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- Description:
- Handwritten letter from Lewis Cass to William Foxen. The letter reads: Washington September 26, 1861 Dear William, Mr. [...] wrote me, that the dining table was coming on. We want it very much, in a [...] First you can let me know just the breadth of the table, and the length to check I can hold out if they [...] Meals are, an [...] Lewis Cass
- Date Issued:
- 1861-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This writing paper was from the personal stationery of Francis L. York who was the organist at Christ Church in Detroit. The paper has a watermark that shows a monogram emblem (unreadable) and the word, "Ledger." It is slightly yellowed and the sender's address, "235 Hancock Avenue West," is printed in black text at the top. The 10-page letter was handwritten in black ink and the text has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit Dec 30 1900 Hon. Wm. C. Maybury. Mayor of Detroit. Dear Sir. Your communication asking for an article on the present conditions of musical matters in Detroit, at hand. I regret that I have only twenty-four hours in which to prepare the article, but will do my best. - The history of music in D. during the earlier part of the century was similar to that of most towns. There were two players and fewer instruments. The "singing school" teacher was in evidence and taught the girls and boys to read the "buckwheat" notes. Isolated attempts at choral work were made and in the Catholic churches some attention was paid to the musical service. Later on as more interest was taken in all kinds of art concerts given by singers and players began to be heard. Beethoven was then writing his greatest works Schumann Chopin Mendelssohn and Liszt either were too young to write or their works were unknown. It is only within fifty years that music can be said to have a history in D. or it is only within that time that music and professional musicians have had any recognized standing. The churches have perhaps had more to do with fostering a love for music than any other influence. With the advent of the pipe organ the better class of music began to be hear Mozart's and Hayden's music and later those of more modern writers were given in the churches. The old Detroit Musical Society under various names did excellent pioneer work giving concerts and producing ovations etc. Mr. Abel Mr. Zelmisky and others directors. Mr. Meakin of the Fort St. Presbyterian church and Mr. Abel of Christ Church were the most prominent organist[s] of, say, thirty-five years ago. The past twenty-five years during which I have been more or less acquainted with musical matters in D., have witnessed a wonderful transformation and growth in all departments of music and in the appreciation and taste for music all over the country, but our advancement in D. has far outstripped that of most places. Music has grown more rapidly than any other department of human interest in the world of art and letters. Twenty five years ago a Sonata by Beethoven would hardly be listened to by a Detroit audience - a Fantasia on some operatic air, full of "runs" and musical fire-works was what appealed to the average taste. And as for Bach! he was caviar to mostly all - unhappily so to too many yet. Twenty-five years ago we had but one organist of any standing. Today we have at least three who are not only known throughout the country but to some extent in Europe. We have a pianist, Mr. Jonas, who, though not in the first rank is at least the equal on many in the second rank. We have Mr. Wm. Yunck one of the finest violinists in the country and an excellent all-armed musician. The coming to D. of Messrs J.C. Batchelder and J.H. Hahn fresh from study with the best teachers of Europe (Richter, Haupt, Plaidy, Loeschhorn etc) is really the starting point of the remarkable progress that has been made during the past twenty-five years. It was due very largely to these two men that music has attained its present position. Both these gentlemen, men of large ideas well equipped and aiming at the highest ideals, have worked and are still working most successfully for the good of music. Where there are so many musicians where work is excellent it is difficult to choose names for mention. Tastes differ and others doubtless would select a different lists. But in addition to those already mentioned I must give a few names of those whose work has had a determining influence on music. Mr. Hofmann the cellist, Mr. Luyler pianist, Mr. N.J. Corey, and I hope the present writer, organists, Mr. Norton Soprano and voice teacher, Mr. Freytag organist Mr. Brueckner violinist, Mr. Marshall Pearl and Mr. J.D. Mechan (now of Pittsburg Pa) are some of those whose work has not only reputation and success to themselves, but has had an immense educational value in diffusing knowledge of music and an appreciation for the best in music. There is no city in the union of the size of Detroit that possesses so many well-known and unusually capable musicians as D. Detroit is well supplied with music schools - perhaps too well for it is a question whether the multiplication of small schools is an advantage. The Detroit Conservatory is one of the strongest and best known in the country and under the direction of Mr. J.H. Hahn has wielded a powerful influence for good. Recently it gave its one thousandth recital. The Michigan Conservatory established