The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-21
JACKSON'S BAND
STIRS ARMY CAMP
Spanish .Amcrican War Band Re-
Ccivcs Big Ovation by Sol
dicrS and Civilians.

The biggest ovation ever given a
musical organization at Camp Fun
ston was accorded to Jackson's
Twenty third Regiment band Sat
urday and Sunday of last week
when this noted organization visited
the soldiers at Camp Funston,
Army City and the Mounted Serv-
ice school at Fort Riley.
l. Vernon Graye, a high class
publicity man who is engaged in
war work, arranged for the con-
certs and directed what proved the
most triumphant tour in the his
tory of bhe organization.
The Band is one of the oldest
colored musical organizations in
the west, many of its members hav-
ing served in Cuba with the or
ganization during the SPANISH
American war: then as now the
band was directed by Prof. George
w. Jackson.
Camp Funston was the first stop,
and they played under the auspices
of the Knights of Columbus. The
band. thirty musicians in number,
was met at the train by Secretary
Alexander and representative
from Army City and Fort Riley.
They were conveyed to Funston
where they partook of a fine feast,
and at 500 p. m. they played a
concert to acres of men in khaki.
The soldiers cheered the music to
the echo, and when they played
over There" seven thousand
voices joined in and sang under the
direction of Professor Jackson. The
incident will be talked of as long
as there is one of the participants
on earth. Patriotic airs. high class
opera and the syncOpated notes of
the soul inspiring rag, brought
more joy to the hearts of Uncle
sam fighting men than had ever
hefore been witnessed in the camp:
and at the close of the concert SOL
diers rushed to Professor Jackson
and carried him about the grounds
tor tully ten minutes. and it seemed
mat the cheering would never
cease.
At another part of the camp thew
played concert where equally as
much enthusiasm was in evidence
At Army City business houses
locked their doors in order to avail
themselves of the opportunity to
hear the band.
FROM here they were conveyed
TO Fort Riley. where they were the
guests of the Mounted Service
school. and played a concert. Here
these magnificent quarters were
turned over to the and, boot
pIacks. BARRIERS, bath room. etc.
were All placed at the disposal of
TroIessor jackson and his men,
Ihey were served with an elaborate
spread. and at $50 they proceeded
to the detachment pavilion. a place
block square. where they PLAYED
concert to the soldiers of both
races. who packed the place TO the
doors. At 1880 dancing was in
order and over four hundred
couples whirled in the dizzy maze
or the waltz and two-step to the
sweet strains of the band This
lasted until 1900 o'clock. when the
boys We're conveyed to their QUAR-
ters at Junction City. Sunday thew
were conveyed to Detention camD
40. / where white soldiers are sta
tioned and played a concert. and
mere they received the warmest re-
ception of the trip. From bero
they went to camp No > ana
We're escorted by Lieuteuants ReclS
Hardy and Sergeant Wright ana
sergeant Oglesvie. all of Toneta
They went to the reeimentaI drill
ground, where chairs had been az
ranEed and they inspired the bows.
4, Alter dinner they returned IN Junc-
NitN anu over 1O.tkH soldiers and
civilians heard the concert and as :, cIf
max when. the band played America"
az Joined in and sang 4 French army
'ntncer was present and delivered an
lnsntring speech.
AZ ManhattNn the penple turned ont
IN droves. The citizens placed their
automobiles Mt the DISPOSAL Of the hand
corvered them to ana from the park.
and Mt the closing of the concert tba
ladies' of the citv served the band with
freshments.-Topeka PIaindealer