Close-up of Ohio State Band Drum
head.
“The Ohio State Band, Niles,
Ohio”
Among those in that picture were Superintendant of Water and Lights
of Niles, Bert Holloway, trombone; Service Director Oliver
Evans, trombone; Thomas Williams, Baritone; Seth
Phillips, flute and piccolo; Thomas Evans, a West
Park Avenue florist, cornet; W. R. Gilbert altophone;
Elmer Caladine, cornet; Russell (Rusty) Carter,
snare drum; Prof. Chas. Bitner, director; John McDermott
(at the left), manager of the band; and Jimmy McGaughey
(Muggs Brawny), porter and handy man. PO2.50
Niles Concert Band.
Taken at Brady Lake, ca 1948. PO11.193
A picture of the Niles Concert Band
in front of the Waddell Park Swimming Pool house, possibly at
the dedication in 1934.PO2.804
1931 picture of the Niles City Band
in Central Park in the Thomas Pavilion. The band was under the
direction of Arnold Campana.PO1.14 |
During his lifetime, Ray Gilbert had a remarkable
ability to recall details of events long past. He was a prolific
writer for area newspapers for nearly a half century. His many
articles were written in the Niles Times, later compiled by
Grace Allison into the book “Walk Down Memory
Lane” which is presently on sale at
the museum. The following is one story in the book.
Ohio State Band, Niles, Ohio
The Ohio State Band organization was formed in 1896 in Trumbull
County under the guidance and directorship of Prof. O. R.
Farrar. It functioned successfully in Warren for ten years
under band leaders: 0. R. Farrar, followed by Prof. Chas.
Hewitt, Prof. H. Thayer and William Ackley.
Warren’s famous Ohio State Band entered the year 1898
riding away up high on the crest of popularity. They were also
in debt to the tune of $1,100. This was created by the issuance
of a note to them and held by the First National Bank of Warren.
With these funds new instruments were purchased. Also new and
up-to-date band headquarters were acquired on Market Street
not far from where the Robins Theatre now stands. There was
a furniture store on the first floor. The spanking new band
rooms were located on the second floor, and the third floor
was used as a storage room by the furniture people. An elevator
allowed access from the first to the third floor. The band members
rehearsed nearly every night and they would play for parades,
concerts and small parties. At one time the band had a membership
of 35 regular players.
Robert Elliott was proprietor of the Elliott Hotel
and also owner and manager of the Warren Opera House. A dance
hall was on the third floor where the band could play. Mr. Elliott
would furnish the hall, the heat, and the light and we would
split 50-50 on the profits, if any. We advertised that the admission
would be 11 cents for each and everyone attending. The dances,
we called them by a high sounding title: “Promenade Concerts,”
made an instant hit with the public. Great crowds came, more
each time. The fame of these concert dances spread. People from
Niles, Girard, Youngstown, Sharon, New Castle, and even visitors
from Pittsburgh and New York flocked in. Money rolled in each
time. The hall could accommodate between 400 to 500 people;
and while it was somewhat crowded, yet they all had a grand
time.
It is safe to say that those Promenade Concerts
given by the Ohio State Band taught more young folks how to dance
the Waltz, two-step, regular schottisches, Cuban Waltzes, etc.,
as was the fashion on the dance floor in those days with all of
the dancing schools and instructors in the Mahoning Valley. I
venture to say that hundreds of Niles people took in those concert
dances. A great many members of prominent clubs in Niles, such
as the famous Vendome Club, the Narcissus Club, and many others,
were regular attendants at those parties. In fact the dances were
so much in demand that it was necessary to hold them two and sometimes
three times a week. The band paid off the debt of $1,100
Another time that summer the Ohio State Band played
for the Merchant’s Picnic at Conneaut, Pa. Six or eight
of us stayed until the last train left on the main line of the
Erie. We arrived in Warren about one o’clock in the morning
(Sunday). When we reached the bandstand in Courthouse Park, one
of the boys suggested that we play an open-air concert. And, we
opened up with “A Big Time In The Old Town Tonight.”
We had just finished that one when the police arrived on the dead
run and chased us out of there P.D.Q.
Interest died down in Warren for the band and on
October 7, 1906, a meeting was called and a proposition from Bert
Holloway for the Niles Business Men’s League offered
to buy the band outright for $400. It was accepted. So, in the
year 1906, the great Ohio State Band became a Niles institution.
John L. McDermott was made manager and Prof. Charles
Bittner director. Niles was ready to support a band and have
open - air concerts. So, the Ohio State Band became a local institution
and remained the prize of our city for another four years. The
band played many important concerts outside of the area and presented
each week, in the summer months, open- air concerts in the park,
which is now the McKinley Memorial location.
Along about that time there was a roller skating
rink built here in Niles, located right where the U. S. Post Office
on West Park Avenue now stands. It was named The Niles Amusement
Company and John L. McDermott, together with Bill
Thorns, was in charge as manager. By special arrangement
a band of seven members furnished the music for a couple of hours
each evening. They were each paid $1.15 per night. After a few
weeks playing, the boys concluded that that was not enough, so
they made a demand for 10 cents per night more. This management
refused to consider. Then we went on a strike and picketed the
place. The Niles people (whether for the fun of it or not) backed
us up to the limit with the result that the attendance fell down
to almost nothing. After much loud and explosive talk the management
gave in and we each received our $1.25 per night.
