In this image of Battle Creek’s 1908 Fourth of July parade, we see two floats – the "Liberty wagon representing all the states of the Union" and the "W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union] wagon filled with little boys dressed in white." Just visible behind the floats and to the right of the Ice Cream sign is the "Battle Creek Military Band of 26 pieces dressed in new uniforms, making a nobby appearance and at the same time playing music hard to beat for a band four months of age."
The Battle Creek Times, 9 July 1908, p. 5.
In this image of Battle Creek’s 1908 Fourth of July parade, we see two floats – the "Liberty wagon representing all the states of the Union" and the "W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union] wagon filled with little boys dressed in white." Just visible behind the floats and to the right of the Ice Cream sign is the "Battle Creek Military Band of 26 pieces dressed in new uniforms, making a nobby appearance and at the same time playing music hard to beat for a band four months of age."
The Battle Creek Times, 9 July 1908, p. 5.
In this image of Battle Creek’s 1908 Fourth of July parade, we see two floats – the "Liberty wagon representing all the states of the Union" and the "W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union] wagon filled with little boys dressed in white." Just visible behind the floats and to the right of the Ice Cream sign is the "Battle Creek Military Band of 26 pieces dressed in new uniforms, making a nobby appearance and at the same time playing music hard to beat for a band four months of age."
The Battle Creek Times, 9 July 1908, p. 5.
The band is interesting in that the name on the bass drum indicates the band is from "Silver Twp [Township]." Silver Township is not an incorporated city, but rather a 36-square mile section of southern Cherokee county. I have not yet determined where the photograph was taken, although the photographer's stamp on the back of the photograph states, " FOR SALE BY / E.L. TIFFT, / Photographer, / Anthon, Iowa." Anthon is located about 25 miles southwest of Silver Township. The one (possibly two) references that I have found so far suggest that the STCB was a popular dance band.
The Cherokee Weekly Times includes one certain reference to the "Silver Twp. Cornet Band" and one less certain reference to the "Silver Cornet Band." The second reference is less certain since "Silver Cornet Band" was a relatively common band name at this time.
Thursday, October 7, 1897
COUNTY CORRESPONDENCE: The dance under the auspices of the Silver Twp. Cornet Band proved to be enjoyable and profitable in a pecuniary way. [8]
Thursday, April 14, 1898
WASHTA: The Silver Cornet Band gave a very pleasing entertainment in Snidecor's ball, Friday night. The boys make good music and merit the public patronage. [8]