Shelby County Indiana Genealogy, History

Shelby County, Indiana

Music and Entertainment

Donated to Shelby County Museum by Carl Rasp, Nov. 1987.
Written on back:
1900-1905 Boggstown's Band. Band Stand was School Hack with side curtains rolled up
Front Row . . 2nd From left - Fred W. Rasp; 4th From Left - "Bill" Thurman
Back Row . . 2nd From left - "Bill" German
Back Row . . 5th from the left is Robert "Mack" German
[written in another hand and ink:]
At Presbyterian Church in Boggstown, July 4th
[Click here for a close-up of the band members]

Clifford Compton of Boggstown in September 1937 says Frank Thurman (not Bill) was a musician in the band, that John Arnold played the drum, that [unk] Vories played an instrument and might be in the band, that Lon Barker played a short horn and might be in front row second from the right end.   Extra notes by Maurice Holmes
Contributed by John German

The Shelbyville Republican
Thursday, May 22, 1947
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DIAPASON SINGING CLASS
MAKING PLANS FOR REUNION
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Unless tradition is upset, next Sunday afternoon should see the town of Morristown and especially its Christian Church bulging at the seams with an overflow of people form far and near.
          It will be the annual Diapason Singing Class Day -- the even which originated in 1872 and since has become a day which means turning back the clocks for those of the older generations and a reunion for hundreds of others as they have perhaps once-a-year visits with friends and a chance to review changes from year to year.
          Diapason Singing Class is an outgrowth of the "Missouri Harmony" Class, originated in 1835 in a log school and church building north or Morristown. It was organized by Dr. David S. McGaughey and the first song books used had music which ran in only four notes and were entitled "The Missouri Harmony." The class flourished for many years but in time hardships of pioneer life and responsibility of growing families took their toll and its meetings were discontinued. The group reorganized in December, 1861, this time under the name "Diapason Class" -- diapason being, in a broad sense, another word for harmony.
          With the coming of the Civil War the class held meetings only intermittently but the desire for music and singing was strong in its ... [I am missing one or two lines here] ... regular meetings again were resumed under the leadership of C. C. Chester, who in 1922 left his original song book with Mrs. Florence Johnson Rock, Morristown's oldest resident. His request that the song, "There Is Sweet Rest in Heaven," be sung at the close of each class has become a tradition that has been followed through the years.
          In 1872, Dr. McGaughey, originator of the Missouri Harmony Class, called a reunion of the remaining members of that organization and those of the Diapason Class. The date was set for the fourth Sunday in May and was so successful that it has been continued annually to the present time.
          Many Shelbyville residents have participated in the yearly singing sessions and J. B. Carney, descendant of one of the original class members, is at the present time president of the class. But Mrs. Rock, who is 96 and has served for many years as secretary of the group, and Mrs. W. E. Lisher, who is 90 and also resides in Morristown are the only two remaining members of the original class organized so many ... [there is at least one more line].
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
April 14, 1926
Page 1
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TICKETS RAPIDLY
SELLING FOR CONCERT
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Capacity Audience Expected to Attend
Entertainment to Be Given by Band Thursday.
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          Tickets are now rapidly selling for the concert to be given by the Shelbyville Concert Band at the city opera house Thursday evening. The tickets will not be reserved, it was stated.
          The Shelbyville Concert Band was organized last fall and since that time members of the organization have been holding rehearsals each week. The band consists of thirty pieces and is directed by Marvin J. Hill, of this city, who is widely known throughout the state as a musician and director of much ability.
          The entertainment to be given tomorrow evening is the first presented here by the band and should be patronized by a capacity audience. All members of the band are talented musicians and have had wide experience with musical organizations during the past few years and the concert promises to be of much interest to lovers of good music.
          Money derived from the concert will be used to purchase uniforms for members of the band.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Democrat
Shelbyville, Ind.
Wednesday, August 11, 1920
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TENT CROWDED FOR
MORRISTOWN PROGRAM
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Shelbyville Band Greeted by Large Crowd
at Morristown Chautauqua.
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           Residents of Morristown and vicinity turned out in large numbers last evening for the first program of the third annual Morristown Chautauqua, the mammoth double tent being crowded with admirers of music. The concert given by the Shelbyville Military band was well received, each number being applauded heartily by the crowd.
          Featuring the program were three instrumental solos. Miss Ruth McDougal's cornet solo, "Happiness," was artistically given and the baritone solo, "old Kentucky Home," with variations, by Raymond Wintin, proved a feature of the program. A cornet solo, "The Charmer Polka," was played by George M. Small, the director.
          The appearance of Miss Bessie Miller, reader and entertainer of this city, on the program during the intermission, proved the treat of thie evening, her reading and recitations bringing round after round of applause. The programs for the remainder of the week are of the best [the article continues].
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Monday afternoon, April 24, 1916
Page 1
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EASTER SERENADE
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM
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          Citizens in almost every part of town were awakened early Sunday morning and made to realize that another glorious Easter day had dawned and that the weather seemed to be beautiful -- at least it was to the listeners -- by sweet strains of old familiar hymns as played by a number of the city's best musicians. It has become a very beautiful custom among our citizen musicians to serenade their fellow citizens as the Easter day dawns.
          A quartet of musicians made the rounds beginning at four o'clock Sunday morning and during their playing received many ovations. The part included Charles Skinner, Rollyn Barnes, Gilbert Bronson, cornetists, and William Durham trombonist. In Mr. Bronson's auto they played before the homes of the ministers of the city and various other residents. Their playing was beautiful and the old hymns as played by them seemed doubly sweet and the listener was made to wander back in memory to the old Bible story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and as the musicians played "He is Risen" somehow they knew that He had risen and was then listening to this appropriate music.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
May 20, 1915
Page 4   Column 4
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          SHELBYVILLE -- The Diapason Singers of Morristown will give their annual concert at the Morristown M. E. Church next Sunday. The Diapasons are successors to the Old Missouri Harmony Singers, all of whose members have died except Lemuel Hackelman, living near Morristown. Members of the committee in charge of the singing this year are C. C. Chester, Des Moines, Ia.; C. A. Hargrove, Greenfield, and W. S. Handy, Indianapolis.
Contributed by Virginia Latta Curulla

