davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
Old Fiddlers and Their Tunes

had They could sing, and often
did when hours of ease came. Their
equipment brought in at first by
pack horse was meager, but it in
Guided a few hymn and song books.
AS for instrumental music, the
best easily-transported music max
err of small bulk and weight was
the violin-the fiddle If it did
not come with the first loads en-
terprising pack horse traders would
soon have supplied it,
During the ages-long span of
mist-enshrouded pre-history some
keen observer, a Calico of his
time, noted that vibrations of a
taut string gave forth pleasing
sounds, his attention possibly
drawn to this by the bow strings
twang This improved on music
made by pounding on hollow log
with a club By the time history
began TO be written ingenious
Homo sapiens had devised means
of simplifying the singing strings
tones Evolutionary processes con-
tinucd and centuries later an ac-
cessory to better utilize the sound
potential was dcvclopcd-thc bow
Early ones were curved like those
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
BY Dennis T. Rasche

During century and a quarter
or so the area now Garrett County
was famed for several things, one
of which was its many excellent
violin players. Their local popu-
larity began soon after few fam
lilies of pioneers trickled into the
area to begin its settlement Long
before the development of stereo-
phonic sound reproduction, Hi-Fi,
TV, radio, or the early monographs
with a lily-shaped horn, the means
of gratifying a liking for music
were limited Other sources of en-
tertainment we're equally scant.
There we're no movies nor autos
for transportation to them.
Before these marvels came into
existence anyone who could play
wen on the fiddle was a sought-for
and socially popular member of
pioneer community. The early set
tiers lived lives of breaking
toll and sometimes danger But
eventually they became established
on such footing as to provide some
security and leisure time for en-
tCrtainmcnt Then came need for
music-Whatever kind was to be
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
Man Held On Charge
Of Carnal Knowledge

A % year-old Big Spring. Md.
man is being held in the county
Jail under bond on carnal knowl-
edge charge.
w. Dwight Slower. states at
torney, said the man, Robert Lee
Monninger, was given prelimi-
Eary hearing on the charge Tues
day. The state prayed a jury trial
ana the man was ordered held
under $1,000 cash bond for the
September term of the Circuit
court.
Monninger was apprehended by
Cpl. Robert Henline Tie Glen
Folk and Tic. Milton Hart after
the case was reported to state
police last Friday.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
Talent Show Set
Monday at Aurora

The Aurora Parent-Teacher AS
sociation'S Amateur Talent Show
will be presented next Monday,
May IS, at 500 p M, in the Au-
rora High School Auditorium.
Classifications for the show in
clude, Glass l. for ages one to
twelve; Glass ?, for grades
through II; and the third classifi-
cation will be for the adults.
Ii addition to the talent snow,
baked goods. etc. will be on sale.
Prizes include Glass l, IS, So and
50; Glass 2, $40 and S. and Glass 3,
SIS and $40.
Admission will be 50 cents for
adults and 25 cents for students.
Master of ceremonies will BE-
Charles Briner. of Oakland. Judges
will be Rev Edward Seibert, Mrs.
Hugh Groves. and Mr.. Richard Nc
Clure, Supervisor of Music in
Preston County Schools.
Subscribe to The Republican.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

Why does Dodge offer a three
speed automatic for both cars?
To give that added punch for
passing right when you need it.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

Edwards, Jr.
Mrs. Wheat Weeks, Richard Wal
ter, Eula Mae Weeks and Miss
Harriet Lewis visited Mr.. and
Mrs. Donald Weeks, of Dundalk,
Sunday.
Mrs. Harland Paugh accom-
panied by her father, Walter Moo
NAV, spent Tuesday in Baltimore.
Mrs. Johnny Bttinger and
daughter, of Buckhannon, w Va,
visited Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mich
olson, Sunday
Mr.. and Mrs Thomas Stevenson
and children, of Rockville, visited
his mother Mrs. John Stevenson,
over the weekend.
Mrs. Clyde A Gnegy, Mrs Ma
son Calls and daughter visited Mr.
and Mrs. Darrell Bush in Bridge
port w Va. Saturday
Rev and Mrs. James Remly and
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Riley at
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

