The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-17
per decennial anniversary, it is pro-
posed TO settle all differences by doing
1t over again in the near future.
HISTORY OF THE LAND.

IL over again in the near future.
HISTORY OF THE BAND.
The decennial celebration of the Roa-
noko Machine Works Band marks an
epoch In It's history. 1t has grown from
toddling infant to puissant giant.
and is an honor alike TO both city and
citizens. The band was organized ten
years ago in George Frazier's house,
NO. $50 Rutherford street, On the land
Oh the Roanoke Improvement Com
pany, near the present site of the Gas
WORKS The original organizers were:
Geo. Frazier, of Montreal, Canada, and
his son Fred; j. Il. Ward. Robert
Richie, of Montreal; Isaac Robinson, of
Montreal formerly known as Bunk"
and w. &. and II. IL. Baughman. They
elected Chas. Blackwell, superintendent
OF the Machine Works, as president, and
VIM Dickson, OF Canada. vice presid ent.
Geo. Frazier was band master and j. II.
Ward, OF Altoona. secretary.
Their first musical attempt was to
play in honor of the Norfolk and West
ern officials on the 10th of May. They
formed at the upper end OF tho shors
and played in their shirt sleeves while
the magnates of the road were inspect
ing the works. Apollo on his Tyre may
have played moro seductively, but this
organization Of to- day. During the same
week the Association of Mining Engi-
neers met in Roanoke and were sore.
naded by the band.
AT that time the members wero few
and the instruments crude and primevai.
Their playing on this occasion fur
nlshed some witty remarks for Mr..
kyd Douglass, of Hagerstown, attorney
for the Shenandoah Valley railroad in
his Decennial grafton on the 10th of
June last
The engineers went from here to
Blue Ridge Springs to attend q banquet
and the band accompanied them on that
night. Whilo around the festival board
champagne corks were stimulated to
pop and rich viands were made richer
and moro palatable to the music OF
yankee Doodle" and "God Save the
Queen" at that time tho only pieces in
their musical vocabulary
During this period neat sum OF
money was donated and Mr.. Frazier ap-
pointed himself 4 committee of ono to
go North for tho purpose OF purchasing
new instruments,whic were put on OK
hibition At Paul Berkowitz' clothing
store After MIR. Frazier resigned j. p
Pottcigor, of Huntington. Penn, was
chosen leader.
In 1884 w. X. Carr came to Roanoke
from Altoona. He had been the loader
of the Mountain City band. The AL
toona boys resolved TO procure his SER
might be in PRODUCED, as before every
thing had been English, "dontcher
know"
From tho time of Mr.. Cars selection
as leader the band began to improve,
and next came the first uniforms.
The first trip out of the city after the
uniforms were procured was made to
WVtheville in 1884. to ''toot things up"
for little Billy Malone, who at that
time was in the United States Senate.
When they landed with their bright in
struments and nobby uniforms a man
with his hands In his pockets up to his
elbows and hayseed in his whiskers, re-
marked: There comes the Roanoke
boys, and they've got on their best
clothes, too" Mr. Carr had a sore foot
and took carriage. While sitting in
the vehicle, with his brilliant insignia
and gorgeous trappings on his breast
and shoulders, an old negro walked up,
and, taking off his hat, said: "Howdy
do, Mars Billy; I have walked twenty
miles jest to see you"
Mr. Carr left the city in 1855 and
Nicholas Russell, of Pennsylvania, was
selected leader. He had charge until
1887 and under his management the
band prospered. In 1887 Mr.. Carr re-
turned to Roanoke and again took the
baton, his leadership continuing until
1891. 1t was during this period that the
organization came near going to pieces,
but Mr.. Carr through hard work sue
ceeded in placing it on solid footing.
In March, 1891, Mr.. Carr resigned and
In oil t-l L.
sor. Under the present management a
splendid organization has been per
fected, and tho band is now tho pride of
the city and State.
MIR. Keely is q fine organizer and
thorough musician and it is largely due
to his successful leadership that tho or
ganization now perfected IA enabled to
celebrate, with a grand banquet and
musical prog ramme, their deccnnial
The Machine Works band has always
been noted for its gcntlemanly deport-
ment and fine behavior. In 1854 Mr..
Carr received letter of congratulation
from tho then senator from tins district,
Hon. Henry $. Trout, upon their Inc
appearance on the streets OF Richmond
at Democratic celebration.
Tho band has played in nearly every
town and city in the State as we'll as in
many distant cities. They arc noted
for their musical achievements from
Norfolk to Bristol and certainly their
superior il not to be found in Virginia
When it vas decided to celebrate
Roanoke's Decennial the band ordered
handsome new uniforms for the occasion
and made their first appearance in them
on that day. The uniform consists OF
dark blue frock coat, with double row
OF brass buttons and shoulder straps
bearing the letter "R. M. w. B." The
pants are Of a light blue and have
wide gold braid stripe down the leg.