The Way It Was; 7

The following program was originally released in 1969. Once he held his bow suspended over the strings some seconds after these had ceased to vibrate. Bending his head to them as though listening. An old lady who sat near me whispered to him neighbor he can hear sounds we others cannot hear. Mr. BALL laughed merrily when I repeated this to him for he had produced precisely the impression he had. The way it was presenting eyewitness accounts of historic events. Material for this series was drawn from the files and papers of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin today only the Viking fiddler. Only bull was born in 1810 at Bury going to Norway for the next

70 years. His ability showmanship and personality combined to make him one of the most beloved personalities of his time. He has been remembered in countless anecdotes and thousands of columns of eulogy. This is him and memoirs. He lived through years of triumph and adulation. He was received and honored by kings and emperors and Kaiser's and presidents. He associated with the most renowned artists of his time in all lands he played his violin before the most brilliant of court audiences on Rome's most historic hill in the depths of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave on the top of Egypt's pyramids. And in the mining camps of California he launched great projects. He experienced many narrow escapes many perils of fire and flood sickness shipwrecks and revolution. He buried a wife and son in one world and remarried in another. He was in short an unconventional man even to the manner in which he held his violin

hero in a country of his birth. Acclaimed in Europe he became a household word in America. In 1843 when only came to the United States for the first time he was already established in Europe as one of the foremost violinists of his day and the first few weeks of his tour of the new world he received that fantastic sort of a claim that has come to be characterized as peculiarly American parents name their children after him. The inimitable promoter Phineas T Barnum rechristened one of his child performers only bull Jr. and the brother of Julia Ward Howe promptly dubbed the male of his magnificent Arish are heard only bull newspapers like The New York Herald were lush in their praise of his performances. Those who wrote what then passed for musical criticism unloosed the full force of super

lives. We cannot describe or label is playing. It's beyond the power of language. It's effects on others. Maybe indicated some of his own earthly his heavenly passages work on the feelings on the Hard to till the very tears flow. Others it makes Severus mad in terrible in their applause at the close of some of his wondrous cadences. The very musicians in the orchestra flung down their instruments and stomped and applauded like Mad Men. This extraordinary being this all of bull will produce an excitement throughout the Republican unlike anything that ever took place in our day. He's young tall and elegantly formed as beautiful as the Apollo with an affectionate simplicity of manner that wins all hearts and souls. He's the most extraordinary being the most perfect genius in his art that ever yet crossed the broad Atlantic and rose upon the bright horizon of the new world.

Even with their exaggerated praise the newspaper men were quick to realize that it was not his virtuosity alone to which his audiences reacted. His showmanship struck a responsive chord in Yankee audiences after one of those early concerts he stepped forward holding his violin before him pointing his bow at his heart and said they'd isn't gentleman my violin and my heart after such a reception from America are forever at your service. Then he launched into Yankee doodle while the audience went wild with cheery off the platform he made similar heroic gestures when one of the newspaper men asked him what Master he was the pupil. He pointed upward and with the serene and holy look declared God the infinite. During his first tour only played in New York Philadelphia

Baltimore Washington and Boston he traveled as far south as New Orleans and made excursions to Cuba and Canada. He was almost constantly on the go and appearing in every city of any size east of the Mississippi. He became as he had been in Norway the common people's ideal of a great musician musically unsophisticated. They were awestruck by his fireworks. But what endeared him to them was his incomparable skill with melody is knack for undocking their own simple folk songs with new life and feeling the tall strong Norsemen in thrall his audiences and the delight was mutual only bull proclaimed himself delighted with America. He had made many friendships that would last a lifetime. By the end of his tour he had earned over $80000 for himself about 20000 for assisting artists and over 15000 for charity. He had played to overflowing houses

all the way. When he left in December 1840 for the New York Herald noted his unparalleled success and popularity. No artist is ever visited our country and received so many honors poems by a hundred have been written to him. Metals and so forth have been presented to him his whole remarkable appearance in this country is really an example in glory and fame. He came from Norway the most northern country of Europe the birthplace of Odin and inspired all America. In January 1852 exasperated by political conditions in Norway and various difficulties connected with his management of the National Theatre only boat returned to the United States with the intention of becoming a citizen.

