Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 March 1938 — Page 6

UINT:T OF GIRL

| The tree was held by Martha Davis (left) and Charlotte Noble as Joan

Conservation is stressed as a part of thc Camp Fire Girls’ nature Specker: (left) and Jerry Oakes (right) shoveled the earth about it.

This uintet will be among 100 Girl Reserve members. who will | Saturday. They are (left to right) the Misses Jo Ellen Biyan, Betty ] study. This group recently added a free to the grounds at School 70.

attend ¢-c Children’s Concert of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Davis, Alice. Olay, ‘Florence Willard and Evelyn Francis (seated right).

'Huzh McGibeny Genius Scored Music Victory

Over Nomadic Penury

Jordan Violin Teacher Years Ago Abandoned Theater After Trouping Road in Many Roles With Famous Family of Twelve.

It is doubtful if many of the hundreds of pupils ‘who have crossed the threshold of Hugh McGibeny’s studio in the last third of a century have any knowledge of his

% i picturesque background. : Cp] In the same room at the Jordan Conservatory for 35 years he has guided the destinies of would-be violinists. It is 2 room alive with memories and associations. . Many, many years ago James B. McGibeny was studying to be a professor and his travels took him to Portland, Ore. He hoped for a Greek and Latin professorship at the state university only to find that the university was purely a fiction—it hadn't even been ‘farted. At a loss and with a ‘rapidly increasing family, Mr. and Mrs. McGibeny and their three children (including young Fugh) gave vent to their talent and love of music with improviscd concerts; at first in a more or less casual manner. and for their own amusement, Fa'e, in the form of a devastating city fire, stepped in at the opporiune moment and the concerts became a financial necessity, @t merely a means of passing away the time. That was the beginning of “The McGibeny Family—the Largest Musical Family in the World.” : : . ; :

Faz ily Lives Nomadic Ewistence

Living a nomadic existence in and out of boarding ‘houses and -

thea:-rs, traveling by stagecoach and literally living in trunks, are the frst recollections of Hugh McGibeny. He describes with. a fervor undiimed by the years his consternation at the. annually. growing numbers of his brothers and sisters.. “I was humiliated to enter a hote! dining room with. that tribe,” Mr. McGibeny stated grimly. “I used $o slink in alone.” 2 At . LE HL In those first years it was a question of feast or famine. : Mr. McGibeny swears the whole lot of them lived on a dollar for one wee: on bread and potato soup.. But they were beginning ‘to be known, and there were more engagements all the time. Each new bab: was taught to play sonie instrument or sing.’ Mr, McGibeny _ shamefacedly admitted that at one stage of his career he was billed . as ‘he “boy wonder,” and that he sang comic songs and played a snare drum. / : fe 5 Always, however, his love was the violin and ‘he.recalls many & whipping for peering into his brother’s violin case.’ He seemed releget>d forever to the despised drum and brass instruments. ‘

Hugh Finally Turns to. Violin When he was 9 a tragic incident turned the tide. Frank, an

lolcer brother and first violinist of the troupe, suffered a crushed arm.

'Huzh then took to the violin and started the process of becoming the |accomplished artist he is today. : oe = : It was then Hugh started the diary he kept for 16 years. In it were recorded all the vicissitudes, triumphs and :despairs: of “The VecGibeny Family”. In it he also poured out descriptions of ‘some “hoyish pranks.” In later years Hugh's father, a curious mixture of rizhteous Scotch Presbyterian, visionary. and: actor, chanced on one o’ the “pranks” and promptly tossed the whole thing into the fire. . frsab) 5 McGibney declared, “is the one thing I could never forgive or.” ’

By the time he achieved manhood the children’ numbered 12. :

They had a male quartet, a female quartet, a brass band and an or--hestra. By this time they owned a private car advertised as “Our ozlace Home on Wheels,” and traveled in style.. The only home Mr. fcGibeny remembers was a dilapidated inn at New Salem, Mass, hat his father bought on a whim. In it were housed the 3000 volues that had been carefully acquired, cherished, read and reread. No matter what the stress and strain might be, the family had to listen to their father read one hour every day. Mr. McGibeny recalls with a slight shudder that he heard Hugo's “Les Miserables” four times. ; \ After sending a picture of “The Largest Musical Family in the World” to M. Hugo, Hugh's father received ‘a gracious letter of acknowledgment and an autographed “edition. : :

