Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Weekly 150

A Story From the Past

The Hico Concert Band

Posted

Flipping through the research from the last few editions, I came across a first-hand account of the Hico Concert Band. In my training as a historian, I learned the most valuable part of research comes from primary sources (images or artifacts that provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a historical topic under research investigation). The piece in this edition is a rare jewel from Otto Ridley, a trombone player in the concert band. The following information was submitted by Nancy Barksdale, in the 1969 Centennial Edition of McKenzie’s History.
The Hico Concert Band was organized in 1914. Mr. Connie Blow of McLemorsville was the first instructor. Later, Frank Doran, oldest son of the late Charles Doran, was the instructor until Uncle Sam called him to serve in World War I.
His father, Charles Doran, volunteered to teach the band while Frank served in the Army. When he returned to Hico, Frank took over the band. He was an excellent instructor and on outstanding man.
Our band was supported by parents of members. We had ice cream suppers at Hico School and four-act dramas for which we provided the music. Ours was the only band in the surrounding community and we were much in demand.
Uncle Sam called for a War Bond and Red Cross Drive. The Hico Concert Band was patriotic and ready to help. We gave a concert at Hico School. The key speakers were lawyers J. Sam Johnson and Tom Peeler. They made eloquent patriotic speeches, and the bond drive was a huge success.
We were prevailed on to go to Huntingdon and play for a county-wide Red Cross drive. Our first stop was at Big Buck, then on to Trezevant. We used a No. 3 wash tub into which people would pitch dimes and quarters. The last man to pitch a coin would get a pig, this one bringing $30. The late Joe Hester, Trustee, won the pig and gave it back to the owner. We played all towns and community settlements with 1 to 2 stores.
Our transportation was furnished by volunteers. One was the late lawyer George Murphy who had a new Oakland car. Others were Otha Williams and George Gatton who had T-Models. There were no gravel roads at this time. When we ran into sand bars too deep to pull, all the boys would unload and push as far as was needed.
Having successfully finished this tour, we returned to Huntingdon Court House for a grand concert. The Court House was packed, with standing room only.
The late Dr. Dodd, lawyers Jim McCall, J. Same Johnson, George Murphy, Tom Peeler and other notables gave thanks to the people for their patriotic response which made the War Bond and Red Cross Drive a complete success.
We were the called up on to play for the departure of the troop trains from Huntingdon. The President was now calling boys by the train loads.

The North Carolina and St. Louis [Railroad] would start loading at Hickman, Kentucky. By the time it arrived at Huntingdon, it would have several cars of soldiers.
I recall Elroy Sparks, Gene Wimberly, Walter Cozart and others being on such a train. It was a very sad and distressing departure.
After the war was over, the Hico Concert Band paraded in McKenzie in a tribute to Gaines Leach, who had lost a limb in service to his country.
The Grand Parade Kerrill Band came to McKenzie to parade after the war. It was a protege of John Phillip Sousa. We did ourselves proud, having the honor of marching with this great band. The late Claude Adams who worked with Southern Bell was with me on trombone in this march.

Jason R. Martin
B.S. • M.A.Ed • MLS
Councilman, Ward II
Executive Chairman, McKenzie 150th Celebration
E: jmartin@mckenziebanner.com  P: 731.352.3323

Jason Martin is a life-long resident of McKenzie. He graduated from McKenzie High School in 2000; earned a Bachelor of Science in History from Bethel College in 2004; a Masters in Education from Bethel University in 2009 and a Masters in History and Humanities from Fort Hays State University in 2011.