USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 32
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
A meeting of the signers was held in the old Borough Office in Linstead's Block, during October. Several military men were present from Hartford, and elsewhere. Speeches were made by Senator Muzzy, Colonel Schulze, Captain Johnson, then adjutant of the First, and others. The writer, who was at that time a private in the Hartford City Guard, and one of the signers of the petition spoke briefly of military life as an enlisted man.
At the suggestion of Colonel Schulze, it was decided to form a temporary organization, to take charge of matters, until the company should be mustered into service and have regularly appointed officers. The meeting then named as a committee, Ray N. Linsley, President; Herbert E. Newport, Vice President; Ora A. Colby, Secretary; John C. Page, Treasurer. All of them, but recently settled in Bristol, yet all signers of the petition and all heartily in favor of the project.
As soon as active steps toward enlistment began, it was discovered that very few of the original signers of the petition were willing to join the company. When confronted with an enlistment blank, they all made excuses the most common being, "I supposed I was only asking that a company be organized and had no intention of joining it." So the committee faced a harder task than was expected and it was only. after hard personal work that the required number of members were finally secured and examined by the surgeons, and the following order issued:
HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT, C. N. G.
SPECIAL ORDERS
HARTFORD, CONN., Jan. 6, 1900.
No. 1.
In compliance with Special Orders, No. 278, Adjutant General'S office, dated Hartford, Nov. 17, 1899, the enrolled members of Company D, 1st Regiment C. N. G., are hereby directed to assemble at the Total Abstinence and Benevolence Hall, North Main Street, Bristol, Conn., on Friday evening, January 12, 1900, at 7:45 o'clock, then and there to be mustered into the service of the Connecticut National Guard, and to nominate by ballot, a Captain, a First Lieutenant and Second Lieu- tenant.
By order of COLONEL SCHULZE.
Official:
FRANK E. JOHNSON, Captain and Adjutant.
At the appointed hour the company assembled and was "mustered in" with almost full ranks. It is interesting to note that there were only ten of the signers of the original petition mustered into the new company. One more, the writer, joined as soon as the necessary transfer papers could be sent through.
The nomination of officers resulted in the choice of Herbert E. Newport, Captain; Clifford Bronson, First Lieutenant and Ernest E. Merrill, Second Lieutenant. These nominations were the practically unanimous choice of the company and were at once approved by head- quarters, Captain Newport assuming command immediately. The appointment of noncommissioned officers followed quickly in Special Orders, No. 4, from Regimental Headquarters.
I. Appointments in Company D, First Regiment, C. N. G. are hereby made as follows:
To be First Sergeant,
To be Quartermaster Sergeant,
To be Second Sergeant, Ora A. Colby.
To be Third Sergeant, To be Fourth Sergeant, To be Fifth Sergeant,
Ray K. Linsley. Edward S. Busch, Jr.
Edgar S. Soule.
Frank A. Haviland.
Nathan B. Richards.
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
SLASON-DANCING Every Saturday Ere AFTHE ARMORY.
FIRST REGIMENT ARMORY, NORTH MAIN STREET.
104
INTERIOR OF FIRST REGIMENT ARMORY, DECORATED FOR
FAIR.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
EP-CAPTAIN ERNEST E. MERRILL.
To be Corporals: Joseph J. Quinn, Charles M. Carrington, John Stotz, Louis L. Burg, John C. Page, James F. Douglass, James O'Connell, Jay J. Merrill, all with rank from Feb. 11, 1900.
Arms, uniforms and equipments all being perfectly new, were soon supplied and drills began.
Thus "Company D" became an established fact and took its place among the institutions of Bristol. I do not recall any member of the company. at that time, other than myself, who had seen any previous service, yet all took hold with a will and when the first Field Day parade was held, May 25, 1900, the company made quite a creditable showing. On this occasion the Company marched to Hickory Park and spent the day in drill and guard practice, having dinner on the grounds and entertaining as the guest of honor A. J. Muzzy for whom the name "Muzzy Guards" had been assumed. The following Memorial Day the Company turned out as an escort to the Grand Army Veterans. Drills were kept up nearly all summer in order that the Company might be in shape to make a fine appearance at their first camp. Lieutenant Bronson left the Company soon after organization and on July 31, 1900 Lieutenant Merrill was promoted to the First Lieutenancy and Sergeant Ora A. Colby was appointed Second Lieutenant. Under these officers the Company joined the regiment and appeared at Niantic for the first time. A novel experience for most of the men, but thor- oughly enjoyed by all. A special effort was made for honors, especially in the review on Governor's Day and we were. informed that several compliments were given our work. On Oct. 4th, 1900, the Company went to Hartford and participated in the dedication of "Camp Field Monument."
