From an article that appeared in the Lincoln County News, June 17, 1913; Milton Tiddy, Editor and Proprietor
On Monday, May 23, 1913, four famous musicians from the Crouse area boarded the train amid a flow of tears. These boys stood on the rear platform of the car gazing long and wistfully upon the little town, and wondering how the little hamlet would survive when they, her famous sons, had departed therefrom.
They were leaving for a strange land, the far off “Pennsy State.” In Charlotte they took the Southern for Salisbury where they were joined by a number of college friends who were going on the same mission. They left there at 11:40 p.m. for Washington, D.C., where they picked up another Crouse lad, Clarence Brown, who they found peddling peanuts.
They then started out on a sight-seeing tour of the city. Upon reaching the White House, Hugh Heafner decided that this would be a fine opportunity to make a display of his musical instrument, and when the President politely told him that he was not interested in his instrument, this young man shook the dust off his feet very much disheartened with his first attempt as a harp peddler.
Victor Aderholdt undertook to take a seat among the Senators, but was politely told that the gallery was the place for him. These boys left Washington for Canton, Pennsylvania, where they began their career as harp peddlers.
Herbert Crocker could make no speed selling harps. For some reason, the people would not let the boy in. Of course, we think this was because they took him for a picture agent or else his face did not charm them, so he decided to try going in back first with a large sign tacked on his back, “Musical instruments for sale.” We hope this will prove a success.
After canvassing a short time, Victor Aderholdt decided to give up harp peddling and join the Salvation Army in which he is now an active member.
Clyde Heafner, after spending three hours alone in the parlor patiently waiting for the husband and wife return from what he thought was a consultation about his harp proposition, looked out at the window and saw the old lady hoeing in one field and the old man ploughing in another. He decided that they must not be very much interested in his instrument, so mururing a few words to himself that we shall not repeat, bid that parlor a sad farewell.
We all join in congratulating Hugh Heafner on securing his new position as head waiter in one of the leading hotels of this city. At present, they are all very well pleased with their new positions, especially their Salvation Army boy who gives them a good sermon each night.