LA CROSSE COUNTY HISTORICAL SKETCHES article to the women's section of the Republican and Leader entitled "Amusements in the Fifties." Speaks of Concert Among other things she said, "Once we had a Patti concert, and as we never expect to be so favored again we may be pardoned for still having a little pride in that event of so long ago. The company came up river by boat; we had no rail- roads then. "There were three artists, Ole Bull, violinist, Adeline Patti, sing- er, and a young Italian pianist. They gave a concert in the old Ccngrega- tional church on South FoQartb. street. An admission of one dollar was charg'ed, a9nd the audience num- bered about i60 people. It was a warm evening, and all the windows were open, thus enabling the small boys who climbed up outside to get a good look at the singer who was then a pretty girl of 15. This was in 1858. She was dressed in a blue silk dress cut low in the neck, her dark hair hanging in a long braid down her neck. She sang "Kath- leen Mavourneen" and "Swanee River," accompanied by the pianist. "The boys at the windows at- tracted attention, and the whole scene was so funny Miss Patti could hardly keep from laughing. At one time her singing became af- fected, much to the disgust of Ole Bull, who evidently felt his respon- sibility as manager. He played his old favorite "Carnival of Venice," and other selections. Like a Dream "Years after I heard 'PE tti the Peer- less', flattered and aamired, singing before an immense audience. Con- trasting this scene with the other one it seemed more like a dream than a realty, and I could not but think that possibly she might have receiv- ed a little encouragement even then from us to help her onward. Who can tell? A little later we heard Em- ma Abbot, a child of nine years. She came with her father and the Buch- anan troupe. They gave an enter- tainment at the old Singer hall on King street between Third and Fourth streets. Little Miss Abbot, attired in the one dress she owned at that time, an old rusty black al- paca, sang sweetly. On her subse- quent visits she used to tell of that one gown, and enjoy the story very much." In the fifties there is a record of the "Bingo Club," composed of Mr. and Mrs. John Sumner, Mr. and Mrs. William Wallace Jones, Mrs. Judge Lord, and Miss Lizzie Brown, who later became Mrs. H. L. Bussell. Mrs. Bussell played the guitar for the club. An old picture of the club was given the teachers' college museum a short time. ago by Mrs. Bussell. On June 7, 1861, the La Crosse Tri- Weekly Democrat carried the follow- ing ad: Singing Class "Juvenile singing class. Miss Jen- nie Loomis (a half-sister of the late E. D. Loomis) has commenced giving lessons in vocal music at the first ward school house. Miss Loomis comes among us with very high rec- ommendations, and we hope the pres- ent opportunity for our children to avail themselves of her abilities will not be lost, for music is a great edu- cator and harmonizer of human na- ture. Nothing is so potent to soften the asperities of life, to cheer the heart in hours of loneliness. Let the musical talent of our little ones be cultivated, then, that they may make 'our houses cheerful with their glad- Some songs. Shakespeare has said 'He that hath no music in himself is fit for treason, strategem and spoils.' Therefore let music be cultivated among our children. Miss Loomis gives 18 lessons for $1." Apparently the advertisement brought results, for in two weeks' time a concert was announced at the Congregational church by her stu- dents. Another singer is also men- tioned at that time, a Miss Nettle Reppy, who later became Mrs. Day. That year, too, another concert was announced in the following manner: "Dodge's social concert at Barron's hall. Positively but one entertain- ment will be given, and there will be no postponement, let the weather be what it may. An elegant, moral, hu- morous, literary, scientific, and musi- cal concert, a programme of which will be left at every house within two miles of the hall. Admission 25 cents." A Criticism A criticism in the Democrat the following week said, "A week ago Dodge had the largest crowd we ever saw at any like event in La Crosse. Barron's hall was full to suffocation. One thing is certain, the more refin- ed the audience, the better are they pleased. While a 'muggins' who can't see the point till it is driven into him with a battering-ram would not en- joy it as well." About this time there were eight musicians, who came to La Crosse from Bohemia and organized a band. They gave a concert, assisted by the Liederkranz, at Singer's hall. In 1856 many German settlers came to La Crosse. They were business men and mechanics of various trades, naturally sociable, fond of music, singing and good reading. They de- cided to form a singer's society. The records of its early organization and its programs were burned in 1891 in the fire that completely destroyed Germania hall. However, there was some newspaper data and few notes from private sources that tell a brief history of the society.