The Shelbyville Democrat
Friday, February 12, 1915
Page 1
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SELECT ORCHESTRA FOR
"PIRATES OF PENZANCE"
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Will Be One of the Features
Of The Elks' Opera ---
Good Rehearsals.
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          One of features of the "Pirates of Penzance," which will be staged here by local talent under the auspices of the Elks, at the city opera house, Thursday and Friday evenings, February 18 and 19, will be the select orchestra which will furnish the music for the opera.
The orchestra will consist of the following players: Gus Danziger, F. J. Rembusch, Eileen Eichelsdoerfer and Maurice Gore, violins; Downey Vanpelt, double bass violin; Gilbert Bronson, cornet; Fred Rasp, clarinet; Joe Ainsley, slide trombone; Thomas W. Smith, drums, and Gene Voll, saxophone.
All the above musicians are among the best in the state and are sure to please. Mr. Danziger, before coming to this city, was a leader of an orchestra in Cincinnati.
The rehearsal last evening was one of the best held so far and Mr. Hazelrigg, the director, is highly pleased with the cast. He is sure that it will be nothing but a howling success. Another rehearsal will be held tonight.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Saturday Afternoon, February 17, 1912.
=================
GREENSBURG SOLD OUT
"Newlyweds" Will Be Compelled to Give Matinee There.
---------- "The Newlyweds and Their Baby," appearing in the City Opera house in this city Wednesday night, will have a good house there, as the advance sale is going nicely. The company is compelled to put on a matinee at Greensburg Monday night, as the night house is sold out, according to the Greensburg News of Friday, which has the following to say:
"Owing to the fact that every seat in the house has been sold for the performance of "The Newlyweds and Their Baby" company, which shows here Monday night, and at the urgent request of the public, Manager Ewing decided this afternoon that he would run a matinee performance Monday afternoon."
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Friday, October, 22, 1909.
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The eight Vassar Girls presented a strong musical program, playing various instruments with impartial ease and ability. It is the strongest combination that has ever appeared in Minneapolis."[no opening " ] The Minneapolis Journal. The high school entertainment course at the Opera house October 27th.

