notices are somewhat mixed
and as his many thousand friends
may like to konw a little Of his life's
work. ] viii give a brief sketch Of
his career.
He was always good boy and at
tended a little country school in the
town Of Scotland, Conn, fwhere he
was BORN, until twelve wears old. |
was travelling man, and at home
bat . part of the time. On arriving
home at one time when he was about
ten years cid I heard some one play
ing the cornet His uncle was
cOTnef player, but he was then talk
ing with me. ! then learned that
Burton had been practicing to sur
prise his father. Thus early the mus
fe began TO come to the surface. When
he was twelve years | moved to VIII
iimantic. he 10 enter the High school,
and / as teacher of music in the pub
lie schools and to take charge of
chorus choir of the Baptist church.
He PLAYED the cornet in the hotr
and a solo during the ofertory. A
man from New York heard him, and
poon he was invited to take part in
in an organization ofariists called The
Stars of New York" He played with
them wherever they had an engage
meut for three years. several times
in New York city. and was known
as the boy wonder He made his
own solos I lost my organist and
ne was installed as organst as long
as I had charge. He had never TAX
an a lesson on any instrument, To
play any instrument seemed intuitiye,
natural, the outpouring of his music
ais oul He PLAYED for home entertain
ments, six different instruments.
Those who have seen him in oper-
attic work at the piano, conduct the
orchestra. and play the electric snare
and bass drums with his feet, the or
chestra bell. the zylophone and push
fhe hutton that ran the stage. Will
readiiy believe this During summer
vacations he Utaved cornet with Mil
4efss orchestra al Watch Hill and lat
ar with Rlalsdatrs AZ New Castle
Portsmouth. y. IT, lie graduated at
sixteen. then took post graduate
She following year 70 Breoare fer col
aese. During this year he produced
ms urst opera Ihe FROGS OF " md
ham. which was a local tradition.
the scenes OF which we're only three
miles distant He entered Yale uni.
NersitN at seventeen, ] sent him to
alieEe. hoping to queneh his music.
al ardor. but it was of no use that
minent German professor OF music
2rof Stoeckel had succeeded in in
trudncing music as an elective study
For The first time Ont of fifty who
started two graduated Most of the
vine my son was the only pupil
Many d time ! have entered the class
room and found Prof Stocked pound
ang Wagneran principles into his
home pupils brain. BY the way
NOV ee to New Haven at the same
slime TO make him a home and dur
ing our -four years stay | was run
ming his first opera The Frogs of
Alndham- As often as | got a
company ready he aad to be absent
sbree days to conduct the orchestra.