Don't get ratified. Get a Dodge.
Rugged. Welded rather than
boIted together to ignore rough
roads and toughest service.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
To Form Associated
Young Peoples Group

The County Farm Bureau is pre-
pairing to organize an associated
young peoples group for all young
people interested in farming, it
was announced.
They may be single or married
within the age range of II through
80. The idea is based on the com
munity planning group, and is 10
help train young people for leader.
ship and guidance.
Interested persons are being
asked to be present at an organiza-
tional meeting at Northern High
school Thursday May IS, at 3
O'clock DIST. Further information
may be had by calling DE 4-2753.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
|!!!1![. 81

What better way to say Happy Mothers Day" than
with lovely gift from ENGLANDER'S. We've of
perfect something nice at price So make
your selection todaY-and do your Nom proud.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

tended the young adults banquet
at the Bridgeport Methodist
church, Bridgeport, w. Va, Satur-
day evening.
Mrs. Nellie Kitzmiller received
word of the death of her step
daughter-in-law, Mrs Thomas Kitz-
miller at the home of her par
ents in Philippi, W. Va. Interment
was in Philippi last Wednesday.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

that sped the Neolithic huntsman's
shaft. No longer was the musician
limited to staccato plunkety-plunks
of plucked strings. Finally master
craftsmen in Europe, reaching a
peak not since surpassed perfected
a wooden box of exactly the right
design-the violin.
This development came about
fifty years before our early settlers
arrived and this was at about the
beginning of a great trek of pio-
neers across the mountains toward
the rich and vast eXpanses of the
Ohio and Mississippi valleys and
onward over rivers, plains, and
other mountains to the far Pacific.
During the flow of this human tide
there were temporary frontiers,
but they continually shifted toward
the setting sun. Until professional
musicians followed in the wake of
the pioneers, which was not until
populous centers grew up, the set
tiers we're on their own unsteady.
They had to make their own music
and did. Wherever groups of
people stopped there soon were
fiddlers with lively tunes to en-
,f
The piano, too heavy and bulky
for the transport conditions of the
time, was not to follow the great
migration for many years. Not UNI
til the development of steamboats,
and railroads did it get wide dis
tribution. Also its manufacture in
this country did not begin until
the 182Os, by which time the local
fiddlers had piled their art during
fifty years.
Today few violinists would care
to play in recital without the sup
port of other instruments, the or
chestra preferably, or at least the
piano. But the old time fiddler
played his tunes mostly as unac-
companied melodies. Thus played
they needed to be good, and indeed
many we're. Those early fiddlers
were gents with plant supple
wrists and nimble fingers acquired
by much practice. Few had normal
musical training, nearly all play
ing by ear. Many could play sew
cral hundred tunes; the late Abel
Browning of Thaycrville knew L.
600. Some could play nearly any
piece after once hearing it. like
Blind Tom, the once-famous Negro
pianist. In some families skill with
the fiddle and bow apparently was
handed down from father to sons,
each generation producing above
average players.
Such family was that of the
Brownings of Garrett County, all
descended from the famed hunter
and pioneer Meshach Browning.
During a century and a half there
we're stand-out players in each gem
Grafton, this during decades when
fine fiddlers were numerous.
During the early years of this
century many of the best players
of the area competed for prizes in
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

It's farther between gas stops on today's
superhghways. It's farther in a Dodge, too.
Reason? Economical Dodge engines. Two
Skies for Lancer. A Six and five VS. for Dart.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11
Mt. Lake POT'k NeECS

