“In 1850 I studied at the musical conservatory at Stockholm. One day pondering over my lesson, I heard a tap at the door and said, “come in.” There were two gentlemen, to me perfect strangers. One was from the King’s Theatre Orchestra, the other from the King’s First Guards. The latter asked me if I would like to go to California and if I had seen the advertisement from Captain Norman that he wished to have a band of about six musicians to go with him to San Francisco. We were told that the musicians were very scarce in San Francisco and that if we were a good band, we would do a good business. So it was agreed that we should come again the next day with the other members and with our instruments. And we indeed surprised him as we gave three different kinds of instrumentations, stringed-orchestra, reed-band and brass and music. The captain was very much pleased and it was agreed we should meet him in the city of Sundswall, where his brig was built and loaded with copper, iron, plank, etc.”
Playing for British Royalty
“The voyage across the North Sea was something terrible. It took us a fortnight to reach Cowes, Isle of Wight, where the brig was coppered. During the two weeks we stayed at Cowes we gave two evening concerts and one morning concert (matinee); and at the matinee, the Duchess of Wellington was present. We finished with “God save the queen,” using brass instruments. [When] the whole audience stood up at the “fine” the duchess came up to the orchestra, followed by some of the audience, and thanked us for the music. We were asked if we had any books such as artists used for signatures of names for recommendations. We had none so the duchess gave us some of her cards.”
Sunset Serenades on Deck
“Nearing Valparaiso [Chile], the vessel had a new coat of paint and was in the very best of trim when we arrived there. We had been only seventy-four days coming from Cowes, the fastest trip on record at that time. Valparaiso has no harbor, so we anchored in the ocean not far from shore. We had for a neighbor a very large English Man-of-War ship with 500 men and a splendid band. In the evenings we played alternately. One day we told the captain we would like to go on board the English Man-of-War, which lay at anchor close to us. He gave us permission and two of our sailors took us to the big ship; but the officer of the day would not allow us to board the ship. We felt kind of sad about it, so one of the bandmen said: “Send up the cards the Duchess of Wellington gave us.” That was done and we were well received and an officer kindly showed us all around the ship and the band played for us.”
Welcome to San Francisco!
“[After arriving in San Francisco in April, 1851] one of the captain’s friends, Mr. Qvillfeldt, who was formerly an officer in the Swedish army, invited the band for lunch the next day at twelve o’ clock. We took our music and instruments along as the gentleman had kindly offered to find a good hotel for us. The lunch was most excellent; and among the many good things we had bear steak. Oh! It was just fine. At the lunch was present an American Gentleman, Mr. Stevenson, proprietor of the California Exchange on the northeast corner of Kearny and Clay streets. After hearing us play, he engaged us right away for his concert hall, to begin the same day, offering us sixteen dollars apiece per man. This being the time Jenny Lind has so successfully appeared in the Eastern States, everything began to be called by her name; such as Jenny Lind1 hat, cake, drink, etc., and we being her countrymen, Mr. Stevenson and Qvillfeldt baptized us the Jenny Lind, in a bumper of champagne.”
Mixing Politics and Music
“On the day of the election the Jenny Lind Band of eight people played in a wagon, from sunrise to sunset, going from poll to poll the whole day. The streets being in a very bad condition, we only played at the polls and after each time we had to come down from the wagon to drink and smoke. It was no use to say “No.” We had to obey. As the revolvers and pistols were fired all the time in all directions, we were glad to get in under shelter. We were to have $50.00 apiece and double that amount for the leader; but the politicians were fickle and forgetful and all we received was a bitter dose of experience. From that day I never took an engagement from any political party unless money was paid in advance.”
Striking it Rich!
“We were now bent on going up to the mines and we started immediately in company with the sea captain Wirstrom, for Bidwell’s Bar on the Feather River, where the captain’s wife lived and kept a store and where he said was good mining. In Marysville we stored up all our worldly belongings in our trunks with clothes, music, etc., and through the advice of Captain Wirstrom we bought two mining costumes apiece and mining tools. With a party, I went down the river where Oroville is now situated. We were the first prospectors at that place. From here we went to Natches Creek where we found a good deal of coarse gold and made from $12 to $25 a day for about two months.”
A Fiery Fourth of July in the Diggings
In June, 1851, Marysville was destroyed by fire. Skanberg [shipmate band member] lost everything we had brought from home. All our clothes, instruments, music, etc., were burned. Only an E flat cornet was left. My first Fourth of July I celebrated in this camp [Natches Creek?]. Being the only musician left of the band, I played the patriotic airs on my E flat cornet and other miners joined in singing with me. A minister made the prayer and a lawyer read the Declaration of Independence, and everything went off gloriously. My service was all for glory, while my [Jenny Lind Band] colleagues in San Francisco were paid $50 a man, double for leader for the parade.”
