The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
341st Artillery Organization
Given Great Ovation Here.
Concert at Auditorium a Two
Hour Demonstration.
SOLDIERS WERE WELL PLEASED
Appreciated the Reception for
Them in Capital City.
Dinner and Auto Ride Fea-
ture of Days Program.


Topeka. noted for her frigid and
critical attitude toward public enter
tainments of ali kinds was thawed out
until she roared mountain stream OF
applause at the tremendous ovation
given the 341st Artillery band of Camp
Funston at the auditorium Sunday
afternoon.
And the band. aided by w. A. Biby.
the "B.rg Bang Bill of the Chamber
of Commerce, kept the $500 persons
who damned the big hall on its toes
for two happy and hilarious hours.
1t was undoubtedly the most enthu-
sidstic and patriotic affair of its kind
ever held in Topeka. And Topeka,
with her two military bands. her ia
nous ''Topeka's own" MarShalPs or
Ganization, and several other brass
musicians, is a good judge of band
music
Every entertainment has-or is sup
posed to have-a hit" The 341st
Artillery organization is just one hit
after another. 1t is drum fire of pep
and good music and singing. 1t has
Earrag" of talent that very few mill
itary bands in the country will be able
to break thru.
Band Is Coming Back.
The audience wasn't alone in its
pleasure. For instance:
Captain John w. Diamond-"Never
ii
reception as We net in Topeka. The. city
will always be remembered by our
boys. We want to come again"
Charles Guthrie. divisional song lead
er at Funston-"This was the kind of
crowd 1 like to see. They appreciate
and cooperate. They haven't overlook
W ed anything to make feel tho
our attempts have been appreciated"
Lee NJ. Lockhart. assistant leader
'-When the crowd exhibits the spirit
shown in Topeka. the boys do their
best
Theodore Faber band leader-"This
is the kind of city enjoy. AS long
as the audience really evidenced de-
Lieut. $. S. Griffith. chaplain-"This
trip to Topeka did the boys world
of good. Never have met with such
demonstrntiOn-it makes us proud to
be in the service.
Captain Diamond hit the keynote
when he said the band would like to
play return engagement 1t is plan
ned to come to Topeka some time this
spring, give several down town street
corner concerts Saturday evening and
play on the state house square Sunday
afternoon. If Captain Diamond will
make this in the form of a promise,
Topeka will give him and his men the
greatest reception ever offered an or
ganization of this kind.
Program Was Varied.
The program Sunday afternoon was
arranged to suit everyone. Lovers of
classical music were satisfied. Ad
-Adherents of rag time music were
made to feel entirely at home! And
just to make it complete there was
singing there were solos and there
was that ever welcome pep perform
ance on the part of Bling Bang Bill
iBby. And then. of course, Chaplain
Griffith followed out the real true
spirit of the occasion. To. top it off
the crowd was treated to a community
sing led by Leader Guthrie.
of
the crowds satisfaction. Following an
original and enthusiastic appeal, both
humorous and patriotic. on the part of
w. y. Billy. in which he enlisted the
women, the soldiers in uniform, the G..
A. r. and the Relief corps, the crowd
went right down in its pocket for
neat $3.50 contribution to go toward
paying the bands expenses in making
the trip to Topeka. 1t was a typical
Billy reviVal-and the crowd liked it.
Corp. Charles Adams was one of the
real hits" of the afternoon. Corporal
Adams is an enlisted man from the
ranks of the Orpheum and Keith
vaudeville circuits. He has a power
full and melodious voice and his acting
Is. of course, of the professional order.
The audience called him back for sew
eral encores and then near the end of
the concert a committee of pretty girls
from the crowd called on him for an
other appearance. He didn't disap-
point them. He included in his "by
request act, a parody which, in
line. went something like this: 1T
takes a sweet, petite Topeka gal to
make a Sammy lay his Bible down
Another feature of the program was
a community sing led by Divisional
Song Leader of Funston Charles
Guthrie. Guthrie went out on the
stage. made the $500 persons sing,
whistle and hum with him. He had the
crowd singing "Over There" until they
wanted to fight. He waved his arms
and less-until Captain Diamond
feared for his tight fitting olive drab
uniform. Guthrie is a leader or new
er would he have started Topeka
crowd to such enthusiasm.
The zap drum battle scene and the
''All Aboard for Berlin" cut up on
the kettles ct all by the drummer.
]. d. Cameron, was a big feature. ].
Stuchbery starred in a bass 500.
treat was a Saxa phone and clari-
net duet by Musicians Smith and Ser
geant Schrepfer.
Captain Diamond was honored in
the playing of a march dedicated to
this popular adjutant of the regiment.
This march was composed by Seggt
l. NJ. LCckhart the man who led the
band with such success at the per-
Torrance. After the selection, Robert
M. Stone introduced the captain to the
crowd. He was given a wild greeting
and forced to make short talk
Lieutenant Griffith, regimental
chaplain. spoke for a few minutes.
winning himself a laurel in the hearts
of Topekans.
When the 341st Artillery Band