Ron Yule is a Louisiana Champion fiddler and author of a number of books on early
fiddling, bluegrass, Cajun, and country music in Louisiana. He received his B.S. from the
University of Texas, his M.S. in microbiology from McNeese State University, and has
retired as a health inspector for the State of Louisiana. In 1973, Ron began producing
fiddle contests and promoting bluegrass shows throughout Louisiana and southeast
Texas and produced the first bluegrass/fiddle club and newsletter in the state of
Louisiana. Ron continues promoting several bluegrass shows each year, including the
Beauregard Parish Fair Fiddle Contest, an event that has been viable since 1925. Ron's
books can be obtained from Fiddle Country Publications at www.ronyule.com.
fiddling, bluegrass, Cajun, and country music in Louisiana. He received his B.S. from the
University of Texas, his M.S. in microbiology from McNeese State University, and has
retired as a health inspector for the State of Louisiana. In 1973, Ron began producing
fiddle contests and promoting bluegrass shows throughout Louisiana and southeast
Texas and produced the first bluegrass/fiddle club and newsletter in the state of
Louisiana. Ron continues promoting several bluegrass shows each year, including the
Beauregard Parish Fair Fiddle Contest, an event that has been viable since 1925. Ron's
books can be obtained from Fiddle Country Publications at www.ronyule.com.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Henderson Brack: One-Armed Fiddler (1839-1924) - By Ron Yule |
| Reprinted from When The Fiddle Was King: Early Country Music From The North And West Regions Of Louisiana |
Fiddlers have been known to play with the fiddle behind their backs, between their legs, and
over their heads. Many left-handed fiddlers play "over the bass", playing the fiddle left-handed
on a fiddle strung up for a right-hander. Modern Texas fiddlers recall Roy Thackerson from
Ranger, Texas, who was left with nubs for fingers after a dynamite cap exploded in his hand
when he was a child. Not to be denied, he built a harness so he could play the fiddle. And,
very well I might add. Unfettered, he played the fiddle all over Texas and even appeared center
stage on the Grand Ole Opry with Country Music Hall of Famer, Roy Acuff. Eloise Stack, from
Haughton, Louisiana, related the story of her father, Henry Dan Welch, who shot his right hand
off in a hunting accident, in 1899, at age 11. He tied the bow to his nub and continued to
fiddle; winning contests all over North Louisiana, including a second place over 52
contestants at the 1935 Louisiana State Fair and a first place at the 1936 event. He was not
only proficient on the fiddle, but played the guitar and piano. But, a ONE-ARMED
FIDDLER??
The stories abound of the fiddling feats of Henderson Brack, in the Burkeville community in
Newton County, Texas, and the Evans Community, in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. I first heard of
this legend in the early 1970's, when I was hanging around Evans, Louisiana fiddlers, Mastern
and Adrian Brack, and trying to pick up a few "licks" from these local fiddle legends. Since that
time, several other family members have related stories of this famous, determined musician.
K. R. King of Vernon, Texas, writes in the Yellowed Pages, "A rummaging expedition through
my grandmother's old trunk started it all. There, dim and faded, with the passage of more than
a half century, was an aged photograph bearing the seal of a Lockhart photographer, depicting
a dignified old man. Two things immediately caught the eye: he had only one arm and he was
playing a violin, or to be exact, a 'fiddle'. A query to my grandmother revealed that the photo
was of 'Uncle Henderson Brack', the one-armed fiddler, and that she knew little more. My
curiosity aroused, I started out on a search for more information about the mysterious 'Uncle
Henderson', a search which rapidly became a journey into the mists of the past among some
real and fascinating people."
The Bracks are believed to be descendants from German heritage, who migrated to West
Louisiana and deep East Texas in the early 1800's from Tennessee. Records indicate that
Mastin Brack, Henderson's father, and the family lived in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana,
where Henderson was believed to have been born in 1839. They then lived in Imperial
Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, until the mid-1800's, when they moved to Newton County, Texas,
where Mastin married a lady from Sabine Parish, Louisiana. They settled in the Burkeville,
Texas, area. The Bracks made a living by farming and raising livestock. Descendents believe
they had slaves who helped with the farm work because it is known that slaves built their two-
story home.
No one knows when young Henderson Brack took up the fiddle or where he learned, but he
probably learned at an early age while he lived in Louisiana. He was reputed to have been a
great fiddler in his youth, and played an ornate highly decorated and inlaid fiddle that was
remembered as having a great, booming sound. If the Bracks from Vernon Parish, Louisiana,
who have been champion fiddlers for years, are any indication of his great talent, the legend is
true - he was a great fiddler. Like the generations of Bracks that followed, he was much
sought after to play at country dances and house parties in the Newton County area.