Back to Sacramento and Music
“After two weeks I was able to accept an engagement at the American Theatre in Sacramento. Carl Wehrter resigned and sold his cornet to me. The leader of the orchestra was John Dean; Carl Carson, second violin and former member of the Jenny Lind Band; Alex Berger, double bass; Fred Boehme, clarinet; August Wetterman, cornet. Our salary was $50 per week per man and double that amount for the leader. We sat on the balcony in front of the theatre, where we were required to play three tunes before the performance. The managers had the idea that would draw and help to fill their theatres.”
The Circus Comes to Town!
“In April 1855 I was offered a position of leader of the band of Lee and Marshall’s circus. This gave me an opportunity to see most of the mining towns and camps as we went over the route twice during the season. Although we had a most excellent band wagon, the band men preferred to walk rather than to ride in the wagon during the hottest time of the day and take in the dust.”
World Renown Artists Perform in California
“Back from the country [circus tour], I was engaged at the Sacramento Theatre. Olle Bull [famous violinist] and Strackoff gave two concerts in this theatre. During their stay in Sacramento, two Norwegians, Kent an actor, had a glorious time with the grand old man. We would either play Caroline, a Scandinavian game of billiards, go bathing or to dinner, where Olle Bull would entertain us with some of his experiences in America and other countries. At the concerts, Olle Bull came down to the footlights at the center of the stage, stood erect with heels together, violin under his chin and his eyes to then right looking at Mrs. Kent (wife of the actor I have mentioned). She was a very beautiful woman seated in a private box, and must have been the source of inspiration to his wonderful playing. He never moved his feet or his eyes while he played. After the concert we were glad to go to an ice cream saloon, as it was a very hot evening. Olle Bull told us many pleasant stories and then said goodnight and farewell as he was going away the next day.”
Playing for a Famous Hanging
“In 1856 the Sacramento Union Brass Band organized, all professional musicians and considered the best in the state as regards ability and uniform, August Wetterman musical director. The band was engaged by the Sacramento City Guard, Captain Baker (Baker and Hamilton), to go down to San Francisco to participate in the funeral of King of William, who was shot by James P. Casey2. The band and company marched to the Oriental Hotel at the junction of Market, Battery and Bush streets for lunch. Our captain and officers had been let into the secret that Casey and Cora must hang before King of William was lowered into his grave. Through opera glasses which officers had along, we could see the two culprits dangle in the air outside Fort Vigilance on the south side of Sacramento street, between Front and Davis streets. The procession moved on to Bush street and Laurel Hill cemetery. Coming back to our hotel, as we had to take the boat for Sacramento.”
Fourth of July Engagements
“In 1857, on the night of July 3rd, ball to six o’clock in the morning of July 4th. Parade in the forenoon. Picnic in the afternoon to 5 o’clock. On board in an open wagon through heat and dust for fifteen miles. Ball to 6 a.m. July 6th, and without any rest, back in the same wagon for Sacramento. I made $95 with no expenses; but my front teeth all loose and aching and, I was almost killed.”
Playing at the State Fair
“Lee and Marshall’s circus had been playing in Sacramento [again!] and was going to the State Fair at Marysville. The Forest Theatre on J street in Sacramento, where I had been playing, had stopped for renovation. The circus band, some members of which belonged to the Sacramento Union Brass Band, said, “Wetterman, take your instrument and some music and come with us in the band wagon to the fair.” At Marysville, it was soon known that I had come up with the circus band. Leo Zimmerman had a contract for the fair and he engaged me to conduct the band. The band had several other engagements, such as parades, funerals, balls and serenades. I had to change constantly from E flat to B flat cornets. The six days’ fair was very hard work; but I brought with me home to Sacramento $150 clear.”
An Historical Connection
“At the Atlantic Cable Celebration at San Francisco, the Sacramento City Guards engaged the Sacramento Union Brass Band to go with them to San Francisco to participate in the day parade and the torchlight procession. The band in their splendid uniform and excellent playing had many admirers. The company kindly presented me with a beautiful sword in appreciation of our service. That took place August 16, 1858, when Queen Victoria sent the first message over the Atlantic cable to President James Buchanan, U.S.A.”
Perfect Pitch?
“Eugenio Bianchi [in 1859] and wife organized an opera company. . . with good chorus and orchestra. At operas between acts, Bianchi would come down to the music room with this tuning fork, the Paris Conservatory of Music pitch which had been founded upon human voices. He hit the fork upon his knee, then hold to our ears and said: “This is the right pitch. Gentlemen, you are all wrong. When I want to sing B flat you make me sing B natural. That is outrageous; you must change pitch or you will kill me.” We stood the abuses knowing he was right. James Kendall, one of our best clarinetists started to turn off his clarinets (made them shorter) and other musicians began to do likewise. When we ordered an instrument from the East it was always to be high pitch.”
Music Appreciation