It took the oath of allegiance at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. However although he remained in the country for five years he never completed his naturalization. It was during this second trip to the United States that he became involved in a project which cost him the greater part of his fortune. He had learned that many of his countrymen were living in poverty in the southern states and he decided to buy one hundred twenty five thousand acres of land on this just behind a river in Potter County Pennsylvania to found the only n a colony for immigrants which he intended to be a new Norway. The plan was never really viable as some of the would be settlers soon realized. When we moved to. I was wearing broad cloth and kid gloves most of the settlers were very poor and were then building small log houses and trying to clear farms in the stony mountain sides of only a boy with his purchase.

It's Dick honest had a hard time of it. Well what induced all of Paul to buy this miserable amount in tact when millions of fertile acres for it to be had in the vast it's hard to say unless he had some fantastic idea that the settlers would feel more at home among mountains as in their own native land he wants to colonize a settlement with Norwegian immigrants called new Norway. About two thirds of our immigrants made for this place. They receive $15 a month and board and lodging for themselves and their families. Later he intends selling every acre of land for three dollars during the first year then $5 and after that $10 and expects ultimately to get the whole of this impenetrable forest with its steep hillsides turned into arable land inhabited by our countrymen. I must say that I advise no one to take my word for granted as I do not yet know whether he can keep his promise and realize his great plans.

I am firmly of the belief that only bow means well but he is no businessman. After three hundred houses and in a store and the church had been built and several immigrants had settled there only bill discovered that he'd been tricked with a fraudulent title. After much effort and money was expended the colony was forced to disband. Only I was not to be the only financial venture that failed in 1855 only lost more money over to venture into Opera management in New York. He simply was never a very practical man. Throughout his whole life he was constantly cheated by theatre managers when he had money. He tended to be a bit reckless with it as his old friend rest misandrist and so well attested to. You know I remember once in New York when only a head in his trunk a large amount many thousands of dollars of American paper currency. And this he

wished to change into British gold. He took the money out of the trunk and wrapped it carelessly in one of the large daily newspapers handed it to me and asked me to go with him. We went to a bank near Trinity Church in the bank. Holy Bull relieve me of the bundle and laid it on the ledge between a couple of the interior windows. The tellers at the bank were busy and couldn't wait on one so he calmly lit a cigar and went out of doors to take a walk up and down the sidewalk giving no thought whatever to the bundle of money. Of course I had or sense enough to stay near the money. I don't believe he had the least idea how much the package contained. But when he re-entered the bank he finally succeeded in shoving the package into the hands of the cashier and telling him he wanted to change into English gold. This he received in a fair sized canvas bag which he let me carry back to the hotel. At the hotel we took a good handful of the gold handed a part of it to me and put the

rest loose in his inside vest pocket. The bag containing the balance of the gold he threw carelessly into his valet's some on his dirty linen and underwear. By 1855. The only on a venture had almost wiped out only Bull's fortune. Financial necessity dictated his resumption of concert tours by the spring of 1857 only bull was in Boston giving concerts staying at the home of Publisher james t fields and receiving friends sitting in front of the fire late in the evenings and playing for visitors. It was probably about this time that he inspired his friend Longfellow. The picture of the violinist found in the Tales of the Wayside Inn before the blazing fire of wood erect the rapt musicians stood and ever and anon he bent his head upon the instrument and seemed to listen to they called confession for

the joy of the triumph the lament exultation at the bay. Then by the magic of his art the throbbings of its heart and loved it again. Alas the musician as he stood illumined by that fire of wood fair haired blue eyed his aspect live his figure tall and straight and liar that every feature of his face revealing his Norwegian race. Read news streaming from within and around his eyes and followed the angel with the violet aided by rain. In the autumn of 57 only bull returned to Norway again. He was not to see America again for over a decade. In the interim his first wife died in 1867 he returned to the United States for a concert tour opening of

Chicago early the next year. Even as it had Madison Wisconsin for his arrival was described by one writer as a great triumphal event. At the West Madison station he was met like some conqueror of old by a hundred torchbearers as the sleigh ordered for him and not arrived he said he'd march in this country and the party paraded up Washington avenue and around the Capitol Square to the pilot's house. The next day a dinner was given for him. And in the evening there was a party is coming a rouse the liveliest anticipations among citizens. Tickets in the hands of speculators went as high as $10. The city hall was crowded for the opening concert with Sheriff made in charge of the city police force acting as ushers. A local paper described how the elite and masses were there with the governor occupying a private seat in the gallery while Americans Germans Irish and Norwegians were mingled below as were broadcloth silks and laces with corduroy domes bun and calico.

