Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before

Subject: Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before
From: Lighter
Date: 11 Aug 26 - 10:16 AM

Iola [Kans.] Register (March. 29, 1927):

"Tom Thomspon [1861-1935] of the Howard Courant, avers that if allowed to pat his foot, he can still fiddle Turkey in the Straw, The Arkansas Traveler, Fisher's Hornpipe, Money Musk, The Devil's Dream, Haste to the Wedding, Mississippi Sawyer, The Irish Washerwoman, Durang [sic] Hornpipe, Gray Eagle, Hell on the Wabash, Guilderoy, Opera Reel, Jack Johnson's Clog, Such a Gittin' Up Stairs, Wake Gals Wake, Red Bird, Hull's Victory, Eighth of January, Over the Hills and Far Away, Captain Jinks, and dozens more tunes like them."

Most these were or are still very widely known, but "Wake, Gals, Wake" and "Jack Johnson's Clog" seem to be unique. I doubt that "Jack Johnson" refers to the heavyweight champ of 1908-1915, though it is theoretically possible.

"Over the Hills and Far Away" is presumably the well-known 18th century British tune; if so, it's rarely been mentioned in the U.S.

Subject: RE: Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before
From: Jack Campin
Date: 12 Aug 26 - 05:15 AM

"Durang's Hornpipe" is in Kerr's Merry Melodies, 1880ish. Why the [sic]?

Subject: RE: Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before
From: Lighter
Date: 12 Aug 26 - 08:00 AM

Hi, Jack. It's 'cause they spelled it "Durang" and not "Durang's." (I make enough typos of my own.)

I've also seen it called "Durant's," "Durand's," and, more than once,   "Durango Hornpipe."

"Durango" is a town in Colorado, organized in 1880-1881.

The earliest reference I have to "Durang's Hornpipe" is from New York in 1785, followed by Massachusetts in 1792. It's been one of the most popular fiddle tunes in the U.S.

Subject: RE: Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before
From: Jack Campin
Date: 12 Aug 26 - 05:59 PM

I'd assumed it was a misprint for Durango, but from what you wrote it seems to predate the town by a century. Do we have any idea who Durang was?

Subject: RE: Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 12 Aug 26 - 06:47 PM

Do we have any idea who Durang was?

John Durang (1768-1822) (choreography by Durang; music by a "Mr. Hoffmaster.")

Also: John Bill Ricketts (1769-1802) for the circus and shows. Has a minor history in Caribbean circus as well (lost at sea after departing Guadeloupe for England.)

Subject: RE: Kansas Fiddle Tunes, 1890s or before
From: Lighter
Date: 12 Aug 26 - 06:55 PM

According to the Traditional Tune Index:

"Sam Bayard (1981), George Emmerson (1972) and others researched the tune and definitively conclude that it was named after actor and dancer John Durang (b. Lancaster, Pa., 1768 – d. Philadelphia, 1821), styled as 'the first American dancer.' Durang (who was born of German parents) stated in his memoirs that it was composed for him by one 'Mr. Hoffmaster, a German Dwarf, in New York, 1785.'"

TTA lists several different tunes under the "Durang's Hornpipe" title.

Just as a matter of interest, there's also a (State of) Durango in Mexico.