Babcock Cornet Band
A Band History
Decide for yourself
“The Oldest Band in the USA?”
Copied from a typewritten manuscript
dated March 15, 1933
by John Bartok- October 1999.
Appeared in print in:
-
October 17, 1922 History of Ashford Organization that Boast of Sixty Years of Musical Activity
Special to the Times: Ashford, October 16.
The Babcock Cornet Band of Ashford recently celebrated
the sixtieth anniversary of its organization by a day's festivities at
Warrenville. William H. Platt of Willimantic, son of the late Peter Platt
and formerly of Ashford, was called upon for a history of the band, as
he was a member nearly fifty years ago. He presented a paper which contains
much of general interest. Mr. Platt said in substance;
"As far as I know, there are no written records to refer to, and
as the persons from whom I might have obtained information are passed
away or now far from Ashford, I have had to depend chiefly on memory.
"As all histories have to have a beginning, I will commence with Archibald Babcock, from whom the present band derived its name. This worthy person was at one time a resident of Ashford, although at what period I am unable to state, and in all probability his name would have been unknown had he not left at his death a trust fund to the town to provide a public library and a band of music, which have proved an undying monument to his memory and which it is hoped will endure for many generations to come. At the time of the gold fever in California in the early "Fifties," he, with many other New Englanders, went west to win a fortune in the "gold fields." He must have "struck it rich" and at his death, which occurred about ten years later, he left to the town of Ashford a trust fund of $6,000, the interest of one-half the sum, to be used for the support of a "public library", also one-half for a "band of music." Previous to this time a band had been organized in the town but what the instrumentation was or the number of players or what kind of music they endered has not been determined. At a "general muster" of "training day" held at Pomfert it was recorded, "Ye Band of Ashford did render the occasion most lively, with its martial and soul-stirring music, with drums, fifes, bugles and ophclydes, (sic) while Master Ned Kendall did grandly play on ye keyed bugle." (This New Kendall referred to was afterward leader and band-master of Dodworth Band of Providence, R.I., and was considered the best player on the key-bugle in his day.)
"The key-bugle was an instrument that was used to play the "air" or solo part in band music (before the introduction of valve instruments) to obtain the semi-tones and transpositions in different scales. It was larger than the common bugle and punctured with holes nearly the entire length, which were covered with keys which were the same as a flute or more properly a saxophone, the opening and closing of these keys produced the variations in tone made by the mouth-piece as with common bugle. It was usually made of copper with brass trimmings, and was a very difficult instrument to play. Very few players achieved much distinction in playing on this account. Kendall, it seems, was a master of this instrument, hence his reputation as a soloist. The "ophclye" was a bass instrument of this same class as were probably altos, and tenors, of different sizes, corresponding to their different tones. After the introduction of valve instruments, their greater superiority both in tone and case in playing rapidly drove these bugles, ophclydes, etc into the discard so that the very few in existence at the present day are merely kept as souvenirs.
"And here permit me to remark that of the many improvements which have been made in musical instrument, very few have been patented. This may be due to the love of the art of music, and the desire of manufacturers of musical instruments to contribute to the cause, more than the extra money that they would get by patenting their discoveries and curtailing manufacture. Now it is quite probable that "Uncle Archibald" might have lived in Ashford at the time this "merry band" was in existence possibly may have been a member of it, and enjoyed blowing his lungs out on the ophclyde, or remorse might have overtaken him in his last days thinking what hideous noises such a band might make. This we do not know, but this we do know, that were it not for his bequest we would not be here today celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the oldest band in the United States.
RECORDS PROVE CLAIM
"So all we can do is to honor his good intentions and bless his memory.
