Bands, Musicians, Pianists, Opera Singers, etc....
[compiled by Sandy Moore from local historical newspapers, unless otherwise acknowledged]
June 03, 1875The Concert.--Monday night the Bailey Troupe, aided by the Leddy Boys, and the Providence String Band, gave a minstrel Concert at the Firemen's Hall, which was an exceedingly laughable farce.The Baileys have gone. But the Leddy Boys propose to give one or two of their amusing Concerts during the June term of the District.
July 20, 1878
~ ALMOST A DROWNING. ~
The boys of the Providence Cornet Band arrived home on the Grand Tower in great glee, about twelve o’clock last Tuesday night. They had all enjoyed themselves but in varied ways. Among them their leader, Professor J. M. Dunfield, who had met many of his old army acquaintances in Vicksburg, and had spent a joyous time. But the meeting of old friends called up the recollection of old times, and the consequent, necessity for old renewals of fidelity, over the flowing bowl. So when the boys arrived home proud of their Professor, and their Professor, proud of them for their performances in Vicksburg, they felt it to be proper courtesy towards the Grand Tower, which had treated them so sumptuously, to play some parting strains ere the left the wharf, under guidance of their Professor. So they got ready to play. But the Professor, had enjoyed so good a time that he felt it impossible to give it o’er without a little episode as a finale to so much pleasure. To aid him in his enthusiastic aspirations a mischievous rim to the wharf-boat, stood in his rear, the same having been made as a slight guard to the boat.
The Professor being ‘half seas o’er’ stepped, backwards awkwardly and striking his heels against this rim near the edge of the wharf-boat, went precipitately, head-for-most, backward into the waters, of the great river, between the wharf-boat and the steamboat, dropping, as he fell, his instrument, and books, into the river. His hat, in the meantime, taking care of itself, and dropping from his head into the water.
Johnny Maguire, caught at the professor, as he fell getting hold of his coat sleeve succeeded only in tearing loose the strip which he held as the heavy body went down, apparently into a watery grave.
But Dunfield was not destined, that time, to be drowned. R. C. Green, a member of the Band, and our efficient young Marshal, took hold of the first means of rescue in sight, a mop broom, which he snatched from the hands of one of the roosters, as it was being conveyed a cross the stage plank on to the wharf-boat. Getting down flat on the edge of the wharf-boat and reaching down with this broom he succeeded in getting the drowning man to take hold of it after, said the drowning man had sunk the second time. He says when Dunfield took hold of the mop, he felt exactly as though a heavy fish had taken hold of a hook thrown into the water. He was under the water when he clutched it. When Green felt the hold, he pulled at the handle until he raised the Professor above the water. Then Jason Hamilton was let down by the heels, between the boats and by his help with that of Peter White, and the strong arms of the Mate of the Grand Tower, Dunfield was raised on to the wharf-boat, and rescued from a watery grave. A most wonderful rescue from what was apparently certain death. Our friend Dunfield is now worth a dozen dead men. He is all right, and feels deeply grateful to his rescuers. We are sure he will not get so close to the edge of a wharf-boat again, under the same circumstances.
Providence Cornet Band; their leader, Professor J. M. Dunfield, who had met many of his old army acquaintances in Vicksburg, and had spent a joyous time. Johnny Maguire, caught at the professor, as he fell getting hold of his coat sleeve succeeded only in tearing loose the strip which he held as the heavy body went down, apparently into a watery grave.
Nov. 19, 1887
The Lake Providence Silver Cornet Band will enliven the speaking on Monday. We regret that Mr. Louie Leddy is as yet unable to take part with his fellows on that occasion.
Providence Cornet Band
Leader, Professor J. M. Dunfield
R. C. Green, a member of the Band
Louie Leddy, member of the band
Need to find stuff missed in the years…..1887 - 1890
August 30, 1890
Silver Cornet Band
The young men of the town have organized a Silver Cornet Band, and Have elected Mr. R. C. Green, President, and Mr. J. M. Shelton, Secretary.
Their intention is to get up a first class band, with all the necessary horns. A professor will be secured to teach the beginners, and to give them all the requisite training.
As it will cost a good deal to buy new horns, and pay a teacher, the merchants and citizens of the town have promised to help them out.
This is a good move on the part of the young men, and we hope to hear the strains of martial music floating on the air in a short while. Boys, don’t forget to serenade the Banner office.
Dec. 6, 1890
The Music at the Catholic Church.--Last Sunday many to the Catholic Church repaired to hear the fine music, and were fully repaid for their trouble. We went in with the devout worshippers, and with fixed attention we listened to strains after strains of most harmonious music, played by Prof. Genter’s orchestra during the service. Professor Genter lead with a clarinet, now accompanying the soprano, now supporting the altos, now playing in unison with the organ, but ever rendering delightful and charming music. The sweet tones of Charley Egelly’s silver cornet wafted through the building and filled it with melodious strains. Mr. F. X. Ransdell astonished us with his clear notes on the violin, whilst Mayor Hamley with his alto horn gave depth and richness to each piece. We would like to describe the effects of the organ, as touched by Mrs. Ransdell, in conjunction with the other instruments, but words fail us, and we are reminded that music is sooner and better understood by the soul.
Night before last, the Providence Silver Cornet Band, under the leadership of Prof. Genter, went the rounds serenading those who have kindly contributed towards its organization, and bestowing a lavish amount of harmonious sounds and melting strain on the stilly silence of the night. As the band is yet in its infancy, nothing extra was expected of them; still the music, was sweet enough to the bring lights in every house, and to elicit the praises of those who heard it. The boys wish us to state that as the town is so awfully large and the number of their pieces, so far, is so awfully small, they could not serenade every body Thursday night, but that in the near future, they intend to remember those they were compelled to pass by.
February 28, 1891
The sailboat the “Mayflower” will be overhauled and put in shape for the coming season, to be used by the band boys.
The band are discussing the proposition to procure uniforms.
The Providence Silver Cornet Band met in the Firemen’s Hall Monday night. In view the fact that Professor Genter intended to leave on the following Friday, the band proceeded to elect officers, as follows: Secretary; J. M. Shelton, Treasurer; F. E. Artaud, Librarian; W. S. Maguire, R. C. Green being already President. C. R. Egelly, Jr. was then elected Leader, and a committee of three, consisting of with the assistance of F. E. Artaud, Preds., pro tem, appointed P. S. Roberts, J. N. Turner, M. M. Goodwin, and to draft by-laws and regulations, and to report the following Sunday.
Opera House Band
“According to a local newspaper: ‘Dr. Kennedy spoke of the old Opera House days when Robert Kennedy, Mack Goodwin, Dave Parker, and Sam Kennedy helped furnish the music for the wonderful entertainments held there. Their pianist was Kate Davis Maben, a very talented musician, who played the piano in much the same style as the lady pianist on the Lawrence Welk‘s program.“ From the book “A Place to Remember”, by Georgia Pinkston.
[to be continued...]
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