Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1928-08-16
SOUSA AND HIS BAND RECEIVE
WARM WELCOME AT BRADLEY
FAMOUS MARCH KING IN 74th YEAR AND MINUS HIS
BEARD LEADS HIS MUSICAL ORGANIZATION
AND ACKNOWLEDGES APPRECIATION
Rotary Club How He Sacrificed His Whiskers to Win the
World War; and a Few Other Things

When the train from Boston arriv-
ed at the Putnam railroad station
shortly after one O'Clock, Tuesday
afternoon, carrying two special coach
es. in which were members of Lieuten-
ant Commander John Philip Sousa's
famous band. the renowned March
King was talking TO the Putnam Ro-
tary Club at a luncheon at the Put
nam Inn and telling the Rotarians
about how he wrote "The Stars and
Stripes Forever" how he sacrificed
his well known black beard 70 win the
! World War, and taking a little fling
at cultured Boston. The great COM
poser and famous bandmaster had 10
hurry from the luncheon to the Brad
f ley Theatre where a large audience
was assembled TO welcome the vet
cran leader, now in his 74th year, and
mis- wonderful musical organization to
this city.
1 Golden Jubilee
Il Is the golden jubilee year of the
famous musical organization. Fifty
years as leader and a composer OF
marches played throughout the world.
The band played "The Golden Jubi-
lee," a recent composition Of their
leader, in honor of the event.
Those who have not seen the March
King recently did not recognize him
minus the black beard. Their mem
tai picture of him was Of some years
ago, but when he took his baton IN
his hand the familiar gestures We're
in evidence. The same unaffected
Leadership. The gently swinging hands
4 by sides with little ostentatious flour
| ish. Yet, as always. the quick re
Spouse of the musicians to the slight
est motion.
The program was a varied one and
the audience was generous with ap-
plause. When the familiar marches,
which added fame to the composer
and leader were played, the enthus-
iasm reached high pitch. Especial
4 ly was this true when the band play
ed that stirring march number, The
Stars and Stripes Forever
Special Numbers
Miss Marjorie Moody, soprano, de.
/ lighted the audience with her mum.
Der, "Ah fors Lui," by Verdi. She
generously responded to two eneores.
The solo and group selections were
also finely given. John Dolan, cornet
solo, "Habanera"; Howard Goulden,
xylophone solo, Airs from Rio Rita, "
and a sextette Of flutes, Messrs. Evans,
Petrie, Phares, Wriggins, 0rosky and
Hall
Guest Of Rotarians
Lieutenant Commander John Philip
Sousa was the honored guest at the
advanced luncheon of the Putnam Ro-
tary Club at the Putnam Inn, Tuesday
afternoon. With the famous leader
were the two lady members Of the or
ganization, Miss Marjorie Moody, So
prano, and Miss Winifred Bambrick,
harpist. There were a number Of Wis
iting Rotarians present.
The veteran March King sat at the
left of the president, Rev. James r,
English, and the ladies at his right
hand. At the left Of the band leader
was James Mahoney, manager Of the
Bradley Theatre. While the dessert
was being passed President English
presented the three special guests with
a copy of the Putnam Book, souvenir
Of putnam arranged by the Rotary
/ Club. Three other copies of the book
were distributed TO three other guests
who came from more than fifty miles
away. Coffee was served and cigars
were lighted. The Lieutenant Com
mander pulled away on londre
shaped smoke that had all the ear
marks of being Boston made.
Introduces The March King
President English said that james
Mahoney would introduce the speaker
Mr.. Mahoney spoke his line in a mod
est tone Of voice that was not caught
by the reporters and the brevity OF
the introduction was alluded TO by
Lieutenant Commander John Philip
Sousa as he began TO talk. The March
King also talked in a very moderate
tone Of voice possibly because, as he
himself admitted, modesty is one OF
his outstanding attributes. His talk
was in light vein Of humor. He be
gan by saying that the young man
on my right" who was the president
Rev. James F. English, "has asked me
to give a little history Of my march
The Stars and Stripes Forever.
lie SAID tnal ne DeHtNtu nc HaH al
Unborn inspiration, an undeiinable
power, a power beyond himself, that
inspired him to the task. The eff
feet had been 10 make him modest
something unusual in a musician" he
said.
The veteran composer recalled thir
ty-one years ago that while abroad
he received cable from New York
that his manager had dropped dead
As he stepped onto the boat TO return
home he seemed TO hear a band play
ing the "Stars and Stripes Forever
and during the crossing he heard the
march played thirty or forty times.
when he had an opportunity he wrote
the score of the tune he seersied "a
4 hear throughout the crossing.
\ He never thought Of money, he
said. his satisfaction was the work Of
composition. He was offered the
munificent sum OF $50 for some Of
4 his marches, including the Washing
ton Post" "and," he said. II thought
h was a millionaire. ! never regard
ed the value Of money | was so in
terested in writing" he repeated.
/ Finally he accepted an offer Of $500
and fifteen per cent commission for
4 his marches -Four and a half mill