Louisbourg Heritage Society

The Band and the Community

Melvin Huntington was sufficiently impressed by the band concert in May 1936 to recommend its participation in the official opening of the new Museum at the Fortress, planned for the summer of 1936.¹⁴ The opening was postponed for a year and by 1937, when the ceremony took place the Band was no longer active.

A month after the May concert, the Band traveled to Gabarus where it played at a concert and dance in the Orange Hall. The members travelled along the shore road through Kennington Cove in Beaver's truck and Danny Nicholson's car. Reverend McLean remembers being in the car along with Melvin Huntington, Reverend H. D. Townsend and Jack Johnson. Murdock McLean directed the Band that night. The newspaper coverage of the Gabarus outing notes that, " . . . the concert was comprised of instrumental solos, duets, trios, quartets and full band numbers all of which was well received."¹⁵ Melvin Huntington contributed to the concert by singing two solos. Reverend E. D. MacKillop thanked the Band and, ". . . congratulated them on the degree excellency reached by the members in the short time since their reorganization." The evening was continued when several members of the Band formed an orchestra for dancing.¹⁶

The next time the Band played was for the Fishermen's Regatta in July. These races, sponsored by the Fishermen's Union, were first run in 1932 and continued until 1939. There were 30 or more boats entered in several divisions running a course from the Government Wharf down the harbour towards the Fortress and back again.¹⁷ Harold Wilson remembers the Band forming up outside the Town Hall and parading along the street to the waterfront at the foot of Lower Warren Street. The photographs taken that day show the Band seated on a raised platform constructed from swordfish boxes. Wilson remembers that the bandmembers also operated one of the food concession booths. Wesley Townsend directed the Band though, because of his illness, he directed while sitting on a chair.¹⁸

While the Band paraded to the site of the Regatta that day, it never did have much practice marching. Freeman MacKenzie reports that, "It was difficult to watch the music and look out for potholes at the same time." John MacAskill also remembers parading, on at least one occasion, from the Band Room to the Calvin Hall before one of the Christmas concerts. But the Band never had enough practice to develop its marching abilities and Howard MacPhail points to this as a limiting factor in it's taking part in special events.

18. The Louisburg Town Band at the Regatta in July 1936. The bandstand is located at the foot of Lower Warren Street near the Government Wharf, the official starting point for the Regatta. Seated on the far left, Jack Johnson. With backs to the photogr apher John MacAskill, Ernest Skinner, William Dearing. Over MacAskill's shoulder Howard Macphail. Standing and Playing l - r: Neil McLean and George McLean

19. The Louisburg Town Band at the Regatta in July 1936. The band is seated on a platform constructed of swordfish boxes. Seated, l - r: Howard MacPhail, Ernest Skinner, John MacAskill, William Dearing, Melvin Beaver. Standing, Murdock McLean. Seated, under McLean's trumpet is Danny Nicholson and to the far right behind McLean is Layton Coveyduc.

Still, the Band got some encouragement by example. In September, the Sydney Band came to Louisburg and held a concert on the school grounds.¹⁹ This was not the first occasion or the Sydney Band coming to town. On September 3, 1933 it perform ed on the school ground for two hours. And two years earlier, in 1931, the Salvation Army Band from Glace came to Louisburg and performed at the corner of Main and Warren in the vacant lot, now occupied by the Post Office.²⁰

As Christmas approached, the members of the Band felt that they had to do something tangible for the Town. According to John MacAskill ". . . we were supposed to be a Citizens' Band, a community band, and we thought it was a nice idea to put up a Chris tmas Tree." The Band held several concerts to raise money and obtained donations from businesses in town. MacAskill remembers that the concerts were held in the old Calvin Hall on Strathcona Street. During the concerts the Band would play several selections and then have an intermission when local ladies sold fudge. M. S. Huntington records one of these concerts and community "sing song" in the Calvin Hall, stating that there was, ". . . fairly good attendance of people of the town who appeared to enjoy t he programme. I sang two songs, When the Bell in the Lighthouse Rings Ding Dong and the End of the Road."²¹ MacAskill remembers a practical joker plugging the horn of his bass instrument with a bottle which he did not discover until it was time to resume playing.

