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Late 1800's - Early 1900's
The 'ol Town Band of Farwell -
The picture and info on this page were taken from an article passed on to Mr. Shimmons around 2010.
The picture and info on this page were taken from an article passed on to Mr. Shimmons around 2010.
In the winter of 1887-87, C.F. Lyon started the Farwell Band. Soon after, in ’87 Eugene J. Eager took it over. Under the leadership of “Dutch”, as he was known, the band prospered and soon there was also a Ladies Band and Kid’s Band.
The men’s band played at celebrations, picnic and rallies all around the area. Various pictures are around the town of the changing group.
I the early 1900’s the band was a s good as any in the State and went to Bay City for a three or four day celebration and were highly complimented for their performance.
The band continued to proser. As players moved away, some one always came along to replace them and the band lived on, under “Dutch’s” directing. But by now other communities sprouted bands - Gilmore, Clare, Brand Farms and almost all cities and villages had their own, but the
“Farwell Band Played On.
First you see a little green suit
Then you hear a Rooty toot toot Band,
Farwell Band. Rah, Rah, Rah, Farwell Band.”
It seemed to be the custom every winter for the band to have a Valentine Box Social, in the I.O.O.F. hall, as a sort of fund raising project, for money to buy more and new band books and have a real good time. Sometimes the bidding for real spirited between the big boys, when Mary’s or Kate’s and Jane’s highly decorated box of eats came up for sale. Jack or Bill just has to have it and sometimes had to go as high as $2.00, at auction, to get the right one. Once when the Stand-Pipe Construction gang was here, the bidding went to $5.00 - UNHEARD of, terrible high, but the liked it. Kids usually could eat for .25 cents - chicken and fixins’ - I can tase it yet. Yummy.
With the coming of Ford’s Tin Lizzie the the younger generation started to drift away from the band practices and we no longer looked forward to band practice nights for entertainment. No longer did an eerie voice call thru the evening dusk and disturb :Mr. Munger” in his garden behind the hose house, east of the Hotel. The band met in the upstairs to practice. It was cold up there but we were young then.
As “Old Father Time” began to take his toll and “Dutch” Eager could no longer lead the band with his E Flat Cornet and the boys drifted to other things, the band slowly passed into eternity but music will prevail.
Some of the old band members would not give up. They helped the Farwell High School Orchestra get started and maintain an illustrious career - that is another story and told elsewhere.
One fact sticks out like a sore thumb - Eugene J. Eager, “Dutch” to all alike, was the Farwell Band. It was his life’s work and ambition. How he ever carried on as long as he did, merely attests to the fact - “He loved his work”, spreading music for all who would listen.
As only the old timers will remember, band practice night in the summer was the night to go to town. The band would play in the bandstand in the park. The people gathered around in groups to listen and gossip between pieces.
Sousa’s Marches were real good band music and many a night I have sat our doors by a “Skeeter Snag” a mile from town and enjoyed the music. As old A.J. used to say, The farther away you are from a band the better it sounds.”
Good band music never dies - three years ago I heard the Little German Band of Norway, in the U.P. playing the same pieces we used to play 50 years ago, they were tops.
The men’s band played at celebrations, picnic and rallies all around the area. Various pictures are around the town of the changing group.
I the early 1900’s the band was a s good as any in the State and went to Bay City for a three or four day celebration and were highly complimented for their performance.
The band continued to proser. As players moved away, some one always came along to replace them and the band lived on, under “Dutch’s” directing. But by now other communities sprouted bands - Gilmore, Clare, Brand Farms and almost all cities and villages had their own, but the
“Farwell Band Played On.
First you see a little green suit
Then you hear a Rooty toot toot Band,
Farwell Band. Rah, Rah, Rah, Farwell Band.”
It seemed to be the custom every winter for the band to have a Valentine Box Social, in the I.O.O.F. hall, as a sort of fund raising project, for money to buy more and new band books and have a real good time. Sometimes the bidding for real spirited between the big boys, when Mary’s or Kate’s and Jane’s highly decorated box of eats came up for sale. Jack or Bill just has to have it and sometimes had to go as high as $2.00, at auction, to get the right one. Once when the Stand-Pipe Construction gang was here, the bidding went to $5.00 - UNHEARD of, terrible high, but the liked it. Kids usually could eat for .25 cents - chicken and fixins’ - I can tase it yet. Yummy.
With the coming of Ford’s Tin Lizzie the the younger generation started to drift away from the band practices and we no longer looked forward to band practice nights for entertainment. No longer did an eerie voice call thru the evening dusk and disturb :Mr. Munger” in his garden behind the hose house, east of the Hotel. The band met in the upstairs to practice. It was cold up there but we were young then.
As “Old Father Time” began to take his toll and “Dutch” Eager could no longer lead the band with his E Flat Cornet and the boys drifted to other things, the band slowly passed into eternity but music will prevail.
Some of the old band members would not give up. They helped the Farwell High School Orchestra get started and maintain an illustrious career - that is another story and told elsewhere.
One fact sticks out like a sore thumb - Eugene J. Eager, “Dutch” to all alike, was the Farwell Band. It was his life’s work and ambition. How he ever carried on as long as he did, merely attests to the fact - “He loved his work”, spreading music for all who would listen.
As only the old timers will remember, band practice night in the summer was the night to go to town. The band would play in the bandstand in the park. The people gathered around in groups to listen and gossip between pieces.
Sousa’s Marches were real good band music and many a night I have sat our doors by a “Skeeter Snag” a mile from town and enjoyed the music. As old A.J. used to say, The farther away you are from a band the better it sounds.”
Good band music never dies - three years ago I heard the Little German Band of Norway, in the U.P. playing the same pieces we used to play 50 years ago, they were tops.