Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-15
DEATH S|EzES
BAND LEADER
SUCCUMBs DURING CONCERT
AT ST. LOUIS
Strain Incident to Giving the First Of
a Series Of Public MusIcaIes
Causes Fatal
Stroke
Special to The Herald.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 14--whie the
horns of slowly circling automobiles
gave dirge like accompaniment to the
lively music which his baton evoked.
Robert Boehmen, bandmaster, fell
senseless in the Forest park bandstand.
Death came soon after he had been
carried across the bridge spanning the
flashing waters of tiny Pagoda lake
The stroke came with the fulfllment
of the ambition of years. "Boehmen's
MILITARY Band" meant little to many or
the 1000 persons who read the name on
the program os Thursday nights con-
cent To the leader and his family, 1t
meant tn beginning of what they
hoped would be a brilliant career as a
conductor. 1t was his first public ap-
pearance at the head of band.
Robert Boehmen had been thoroughly
trained for leadership. For eight years
violnist in the Olympic theater or
chestra he had played in the bands and
orchestras outside of the theatrical
season, his instrument in brass bands
being the bassoon At the opening of
the present season. when contracts for
park concerts were let, he submitted
bid, and was awarded eight con-
certs. He organized his band and
drilled the twenty-four members with
care for Thursday nights concert, the
first of the series.
Fell With Baton in Hand
The seats around Pagoda lake were
filled and carriages and autos were
moving about when, just at dusk, the
band began the Thirteenth Ward
March," Leader Boehmen's compost
ton. The hand clapping was lively.
and the conductor bowed and gave an
@fI CHI tha diff
cult "Poet and Peasant" overture, the
second number. A waltz, an intermez-
20 and a patrol followed and as the
audience showed it's approval the lead
er spared neither himself nor his men
in encores
The sixth number. the last before a
fifteen minute intermiSsion, was COM
posed of selections from Robyn's
yankee Consul" The audience hum
med and whstled as the swinging
days of Old" song introduced the
number Then came a waltz air.
AS he held his baton high before him,
| Conductor Boehmen suddenly stopped
his delicate gestures. Before the line
of music had been finished he fell on
| his face, striking the iron rack of the
nearest musician.
Louis Boehmen. flute player and
brother of the leader, was the first to
reach his side. He found the leader
UNCONSCIOUS anu DISdlulilS ldlully. <Ao
the strains stopped and other members
of the band drew about the high col
Jared coat was removed and anxious
friends chafed the limp hands. Water
was dipped from the lake and poured
between his lips and upon his brow.
Miss Dollie Boehmen, the leaders,
sister, and Frank Fitzgerald, his
brother-in-law were admitted to the
stand and Joined in the effort to re-
suscitate him. Others who tried to re-
ter were turned back at the bridge.
Died in Speeding Auto
An appeal to the now thoroughly ex-
cited audience brought no physician
forward. Milton G. Clymer of 5207
Maple avenue offered the use of his
automobile and the leader was placed
on the seat. A quick run was made to.
ST. Lukes hospital. There his dead
body was taken to reception room
and held until the arrival of an under
takers conveyance. He died, 1t is be-
lieved before the auto had gone out
side the park.
More than the time of the intermis-
sion had been spent in the effort to
restore the conductor. Half the pro-
gram remained.
Some of the players hesitated to
continue.
go on" was Louis Boehmen's adj
vice. "It's what he'd want the band
to do"
So Prof. H. j. Benjamin, leader of
the Olympic theater orchestra, took the
baton and led through march, a
medley and the sextet from Lucia
di Lammermoor."
AS the harmonies of Donizetti's most
famous composition died away, the
Clymer automobile came UP the park
roadway. One of it's occupants crossed
the bridge and spoke to Prof. BenJa-
min.
Raising his hand. Prof Benjamin
stilled the audience.
"Our leader has just died." he said.
"The concert will close with the play
ing of Nearer, MY God to Thee
Everyone arose and hats were re-
moved and heads bowed at the simple
and familiar tones of the great hymn
of all creeds Then, as silently as from
house of death, the hearers departed.
Heart trouble had affected Boehmen
for years, and it was this, physicians
at st. Luke's said, which in all proba-
bility caused death.
The body was taken to an undertake
ing establishment near the Boehmen
home. 1643 Texas avenue. Members OF
the Musicians Mutual Benefit associa-
tion will probably conduct the funeral,
which will be held Saturday afternoon
from the residence.
Boehmen was 36 years old. His wife
died one year and two months ago.
His father. John Boehmen is a musi-
clan. as Is his brother Louis Besides
Mrs. Fitzgerald and Miss Dollle Boeh-
men. he is survived by a third sister,
Lotta, now at Eureka Springs, Ark,
and by his mother.
Besides being musician Boehmen
was a skilled maker of automobile
parts, and was employed by st. Louis
firm.
Kisses Flag; Pays Fine