Harford Bands

The struggles of early bands are described vividly in the following history of the Harford Brass Band.

The Harford Brass Band

This organization was helped by the Harford Fair Society to become a creditable musical company. In January of 1850, Geo. W. Peck returned from a trip to Massachusetts, bring an E flat soprano Sax horn-the first instrument of the kind ever used in Harford. He played alone for two years, acquiring considerable facility, and had a strong desire to see a band organized. In New Milford he found a second-hand Cornopean, which was subsequently bought by E.K. Richardson, who played alto. Collidge Gates assisted in two more instruments, the B flat alto being taken by Henry G. Williams, a son of Walter M. Williams. One evening, during a singing school, the three commenced playing a march near the church, "with tremendous effect." A spirit was roused all over town. A subscription was started and an instrument belonging to Ralph H. Eaton, E flat Tenor, was purchased for $8. Mr. Peck gave notice for a public meeting at the Center school house, and the "Harford Brass Band" was organized. Walter M. Williams took the Tenor horn, playing a bass part with it. Russel R. Thacher and Wallace L. Thacher joined as snare (small drums) and bass drummers.

This band of six members, Mr. Peck believes, was organized in 1855, but the writer thinks Mr. Peck refers to an earlier and smaller organization. The first time we served the public was July 3, 1858, on an invitation to Brooklyn. For some reason now unknown, we lacked a bass drum. Nothing daunted Mr. Peck ordered a tin shell made by Oliver Payne. It was 3 1/2 ft. high and 28 in. in diameter. Williams donated the skins for the heads for use. As it was drying in the sun, Thacher stuck it remarking, "There's thunder in it;" an assertion pretty well bourne out by the response.

We attracted considerable attention. Our large drum, "born and brought up in three days" was the largest part of the whole concern. But when the sentiment or toast at the celebration, [at] Brooklyn, was given: "Our music, both vocal and instrumental! Honor to whom honor is due," our leader quieted our glee by saying it might mean a comparison between the two by intelligent people, and the verdict be against us.

G.W. Peck had long been a fifer, and for a variation, he and the two drummers were ready for anything in the line of martial music. An old gentleman, Elijah Newton, joined us, remarking that he and his fife had served in the War of 1812. He could play well. July 5, same year, we played for a Sabbath School celebration in the village. Soon after, we obtained an excellent First Bass instrument from Mr. Fordham, Montrose, for $16, and Geo. L. Richardson, brother of E. K. Richardson was brought into the band. Now we could render music, acceptably. The writer remembers. as though yesterday, the little concerts, the two Georges and E.K. gave the Village people, after the band had broken up for the night, and the rest of us had reached home, and they were at the fork of road beyond Waldron's where they separate. The quiet night air softened the melody, and though there were but three parts to the music, the players were good ones. Many a bedroom window went up to listen to the little group that seemed unwilling to say good-night to each other. But in one year Geo. Richardson died. (Oct. 9, 1859).

October 1, 1860, there was a reorganization. Money was subscribed by citizens; and in June 1861, we purchased several instruments in Bethany, Wayne Co., that formerly belonged to the band in that place. One was an E flat Bass (Contra Bass), an octave lower than anything we yet had; another was a Baritone. The writer remembers Hail Columbia as the first tune played at the first meeting for practice. The result was electrical. E.K. sprang to his feet; we fairly yelled with delight. Dodworth's Band, New York, was nowhere in comparison. We were nine in number. Our first public performance was at the Sabbath School celebration of the Congregational church, united with the Grove and Oakley schools, in the grove near Tyler Brewster's. William H. Jessup, Esq., gave an address. September 19 we played for the Sabbath School at Moxley's. That Fall we played for the [Harford] Fair.

To assist us in purchasing our instrument in Bethany, costing us $44, the [Harford Fair] Society gave us (June 27, 1861) $25. We entered into contract to play for the Fairs, free. This continued four years. New members joining at this time paid money. And the old members contributed also. We purchased Zouave caps. This was the limit of any attempt at uniforms.

June 5, 1862, on invitation of Rev. Willard Richardson, pastor at Kirkwood, our leader composed a dirge and took three of us--his brother Lyman, H.G. Williams, W.L. Thacher--to the funeral of Turner Southworth, Liberty township. He had come home in his coffin from the war. On reaching the spot, we found that a band from Binghamton was to be present. We hid our instruments and entered the throng. Having soldiers' caps on, we were soon picked out for bearers. The body had been embalmed and the face, though somewhat stained, was one of manly beauty. The music was excellent; the dirge solemn, but at the close they finished with a selection that had "John Brown's Body" for a central harmony; the first time that Susquehanna county ever heard that melody. Our leader, before night, had put the tune into notes, for each of us, and in an hour we were playing it.

