This Web Site offers information about
Edward C. Barroll, composer of
“The Piggly Wiggle.”
The rag “The Piggly-Wiggle” is well-known to saxophonists. It was made popular by a then well-known touring Vaudeville musical act called “The Six Brown Brothers.” http://www.garlic.com/~tgracyk/six.htm Since then, saxophone groups have often performed this work. One notable recording is on a CD by the New Century Saxophone Quartet, http://newcenturysax.com/ . The NCSQ uses the rag as their anthem.
However, the composer of “The Piggly Wiggle” was virtually unknown. Some suggested that the composer’s name is a pseudonym; others suggested that he was an Englishman who emulated America’s rag style, and still others remarked that since he composed only the single rag, he must be unimportant in the history of ragtime.
Mr. Reginald H. Pitts, KDAD40002@yahoo.com, worked for almost three years to track down Edward C. Barroll. In 2003, he located Mr. Barroll with the aid of Dr. Nora Hulse, http://www.nora.hulse.com , of Lake Ozark, MO. The information that she uncovered is located in the Reference Library of the State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO., http://www.system.missouri.edu/shs/
What follows is:
(1) The obituary of Edward C. Barroll,
from The Farmington News (Farmington, MO) dated Friday, November 17, 1933;
(2) Music of Barroll in the Historical Society of Missouri;
(3) Genealogical information about Edward C. Barroll;
(4) Additional music not contained in the Historical Society’s archives.
If anyone wishes to add information or comment about Edward C. Barroll, please respond to rlcarrollnet@netscape.net
Obituary, dated Friday, 1933 November 17
EDWARD C. BARROLL.
Farmington sustained a distinct loss in the death of Edward C. Barroll which occurred here suddenly of heart trouble at 11:40 A.M., Monday, Nov. 13, 1933, aged 52 years and 9 months. His death came as no surprise to our people who had known for some weeks that his illness was of a very serious nature. Nevertheless, his passing on was cause for genuine sorrow, for he was a man of parts and a citizen of great value to the community.
Funeral services were conducted at the Neidert Funeral Home at 2:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon by Rev. J.M. Bailey. A quartet, composed of the members of the Ozark Saxophone Choir, sang several selections accompanied by Miss Helen Joy Monroe at the piano . Internment was in the Masonic Cemetery.
Edward Charles Barroll was born in Farmington, Mo., on Feb. 13, 1881, younger son of the late Charles Edward Barroll and Elizabeth Caruthers Barroll. He was educated in the Farmington schools and continued to study after his school days ended. He was ever a student. Possessed of a real thirst for knowledge and a determination to master any subject undertaken he became very proficient in many lines of endeavor. He early in life chose the writing of advertising as a profession, and in this work he had few, if any, superiors. In addition to building up a large clientele, he was for a time editor of “Business,” one of the leading journals of advertising. His command of English was marvelous. He knew the value of words and how to use them to express his thoughts in an impressive manner. Articles from his pen were in great demand by journals published in the interest of advertising.
He opened his first office in Farmington when a young man and continued his work here for a number of years, later moving to St. Louis. He had other interests besides that of the writing of advertising literature. For a time he was editor of the Farmington Progress but mere editorial work did not appeal to him strongly and he soon gave that up. Another interest, which was almost a passion with him, was music. To this he gave much of his time and he won many laurels for his work in this line. He spent several season sin Chautauqua work with his own orchestra. He was a great lover of the saxophone and he not only became an expert in its use, but his compositions of saxophone music were numerous and are in wide use.
Two years ago he returned to Farmington to reside to be with his aged mother. Shortly after coming here he organized and outfitted the Ozark Saxophone Choir, a saxophone band composed entirely of young women, the only organization of its kind in the United States. He was director of this new and unique organization and notwithstanding several of its members had not previously had training in music, under his capable and enthusiastic direction, the band was soon able to give concerts that were thoroughly enjoyed by all lovers of good music. Scores of these concerts were given here and in nearly towns, all without cost to the public. No charge was ever made by the Ozark Saxophone Choir for its services. This was according top Mr. Barroll’s wish. It was to be an enterprise purely for the joy to be derived from the study and use of the saxophone for those in the band and those privileged to hear the programs given. Further, he was ever ready to give assistance and encouragement to all interested in the study of music. His attitude in this was but an indication of his interest in music as one of life’s choicest sources of pleasure and of his desire to add to the cultural life of the community. His unselfish efforts and splendid attainments in this were truly appreciated by all our people. Truly we mourn the passing of a brilliant and public-spirited citizen. He was a member of the Farmington Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his aged mother, a brother, Harry C.. Barroll, and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Anderson, the latter two of Los Angeles, Calif., several nephews and nieces and other relatives. One sister Mary (Mrs. Nathan D. Vail) preceded him in death.
