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Under Two Captains, mentioned by Mr. Allison, is the biography of my great grandfather, John Jacob Lehmanowsky, general under Marshal Ney, member of Napoleon's intimate circle, close friend of the Marquis de La Fayette of Revolutionary War fame. Loving France, the country of his mother (his father a member of a Polish family able to trace its lineage back through many generations), John J. Lehmanowsky, after an extensive education in Poland journeyed to France and immediately became embroiled in the turbulent affairs of the country. He decided to support Napoleon and rapidly rose in his esteem, becoming one of his most trusted generals. Thrown into prison and sentenced to execution, following Napoleon's downfall, he made a miraculous escape to this country where he spent the remainder of his life as an author, lecturer, teacher and minister of the Lutheran Church.
My grandmother, Mrs. Nicholas Reising, John J. Lehmanowsky's daughter, asserted that Marshal Ney did visit her father, as set forth in Under Two Captains, and from her own lips the story was as follows:
One summer evening, when she was in her early teens, a stranger appeared at the gate of the family home in Knightstown, Ind. and asked if it were the home of John Lehmanowsky. On being informed that it was, he came through the gate, and was met by her father, who had hurried from his chair on the porch at the sound of the stranger's voice. The two embraced and cried, talking in French and giving every evidence of being friends long parted who had had no hope of meeting again. They talked most of the night, and not until the gentleman had gone the next day did her father tell certain members of the family that their guest was none other than Marshal Ney. but that the secret must not be revealed to anyone.
As stated previously, grandmother had reached an intelligent age, saw the gentleman herself, and had the word of her father that their guest was in fact Marshal Ney, and it seems to us there can be no doubt about Ney's successful escape to this country, the account of which as related to her father is contained in Under Two Captains.
CHRISTINE A. REISING Louisville, Ky.
"Bix"
Sirs:
Some years ago the publication of the "iBlackbirds Album" was considered TIMEworthy. Two weeks ago was published the "Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Album," worthier in historical importance, in artistic merit and, in view of the renascence of jazz, in fad value. . . .
H. B. WEBB
New York City
Chief interest in this revival of twelve old Victor recordings on which the late great Leon Bismarck ("Bix") Beiderbecke plays trumpet with such bands as Whiteman's and Goldkette's is that Victor has. wherever possible, made the records from masters not originally used. Like most great jazz musicians, "Bix'' seldom played the same chorus the same way twice.—ED.
Gab-Fests Sirs:
Can you tell me, in a few words, the object and accomplishments of the recent convivial, skirt-dancing junket of the Governors of the drought-stricken States called by President Roosevelt, and in which he took the leading role?