July 3, 1862, we again played for the Sabbath School celebration. Several schools joined and S.B. Chase, Esq., addressed us on the Fair Ground. We were ten in number. Our instrumentation was: E.K. Richardson, Soprano, leader; G.W. Peck, Soprano; H.G. Williams, 1st Alto; D. McKnown, 2nd Alto; L.E. Richardson, Tenor; H.G. Blanding, 1st Bass; W.L. Thacher, Baritone; W.M. Williams, Contra Bass; R.R. Thacher, Snare Drum; D.B. Thacher, Bass Drum. Of this band, only G.W. Peck, Henry G. Williams and W.L. Thacher are living.

The next day we accompanied an excursion to Elk Mountain. A collection was taken for our pay, and our treasurer, paying us our allotments in accepted currency, retained the silver thus gathered on Prospect Rock, in a box, for a long time. It was the last coin in circulation for many years.

We accompanied the boys of Co. F, 141st Reg., to New Milford, August 22; and the boys of Co. 17th Pa. Cavalry, September 18. They were leaving for Harrisburg. Just enlisted. Many were present to see them off. It was lonesome to have them go. September 25, we played for a War meeting in Harford.

Roscoe F. Loomis, Co. F, 141st., Pa., had died of wounds at Chancellorsville, May , 1863. Brought home, the funeral took place at Union Hall, near his father's house (Dr. Elisha N. Loomis), and the burial in the Wilmarth ground, now "Maplewood Cemetery." Our leader has rearranged our dirge for all the band, and around the open grave the mournful notes floated out on the still air. The passer-by, to-day, can see his stone with the dear old Flag sculptured upon it, a few feet within the wall, by the roadside.

June 19, 1863, we played for a Democratic mass meeting in Lenox. July 4, a Democratic mass meeting in Montrose. July 10, a Republican mass meeting in Clifford.

The years following made changes. Some members left the place; one had enlisted; during the political campaign of 1864 there were seven: G.W. Peck, W.M. Williams, L.E. Richardson, H.G. Blanding, John Carpenter, R.R. Thacher, D.B. Thacher. Political meetings furnished them considerable business. September 17, a Democratic mass meeting at Montrose. October 1, a Republican mass meeting, Montrose. This trip paid each member $4.50; and the cash distributed was in "Lincoln skins: as one of the members designated the fractional currency. October 6, a[t] McClellan Club, New Milford.

At the fair that year, October 5, E.K. Richardson, then teaching in New Jersey, made Harford a visit, bringing a superior instrument and leading his old band, to their great satisfaction.

In all the journey made, the long nights of travel home, sometimes in the rain, the good nature of the company kept up, with jokes, stories, etc. "Walt often proposed "to speak at the Red school house that night."

In 1865 Prof. J.A. Sophia was leader. September 24, 1866, we went to Montrose. September 25, to Smiley; mass meeting and pole raising. Just before the Fair we came in collision with the Executive Committee. One number of the band was obstinate, and they sought the music elsewhere. In 1867 we were still out of business. But four members constituted a drum corps, July 4. In 1868 the Binghamton Band superseded us, but in 1869 we were again serving the Fair. It was at this time that a photo was taken. The band occupy the center, while pupils of the Soldiers' Orphan School stand in rank at the right. Col. Amherst Carpenter on horseback. New members at various times were: G.L. Payne, Noyes Newton, Capt. C.M. Cook, "Abe" Eaton, W.B. Guile, Lee Tiffany, Amos Tanner, H.G. Williams. Our trips netted us a little cash, but we did not get rich. In the years to 1870 W.L. Thacher and L.E. Richardson were leaders, and under the latter's musical ability and enthusiasm we were doing well, when his health failed and he died (January 2, 1870). That Fair, October 6, had "good music" (so the diary reads); but not the Harford Brass band. Nor was the band alive in 1871.

In the summer of 1872 we revived once more under the name of Harford Cornet Band. A fragment of a band in New Milford united with what was left of ours, with the intention to make as much money as possible out of the Presidential and Gubernational campaign of that year, and then disband. D.B. Thacher was leader, Prof. E.K. Richardson, Principal of New Milford Graded School, wrote our music, and met with us when convenient, playing the Baritone. For mutual accommodation we sometimes met for practice at "the old Mott tavern," then occupied by Mr. Kettle. Our engagements were quite numerous. August 29, at Gibson. October 1, at a Greeley meeting, New Milford. October 3, the Harford Fair. On these grounds, October 5, a mass meeting, Democratic; address by F.E. Loomis, Esq., Scranton; Greeley for President, Buckalew for Governor. Late in the afternoon a photograph of ourselves, a gallery being in the village. There were ten of us: D.B. Thacher, leader, Soprano; Melvin Hagar, 2d Soprano; A. Lee Tiffany, 1st alto; Noyes Newton, 2d Alto; C.A. Sackett, Tenor; Prof. E.K. Richarson, Baritone; Mr. Stevens, 1st Bass; John Courtright, E flat Bass; R.R. Thacher, Snare Drum; W.L.Thacher, Bass Drum. Of this band, three are dead, two are in business in distant cities; four are unknown. Only the writer remains in Harford.

