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Shelby County |
Home 1915 History Index |
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Shelby County |
Home 1915 History Index |
CHAPTER XX. (CONT'D)EARLY MUSIC IN HARLAN.
In 1892 the Harlan American issued a special edition devoted to Harlan history. An interesting article contributed by an anonymous writer to this paper was the following, which gives in a readable way much history of the development of music in Harlan:
"As we cast our last lingering look into this bag, methinks I catch strains borne upon the air of Harlan's first band, which was organized in March, 1876 -- centennial year. At the great centennial celebration as the band goes marching into Billeter's grove, for the first time before the public, we hear the strains of the first tenor, George D. Ross; second tenor, T. B. Burr; first B-flat, D. D. Downs; second B-flat, Harry Howell; first E-flat, R. E. Lloyd; second E-flat, Henry Carl; first alto, Pryor Tinsley; second alto, Thomas Blair; baritone, Martihe first vocal organization was what was known as the Old Folks Musical Association, so-called not because it was composed exclusively of elderly people, but because some of them were instrumental in forming the society. The organization was effected in the fall of 1875 and consisted of the following members: George Ross, Will Bergstresser, D. D. Downs, R. E. Lloyd, E. J. Currier, Henry Carl, Charles Hubbard, J. H. Louis and wife, Samuel Potter and wife, M. K. Campbell and wife, Mrs. Oscar Downs, and the Misses Irene Kimball, Belle Cass and Fannie Wortz. The association had a leader elected each month and met weekly at the homes of the different members. This society was very modest and never aspired to very lofty heights, never even appeared in public, but the members of this pioneer 'singing' skewl' can now look back to the old days with something like sacred reverence and sigh for another chance to display their skill on the gamut. Though they made no public display of their powers, yet their aid was frequently invoked for church gatherings, celebrations, etc. This experience also gave them considerable musical proficiency and many of our earlier church choirs were made up largely by recruits from this initial musical organization. Though their efforts were in vain, they were not lost. "In 1887 the following members constituted a band: Steve Morrissey, Jay Wyland, Herman Noble, WIll Holcomb, Gus Moore, Jim Jones, Menzo Fretz, Arlie Parker, Cliff Warren, Charles Keyser, Ben Fisher, Fred Blackstone. They too have disappeared -- too good to live, the old saying, 'the good die young,' but perhaps in the end their efforts may not have been in vain. Perhaps 'tis well we can not always see what the end may be. In 1890 another band appeared on the scenes in all its youth and beauty. Its members are: Gus Moore, solo B cornet; Lem Stanley, first B clarinet; Herman Noble, solo B clarinet; Milt Smith, third alto; Louis Crammond, second cornet; Art Bowlin, solo alto; Pearl Downs, solo E cornet, Sam Garlow, second alto; Will Holcomb, tuba; Herb Garlow, second tenor; H. B. Gish, first B cornet; Ed Bennett, baritone; Harry Cisna, base drum; Ben Fisher, snare drum; Mr. Bigelow, first tenor. This band shows an encouraging persistence in playing that they derive a private enjoyment. If they fail to exhibit heroic spirits, they show their pluck and 'tis said, 'pluck is a hero." "We have several organizations that could be mentioned: The K. P. quartette -- Herman Noble, Frank Parker, Carl Campbell and J. W. Miller; the guitar and Mandolin Club -- Carrie Noble, Annie Robinson, Vira Cass and Millie Walters. We also have a Danish band."
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