Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
A Chest of Silver.
PRESENTED TO
EDWIN STAPLETON
CONWAY ON
THE
TWENTY-FIFTH
CONTINUOUS SERVICES IN THE W. W. KIMBALL CO.
ANNIVERSARY
OF
HIS
PRESENTATION REMARKS
BY HIS CONFRERE, A. G. CONE — CONWAY'S REPLY.
T
WENTY-FIVE years, a well rounded
quarter of a century, and that is the
exact period of time which Edwin Staple-
ton Conway has completed in continuous
service with the W. W. Kimball Co. Mr.
Conway, who bears his years as lightly as
his honors, has contributed much in busi-
ness strength and vigor by his aggressive
personality in the upbuilding of the great
Kimball business.
What changes he has witnessed during
that twenty-five years of continuous ser-
vice! Young Conway's advent into the
Kimball firm was signalized by the baptism
of fire. His business age is precisely the
age of Chicago, because it was twenty-five
years ago the old city of Chicago suc-
cumbed to fire, and the new Chicago, the
Chicago of to-day, was born.
The city—a lusty youngster truly. The
Kimball Co.—typical in every sense of that
Chicagoan motto, "I will." Conway—vigor-
ous, alert, keen-eyed as when he left his
Wisconsin home twenty-five years ago to
seek his fortune in the chief city of Illinois.
He has seen the W. W. Kimball business
grow; in fact, his sturdy manhood has
contributed towards its growth until its
ramifications now extend over two hemi-
spheres; until its factories and warerooms
cover acres; until its employees number
thousands.
No wonder the world is so rapidly for-
getting, or has such a vague memory of
the Chicago fire. When we look in these
October days upon the throbbing, restless
metropolis of the West, gaze at its tower-
ing sky-scrapers standing so thickly where,
twenty-five years ago, was a smoking empty
ruin, and yet in the light of history it seems
impossible that the city itself should forget
that fire which was the most destructive
conflagration that has ever scathed the
face of the earth. Kimball was there, Cone
was there, Conway was there; and the
strength of that trio combined, like the
dauntless three, who in the days of old
stood at the bridge on the yellow Tiber,
laid the foundation for the vast Kimball
business greater than was ever dreamed of
before the fire visitation, and that only
twenty-five years ago!
With such a glorious past who can pre
diet the future?
But we are diverging.
Last Monday there gathered in Mr. Con-
way's office, officers, associates, employees
of the W. W. Kimball Co. The object of
their visit was to present to Mr. Conway a
chest of silver—a magnificent dinner ser-
vice to commemorate the long span of con-
tinuous service which he had given to the
company of which he is the secretary.
The presentation speech was made by
Mr. Cone, who, two years ago, celebrated a
like anniversary.
Mr. Cone said:
My dear Conway: It is said that "re-
venge is sweet." I do not believe in this
doctrine as ordinarily interpreted, but after
the incident of Jan. 4, 1894, when you did
the honors of the occasion, much to the dis-
comfiture of your old friend, I expressed
a wish to live long enough to be present at
your twenty-fifth anniversary in order to
take revenge upon you, and I now propose
to do it.
To-day you round out a full quarter
century of honorable connection with this
firm, which, I believe, constitutes practi-
EDWIN STAPLETON CONWAY.
cally the whole of your business life. It
has been thought best by your business as-
sociates to gather here to celebrate this day
in a fitting manner and to give suitable ex-
pression of the esteem and affection in
which you are held by them. I can well re-
member the first day you came among us,
in all your rugged strength, fresh from
your home in the North. With your com-
ing there entered a new and strong factor
in the Kimball forces which has developed
into a power, second only to the wise head
of our house, whose unfailing judgment
prompted him to call you to a higher place
in his employ and, eventually, to the more
influential position you now so ably fill.
Your life work, your tireless energy and
loyal enthusiasm is well known to all
present and it is needless for me to dwell
further upon this subject.
I do wish, however, to acknowledge for
your associates, and for myself personally,
your great-hearted sympathy which has
gone out to us all in times of trial or need.
No one in distress has ever gone to you and
received anything but unbounded sym-
pathy and prompt and cheerful assistance.
When the boys have been in trouble it is to
you they have always turned. There is
something in your big, broad human
nature which draws them instinctively to
you. It is a pleasure to you to do good to
others and we all honor you for this noble
spirit of Christian charity.
I want also to speak of one other matter
which is very dear to all of us. I do not
believe that, in the history of any busi-
ness, more amicable relations have ever
existed than in the house of W. W. Kim-
ball Co. To me it has always been a
source of great pleasure to feel that we are
like an ideal family circle, and no one has
done more to promote this condition than
yourself. In all the years we have been as-
sociated with Mr. Kimball, I cannot call to
mind one unkind word which he ever ut-
tered to either of us, and in the twenty-five
years that it has been my privilege to work
side by side with you I can conscientiously
say that not one impatient word has passed
between us. I only mention this to call
attention to the spirit of the house which
has descended from its founder, our beloved
president, W. W. Kimball; and it is this
spirit which I honor you for fostering in the
younger members of our business family.
