Beller Organ
By Glynda Pflug
Donations at Window on the Plains Museum sometimes come unexpectedly and from someone not really connected with Dumas and Moore County.
One such donation came about three years ago, 2017, when a couple from Dalhart came in asked if we were interested in a pump organ that had belonged to the man's grandmother.
We asked several questions about the instrument and realized we were offered a really nice donation.
The family was Joe and Mary Ruth Beller. They had been looking for a place for the organ since they did not have room in their home for it.
They had visited our museum in the past and decided this is where they wanted to place it, if we would accept. We gladly accepted the beautiful instrument.
The pump organ was made by Adler Organ Company of Louisville, KY. It was purchased in 1909 for 10-year old Velvie Hardy Martin of Shamrock. It was paid for with proceeds from the family cotton crop that year.
Velvie had the organ in her home until she died in 1965, then it went to Bonnie Faye Beller of Dalhart. Mrs. Beller died in 2015 at the age of 87 and her son, Joe Beller, received the organ.
Joe was sad that the organ would no longer be part of his family, but satisfied that it would be enjoyed by visitors to Window on the Plains.
The organ is decorated with figurines that had always been part of the organ and is displayed in the Family Life Center at the museum.
The Adler Organ Company was established in the late 19th century. The company built "Adler" and "Loreto" organs and later "Beckwith" organs. In 1903, the firm was reorganized and began manufacturing pianos in addition to organs. It became the largest manufacturer in Louisville. Adler went out of business in 1928.
One such donation came about three years ago, 2017, when a couple from Dalhart came in asked if we were interested in a pump organ that had belonged to the man's grandmother.
We asked several questions about the instrument and realized we were offered a really nice donation.
The family was Joe and Mary Ruth Beller. They had been looking for a place for the organ since they did not have room in their home for it.
They had visited our museum in the past and decided this is where they wanted to place it, if we would accept. We gladly accepted the beautiful instrument.
The pump organ was made by Adler Organ Company of Louisville, KY. It was purchased in 1909 for 10-year old Velvie Hardy Martin of Shamrock. It was paid for with proceeds from the family cotton crop that year.
Velvie had the organ in her home until she died in 1965, then it went to Bonnie Faye Beller of Dalhart. Mrs. Beller died in 2015 at the age of 87 and her son, Joe Beller, received the organ.
Joe was sad that the organ would no longer be part of his family, but satisfied that it would be enjoyed by visitors to Window on the Plains.
The organ is decorated with figurines that had always been part of the organ and is displayed in the Family Life Center at the museum.
The Adler Organ Company was established in the late 19th century. The company built "Adler" and "Loreto" organs and later "Beckwith" organs. In 1903, the firm was reorganized and began manufacturing pianos in addition to organs. It became the largest manufacturer in Louisville. Adler went out of business in 1928.