Lieutenant Colby moved out of town soon after Camp leaving a vacancy which was filled by the nomination of Sergeant Linsley, Nov. 9, 1900. Sergeant" Richards was promoted to the First Sergeancy and a number of other changes occurred among the noncommissioned officers at this time.
An element of discord arose in the Company about this time, and a committee of which the writer was chairman, was elected to take up
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
the matter of complaints regarding certain features of Company manage- ment. The committee recommended that the matter be dropped and things were smoothed over but effects were not so easily altered and showed up at later times.
The writer felt obliged to tender his resignation the next February which was accepted. The nomination of Sergeant Blodgett, failing approval the Company nominated myself to fill my own vacancy, a manifest impossibility. This action was duly appreciated by the writer. Before this vacancy was filled Captain Newport's resignation, as he was preparing to leave town, placed Lieutenant Ernest E. Merrill in com mand, and left him the only commissioned officer. When nominations were ordered, Lieutenant Merrill was promoted to the captaincy and I found myself named for First Lieutenant with Sergeant J. C. Page for Second. Following lead of others, Lieutenant Page immediately left town and I do not recall that he ever drilled with us as a Lieutenant. Sergeant John J. Quinn was nominated for the position and held it several months when he was followed by Corporal Frank E. Kennedy. Under these officers the Company settled down to three years of solid hard work. They paraded at Hickory Park for Field Day and In- spection, May 17, 1901, and went to Camp McLean in August, taking part in the march across from Lyme to Niantic. Camp of shelter tents was pitched the first night out in a cold, drizzling rain. The next Mav the Field Day parade took place on Colt's meadows in Hartford. the Company taking enough camp outfit to cook their dinner on the grounds. The Company was at Camp Keeler, Niantic, the next Angust, when
FUN IN . CAMP. DINGWELL IN THE AIR.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
D
D
D
COMPANY D'S FAMOUS "TUG OF WAR" TEAM.
' we received another practical lesson in marching, camping and outpost. duty, spending two days in the special field campaign. On Sept. 25, 1902 the Company paraded in Hartford with the regiment on the occa- sion of the dedication of the monument to the 1st Heavy Artillery C. V. The old mortar known as the Petersburg Express, being mounted on the capitol grounds.
It was on the first of February, 1903, that Company D boys were called to the most trying service that has yet been their lot. It will be remembered that it was Sunday when the Governor decided to order out troops to stop the lawless rioting of the street car strikers in Water- bury. And further that it was but four and one-half hours after the orders were issued that the regiment was on duty in Waterbury. As none of the officers were handy to telephones, the orders were neces- sarily delayed in reaching us and with the Company scattered far and wide for a Sunday afternoon rest, it was no easy task to get them out, but when the train came through on its way to Waterbury, Company "D" was ready with nearly full ranks. Owing to trouble in getting a team, our baggage did not get on board and the boys were without blankets and other comforts the first night making things worse than necessary. But the service was well and promptly rendered, a credit to the Company.
The usual Field Day in Hartford and week at Camp Chamberlain, Niantic, followed in routine in 1903.
Then during "Old Home Week" in September, 1903, Company D entertained as its guests the entire First Regiment which came here to take part in the big parade which was one of the chief features of the week. Dinner was served on improvised tables set up in the new shop of the E. Ingraham Co., which had not then been occupied. The entire
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
Company acted as waiters and served their guests. The occasion was one that will long be remembered by all who took part.
The next spring the writer felt obliged to relinquish military life asked to be retired from active service, which was granted. Very soon after this Captain Merrill also gave up military for other duties and was the second to be placed on the retired list.
Captain Merrill was a very popular officer and the esteem in which he was held by the Company was shown by the presentation of a hand- some gold watch, after he had left the service. This popularity was justly earned by hard work and careful judgment. Taking a Company of almost raw recruits, ignorant of military rules, he had made of them a Company which could hold its own with any in the regiment. Second Lieutenant Frank E. Kennedy was promoted to the captaincy with Corporal Daniel J. Breshnahan and Sergeant Frank S. Merrill for lieutenants. Under these officers the Company made a memorable tour of duty with the regulars at Mannassas, Va.
The next fall (1905) found the Company under new officers again, Lieutenant Frank Merrill having become Captain with Chester E. In-
BRASS CITY CYCLE WORKS. CYCLE WORKS.
COMPANIES D AND I OF THE FIRST INFANTRY, C. N. G., COOKING IN THE STREET, IN WATERBURY, DURING THE STREET CAR RIOTS, IN FEBRUARY, 1904.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
IST
EX-CAPTAIN FRANK KENNEDY.
