The Pigeon Wing Club

Several earlier entries have referred to groups holding dances. These articles have all been taken before the rise of the rise of swing dancing, and the "partner" dances that developed in the early-mid twentieth century. This article comes from the last quarter of the 19th century, when the old New England contra dances had been replaced by new styles. The Pigeon Wing name of the club refers to the Buck and Wing dances, predecessors of later tap dances. Unfortunately, my knowledge of American folk and popular dance history is limited to what I can find on the internet, and verbal descriptions of dances are of little help in understanding them.

The article posted below gives a nostalgic look back at traditional New England dance from a modern (1884), post-Civil War observer. Times had changed, but a Jamaica Plain dance club had decided to take the trouble to learn Grandpa's dances. Sound familiar? It's not so long ago that a swing dance craze was sweeping college campuses - what ever happened to that? Remarkably, Contra dancing has returned to Jamaica Plain in recent years.

Now that I think of it, I learned some kind of square dances in the basement of the Agassiz school as a child. I wonder if that was contra dancing we were doing - sounds similar.


Evening Bulletin March 24 1884


Old-fashioned Dancing in Boston.

The Pigeon Wing Club held its final assembly Wednesday evening on Chestnut avenue, Jamaica Plain. All winter its members have been indefatigably practicing the old-fashioned contra dances; they have placed the "new-fangled" steps, as our grandfathers would say, in a secondary position in the consideration, have scorned the Newport and the latest freaks of the waltz, have regarded with slight attention the schottische and the galop and have expressed a disdainful contempt of the light and frivolous german. But the effects of the partiality for reels and jigs and cotillions was seen Wednesday night in the perfection attained in the execution of most difficult maneuvers. The order of dances, fancifully illustrated with quaint dancing figures in old-time costume, contained the Chorus, Jig, Rory O'More, Money Musk, Virginia Red, College Hornpipe, and one or two modern dances, interspersed with jigs for variety. To modern eyes the sight of the dancers was most novel. Young and old took part, the latter entering into the spirit of the occasion with all possible zest and interest. What animation, vigor, enjoyment! It seems a pity that the old, gay dances should now be forgotten, for if revived they would give spice to the almost cloying sweetness of the waltz. "Chorus Jig" is announced and the music led by John Behr, the popular and skillful manager, strikes up an excruciatingly lively tune. Two long lines are formed down the parlors, ladies on one side, gentlemen on the other. The first complete salute. Attention!. The music gives the rapid time. "First couple down the outside and back. Down the center and back. Cast off. Turn contra corners. Balance and cross over." Terpsichore! What is all that? The contra corners seem complicated, but perceive. While the first lady turns the second gentleman the first gentleman is turning the third lady and vice versa. It must be danced to be understood; and then while the first couple is performing its evolutions, the second couple begins and does likewise, and the third couple, till all are dancing. The music tells you how with its absurd jigging. Everyone is entertained, old and young, till all pause breathless. Here is another dance, Rory O'More, with these changes: The two lines are formed. First couple cross over; down the outside below two and come up the center. Cross to place and, having cast off by going round the next lady or gentleman, balance first by giving right hand to partner and then left. Now is the chance for the pigeon-wing, most wonderful and difficult of balances. Turn contra corners. Balance again to place and begin again. The violin of Mr Behr is becoming uproarious:

Young Rory O'More courted Kathleen Bawn.
He was proud as a hawk and she as soft as the dawn.

The whole line of dancers is bowing and skipping and laughing and joking. The violin goes on unceasingly. "Be aisy," cried Kathleen. Some one cuts a pigeon-wing, and there is great applause. A very funny dance is "Pop goes the weasel." First couple go down outside, then down the centre: then join hands with the next lady letting her pass under the joined hands at the "Pop!" of the weasel; join hands to the next, and so continuously, one couple after the other, till the weasels are popping all down the line. Everyone is amused and joins in the chorus with enthusiasm. "Pop goes the weasel!"

But Money Musk, with its graceful curtsying forward, and pretty turns and merry runs, is the most popular of all contra dances. IN the quick vibrations of the peculiar music one sees in a memory picture the great barn frolic of the country. The barn floor is swept and polished, the grain and hay are bursting the bins and filling the loft, the musicians are scraping and twanging, the homely country folk in best attire are gathering in two long lines. Money Musk! There is a world of gaiety in the words. First couple give right hand and cross over. The lady swings in the center of the third gentleman and the lady, the first gentleman takes the same position between the second lady and gentleman, and the six forward and back. Then the first couple swing in the same way between the sides, the lady between the second and third gentlemen, and the gentleman between the opposite ladies. Forward and back, right and left. It is tedious to tell, but merry to dance. The picture of the old barn fades away, and we see instead of homely country surroundings the parlors of a suburb mansion, the embroidered satins, silks and laces, and the dress suits, and all the fashionable appointments of the Pigeon Wing Club, and instead of the fiddle the classically touched violin is reeling, the jigs, is turning the changes. -- Boston Journal, March 14th.