At the end of November, Clifton Townsend gave a presentation, in Calvin Hall, describing his trip to Vimy Ridge, in July, to the unveiling of the Canadian War Memorial there. Townsend was one of the First War volunteers which the Louisburg Brass Band h ad escorted to the S&L Station in 1914. The Band was present and played a few selections.²² Then, in December, the Band went to the homes of Duncan Lamont and Wesley Townsend, both men being too ill to take part in any of the Band-sponsored events. Alex Smith remembers the Band playing in front of the Lamont house with Duncan Lamont sitting inside the porch listening to the music.

By Christmas Eve, the Band had achieved its goal for there was a tree, complete with electric lights, standing in the vacant lot, on the corner of Main and Lower Warren Streets, now occupied by the Post Office. Alex Smith remembers that he and Howard M acPhail strung the lights. Huntington writes that the community Christmas Tree " . . was dedicated tonight when the Louisbourg Brass Band under the direction of Harold Covey gave an hours programme of music in the presence of a large audience. Carols were also sung by members of the Band and others. During the concert bags of candy were distributed to the children. . ." Huntington goes on to note that " . . the tree was gaily lighted with coloured electric lights and presented a very handsome appearance, the first of its kind in the town of Louisbourg . . . the tree is upwards of 20 feet in height."²³

The End of the Band

Wesley Townsend was ill for almost a year before he died on April 12, 1937. John MacAskill remembers a number of the band members going to his house the night he was waked and spending the night there. The Band also took part in the funeral procession. Melvin Huntington wrote that ". . . the members of the Louisburg Citizens' Brass Band, of which Wesley Townsend was the reorganizer, paraded in a body to the church and grave - without instruments."²⁴ Townsend was buried in the former Methodist Cemetery on Clarkes Road. His gravestone, a simple red granite marker, has a musical note carved above his name.

The Band did not last much longer, though it is possible that it played for the Regatta in 1937. Howard MacPhail notes that Harold Covey's interest became more focused on his dance band and that he moved to Sydney in 1937 or 1938. Murdock McLean took o ver responsibility for the Band, but the left for school in Halifax in 1937. MacPhail remembers five or six members of the Band playing at the new rink on Strathcona Street after it was opened for skating in January 1938. He says, however, that by that ti me the Band had come to an end.

All the band members interviewed felt that an important reason for the Band coming to an end was that the members went away for work or education. While this may have been true, John MacAskill identified the central cause of the demise of the Band when he said, "Thats what ... happened to our band. There was Wesley Townsend, he died. Harold Covey came to Sydney (to work). And then Murdock McLean, he was the next bandmaster, and he took up his trade in Halifax, x-ray technician, in the hospital. So when they went we had nothing. There was nobody good enough to direct the Band." As with both earlier bands a competent and interested band master was critical to success or failure.

The memories are good, however, and every one of the remaining members of the Louisburg Town Band looks on that short period of time with fondness. Thinking back over fifty-four years, Howard MacPhail recalls, "Its an amazing thing about this Band. Her e's a bunch of fellows, ninety percent of them wouldn't know a note from a lump of coal, no idea of music . . . And they took them all and they taught them how to play."

20. The Louisburg Town Band walking in Wesley Townsend's funeral cortege as it proceeds along Main street to the First United Church, April 17, 1936. Wesley Townsend's gravestone.

PICTURE CREDITS

1. Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
2. Louisbourg Heritage Society, P. O. Box 396, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
3. Beaton Institute, University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
4. Beaton Institute, UCCB.
5. Louisbourg Regional Library, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
6. Fortress of Louisbourg NHS.
7. Fortress of Louisbourg NHS.
8. Mr. Charles Stacey, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
9. Mrs. Donald Skinner, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
10. Mr. Todd Rudderham, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
11. Fortress of Louisbourg NHS.
12. Mrs. Alice (Ley) Fischer, New Waterford, Nova Scotia.
13. Mrs. Jean ( MacDonald) Scott, Middleton, Rhode Island, USA. 14. Top, left: Mrs. Jean (MacDonald) Scott. Top, right: Miss Eleanor Huntington, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Bottom left: Mrs Eva Lewis, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. Bottom right: William A. O'Shea, Louisbourg.
15. William A. O'Shea, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
16. Mrs. Donald Skinner, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
17. William A. O'Shea.
18. Mr. Howard MacPhail, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
19. Mr. Howard MacPhail.
20. Mr. Howard MacPhail & William A. O Shea.

