The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-06-15
CALDWELL HAS
BAND IN EARLY
YEARS Of LIFE
Mrs. Blatchley Recounts
Experiences of Forty
Years Ago; Suggests a
Celebration.

That Caldwell had a band from the
first year OF its existance and that the
first circus that ever visited Caldwell
attracted visitors from 100 miles. in
cluding the Methodist pastor, reaped
a harvest OF $4,000 and that to Mrs.
w. ]. Boone must go credit for the
College of Idaho were outstanding
"reminiscences OF the Caldwell OF 1888
as recalled by Mrs. III. ID. Blatchley
when she spoke brisily on DO you
Remember" at the Kiwanis club lun-
cheon Thursday
Appeal for an observance OF the
fortieth anniversary of the establish
mcnt OF Caldwell was made by Mrs.
Blatchley who cited that Caldwell
came into being in September. 1898.
10 years ago this autumn. That some
such formal observance OF the anniv-
ersary should be made while many
OF the pioneers were here to share
it was Mrs Blatchcy's opinion. a
suggestion that was met with applause.
Reciting the history of the Cald-
well band, Mrs. Blztchley said one
month before the first Fourth of July
to be celebrated in Caldwell. July a.
1884, a band OF IL pieces was or
ganized. OF the IL would be musicians.
only two could play instruments and
the band spent the month practicing
continuously for the celebration of
on Nearer My God to Thee and
America. When it came to the parade.
Mr.. Blatchley with fife and drum
mer alone performed. the remainder
OF the band being incapable OF parti-
cipation except to carry their instru-
ments, II was not long. however. un-
til the Caldwell band became the
state band and was in demand from
one end OF Idaho to the other for
major occasions.
In Angus; of the same year. the
first circus visited Caldwell. Mrs.
Blatchley related Not having a rail-
road. Boise came to Caldwell to see
the circus. The Boise River was dec
GRATED with wagon and tents from
Caldwell to Middleton. When the
circus came to town. the situation
was sized up quickly. side shows were
divided and the admission charge
doubled with the result that the frs.
circus reaped rich financial harvest.
Dr. W. J. Boone, for 80 years presi-
dent of the College OF Idaho. and its
founder. came to Caldwell because the
Ladies Aid of the Presbyterian church
had $500 in the bank. no church, and
wanted minister. Mrs. Blatchley ex-
planned When he arrived, DIR. Boone
had been married but two weeks. He
thought the local field scarcely large
enough, and one night at the home OF
Mrs. Blatchley. announced his deter
mination to go to Mountain Home.
Mrs Boone. the bride. promptly We
toed the proposition, asserting that II
Rev. Boone went. he went alone.
at is not to Dr. Boone, but to Mrs.
Boone. that credit properly belongs
for the College of Idaho in Caldwell.
Mrs. Blatchley concluded.
In concluding her remarks. Mrs.
Blatchley said that Caldwell was then
destined to be the railroad center OF
Idaho. She recountcd how the COM
mercial club raised money for railroads
and in conclusion. Mr.. Blatchley read
a partial list OF subscriptions for the
Idaho Midland, phantom road from
Caldwell to Butte, Montana. The sub
scriptions ran from $1,000 down and
represented money that we didn't
know existed" w. II. Redway. chair
man NJ fh,s meeting fxDlainei