It was during this trip to Madison that only Bo met his future wife Sarah THORPE The 18 year old daughter of a wealthy Wisconsin lumbermen. He married her two years later in 1870. It was a 40 year difference in their ages and it was said that only his marriage was primarily the result of his mother in law's determination. Only his mother in law was a hard intelligent ambitious woman with a strong will. These characteristics undoubtedly form the only basis for one particular newspaper article about the wedding it was entitled Only bull the big fiddler and his charming wife and mother in law. The two former were married and the latter bulldozed the proceedings. The ceremony was rendered particularly impressive by Mrs. Thorpe who quietly but emphatically assumed the role of mother in law by interrupting the minister just before the ceremony was

concluded. Hold up there. And the minister held up. I want them pronounced wife and man not man and wife. My dear madam such is not the custom that for the custom it's got to be done. And the minister stammered a moment Mark and then remarking that he supposed it made no difference. Obeyed the order given him and to the great satisfaction of the triumphant Mrs. Thorpe pronounced the couple wife and man despite some opinions concerning the mother in law. Most writers agree that the wedding reception she organized in Madison was the leading social event of the day. Over a thousand invitations were sent to all parts of this country and Europe and many people of prominence were present besides the social side of medicine. The poet Longfellow and other notables sent regrets. The beautiful grounds were gaily illuminated

for the event and the residence was turned into a bower of loveliness through the art of forests and decorators. A carpet was laid from the doorstep to the street that the guests might not soil their footwear in passing in. The gowns worn by the ladies were more elegant than any that had ever before been seen in the city. A further tone was given the occasion by only bill himself receiving the guests with the beaming courtliness for which he was famous. The dining hall was a scene of great splendor. A Chicago caterer with a corps of assistants came to serve the feast without regard to expense. He brought with him his famous dinner Sept. worth thirty thousand dollars and the guests that night ate from solid silver plates and drank from solid silver cups. The Chicago orchestra was also imported to furnish music at 60 only bull had lost none of his peculiarly magic effect upon audiences earlier in the same year as his marriage. The citizens of San Francisco had presented him with a golden diamond crown and had dubbed him

monarch in the realms of music. Years later the citizens of Milan Italy were to crown him again. But somehow Edward Brown's story of only and the hermit story that Mr. Brown swore to adds a more romantic dimension to Ollie's powers. Well I'm relating briefly the facts that I know in regard to the experience that Mr. Boyle had while crossing a western prairie on a cold winter night. This information was given to me by Mr Boyd himself. Mr. book being an acquaintance and near friend of a very dear friend of mine. Well you know in the olden days travel was carried on chiefly by stage coaches or similar means. But Mr. Bourne was a great lover of

horses and so went his way on horseback. And so in this method of travel he was crossing the prairie to a small village. Mr. Boer was overtaken by a snowstorm while on his way to the village and the track was blinded and he was unable to tell where he was or in which direction he should go. For just twenty fully believed that he would have to perish in the cold alone on the desert he saw a way off in the distance. A dark space which he discovered to be a large clump of fir trees and Mr. Bowmore sought shelter there but was greatly surprised to see off further in the distance. A small flickering light and he he made his way there. He found the light to be in a small hut. Mr Bowe knocked loudly on the door but received no answer so he repeated his knock with increased violence and the door was opened by a hermit. Mr Ball was told to begone But Mr. Bowmore was a very strong man and was not frightened at the rage of the hermit. The old hermit told Mr Ball that he wished

to be alone that he'd seen enough cruelty of the world and did not wish to have him in his hut. Oh Mr. Bull told him that he was seeking shelter that otherwise he would die from the cold. The old hermit opened the door and Mr. BALL entered the old hyped the room contained one small stool and a cock bag in the corner. The hermit lay down on the bad and Mr. Bull sat before the fire on the stool. No conversation took place for a long time but finally the old hermit took from some hiding place. A violin and started to play. He played for a short time and then handed the instrument to Ollie Bush saying. Perhaps the stranger will play. Oh Mr. boa played for a while for the hermit and then played Home sweet home. It tears flowed down the old Hermit's face during the playing of this song. And then the old hermit told Mr Bo that an angel had come to him

and told him that he was wrong that he was going back to civilization. The following day the next morning Mr. Bull continued his journey to the village and the old hermit went his way to civilization. For some years following his second marriage only bull divided his time between his home in Norway the Thorpe home in Madison the homes of friends in Cambridge Massachusetts and of course numerous concert tours in Madison only figured prominently in social and cultural life entertaining a lavishly receiving important visitors to the capital and contributing to the musical life of the city. For amusement he often entertained friends that informal musicales in the Thorpe residence or engaged them in croquet billiards and cards he particularly enjoyed the society of his countryman and took a special interest in all affairs connected with