In 1862, with the "War Between The States" in full bloom, Henderson Brack enlisted in the
13th Cavalry, known as Burnett's Regiment near Crockett, Texas, and became a 2nd
Sergeant. I can only visualize, but Henderson and many of his fellow soldiers, must have
played music around the campfire on those many lonely nights while camped in Houston
County, Texas, entertaining the troops while awaiting the "winds of war" to turn their way. They
probably fiddled and sang many of the favorites of the Civil War era, like "The Yellow Rose of
Texas", "Dixie", "Soldier's Joy", "Arkansas Traveler", and "Sally Goodin".
The war waged on in the east and finally, in April 1864, the North, led by General Nathaniel P.
Banks, made an attempt to invade Texas in what is now known as the "Red River Campaign".
They were met at Mansfield, Louisiana, by Confederate troops led by General Richard Taylor,
which included the 13th Cavalry. This was a fierce battle, and the Northern troops, led by
General Banks, were defeated and retreated to the south toward Pleasant Hill. The Federals
camped at the old Pleasant Hill town site, three miles north of present day Pleasant Hill. It is
believed that the main focus for camping here was "The Old Cistern", which provided much
needed water for the troops and animals.
Fighting resumed on April 9, 1864, at this site and waged on throughout the day until nightfall
brought the battle to a halt. After this standoff, the Federals retreated, pounding another nail in
the coffin of the Red River Campaign There were many casualties and wounded strewn
across the battlefield. Ludwell H. Johnson writes in Red River Campaign:
Included among the causalities was Richard West, Henderson's brother. There were many
maimed in this fierce battle to protect the Texas border, including young Henderson Brack,
who lost his right arm. It had been severed at the shoulder by a shot from a Yankee rifle. The
wounded were taken to a 'hospital set-up" near Keatchie, Louisiana, and Pleasant Hill Battle
historian, Greg Soltice, speculated that Henderson was probably taken there for treatment and
recovery.
After recovery, Henderson returned to life in Newton County. Undaunted by this setback,
Henderson would not give up his passion to play the fiddle. Against all odds, he found a way
to play the fiddle and continue his musical odyssey, becoming a legendary figure in East
Texas and West Louisiana folklore.
He would sit in a chair, cross his legs, and hold the bow between his legs in a special device
he'd built. And, holding the fiddle in his left hand, he would move it back and forth while noting
the fiddle at the same time. A truly amazing feat!!
Mastern Brack noted that his father, Adrian S., played with Henderson in his youth and talked
about his playing on many occasions. Mastern, in a recent interview:
Mastern also related that Henderson played some hoedowns and the "Irish Washerwoman",
a jig played by many American fiddlers. His real strength was playing waltzes. Several
waltzes included the "Green Valley Waltz" and the "G, C, and D Waltz". Even with only one arm
he was a great waltz player.
Henderson Brack died in 1924, in Memphis, Tennessee, while attending a Confederate
Veterans Convention. He is buried in the State Cemetery in Austin, Texas. His photograph is
displayed on the board in front of the Newton County Courthouse on the town square, where
one of the family descendents, Adrian L. Brack, won the Trades Day fiddle contests numerous
times in the early 1970's.
INTERVIEWS
Mastern Brack (7-15-2002, 10-20-2002, 3- 8- 2005)
Greg Soltice (On site April 3, 2003, Battlefield, Pleasant Hill, Louisiana)
Eloise Welch Stack (10-1-2002).
REFERENCES
Acuff, Roy. “Fingerless Fiddler - Roy Thackerson”. Liner notes, Ovella Records, Ranger, Texas.
Johnson, Ludwell H. Red River Campaign. Kent State University Press, 1993.
King, K. R. Yellowed Pages, Volume IV, Number 1, 1974.
Kuntz, Andrew I. “All in The Family No. 3: I'm Choking Farewell”. The Devil's Box,Vol 33 #3,
Columbia, Mo, 1999.
Newton County News. Sept. 1973, Oct. 1974.
“Southwest Louisiana Fiddle and Bluegrass Club Newsletters”. Ron and Georgia Yule,
Editors, 1974-1976.
Sunday Enterprise-Journal, “The Society Recalls One-Armed Fiddler,” August 4, 1974.
Yule, Ron. “Henderson Brack: The One-Armed Fiddle (1939-1924)”. DeSoto Plume,
Volume 40 Number 3, DeSoto Historical Society, Inc. August 2005.
