| Show Atlater date another form of dancing became popular with the younger group My mother liked to tell her daughters aboutdance that was very special to her All the girls wore frilly white aprons over their dresses and each carried small fancy bow carefully stitched to match her apron During the eveningyoung man would buy forsmall sum of money the bow that matched his special girlapron When each young man had his bow GRAND MARCH took place and then--wonder upon wonders-the company dancedbeautiful waltz signaling the end of the dance But that was just the beginning of the fun Each girl had invited her partner home forspecial midnight lunch Mother said that was the night our father asked her to marry him James Fjeldsted was instrumental in helping another musician to play William Mellor who lived in nearby Fayette loved music At first he tried to play onhomemade fiddle but with very little success Philadelphia one began lesson lasted the for was from playing playing Eventually James for doubled was violin one the in Admission whom but to send taking Fayette dollar night able After Fjeldsted dances usually throughout fee 60 he if he His to just admired the fee for he dance he would ask to have for those who came was usually any kind of produce in season or 25 cents for the more affluent With little other entertainment available Williamdances brought enjoyment to the settlers at Fayette for many years James children to with his love of study and become oldest son was Dean several years while music encouraged musicians Fred his the of Music at Snow College for James and Rickyyoungest daughter Elma became an accomplished pianist teaching more than one hundred young people to play the piano When about sixteen she began to play with her father at the valley dances Inhistory written by Gilbert Fjeldsted nephew he said Whilewas in the eighth grade my Uncle Jim and his daughter Elma played for dances in the Centerfield Ward Church building They let me play cornet with them so we becametrio with Uncle Jim on the violin 77 Elma at the piano and |