this year under Mr. Jonas is a worthy rival of the older institutions and has a strong corps of teachers. Many others such as the Detroit Institute (Miss Jacobs) and the Detroit School of Music (Mr. F. Apel) might be mentioned with approval. In the matter of Church Choir, Detroit stands above any city of its size with which I am acquainted. The work of the bested choirs in at least two instances is admirable, comparing favorably with some of the best in England. As yet there are no choir schools and no church requires the daily attendance of the choir. It is hoped something may be done in this direction. The denominational churches are served for the most part by quartettes though chorus work is also heard. The best singers of the city usually have choir positions and such singers as Harold Jarvis and Mr. Frazer Tiners such basses as Sam. Slade, J. Krolik, C.A. Cottors and Dr. Spalding and a long list of excellent sopranos and altos are to be heard each Sunday in the churches. In the matter of church organs there has been great advancement. Where as a few years ago the best organ was a moderate sized two manual, we now have a number of very complete three manual instruments. The best of those are the Roosevelt organ in the Jefferson Ave Presbyterian church and the Johnson organ in the Cass Ave Methodist. There are also several by Farrand and Votey formerly of this city. So in church organs D. is well supplied, but a larger concert organ is greatly needed. An organ if say, four manual with one hundred steps in a large hall, played weekly by a competent organist after the manner of the organ concert, in St Georges Hall Liverpool, would have a most helpful influence in giving the masses an opportunity to hear good music either gratis or at very small expense. D. possesses two large admirably equipped music houses, that of Schwankovsky identified with the Knabe piano, and Grinnell Bros the Steinway agents. The Steinway is the favorite piano but on account of its high price is frequently displaced by other makers. Recently piano playing attachments have been introduced. To what extent they will take the place of individual players and just what position they will occupy in the musical world we leave to the new century to decide. To us it seems that they are likely to occupy a position of their own analogous to that of music boxes and orchestrions etc. The favorite piano composer at present in Chopin whose music has largely come into prominence within the last twenty years. Wagner is the favorite in grand opera though Gounod's Faust is more frequently heard. Comic opera is represented by De Koven's Robin Hood and such operas as the "Geisha" and the Gilbert and Sullivan opera. Among American composers for piano and orchestra Ed. MacDowell is regarded as the best. The better class of music is constantly displaced the cheap popular stuff that was formerly the rule. The "Gospel Hymns" have had their day in the churches though they are still heard. The present rage for "Coon Songs" is doubtless ephemeral. The great need of Detroit numerically is a large music hall, a concert organ, a permanent endowed orchestra and a more efficient chorus. In these very important matters we are deficient. The present writer hopes that whoever may open this in 2001 may see Detroit at the head of all American cities musically. He dreams of a noble hall dedicated to music which is being given a concert, - in which are heard an immense organ much more perfect than those we now have, no doubt with many true colors now unknown, an orchestra of scores of pieces containing instruments of form and effectiveness far beyond our knowledge, a grand chorus of hundreds of voices - all joining in giving the works of composers now unborn. He greets you wish you a Happy New Year, and if at any time it is given to the spirits of the departed to return to earth to be sure it would be such an occasion as just described that would call him back. Nos morituri te salutamus. Francis L. York Organist Christ Church 1896 Teacher of piano and organ and composition Detroit Conservatory of Music and Ypsilanti State Normal College"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Handwritten letter from 9 year old John Bell Moran to a Miss McKeen, thanking her for a Christmas card and reporting on his progress in school learning fractions. The letter reads: Detroit Mich Jan 20 1895 Dear Miss Mc keen I received your letter about a month ago it pleased me very much and I thank you for your Christmas card it was very nice how is Ted and Charlet and George I hope they are all well tell Ted that I go to a public school and I am about starting on Frackihins there are two classes in our room. I have not binn sick since we came down from the Point. As this is all I have to say I will close good by from your friend John Bell Moran.
- Date Issued:
- 1895-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Letter, dated December 18th, 1912, from the Detroit Stove Works to The Soo Hardware Company in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The letter discusses a supposed shortage in a shipment delivered to the Soo Hardware Company on November 1, 1912, with the Stove Works explaining that its records show the shipment was delivered in full. At the top of the letter are images of the company's stove works on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit and their Western Offices on La Salle Street in Chicago.