Decides to Abandon. Theater

. Some way a fire started while they were on tour one season and the inn was razed to the ground. Mr. McGibeny said his father never recovered from the shock. - : |asny . It was about this time that Hugh suffered the worst indignity of all. They were to sail for England to play before Queen Victoria, when the final baby arrived.- : x

It was a bad year for:everyone “when .the family decided to

present an opera, “The Princess of Trebizonde.” - Mr. McGibeny

describes the performances as being “the vilest production that was

ever witnessed on any: stage, anywhere.” : : Bo By this time he was married and starting: a: family and he

decided that his children would be better off outside ‘the theater world. His leaving was the beginning of the end of the’ *“MecGibeny

” ;

‘After two years of teaching in’ Richmond; Ind. he came here to be concert master and first violinist for the first Indiapapolis Symphony Orchestra. He. is now head of the Jordan Conservatory’s ‘violin department. Mrs. McGibeny plays “the piano, cornet and French horn. 47 : : Ce ee The day of the family show had passed but not the indomitable spirit of “The Family.” Eight are still alive, all in music. As James B. used to say, with pardonable pride, “we are, without a doubt, the greatest family in: the world.” Th alanine 8 #5. = 2 ® 8 8 Mrs. Booth Tarkington and Miss Lucy : Taggart Wednesday for French Lick, where they will spend a week at the home of Miss Taggart’s brother, Thomas i

Mr. and Mrs. William H.- Thompson, 5140 N. Meridian St:, have

returned from New York.

~~ Mrs. John Darlington recently returned from a seven. weeks" “South American cruise. She sailed on' the S. S. Columbus’ through

the Panama ‘Canal and visited the tine, Peru, Brazil and the Chilean lake district. On her way home she stopped off at Nassau

Miss Courtensy Whitaker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel

Whitaker, has returned from a two months’ visit to Miami Beach where she was the guest of her cousin, Mrs. John Frazure, and Mr.

_ . Miss Peggy Pearson has left for St. Petersbiirg, Fla, with her | | father, John S. Pearson, 5520 N. Meridian St. They will join Mrs. = |f Pearson and her son, Edwin, who have spent. the season: at : their

‘winter home. They. to return the middle of April. RE a Mr a: ash New .

I Bynum, Mary Etta: Campbell, Kay

| Otnega Nu. Tau, will entertain mem- | Colonial . Tearoom. tonight. ~ Mrs, | &

ment;

| Kappa Sorority is to hold a business | ell 1s crepe : gown with riavy - accessories| Burroughs School of Music junio:

‘will’ leave

x Es Se 8 7 ry ht (GEE Be ER eR ~~ Times Photos. Members of the Talisman chapter of ‘the ‘Sub- right) ‘Miss Betly Kervan and Miss Belty Carson, Deb’ Club are: planning an Easter party. Arrange- |. and (seated, left to right) Miss Mary Helen McConaments committee members include (standing, deft. to. | “hay, presi sident, and, Miss Toma Bornhorst, secretary.

Harriett McConnell Becomes Bride of R. E. Shuman Today

Palms and lighted candles in candelabra. are to provide a setting: for

Parties to Open Local ‘Sororities’ Spring - Activities

today in the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church McKee Chapel.

Several local sororities are ‘open- 1acl The bride :is- a daughter of Mr.o-

ing their spring social .season this mia week. with parties. ~~ < . .. - | and Mrs. ‘B.S. McConnell, 34501 _. . Lata aed The 'Sigma Delta Sorority is to| Birchwood Ave. Mr. Shuman is a Children to Get

hold a ‘slumbér party Thursday son of Mr.'and Mss. E. K. Shuman, STs Rg ne Symphony. Cups

night atthe home: of Miss Harriet | 6238 Central Ave. : Steffan, 571° S.' Drive, ‘Woodruff | - Dr. Afmbrose Dunkel is to read Plece, ~ © ~*~ + oi |the single-ring ceremony. Miss Guests: will : include ‘the Misses | Donna Alles,’ organist, -is to play Geraldine Pugh, Thana Lou Hag- bridal-airs. . “- 0 cof gard, gary. Jane -Carphell, Viildred Eggert, June. Fitch, Charlene | ma e by her father, is to wear | “."" 5 na & three-piece sult of turquoise blue | by. the Indianapolis Symphony Orwith wolf fur trim;.a beige blouse |chestra at 11 a. m. Saturday.at-the

Murat Theater.