Circle No. 2, WSCS of Bethel
Methodist church will meet Thurs
day evening, May II, at 7:30 p M,
at the home of Mrs Ethel Turney.
Mrs. Fannie Sullivan visited Mr..
and Mrs. Vern Sullivan at Hyatts-
vile, over the weekend.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson K Lever
ing, Jr., of Baltimore, spent the
weekend at their home here.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lue Snipes and
daughter, of Norfolk, Va, spent
several days last week with her
mother, Mrs. Carrie Edwards.
Other visitors over the weekend
we're her son-in-law and daughter,
Mr.. and Mrs. l.. B. Brown and two
friends of Jersey Shore, Pa, who
also visited her brother, Harry
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

needs have read the program
notes attentiVely or else miss the
point of the tale being unsteady
unfolded. In this latter case then
the piece just sounds like music,
albeit very good music, a quality
often lacking in some of the ultra
modern descriptive pieces.
Titles of few Of the better
tunes popular in the contests and
elsewhere we're Haste to the We'd
ding" Gary Owen" Sailors
Hornpipe," Larry O'Gaff," Devils
Dream" and Paddy on the Turn
pike"
Not so good unsteady but wide
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

a unpopular pre-movie form of
entertainment, the Old Fiddlers
Contest These were at Oakland,
Friendsville, Terra Alta, Grafton,
and at later time at Mountain
Lake Park. Other contestants be-
sides those pictured in the photo
accompanying this article were
Abel, Edward, and Motley Brown
ing, Frank Dewitt, Jim Walters,
Bill Comp, Billy Carr, Jerry SWEET
ger, Reuben Nethkin, Cal and Reu-
bin Gilpin, Bob and Gus erosion,
George Althers, and some whose
names are not recalled.
Attendance at the shows was very
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-05-11

good. People came to hear the
music Nowadays their grandchil-
dren can stay at home and by
/ turning a button bring forth from
magic discs harmonies approach
ing the sublime. Some tune down
the volume of magnificent Bee
thoven and Brahms symphonic re-
cordings to a faint murmur. Thus
played they provide a thin and
mild undertone to breezy con-
versations.
Contest prizes, violins, guitars,
banjos, and kindred items we're
awarded in two divisions. John f.
Browning often won that for men
over fifty and his younger brother
Abel the honors for the juniors In
later years Abel Browning be-
came the most Widely-famed of
the county area players. Not all
the men were old. Anyone was
eligible to contest, but this was
major league fiddlin' and the
sand-lotters with becoming mod
esty were not head-long about Of
fering competition. Most of the
players we're sons of earlier old
fiddlers and grandsons of still
earlier ones.
The Old Fiddler wanted no truck
with slow and mournful or tender
and romantic music although these
served for hymns and songs. He
favored tunes most of which we're
in the folk music category, always
fast-moving and rollicking These
pleased the tastes of his hearers.
Employing forms and patterns
brought from the Old Country,
jigs, reels, clogs, and hornpipes,
the local area musicians originated
some tunes, dozen or so. Some
fiddle tunes were regional, just as
there were folk lore customs that
did not extend beyond limited
neighborhoods.
The local tunes did not get into
published collections, but Totten
A. Kimmell, who with J. William
Wharton was joint impresario in
promoting the Old Fiddler's Con-
tests, has preserved a few in must
cal notation The titles are SHADY
Dell Cheat River" and Fox
and Hounds" The latter originated
with the BroWnings and is in the
category OF program music, this
defined as compositions intended
to depict some action or emotion
in terms of music. Along with a
good tune is heard what seems
like the baying of hounds on the
scent of Reynard, only moder-
ately excited at first but gradu-
ally becoming hurried and fever
ish, rising to final furry of eli
max wherein the quarry is run to
earth The title is program note
enough.
When hearing more pretentious
descriptive music by some such
pioneers in this musical field as
Berlioz or List, or say something
like the "Nutcracker Suite or
the "Sorcerer's Apprentice, one
, 1961-06-07
1. IS

