Smyrna times., 1906-01-24
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
OlOWH|TE ROSE MINISTRIES
AND HARMONY BAND OF SMYRNA WRITTEN
BY "B FLAT" ONE OF THE MEMBERS.
Story Based on Fact and Aided by lmagina-
tion of Oue of Smyrna's Oldest 0rganiza-
tion-Band Gives a Bridal Serenade.

Story Based on Fact and Aided by Imagina-
tiOn of 0ne of Smyrna's Oldest Organize
tOn--Band Gives Bridal Serenade.
PART FOUR.
young stranger from out of the
North had come to reside near town.
This young man had become very pop
ular, and when he brought daughter
OF the metropolis as his bride, the
band thought it a pleasant duty to
welcome them. One clear moonlight
night, the band, seated in a wagon
body placed on runners, drawn by
horses covered with bells. went gaily
out of town, playing ''Oh Dear! What
Can the Matter Be?" What delight
full ride that was down Main Street,
over the bridges at the pond, up the
hill under an arch of cedar trees, made
fantastic by the magic touch of Jack
Frost, and out in the open country,
beautifully robed in the white gar
ments of winter, the crystals of snow
flung up by the horses hoofs, gleam-
ing and sparkling in the moonlight.
We stopped at the gate leading to
belmont Hall' and serenaded Mrs.
Caroline Peterson Speakman. This
lady was one of the first to aid and en-
courage the Band. When we arrived
at our destination the bride and groom
gave us a glorious welcome. Before
entering the house the band played
several popular selections. During
the evening the 'Lyric Quartette"
sang. shall never forget the look of
pleasure that came into the brides face
when our solo tenor first sang. She,
doubtless, did not expect to hear such
a voice outside of her metropolitan
home. These new friends were very hos
pitable, and after the bride had departed
the groom treated us royalty; little
too royalty, fear. When we started
to leave, it was a laughable sight to
see some of the boys escort their large
horns down the narrow path through
the lawn toward the awaiting sleigh.
shall never forget the way the big
bass drum and bass horn assisted their
escorts down that narrow way-in fact
they circumnavigated that entire lawn
and, had there been no fence, would
have taken in the whole farm. This
was the first experience of the kind,
and it taught some of these
boys lesson that has lasted
through life. 1 do not believe there
is a member of that band who is
a victim to the worst curse of the hu-
man race-Rum.
Christmas Morning Carols by This Quartette
In those days some of the members
of the Band. the Lyric Quartette'
always ushered in Christmas morning
with joyous carols. This quartette
met in the Times office then occupying
part of the johnson Building, for re-
hearsal. Mr.. Joseph H. Hoffecker had
given them permission with the under.
standing that they should eat all the
''pi" made. Later Mr.. Robert Hof.
q fecker, ST., also granted them this privi
lege, which they have always appre
ciated. Late on Christmas Eve the boys
gathered for final rehearsal, and early
on Christmas morning would so forth
and sing in different parts OF the town.
On several occasions number o.
young people, and the younger par
of the M. E. Church choir joined tn,
quartette in singing carols on Christ
mas morning. 1t was beautiful Gus
tom, and should be followed by all til,
singing organizations in this country.
Watch Night Meetings and the Band.
The Watch Night meetings held OF
# New Years Eve, was the most loved BY
many of any service of the year. The
were beautiful in their simplicit
and very effective. In their meet
N ings the most conscientious work
ers of the Church gathered, when pos
sibie. What good men and womei
they were. Many OF those whose in
fuence was so elevating have gone
their glorious reward, and one of til
things that makes the heart ache most
is to miss so mauy of these believe
faces in the congregation. There
one pew the sight of which Away
brings tears to our eyes. One of til
most beautiful christian women thu
writer ever knew sat in that pew TO
many years, and we have always beei
thankful that in early boyhood it wa
our good fortune to be placed unds
the loving and gentle guidance OF Mrs
Anna Hoffecker. The first part of th
services consisted of prayer, singin
al by the congregation and testimon,
n The last ten minutes of the old yea
n was given to silent prayer, while til