Pages 216 thru 220

HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY

CHAPTER XL

MUSIC ORGANIZATIONS

_DECATUR has never lacked in musical talent, and it has been the home of several musical organizations which have brought fame to the city.

The first one organized, and which in later years put Decatur "on the map" musically, was The Goodman band, thought by some to be the oldest band in the United States, and one with a record which few, if any, bands can equal.  During the years of its existence this band has furnished musicians in four wars, the Civil War, Spanish-American war, Mexican border war, and the World war.

Nine men were charter members of the organization when it met on the night of Sept. 19, 1857, for its first meeting.  They were D. S. Shellabarger, James Haworth, J. G. Starr, Jake Kauffman, George Patterson, John Roswell, W. W. Lapham, Henry Dunham and Will L. Smith.  One of these, Henry Dunham, who was the first snare drummer in the band, is still living at this writing (1930).

The first director was Mr. Kingfield from outside Decatur, but later Will L. Smith, who was a leader in the movement to organize the band, directed the organization for a number of years, until he started out on the road with his Swiss Bell Ringers.¹  The band had several different names during its early years.  It was first known as the Decatur Brass band, was also called the Decatur Silver band, and the Decatur Cornet band.  It became know as the Goodman band when Professor A. Goodman became its leader in 1873, and has retained that name ever since.

In 1862 the band bought new instruments from the proceeds of the a concert given at the town hall.

During the period of the Civil war the band languished to some extent, a number of the members serving in the army, but the organization was kept up, and in 1867 it was reorganized with the following members:

D. S. Shellabarger and Silas Packard dropped out shortly afterwards, and Ed Seifert came in.  From time to time there were other changes in membership, but usually the number was kept up to fourteen.²

From 1862 to 1865 George Howe was director of the band, and after him came Joe Ricketts.  In 1871-72 Professor C. A. Foster was director.  Then in 1873 came Professor A. Goodman, and under his leadership began a brilliant era for the band.  The organization took on new life and became known far and wide over the country.

Professor Goodman was director until 1882.  Other directors following him were Charles Maxwell, F. W. Haines and C. A. Foster.  In 1887 Professor Robert Walter became director, a position he filled for about forty years.  In 1928 Roy Jones was named director.

One of the early members of the band, F. W. Haines, played in the band for nearly eighteen years.  For some time he served as business manager.

On May 4, 1901, the band was mustered into the Fourth Infantry, I. N. G., and became a regimental band.

The band has been a popular organization.  It has been the attraction at local events, at county, state and national gatherings.

THE GOODMAN BAND IN 1867
Left to right - Standing: Joe Berry, Charley Ricketts, Joe Ehrhart, Chris Kramer, W. H. Starr, John E. King, Ed Seifert.
Seated:  W. N. Zimmerman, Will Smith, Joe Ricketts, George Patterson, "Bill" Dennis, Charles Hopping, Berry Kaylor.

Will L. Smith had an active part in the musical development of the city.  He organized the Decatur Ladies' band in the fall of 1866.  Its members were as follows:  Mrs. Will L. Smith, Miss Rosaline Kinkead (Mrs. H. B. Ives), Mrs. S. T. Trowbridge, Miss Ada Trobridge, Miss Louisa Bear, and Miss Ella Bloom (Mrs. Richard Oglesby).³  Two men also were in the band, Charley Trowbridge playing the bass drum and cymbals and Mr. Smith playing the cornet.

This was something new not only in Decatur but in the United States - a band composed of women.  It simply wasn't being done in those days.  Such a novel attraction soon became popular and invitations began to pour in.

The lady musicians first had brass instruments, but they wanted something better, and soon they were provided with silver horns.  The band then became known as the Ladies' Silver band.  The members earned part of the $445 needed to purchase the instruments by playing at the state fair.

This band was later merged with the Smith's Swiss Bell Ringers, the organization directed by Mr. Smith for so many years.  This group of musicians was heard in every section of the country.  It was in existence until 1900.

Mr. Smith and Miss Lizzie Kinkead Coleman were marred Feb. 11, 1862, by the bride's foster father, Rev. John W. Coleman.  They bought the old James Renshaw log house, moved in to Morgan and Division streets, and built a house from the lumber.  There were no other houses then in the neighborhood.

In the late '50s the Decatur Choral society was active.  D. L. Bunn was largely instrumental in organizing it.  There were about twenty members, and for a time Dr. W. A. Barnes was leader.

