The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune from Chillicothe, Missouri • Page 68

PAGE FOUR An Historical Record of Livingston County's First 100 Years CHILLICOTHE CONSTITUTION-TRIBUNE Music For Three-Quarters Of Century Has Been Furnished Bands Many Kinds In Livingston County Bands Have Been Known Over State For 75 Year Period Even before the days of the Civil War Chillicothe had bands to furnish music on her gala occasions. And they have been good bands, bauds which won renown throughout the state. In the early seventies Jtohn Smith organized a band here, and although it did not play concerts it played for various kinds of entertainments. In 1880 this band wen a nationally known contest at Mooresville Springs, a contest which carried with it a $50 prise. One of the members, Roy Drake, hater organized a Cowboy Band in Dodge City, Kansas, one which became nationally famous.

The band under the direction of Sriuth continued until 1887 when Jake Schneider organized one, like Smith's did not play concerts, but other engagements instead. Schneider directed the band for three years. Band Broke Down. In 1889, Guy Guyman, then a boy only in his teens, organized a young boys' band but it's music did not go over so well. One day as the band was playing in the street it down altogether and as the members were returning to the band room, other boys threw rocks at them.

It took more than a little incident such as this to discourage Guyman, however, as in later years he'rose to great heights in the music world, and was a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra which played at the Century of Progress in The first Chillicothe Concert Band was organized in 1891 with Ed Strong as director. This band gave weekly concerts in Elm Park, now the courthouse square. Some of the members of this band were James Watkins, grandfather of Charles E. Watkins, a member of the present band, the late Saale and Dan Saale, father and of Eugene CHILLICOTHE CIVIC BAND The present Chillicothe Civic Band, shown above, was organized in 1925. Photo by Moren The name has recently been from Chillicothe Concert Band to Chillicothe Civic Band.

The band plays concerts each Saturday night from May until October on the courthouse square and also gives Sunday night concerts at Simpson SLAVE ORIGINATED SUBMARINE HERE Slave In Livingston County Crossed River To Visit Wife; An Old Kettle Used. Park during the months of July and August. Eugene Saale, plays for entertainments and In addition to these concerts, the band, under the direction of celebrations. Left to right, front row: Fred Scholl, Leo Saale, C. L.

Dahl, Charles E. Watkins, Eugene Saale, director, Stanley Linton, Mads Plystrup, Jack Reynolds, and Louis Weaver; middle row: C. L. Rutherford, Dean Murren, Stanley Meador, Bill Jackson, E. F.

Van Dyke, Clark Summers, Robert Stepp, Donald Gordon and Les Howe; back row: Otto Woolsey, Alva Brittain, Clarence Boehner, and Roy Mclrvin. Saale, present director and Leo Saale, flutist. Members of that band who are still the band are Fred Scholl- C. L. Dahl and Len Rutherford.

Among other members were Ed Smith, Tony Butcher, Charles Spooner, Wade Wright, Charles Braun, Charles Kirk and W. L. Vaas. Nation-Wide Reputation In 1893 Guy Guyman became director of the band, in 1894 Frank Dieter was director, and in 1895 Guyman again took over the directorship, holding it until 1907. While Guyman was director the band gained a nation-wide reputation, and many times noted musicians assisted the band.

Among them were: Walter Pryor, first chair cornetist in Sousa's Band and brother of Arthur Pryor, world's greatest trombonist; Sammy Pryor, drummer, also of Sousa's Band; S. D. Pryor, father of Walter, Sammy and Arthur, who directed the Fourth Regiment Band; Tony Zettle, noted clarinetist; Taufman, arranger of Arthur Proyor's music, and Harry Montgomery, internationally famous vaudeville star. In 1907 C. L.

Rutherford become director of the band and directed it until 1912 when it was disorganized. In 1916 he reorganized the band and it gave concerts for one year in Elm Park until the War necessitated a disorganization. In 1920 and 1921 Rutherford again directed the band, 1921 LUTHER BOONE -1937 Hardware Harness Coal Grain A Home-owned Store, Selling Quality Merchandise for Sixteen Years. YOUR PATRONAGE APPRECIATED D. SENSEN1CH LUMBER CO.

