The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-07-23
THE MUSICAL WAR IN PAssAIc, N. J.
Local Band Refuses to Give Saturday Af-
ternoon Free Concerts and There is
Blood on the Face of the For
eign City's Moon.
ICor. N. Y. World.l

l1ndDlUd0DS, Q6Cermlneu 10 nave DThSS
band, and all the young men in the city
decided upon joining it. There was to be
the high-toned band, the band Of the mid
die classes, the poor mans band and sew
eral intervening and intermediate bands,
to be composed Of young gentlemen who
did not care to ally themselves with any
particular set or class, but who determined
to blow, hammer and scrape on their in-
struments.
When these several announcements were
made the citizens held an indignation meet
ing on the banks of the Passaic River,
looked longingly into the murky depths
and unanimously adopted resolution to
make their wills in favor of asylums and
then jump overheard, unless their sons
promised to drop the music subject entire
ly. The young men, fearing that they
would be left without means to purchase
velocipedes and lawn-teunis outfits, like
dutiful sons acquiesced in the demands Of
the old folks, shook hands, presented blank
checks for signatures, and an armistice
was agreed upon.
(. Several meeting were held at a number
of residences by the young folks, male and
otherwise, and it was finally decided to or
ganize one band and repose in that band
the power and authority to create all the
disturbance necessary for the whole place.
In course of time the band was organized
and the citizens, with that well-known
philanthrophy for which Passaic is noted,
offered to purchase the uniforms and in
struments for the amateur blowers on con-
dition that the members of the band would
on Saturday afternoons after business
hours discourse music to the multitude at
Prospect Square, in the centre of the city.
The promise was made and the uniforms
and instruments were provided.
Then the trouble began.
OF course the young men had to become
acquainted with their instruments and
landlords in the vicinity of the band-room
were unable to rent their dwellings at any
price. Scarcely night passed but the
police were called to arrest citizens who
had been shooting at imaginary tomcats,
and several Of the neighboring streets be-
came emo thoroughfare," because of the
immense piles of bedroom furniture that
|
night, and this continued until the men,
bers announced that they were proficient
and last summer the first concert was
given in the open air.
All the bellies and beaux of the place
congregated about the music-stand, the
started Off. Then the congregation start.
ed off, too, with their fingers in their ears
Week after week the concerts were given
and the bravest portion of the community
attended until the close OF the season and
amused themselves by guessing at the
names of the different tunes played or
chosen by Individual members of the band.
1t was finally decided that with another
winters practice the music might not be
so very bad, and the Law and Order So
ciety determined to keep their hands of
and await results. A committee composed
of several of the most heroic citizens of the
place attended the second winters re-
hearsals. The committee was selected
from men who were known to be very
hard Of hearing and who were even-tem
pered. The report was finally made that
it was safe to let the band loose again, and
great preparations were made for the sum
mer concerts.
The stand, which is located in shady
nook at Passaic avenue and Prospect, was
renovated, and the young ladies of the
place-at least some of them who once inc
while indulge in a little harmless firta
tion-were just on pins and needles aud
wondered how many young men from the
city would be brought up by their brothers
to hear the concerts. The young fellows
of Passaic were also on the anxious seat
regarding the influx of pretty girls. Plans
were laid for grand matrimonial cam
paign, and this being leap year, prepara
tions were made to carry the war into
Africa.
All through June the bellies and beauz
waited, but the band did not play, excep
in the band room. Then it was announced
that the first concert would be given OF
the Fourth of July. A miniature thronl
gathered at the stand, but no silver-but
toned, blue-coated, brass-horned youth pu
in appearance. Finally the announce
ment was made that next Sunday wouit
be the opening day. The girls made grea
preparations and papa's purse was sadly
worried as furbelows, ribbons, parasol
and even new hats and dresses were calleC
for. Such excitement there never was
Then the cruel, crushing, calamitous blow
came. The members of the band said tina
I they guessed they wouldn't play at all thi
summer unless they were paid for it.
9 Several indignation meetings have beel
6 held and excitement runs mountain high
Q The girls are inconsolable and the young
v mon threaten vengeance During tn
1 week the members of the band hav,
: been thu eatened with suits for breach O
n promise and the instruments will probabl,
q be taken from them. They have determine
to fight
D In order to appease society circles sym
: pathizing friends have again threatened t.
organize any number of new bands, an
the majority Of the citizens fear that thes
: threats will be carried out If aid doe
I not arrive from some unexpected quartz
: it will probably become necessary to
Il out the troops.
A Thoughtful Agent.