Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-14
NELLIE MAY
LIST TO CALL
OF VAUDEVILLE
Champion Fiddler and
Wife Leave Home of Ford
Will Stop While in Gotham
Contributed Several Old
fashioned Tunes to Ford's
Americana of Dance Selec-
tons" to Be Published
Decorated by New York Club

Detroit, Dec. 13-(AP)-Reluct-
antly turning his back on the
scenes of his greatest triumph, "Mel-
lie" Durham, champion fiddler of
Maine, was being carried back by
train tonight to New York. where
he may heed the call of the foot
lights.
Cherishing memories of memoir
able week that brought him from
the humble surroundings of his lit
tie home in Norway. Maine. into the
spotlight and into friendship of one
of the worlds wealthiest men, Dun
ham was undecided whether to ac-
cept the vaudeville contract offered
him.
His place in the public eye came
through the interest displayed by
Henry Ford in his musical ability
that earned him an enviable reputa-
ton at the simple old-time dances
of New England. Accompanied by
his wife, Grandma" Durham. for
whom the western trip was a cele-
bration of their 55th wedding ami
versary, and the encourage of Bos-
ton newspapermen, the veteran fid-
dler looked forward to his visit to
New York.
There he will be entertained by a
club that decorated him with the
Order of the Cut Steel Bulldog. Its
emblem he proudly displays in his
shirt front. From there he will go
to Boston and Portland and then
to his home into the little Maine
village.
Contrasted with the luxury in
which he travelled to Detroit to &C.
cept the invitation of Mr.. Ford. the
white haired musician was speeding
to New York in Pullman car. He
came to Detroit in special car and
was entertained in Montreal at the
end of the first lap of his voyage.
During the week he was entertain
ed by Mr.. Ford at Dearborn Club
and played for Mr.. Ford's old-fash-
toned dancing class Friday night, the
pieces that have charmed New Eng
landers at dances for many years. he
also contributed several old fashion.
ed pieces of Mr.. Ford's Americana
Of old fashioned dance selections
now being prepared for publication.
The wealthy automobile manufac-
turer invited the Maine fiddler to
visit him as he had 80 other musl-
clans throughout the country, be-
cause of his interest in the old
fashioned dance tunes. These ne is
using in his crusade to return to
popularity the terpsichorean move
ments that reigned a quarter OF
century ago. Others had come ana
gone unostentatious1y and the world
never knew of their existence: IL
remained for the fiddler from Maine
to burst into fame through SIM
liar invitation.
Success has accompanied the eff
forts of Mr.. Ford and when asked
whether he really thought the old
fashioned steps would come back, ne
exclaimed:
"Come back! They're here! We
simply are falling in line. What we
are trying to do in getting out
book of dances is to standardize
them. This first edition is being re-
yised in the direction Of simplicity.
From the 81 quadrilles. Mr.. Ford
explained, four will be selected to
simplify their teaching and encour-
age their popularity. The manufac-
turers' first large attempt to teach
the public the old-fashioned steps
will be Tuesday night at one of the
largest dance halls in Detroit. For
this occasion. Mr.. Ford is advertis-
ing for couples to dance the square
dances and to form nucleus for
the party. 1t had been announced
earlier that Mr.. Durham would ap-
pear at the dance but these plans
were changed.