Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-28
Col. Caughlan Recommended
That it be Removed
to This City.
IT COMES FROM KEOKUK
ottumwa Anxiously Awaiting Adiu-
tant General Byers' Approval Of Col.
onel caushIan's Recommendation
Unsatisfactory Conditions at keokuki

+ . y
It Is announced today that Colonel
H. H .Caughlan has recommended that
the band Of the Fiftieth regiment, |. N.
G., be transferred from Keokuk to this
city. Colonel Caughlan is out of the
city and will not return until Friday
evening, so he could not be seen to,
day to verify the report, but it is
known without doubt that this rec
ommendation was made. The matter
now rests with Adjutant General By
ers and if he approves Colonel Caugh-
lan's recommendation the band will be
removed to Ottumwa Immediately. The
Courier is in receipt of letter an
nouncing that General Byers will take
the matter under advisement and will
make his decision later.
Present Condition Unsatisfactory.
It has been known for some time
that the present condition of the band
was very unsatisfactory to Colonel
Caughlan and in military circles it
was thought that it would only be a
question OF short time until change
would have to be made. Ottumwa has
long been an active candidate for the
location of the band, but SO long time
has elapsed since it began work that it
was feared the city would be unable
to land the prize.
Foyer Removed From Keokuk.
Since Bandmaster Boyer removed
from Keokuk, the band has been prac-
tically without leader. Kindig, who
It was thought would take the band in
charge afaK Kenkuk, Is being claimed by
Burlington, and the latter city says he
wants to bring the band there. An in
vestigation Of conditions in that city
discloses the fact that there is but lit
tie hope of Burlington being able to
raise band, it at present having two
good bands. Colonel ,Caughlan looked
the ground over thoroughly last We'd
nesday and at the conclusion he sat
down and recommended to General
Byers that the band be sent to this
city.
Burlington Working Hard.
In his communication to the Courier
General Byers did not indicate what
action he would take in the matter,
but 1t is hoped he will consider the
matter favorably 1t is said Burling-
ton has been making strenuous efforts
to get the band located there and that
It has committee at Des Moines
looking to that end. Colonel Caugh-
lan's recommendation, however, is
thought to be of sufficient strength to
enable this city to land the plum. His
idea in bringing the band here is to
have It where Adjutant Emery can
3 give 1t his personal attention. While
the band at Keokuk has given good
satisfaction heretofore; it has never
been under the control that Colonel
Caughlan would like-to see.
Go to WapeIIo Chief.
In case General Byers acts favora.
bly, on Colonel Caughlan's recommen.
dation the Wapello Chief band will be
enlisted and made the regimental
band. Ottumwa and Ottumwans could
not be pleased any more than to see
this brought about. It has been rec.
ognized that Leader Woolworth has d
to know it as the "regimental music
hereafter.
Has Too Many Members.
At present the band contains more
members than could be utilized in q
regimental affair, the limit for that be
ing twenty-four pieces. This could be
gotten around very easily however, as
1t is probable that few of the men
could not pass a physical examination
The question of a drum major will
probably not be touched upon at pres
ent. Drum Major Smith lives at Bur
lington, and is a first class man. Mr.
Woolworth could give the band all the
necessary instructions in tactics, and
Smith could take charge at camp and
put In all the finishing touches. How
ever, this question has / not beer
brought up and it may be that Smith
. will he rnllstared out at the same time