The Saint Paul globe., 1898-04-25

der the inspiration Of the Fort Smell
ling Band"
The excellence of the band was very
largely due to the intelligent manage
ment of Leader Graves. It's last pub
lie appearance in st. Paul was on the
occasion of the farewell given to the
naval recruits, and it was the band
and It's stirring tones that stimulated
enthusiasm to a pitch that has not
been seen or heard in this town since
the civil war. Ten thousand people
howled themselves hoarse while
Graves band led the way down Sixth
street playing THE Stars and Stripes
Forever
Mr. Graves took charge of the band
soon after the regiment came here
from Montana. He enlisted as musi-
clan nearly fifteen years ago, and was
assigned to the Thirds band at Fort
Shaw, Mont. He was an excellent mu-
sician when, as a youngster, he went
into the army. And his social good
qualities speedily made him a favorite
in the regiment.
He was a personal favorite with Gen.
Brooke, and quite as much so with the
succeeding commanding officers, Coils.
Mason and Page, and, when the regi-
ment was brought down to Smelling
and vacancy occurred in the director
ship, the colonel gave the place to Mr..
work to strengthen his organization,
and did most effective work. His ac-
curate knowledge of music and his
good business sense brought him into
contact with musical houses, and,
whenever there was good thing in
the way Of a young musician in any
part of the country who evinced de-
sire to go into the army Graves was
notified.
Adjt. McRae, and Adjt Kennedy be-
fore him, left the charge Of the band
practically in Leader Graves hands,
and he filled it with men who were
among the best available. A place in
band in the regular army is not to
be shifted at by the average musician,
money making, and the life is far from
being hard.
Graves was something Of a martinez
with his men, and there has not been
morning, unless it were a Sunday or
holiday, for many year, that there
has not been band practice after guard
mounting. And 1t was understood
tain his part of the work Of keeping
the band up to it's standard, Graves
would soon find way to, send him
into the ranks. For some years the
band has been as nearly perfect as a
military organization could be, and
both Col. Mason and Col. Page were
very proud of It, and had great conf
dence in the leader
Socially, Charlie" Graves was one Of
the best fellows in the Third, and his
house, near the round tower, was a
rendezvous for many professional peo-
pie in civil life. Every newspaper man
in st. Paul was Graves friend, and al
most every one Of them had tasted the
cheerful hospitality Of his home.
Voxa UrQ q
three years ago to the prettiest girl at
the fort-Miss Mary McGuffin, the
daughter Of the hnest-looking soldier
in the Third, Maj. McGuff1n.
Mrs Graves should be the beautiful
woman she is. for she is one Of a family
that is famous for its good looks. She
was born In the army-a veritable
daughter Of the regiment-and several
Of her brothers and sisters were born in
garrison.
Drum Major McGuffln has been in
the army for thirty years. He was in
the navy during the rebellion. He
came from Ireland, a strappinS youth,
away from home and came Of an excel
lent family.
Gen. Coppinger, under whose COM
mand the Third Is at Mobile, was a
playfellow Of Maj. McGufin's at
Queenstown when they were both boys
Coppinger went into the Papal service,
won his spurs, and was given a com.
mission in the regular army Of the
United States when he came to this
country.
McGuffln was younger than the gen.
eral when he landed in New York, but
he was old enough to appreciate the
beauty of q "ruction," and he enlisted
in the navy and found himself detailed
in the service of a chief engineer who
was also an Irishman, and who had
known McGuffln's family. He had the
young Irishman made first-class yeo-
man and he saw plenty of service. He
was with Farragut at the Battle Of
he got himself into the army and was
sent to the border.
He was at Smelling twenty-five years