/ M CAT (Female)
Last seen wearing green collar
with bell. REWARD to per
son knowing whereabouts of
said cat.
Call FLA or F-l00J
, 1961-06-07

OWN YOUR OWN HOME IN ST. CROIX
MAxIMUM HoME BUILD1NG LOANS
UNDER FILA PLAN ARRANGE AT
&c Church Street, Christiansted

L. Your lot may qualify as down payment instead
of cash.
{. If no land owned, lots available in Christiansted
and Frederikssted areas. as much as 97% loans on
valuation of house and lot.
8. Low monthly payments because of 25-year loans
up to $22.50000 maximum.
a Ten different types of houses to choose from includ-
ing low cost houses or your own plan.
6. Finest quality masonry construction 4 FILA
inspections.
6. Firm price in building contract speedy construction.
Z. No red tape, application quickly filled out for you.
8. House can be owner-occuped or rented.
g. Families living in the States may qualify.
10. 38th FILA house now under construction.
II. Most experienced operation in FILA financing and
construction in the Virgin Islands.
IL. Application ready for veterans who wish to build at
Annals Hope.
13. Two bedroom houses as low as $7,5O000, Larger
houses at various prices up to 100000.
Mornings or by appointment
ROBERT G. WALLACE. Licensed Contractor
FILA Construction Specialist in st. Croix since 1858
Telephone ls5W Christiansted
, 1961-06-07
NOTICE OF HEARING OF FINAL ACCOUNT

Pursuant to an Order of the District Court of the Virgin Islands
dated May 25, 1861, the undersigned hereby gives notice that she
will render her final account in the above entitled estate on July 9th,
1861 at 1000 o'clock in the forenoon of the said day at the Office of
the Clerk of the District Court in Christainsted. Any person having
objections thereto should then and there appear and show cause why
said accounting should not be approved.
Dated: May &c, 1861
Agnete Abel Behr
31-7-14-21 Executrix
, 1961-06-07

IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF SAINT CROIK
cHRIsTIANSTED JURISDICTION
USSERY CONSTRUCTION co.
Emmerson UsserY. Prop.
Plaintiff CIVILNO. l96l-
vs.
ARTHUR KoHN
Defendant ACTION FOR DEBT
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS:
TO:
ARTHUR KoEN. Defendant
Within the time limited by law July %, 1861, you. are hereby
required to appear before this court and answer to a complaint filed
against you in this action; and in case Of your failure to appear or
answer, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the
relief demanded in the complaint for debt.
Witness my hand and the Seal Of this Court this "a day Of May,
1861.
LEADER & PADILLA Ishmael Bclgh
(Attorneys for PlainifD CLERK OF the Court
Frederiksted, st. Crix ~
(Addressl 317-1421
, 1961-06-07

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
DIVISION OF SAINT CROx: CHRISTIANSTED
In the Matter of the Estate of
NIELS D. ABEL PROBATE No. II 1856
Deceased.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
C&OSeesRu|e
OF BIO as Tax
Saving Deal

A Chesapeake & Ohio Rail-
way Co. executive said today
his firm may be able to save
millions of dollars in Federal
income taxes in the next five
years If it gains control of the
Baltimore & Ohio system.
John F. Kerslake, assistant
vice president of the CS5O, pre-
sented the testimony before an
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion examiner. The hearings
are to determine whether the
Gao or the New York Central
should be permitted to take
over control of the faltering
B&O system.
Mr.. Kerslake said the poten-
tial tax savings could be real
lied only if Gao obtains 90
per cent or more Of BIOS
voting stock under a stock ex-
change offer.
Gao now claims it coulC
control 81 per cent of BIC
through exercise of exchange
tenders already made, plus the
$24 million purchases of BIC
stock which C6SO has made ir
the open market since January
Two witnesses for the BIC
testified yesterday that roaC
must have financial helr
quickly through affiliation witt
the C&O, and the latter roao
fired back at a New York Cen,
trail motion for dismissal of the
Gao application to contro
the BIO.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
PneumoD oDynomics
Reports Sales of
$7.4 Million