But, with the increased musical
activity in our public schools, and the formation of high school
bands, interest in this famous band dwindled, and it finally passed
out of the picture. The band folded its tents and silently faded
out of sight, but not out of mind - at least in the memory of
our older citizens.
|
|
The Ohio State Band & Wet-Dry Battle
in Niles,
by Ray Gilbert.
The year 1908 witnessed some stirring and exciting times in
Trumbull County, and especially in our city of Niles. The state
legislature of Ohio had passed the Ross County Local Option
Law, and a petition was circulated and properly signed to make
Trumbull County dry.
Naturally there were decided differences of opinion as to the
outcome of this issue, the first of the kind ever attempted
in this county. The wet element, supremely confident that such
a thing could not possibly happen, freely expressed their opinions
whenever the opportunity occurred. The dry element, with their
solid, united forces, and who, truth to tell, had all the argument
on their side, were equally confident that they would win. The
battle was on, and the storm center of the whole county was
in Niles.
The dry people had an active working organization in every ward
in our city, and mass meetings were held in every one of them.
The Ohio State Band was hired (18 members strong) We would head
the parade to the different ward meeting places, play a couple
of lively tunes, and then the band would be dismissed while
the meeting would take place.
One time the dry meeting was held in the Bert Street school
house. (now Belmont Avenue) The Ohio State Band was there and
performed their usual stints, after which the musicians headed
back to the bright lights in the main part of town. Half of
them came back one way, and half the other way. One section
arrived up on State Street (Mill Street then). One section arrived
up on State Street after coming up from the Pennsylvania depot
past the old Drake and McConnell flour mill.
They had been serenading at various points on the way back,
and just as they reached State Street the first group of musicians
struck up the old familiar tune, “How Dry I Am.”
As it turned out, the Bert Street meeting had not lasted as
long as usual and the entire county dry committee was coming
up the street and came face to face with the band as they opened
up. That was just one too many for the Dry Committee. The county,
as we all know, did vote dry by a big majority, but the Ohio
State Band did not help the issue anymore. They were fired right
then and there.
One of the biggest meetings of that whole campaign was held
on East Park Avenue, alongside the Old Allison (later the Antler)
Hotel. The band paraded through the downtown district and a
great crowd followed them to the meeting place. On this occasion
there was a joint debate scheduled, between Bishop Kilpatrick
of Warren — speaking for the dry issue, and Mr. Midnrey
of Youngstown, orator for the wet element. Each was to give
a 15 – minute address, and it was understood that there
was to be no interruptions from the audience.
These two men, both forceful speakers, expounded their views
and ideas thoroughly. Mr. Mindrey stressed his firm belief that
by voting the cause dry it would cause a great influx of “speakeasies”
to be established in the city, and I guess he was about right
about that count. Mr. Kilpatrick, on the other hand, held forth
the undisputable fact that money spent for drink was money foolishly
thrown away, causing misery and distress for the families of
the imbibers.
Yes, the band played (and was fired) and Trumbull County went
dry in 1908. By the same token there are many deep-thinking
people today who are of the opinion that Old Trumbull might
repeat and go dry again if certain conditions are not rectified.
A Grand Organization Folds Up
The great and colorful Ohio State Band, which was the pride
and joy, first of Warren, and later of Niles, was sponsored
in the beginning in Prof. 0. R. Farrar. It flourished
for 10 years in the county seat, afterward locating in this
city. It began to fall apart at the end of the year 1910.
About the last episode of the Ohio State Band was at a camp
installed on the Meander Creek, on the John Frech farm,
very close to where the great Meander Dam of the Mahoning Valley
Sanitary District was built. This camp lasted for six weeks,
and was the mecca for all sport- loving, music-loving and fun-loving
people in this part of the country.
There was a concert every night of the week, and the program
was varied occasionally when a number of Niles fellows, notably
Jim Holloway, Lon Lockwood, Butch Lewis
and others would ride out there on their fast, fiery ponies
and put on a regular Buffalo Bill rodeo.
The name adopted for this place of hilarity was “Camp
Niles America.” The sky was the limit on the eats and
everything else as well. For instance, one Sunday morning we
had 21 spring chickens for breakfast. And on the last day the
band campers put on a grand ox roast and clam bake, which was
attended by a vast throng from all around this territory. Many
Niles residents still remember “Camp Niles America.”
So, the famous Ohio State Band, founded by
Prof. Orien R. Farrar, finally folded up its tents and silently
slipped away from sight, but never out of mind of many members
still living in Niles and elsewhere. Besides, hundreds more
of our citizens, who were thrilled and delighted with the music,
the parades, and the open-air concerts given to them by one
of the most celebrated bands of musicians in this whole country;
and these people were always ready to back them up to the limit,
win, lose, or draw.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