Election day, 1872, ending all engagements, by previous consent we disbanded, and the Harford Cornet Band passed into oblivion, having a history of 17 years. The band born 25 years later came into its name and place.

Several times in the earlier years the people subscribed liberally. A band was considered a credit to the place; a thing of enjoyment to the people; a mark of public spirit. The assistance if the Society has already been noticed. Our relations with the Fair managers were not always harmonious. Our time, practice, expense entitled us (we believed) to more than they were willing to pay.

Our tin drum finally collapsed, and a bass drum belonging to the old Artillery Company, in the possession of Henry Spearbeck, was substituted. It is believed the present drum of the Gibson Band once belonged to our band.

We were fortunate in our leader. The talent of E.K. Richardson, in music, was everywhere recognized. Nearly all our music was arranged by him; some was composed by him; the hours spent in all this labor are beyond computation; and only occasionally did he get the lion's share in our earnings. In 1876 he was leader of a band in Great Bend, second in the county. In 1890 he was leader of a large fine band in Hacketstown, N.J. For the Franklin Academy Reunion, June 14, 1900, he arranged, by request, "Auld Lang Syne", for the Harford Cornet Band of recent years. It was planned that a chorus should accompany the band, singing a hymn of Julius Tyler's composing. When Prof. Richardson forwarded the music, he wrote that it "revived old memories." Alas! He died before the Reunion came on. (May 19, 1900).

During the [Civil] War we played at a pole-raising at Moxley's Baptist Church). Uncle Franklin Moxley remarked that he could not help us much, but would cheerfully do something, handing us a $5 bill. Prof. Richardson at this time made a short speech. He said that the arithmetic taught us that the value of the figure 1 might be multiplied by 10 by annexing a cipher at its right; that it might be divided by 10 by prefixing a cipher to its left. We must be careful as life runs on that the chipher creeps in on the right side of No 1.

Mr. Peck constructed a violin from cigar boxes whose tones were plainly heard above the din of the double dragg and two bass drum sticks, a quarter of a mile away.

A constitution was early framed, and signed by every member. One of its provisions imposed a fine of $5 on any member who should become intoxicated. There was always temptation. For it seemed to be a standing rule with every crowd that the music should be "treated."

Our places of meeting for practice were various. The old tannery being Mr. William's place of labor, was comfortable in cold weather. The Center school house, Village, has resounded to the din of our discords many times. The old house of Daniel Thacher, formerly standing across [the] road from the Russel Thacher homestead, was a favorite place in summer. The former store of the Eaton's, later the Hinds, later Granger Hall, has been honored with our dulcet strains; and the room over Saxa Seymour's store, the scene of so many events in Harford history, was used during War days. L.E. Richardson occupied this at one time for a good bindery, and it was entered by stairs on [the] outside of [the] building. The Graded school building after 1867 was a place of practice. Occasionally we went up to Harford University (Franklin Academy); and on our way home nights would amuse ourselves with an echo that we found in the road about 40 rods from Loren T. Farrar's house, westward. The echo was lost when Capt. Asahel Sweet's old home was demolished. Two measures of music on a horn, passing over the space, and striking the side of the house would be faithfully returned to us. Some of the earliest tunes were: Village Quickstep, Russian March, Dixie, Susquehanna Quickstep, Canary Solo, John Brown, Hail Columbia, Agawam Quickstep, Red, White and Blue, Star Spangled Banner, Home Sweet Home. As years went on we improved in capacity and ability. The Harford Cornet Band, under the leadership of D.B. Thacher, in 1872, could render acceptable, high-class music. Among our selections were: Wild Waves, Spirit Waltz, Battle Parade, Banner Quickstep, Glen Polka, Fire Fly, Continental Quickstep, Long Live America, Charming May, Vale Waltz, Gently Breathe, Guards Quickstep.

In closing these recollections of days gone forever, our experiences in band life come vividly back. If heaven be reached the good shall be lived over again; the bad, never forgotten, mercifully forgiven. Foremost of all we learned at last that there was no money in such an organization. Our time, practice, expense, were never balanced by corresponding profits. Unless we reckoned our enjoyment as pay, we were losers. Again, we found that men who must earn their daily bread by daily labor, could never make a band whose music would excel. We were losing old members continually, and breaking new ones, a wet blanket to good playing. Lastly, there were members who would drink; who would be low in their communications; a constant example and incentive for evil to those not strong in principle to resist.

W. L. Thacher
Harford Fair
History, 1907

Introduction |Gay's West Auburn Band |Brooklyn's Prize Band |Hamlin E. Cogswell |Great Bend Cornet Band |Harford Bands |Harford Soldiers' Orphan School |Kingsley Cornet Band |Canawacta Band |Lawsville Cornet Band |Gibson Cornet Band |The South Gibson Band |Montrose Band |Taylor's Band |The New Milford Cornet Band |Rush Cornet Band |Springville Silver Cornet Band |Erie Band Of Susquehanna

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