About thirty years ago, (I cannot recall the exact date, but it was when
Will Stewart was leader of the band) Lyon and Healy, of Chicago, among
the largest manufacturers and dealers in musical instruments, compiled
a list of all bands in the United States. They sent out printed blanks
to be filled in and returned to them. One was received by Stewart, which
he gave to me, asking me to fill in and return, giving the name of the
band, date of organization, etc. This I did and shortly afterward, when
the list was complete and published, Stewart received a copy. In the list
Dodworth Band of Providence, R.I. was the oldest, Babcock Band of Ashford,
Conn. Ranked second. Shortly after this Dodworth Band disbanded, and most
of its former members joined the American Band of Providence, R.I. This,
without any question whatsoever, leaves Babcock Band the oldest independent
band in the United States by a term of at least thirty years. By the term
"independent band" I mean one that is not under control of any
civic or military authority (such as regimental marine bands, etc.) or
band that have been reorganized and taken the name of some former band.
Babcock Band has never been disbanded, through at times it has been sailing
in pretty "shallow waters.
"I will now speak of some of the earlier trials and trouble. Soon after acceptance of the Babcock Trust Fund, an organization was started. Everyone who could buy, borrow, or hire a horn, was invited to join. Old singing books were brought into requisition. Those who could read music played by note; those that could not read, played by ear; those that could do neither, made what noise they could. Cats, screech-owls and bull-frogs, all left town. Dogs crawled under the barn or ran away to the woods, every time the band played. Cotton-batting advanced in price, so much was used by people to stuff in their ears. The Civil War occurring about this time added much to the horrors of the occasion. Many of the citizens of the town left for Canada, to avoid hearing the band play, though some were uncharitable enough to say that they did it to avoid being drafted into the army. I do not wish it to be understood that the forming of this band was the cause of the Civil War, but it might have been averted had the band marched to the front and played while the foe was advancing.
AFTER CIVIL WAR
Things went on in this way until the war was over, peace was declared
and things began to resume their normal conditions. Then some of the leading
citizens of the town began to give their attention to the band. Up to
this time the members all owned their instruments and when they left the
band took them, so the band had practically no instruments of their own.
"Joseph Phillips, who was first selectman of the town, L.H. Hooker of Mount Hope, a good musician and lover of music, Thomas Warren, Dyer H. Clark, Ebeneazer and Edwin Knowlton and several others, made a proposition to the town that they would advance the money without interest, to purchase a complete set of instruments for use of the band, and that the interest accruing from the fund, be paid to them until the debt was discharged. This generous offer was accepted by the town, Mr. Phillips was chosen treasurer, also leader of the band; also Mr. Phillips and L.H. Hooker were chosen a committee to purchase the instruments.
"And now let me speak of a bit of financiering on part of Mr. Phillips who at that time was considered one of the shrewdest businessmen of the town. For many years previous to the Civil War, Phillips had been a collector of gold-coin, and during the period of the greenback inflation, when gold advanced rapidly in price, he had several thousand dollars in gold in his possession. A gold-dollar being worth $2.40 in greenbacks, Phillips conceived the idea of paying for the instruments in gold, at the rate of exchange at that time, and thus made a saving of over one-half in cost, as when "The resumption of specie-payment-act" was passed, gold declined about as rapidly as it had advanced, and many brokers who had held gold for a higher price were made bankrupt.
HORNS STILL IN USE
"The contract for the manufacture of the instruments was given to
E.C.Wright of Boston, the leading manufacturer of brass instruments in
the country, to be as perfect in material, skill and tone as could be
made. Several of these horns are in use at the present time, having outlived
many of later style but of inferior make. The "original set"
consisted of 2 Eb cornets, 2 Bb cornets, 2 Eb altos, 2 Bb tenors, 1 Bb
bass, 1 Bb baritone and 1 Eb bass, or tuba. The bass-drum was made by
Abraham Prescott of Concord, N.H., whose skill as a maker of stringed-basses,
and cellos, is known over the world, and whose instruments are classed
with those of the old masters. I will here remark, that the firm of E.G.Wright,
was succeeded by Wright & Ditson, and later by the Boston Musical
Instrument Manufactory, which is today, one of the leading manufacturers
in the United States and whose instruments are considered by many professional
players, as the best in use at the present time. Aside from the new instruments
the committee bought a good many others, some new, others second hand.
Among them three clarinets, two snare-drums, a pair of cymbals, and others.