I. PneumoDynamics Corp.
Washington subsidiary of
cleveland Pneumatic Indus
tries, Inc, had sales of ST.
421,215 and net income of
$384,642 or 10 cents a share
after taxes in six months ended
May 81. reported Board Chair
man Sam S. Mullin today.
Operations for the second
fiscal quarter ended May 81,
produced a sales increase of
9 per cent and a 27 per cent
gain in net earnings, compared
with the preceding quarter,
Mr.. Mullin said.
The order backlog on May
81 totaled $10.2 million. Sales
for fiscal 1861 are expected to
exceed SIC million compared
with $14 million in fiscal 1860.
The current ratio on May 81
was 3 to l compared with less
than 2 to on November 80.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
MaryIandSe|I
SIS Million Of
Road Bonds

BALTIMORE, June % (AP) /.
The State Roads Coommis-
sion today sold SIS million in
bonds to help finance its $84
million road construction pro-
gram for fiscal 1862.
The l5-year bonds. which
will be dated july l, the start
of the States fiscal year. will
carry a net interest rate of
3.40638 per cent.
The low bid. one of three
submitted. came from a syndi-
cate headed by Smith, Barney
g. Co. of New York and includ-
ing Alexander Brown g. Sons
of Baltimore.
The high bid was 3.47664 per
cent.
Over the 15-year period the
State will pay $6,564.1Ol inter-
est.
The interest rate went up
slightly since a $12.5 million
issue was sold last January
at a rate Of 3,2936l per cent
That bond issue was to help
finance highway projects fol
the current fiscal year.
Today's bond issue was part
of $27.5 million in State bonds
which will be sold throughout
the coming fiscal year.
The State roads commission
also will have available $16 mil.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
Piggybuck' Rights
Won by Railroads
BY the Associated Press

The Interstate Commerce
Commission today gave its ap-
proval to two important forms
of "piggyback" railroad freight
service. Both had been chal-
lenged by the trucking indus
try as unlawful, destructive
competition.
"Piggyback." which has
steadily grown in popularity
during the last several years,
involves the transportation of
loaded highway trailers on flat
cars.
The ICC sanctioned today
what is known as Plan III
service, in which the shipper
provides the trailer, and a
Plan w service in which the
shipper also furnishes the flat
car and the railroad supplies
locomotive power only.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
New Agency Opened
By Columbia Title

Columbia Title Insurance
Agency. Inc. has opened Of
fices, in the Arlington Trust
Co. building in Arlington, Va.
The new agency represents
and issues title insurance poll
cies of the Columbia Title In
surance Co. and the Real Es-
tate Title Insurance Co. of the
District of Columbia.
These companies have been
doing business since 1881 and
are well-known in the entire
Washington area. Harry j.
Kane, ir.. president of the COM
panies, indicated the agency
will operate through a list OF
approved attorneys covering the
northern part of Virginia.
The Arlington agency will be
supervised by T. K. Nelson
Sterling, who has been con-
nected with the parent COM
panies until recently.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
Mount Vernon Bank
Votes Stock Dividend

For the second time in a row,
stockholders of Mount Vernon
Bank & Trust Co. viii receive
a stock dividend of 2 per cent
in place Of the regular semi
annual dividend of STA share,
President Andrew w. Clarke
announced today.
The distribution amounting
to an additional share of stock
for each so shares owned will
be made on July is to stock
holders OF record at the close
on June 80. Stockholders eligi-
BILE for fractional shares will
be paid in cash.
Mr.. Clarke said the banks
steady growth is continuing
ana plans call for opening of
two new branch offices in the
near future. They will raise
the. total to six offices offer
ing full-service banking six
days a week.
Evening star., 1961-06-28

