Mar 23, 2019 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)

The residents of Greenwood were fortunate to have the benefit of several different orchestras in the city's founding years. As early as 1899, the Greenwood Fire Department had its own house orchestra. In our article on Music Performed in Early Greenwood we mentioned a number of occasions on which local orchestras played.

Local musicians were undoubtedly encouraged to take part in the orchestras, given the presence of a good music store in town. Professor Paul Kauffman opened the Greenwood Music Store, and was actively advertising his services. In a May 1900 edition of the Phoenix Pioneer we find this posting:_[1]

"Prof. Paul Kaufman, of Greenwood, owner of the Greenwood Music Store, was in town Wednesday. His card will be found in another column of the Pioneer."

Phoenix Pioneer — May 05, 1900

The professor advertised regularly in the first years of the decade, encouraging students to come take lessons in piano, violin and mandolin. He promoted these same instruments, available for sale in the store, along with a comprehensive line of sheet music:_[2]

"Large collection of sheet music at 5, 10 and 15 cents. Greenwood Music Store."

Phoenix Pioneer — May 12, 1900

Professor Kauffman also served as an orchestra leader, and his troupe played at local events. In October 1900, the orchestra entertained guests at the Miner's Union ball, in the Masonic hall._[3]

Later that month, the Greenwood Weekly Times published an introduction to Prof. Kauffman's business:_[4]

Greenwood Weekly Times — Oct 31, 1900

GREENWOOD MUSIC STORE
Prof. F. Kaufmann, Prop. — Dealers In Pianos; Organs and Musical Instruments

"Among the representative business houses of Greenwood whom it is our pleasure to note, is that of the Greenwood Music Store, which comes under our special notice. This establishment is located on the corner of Government and Greenwood streets, and here is to be found the best assortment of everything in the music line in the Boundary district.

Prof. P. Kauffmann, the popular proprietor, is a skilled musician, and makes a specialty of teaching not only the piano, but the violin and mandolin as well, and furnishes music for all occasions such as receptions, balls, parties, weddings, etc. This gentleman carries on his business with interesting energy and diligence, coupled with excellent management. He is noted for his fairness in all business transactions and conducts his affairs upon the broadest laws of equity.

He is western agent for the celebrated Gerhard Heintzman pianos, which is the leading manufacturer of Canada. He also handles the Whaley-Roger pianos, and the Williams and Foley organs, as well as a full line of violins, banjos, guitars, accordians and all string instruments. He also carries a complete stock of sheet music, consisting of all the latest and most popular selections by the most celebrated authors.

The public in general are invited to visit this store, and we have no hesitancy in saying to outside subscribers that if you are anticipating a purchase in his line, it pay you to correspond with this gentleman before buying. Mr. Kauffmann is not only a finished musician, but is an ideal gentleman to transact business with, always sociable, accomodating and ever ready to extend to his many patrons and friends every courtesy of the business."

The Gerhard Heintzman pianos that Professor Kauffman represented in his Greenwood Music Store was one of Canada's oldest and finest lines, and the company has its own excellent history:_[5]

"The firm was incorporated in 1866 in Toronto, Ontario by Theodor August Heintzman, who was born in Berlin, May 19, 1817, and who emigrated to Canada in 1860, following a brief residence in New York City. The story that Heintzman worked in the same Berlin piano factory as (and emigrated from Germany with) Henry E. Steinway, who went on to found Steinway & Sons, is unconfirmed, but is typical of comparisons that were often later made between the instruments that their two firms produced.

Following his arrival in Toronto, Heintzman began to produce pianos from his residence (he is said to have worked initially from his kitchen) and then went on to open his first factory at 23 Duke Street. By May 1868 Heintzman had relocated operations to 105 King St. W and was soon turning out more than 60 pianos a year. By 1873 the company had moved to 115-17 King St W where there was space for a factory, offices, and sales rooms. The company was operated by Theodore Heintzman until his death in 1899, when his sons took over operation of the company."

While the Heintzman pianos were a premier item in the music store, they weren't the only grand instrument available to Greenwood residents:_[6]

"Sixty-five dollars will buy a good pipe tone organ. Greenwood Music Store."

In November 1900, Professor Kauffman had a fire scare in his building:_[7]

"A fire alarm was turned in Sunday night, an overheated stove pipe causing trouble in the Greenwood music store. No damage was done. Now that cold weather is coming on, and stoves are being more frequently used, there should be an inspection to see that proper safeguards are being used against fire."

In late November an ad appeared in the Times from another music teacher offering her instruction to students, in competition with Prof. Kauffman:_[8]

MUSIC LESSONS
"Miss Flesher is prepared to take pupils or organ instructions after the 1st of October. Apply at the home of Mrs. C. Æ Shaw."

The following month, perhaps in an effort to lower expenses or provide more suitable store space, the professor announced a move to new premises:_[9]

"Prof. Kauffman has moved his music store from Government street to the Wallace-Miller block, occupying a portion of Sprott & Macpherson's store."

Prof. Kauffman enjoyed a bit of respite from the music business in January, attending the grand Orientals' dinner, "for Bohemians only".

In the spring of 1901 the Kauffman orchestra played at the Easter ball, held in the Greenwood Auditorium and hosted by the Greenwood Miners Union. The following month found the orchestra at Midway's Victoria Day dance.

April also found the professor in court, attempting to recover costs:_[10]

Judgments Given
"Kauffman v. Chesterson et al — This was an action to recover damages for injury to a piano leased by the plaintiff to defendents. Judgment for $25 and costs."

The music store continued to advertise the sale of violins, mandolins and guitars, "from $5.00 up", and in June, a special sale was posted:_[11]

"For sale at a special bargain one new upright Gerhard Heintzman Art Piano very latest design, handsome walnut case for S425.00, regular price $600.00. The Gerhard Heintzman is the premier piano of Canada, and is used in all leading conservatories and endorsed by the best professional musicians. Bargains on new slightly used up right pianos from $275.00 up. Terms to suit. Greenwood music store."

This is the last mention we find of Professor Kauffman or the Greenwood Music Store. Greenwood still enjoyed a local orchestra, advertised as late as 1908 when they accompanied a dramatic performance at the opera house. Also in that year, as mentioned in a the recent feature, the Greenwood Orchestra took over management of the Auditorium.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Phoenix Pioneer — May 05, 1900, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xphoenix/items/1.0186068

[2] Greenwood Weekly Times — Oct 24, 1900, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172818

[3] Greenwood Weekly Times — Oct 10, 1900, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172811

[4] Greenwood Weekly Times — Oct 31, 1900, p. 6
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172860

[5] Heintzman & Co.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heintzman_%26_Co.

[6] Greenwood Weekly Times — Nov 14, 1900, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172820

[7] Greenwood Weekly Times — Nov 07, 1900, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172814

[8] Greenwood Weekly Times — Nov 29, 1900, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172819

[9] Greenwood Weekly Times — Dec 13, 1900, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172824

[10] Greenwood Weekly Times — Apr 25, 1901, p. 7
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172895

[11] Greenwood Weekly Times — Jun 20, 1901, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172919