- Date Issued:
- 1913-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- A letter from Ralph Emery, a clerk working for the Detroit Stove Works, to his father, Robert T. Emery, in Belfast, Maine, dated December 4, 1886. The letter is written on Detroit Stove Works letterhead, which features a lithograph, credited to the Calvert Lithograph Company, depicting the Detroit Stove Works offices in Detroit and Chicago as well as the company's foundry in Hamtramck, Michigan. The letter reads: My dear Father, Have not written you for over a week as have had nothing particular to write about. We have had no snow to amount to anything, still have had some quite cold weather, the river is full of ice, coming down from the lakes. I have not fully recovered from my cold yet + just at present have a little boil inside of my nose which is very painful. As regarding my plans, do not think I can do better than to remain here for the present at any rate, there may be something turn up the first of the year by which I may get promoted but even if there is not then shall hope to soon. Had a letter from Miss [Rocaf?] a few days ago. Mr. Stone + family have left Montreal + gone to Philadelphia + he is now Rector of Grace Church in that City. The church I understand is a very large one + they like the change very much although sorry to leave Montreal. I am very glad they are making improvements to the Railroad Station it was a change much needed + will be appreciated by all who have any friends in the city all - The lantern you have made for the [------] must be a great benefit not to yourself but to all who have come the house - as the Corner there is very dark + a particularly bad place when it is wet. Am glad you are having such good success with the paper + hope it will be a great success. Remember me kindly to all friends - + hoping to hear from you again soon. Your affec. son, Ralph Emery
- Date Issued:
- 1886-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 2-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by John Samuel Foley, Bishop of Detroit. The paper is printed with light red lines and shows the letterhead of the Episcopal Residence in the upper left corner. On the second page, the embossed seal of the diocese can be seen. The paper also has the watermark, "Abstract Bond." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit, Mich. Dec. 31 1900 At the request of His Honor, William C. Maybury, Mayor of Detroit, Michigan, I the undersigned furnish the following statistics of the Catholic Church in the diocese of Detroit on this the last day of the century. The diocese was established by the Holy See on March 8, 1833. The first bishop, Frederick Resé, D.D. was consecrated Oct. 6. 1833, died Dec. 19, 1871. Rt. Rev. Peter Paul Lefevre, Bishop of Zela, coadjutor and administrator of Detroit, consecrated Nov. 22, 1841, died March 4, 1869. Rt. Rev. Henry C. Borgess, D.D. cons. Apr. 24. 1870, resigned, Apr. 16. 1887, died May 3, 1890. Rt. Rev. John S. Foley, D.D. cons. Nov. 4, 1888, present Bishop. In the diocese there 218 priests - 44 Regulars - 174 Seculars. 198 Churches and missions and 36 stations and 15 chapels - 1 seminary for ecclesiastical students (Polish), 155 in number. Students in various seminaries - 32. Colleges and academies for boys, 3. Students 400. Academies for young ladies, 4. Students 470. Parishes and missions with schools 64. Pupils 17,500. Orphan Asylums 5. Orphans 500. Industrial School - 1. Inmates 12. House of the Good Shepherd -1. Inmates over 400. St. Mary's Home for Working Girls - 1. Inmates 40. Hospitals 4. Home for Aged Poor 1. Inmates 250. Catholic Population for Diocese - about 200,000. If this should be preserved and opened at the close of the 20th century, let it [be] presented to the then Bishop of Detroit and I beg of said bishop to offer a prayer to Almighty God for the eternal repose of the undersigned, his predecessors, and all the clergy and people of the diocese of Detroit. John Samuel Foley Bishop of Detroit Fred. J. Baumgartner Chancellor and Sec'y"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Letter, dated April 13th, 1913, from the Peninsular Stove Company to the Soo Hardware Company of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The letter discusses an incomplete order sent to the Soo Hardware Company and the Peninsular Stove Company's efforts to rectify the situation. At the top of the letter are images of the Peninsular Stove Company's logo and its stove works in Detroit.
- Date Issued:
- 1913-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 4-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by James E. Scripps who was the President of the Evening News Association. The letter is printed with light blue lines and a double red line for the left margin. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit December 31st 1900 Hon. Wm. C. Maybury My dear Sir You invited me to indulge in a prophecy for Detroit as a Metropolis. By metropolis you mean I presume a chief or leading city to which all others for a long distance around will be more or less subordinate and tributary. I fully believe in such a distinction for Detroit in the century upon which we are entering. I base my belief upon certain historical precedents and upon peculiar advantages which the location possesses favorable to a great concentration of population. With all the civilized world open to him the Emperor Constantine the Great in AD 324 chose as the site for the capital of the Roman Empire a precisely analogous location on the banks of the Bosphorus. The advantage of location enjoyed by the City of Constantinople has been universally conceded, and yet the Black Sea of which it forms the key can never for a moment compare in its commercial possibilities with the great lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron with their rich mines of iron and copper, their vast tracts of valuable timber and their numerous natural outlets for the grain crops of the richest and most productive country upon earth. If a great metropolis were possible at Constantinople how much more so at Detroit. When in the 17th century the famous French explorers LaSalle, Tonty, Hennepin, DuLuth, Cadillac and others penetrated to every part of the wild northwest they shrewdly hit upon the Detroit River as the most peculiarly advantageous point for the location of a colony with view to French domination of the entire region. It had previously been the favorite gathering place of the indians and Cadillac found no difficulty immediately upon his founding the post of Detroit in collecting around it a native population which made it at once one of the most populous cities on the continent. I