this areas first all-weather,
climate-controlled, completely
covered. regional center.
The first section will include
a 10000 -square-foot Drug Fair,
an Arp Supermarket of $4,000
square feet, a Highs dairy
products store, a bank, bakery,
barber and beauty shops, dry
cleaning and shoe repair shops
and a hardware store.
The first section will cost
more than 81 million and will
include parking facilities for
500 cars. It will represent
around 10 per cent of the big
regional center which will oc-
cupy a 70-acre site on Green
belt road at Kenilworth avenue
in Prince Georges County.
The rooted : over shopping
mall will provide access to more
than 10 business establish
ments, including a major de-
partment store and national
chain speciality shops. variety
stores, shoe stores, etc. The
mall will be entirely air condi-
toned in summer and heated
in winter. Shoppers will be
able to enter any store without
going outside the covered mall,
Architects for the Beltway
center are William L. Mayne
OF Arlington. Va, and John !,
Bennett of Maryland. Mr.. Ben
nett formerly was associated
with Lothrop Douglas of New
York, designers of Prince
Georges Plaza and Wheaton
Plaza.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
New Wire Devices
Marketed by ACF

A system of communications
devices expected to simplify
and speed transmission Of dig
ital data over long distances
has been placed on the market
by ACF Electronics, a division
of ACF Industries, at River
dale. Md.
The division, long prominent
in flight stimulation and COM
munications equipment, calls
its new system ABCD for ACF
building block communications
devices.
ABCD is regarded as the
most flexible, expandable and
economic method for adapting
existing data equipment for
simultaneous transmission of
information over standard
leased telephone lines, the an
nouncement said. -
Evening star., 1961-06-28
Earnings

Allegheny Power System in
IL months ended May 81 earned
$21, ,767 ,791 or $2.35 a share VS..
$21, $50, ,624 or $2.32 in 1860.
Walker Good. & WOrts in 8
months ended May 81 earned
$18,627, ,955 or $2.16 a share VS..
$17,567,713 or $2.04 in 1850
period.
Baltimore g. Ohio R.R. in S
months ended May 81 had a
loss of $17,5l2,908 VS.. earnings
of $147.936 in 1860 period.
Erie-Lackawanna R.R. IN 5
months ended May 81 had a
loss of $15,678.641 VS.. 4 loss Of
$4,032.978 in 1860 period.
Diamond National in "a
weeks ended June 10 earned
$6,516,000 or $1.38 a share VS..
$7,O96,0OO or $1.51 in 1860
period.
Reading Co. in S months
ended May 81 had a loss Of
1896, 1855 VS.. earnings of $780,
174 in 1860 period.
Boston e. Maine Railroad in
5 months ended May 81 had a
loss of $2,405, 900 VS.. a loss of
$3l 900 in 1860 period.
Placer Development in year
ended April 80 earned $2,723,-
214 or $1.06 a share VS.. $780,
431 or 81 cents in 1860.
Chi, r. I. g. Pac. R.R. in
months ended May 81 earned
81, ,902, no. or IS cents a share
VS.. $2,617.5s1 or s6 cents In
1860 pertcdsa
City Stores in 50 weeks ended
April 20 earned 1881, 900 or Ga
cents a share VS.. $2.745, 900 or
SLOT in 1860.
Leeds g. NOrthup Co. in year
ended May 81 earned 81 ,038, ,688
or $1.14 a share VS.. $1,714,59S
or $2.12 in 1860.
Norfolk & Western Rwy. in S
months ended May 81 had a
loss Of $79,619 VS.. earnings Of
$101 $40 in 1860 period.
Evening star., 1961-06-28
.AvcoProfits
Jump 1879

NEW YORK, June % (AP),
The Avco Corp. yesterday re-
ported a 19 per cent increase
in earnings for the first half
of the fiscal year despite a
moderate decrease in sales.
Net income of $6,201,187
equal to so cents a share, was
reported for the six months
ended May 81. This compares
with income for the same pc
riod last year of $5,216,559, or
81 cents a share.