Wilson, Thomas A. Some Early Southeast Texas Families, Lone Star Press, Houston, Texas.
over their heads. Many left-handed fiddlers play "over the bass", playing the fiddle left-handed
on a fiddle strung up for a right-hander. Modern Texas fiddlers recall Roy Thackerson from
Ranger, Texas, who was left with nubs for fingers after a dynamite cap exploded in his hand
when he was a child. Not to be denied, he built a harness so he could play the fiddle. And,
very well I might add. Unfettered, he played the fiddle all over Texas and even appeared center
stage on the Grand Ole Opry with Country Music Hall of Famer, Roy Acuff. Eloise Stack, from
Haughton, Louisiana, related the story of her father, Henry Dan Welch, who shot his right hand
off in a hunting accident, in 1899, at age 11. He tied the bow to his nub and continued to
fiddle; winning contests all over North Louisiana, including a second place over 52
contestants at the 1935 Louisiana State Fair and a first place at the 1936 event. He was not
only proficient on the fiddle, but played the guitar and piano. But, a ONE-ARMED
FIDDLER??
The stories abound of the fiddling feats of Henderson Brack, in the Burkeville community in
Newton County, Texas, and the Evans Community, in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. I first heard of
this legend in the early 1970's, when I was hanging around Evans, Louisiana fiddlers, Mastern
and Adrian Brack, and trying to pick up a few "licks" from these local fiddle legends. Since that
time, several other family members have related stories of this famous, determined musician.
K. R. King of Vernon, Texas, writes in the Yellowed Pages, "A rummaging expedition through
my grandmother's old trunk started it all. There, dim and faded, with the passage of more than
a half century, was an aged photograph bearing the seal of a Lockhart photographer, depicting
a dignified old man. Two things immediately caught the eye: he had only one arm and he was
playing a violin, or to be exact, a 'fiddle'. A query to my grandmother revealed that the photo
was of 'Uncle Henderson Brack', the one-armed fiddler, and that she knew little more. My
curiosity aroused, I started out on a search for more information about the mysterious 'Uncle
Henderson', a search which rapidly became a journey into the mists of the past among some
real and fascinating people."
The Bracks are believed to be descendants from German heritage, who migrated to West
Louisiana and deep East Texas in the early 1800's from Tennessee. Records indicate that
Mastin Brack, Henderson's father, and the family lived in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana,
where Henderson was believed to have been born in 1839. They then lived in Imperial
Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, until the mid-1800's, when they moved to Newton County, Texas,
where Mastin married a lady from Sabine Parish, Louisiana. They settled in the Burkeville,
Texas, area. The Bracks made a living by farming and raising livestock. Descendents believe
they had slaves who helped with the farm work because it is known that slaves built their two-
story home.
No one knows when young Henderson Brack took up the fiddle or where he learned, but he
probably learned at an early age while he lived in Louisiana. He was reputed to have been a
great fiddler in his youth, and played an ornate highly decorated and inlaid fiddle that was
remembered as having a great, booming sound. If the Bracks from Vernon Parish, Louisiana,
who have been champion fiddlers for years, are any indication of his great talent, the legend is
true - he was a great fiddler. Like the generations of Bracks that followed, he was much
sought after to play at country dances and house parties in the Newton County area.
In 1862, with the "War Between The States" in full bloom, Henderson Brack enlisted in the
13th Cavalry, known as Burnett's Regiment near Crockett, Texas, and became a 2nd
Sergeant. I can only visualize, but Henderson and many of his fellow soldiers, must have
played music around the campfire on those many lonely nights while camped in Houston
County, Texas, entertaining the troops while awaiting the "winds of war" to turn their way. They
probably fiddled and sang many of the favorites of the Civil War era, like "The Yellow Rose of
Texas", "Dixie", "Soldier's Joy", "Arkansas Traveler", and "Sally Goodin".
The war waged on in the east and finally, in April 1864, the North, led by General Nathaniel P.
Banks, made an attempt to invade Texas in what is now known as the "Red River Campaign".
They were met at Mansfield, Louisiana, by Confederate troops led by General Richard Taylor,
which included the 13th Cavalry. This was a fierce battle, and the Northern troops, led by
General Banks, were defeated and retreated to the south toward Pleasant Hill. The Federals
camped at the old Pleasant Hill town site, three miles north of present day Pleasant Hill. It is
believed that the main focus for camping here was "The Old Cistern", which provided much
needed water for the troops and animals.
Fighting resumed on April 9, 1864, at this site and waged on throughout the day until nightfall
brought the battle to a halt. After this standoff, the Federals retreated, pounding another nail in
the coffin of the Red River Campaign There were many casualties and wounded strewn
across the battlefield. Ludwell H. Johnson writes in Red River Campaign:
- “A fresh battlefield was always a frightful and sickening place, but the one at Pleasant
Hill seems to have impressed the soldiers as one of particular horror. "The air was
filled,'' said one, "with groans and shrieks, and delirious yells." As the night turned
cold there was the ever-present cry, "For God's sake bring us some water." Men in
agony called to their comrades for help, "Send someone to get me," they would say.
"Where is the Twenty-fourth Iowa?" "Fourth Texas, come here." "My God, I am dying . . .