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"On the Suwanee River" will be the bill at the City Opera house Tuesday night. This play is a story of the South full of melodramatic features. Crock, the miser, because of an injury done him, secures a mortgae on the Clayton homestead in order to ruin the family, and as Col. Clayton is about to pay off the mortgage murders him and accuses Frank Clayton of the crime. Dora Clayton, the Colonel's adopted daughter, from the shock of her foster father's murder, becomes blind and dependent, and Frank, from injuies received at the same time, is mentally irresponsible. [article continues]

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The members of the Presbyterian Boys' band presented their director, Prof. M. B. Chenhall, with a costly baton a few days ago, to show their appreciation of his efforts to make the organization one of the best of its kind in this section of the state.
Submitted by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Democrat
Monday, September 2, 1907
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NEWS NOTES.
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          Tonight at the city opera house the North brothers' repertoire company will present "The Prince of Gamblers." This is a strong play presented by a company of unusual excellence. The North brothers' company came here from Franklin, where all previous fair week records were broken by the attendance which greeted the company thruout the entire week. A number of specialties said to be among the very best which have been put on the vaudeville stage in the last few years are used between acts.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
July 28, 1894
Page 4 column 1
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A number of the young "bleeds" procured Panden's band last evening after the K. of P. festival and proceeded to serenade their friends, which they did to the delight of them all. They also acted as an escort to the marketmen in coming to market this morning at three and four o'clock.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Daily Democrat
Shelbyville, Ind.
June 6, 1892
Page 4
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The programme to be used by the Military Band concert on the Square this evening is as follows:
1. March - "High School Cadets".........Sousa
2. Overtune - "Crown Diamons"..........Auber
3. Waltx[sic] - "Auf Wiedersehn".........Bailey
4. Gavotte - "Loves First Heart Throbs".........Eilenberg
5. Selection - Hunting Scene (descriptive).........Bucalora
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Daily Democrat
Tuesday, January 5, 1892
==================
LOCAL NEWS.
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          The Military band plays this afternoon and evening at the Orphan's Home opening.
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          This city is shortly to have a first-class orchestra.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Daily Republican.
Monday, July 21, 1884.
=======================
LOCAL NEWS.
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Go to the Court-house park on Thursday evening.
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The Shelbyville Cornet Band festival on Thursday evening.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Daily Republican.
Monday, July 21, 1884.
=================
LOCAL NEWS.
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          The usual Sunday base-ball game took place here yesterday on the grounds at the south part of town. The contestants were the �Clippers� of this city and the �Ponies� of Columbus. There was a very large crowd present we understand, the game resulting in a victory for the home club by a score of 17 to 4. The Columbus crowd came up on a special train and were accompanied by a noisy brass band, who seemed utterly ignorant of the proprieties. Shortly after arriving they opened up on the square with one of their tunes, the noise of which awakened the still echoes of the Sabbath and startled the church-goers. It is needless to say that the unusual racket struck very discordantly upon the ears of the congregations assembled in the various places of worship. It so happened that yesterday was a day peculiarly inappropriate for the boisterous hilarity of a lot of base-ball devotees and their noisy band. Mr. Ludlow, one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens, was lying a corpse in the city, and preparations were going forward for his funeral which took place in the afternoon. Miss Lizzie Maxwell had died in the morning, and her corpse, scarcely yet cold, way lying within a square of the place where the clanging brass instruments and drums were being manipulated. Under the circumstances, even the most ardent champions of the Sunday base-ball games must admit that the one of yesterday and its accompaniments were sadly out of place and a rude shock to the sentiments of this community.
A Card

I desire to notify the public that I am not responsible for the bringing of the Columbus band to this city yesterday, and I wrote them twice not to bring the band under any circumstances, and I prohibited them from playing as soon as I met them at the hotel, and I want it distinctly understood that I pay no hotel bills for said band.
M. H. Hoyt,
Manager Clipper Base-ball Team.
Copied by Marcia Stinson

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