Chariton's musical evening with Carrie Jacobs-Bond

If you're into music trivia, make a note to remember that Carrie Jacobs-Bond is recognized generally as the first woman to sell a million copies of a song --- a sheet music version of her biggest hit, "I Love You Truly," dating from 1901.

Mrs. Jacobs-Bond was a trail-blazer. A prolific composer as well as performer, she formed her own music publishing company when the male-dominated industry declined her work and eventually landed in Hollywood. 

When she died in 1946, former president and Iowa native Herbert Hoover wrote her epitaph, describing her as "America's gallant lady of song." During 1970, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame --- a year after it was founded.

And there she was, during late October of 1899, on stage at the Mallory Opera House in Chariton, Iowa, a guest of Smith H. and Annie Mallory, their daughter, Jessie Mallory Thayer, and family friend, Miss Susie Tuell.

The musical evening was an invitation-only event and James H. and Myra McFarland were among those who received engraved invitations to it. Recently, their great-grandson, Albert B. Gookin Jr., donated a collection of correspondence, primarily letters written during the Civil War, to the Lucas County Historical Society. But there were other items in the collection, including the invitation to Mrs. Jacobs-Bond's performance.

How did the performance go? Here's your answer in the form of a report from The Chariton Herald of Nov. 2, 1899:

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The musical at Mallory's opera hall on Thursday evening, October 25, given by Mrs. (Jessie) Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Mallory, and Miss (Susie) Tuell, was one of the most enjoyable and successful events ever occurring in this city. Although the weather was not favorable, there was a large company present to enjoy the pleasures of the evening.

The guests were received upon entering the hall by Mrs. Thayer, Miss Willie Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Mallory, Miss Tuell, and Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Crocker.

The stage was tastefully and beautifully decorated. The Northwestern orchestra of Des Moines discoursed pleasing music before Mrs. Bond's recital in the opera hall, and later in the banquet hall of the Noxall club.

The instrumental music and songs by Mrs. Carrie Jacobs-Bond of Chicago were given first. Mrs. Bond was introduced to the  company by Mrs. Thayer, and rendered the following

PROGRAM

"Chimney Swallows"

(a) "Old Songs."

(b) "Where to Build Your Castles."

(c) "My Gal Kit."

(a) "Is My Dolly Dead?"

(b) "Have You Seen My Kittie?"

(c) "The Little Shoe."

(d) "The Naughty Little Girl."

(a) "The Bird Song" -- Lullaby.

(b) "A Bad Dream."

(c) "Going to Church With Mother."

(a) "Death Song."

(b) "Come Mr. Dream Maker."

March --- "To the Victor."

(By request.)

Those present were very much delighted and pleased with the musical compositions above, both the words and music being composed by Mrs. Bond. Her rendition of them was perfect. She has a rich mezzo voice of great depth and sweetness. She explained each number before rendering it, which added much to the interest of the compositions.

The company then went to the rooms of the Noxall club, and spent the remainder of the evening in conversation. Refreshments were served in the banquet hall.

The young folks took advantage of the splendid music for dancing, and cleared the room after the refreshments were served and tripped the light fantastic to the waltzes and two-steps of the orchestra.

Much credit is due to Mrs. Thayer for the pleasing manner in which everything passed off. Those present feel they are greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Mallory, Mrs. Thayer, and Miss Tuell for the pleasant evening's entertainment. Those present from outside the city were Mr. and Mrs. Allen Mallory and Miss Mallory of Creston.