CO. D IN CAMP AT NIANTIC, CONN.
-
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
graham and William Van Ness as Lieutenants. This was the year of 'Regimental" at Camp Roberts, Niantic. 1906 brought another change. Lieutenant Ingraham resigned and Lieutenant Van Ness was promoted with Sergeant Clark as Second Lieutenant. Under these officers the Company is now doing good work and making new records.
It was under Captain Kennedy's administration that the old Spring- field rifles were discarded for the more modern weapon "The Krag" with the knife bayonet.
Company "D" has entered a team in the regimental rifle shoot nearly every year and a number of individual prizes have been won by the members though they have not captured the chief honors.
Many a pleasant evening has been passed by the Company at the Armory entertaining friends and guests with suppers and dances.
Company "D" today is prepared for active warfare, armed and equipped in accord with the regular army rules. With capable and efficient officers and full ranks ready if duty calls, while we all hope its services may not be needed.
The members have also had a hand in athletics, producing a cham- pion tug of war team and fine basket ball and baseball teams at different times.
1
CO. D., 1ST INFANTRY, C'. N. G., IN CAMP AT HICKORY PARK.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
OFFICERS OF FIRST C. N. G. INFANTRY IN CAMP AT MT. GRETNA, PA., 1906.
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
367
4
3
6
2
10
11
2
9
13
8
117
16
18
20
21
15
25
24
23
30
26
27
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31
28
32
---
35
133
36
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1, J. Linnehan; 2, Chas. Nagle; 3, Jas. Blodgett, Q. M. Sgt .; 4, A. Garrett; 5, W. Gould, Corp .; 6, J. Weiberg; 7, A. Moquin; S, W. Costello, Mus .; 9, M. Canfield, 10, W. Grown; 11, Frank Merrill, Capt .; 12, C. Hill, Cook; 13, M. Ryan; 14, J. Gaffney; 15, A. Medley; 16, A. Gustafson; 17, Geo. Rowe; 18, J. Lass; 19, W. Johnson; 20, C. Peterson, 21. W. Stoltz; 22, A. Gartman; 23, J. Breshnan, Mus .; 24, F. Herold, 25, H. Emerson; 26, L. Griswold, Corp .; 27, W. W. J. Reynolds, Sgt .; 28, Thos. Costello, Corp .; 29, D. Haskill, Corp .; 30, C. Spencer; 31, G. Colgrove; 32. F. Zink; 33, L. Noble; 34. W. Smith; 35, J. Strup, Corp .; 36, W. Bennett.
Owing to unavoidable delays, we are obliged to show the rest of the members of Co. D on page 425.
36S
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
REV. THOMAS J. KEENA.
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
St. Joseph's Church
BY REV. BERNARD M. DONNELLY
REV. BERNARD M. DONNELLY.
F AR off, in the north-eastern part of the town, at the Copper Mines, in the waning years of the "forties," were sown the seeds which afterwards ripened into the present large and flourish- ing plant of St. Joseph's Church.
This little band of early Catholic settlers were mostly Irish emi- grants; for Irish emigration was, at that time, at its height. The dark years of famine had passed over the fair face of Ireland; persecu- tion had followed in its train, driving to this land of promise, men and women, as strong in faith as they were in physique.
A small band of these-about twelve families in all-found their way to the Copper Mines. Here they were in a strange country. Be- tween them and their homes lay thousands of miles of water, which represented months of travel in slow-sailing vessels, exiles they were,
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH AND RECTORY.
INTERIOR OF CHURCH SHOWING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
cheered only by occasional messages from home, or, sometimes, by the visit of Father Daly, who came amongst them to attend to their spiritual wants.
Few as they were, they were self-reliant and looked to the future with confidence. No hardships daunted them; for they had come to stay, to cast their lot with their fellow colonists from other lands, and to assist, as far as they could, in laying, deep and strong, the foundations of what is now a prosperous community.
In 1849, there were but nine priests to administer to the wants of the Catholics throughout the State of Connecticut!
Truly, those were days that tried priests' souls, and the names of these heroic and apostolic men should, for all time, be held in grateful remembrance by Catholics.
One of these was the Rev. Luke Daly, then pastor of St. Mary's Church, New Britain. His spiritual charge comprised New Britain, Farmington, Berlin, Bristol, Forestville, Collinsville, New Hartford, Simsbury, Tariffville and Rainbow.
REV. M. B. RODDEN.