ENDNOTES

In order to reduce the number of footnotes I have taken two shortcuts. In some instances the source and date are quoted in the body of the text. In other instances, you will find just a date and month. These refer to entries in Melvin S. Huntington's Diar ies which are found on microfilm at the McConnell Memorial Library in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the Beaton Institute of the University College of Cape Breton Sydney, N. S., and the Public Archives of Nova Scotia Halifax.

Introduction

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Wm. Benton Pub., 1973, v.3, p. 76. 2. Stanley Sadie, ed., The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musician, MacMillan Publishers Ltd., 1980, v. 3, p. 210.
3. Denis Arnold, gen. ed., The New Oxford Companion to Music, Oxford University Press, 1983, Reprinted 1984, pp. 257-258.
4. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, p. 210.
5. Douglas N. Anderson, "78th Highlanders Ross-Shire Buffs 1869," Historical and Descriptive Notes, Portfolio B2, 1988, p.12. Located in the archives of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
6. Donald E. Graves, " Siol Na Fear Fearail ( The Breed of Manly Men) The Nova Scotia Highland Brigade: History, Uniforms, Insignia, Equipment and Colours," Military Collector and Historian, Vol. XXXIV, No. 2, Summer 1982, pp. 52-59.
7. Nancy F. Vogan, "Music Instruction in Nova Scotia before 1914," in John Beckwith and Frederick A. Hall eds., Musical Canada, University of Toronto Press, 1988, pp. 71 - 78.
8. Kenneth Donovan, " May Learning Flourish," in K. Donovan, ed., The Island: New Perspectives on Cape Breton History 1713 - 1990, Acadiensis Press & University College of Cape Breton Press, 1990, pp 89 - 112.
9. Reverend A. A. Johnston, A History of the Catholic Church in Eastern Nova Scotia, Vol.11, 1827-1880, St. Francis Xavier University Press, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, 1971, pp. 348-349.
10. J. G. MacKinnon, Old Sydney, Originally published in 1918 by Don MacKinnon, Sydney, C.B., Republished in 1989 by the Old Sydney Society, pp.129-134.
11. Sydney Daily Post, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 14 December 1901. In 1904 the St. Cecelia Band and Prof. Liscomb's Orchestra amalgamated and became known as the Sydney Band and Orchestra. Sydney Daily Post, 3 June 1904. 12. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, p. 210.
13. Sydney Daily Post, 6 August 1903 & 7 October 1904.
14. St. Joseph's Band photo in "St. Joseph's & A.O.H. Bands - Yesteryear's Attractions," Coastal Courier, Glace Bay, N. S., 16 November 1977. Also, "The Bay Shall have Music Whereever She Goes," Newspaper Article c 1965. Both articles found in Scrapbook # 91, Music & Dance, Beaton Institute, UCCB. Also the Beaton picture file - Bands.
15. Sydney Record, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 14 October 1902.
16. Sydney Daily Post, 22 December 1903.
17. Sydney Record, 13 November 1903. This article notes that John Murphy, who organized the Louisburg Band had been a member of a Port Morien band. There is also a photograph of Port Morien Band from a later period in Beaton Institute, UCCB, #78-162-1912.
18. Sydney Daily Post, 9 December 1901. There are also two excellent photographs of this band in the Beaton Institute Band photo file. The executive of the CMBA band according to the SDP article included: Chief - Albert Somers; Sergeant - William Raymond; President - Bernard Francis, M.D.; Secretary - David McDonald; Treasurer - A. C. McCormick. Executive Committee - B. Francis, David McDonald and A. C. McCormick. " The band consists of 18 pieces and was purchased from Whale Rayell & Co., at a cost of $ 630.00. The services of A. C. Henderson, musical director of the North Sydney Band have been secured as leader."
