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Show 310 CIVIC SERVICE among Utah's best in the future," the reporter added, "and the wish and sentiment of our citizens is give us a little more music boys."10 The band continued to improve and perform for many local celebrations and festivities. To serenade the town on the Fourth and Twenty-fourth of July, a hayrack was fitted up with seats and drawn about town by four horses. Bedecked with bunting and flags, the band played the "Star Spangled Banner" at each intersection and occasionally in front of the homes of church and civic leaders. At the close of the three-hour performance, the wagon usually. stopped at a home or hotel where the hungry'bandsmen would be treated to a hearty breakfast. In the spring of 1,891 the organization purchased its famed Lehi Silver Bandwagon. Band financial director William C? ' f{... v1itchell Fair in Salt Lake Cit) , ~ /,. :rowd admiring the running ge c.5;(\JOU :on & Machine Company displ not painted, but the wood was :d and the iron was beautifully ately thought, "here is the idea 'he purchase of the ~ural 29 May 1891 outfit was issue of thl Gay WI )enter, crafted the wagon box lcob Hodge black!ting House block. smith shop The finishet. ,,«coUll WiiS gIven a highly polished "piano finish" and remained this way until 1895 when Edwin Evans, who had just returned from art study in Europe, was hired to paint the wagon. Evans's masterful job complemented Whipple's ship-like design and included life-like nude mermaids on each side of the vehicle. "It was a gala day in Lehi," wrote band member A. B. Anderson, when the Lehi Silver Band made its first appearance in their newly painted wagon. "There were babies in arms, youngsters holding to apron strings, the young boys had no time to wash hands, the maiden seeking romance, the old folks leaning on canes and crutches, all were there seeking profitable places to see the band go by." The horses were well groomed and decorated with flags and bunting, the band boys were dressed in their uniforms - a linen duster and a summer helmet. As the undraped wagon moved along the parade route there was constant clapping, shouts of "hurrah," and other demonstrations of approval. But many of the town's straight-laced ladies were mortified at the brazen display of female anatomy on the mermaids. "You might have expected that from those boys," remarked one. Another argued that "those band boys should be made to put skirts on the mermaids." And the Relief Society suggested driving the entire lot out of town. But cooler heads prevailed. The wagon remained uncensored and gradually became known throughout the state as an artistic masterpiece. I I R.J\ To protect the band wagon from the elements, the city council alloted $125 towards construction of a shed on the jail lot on Second North. The city also assumed financial responsibility for most of the band's needs on the condition that they "render service to the city upon holidays." In 1898 Professor Beesley was engaged to instruct the band once a week for three months at $2 per lesson. The city council voted on 29 May 1906 to allow the band $25 a month to retain instructor Robert Sauer. Later as a B.Y .U. music professor, Sauer composed the popular song, "When It's Springtime In the Rockies." On 14 April 1908 the city council again alloted the band a $20 monthly stipend to defray their operating costs. In 1910 the Silver Band was reorganized and again sought financial support in employing a music teacher, Fred Fjeldsted. The 1910 city council, in accordance with previous arrangements, continued the band's $20 monthly allowance. 12 In the early years the Silver Band entertained at a wide variety of events besides the previously mentioned political activities. In 1891 the band played a flag-waving tune for a throng of Lehi citizens and U.S. President Benjamin Harrison when his train stopped briefly on a siding at the Lehi Sugar Factory. On 24 July 1893 the Silver Band accompanied a large Lehi group to American Fork Canyon, where the musicians entertained throughout the day. Outings to Saratoga were also popular events at which the band often played. The 20 September 1894 Lehi Banner reported that after a full day of activities at the Murdock Resort on Utah Lake the Sunday School outing was joined by the Silver Band, who "made the afternoon more enjoyable with their sweet strains of music." When long-time band leader John Y. Smith left for a mission in 1897, "the members of the old silver band assembled at the residence of J. M. Kirkham and gave a social to their departing leader." When Lehi's Spanish War volunteers returned to a hero's welcome in the fall of 1899, the Silver Band led the procession from the Oregon Short Line depot on State Street to City Hall on Main. 13 By 1905 the band's attire had been switched from linen dusters and helmets to a dark green uniform with black trim. Matching caps had the word "Lehi" printed across the front. The group was also playing for dances during this period, as can be seen from the flyer published in the 4 June 1908 Lehi Banner. The 20 July 1912 Banner announced that band members new forms, were "gray suits and caps." By 1913, significant changes had taken place in the 0 l'.allllL"··'~- · In a period photo, band members are not wearing forms, Edwin Evans's art work has been painted and the raised lettering "Lehi Silver Band" is seen on the side of the vehicle. 14 Some time after this pre-World War I p was taken, the band fizzled out. It was reorganized |