Owing to the extent of the territory covered by the above places, the scattered condition of the Catholic flock, and the hardships of the jounrey imposed on the traveling priest, Catholic worship could not be had with any degree of regularity. Mass was offered at the mines about once a month, and the few Catholics of Bristol Centre went there.
When the copper mines closed, the construction of the railroad began, and the Catholics finding employment at the work, settled at Bristol Centre in larger numbers.
At this time, Catholic services were held in the house of the Roche family on Queen Street, not far from the present church site: later on. at the South Side, in the home of one Michael McGovern, until, when the congregation became more numerous, its members worshipped in
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the old Gridley Hall, which is now the store of Mr. Cleveland, and was then situated south of the old Town Building.
In 1855, the present church was built by Rev. Father Daly. At that period, the Catholic population had reached the number of two hundred souls.
On October 1, 1864, Bristol was made an independent parish, with the Copper Mines and Forestville as missions. The first resident pastor of the new parish was the Rev. Michael B. Rodden. Here he remained for four years, until 1868, when, on account of ill-health, he was ap- pointed pastor at Greenville, R. I. Rev. Christopher Duggett suc- ceeded him at Bristol. Fr. Duggett sold the old rectory, which was located on the corner of Prospect Place and Maple Street, and purchased St. Joseph's Cemetery and the site of the present Catholic rectory.
In 1872, Rev. Fr. Rodden returned to Bristol, reappointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church-a pastorate which he retained continuously for twenty-nine years!
Twenty-nine years of pure, priestly life-years of honest devotion to the poor, to the weak, to the little ones of God's Kingdom. Twenty- nine years of earnest effort to do God's work in a mild, unpretentious way, have made Father Rodden's memory sacred. His sterling qual- ities of mind and heart, manifested throughout this long term of years,' have caused him to be beloved by his own charge; while his priestly zeal, his gentle, courteous manners, and his public-spirited actions, have earned for him, regardless of creed or nationality, the esteem and respect of all who knew him.
Realizing that the infirmities of age were rendering him incapable of attending to the growing needs of the Bristol parish, he resigned, May 1st, 1901, to accept the lighter charge of St. Catherine's Parish, Broad Brook.
He survived his removal only one year, and died in Broad Brook towards the end of May, 1902. His remains were brought to his own beloved Bristol, where, in St. Joseph's Cemetery, under the shadow of the church he served so long and so well, they are interred with others of an earlier day and generation, who strove and made sacrifices to , propagate on earth the teaching of Christ.
Father Rodden had for assistants: Rev. James Walsh, Rev. Chas. McGoon, Rev. Frank M. Murray, Rev. Maurice Sheehan, Rev. Terence Smith, Rev. Patrick J. O'Leary, Rev. John Brennan and Rev. John Clark, in the order given.
Rev. Thomas J. Keena, the present incumbent, assumed charge of St. Joseph's parish, May 1, 1901. He set himself at once to the task of erecting a parochial school.
A Catholic laity responded to his efforts with good will and generos- ity. In the space of two years, he purchased the land on the extension of Center Street, moved the old rectory, transforming it into a convent, built and furnished the school and the present new rectory, and pur- chased the new St. Thomas' Cemetery.
On May 24, 1902, Right Rev. Bishop Tierney of Hartford blessed the new cemetery and dedicated the parochial school. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. H. Rogers of St. Patrick's Church, Hartford.
The presence of the Right Rev. Bishop and upwards of 100 priests from all parts of the diocese, the demonstration of strength and number made by the children and the societies connected with the church, ren- dered that day a memorable one for Catholics in the history of Bristol.
Co-operating with the priests of St. Joseph's parish is a strong and united force of Catholic laity, formed into societies under the auspices of the church, for the promotion of temperance, as well as for benevo- lent and charitable purposes-we give them in the order of their founda- tion, viz .: the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph's Young Men's Temperance and Benevolent Society, St.
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
373
WAROS
3
5
SCENES IN OLD CATHOLIC CEMETERY.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
ST. JOSEPH'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AND CONVENT.
Joseph's German Society, St. Jean Baptiste Society, and the Polish Society. Societies for women are: the Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Legion, Ladies' Auxiliary, A. O. H., Young Ladies' Sodality, Young Ladies' Temperance Society, besides confraternities for younger mem- bers. These societies are in full vigor and representing, as they do, the best in layman and womanhood, they are strong aids in the pro- motion of church work.
In the new parochial school, 375 children are receiving instruction under the fostering care of the Sisters of St. Joseph in charge of Sr. M. Carmella. These good women, who bring to their vocation virtue and talent, instruct their pupils in all the branches of education taught in the public schools. While doing so, they also teach them in a broad and efficient manner, that religion must be an ever-present factor in their lives, and that all earthly ambitions must be made subordinate to the end for which alone man was created.