The End Of The Jamaica Club

Well, it certainly seems that the Jamaica Club was dead by the time this article was written. I've already posted an article on the purchase of the first Jamaica Club house in 1887. The Jamaica Plain Historical Society has an online picture postcard of the building on Rockview and Green streets referred to in the article below. I knew that the K. of C. ended up with the building, but I didn't know that it was this early.

So what happened to the Jamaica Club? Did life get to hectic for private clubs like that? Fraternal groups like the Masons survived - perhaps a stand-alone club like the Jamaica couldn't survive a temporary loss of members. It's interesting to see a Catholic group replace what was probably a Protestant social club. There goes the neighborhood, no?



Boston Daily Globe July 14, 1918


Jamaica Plain Council To Have New Clubhouse


Jamaica Plain Council, K. of C., has acquired the property at the corner of Rockview and Green sts, formerly occupied by the Jamaica Club, for a Council Home. The estate comprises 16,000 square feet of land and a large frame building.

Plans are already underway for extensive alterations on the building. The interior will be thoroughly overhauled and renovated. Lodge rooms, an auditorium, bowling alleys and billiard room will be installed and when finished the committee in charge feel that Jamaica Plain, which is one of the older councils of Massachusetts, will have as fully equipped and complete a council home as is to be found in the state.

A building association has been formed with Past District Deputy Walter A. White, president; Joseph B. Kavanaugh, vice president; John F. Kelley, treasurer, and P.W.A. Maxwell, clerk. Executive, house and membership committees, comprising the most active members of the Council, have been appointed.

Knights of Columbus Christmas

This article made me think of my late father, who would have been a year old in 1923. He had a subtle sense of humor, which extended to a remarkable ability to tell a tall tale with a straight face. More than once, he told me that one Christmas, they had no money for presents, so he was given coal in his stocking rather than be told that there was no Santa. When I expressed doubt, he insisted with a matter-of-fact response - that's just the way it was. However far-fetched it seems, that fact is that they were poor people, living on Everett street in hard years. When my father was old enough to get a job, he gave his mother his entire paycheck, and she returned fifty cents to him as an allowance. He had two younger brothers, and stayed home with them while his mother worked nights. Given what I know, the heartbreaking story of the lump of coal in his Christmas stocking isn't so hard to believe. He certainly could have gone to a Knights of Columbus Christmas party like the one described below - he was among the many needy children of the time in Jamaica Plain.


Boston Daily Globe December 23, 1923


Santa Claus Fills Cup Of Happiness For 700 At Jamaica Plain K. of C. Tree.


"I wanna dolly, and a doll carriage, and a doll houth," spoke up one of 700 children who went to the Christmas party of Jamaica Plain Council, Knights of Columbus, yesterday afternoon to make known to Santa Claus the things which they expected of him for Christmas - a list that they have been preparing for several weeks past.

The little speaker found that Santa was a good old chap, and that not only did he listen well, but right away drew [?] from his pile of presents the little dolly and house, and to the amazement of the little tot handed them over to her. Her face beamed up with joy as Santa said "You may take these now and I will bring a carriage Christmas eve, so that you may have it when you awake in the morning."

She thanked him and was about to start on her way, when she sort of hesitated. Santa Claus' eye at once noticed, and he inquired the reason. She then told him that she hoped that he wouldn't forget her little brother Dick, who was injured, and who prays every day that Santa will remember him with some toys.

"Last Christmas when mama was home she told us always to pray that Santa would come and leave us some toys. So Dick has been praying every day," she added.

Santa turned around and handed out a horse and cart, an airplane, a monkey and a big bag of candy for Dick. The little hands tried to embrace all the nice toys, but they were not large enough to hold them all. She asked one of Santa's assistants to keep her presents until she could run home to Dick with his toys.

Although Santa was busy hearing another little one's desires, he directed the assistant to tie the toys in a bundle and carry them home for the little one.

"Have to talk with Dick, and if he wants anything else, you come back and tell me," he said.

She was very happy, and so were the some 699 others that made known their wishes and received the attention of Santa. Several boys who wanted to be printers received printing sets. Others wanted fire engines, horses, autos, and airplanes; they got them, and each received a big bag of candy with them.

It was the zealous labor of J.Thomas McLaughin, DGK, and his hard-working committee that brought joy to the throng who covered the lawn in front of the Columbus Club. W. Frank Connell wired up the big tree.

John J. Sheehan, GK, was in charge of the party. Edward Kelly represented Santa Claus, and he had the assistance of the Queen of Hearts, a Jamaica Plain young women's organization, and the following members of the council; William Cassidy, Joseph Doyle, John Downey, Thomas Magner, Carl Wilson, Michael Haverty, James Judge, Eugene Sheehan, William C. Dolan, John Sullivan, Arthur Paul, Michael Doherty, William Coady, Daniel Kelly, Leo Gartland and George Holland.

