Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-11-22
BEST BAND IN ARMY

Tn. Million Dollar Band, Which Ap.
psars In conosrt A. The N. e.
Church Monday, Nov. ~, 10 consid-
cred The Best Army Band Ever
Organised.
Uncle Sans Million dollar band.
premier musical organization OF the
United States army overseas forces.
which saw service In France. and
which II composed Of thirty-five ef-
ficient musicions. every man q soldier.
u going to demonstrate to local citi-
sens, Just how. by inspiring musical
numbers, they sent the battling Yam
KEGS into victorious warfare ana thru
the German stronghold.
Led by Harold Bachman, whose
guiding hand conducted. their actions
In Europe, the Million dollar musical
organization, 80 christened by General
ILggett, after he had heard them play
in France, IL on tour OF the prin-
cipal cities Of the United States.
BY far the most famous OF all mill
tary bands which saw service In
Franco, the aggregation Of musicians.
affiliated with the llsth engineers dur
ing the war, has been granted o speo-
isl privilege by high officials OF tho
war department, Permission TO tour
the country In concert work. under the
title given them in war. and clad In
their khaki colored uniforms, was oo-
tained by Director Bachman soon after
the unit had reached the shores Of
America
How tho Name Came.
II was on Christmas day, 1917, that
the 116th engineer band was doing Its
best to cheer up the lonely soldiers Of
the Ilst Division who were spending
their first Christmas away from home.
General Hunter J. Liggett was the
guest Of honor at @ celebration for the
men at which this band furnished
most Of the music. Noting tho cneer-
ing effect which the music had on the
men. the general paid close attention
to the program which Director Bach
man had arranged, especially for
Christmas day. At the close Of one
number General Liggett's chief Of stan
came to the band. and after present.
ing the compliments Of the general to
the director said: General Liggett
wishes mo to inform you that in all
his forty-one years experience he has
never heard q better band in the
American Army" This compliment
must have inspired the band members
to even greater efforts for after the
neyt number General Lggett turned to
Colonel Walker, commander or the
10th engineers, and exclaimed. "Col-
onel, that band Is Worth q Million
Dollars To The United States Army"
The compliment seemed to please the
officers of the regiment nearly as
much as the band members. They be-
gan to talk Of their million Dollar
Band" and the name stuck until the
organization became known BY that
name whenever 1t appeared.
Band Remains Intact.
Although the band-small in number
in the Dakotas. Its en-
largemsnt upon entrance into military
duties necessitated the enlistment of
moro talent with the result that today.
many states in the union. and many
principal cities, are represented in the
band. However. the band which. un-
der the direction Of Mr.. Bachman. will
play In this city, Monday. Nov. -.
IL precisely the Same organization
which furnished music for hundreds OF
Thousands Of soldiers a. they marched
proudly away to tho front.
In every city visited en- route. the
million Dollar" band has thrilled hun
drsAs q persons and In each city. the
members find themselves the center Of
either a. individuals, or a
a body. Tho reputation established in
France BY this band IL country wide
and regardless Of the population OF the
city or town played, a capacity house
has always greeted the soldier musi-
eians who do not rely solely upon their
war records, for each member Is an
artist.-Advertisem