Three silver cups are to be award-

Haas, Caroline Heller, Dorothy Hopping, Jean Huff, Olga Phillips; Ger- [and Parisand- accessories and’ & LIL om. Sugier. at aldine Roe, Marian Smith and] corsage of orchids and lilies-of-the | Af the first: concert Dee. 19, a Sammie’ Sullavan. : £0. [valley | i : Tr paubtiionnalre was. given each child Pledges ‘of Ganima, Chapter, | Attendant, % 0 wear ‘a navy and and symphonic compositions, Three 1 Tau tain me white costume suit with navy ‘and children whose answers rated highwhite accessories and a: corsage of | 856 in the. estimation of Fabien Seardenias.. S.C nln vitsky, conductor, will receive the cups. i nk Dag) The awards. were chosen by: &

bers with a spring party at the Walter, Worreli - and. Mrs. - Bernard = Roland Knox Best Man ie 3 Smith are in, charge of entertain- a

a rant . |an Theta - Chapter of ‘Delta Sigma |8F¢ fo usher... . .:. “5 | jordan Conservatory of Music, Bo‘Mrs. McConnell isto wear a navy |g) Cramer Piano Studio. and meeting - tomorrow: at ‘8:30 p. m. ‘ nior at the Y. W. C.\A: .An election of officers “will “be “Held and plans for. a joint meeting with several state chapters will be discussed.

and gardenias. Mrs: Shuman is to| choir. wear black crepe with matching ac‘cessories and sweét peas. | A recep- .| tion fer the couple is to follow at a compe the Marott How! Huser’ Lodee, “ Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Delta | = Af r a trip East,” the couple | Sorority bi gon wn ; mia be at; home Sunday at 3606 Balsam with Miss Norma, Keller.. Plans will | Ave. be made for a Founders’ Day: hanSh Series oF The nga Peon | or th, Saaremaa Sh chapters are to be represented. | (*€h CRON Dru tna. | Her topic was to be “The Con‘a ww | Ue and. Misi.) ell, “the | stitution of the United States.” = Pledges of Lambda Chi Delta So- | A musical rority will entertain members at a party Thursday night at the home |€

Constitution Topic of

the home of Miss Christine

SUB-DEB MEMBERS PLAN EASTER PARTY" . . . . . .

the wedding of Miss Harriet’ McConnell to Robert E. Shuman at 8 p. m. | da

‘The bride, who Is to; be given In ‘ed st the second Children’s ‘Concer? |-

Roland Knox Is to ‘be best man |committee composed of Mrs. Ford ‘and were donated by the Arthur

Travel-Study Speaker (rou: ais sm ==" |B. 46th St, and Miss Frances BuschThe; bride’ attended ‘Indiana | Mrs. Olive leh Lewis Was; to: :

capi | Woman's Advance

Vacationing ‘Students at Homes Here Many Wait Appearance

Of Dartmouth Glee Club April 6. | Mothers of Dartmouth College

students have shortened Southern vacations to be home for the col

; lege glee club’s appearance in Caleb

‘Mills ‘Hall April 6. The school’s spring 'vdcation begins Thursday, and several students will arrive here over the week-end to spend the period as will students from other colleges and universities. » © Mrs. Uz McMurtrie, who has been

returned with Mr. McMurtie, who spent the past month there. During his stay, Mr. McMurtrie went on a fishing trip in Bimini, one of the Bahama Islands, with I. C. Elstun,

| Chicago.