19. North Sydney Town Band, 17 March 1897, photo with caption, Beaton Institute, photo file, Bands 76 - 6.
20. Letter from Rev. John Edwards to Sr. Margaret Beaton, 12 December 1963, Beaton Institute, UCCB, Band File 77-555- 689, also photo. Father Edwards notes that normally being Catholic or Protestant did not matter when it came to belonging to a town band. There were tensions under the surface, however, and the incident which resulted in the creation of the LOC band reflects these tensions. Fr. Edwards wrote, "At the time of the particular event with which we are concerned, the parish priest of the time at tempted to hire Sisters to teach in the parish school. As you can well imagine, this effort generated quite a bit of opposition. Eventually the matter was decided in a Town Council meeting - with the Protestant Mayor, Jim Purvis, casting the deciding vote in favour of admitting the Sisters; the Council had split three-three. As you can likewise imagine this close vote did not still all opposition and controversy by any means. In the heat of all this, the Annual Town Winter Carnival took place - a big social event of the day and one at which the town band made it's big appearance. They were there and the costumed skaters appeared as per usual. However, in the midst of all the fun - two young ladies from two of the leading families opposed to the Sisters - appeared dressed as Sisters; the implication of this of course was lost on no one - including the Catholic members of the band and they quietly folded their instruments and walked out - together with one Protestant - Adam Ross - whose name you see in the picture. From these objectors was formed the LOC Band ..."
21. W. L. Chirgwin, "The 94th Argyll Highland Regiment," Weekly Cape Bretoner, 10 May 1958.
22. Sydney Record, 26 November 1902.
23. Sydney Daily Post, 25 April 1903.
24. J. G. MacKinnon, Old Sydney (1989 reprint), pp. 72 and 125. 25. Ibid.,p.133, and Sydney Daily Post,14 August 1901.
26. J. S. Stephens Collection. Programme/Notices, Beaton Institute, UCCB., no date, MG 12/206/7, and Sydney Daily Post, 3 September 1901.
27. Report of the Committee on Louisbourg Memorial, Society of Colonial Wars, New York, 1896, p. vii. 28. Reverend John Edwards to Sr. Margaret Beaton, 1963.
29. Sydney Record, 29 August 1904.
30. Coastal Courrier, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, 16 November 1977. 31. "The Bay Shall Have Music Wherever She Goes," Scrapbook # 91, " Cape Breton Music & Dance," Beaton Institute
32. Gordon Elman, " A Century of Band Music in Sydney," 12 November 1962, Beaton Institute, MG 12/38. A good summary of Sydney band activities.
33. " Schooner Pond, Alias Dominion No. 6, alias Donkin," Scrapbook #15A, Beaton Institute, UCCB, and from note of a telephone conversation with Ken Reid on 31 January 1991.
34. "The Bay Shall have Music Wherever She Goes," Scrapbook #91, Cape Breton Music & Dance, Beaton Institute UCCB.
35. Notes from telephone conversations with June Martin, bandmember, and Barbara Stetter, Band Director, 1 February 1991. Stetter is responsible for the Glace Bay secondary school music programme. She envisions the newly revived Glace Bay Community Band providing an opportunity for graduates from the school programme to continue the involvement with music in the community. Should this prove successful the Town of Glace Bay can look forward a vibrant community band into the next century.
36. Gordon Elman, "A Century of Band Music in Sydney," 12 November 1962, Beaton Institute, UCCB.
37. Notes from a telephone conversation with Les Rowe and Wilson Rowe on 31 January 1991. The Sydney Mines Legion Band has the advantage of receiving an annual budget allocation from the Sydney Mines Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Band also take s advantage of the Provincial Department of Culture and Recreation funding during the summer.

