The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-11-07
MAENNERCH0R
SINGS TO AID
WAR REFUGEES
German Society, Founded
Fifty Years Ago, to Ad-
vance Musical Culture to
Aid Red Cross.
ORGANIZATION is OLD
Members Actively Engaged in
Practicing German Songs
and Lieder for Concert on
November Is and 10.

Richmond has had two main con-
tributing sources toward that culture
for which it is more or less generally
known.
The Quakers, or Society of Friends,
and the Germans.
That the Germans have been the
dominating force in concentrating the
musical elements of the community
and in the formation of high level OF
musical taste is renewedly brought to
the attention through the concerts
which the Maennerchor Is arranging
for November IS and 10 for the bene-
fit of the Red Cross.
Interesting it is to know that for
over a half century the German resi-
dents of this city have kept intact a
singing society.
Organized in 1856.
Now known as the Maennerchor, it
was first organized in 1856 under the
name of the Richmond Liederkranz.
and for fifty-eight years has been con-
tnuously active.
Few societies of allied interest can
boast of such record.
But one of the original members still
lives. Mr.. Schumann, ninety years of
age whose home is at the corner of
South Ninth and G streets.
Mr. Schumann talks entertainingly
of the early history of the society,
and refers with appreciative feeling
to those who have now passed on and
who were instrumental in organizing
this, one of the earliest singing sOcie-
ties in Indiana.
Early Members.
Among these were Fritz and Otto
Emmerich, Conrad Schlueter, Ferdi-
nand Harold. Henry Winterling, Bern
hardt Sporting, Fred Paulus, Balser
Bescher and Gottlieb Neidner.
The first meeting were held above
the residence of Mrs. Saymen, the UNI.
brella member, known to the early
residents of the town, located not far
from Emmerich's shoe shop, near
Fifth and Main streets.
Later the Liederkranz met in the
upper part of the building now occu
pied by the Item, then in Henry Win
terlugs, which was known at the
time as Jacob Lichtenfel's hall, on
South Eighth street, near B; in This
tlethwaite's hall, Knopps hall at Fifth
and Main, the name being changed tc
IIoerner's hall; in Vaughan's hall or
''ttiI' S'lVCI' anu llIldIy Ill CllC oouCl
Side hall, its present headquarters.
Early Instructors.
Tho LiedorkranZ had for it's first di
re";ors three of the early music teach
cT# Of this community, Professor fish
Professor Lehman and Professor Mar
tiGchang, the latter an Alsatian.
About 1872 the Beethoven Lieder
kranz was organized from the mem
bers of the old Liederkranz," said the
present director Of the Maennerchor
"anG the banner of this organization
is at present in glass show case with
other relics. some from Germany, ant
which include the twelve Mauser rifles
tom the Kaiser. presented through {
member Of the society.
Among the directors of the Bee
thOYen L1ederkranz were Professor
Walters and Professor Collett, the lat
ter organist at st. Andrews, Professor
rollett being also twice director of the
present Maennerchor. Professor Ruel
succeeded him the first time and Pro
fessor Albert Moorehead, we'll known
to everyone in Richmond, was a latel
director.
AT the time the old Liederkran;