Bessie Campbell "Queen of the Banjo"

[Joel Hooks]

A while back Hal posted a piece on Bessie Campbell and her adventures as a banjoist in Au.  I ran across this just now and thought I'd share the link with all.

http://www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.aus-vn3543635

So, it is her scrapbook of clippings.  Most of the first part is stuff about sports and things girls might clip out of newspapers and save.  Then you get into it a bit and find some good stuff.

Lots of reviews of her playing, programs, a few hand written set lists, a clipping of Swaim Stewart's photo (he is so dreamy)... all sorts of cool stuff.

But what is really cool (to me anyway) is this...

That, boys and girls, is a letter from old Swaim himself.  Pretty cool.  He mentions his long sickness (stroke? sometimes it was called "brain fever").

It is neat to read him discussing banjo particulars and just being a nice guy.

Anyway, check it out and post any fun thins you find.

[Joel Hooks]

A few more...

[Jody Stecher]

Here's a good one from page 17.

[Trapdoor2]

"Brain Fever" = Encephalitis or Meningitis. Both are inflammations of the brain tissues and both have a variety of nasty symptoms which can persist for long periods.

Strokes were more commonly called "Apoplexy" in the period.

Very cool letter. Thanks, Joel!

[Mike Moss]

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand... and some help themselves to golden spoons! ;-)