Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-04-27

Joined the organization later being NJ.
Z. and o. E. Spohn, ]. II. Robinson.
Will Muck, ]. L. Welshans, Louis
Sheetz, Joseph Tenant and doubtless
others.
The band played IT our local ceie
brations, albeit the requests for its ser
vices had to be presented with the ut
most formality, not TO say humility. Ii
stood on its dignity always, and invita-
tions properly offered and accepted in
due form must be followed with fullest
respect and the most conSiderate treat
ment. There were those who thought
the band was bit CRANKY at times in
its attitude and its demands, but as il
usually played without any charge for
its services, it should be forgiven for
being a bit naughty in this respect.
The band played on high days and
holidays, at fairs and suppers, at po-
litical meetings and school commence
ments, at picnics and public gatherings.
1t was at its best, in Observers estima-
ton, on memorial days. Heading the
procession that moved from the pub
lie square to the cemetery, it played
appropriate marches in slow time, for
very fast. The members put more feel
ing into their music then than at any
other time, and when they PLAYED a
solemn dirge as they passed through
the cemetery gates and marched around
the soldiers monument, followed BY
the veterans with barred heads, it was
an impressive and touching sight. 1t
is not strange that at such time un-
bidden tears would come into the eye
and lump rise in the throat, for the.
music under such circumstances was
sweet and touching.
Sometimes the band would come out
and play on Main street corners at
night time. These would be rare oc-
casions for small boys, for no parent
had the heart to forbid them from en-
joying this feast, even if it were as
late as nine o'clock! What high priv
ilege it was to be allowed to hold a
flaming torch for the band fellows, or
to stand like a statue holding the music
in the glow or even helping Mr. Sheetz
carry the bass drum to the next corner.
Other boys might have their fun playing
about the edges of the crowd-but, oh,
the ineffable privilege Of being within
the inner circle of artists serving a
useful purpose!
During one Of these evening con-
certs on a certain occasion there was
a terrible discord. Captain Criswell
gave the nod to Assistant Rickard to
keep the music going, and made an
investigation. Suddenly he whacked
one of the tooters across the head with
his cornet, regardless Of the damage
70 that instrument. No wonder his ire
was aroused. The young man had been
playing his horn for dear life and using
the bass drum score OF an enlrey
different selection!
Wonder whatever became OF the band
wagon that used to haul Crisweiis S
Band to neighboring towns: lhis
was substantially built vehicle OF
ample dimensions to carry the entire
band and their instruments, and wniie
not as gaudily painted as some other
band wagons, it was very handsome IN
appearance and true to type. 1t was
usually drawn in those early days oy
a fine team of four horses owned Oy
Toseph Byers. Uncle Billy WoodtorN
drove the horses while the band was
nIavine, but at other times captain
Eriswell took the reins and Jehu INN
self was not more spectacular. III
musical action Captain Criswell haa 10
share the admiration Of small boys WIN
tho bass horn man and the drummeis'
,,,'. os driver of the band wagon ne
had no rival. A.. lac. he
renrnhers Of the band wagon was
,,ehcn l. was stored in David Blllmyer
hav press building. Although II was
huiit r. ta;d Of the BEST Materials anu
&C lono as the band used it was kep'
in prooer oraCr, naturally in the course
n he wears Il would get out OF re-
nair. Perhaps, like the deacon's ono
hoss shaw, it may have gone to pieces
all al once. We should hate 10 t!i!hK
that so proud a vehicle should nave
been debased to ignoble utilltarian use
Mr. Ouigley says that the most mag
nificent band wagon ever seen III Shep-
herdstown was that with l.. b. LentzS 5
circus many wears ago. II was drawn
by no less than forty magnificent
horses, hitched four abreast, and drlv-
en- by a real Iehu. 1t went proudly
up the Main street, and with a great
flourish those forty horses were turn
ed into the big gate at Joseph Entler's
hotel and passed through without
touching a hair 1t was a feat that
called forth the highest admiration, as
we'll it might. Even Butch Crowl, the
talented driver of Adams stage coach,
had to admit the superiority Of this
performance.
The only band left in Shepherdstown
at the present time is the colored band.
Ii has survived through various vi
cissitudes. Some twenty-five or thirty