1903: Odd Fellows' Band in front of the Courthouse


photo credit: unknown

FOR THE AID OF THE ODD FELLOWS' BAND

THE MCKEAN DEMOCRAT
March 17, 1910

Excellent Organization in Need of Funds
TO CIRCULATE PAPER
Money must be Raised to Prevent Smethport’s Fine Musical Organization Disbanding after Reaching a Stage where it will be a Source of Much Enjoyment to Residents of Town-A Statement of Organization’s Affairs.


In June, 1903, the Odd Fellows’ Band was organized in this borough, an organization which has given a good account of itself under the skillful leadership of Mr. John E. Chadwick, than whom there is no more thorough bandmaster in this section of the State. This band was organized through the efforts of a few enthusiastic citizens of Smethport who on divers occasions had seen the need of a good band. The matter was presented to Smethport Lodge, No. 389, I.O.O.F., and the Lodge very generously, by an unanimous vote, advanced from its entertainment fund $60 for the purpose of purchasing instruments, in addition to those on hand, to equip the band, and by reason of the Odd Fellows’ Band, with the management consisting of members of the Lodge. S. R. Lindsley was elected Manager; Chas. Lemmler, Secretary, and E. W. Strong, Treasurer. This board of managers, up until Mr. Lemmler removed from Smethport, last fall, had entire charge of the financial end of the band, and we can assure the public that every dollar received was judiciously expended wholly in the interest of the band, and for no other purpose, as the only object in view when the band was organized was to place it on a self-sustaining basis, so that every citizen of this borough could find enjoyment in the music furnished by the organization. Along in November Mr. Lemmler resigned as secretary of the band, and by an unanimous vote of Smethport Lodge Mr. Guy McCoy was elected in his stead as secretary, with the other two officers the same as they were at the organization of the band.


As above stated, Mr. Chadwick was engaged as bandmaster, and by his untiring zeal he has brought the Odd Fellows’ Band up to a state of efficiency that places it in the front rank of similar organizations in this section, and today Smethport has a band that no citizen has any reason to be ashamed of, as the band has worked hard during the winter in their rehearsals with most pleasing results to the management, and will give a most excellent account of itself when the weather conditions will warrant its public appearance.


Now, the facts of the case are, the leader of this superb organization has to be paid if the band is to be kept together, and the management are under moral obligations to see that he receives his pay. While Mr. Chadwick has always been fair with the management, we do not feel like putting off pay day too long, and as we owe this gentleman for services most efficiently rendered, it is nothing more than business that he should be paid in full for those services up to date. We fully realize that the citizens of Smethport have already contributed most liberally for the support of the band when they have been called on personally, and at a meeting of the officers held last Saturday evening it was decided to make one more appeal for funds, with the confident hope that sufficient money can be raised to pay Mr. Chadwick in full, and still leave sufficient funds in the treasury to meet incidental expenses that may have to be met in the near future, and to that end a subscription paper will at an early date be circulated among the citizens of the town.


The band management has endeavored to meet current expenses with dances and an entertainment. The first dance returned a very satisfactory revenue, but the other two, and the entertainment, barely met expenses. Early in the winter it was planned to give a home talent entertainment right after Easter, but when matters had been brought to a focus it was found that two or three other home talent entertainments, which will come close together, has been arranged for at about the time the band had decided on, and in the opinion of the management it was thought not advisable to try to give a home talent entertainment at this time, as it would be grouping too many home talent entertainments together, which could not help conflicting with each other in various ways. This state of affairs was a great disappointment to the officers of the band, and it was then that they decided to try other means to raise the money to pay Mr. Chadwick for services rendered, and we are sure that the generous-hearted citizens of Smethport will agree with the management of the band that it would be a shame to allow the band to disband for lack of proper support, and we have an abiding faith that such will not be the case, when it is taken into consideration that the expense of maintaining the efficient organization will not much exceed $20 a month.


We want it distinctly understood that neither Smethport Lodge, No. 389, I.O.O.F, or Mesers, Strong, McCoy, or the writer, are to be benefited one penny by any moneys that go into the treasury of the band now, or at an other time. The sole object of both the Lodge and the officers they elected to look after the affairs of the band was to make the band self-sustaining, and to see that all moneys was judiciously expended in the interest of the band, further than that their interest is in common with every other citizen of Smethport—that of having a first-class band organization, which we are proud to say we have.


In closing this article we urge upon our citizens to meet the solicitors, who will call upon them in a few days with a glad band, and at the same time show that they are heartily in favor of maintaining one of the best bands that Smethport has ever had. It is an organization that will benefit the town in many ways, and the cost of maintaining it has been placed on the very lowest outlay of money, and we believe the pleasure to be derived from it are too great to allow it to collapse at this time for the want of support.


Give the matter careful consideration, and be prepared to lend your aid when the subscription paper is presented to you.