Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
. . . SOriE DEALERS WHOM WE KNOW . . .
GLANCES AT SOME OF THE MEN WHO HAVE MADE MUSIC TRADE HISTORY IN FARAWAY TOWNS.
Under this caption The Review has pre-
sented a series of articles touching upon the
personalities of men who have contributed
to music trade history in the remote sec-
tions of the country. The central West
has some historic figures upon whom we
may dwell briefly.
C J. WHITNEY CO., Detroit, nich.
When that veteran of the music business,
C. J. Whitney, dropped out of trade a few
c. j . WHITNEY,
DETROIT, MICH.
years ago many believed that he would
never again re-enter the ranks of active"
workers. However, his old love pos-
sessed a strong attraction for him, for he
is back again, actively engaged in the
piano business, having headquarters on
Woodward avenue, Detroit, Mich., where
he is conducting a very satisfactory busi-
ness, having for his leading instrument
the Chick ering piano.
Mr. Whitney is one of the picturesque
figures of the western trade, as it is nearly
a half century since he first began to sell
pianos and his sales aggregate millions of
dollars. He has also been a prominent
figure in the theatrical line,, having built
the Whitney Opera House in Detroit, and
for many years was connected with theatri-
cal matters. He has also taken an active
part in the promotion of the best interests
of Detroit.
When Mr. Whitney is in a reminiscent
mood he is at once entertaining and in-
structive as well, for he has a fund of trade
and professional reminiscences which date
back to the time when he landed in Detroit
with only a few dollars in his pocket.
Where old Fort Shelby once stood Mr.
Whitney erected an opera house which was
a credit to Detroit and made that city an
attractive one for theatrical troupes. The
site was subsequently purchased by the
United States for a post office. After this
he erected on Griswold street the present
structure which is known as the Whitney
Opera House. He has also taken an ac-
tive interest in theatrical matters in other
pities.
WHITNEY-CURRIER CO., Toledo, O.
Another well-known member in the
trade in the central West is William H.
Currier, of the Whitney-Currier Co., of
Toledo, O. Mr. Currier has had an ex-
tensive and varied acquaintance in the
trade. It was in 1868 after a retail experi-
ence in Michigan that he opened the busi-
ness in Toledo, which has since become so
successful. Mr. Currier's abilities as a
merchant are well known and he is rated
as one of the best piano salesmen in the
trade.
Wm. H. Currier comes from musical
ancestry. Both his parents were musical.
His father taught singing school, and with
the use of a blackboard upon which a musi-
cal staff was drawn taught his children the
rudiments of music. Some years later a
teacher was engaged to come to the Cur-
rier house and instruct the six Currier boys
in brass and orchestral music. For years
it was a regular thing for the family to
practice brass band music for a considerable
time each day.
Mr. Currier early began to teach music
and organized several brass bands and
composed and arranged music for bands
and orchestras. The practical side of his
nature began to develop about this time,
and he considered there was more money
in selling pianos and organs than there was
in teaching music. His success in that
branch has proven that his talents were not
misdirected.
WILL A. WATKIN MUSIC CO., Dallas, Tex.
There are few firms engaged in selling
musical instruments in cities the size of
Dallas, whose members have taken such an
active interest in the promotion of music
as have the members of the Watkin Music
Co., of Dallas, Tex. Will A. Watkin is a
which the elite of Dallas can always make
a selection to meet almost any require-
ments. Mr. Watkin is one of those
members of the trade who believes that a
man can best succeed in the piano business
by selling standard makes continuously.
As a notable fact in his career showing how
he carries out this theory in his business I
may mention that he has sold the Steinway
and Fischer pianos without a break for
more than twenty years.
WILL. A. WATKIN,
DALLAS, TEX.
Music's Power to Soothe.
A remarkable incident happened Mon-
day at the county infirmary, Toledo, O.,
when Elwood Harriet, a maniac, was
broughtjn with six powerful men holding
him, to prevent him from killing his
father. -# The boy woke up during the
night, and going to his father's room,
attempted to kill him. The father strug-
gled for an hour, till he got the attention
of some of the neighbors, who went for a
policeman.
After Harriet had been overpowered he
was taken to the infirmary, and Director
Beecher determined to try an experiment.
He had his daughter to start some music
on the piano, and the insane man at once
became quiet and soon went to sleep.
Mr. Wagoner a Benedict.
Carl Wagoner, of J. H. Wagoner & Son,
music dealers, Rochester, Minn., was
married the closing days of last week to
Miss Nina Cook at the home of the bride's
parents in that city. Mr. Wagoner and
his wife are life-long residents of Roches-
ter, and their marriage drew forth the
most cordial congratulations from a legion
of friends.
WM. H. CURRIER,
TOLEDO, O.
musician of ability, and since early boy-
hood has been engaged in selling musical
instruments. He has developed a splendid
trade in Dallas and vicinity, and he carries
at all times in his spacious warerooms a
well arranged stock of instruments from
Praise the Knabe.
In the Chicago Conservatory of Music
twenty-two Knabe pianos are now in use.
The instructors of this institution rank
among the highest and their warm eulogies
of the Knabe instruments are in line with
the general opinion held of these artistic
products by leading experts. .