The Louisburg Citizens' Band 1903-1907

1. Sydney Record, 13 November 1903.
2. Ibid., 23 May 1904.
3. The first meeting of Council was in the living room of W. W. Lewis' home on the west side of Lower Warren Street. Later meetings were held in the County Building on Main Street. This building was located at the point where Aberdeen Street meets Main, a nd was moved when Aberdeen Street was constructed. It ended up on the west side of Aberdeen on the location presently occupied by the old Catalone School which moved here several years ago and now used as Rovie's Pizzeria and a Toning Salon. The County Building served as a Town Hall, a jail and later the Firehall. It was torn down in the 1960's
4. Sydney Record, 18 November 1903 & 1 December 1903.
5. Ibid., 13 November 1903.
6. Ibid., 30 April 1904.
7. Ibid., 16 April 1904.
8. Ibid., 30 April 1904.
9. Ibid., 30 April 1904.
10. Ibid., 23 May 1904.
11. Ibid., 4 June 1904.
12 Sydney Daily Post, 4 June 1904.
13. Sydney Record, 21 & 28 July 1904. The Peters Bros. building, located on the north side of Main Street a bit west of the Irving Gas Station, in the centre of Louisbourg was completed in June 1902. The upper part was used as a Hall and the lower as a me at market and general grocery store. See Sydney Record, 16 June 1902.
14. "The Bay Shall Have Music Wherever She Goes" and " St. Joseph's and AOH bands - Yesteryear's Attractions" The Coastal Courrier,16 November 1977 in Scrapbook #91, CB Music and Dance, Beaton Institute, University College of Cape Breton. Sydney Daily Pos t, 6 October 1905. The St. Joseph's Band in Glace Bay was first organized in 1890 by Dan Hardy of Caledonia. Hardy lost his life in a mine accident in Caledonia #1 in 1893 and the band languished. In 1903 Ryan reorganized the band and it operated for 9 years. In 1914 St. Josephs's band joined with bands from Dominion and Bridgeport to form the A.O.H. band which performed for 24 years. (Beaton Scrapbook # 91) The St. Joseph's Band executive for 1905 was Joseph Guthro, President; John Cameron, Secretary; Jo hn T. Ryan, Treasurer, Daniel McPherson, Property Manager; John T. Ryan, Musical Instructor; Alex Curry, Band Sergeant. ( Sydney Daily Post, 6 October 1905 )
15. Sydney Record, 6 August 1904; Sydney Daily Post, 8 August 1902.
16. Sydney Daily Post, 7 September 1904.
17. Sydney Record, 19 September 1904; Sydney Daily Post, 19 September 1904.
18. Louisburg Band photograph, Fortress of Louisbourg NHS; McAlpine's Nova Scotia Directory, Halifax, 1908, 1891 Census of Canada, District 28 Cape Breton County, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Conversation with Mr. Guv M. Hiltz at the Sydney & Louisburg Railway Museum, July 1,1990. It was with Guy's help that some of the possible political affiliations were established. Of the 11 adult bandsmen, there were probably 8 Liberals and 3 Conservatives. Of the 15 members in the Band there were also 5 Roman Catholics, 6 Church of England, 2 Methodists, 1 Presbyterian and 1 Baptist.
