The Somerset reporter., 1891-08-13

.e Reporter.
Brass Bands

The first music by brass band IN
Skowhegau. WAS dlscoursed ny the New
England OF Boston, in 1912. At that date
the New England was the band of all
bands ON American soil, rating as high In
degree as G.lmore's famous ecknowledg-
I'd band OF the world does to-day. The
New England lived and labored ere the
days Of the noted brothers, Ned and
Tim" Kendall, who were masters Of the
bugle aud clsrnett. Colby Institute OF
Waterville had occasion to call the New
Eng before their students and the
public. A Mr.. Clapp, music dealer OF
Bos ton to-day was the agent of the
band Some of our citizens attending
the exercises of the Institute being de
lighted with the band music, sought out
and invited Agent Clapp to extend his
baud trip to Skowhegau and concert her
citizens. Agent Clapp appeared in town,
bringing a letter of introduction to me,
requesting my assistance In helping plan
Tor concert.
ne Duly tuhutt W give que DAHti tllau
out doors, was in the Methodist church.
introduced Mr. Clapp to one of our old,
music loving, highly respected and com
manding citizens, Capt. Joseph Pstten, an
old merchant, who was marked man,
/ and had INDUCED somewhat in military
tactics in his younger days. 'Uncle
/ tCap'J Patten" was tall, erect, and of a
| splendid physique, always on dress pa
rattn commanding attention and ALWAYS
interesting. He wore wig, and had the
habit Of occasionally running his fingers
under his wig in front of his right ear
but when his fingers had accomplished
their mission his arm resumed straight
position by his side as scientifically as
that Of West Point cadet.
Uncle Patten received Agent Clapp
cordially and seated US, saying Gentle
men, | am pleased to receive your call. "
Mr.. Clapp made known his business, I'm
Gle Patterns response was he personally
would be pleased to accommodate, re-
marning II am but one of many inter
ested In our church" We will consult
| BIO. (Dr.) Snow, and leading the way to
| Bro. SHOWS house, introduced the agent
and told his story for him.
Bro. Snow objected to accommodate
the agent, not that he was more of a
Methodist than Uncle Patten, but that he
did not think the church was erected aud
| dedicated for the accommodation of brass
bands, but consented to accompany us
and call on Bro. Dinsmore, who ranked In
| Methodism next to the Bishop Bro
| Dinsmore could see no Improperly In
granting the use of the church, and said
he should be pleased to attend the con
cert himself. Mr.. Agent you can have
the use of our church,
What will the expense for house and
lightngf" One dollar was named. The
agent cl Ised the bargain, and soon fiaring
posters were put out 1x9 in size, an.
nouncing that the New England Brass
Band of Boston would concert, etc, etc
etc, admission ~ cents. Well, the ev
ening came on time, and the people rush
ed into weil-ventilated and well-lighteC
church, there being two tallow candle,
on each side of the audience room, an(
SIX in the gallery where the band was 10.
Gated. The band gave tlne concert Il
just % listeners, by actual count.
have met Agent Clapp II any time
since that concert, but never met him pri
or to Uncle Patterns death, that he di,
not fairly represent the cody man b.
running his fingers In front of his righ
ear and returning his arm by his side il
dress parade sty lie, and then had to an
swer dozen questions relative to tn,
health, etc, of the remembered incl,
Patten. Agent Clapp told me at the time
of the failure and later on, als that thu
New England had given concerts wher,
the cash margin exceeded the Skowhegal
footings, but asserted at the time, ant
later on also, that he did not grel h,v
ing come to town, as he had made the &C
quain,auce Of one of the most cordial
genial and interesting men of his life, il
the person of Uncle Patten. For thus,
who never saw or heard of the good oil,
man, | will state that he WAS the fathe
of our present DR.. Patten.
Some people think DR.. S. A. a gents
and very good man. Amen, but the Dr.
is no better than he should be Gas any OLE
citizen will tell you) considering mis- par
entage and development from boy t.
manhood. Think as we'll of the DR.. a
you wish, but you must allow me to re
member his father as the best man of tn
the two. think am good judge o
the Pattens, as slept In Uncle Patten'
house for the first time In this town, o.
the 9TH night of October, 1886, and CON
menced pacing up and down behind hi
store counter on the 9Th day, and for
long time roomed with the said DR.. s. A
S. ID. A.