The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-07

the 10th day of April, having lost but
six men on the trip.
This is one of the regiments enlisted
under Governor Leedy, and one which
reflected credit on the state. IT was
Differed throughout by colorad men,
and was one of the best disciplined
during the Spanish war, and received
especial mention from Brigadief Cen
eral Ewers for it's high standard and
the efficiency of its officers.
Col. James Beck was in command
of the regiment, with ]. NJ. Brown of
Topeka as senior major and George
w. Ford of Fort Scott as junior
major.
The reunion has not been the sue
cess that had been hoped. The To-
peks4 members refused to march in
the parade, claiming that it was head
ed by Nick Chiles, a civilian, who by
questionable means had elected him
self as chairman of the executive COM
mittee.
Colonel Jackson, leader of the
Twenty-third regimentaI band, was
particularly indignant that the regi-
mental band should be sighted and
substituted in the place of it, and that
at cost of $131.
The races that were arranged for
were called off on account of the dis
satisfaction that existed at having
Chiles at the head of the affair. The
ball game which was to have heen
played between Pages Giants and the
Ninth cavalry band was changed from
| the fair grounds to the Washburn col
lege grounds, and the various enter
tainments that had been planned were
omitted
The one feature of the reunion is the
presence of the Ninth colored cavalry
band consisting of rs pieces under
Professor Gunz'l has been at the head
of colored military bands for 26 years.
The professor, who is a German, was
| born in Bavaria. and received his
musical education at the conservatory
of music. in that city. After coming to
| this country he was for three years
with the Gilmore band, leaving that
| band to join the army as leader of the
Ninth colored band The professor is
partial to the colOred musicians. He
says they are much easier handled
than white musicians and not so prone
to drunkenness and are more to be
| relied on
+; Most of the music played by the
band is of the semi-cIassical, much
| having been taken from the popular
| operas of the day.
An interesting feature of the band is
the presence of four Filipinos who en-
listed with the band when it was with
the regiment in the islands.
The boys were professional must
Clans in the islands, playing in civilian
bands and Joined the regulars as the
10y 10 1AuSA .DSlk6T III THIS country
| than in their own. They are rated as
extra fine musicians and are satisfied
with their conditions in the United
states, but all want to return to theil
island home as soon as they accumu-
! late money enough to take them
back. and leave them enough for &
start in their native land.
The reunion next year will be held
either at Lawrence or Kansas City.
A. c. Harris, who was regimenta
quartermaster, is one of the most out
spoken ones of the dissenting Topeka
members of the company. He said
Il would consider myself disgraced tt
walk in a parade led by such d char
Iacter as Nick Chiles. and most of this
boys of the regiment fell as I do abou
the matter. That explains why Their.
are no members of the Topeka com
pany in the parade
Major John NJ. Brown, who natur
ally should have been the leader. of tn,
reunion said: when I saw tn
course that things were taking wash
ed my hands of the entire business AM
have refused to have anything to d.
with the reunion save to welcome thu