R. Blake, contralto, G.A. Scott,
organist. Prof. Ferrer was not a commonplace performer, but played
operatic selections of his own arrangement for the guitar that no one
else attempted as far as I can recollect. He had a severe time in the
beginning as prices for lessons were so low, and he had all he could
do to keep the wolf from the door. We gave him several benefits which
were greatly appreciated. One night we crowded the old Mercantile Hall
with his admirers. The singers and players were Mrs. Hall McAllister,
Mrs. Marriner-Campbell, Clara Tippits, Amphion Quartette, Mrs. M.R.
Blake, Sig. Mancusie, Wunderlich, J. Stadfeldt, Harry Hunt,
accompanist. I shall always remember that night. The dear professor
thanked us with broken speech, tears filling his eyes. He said the
excellent program was a surprise and one of the greatest pleasures he
had in California. He was made doubly glad by a well-filled purse of a
thousand dollars, the receipts of the concert. This act on our part
made him our perpetual friend until he died. He lived long enough to
see his prices increased fourfold, which enabled him in his later
years to live in apparent comfort. We were glad of it for everybody
liked Prof. M.W. Ferrer. He passed to his rest several years ago.
Among the earlier piano dealers were Badger & Lindenberger, who
handled the Chickering pianos and also did a wholesale clothing
business (a strange combination) at Battery and Merchant streets.
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