"Over a Third of a Cenlury in Wheeling" PHONE 38 WHEELING, MO. Smiley Drug Co. Since 1918 for 19 years this store has been caring for the pharmacy needs of Wheeling and vicinity. Our modern and up-to-date equipment assures every customer of the most satisfactory service. FRANK E.

SMILEY Registered Pharmacist Wheeling, Mo. Res. Phone 7 Business Phone 9 Club Disbanded About a Year and a Half Ago; More Than a Hundred Members Here Once. which played County Farm for the Congress liivingston and other celebrations but did not give concerts. De Molay Band In 1922 J.

Wiley Wilson, former band member, organized the De Molay Band which gave concerts STILL MEET IN ELK ROOMS around the square, but he had to give up the work in 1923 when his health failed. In 1924 the present band was organized and Eugene Saale, who, with his brother Leo, helped to organize it, was made director. Since that time concerts have been given each week on the courthouse square on Saturday nights, and the last few years Sunday concerts have been presented at Simpson Park. In addition to these concerts, the band, now known as the Chillicothe Civic Band, have played numerous other engagements. Although there is now no Elks Club in Chillicothe some of the old Elk members, and a few others, still have rooms on North Locust Street where they can smoke and This meeting place in the Wigely Building formerly was the meeting place of the Chillicothe Elks Club, which disbanded about a year and a half ago when the membership, once more than a hundred, dropped to less than ten.

Ten is the required number for a charter. Records showing Elks history were not available because they have been returned with the charter to Elk headquarters, but records are not necessary to recall the brilliance and the jollity of some of the Elk functions in their club house on Jackson and Elm Streets, now converted into the Brennan Apartments. Dr. B. J.

Brennan purchased the building from the Elks in February, 1931. The site was. purchased by the club in 1906 and the $18,000 building was completed and ready for F. A. REMENISCENT OF '62 The first idea of a submarine might have found its origin in the following story.

Many interesting things have arisen out of the slave times, but this one seemed to be ol vital interest as it was put into operation by a former slave that was neither intelligent or artful in his manner but seemed to be possessed with a number of homely ideas given him by his Creator. An old slave residing in Livingston County, was wont to visit with his wife who was a slave for a nearby farmer on the opposite side of Grand River. It was his custom, on leave of absence each Saturday, to go see his wife and spend Sunday with her. In doing this he was compelled to cross Grand River, which was deep but not so extreme- Iv wide. He could not swim, and had no idea of how to construct a raft or boat and to get across was too deep for him to wade without drowning.

Long before this was discovered it was the talk of the neighbors how this slave would be able to get from one side of the river to the other. Many ideas were advanced, so to satisfy his own mind, one of the men who had heard it discussed, being anxious to know, followed the old darkey on his Saturday night trip at a distance that he would not be discovered, and found that he was using an old kettle that had been kept on the bank of Grand River where the inhabitants of that locality would meet, catch and cook their fish fresh from the river. This was turned -upside down over his head, creating a vacuum of sufficient air and having sufficient weight to keep him on the bottom of the stream, before he got into the deepest part, where it was many times over his height, to convey him to the other side, and was likewise brought into action on his return trip each Sunday night. This possibly was the first subma- Seventy-Fiver occupancy in November, 1909. Meinershagen, Harry Carpenter and Ray McNally composed the committee making arrangements for the building.

Fred Harris was the first secretary in the new building. Before it was completed meetings were held in the Wallbrunn building. At the time the club was disbanded F. A. Meinershagen was exalted ruler and Virgil Grace was secretary.

An advertisement in a Chillicothe paper in March, 1878: WANTED 100,000 white or burr-oak railroad ties. Will receive lets of 50 and upward for which the highest market will be paid and in cash. Hatch VanEvery. service and though discovered by an illiterate person, no doubt furnished the basic idea for the giant submarines that are in service in the different governments today. Reproduction by jvioren The Dawn Cornet Band was often invited to play in other communities and gave concerts several times in Chillicothe during a period centering around 1876.