This was worse than the fighting itself”
Included among the causalities was Richard West, Henderson's brother. There were many
maimed in this fierce battle to protect the Texas border, including young Henderson Brack,
who lost his right arm. It had been severed at the shoulder by a shot from a Yankee rifle. The
wounded were taken to a 'hospital set-up" near Keatchie, Louisiana, and Pleasant Hill Battle
historian, Greg Soltice, speculated that Henderson was probably taken there for treatment and
recovery.
After recovery, Henderson returned to life in Newton County. Undaunted by this setback,
Henderson would not give up his passion to play the fiddle. Against all odds, he found a way
to play the fiddle and continue his musical odyssey, becoming a legendary figure in East
Texas and West Louisiana folklore.
He would sit in a chair, cross his legs, and hold the bow between his legs in a special device
he'd built. And, holding the fiddle in his left hand, he would move it back and forth while noting
the fiddle at the same time. A truly amazing feat!!
Mastern Brack noted that his father, Adrian S., played with Henderson in his youth and talked
about his playing on many occasions. Mastern, in a recent interview:
- “My dad talked about him a lot. He played songs…he had to pull a long bow because
he had to fasten the bow here and do the fiddle (Mastern demonstrates how he held
the bow between his legs and moved the fiddle). He (Henderson) said, "Adrian, you
know the first thing I thought when that mini-ball blowed my arm off? He (Adrian) said,
‘No sir, what was it?’ He said, ‘I can't play my fiddle no more.’ …He (Adrian) said, ‘He
was quite a character. I've seen him play at those old soldiers reunions.’ He said he'd
get out there on that stage. If you noticed what kind of shoes he wore. Those, old big
boots, those big high thick soled boots. He would knock a back step and squall; you
could hear him a mile. And tell them, 'Come on here help the old man,' throw that old
hat down, and sit down there and go to playin' that ole fiddle. They'd just cover that ole
hat up with change and everything." And, he was quite a character. He was more of a
comedian than anything else. And, a fiddle player. too.”
- RY: “Did he play country dances?”
MB: “I think so. Daddy said he played in the old soldier's home. That's where he died.
In the soldier's home. My dad was just a kid when he died but he remembered him
well.”
Mastern also related that Henderson played some hoedowns and the "Irish Washerwoman",
a jig played by many American fiddlers. His real strength was playing waltzes. Several
waltzes included the "Green Valley Waltz" and the "G, C, and D Waltz". Even with only one arm
he was a great waltz player.
Henderson Brack died in 1924, in Memphis, Tennessee, while attending a Confederate
Veterans Convention. He is buried in the State Cemetery in Austin, Texas. His photograph is
displayed on the board in front of the Newton County Courthouse on the town square, where
one of the family descendents, Adrian L. Brack, won the Trades Day fiddle contests numerous
times in the early 1970's.
INTERVIEWS
Mastern Brack (7-15-2002, 10-20-2002, 3- 8- 2005)
Greg Soltice (On site April 3, 2003, Battlefield, Pleasant Hill, Louisiana)
Eloise Welch Stack (10-1-2002).
REFERENCES
Acuff, Roy. “Fingerless Fiddler - Roy Thackerson”. Liner notes, Ovella Records, Ranger, Texas.
Johnson, Ludwell H. Red River Campaign. Kent State University Press, 1993.
King, K. R. Yellowed Pages, Volume IV, Number 1, 1974.
Kuntz, Andrew I. “All in The Family No. 3: I'm Choking Farewell”. The Devil's Box,Vol 33 #3,
Columbia, Mo, 1999.
Newton County News. Sept. 1973, Oct. 1974.
“Southwest Louisiana Fiddle and Bluegrass Club Newsletters”. Ron and Georgia Yule,
Editors, 1974-1976.
Sunday Enterprise-Journal, “The Society Recalls One-Armed Fiddler,” August 4, 1974.
Yule, Ron. “Henderson Brack: The One-Armed Fiddle (1939-1924)”. DeSoto Plume,
Volume 40 Number 3, DeSoto Historical Society, Inc. August 2005.
Wilson, Thomas A. Some Early Southeast Texas Families, Lone Star Press, Houston, Texas.
Human beings overcome great adversity and pain to
achieve excellence in fields where their passion lies.
There are many tales of overcoming problems, both
mental and physical, in every field of endeavor you can
imagine.
Playing the fiddle is a major accomplishment, even
with a well, physically intact body. The fiddle is held in
an awkward position, with the left arm raised and the
elbow tucked in, while the bow and bow arm are
usually held high in an unnatural position. Now, two
different motions with the arms and hands must be put
in play, both being as synchronized as possible. As if
this is not enough, the left hand must now find the
correct note on a blank, unmarked fingerboard from
brainwaves that travel the length of the arm and adjust
and readjust numerous times to the correct pitch as
impulses travel between the ear and the fingers and
the brain. Whew!!!
| Sabine Bluegrass |