Many a soldier's child went hungry during the dark days of the Civil war when father was away at the front.  It would seem that such a statement would have little to do with music, yet it was that very thing which brought about the organization of Decatur's most talented people of that day, the Decatur Musical Union.

Formed to meet a war period need, it did not end its career with the war, but flourished for twenty years, and during that time was the principal source of revenue for the charity work done in the city.

Some decorating was being done for a Thanksgiving festival in 1861, when the women, chatting away at their work, launched on to the subject of some of the destitute people, sympathizing as always with the children particularly.

"Let's give a Christmas dinner for them," said one.

It would be a fine thing, they all agreed, but - where would the money come from?  Money wasn't plentiful then.

"I'll see George," said Amanda Montgomery.

Well, George was seen and he was equal to the occasion.  A concert was suggested to raise money.  Lowber Burrows, D. L. Bunn and others were drafted.

All were willing to assist.  As a result a meeting of singers was called, and at that meeting, in December, 1861, was organized the Decatur Musical Union.

"George," who was George F. Wessels, became the musical director of the union.  He was its inspiration, its leader, and not until after he left Decatur did the Union cease to exist.

Officers elected at the organization meeting were:
 

Two concerts were given in about ten days after organization.  One was "fort eh benefit of the poor" an the other for the rent of a hall and piano and the purchase of music for the Union.

The object of the society was to "bring together the musical talent of Decatur for educational and charitable purposes."

The members were able to sing and to act, and they used their talents generously.  About six entertainments usually were put on during a year.  A variety of programs was furnished.  Oratorios, cantatas, tableaux, plays, quartets were among the performances offered.  Brilliant state effects and rich costuming featured the plays.  At one of the state fairs held in Decatur the Union gave four performances to crowded houses, making enough money to pay expenses, give 10 per cent to the Relief society, and to buy a Chickering piano, and still the treasury wasn't exhausted.

Among the singers in the Union were J. R. Mosser, baritone, Joseph Ehrhart, George Patterson and M. A. Myer, basses, L. L. Ferris, D. L. Bun and A. Pe Griswold, tenors, Mary Elizabeth Bunn, Sallie Moore and Alida Suits, sopranos.

Mrs. Wessels, who had been Amanda Montgomery, was one of the leading contraltos.  Lowber Burrows was stage director and Dr. William A. Barnes his assistant.  Annie Livingston and Star Mansfield were particularly good at costuming, an that phase of the work usually fell to their lot.

The Union had an orchestra of Molly Masterson, pianist; Henry Ebert, first violin; Dr. E. S. Jones, flute; Mr. Jordan, harp; Ben Davis, 'cello, and Albert Condell, double bass viol.

Some years after the Musical Union ceased to exist, a new musical club was organized, known as the Decatur Musical club.  It was started about 1885.  Members were Frank and Edward Powers, C. W. Montgomery, Miss Hattie E. Hitchcock, Stella B. Hadden, Professor Olaf Bull, J. B. Burrows, Maude Burrows, Will and James Roberts, Belle Ewing, Rose E. Judson, Clara Irwin, A. B. Alexander, Frank Shull, Anna Willis Berry.  During the years of the club's activities, much outside musical talent was brought to Decatur.  Finally the club ceased activity.

Later, in 1895, another club, called the Musical Culture club, afterwards the Decatur Musical club, was organized and flourished for some time.  After it went out of existence Decatur had no music club until 1924 when the present day Decatur Music club was organized.

For ten years or more the Handel society, directed by S. M. Lutz, appeared in public concerts.  Its first big achievement was a concert in Bloomington in 1897.

An outstanding music organization in more recent yeas was the Decatur Oratorio choir, directed by Donald M. Swarthout, which had its largest membership and greatest success from 1919 to 1923, and which appeared annually in presentation of some well known oratorio.

Establishment of music schools, organization of various bands, orchestras, choirs, teaching of music in the public schools, bringing of outside artists for concerts here, all have had their part in recent years in furthering music interests in Decatur.

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¹. Mrs. Smith has told the following story:  When the band gave its first public concert in Powers hall, Joe Starr was on the program for a cornet solo.  It happened that he had had all his teeth removed that day, and when he undertook to play his solo he failed to make the grade.  The band leader couldn't stand for the results which Starr was producing form his cornet and he took the instrument away from him and played the solo himself.  Starr had nothing to do but stand there and look on in amazement.

².  One time in 1869, shortly after being reorganized, the band was called upon to play at the Henry Prather funeral.  It had no music ready and the death march was learned during the few hours preceding the funeral time.

³. This Richard Oglesby was a cousin of Governor Richard J. Oglesby.

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