‘Mrs. George W. Mahoney, who

| has been vacationing in Miami, re-’

turned Thursday with Mr. Ma-

Mrs. Kuhn Returns

. ‘Mrs. Walter W. Kuhn recently returned from Passe-A-Grille, Fla. Mrs. Chester Albright will return Thursday from Lake Maxinkuckee, where her daughter, Miss Mary Jq, entertained recently wth a house party: Mrs. Albright,' whose son

- | Rodney is a, glee club member, will

entertain with a buffet supper the night of the performance for Donald E. Cobleigh, club director. William H. McMurtrie will. have two houseguests, William T. Mosen-

Kappa Psi fraternity brother, and Robert Lang, Pittsburgh, Glee: Club president. Mr. Albright and Mr. William H. McMurtrie are to arrive home Tuesday night following a Glee Club performance at Elkhart. H. Foster Clippinger Jr., George W. Mahoney Jr. and Walter W. Kuhn Jr. are expected home Fri-

y. pies . ‘Princeton students expected here for the vacation period the latter part of the week include Charles Latham Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Latham, 1314 N. Delaware St, and Donald N. Test, son of Mr. and Ms. Donall N. Test, 42 W. 43d St. Charles E. Test; University of Chicago student, is spending his

vacation here. =~ | Helen Griffith Is Visitor Miss Helen Griffith. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore B. Griffith, ‘has arrived from Vassar College for the spring recess. Miss Helen Taggart is another Vassar College student home from the Eastern school. ‘She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Tag--gart, Spring Mill Road. : ‘Miss Phyllis Mounsey is among the Stephens College students who will model ina style show sponsored by Gamma Alpha Chi, women’s advertising fraternity at the Columbia. Mo., school. i Mr. and Mrs. Russell L. White ang their daughter, Miss Ethel White, are vacationing at the ‘Greenbrier Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. ~~ tN Indianapolis ‘arrivals at the French Lick ‘Springs Hotel include Miss Helen Murray, 26 Berkley ad: ‘Miss Emily: McCullough, 912

marn, 1135 Broadway. - + To Elect Officers

3902 Kenwood: Ave.

xin 4 Mrs. Fred ‘B. Keuthan is to

speak on “Entomology as a. Hob-

5y.” An election of officers will

3 3 follow.

JOmege. PHi . 8:30.p. m. Wed. Spink-Arms Hotel. | 1g. Pledge services for all tes. : : . 8 p.m. today. 221

at ‘Miami Beach since Jan. 1, has|

thal, Upper Montclair, N. Y., a Phi.

The Woman's Advance Club is to | J

Auxiliary to Hear Antique Music Box

Mrs. “Ralph L. ‘Colby, Southern Club Auxiliary president, is to be hostess for the monthly meeting at 1 p. m. Friday at her country home, Traders Point. A business meeting is to follow a luncheon. Officers are to be elected. Mrs. Arthur P. Dewey isi nominating committee chairman, assisted by Mrs. Peter C. Reilly and Mrs. Charles Stevens.

to be played on an antique music

box borrowed from: the Tecumseh

Museutn dt Zionsville. Auxiliary members are to sew for the Needlework Guild. - Sr Assisting -Mrs. Colby as hostess are to be Mrs. Ernest E. Edwards, Mrs. ‘Thomas Faley and Miss Helen Smith. ! re

Alumnae to Attend Alpha “Gam Reunion

Alumnae of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority are to-attend an International Reunion Day celebration at the DePauw University chapter house Saturday. ; Mrs. Chandler T. Jones, Hudson, O., extension chairman of the sorority’s grand council, will be guest speaker. : :

by a luncheon, business. session’ and initiation services, conducted by the DePauw chapter. An annual rose banquet will conclude. the reunion. * Miss Mildred Wessell and Miss Mary Alice Trantum of the Greencastle : chapter are in’ charge of arrangements. : ~ : Indianapolis alumnae who will attend include the Misses Jean Baker, Mary Ann Tall, Pearl Apland, Eliza-

the Mesdames Norman A. Beeson, R. E. Krutchen, J. P. Lahr, Albert E. Martin. Robert Stearns, G: R. Douglas, D. R. Roberts, Merton

| Johnston, Kenneth .L. Dotterer,

Anne L. Osborne, Bert Silver, Lytle Frechafer and Thomas Carlin,

- ‘Get- Together

Clubs at 2 p. m. tomorrow. Federation of Jewish Women’s Clu

Dance Attracts 'Ex-Members of + Sub-Deb Club

A number of the Sub-Deb Clubs’ former members will attend the annual spring danee tebe. held Saturday at Woodstock Club. They are: Miss’ Sue Anne Eveleigh, who has returned from Abbott Academy, Andover, Mass.; Miss Margaret Wohlgemuth. and Miss Judith Preston, Wells College, NA Y.; Miss Nancy. Campbell, Butler University; Miss Catherine Kemp, Briarcliff; Miss) Jeanette. Tarkington, Rockford University, Ill, and Miss ‘ Natalie Pfaff, who will come from Shelbyville. :

_. Miss Mary Scott Morse is club president. Other membersare Misses

Fee Is Planned for Citizenship Nomin

Times Special

During the social hour music is |’

Noon registration will be followed |

beth Roberts and Virginia Cravens;

Travelog on Japan to Be Club Feature

Lebanon Author Will Use Art Objects in Talk Here Wednesday.

