| Description |
Then down the street came what we called a hitched to a hay wagon. On the wagon were thirty children, boys and girls. The girls were dressed in white dresses with a red sash. The boys were also in white. Their homemade hats had a red band. Along the sides of the float there were two signs, each reading Just behind this was a buckboard. Four older men sat on chairs playing fife, drum, sign read "Black Hawk War Veteran Band." town-an all ladies' band. They were all in uniform, sort of off~white military type with gold braid around their caps and on their coats. They marched briskly along and played a tune with such verve and enthusiasm that they drowned out all other music. Alongside, but dressed in a man' s uniform, was Pat Young, the organizer and director of the band. Marching in the forefront of the band were two younger girls carrying an elaborately designed banner everyone in town had contributed money for the uniforms and instruments. On several occasions they had been invi.ted to play in larger cities and we had helped with the cost of transportation. All girl bands were a rarity in those days. The float that followed was the high point black team, all curried and shined. Over their backs and sides had been spread some kind of small American flags that bobbed and waved as the horses walked. The driver sat just back of the team. He was wearing a black suit and had on the shiniest black silk hat. I knew about 121 |
