Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1905-10-28
ST. 1HONAS BAND
Presents DIGGER.

Inc ST. IhOmaS Odnd, That most
musical organization sprang
a great surprise upon Captain Jacob
Deatrich, formerly of ST. Thomas
and veteran of the war of the re-
bellion, who for the last thirty /
two years has been resident of 1
western Kansas. The occasion took +
place at the home of his cousin, Mrs. !
Cyrus Defenderfer, where at O'Clock /
last evening, the band appeared and |
rendered IA number of sprightly selec-
tions for which that famous organiza- !
tion is noted 30 have the musical abil-
ity to perfoI IN under the leadership of
Prof Joseph kiSsel. When the mer-
ry-making was ut its height. and after
the overture, .Niobe." was played. III. !
Rush Reed, the president of the or
ganization, in a pleasing speech pre-
sented Captain Deatrich with long
knife or dagger which was left at ST.
Thomas, in the old hotel, by mem
Der of Jones brigade of Ewell's corps,
when it marched through ST. Thomas,
headed by a band which PLAYED,
''DiXie," to the battle of Gettsburg,
in the latter part of June. 1868. Mr..
Reeds speech was as follows:
Captain Deatrich: Neither time,
distance. nor the vicissitudes of life
have destroyed in us your old friends
of this village which bears pious
name, the viyidness of recollection of
you, as when you played the part of
merry boyhood. as an actor on this
theater of earlier years. You have
scenes where you have, with much
pleasure recalled from the well spring
of your recollection, among many
things which lave brought joy to you,
the music OF the old St. Thomas band
which thrilled and charmed your saw
age breast, thirty-two years ago. This
progressive offspring of that old or
/ ganiZation In honor of your warrior
/ blood, your. distinguished service as a
veteran soldier. who with many other
young men Of the st. Thomas locality
went forth in the strength of young
manhood, at your country's first call
to duty, in defense of the Union and
in honor of the flag. do present to you
upon this happy occasion, this, old
bloody dagger which has written
history attached, as a testimonial of
their regards. When you come to
make up your garland of memory's
flowers, you can use this dagger to
sever the thorns from the stems that
gave the garland life. which is less
frightened only by that thought of
i separation from loving friends, which
is the only thorn referred to, and
prairie home you will remember oul
friendship which, being more than &
simple bud, you can place by the side
of the sweet forget-me-not, and fur
thermore remember that music from
the st. Thomas band now pleasing te
the ear, is not more so than tiding:
from distant friends.
Captain Deatrfch responded to the
address in a humorous and happy
vein. Amid great applause he uplift-
ed and swung high overhead the
bloody dagger stating that he would
prize it highly as a testimonial of his
old friends regards, take it from its
resting place of forty-two years will
him back over 1900 miles to what we
used to call in the east, bleeding Kan
sas. where he would either use it as &
steak knife on Kansas steers in the
butchering business or as a scalper':
knife in the keen-cut Indian-nameC
town OF Wa-Keeney. The band ther
voted its thanks for a bill slipped into
the secretary's hands. The band play
ed '.Tell Mother I'll Be There,
ssHome Sweet Home,- and thus hap
by time long to be emen bered. ended
-Chambersburg (Pa.) Public Opinion
, October 18th.