19. Sydney Record, 21 October 1904. The Liberal-Conservatives formed a branch executive for the area south of the Mira River in October 1904. Dr. D. A. Morrison was President, Wm. Burke, Vice-President; James McPhee, Secretary. Captain R. H. Cann was Chai rman of the Louisburg committee. See the Sydney Daily Post, 12 October 1904.
20. Sydney Record, 25 October 1904.
21. Ibid., 22 October 1904.
22. Ibid., 25 October 1904.
23. Ibid., 22 October 1904.
24. Ibid., 25 October 1904.
25. Ibid., 8 November 1904.
26. Ibid., 19 October 1904.
27. Ibid., 19 September 1904.
28. Ibid., 6 October 1904.
29. Ibid., 17 December 1904
30. Sydney Daily Post, 19 December 1904.
31. Sydney Record, 5 Jan 1905.
32. Ibid., 12 January 1905
33. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 6 March 1905.
34. Sydney Record, 8 March 1905.
35. Sydney Daily Post, 9 March 1905.
36. Ibid., 17 March 1905.
37. Ibid., 15 March 1905.
38. Ibid., 21 March 1905. The concert was a rousing success raising $42. This was supplemented by $10 from Sampson Lodge of the P.W.A. and $10 from the C.M.B.A. (Sydney Daily Post, 21 March 1905 ), an excellent show of support for someone who the communit y obviously admired. Unfortunately, Reverend Buchanan did not recover a his body was returned from Boston to Louisburg in May 1905 where funeral services were held. He is buried in Big Baddeck beside his mother and other relatives (Ibid., 4 May 1905, 6 Ma y 1905 ). Buchanan was born in 1869 a attended Sydney Academy, Dalhousie University and Pine Hill Divinity College. He was inducted into the Presbyterian Congregation in Louisbourg in 1899 ( Ibid., 1 May 1905 ).
39. M. S. Huntington, Diaries, Friday 28 April 1905.
40. Sydney Daily Post, 1 May 1905.
41. Sydney Record, 15 February 1906. Lyons was from Glace Bay. He married Miss Katie McAuly of Pep (Pepperrell) Street, in Louisburg (Ibid.,15 February 1906).
42. Sydney Daily Post, 11 May 1905. Monday seems to have been the popular night for the band entertainment.
43. Sydney Record, 1 June 1905.
44. Ibid., 14 June 1905.
45. Sydney Daily Post, 29 July 1905.
46. Sydney Record, 31 July 1905.
47. Sydney Daily Post, 4 July 1905; Sydney Record, 4 & 5 July 1905.
48. Sydney Daily Post, 13 July 1905. An arrangement was reached between the CMBA and the LOL which allowed the LOL to use the Slattery Point grounds for the picnic on the 12th. In return, the LOL paid half the costs of material used for construction of booths and tables ( Ibid., 10 July 1905).
49. Sydney Record, 24 July 1905.
50. Sydney Daily Post, 2 August 1905.
51. Sydney Record, 10 & 12 August 1905.
52. Sydney Daily Post, 7 September 1905.
53. Sydney Record, 27 September 1905.
54. Ibid., 4 October 1905.
55. Ibid., 5 October 1905.
56. Ibid., 7 November 1905.
57. Sydney Daily Post, 5 & 7 December 1905.
58. Sydney Record, 10, 19 & 26 February 1906.
59. Ibid., 9 January 1907.
60. Sydney Daily Post, 5 September 1907.
61. Ibid., 3 September 1904.
62. Sydney Record, 29 August 1904.
63. Sydney Daily Post, 17 March 1905.
64. Ibid., 10 October 1901; Sydney Record, 12 December 1905.
65. Sydney Daily Post, 18 September 1907.