Genealogical information about Edward C. Barroll
Charles Edward Barroll, the father of Edward C. Barroll, was born April 7, 1844 in Rushville IN, and died in Farmington MO on January 21, 1899. He married Elizabeth D. Caruthers in Madison County MO on June 17, 1872. Their children were:
1. Henry Carruthers Barroll (1868-1942), m. Luella Bone in 1896
2. Nellie Maya Barroll (1872-1945), m. Arthur DeVere Anderson
3. Mary Hatcher Barroll (1874-1930), m. Nathan David Vail
4. Edward Charles Barroll (1882-1933), m. Pearl O'Sullivan
Pearl M. O'Sullivan was born in Farmington MO on July 25, 1890, the daughter of William and Sarah M. (Hunt) O'Sullivan. She married Ed Barroll in 1909, but must have divorced him sometime after 1910, as she married E. Truman Freeman on April 22, 1916. Pearl died March 15, 1948 in Farmington. She is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Farmington (Same place ECB is). Edward Barroll evidently married again in St. Louis around the time of Pearl's second marriage, but was divorced pretty soon after that, according to the 1930 census. (A note by Reginald H. Pitts: I don't have any info on that wife, but it should be around somewhere. Doesn't appear to have been any children from either marriage.)
E. C. Barroll’s dad, Charles Edward Barroll, served in the Civil War as a musician in Company E, 1st Missouri Infantry, CSA. He finished the war as the Drum Major of the band of the 3rd Missouri Consolidated Infantry, CSA. Charles was born in Lafayette IN, the eldest of five children of Edward and Maria Louisa Hatcher Barroll; the family later moved to New Madrid MO, where he grew up. He married Elizabeth Caruthers (1850-1936)on February 12, 1868 in Madison County MO.
Here are the music copies that the Missouri Historical Society has in archives:
1. “The Piggly-wiggle” by ECB, arranged by Harry L. Alford. Chicago: Finder & Urbanek, 1922, for piano and saxophone, w/an arrangement for solo E-flat alto sax; 3-5 pages;
2. “The Piggly-wiggle”, same as above w/an arrangement for solo C melody sax; 3-5 pages;
3. “More Gas: A Speedy Tune,” by ECB. Chicago: Rubank, 1928, for piano and saxophone, with an arrangement for E-flat alto sax; 4 pages;
4. “Snuggle Time, caprice,” by ECB. Chicago: Rubank, 1928, for piano and saxophone, with an arrangement for E-flat alto sax; 4 pages;
5. “Kitten Scamper,” by ECB, arranged by J. Beach Cragun. Chicago: Finder & Urbanek, 1924, for piano and saxophone in E-flat, with an arrangement for saxophone in either E-flat or C; 3 pages;
6. “La Caress, caprice,” by ECB, arranged by Clarence E. Sinn. Chicago: Finder & Urbanek, 1922, for piano and saxophone on C, with an arrangement for only saxophone in C; 3 pages;
7. “Laf-n'-Sax,” by ECB. Chicago: Finder & Urbanek, 1923, for piano and saxophone, with an arrangement for e-flat alto sax; 3-4 pages;
8. “Mia Favorita (Spanish Serenade)” by ECB. New York: Oliver Ditson & Co., 1930, for piano and saxophone, with an arrangement for E-flat alto sax; 7 pages;
9. “Cuddles,” music by Clay Smith, Lyrics by ECB. Philadelphia: Theodore Presser, 1924, 3 pages;
10. “Bear Tracks,” by ECB, arranged by Alford & Colby. Chicago: Rubank, Inc., 1927, Saxophone arrangement plus lead saxophone part. Cover Title--“Saxophone Solos”; 3 pages;
11. same as above--for piano; 5 pages;
12. “Chiquita, caprice espangole,” by ECB, arranged by J. Beach Cragun. Chicago: Finder & Urbanek, 1924; for piano and saxophone in E flat; 4 pages;
13. “Song of the Sun, a ballad,” by ECB. Chicago: Rubank, 1928, for piano and saxophone with an arrangement for E-flat sax; 4 pages;
14. “Tong 'n'Sax,” by ECB. Chicago: Finder & Urbanek, 1923, for piano and saxophone, with an arrangement for e-flat alto saxophone; 4 pages;
15. “That Soothing Saxophone Song (Toodle Doodle Doo),” lyrics and melody by ECB. New York: M. Witmark & Sons, 1922, For piano and saxophone; 7 pages;
16. “Ten Little Pieces for the Saxophone,” by ECB. Cincinnati: The Wills Music Co., n.d.,
Contents: Student Days.--Romance.--Remembrance.--Hikers.--Boat Song.--Alpine Maid.--May Morning.--Dance of the Dutch Dolls.--Down on the Farm.--Saxocapers, for piano and C melody saxophone; 28 pages;
17. “Wonder Why?” words and music by ECB. Philadelphia: Theodore Presser, 1923, for piano, violin and saxophone, with an arrangement for only the violin or saxophone; 3 pages;
18. “Mister Sunshine,” words and music by ECB. Philadelphia: Theoidore Presser, 1925. 5 pages;
He also wrote and published two pamphlets concerning his word as an advertising executive, one was “The Man That Gets The Business,” and the other “How I Get The Business.”
Additional Music by Barroll
not included in the Historical Society of Missouri’s archives
This information is supplied by Michael Matthew, mathewm@chariot.net.au
“Twinkle Dimples Rag”, composed in 1914, with Barroll with Hattie Leonora Smith;
“Broncho Buck”, composed 1914.
This information is supplied by Sue Attalla, sueattalla@hotmail.com
“Village Gossip, published in 1923
listed in the University of North Texas Library Catalog Special Collections, http://iii.library.unt.edu:81/search/
In addition, there are arrangements of some of the rags with instrumentation differing from that listed above in the University of
North Texas library and in the British Library Public Catalogue