I do not intend that these remarks shall
become a eulogy but I believe that we
should show our appreciation of our friends
and honor them "while we yet have time."
It would be idle to touch upon your well-
known political beliefs and the yeoman
service you have so freely given to the
party of your choice. We also know your
repugnance to the doctrine of "free silver."
We hope, however, for the time being,
you will lay aside your prejudice and ac-
cept this silver service as a token of affec-
tion' and good will from your friends and
business associates. It is something which
we hope you will keep in remembrance of
this happy day, as long as you may live,
and hand down to future generations of
Conways, which we trust will be numerous
and pattern after your noble example.
We trust that you may be spared to us
for many years, and I am sure that all
present will join me in saying, "God bless
you and yours."
As Mr. Cone concluded his remarks the
keen eye of Mr. Conway was dimmed with
emotion. Replying, he said:
I must say I am surprised. I have
met the enemy and, from appearances, I
am his. In talking with my wife only
yesterday regarding my quarter of a cen-
tury with the house, I said I would like to
live and be connected with my old house
fifty years more, so to have two more such
anniversaries, but since this most enjoy-
able occasion I think now I would like to
make it three. I can say with absolute
sincerity that I enjoy this gathering and
token of regard more than had I made a
hundred times in money what I have ac-
cumulated in the past twenty-five years,
with an absence of what I see here. I
could not but think while Mr. Cone was
making his presentation speech, which
was so largely eulogistic, he being so
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
IO
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
elaborate in his praise, that had I accom-
plished even a little along the lines indi-
cated, my life had not been wholly a fail-
ure. Friends and friendly association, as
evidenced by the many faces before me
on this occasion, are more to be enjoyed
and appreciated than words can express.
It has been my effort during my entire busi-
iness life to so conduct myself as to make
those with whom I have been placed in
close touch feel at least no worse on ac-
count of their social or business relations
with me, but rather to try and add some-
thing to the pleasant side of life. Friends
and a good name are more to be prized
than the wealth of the world, and when I
witness this gathering and appreciate its
full significance, I am constrained to be-
lieve that my efforts during life along the
lines indicated have been at least a partial
success.
Referring to Brother Cone's refer-
ence to "free silver," I am inclined to
think that I would fall short of my full
duty did I not vote for Bryan, were it not
for the fact that the magnificent service
presented to me is not on the basis of six-
teen to one, nor is it silver alone, but beau-
tifully decorated with a rich and lustrous
gold lining, hence you can see that the
only ground for me to stand on is that of
my old party, namely—Republicanism and
Bimetalism, with both metals interchange-
able at the will of the owner and on a
parity with each other.
In conclusion, friends and associates, I
can only say that I thank you all from the
bottom of my heart, not for this beautiful
gift, but for the feeling that prompted you
to bestow it."
In these days of rapid changes, it is not
frequent that we can record the combined
services of two men of over a half century
with one concern such as is recorded in the
lives of E. S. Conway and A. G. Cone.
Truly a remarkable record.
The list of subscribers to the memorial
presented to Mr. Conway is as follows:
W. W. Kimball, A. G. Cone, Curtis N.
Kimball, W. W. Lufkin, E. B. Bartlett, F.
Wight Neumann, Ed. Smith, E. C. Dun-
bar, Luke Yore, J. B. Thiery, John Farley,
E. R. Blanchard, H. A. Wise, L. A. Dozois,
J. R. Pollock, R. E. Davies, S. J. Mc-
Cormick, E. A. Groff, R. C. Sweet, E. A.
Cox, H. B. Rennolds, L. H. Barnitt, C. F.
Balch, W. T. Bradbury, Geo. E. Alley, C.
C. Tuller, Nannie Dartnell, Emil Liebling,
F. T. Whitmore, H. N. Kanagy, J. O.
Twitchell, Simon Mooney, F. Loeber, E.
Whelan, F. W. Hedgeland, John W.
Northrop, W. B. Price, Geo. Schleiffarth,
L. A. Crittenten, H. Briggs, C. E. Coni-
bear, H. S. Goodrow, Mary M. Kelly, E. S.
Fink, Miss Regan, Miss Cloyd, W. H.
Cotter, Miss Butts, Miss Rogers, Miss
Murphy.
THE formal opening and inspection of
the two three-manual electric organs built
for the New England Conservatory of Mu-
sic, Boston, Mass., by Messrs. Farrand &
Votey, of Detroit, Mich., occurred Thurs-
day of last week. There was a large num-
ber of people interested in music present,
and they were unanimous in their compli-
mentary criticism of the instruments.