Rev. T. J. Keena, the present pastor is a native of Hartford, Conn. He received his early education in St. Peter's Parochial School. His college studies were pursued at St. Charles' College, Baltimore, Md., under the direction of the Sulpitian Fathers. He entered the Grand Seminary, Montreal, Canada, to study philosophy, but completed his philosophical and theological studies in the Ecclesiastical Seminary, Troy, N. Y., where he was ordained, to the priesthood, Dec. 19, 1885.
His first appointment was to St. John's Parish, Stamford, where, for 12 years, he labored faithfully and with great success until he was appointed as pastor to St. Lawrence's Parish, Hartford, Nov. 21, 1898. Here he remained for 3 years, until he was transferred by Bishop Tierney and made pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Bristol.
Associated with Father Keena in the work of St. Joseph's, was Rev. John Clark from May 1 to Oct. 6, at which date he was called to Montville to act as pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Bernard M. Donnelly of Stamford, Conn., the present assistant.
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
375
Father Donnelly completed his preparatory studies at St. Charles' College, Maryland, pursued the study of philosophy and tehology at the Grand Seminary, Montreal, Canada, and was ordained to the Priest- hood, July 30, 1899, by the Rt. Rev. Michael Tierney, in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hartford. After a year of post-graduate study, spent in Rome, Italy, he was assigned to duty, for short periods, in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven, before coming to Bristol.
1
Thus the Catholic population has increased in 50 years from 200 souls to more than 3,000. St. Joseph's is a parish of composite charac- ter: its different elements are drawn from many branches of the human family, so that the native American worships side by side with the Irish, the French-Canadian, the German, the Pole, the Lithuanian, and the Italian.
Thus, in a short span of years, the little seed of Catholicity sown at the Copper Mines, has grown up and branched forth into a great tree, which offers spiritual shelter and a peaceful haven to so many of the wandering children of the different nations of the earth.
What a distinguished churchman once said about the Catholics of this State might be appropriated to fit the situation in Bristol-"Catho- lics have ever manifested a deep interest in whatever concerns the wel- fare of the town. Zealous in guarding her fair name and in upholding her prestige, they join willing hands with their fellow citizens of all other denominations in laboring for the common weal. Knowing their duties, and grateful for the blessings which they enjoy, they have be- come closely identified with whatever tends to the advancement of the town's and State's interests."
BRISTOL
BRISTOL
BRISTOL
BRISTOL
BRISTOL
B
BRISTOL
B
Y. M. T. A. B. BALL, TEAM.
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5
SMITHWICK
FITZSIMON
FIORILLO
SCENES IN NEW CATHOLIC CEMETERY.
OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
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dasoris ORUM R BOYS
CORPS
BRISTOL.CT.
ST. JOSEPH'S ALTAR BOYS DRUM CORPS.
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REMINISENCES OF YOUTHFUL PASTIMES
>
BY ROSWELL ATKINS.
O UR ancestors were a reading people, and early in the 19th century organized circulating libraries, one of which was a part of the old Scott Swamp library, but soon changed to the Farmers' Library. This library was composed of standard works: Rollins, Ancient History, in eight volumes; memoirs of prominent men; his- tories, etc., so far as they could be obtained. This was in the east part of the town, and in the west part of Farmington. This library was sold sometime in the thirties, as newspapers became more numerous and easily obtained.
While our ancestors were of necessity a pastoral people, they were not unmindful of the finer arts and embelishments of life which were within their reach. Of course the common school was regarded as a necessity, and was established in different localities as the different hamlets became large enough to warrant it.
Music was also given considerable attention, teachers were hired, and the young men and women, on saddle and pillion, or in wagons without springs, hied away to the singing school in the center of the town, and the grand old anthems of Mozart, Clark, Whittaker, Mason, Kent, Stephens, Handel, and many others in the Bridgewater Collec- tion, were made to yield their rich melodies to the listening congrega- tions, with only the pitch pipe to give the key, and the wand of the leader to keep time, in some instances; in others, the flute, clarionette, violin and bass viol gave support to the voices, until the introduction of the church organ. The first band for out-door music was composed of clarionettes, bassoons, fifes, piccolos, bugle or French horn, cymbals and drums. Only one man is now living who participated in this band, Elias Burwell. This was followed very soon by the brass band, composed of the Kent, or C bugle, the E-flat or tenor horn, cornopean, trombone, ophicleide and drums. These were followed by the modern band instru- ments.
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