The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-07-12
On a Corner in Darlington.
BY ONE WHO STOOD THERE.

BY ONE WHO STOOD THERE.
'No wonder those fellows play so
well. They are working for the United
State government and don't do any
thing else but play music. But why
do they call it the Second Regiment
Band of Sumter, is there military
post established in Sumter? How does
Sumter manage to keep up such a
| fine band and orchestra, at such an
expense without the aid Of the United
States government, Or state govern
ment. Either the United States or
the State of South Carolina must pay
those musicians, particularly that pro-
fessional band director who leads the
band?" remarked the man who enjoy
ed the music.
Excuse me for butting in, gentle
men, but I am from SUMTER" said
man on the right, land hearing you
wonder whether the United States
! government pays the members Of the
Second Regiment band, or if the
State of South Carolina contributes
anything financially to it's support, I
Just want to say that this band which
has contributed so much to the pleas
ure of the Darlington celebration,
| Judging from the hundreds Of people
| whom I have heard expressing them
selves today, is a Sumter organization
| maintained exclusively by Sumter peo-
pie and Sumter money, except such
funds as are gathered in by this band
for playing outside Of Sumter on just
such occasions as this. AS far as
the national or state government is
concerned the Second Regiment band
| of Sumter has been treated very bad.
Take for instance the item of band in
struments. 1t is well known fact
that the United States government
had a complete set Of instruments
made for the Sumter band and anoth-
er military band shortly after these
two bands enlisted over sixteen
months ago. But the Sumter instru-
ments disappeared, while the other
band received their instruments
over year ago. No one in authority
in South Carolina has, to all appear
ances, any authority, and perhaps no
inclination to see about the reason
why the Second Regiment band of
Sumter has been deprived Of their in
struments, or the money appropriated
by the national government. But
things are coming our way, however.
I hear it pretty generally rumored
that Col. Henry T. Thompson, Of Dar-
lington, the best known, and most
popular and expert military man in
South Carolina, will be the next adju-
tant and Inspector general of this
state, and he will get the Sumter band
what is coming to it, and Sumter will
be recognized in military circles. Col
onel Thompson is already working to
find out what is wrong about those in
struments. He will get there alright
Said a gentleman from Florence:
Sumter knowes how to advertise.
She never loses an opportunity to ad-
vertise. And the Sumter band is the
very best advertisement Sumter has.
1t is remarka BILE that town Of Sum-
ter's size should keep up band Of
this class, when Charleston, Columbia,
Greenville, Spartanburg and other
larger cities have no bands to compare
with it, or no band at all. That is the
secret of the support given the Sumter
band. I have heard hundreds Of peo-
pie say here today that this band was
the best they have ever heard, and
were surprised to learn that it is
Sumter organization instead of reg
ularly paid government band"
About this time three very attrac-
tive ladies came down the staircase
and passed through the Office Of the
hotel.
"Who is that beautiful, queenly
looking lady who has just passed
here?" asked the gentleman from
Florence.
Said the gentleman from Sumter:
"She is in truth a queen, she is Sum-
ter's reigning sovereign. She was the
queen Of the Sumter Fall Festival, and
beautiful and worthy queen she
made.
"Oh, well,'' sid the gentleman
from Florence, 'I am not surprised
:,,I,, ~