‘Miss Hazel Harker, Lebanon, aue thor, - lecturer and: traveler, is.to present a travelog of Japan at the Woman's Department Club art dee partment ‘ meeting Monday at the clubhouse, 1702 N. Meridian St. She is to illustrate her talk with silk-embroidered pictures, tapestries in imperial design, lacquers and a painting by Yabum . 2 At the 2:30 p. m. program, Mrs, Frank B. Hunter; soprano, is to-sing selections from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.” Miss Marjorie Byrum, mezzo-soprano; is also to sing, ace companied by Mrs. Lenore I. Fred erickson. 2 ; Brocade tapestry of imperial design, a_ Japanese wall scroll and wood block prints from old masters are to be on display in the Blue Room. : : . : Committee Members Listed - -

Mrs. Hollie A. Shideler is. door committee chairman, assisted by the Mesdames Charlton N. Carter, Ruse sell: R. Reutepohler and: Jerome H. Trunkey. : With Mrs. Alvin G. *Jose on the courtesy committee are Mesdames Albert H. Off, Frederick G. Balz, Robert L. Moorhead, - Howard Painter and Howard J. Lacy. Mrs. George S. Olive is tea chairman. Others on’ the committee are the Mesdames W. J. Beckett, Lillian R. Lewis, Roy W. Brandt, George A. Bowen, Frank M. Bush, John R. Curry, Thomas F. Davidson, Jerome E. Holman, Lee M. Ingling, H. J.

R. A. Miller, J. H. Orndorfl, Hollie Shideler, M. J. Spring, Harold Trusler ‘and Orville Wilkinson. Mrs. Paul T. Rochford, art chair-man-elect. and Mrs. Helen Talge Brown, vice chairman-elect, will

Jewish Women's Clubs to Hold

~ Carter, Dorothy Courtney, |

preside at the tea table.

Tea’ Tomorrow

Mrs. Louis Wolf, 5130 N. Meridian St., is to be hostess for the annual “get together tea” of the Indianapolis: Federation of Jewish Women’s ‘Rabbi ‘Elias Charry will, speak on “Why the

& Mrs. Charles Martin, vocalist, is to

sing a group of French Songs, ace

ski. Brief r are to be made by: affiliated club presidents. Mrs. Isaac Born and Mrs. Emma

table. Mrs. Komirers is program chairman and Mrs. David L. Sablosky is Federation president. - The Indianapolis section, National Council of Jewish Women, will hold

‘a bundle tea Monday -afternoon at

the schbaum Community Center. - Members will bring. clothing and garments for contribution to the

western Ave. ; ; Worthy recognized charities ree ceive the .proceeds of sales.. The shop,: which is. nonsectarian, .was opened in November, 1935, under the direction of Mrs. Isadore Feibleman. Mrs. Robert A. M managed the project until this year, when Mrs. Jack assumed the duties. Cochairmen are Mrs. MacGill, Miss Gertrude Feibleman and Mrs. - Herman Strashun. y Board members include Mesdames P. C. Bollar, I. L.' Needleman, Harold Platt, Leon” Kempler, I G. Kahn, Jacob L. Mueller, "Al Maschke, Joseph M. Bloch and

| David ] | ‘Service’ to Be Topic |

For Church Speaker

Mrs. J. H. Smiley is to speak on “The Spit of Service” at a meeting of First Evangelical-Church Women’s Federation in the home ie of

| Mrs. F. M. Sims, 960 Campbell

I |

Lacy, Edward Ludlum, M. I. Miller, -

X % CRE Ne PRR Ea

companied by Mrs. Herbert Sudran=

Kominers will preside at the tea -

Council Thrift Shop, 2749 Northe

with Mrs. Harding