Capt. John Collar, standing at right in the rear row, was leader of the band. In the back row from left to right are William Lewis, Chalmers Reed, Reed, J. A. Glick, John H.

Price, Hugh Tudor, and Capt. Collar. In the row are George Flora, James ham. Jay Drake, and Peter S. Glick.

Peter S. Glick and J. A. Glick still live near Dawn. POWELSON CHIEF OFFICER Modern Woodmen Has Held Kegu- lar Meetings Since March, 1896.

C. F. Powelson heads the local organization of the Modern Woodmen, which holds. meetings once each month in the I. O.

O. F. hall. Orville Goodman is worthy advisor; W. J.

Olenhouse, banker; F. W. Cornue, secretary; A. E. Meserve, escort; C.

H. Mast, watchman; Carl McCormick, sentry, and F. C. Loney, Elver Curry and Sam Dupy, trustees. The Modem Woodmen was organized here in March, 1896.

Charter members were S. H. Anderson, C. A. Anderson, G.

M. Baltis, Jno. H. Busicker and Arthur Dick. best as- fashionable goods for Merchant sortment of men's wear at Frank Leaver's one door north of Charles Wikley's.

(N. i in WHEELING HAS "MEASURED UP" Staff Photo. A rich community life spells success and happiness for any community and perhaps this accounts for the prominence that Wheeling has occupied in the history of Livingston County over a long period of years. The names of a great many Wheeling folks have been linked with every worthwhile general undertaking in the county for many years. This interest is likewise reflected in the fine community spirit of Wheeling which can be expected to assume a place of leadership in any activity.

ONE HUNDRED IN K. OF C. Joe Klein Is Grand Knight of Chillicothe Organization For Catholic Men. The Knights of Columbus, an insurance and social organization for Catholic men, has a membership of approximately one hundred in Chillicothe. The organization, with chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Cuba, headquarters in New Haven, Conn.

Ray McNally, now of Chicago, was the first grand knight of the Chillicothe chapter, organized in February, 1906. Joe Klein is present grand knight. Other officers are: Henry Zosso, deputy grand knight; Joe Dunser, financial secretary; G. A. McBride, recording secretary; John Gatson, treasurer; George Koehl, warden, and Tom Gorman, Joe'Young and Paul Rupp, trustees.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. DIRECTORS F. A. Meinershagen J. D.

Rice Fred Gunby E. Shannon Geo. Sommervillc Fred Cornue Claude Botsford Photo by Moren ED HERRIFORD Ed Herriford, smiling tax collector, was born, according to his own declaration, on the morning of June 18, 1858, in the middle of the "big road." The story behind this somewhat startling pronouncement concerns the giving of 120 acres of land to Ms father by Elisha Herriford, Ed's grandfather. A house was built, and later when the land was laid off into sections, the log house with the wooden chimney was located in the middle of the road that was surveyed. He recalls sitting on the banks of the Grand River watching his grandfather build and ply the first ferry at that place on the river.

Paper money called "shinplaster" in five and ten-cent denominations were used for fare. A man on foot was charged five cents, a man on horseback ten cents and a man with a wagon twenty-five cents. Between the early Herriford place and Chil licothe five and one-half miles, there were no fences, roads or bridges, and only'three houses. NEARLY FORTY YEARS OF SERVICE THARP-LITTRELL CO. GENERAL MERCHANDISE WHEELING, MO.

Smiley Funeral Heine WHEELING and MEADVILLE Continuous Service for more than forty years. WE STRIVE TO PLEASE YOU. Lady Assistant. Telephone 40 The Way to OWN YOUR HOME A SAVINGS ACCOUNT in the Chillicothe Federal Savings Loan Ass'n. The comforts of a own the pride of ownership, free from rents, and moving and uncertainties, can be yours through the systematic use of this organization.

More homes in United States have been financed through Building and Loan than in any other manner beca use it is convenient and simple and best suits the needs of almost everyone. Your investment is protected by Government Insurance and the constant interest of a Local Institution, wisely and conservatively supervised by your neighbors and friends. Use your Building Loan organization for YOUR OWN satisfaction, YOUR OWN convenience, and YOUR OWN success. Paying a Dividend Semi-Annually.