Norwegian culture. I want to Kazan he gave a concert to aid the State University in purchasing a Scandinavian library. Later on he gave several performances in the region around Madison to raise funds for a monument to Leif Erikson. It took an active part in helping to establish a Department of Scandinavian languages at the university and as his Madison friend Ross must be Anderson recalled. Norway remained the inspiration for his music and I once asked Ole what had inspired his weird and original melodies. His answer was substantially that from his earliest childhood he had taken the profoundest delight in Norway's natural scenery. He grew eloquent in his poetic descriptions of the grass and the picturesque flower clad valleys with souring trees singing birds of the silver crested mountains from which the summer sun never departs of the melodious Brooks babbling streams and thundering rivers of the blinking

lakes that sink their deep thoughts the starlit skies of the far penetrating fjords and the many thousand islands on the coast. His face lighted up with inspiration when he talked of the eagerness with which he as a boy had devoured all the myths folk tales ballads and popular melodies and all these things he said have made my music. Such was the power of holy bulls playing his ability to make a tune seeing his ability to play different melodies on four strings at once. His ability to place to Carto notes the full length of the ball his ability to touch the heart of the listeners. He was many times called a charlatan. It is early days the critics had warned the audiences that there was undoubtedly an accomplice behind the scenes but in his later years his reputation was so great that at least on one occasion he himself was unable to meet his own high standards. At one of his concerts in Madison a group of all Singhs were present. They

happened to seat themselves close to me and conversed quite freely in their big. When he left the stage the first time one of them said I don't very much if this is the real Brewer that music doesn't appeal to me in the least. It must be a scheme promoted by his advertisers to fool the people to come here. Well I believe so too said the second one. However let us wait until after he comes on again. Maybe he will do better then. They remain through his second and third appearances with no better satisfaction than the third one said I just go that stuff isn't worth hearing. Thoroughly disgusted they filed out one of them observing the have their eyes spill all maner. Hey Matt we have better musicians at home to which they all agreed. Throughout his life only Boab was at his best when performing his own compositions based

on old Norse folk tunes. He was a master at playing Paganini revered every note that Mozart wrote never really was able to master Beethoven and refused even to discuss Wagner. He only published two of his own compositions and because he lived before the age of recordings the sound of his violin was lost with his death in Norway in 1880. Many tributes were paid to him both during his life and after his death. The poet Bjornson spoke at his funeral. So did the composer Grieg the Norwegian king sent a message and flags in many parts of the world were at half mast. Peasants filled his grave to the brim with flowers. It was several years later when Hungary and violinist. It was a dream and he gave his tribute. It was remembered by only Bull's medicine friend over Tina Woodward more. It was Rehman was giving a concert in our university town

about 18 97 and having learned that only son Alexander win in Madison and he was there at the time always left his priceless when Yairi is violin in my home for safekeeping. I asked permission to pay his respects to my husband myself and see the instrument. He appeared early the next morning and was not long in detecting the violin case. Alexander bull was on hand and unlocking the case handed his father's old violin to RAM and yea who thus apostrophized it. You do beautiful ugly things. What grace. What its elegance. How grotesque in form yet how Iris to cry to see the super brain of that would look at the Vonage

Never again shall I hear anything to equal your voice when I only made you speak. He refused to chide the instrument himself nor was he willing to have it tried by only Both son who was singing of a melody he had been told resembled that of his illustrious father. No he said. To my dying day the only produce stone this wonderful instrument will sing. My years I wish to have it does step up to. Work the way it was. Presenting I want this accounts of historic events today only

the Viking fiddler. Material for this series was drawn from the files and papers of the State Historical Society it was guns. Consultant for the series was Doris Platt scrips by Bethel burn music by contempt for production. Ralph Johnson. This is the national educational radio network. Originally released in 1069. The program you have just heard is from the

program library of National Public Radio.