have no doubt that the same influences still govern and that the vicinity of the Detroit River possesses at once strategic advantages for the domination of a wide extent of country and also attractions for the concentrating of vast population. I believe in no other in the entire country are greater advantages for homes offered. The climate in winter is far less bleak than that of Chicago, Milwaukee, Cleveland or Buffalo owing to our remoteness from the great ice fields which cover the larger lakes and chill the breezes which sweep over them. In summer there are few cities which enjoy such advantages for boating, yachting, extended excursions by water, fishing and hunting. The sources of amusement are unsurpassed. With adequate drainage and abundance of pure water there should be no healthier city than Detroit. The locality which possesses such natural advantages for homes must ultimately attract a great population. No other city on the whole chain of lakes enjoys so perfect a harbor as Detroit. Never exposed to storms from any quarter, with a practically unvarying depth of water and depth sufficient for the largest vessels, and with a shore line for wharves and docks sufficient for all the commerce of the world superior commercial advantages would be possible. With the experience of Manchester an inland city being made a sea-port by means of a ship canal and with the certainty of a system of ship canals of the largest size being constructed in the near future connecting the great lakes with the Atlantic there can be no doubt that a few decades will see ocean vessels loading and unloading at our wharves. Detroit will become as distinctively a seaport as Boston or Philadelphia. Detroit's decennial increase of population for the past forty years has averaged nearly sixty per cent. At this opening of the 20th Century it is without doubt growing faster than ever before. Suppose for the next 50 years the decennial increase to be but half what is has been in the past 40 years and we shall have in 1950 a population of 1,077,000 souls. Halving this ration again for the second half of the century and we shall have in the year AD 2000 a population of over two millions, a larger population than any American city has today except the consolidation known as Greater New York. I think it far more likely that the population of AD 2000 will be greater rather than less than this estimate, and if no war, pestilence, or other destructive influence intervenes I think it not improbable that the ration of 30 percent decennially will be kept up through the century in which case Detroit will enjoy a population of fully four millions. I prophesy that a century hence the belt embraced between the 38th and 43rd degrees of north latitude and extending from the Atlantic sea board to the Mississippi will be the most densely populated region in the world. Very sincerely yours James E. Scripps"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Two handwritten letters, written back to back over two pages of blue paper, the first from T.R. Spence to David Birrell concerning a job for Birrell's son also named David, and the second from the senior David Birrell to his son forwarding the previous letter along concerning the job. The letters read as follows: Detroit, May 4th 1853 Mr. Birrell Dear Sir, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of 25th all in due season and owe an apology for not acknowledging it earlier. I have been very busy reserving goods and have alas been some what at a loss in regard to the time that I can do without David which will account for the delay. It affords me pleasure that my proposal met with your approval and hope it will also be satisfying to David. If it will not interfere too much with your arrangements I would be very glad to obtain him the first of next month (June). When I wrote I did intend to get along if possible until the time you mention and feel unwilling to break up his progress in school. My own health has given out a little, and business is often pretty good in June or by the middle of it - I have some intention also of going East and all these considerations will explain to you my reasons for asking him at an earlier day. I will pay him quarterly or semi-quarterly just as you desire and shall be regular about it. You will please express your preference about it, and authorize me to pay to him as you think proper. Business is very good and I think a reasonable prospect of a gradual improvement. It shall be my effort and desire to render David's situation advantageous and agreeable to himself as well as profitable to me. You will also greatly favor me by pursuing a [?] and open course. In all things I prefer to be honest and open and hope if at any time you or he have any unpleasant feelings that you will mention it. With best wishes I remain yours [?], T.R. Spence Dear David, Your letter of the 4th was as you say waiting for me when we got back from Bristol this morning. We enjoyed our jaunt very much, & were very hospitably entertained. I will get Marge to Ivy & give you all the news sometime this week. I have enclosed you five dollars. You will see from Dr Spence's letter that he wishes you in by the 1st of June next & you had better go, I will write the Doctor tonight that you will come then & that your salary may be paid quarterly, & that you will write him yourself stating the exact day you will be in Detroit which you will please do as soon as you can arrange exactly when you can leave, & tell me in your next if you think you can come to Adrian & spend a day or two before you go to Detroit. I did not sleep any last night so I am very tired, we left Bristol at 1:25 AM this Monday morning. It is very cold, snow on the ground, & while we were away a cow broke into the garden & made sad work of it. Kind love from your affectionate Father, David Birrell
- Date Issued:
- 1853-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Typewritten letter and envelope sent by the J.L. Hudson Company to Mrs. William H. Johnston of 17 West Bethune Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, accompanying six halftone photographic images of women modeling clothing for the upcoming Fall season. The envelope is postmarked 1918. The letter is on J.L. Hudson Company stationery. The message reads: Dear Madam: We are presenting herewith a group of photographic reproductions of the newer models in Fall apparel. May we not have the pleasure of a personal visit in the near future and a further introduction into what we believe is appropriate in style and texture for the coming season? Yours very truly, The J.L. Hudson Co.
- Date Issued:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society