The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1921-08-18
LITTLE GIRL MUSICAL MARVEL
Daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. F. 8. Gra-
ham Gaining National Fame

The following article, clipped from
a Minneapolis daily, tells Of the re-
markable achievement Of little Mique
Graham, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. F.
s. Graham, formerly residents Of this
city, and will be interesting to Times
readers:
"Mique Graham is going east to
make records for the oldest company
which makes records for the player
piano.
"Nothing remarkable about a pian-
lists making records, do you say?
"But little Mique is only 6 years
old. She is taking her mother and
her teacher along to curl her hair and
do her talking for her.. Most people
win admit that there is something re-
markable in that.
"For two years the little girl has
been giving recitals to Minneapolis
peoyA4- who have acclaimed her the
most remarkable musical prodigy they
have ever heard. That might have
been attributed to local pride and in
dulgent pleasure in a bright child's
performance.
"But when C. H. Stone of the Stone
Piano company drew the attention of
the Sohmer Welte-Mignon Reproduc-
ing company to Mique's talents, they
were even more impressed than the
home admirers. The 10 days Of rec
ord making in New York are the re-
suit Of their first impressions and the
earnestness of their faith that she
will develop into a great pianist.
"The manager told Marie Holland,
Mique's teacher, that they had long
wanted to make such records as a
matter of historical interest, as we'll
as for their present value. And when
Mique follows her bent and has be-
come the Paderewski of the coming
generation, these examples of her
early technique are going to be worth
millions to them. Miss Holland ex-
poets that they will be of great value
to the child now by extending her
public and making friends for her in
the circles where she will later play.
sMiss Holland enjoys telling how
she first discovered the great musical
sensibility of the baby she is now SO
proud of. She was giving lesson
to Mique's sister Billie-who is two
years older and who in a family where
there was no Mique would be consid-
cred rather wonderful herself. The
baby, then only 8, stood beside the
piano and watched every movement
with the most concentrated and un-
childlike attention.
''When teacher and pupil had left
the room the baby climbed, to the stool
and painstakingly went through the
exercises which had been given her
sister. That was the beginning Of
formal lessons for Mique, and also Of
her greatest joy in life. Miss Hol-
land has thrown her personality into
the teaching of the little girl with a
wholehearted abandon that is inspir-
ing to see. She has more than the
pride of teacher in pupil and more
than the affection one gives child.
And Mique returns her gifts with a
devotion only second to that of her
music.
"Mique's parents, Mr.. and Mrs. F..
S. Graham, 4218 Fremont avenue
south, are not willing to let Miss Hol-
land have all the credit of discovering
that Mique was prodigy, nor to al
low people to think. that music is the
only subject in which the little brain
went to work early and keenly.
"The Christmas before she was 2
years old she was given alphabet
blocks to play with. Her sister knew
her letters and enjoyed fussing about
with the baby. By her birthday, the
middle Of February, Mique was able
to spell simple words. When she was
4 years old she could read and write
we'll; she started to school then, hop
ing to begin Immediately upon a ca
reer Of erudition.
tContinued on last page)