Smyrna times., 1906-01-10
HISTORICAL SKETCHOF THE
OLD WHITE ROSE MINISTRIES
AND HARMONY BAND OF SMYRNA WRITTEN
BY "B FLAT" ONE OF THE MEMBERS.
A Story Based on Fact and Aided by Imagiua-
tlOn Of 0ne of Smyrna's Oldest 0rgauiza-
tiOn-One Cold Night rs Years Ago.
PART SECOND.

years ago, score of boys sat around
red hot stove in their club room over
Standish's restaurant, situated near
the ''Four Corners" There were no |
elegant works of art decorating the |
walls; no collection of the masters of |
fiction; not even carpet covered the |
floor. However there was large stove |
with red jolly face, smiling at them,
and those smiles made them welcome
and comfortable. These boys used to
discuss the matter of organizing a
brass band to liven up the town little.
The members, that can be remembered
of this club, were: Joe Carter, Tom
Humphreys, Fred Carter, Will Spencer,
Jack Weldon, Will Stevenson, George
Collins, Doc Massey, Charles Norris,
''Zan" Humphreys and Tom Start.
James Mcdowell, who had been a
member of band which had gone out
of existence some time before, had
been trying for long time to get the
boys to organize and to him more than
any other person is due the credit.
Ways and means had often been sug-
gested to raise the necessary money
for instruments. The most popular
way to raise funds at that time was to
give festivals. This had been done but
did not net the required amount, and
some other scheme must be tried
This winter night some of the older
members were telling of the wonder
full plays they had witnessed during
their lives, and, as several of them had
been to Philadelphia and Wilmington
they had the undivided attention of
the younger members. One, who had
recently returned from Philadelphia,
had been describing part of an enter
tainment given by Carncross & Dickies
Minstrels, an organization, at that
time, well known. This member had
been telling some of the humorous,
and. to us, exceedingly funny jokes
gotten off by "Mat" Wheeler, the
noted comedian, when one of the boys
said, in a way which he alone could
utter it, ''gone it, boys, let's get up a
minstrel show and raise money for our
brass band" This young man was the
jolliest, happiest boy have ever known,
when he was present dull care slipped
out the back door. We all admired
him and years after when he died 10
early manhood, when life's morning
seemed so bright, silent tears were
shed, not only by those who were near
him, but many far away. do not be-
lieve any member of our band will evei
forget that jolly, good hearted boy W,
called "Zan" Humphreys. His death
sad as it was, resembled his clean
happy life His last message to hi
chilms and the boys of the town wa
published in the "Times" at the time
byrequest of mis- faithful pastor, tin
Rev. Mr.. Gordon, of st. Peter
Church. He pleaded that they Civ
their lives in the keeping of the ''Grea
Pilot whom he expected ''to meet fac
face when he had crossed the Bar"
The ''Bhite Rose Minstres" Organized.
In less than week the minstre
troupe was organized; we needed seen
cry to aid in producing the farce
which had been Selected There wer
carpenters and painters among til
members, and they went bravely t
work and constructe scenery tina
surprised the audiences at our cor
certs. This work was done by Jane
Mcdowell, Joe Carter, Tom Hum
phreys, Fred Carter, Joe Wright, Viii
Spencer, Charlie Norris, Will Steven
son, John Patterson, Will Scout, Wi
Herrick, Harry Scout, Charlie Barnes
George Patterson and Morris Mar
: ming, assisted by all the youngsters i
town when they were allowed in tn
club room. In years to come some
these boys constructed and decorate
some Of the beautiful homes whic
help to make Smyrna one of the mo
ATTRACTIVE towns in the country.
Tie Singers, End Meu and Dancers.
Tie most important part of the trouI
was singers, end men and dancer
TheiIe were: Ned Hoffecker, "Dos
MasBey, Jack Weldon, Harry Scou
Olin Hough, Harry Hill, Tom Star
Alex. Humphreys, Glenn Spruanc
Fred Carter, Joe Carter, John Bagg
Maurice Manning, Will Camac, E.
Start and George Collins. The q
chesra was composed of Profess
LucAman, Charles Henderson, Jane
Mcdowell, Harry Primrose, Will Ste
ensoii. vi Primrose, George Raymol
and Fletcher Cooper. accompanies.
CONTINUED on FIFTH PAGE.