"After getting their new equipment, Phillips set about re-organizing the band. An experienced instructor and band master, Professor Asa Goodspeed was engaged as teacher. Young and middle-aged who possessed any musical talent, in Ashford and adjoining towns were solicited to join. Constitution and by-laws were adopted; many prominent citizens, who were not players, joined as "honorary members," and lent their aid and influence; and the band was now firmly established. The fame of the new band soon began to spread. Concert were given, invitations and engagements began to pour in and in a short time no social function was complete without the presence of the band. New uniforms were bought. Chester Loomis, at his own expense, had a wagon constructed to transport the members on their out-of-town engagements. Members contributed horses and many times six, eight and team pairs of horses, all gaily decorated, were used to draw the "chariot" or band wagon as it was called. The ladies also did their part and at every entertainment a sumptuous repast was provided.
From the interest of the fund, from concerts and outside engagements and from some contributions from outsiders, the debt to Phillips and others was soon discharged and the property belonged to the band.
The popularity of the band, now induced other citizens to do something to show their appreciation, and to build them a house or rather a hall, for holding their meetings. A site was selected at Warrenville. Several timber owners donated lumber, shingles, etc. A subscription paper was circulated to buy the incidentals. Several carpenters donated their services, and a suitable house was soon erected. But this building instead of being a help to the band, proved otherwise. Previous to the building of the band-house, they had been meeting in the hall over the schoolhouse, at Ashford, and the control of the hall was in dispute. It seems when the school-house was built, part of the taxpayers in the district wanted a two-story building but the others did not want the expense. It was finally compromised by the party wanting the additional story agreeing to pay the extra cost. Also one-half the cost of repairs to the roof, insurance, etc. The second-story men were to have control of the hall with privilege to let the same for any purpose they saw fit. After the lapse of several years the school district, claimed control, and an accounting was made of the shares, which I think were $25 each and it was found that several were lost or destroyed. Some were recovered by Dyer H. Clark, who presented them to the band, which now claimed the control, and the claim has never been legally contested.
After the band changed its place of meeting to Warrenville many members, in the eastern part of the town, also in Eastford, protested, as it made them two extra miles to travel. It was finally agreed to meet one week in Warrenville and the alternate week in Ashford. But even this was not satisfactory. On the Ashford meeting nights the "west-enders" stayed at home and on the Warrenville nights the "east-enders" having a majority, decided to meet in the hall at Ashford , which has been their headquarters ever since and the band house at Warrenville was abandoned. The building was finally sold at auction and Lombard and Mathewson afterward became the owners. This caused a split in the band and several members withdrew. Also Mr. Phillips and Me. Hooker, being incapacitated by sickness, withdrew and thus the band lost two of its most able supporters. About this time Burham show-factory in Eastford was destroyed by fire, and the Burham boys moved elsewhere, and the band lost three of its best players. The band-wagon (the pride of the town) was repainted and put to the ignoble use of hauling grain, and after the death of Loomis, which occurred soon after, was sold out of town. Interest in the band soon waned and for some time it had a severe struggle for existence.
I will now pass over the interval that elapsed from this to the present time, merely to say that with continual changing of members ( a great many as soon as they gained some proficiency in playing left---their places were left vacant, or filled by raw recruits) the struggle went on for more lucrative fields and has still been going on. "The grim destroyer" has also played havoc in our ranks, taking many of our best players, prominent among them John T. Green, who at the time of his death was the oldest ranking member in the band and for many years its secretary and treasurer; John E. Murphy, who was a former leader and one of its best players; and last, Milton E. Durkee. Born and always living in this town he bade fair to one of its leading citizens. It was my privilege to know him from infancy, and never did I know a person even the most cynical, who could say one word against him. His death was untimely and his "brethren mourn."
In conclusion, let me say, to the members of the band-keep on with the good work you have now renewed, devote all your spare time to practice, and restore the band the glory of its former days. To the citizens of the town, take pride in this the oldest of your institutions, and aid and encourage them to the best of your ability.
Copied from a typewritten manuscript dated 3/15/33
by John Bartok- October 1999.
Appeared in print in:
-
October 17, 1922