The FIRST Jamaica Club House

OK, so you know about the Jamaica Club and their club house at Green and Rockview streets. Did you know where the first home of the club was? Here we have the answer. I think we can assume the John street mentioned was St John.


Boston Daily Globe June 16, 1887


Jamaica Plain club House.


The members of the Jamaica Plain club and their many friends made merry last evening upon the occasion of the formal opening of the new club house in John[sic] street, near Rockview. Early in the evening the beautiful Queen Anne house was aglow, without and within, with many colored lights, and the houses in the neighborhood were likewise illuminated.

There was no formal ceremony whatever, and the only part of the opening that partook the nature of a reception was carried on in the parlor, where His Excellency Governor Ames and His Honor Mayor O'Brien were warmly greeted.

The Jamaica club is yet young in years, but it bids fair to become the leading one in the suburbs. It was organized in 1884, and for a time its membership was wholly composed of young men. Now, however, the older men are coming, and the limit of 150 is being rapidly approached.

The new clubhouse was built by Captain Albert Lewis, H.M. Stephenson furnishing the plans and William Sanby attending to the erection. The cost of the building was about $15,000.

The interior furnishing is particularly rich, the woodwork being of cherry, and all of the rooms as to the mural decorations, warm and cozy. The furniture for the most part is of live oak, the hangings of rich silk and plush, the rugs tasty in design and in keeping with the surroundings.

On the ground floor are two billiard and pool rooms, hat, coat and toilet rooms, and the janitor's suite. On the next floor are found the parlor, library, smoking and card rooms. On the third floor are smoking rooms, card rooms and the janitor's bed room. In the basement are a 65 feet bowling alley and the gymnasium.

In addition to a full quota of the members and their ladies last evening:

[list of names]

Come Out Fighting!

I had to do a little investigating after reading the first article below. The Improved Order of Redmen was a social organization that was originally based on the Sons of Liberty of Boston Tea Party fame. By this time, they seem more like any other fraternal group of the time, a place for men to get together and smoke cigars and curse. I also had to look up the term buck and wing dance. It was a predecessor of tap dancing, and seems to have come from both African-American and Irish sources. The dancing, singing - and bell solo! - are an interesting addition to boxing matches. Unfortunately, the article fails to say where the bouts were held. I wonder if those Duffy brothers were the predecessors of the Duffy family that was in Jamaica Plain in the 1960s. The second bouts interested me because it was held at the St Thomas Aquinas Grammar School hall. I remember fights in the schoolyard, but none in the hall.


Boston Daily Globe March 14, 1912

Good Boxing At Smoke Talk.

Fred Duffy Shows a Lot of Speed at Jamaica Plain.

A series of fast exhibition bouts were put on by Pawnee Tribe, I.O.R.M., before a crowd of 300 at a smoke talk in Jamaica Plain last evening. The first one was between James Emery and Neil Lynch, both of the Medford A.C. The Flanagan twins, Bill and Tom, of South Boston, followed with a swift exhibition. Some good work was seen between Johnny Duffy, the 105-pound amateur champion of Greater Boston, and George Lang, both of the Jamaica Plain A.A.

A good showing was made by the Acme A.A. of Jamaica Plain, which staged bouts between M. Heiser and Jack O'Brien, Barney Schneider and John Sherman, and John Drey and Billy Sullivan. Mark Spencer of Boston and Wilbur Hawkins of Jamaica Plain put up a snappy exhibition.

The star bout of the evening was between Fred Duffy of Jamaica Plain, the 135-pound champion of New England, and his brother, Henry Duffy. Fred's fast work and science convinced his friends that he is a "comer" in the pugilistic world.

John Sayce entertained with a bell solo and George O'Brien of the Forest Hills A.A. contributed several songs. A buck and wing dance was given by George Pritchard of the Forest Hills A.A. Billy Coleman and William Sweeney gave vocal selections.



Boston Daily Globe January 20, 1920


Amateur Boxers Contend In Bouts At Jamaica Plain

The hall of Leo XIII School, Jamaica Plain was filled with boxing fans last evening to see the amateur bouts, directed by Francis J. Horgan of St Thomas C.A. The feature bout was the 115-pound semifinal between Joe Cavanaugh of Cambridge and Jack Chanty of Somerville, won by the former.

Cavanaugh's hand was injured so badly that it prevented him from entering the final with Jim Johnson of Jamaica Plain, who was awarded the decision by default. There were 15 bouts in all. The finals:

115-pound Class, Jim Johnson, Jamaica Plain, decision over Joe Cavanaugh, Cambridge, on default.

125-pound Class - Pat Kelley, decision over Young Linehan of South End, who quit in first round.

135-pound Class - Chester Finn, Jamaica Plain, decision over Tommy Gannon, South Boston.