"Willie was one of our social set up in San Augustine. I was clerking there then for Brady & Murchison, wholesale dry-goods and ranch supplies. Willie and I belonged to the same german club and athletic association and military company. He played the triangle in our serenading and quartet crowd that used to ring the welkin three nights a week somewhere in town."

"welkin" is an archaic relative of "Wölken" = clouds.
So to make the welkin ring is hypbole for make a loud noise.

I had thought that 'welkin' simply meant 'the sky'--but now I see it's the clouds specifically.

Cumulus welkin?
Cirrostratus welkin?
Cumulonimbus welind?
Mackerel welkin?

I've neveer seen "welkin" except in the cliché.