Dodge City times., 1888-04-05
DODGE CITY, COW BOY
BAND.
A Royal Trip to Denver

ed to the wreath of the Cow Boy band,
and their fame as a well trained body Of
musicians greatly enhanced by recen,
trip to the great mining district OF
the Rocky Mountains, to attend the con
ventIon of the Range Association, whlch
met at Denver March % to 81, in celeDra
ton of the arrivel of the first trains over
the Denver eft Worth r. r. The band
left Dodge City on the night OF the 2th
by special car over the Santa Fe, and by
daylight had crossed the vast grazing
region of Western Kansas. The appear
ance of the snow capped top OF Plke
Peak, family seen in the distance to the
right, gave indications that they were on
Colorado soil, and rapidly approaching
the mountains At La Junta the raven
Gus appetites were appeased by good
breakfast, and few more hours rlde
brought us to Pueblo, the future Pitts
burgh of the West with its many smelt-
ing works and immense mineral wealth,
nestled among the mountain streams ana
scrubby pine timber of the elevated
slopes. Here we were treated to sere
made by the band Of that place, winch
honored the arrival of the boys by ap-
pearing in full uniform, OF course
Cow Boys reciprocated, and very
pleasant intercourse of short duratlon
was enjoyed Soon all were aboard ana
the nOrthward course was resumed
which lay through Colorado Springs ana
the richly irrigated valleys beyond,
AT p. m. the train pulled into Denver
amid the great crowd of congratnlators
and curiosity seekers with which the
depot and platform were crowded.
After the car was disrobed of its decora-
tions, and a photograph Of the band TAX
en- from the beautiful lawn in front OF
the depot the boys proceeded directly
to the Markham House, where the most
comfortable and commodious quarters
were assigned them they could be eX-
pected.
The proceedings of the convention had
already begun with a morning session,
but the afternoon was given up to the re-
ceptiOn of visitors, of which several
thousands had already arrived, and In
the evening our band made its first ap-
pearance, which was made in the rotun-
da of the court house whittier it was
followed by a'large crowd of admirers
Every chandelier in the massive building
was lighted. and the effect Of that alone
was magnificent. 7but far more attractive
were the members of the band with their
cowboy regimentals, and the excellence
with which their music was rendered.
frSt in h. -but hp
distance was too great and the enchantment Of
their costumes Yves lacking. and the crowd was
not satisfied, consequently thev7descended to-the
chambers below. where thev played successively
in various places. Everywhere they went the
crowd followed them. The ladies admired their
SAVAGE costumes and the small bows were special
" numnrous. Thus inspired the band did their
level best, and never rendered better music, thus
giving themselves n splendid advertisement, the
effect of which sure to last throughoutSthe
following days performance.
After this the crowd was treated to fine dis
plav from the Rocky Mountain'Phantom Artillery,
which was marching round and round the Court
House, waving their flaming torches aloft. AMI
creating frey designs against,thesback ground OF
the sky AT length the display was completed
and the Phantoms in their white garbs silently
took their departure. while thercrowd separated
to find entertainment for the reminder of the
evening'in'the various'place of amusement.
The second dav Of the convention was spent by
the delegates thereto in visiting the interesting
points of the city and suburbs, while the various
bands spent the day in serenading'the hotels and
public institutions. Again our band came to the
'front.' wherever they played the crowd was 40 dense
as to completely impede all progress Street cars
were all stopped, and all attempts the part of
the authorities to keep the passage ways open were
given up as fruitless undertaking. Among the
notable places before which they played were the
Chambersof Commerce, Real Estate Exchange
and prominent hotels
During the evening complimentary ball was
given by the citizens of Denver to visitors, which
was a most cosmopolitan affair, it being the first
opportunity the fair sex had Of showing their in
terest in the important event it was designed to
commemorate. II was given at Tabor Grand
Opera House, which filed long before the time of
beginning by those who came to dance, while the
balconies were soon more than filled by enthusias-
tic spectators.
The wealth and beauty of many states were there
in superb evening toilettes, lovey matrons in ele
giant attire and the beauty of girlhood arrayed in
the cowboy and and the man of fashion, all par
took of the merry round Of dancing. The music
was furnished alternately by the Cow Boy band
and Koenigsberg's Orchestra.
The decollete costumes OF the ladies contrasted
strangely with decorations of six shooters Of the
band But the bewiching strains Of the music
were there just the same, and the occasion was
only marred by the disappointment Of many in
not being able to gain admission to the space on
the floor reserved for dancing
1t was brilliant attempt on the part of Denver
to entertain their distinguished guests, and the
immence crowds which everywhere thronged all
available space was sure and lasting mark of
their appreciation.
The third days attraction consisted solely and
entirely in the grand procession, which began to
move promptly at D. m Here again the Cow
Boy band came to the front by again being put at
the head of the procession The parade consist
ing of four hundred different exhibits. At all
times our band overwhelmed with invita-
tions to lunch and entertainments, the majority
of which, of course had TO be rejected on account
Of other duties: but Immediately after this dis
play on Thursday they were royalty entertained
by Messrs Packard, ,tWilson & Piper, special in
eurance agents. at their office. where good music
was exchanged for sandwiches and champagne,
ank an enjoyable time iudulged in by all.
Saturdays entertainment consisted in a grand
barbecue at the stock yards, where roast OK was
served at 10 o'clock, and a rousing jollifcahon
closed the exercises Of the International Range
Association.
In addition TO the twenty members of the band
there We're several ladies who accompanied them
on their trip among the number We're Mrs Roy
Drake, of Dodge City, Mrs. Morris and Mrs.
smidlap, Of Colorado Springs, whose husbands