EDWARD BAXTER PERRY is making a
Western concert tour, and is using the
Henry F. Miller concert grand exclusively.
THE Merrill aluminum mandolins and
guitars are being handled with much suc-
cess in Boston by C. F. Hanson & Sons.
FEELING confident of the election of
Major McKinley, the Staib Piano Action
Co., 134th street and Brook avenue, are
working full time preparing stock. There
has been a decided increase in orders re-
cently.
MR. STULTZ, formerly
of Stultz &
Bauer, and now connected with the Dolge-
ville Piano Case Co., has been spending
some days in town.
AMONG the firms who are experiencing
quite an improvement in business these
days are the A. M. McPhail Piano Co., of
Boston. Not only does their retail trade
prove that better times are "in our midst, "
but there is a good and steady increase in
wholesale trade.
IN a recent letter, J. W. Jenkins & Son,
music trade dealers, Kansas City, Mo., con-
gratulate the Singer Piano Co., of Chicago,
on the quality of their instruments. They
say, "If you keep up your standard we
will continue to push your piano for all it
is worth. " The dealers all seem to like the
Singer.
OTTO L. BRAUMULLER took a business
flyer to Scranton, Pa., the middle of the
week.
ROHT. A. WIDENMANN of Strich & Zeidler
has been nominated for Congress in the
Seventeenth Congressional District by the
Sound Money Democratic Party. This is
a well deserved tribute to Mr. Widenmann's
efforts in behalf of his party.
N. G. EGGEN, of Eggen Bros., music
dealers, Fargo, N. D., has been nominated
as a "sound money man" to represent his
district in the State Legislature. Mr.
Eggen is extremely popular.
A. J. BROOKS of the Sterling Co., Derby,
Conn., has been spending some days in
Boston.
THE Norris & Hyde transposing key-
board piano is being exhibited at the Mich-
igan State Fair by Herrick & Long of
Grand Rapids, Mich.
THE Fischer grand piano is being brought
to the attention of the musical public of
Texas in a very satisfactory manner by the
Will A. Watkin Music Co. of Dallas.
PIANO warerooms have been opened on
Water street, Bangor, Me., by Hugh Ste-
venson.
ROTH & ENGELHART, action makers of St.
Johnsville, N. Y., are well pleased with
their September trade, which has shown a
a gradual improvement right up to date.
Mr. E. P. Roth, who spent the greater part
of his vacation in St. Johnsville, is now a
daily visitor to his New York office.
ERNEST URCHS & Co. will make a big suc-
cess in Cincinnati with the Hazelton. The
Steinway and Hazelton make a winning
team.
L. F. HEPBURN & Co., dealers in piano
supplies, this city, have attached the prop-
erty of C. L. Gorham & Co., piano dealers,
Worcester, Mass., in an action of contract
for $5,000. This is another of the many
suits brought by holders of drafts of the
Gorham firm, which C. L. Gorham refuses
to honor, claiming that they were given
without his authority or sanction.
H. H. GILL has succeeded to the business
of O. G. Swanets, New Lisbon, Wis.
L. G. TANNER, a valued employee of
Alfred Dolge & Son for a number of years,
died recently.
O. C. HOUCK & Co., music dealers, Mem-
phis, Tenn., are offering a prize of $100
for the best original march composition for
the piano to be known as the "Tennessee
Centennial Prize March." It will be hand-
somely gotten up and 10,000 copies will be
given away by the company at their piano
exhibit in the Commerce Building. MSS.
will be received up to Jan. 1st and the
award announced Jan. 15th.
DEALERS and manufacturers should not
forget that prosperity or success is never
won by the hand or tongue of a pessimist.
We must all look on the "brighter side" if
we hope to "get there."
R. O. BURGESS, traveling representative
for the Wegman Piano Co., Auburn, N. Y.,
is making a trip "down East."
P. G. ANTON, for many years a successful
music dealer in St. Louis, Mo., died last-
week in that city.
The Trade Directory, which is a feature
THE purchaser of the business of Alvord of The Review each month, is complete, hi
& Spear Manufacturing Co., Torrington, it appears the names and addresses of all
THE Rice Musical String Co., of this Conn., has turned it over to H. J. Hendey, firms engaged in the manufacture of musical
city, have registered a trade mark, the es- who will continue the manufacture of piano instruments and the allied trades. The Re-
view noiv is sent to the United States Con-
sential features of which are the words stools.
"Black Diamond" and a diamond shaped
ALFRED WURM has purchased an interest sulates throughout the zcorld, and is o?i file
figure, which have been used since Novem- in the small goods department of the Estey in the reading rooms of the principal hotels
in America.
ber, 1895.
Organ Co. at Atlanta, Ga.

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