Louisburg Brass Band 1913-1924

1. Sydney Record, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 7 March & 25 March 1914; Sydney Daily Post, 7 March 1914.
2. Sydney Record, 25 March 1914.
3. Sydney Daily Post. 7 April 1914.
4. Sydney Record, 5 May 1914. St. Bartholomew's Parish Hall, usually referred to by Melvin S. Huntington in his diaries as the "Parish Hall" was constructed in 1909 ( Sydney Record 3 July 1909 and 18 September 1909 ) and torn down in 1989.
5. Interview with Charles Stacey, Louisbourg, 1989.
6. The Keefes or O'Keefes were a musical family. Their sister Mrs. Millie O'Toole ( later Tucker ) was for many years the organist at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in Louisburg. Both Arthur and his younger brother Frank were members of the earlier Lo uisburg Citizens' Band. The supposition that they were part of the later Brass Band is based on the fact that the Band turned out to see Arthur off when he moved to Glace Bay with his family on September 30 1916. And the proceeds of a dance, held in the M asonic hall on April 4, 1918, went to Frank Keefe.
7. Draper received the appointment as Archdeacon in succession to the late Archdeacon Smith in April 1914 - Sydney Daily Post, 7 April 1914.
8. Sydney Daily Post, September 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22 1913. Sydney Record, September 9, 11, 20, 22 1913.
9. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 9 December 1914. Allison Kelland returned to Louisburg to work at the Marconi Station in West Louisburg. He also married Laura Lewis the daughter of the former Mayor W. W. Lewis. Kelland worked in North Sydney and Canso. He later returned to Louisburg and ended his days in the old Louisburg Hotel on Main Street owned by his nephew Harvey Lewis. Kelland was an accomplished organist and played for St. Bartholomew's church in Louisburg for many years. Conversation Harvey Lewis, Lewis & Company Store, Main Street, 8 January 1991.
10. Using Huntington's Diaries as the source, the following is an overview of the number of band practices. The figures are qualified by the fact that Huntington did not join the band until April of 1914. He may not have recorded each and every practice. Nor are there any records for the practice by the lady members of the band before they combined with the mens' band in 1919. Practice in the early years was in the old Town Hall on the west side of Aberdeen Street. In the 1920's and possibly earlier the practices were in the Band Room of the new Town Hall located in the school house on the south side of Main Street at the end of Pepperrell Street. The building is now used as the Church of God. 19 14 - 24, 1915 - 37, 1916 - 52, 1917 - 29, 1918 - 23, 1919 - 37, 1920 - 40, 1921 - 20, 1922 - 20, 1923 - 15, 1924 - 4
11. Telephone conversation with Mrs. Jean (MacDonald) Scott of Middleton, Rhode Island in December 1990, also a letter from Jean Scott to Jean Kyte in Louisbourg dated 23 April 1990, W. O'Shea Band file. Mrs. Scott thought that her father might have playe d in a Salvation Army Band in Morien. There was a brass band c 1912 as evidenced by a photograph in the Beaton Institute, University College of Cape Breton, File 78-162-1912. John A. MacDonald also conducted the Calvin Church choir and later the United Ch urch Choir in Louisburg.
12. Nancy F. Vogan, "Music Instruction in Nova Scotia before 1914", in John Beckwith and Frederick A. Hall eds., Musical Canada, University of Toronto Press, 1988, pp 71-78.(p.78 ).
13. History of Modern Louisbourg 1758 - 1958, Louisbourg Branch of the Women's Institute of Nova Scotia, 1958. Reprint 1988, Louisbourg District Planning & Development Commission, p. 43. 14. Sydney Daily Post, 25 May 1915.
15. M. S. Hunt, ed., Nova Scotia's Part in the Great War, The Nova Scotia Veteran Publishing Co., Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1920. pp. 123 - 124.
16. Sydney Daily Post, May 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, and 27, 1916
17. Melvin Huntington would write in his diary on 23 October 1916 of hearing that Sergeant Abe Wilcox had been killed in action. 18. Sydney Daily Post, 19 November 1914.
19. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 16 December 1914.
20. Sydney Daily Post, 12 January 1915. The total amount collected for Louisburg came to $356.99.
21. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 18 August, 30 September, 16 December and 23 December 1915.
22. Ibid., 3 March 1915. Later in the war the president of the Auxiliary was Mrs. A. L. Bates. see Nova Scotia's Part in the Great War, Halifax, 1920, p.365. Dr. Freeman O'Neil was a local doctor and Major attached to the Regimental Headquarters of the 3r d Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in Sydney. For many years he had been associated with the 17th "Sydney" Battery. See Peter Moogk, "From Fortress Louisbourg to Fortress Sydney," in Kenneth Donovan, ea., Cape Breton at 200, University College of Cape Breton Press, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 1985, pp.127-182 ( p.142 ).
23. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 20 and 21 October 1916.
24. The school house was on the south side of Main Street at the junction of Pepperrell. It was used as a Town Hall from the 1916 - 1920 period to the late 1960's. It was a restaurant called the Potager in the early 1970's and from 1991 to the present the Pentecostal, Church of God.
25. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 23 September and 22 November 1915.
26. Other than the fact that at a dance people danced and at a concert people listened, there is no record of a compete program of either sponsored by the band. We know from the earlier band that a dance could include a violin player for the actual dancing with the band entertaining intermittently with a few solo pieces. Concerts could involve band selections, other musicians and solo pieces. Huntington was called on to sing on a number of occasions.
27. Verner transferred from the militia, the 94th Victoria Regiment (Argyll Highlanders), to the 85th Overseas Battalion ( Nova Scotia Highlanders ). He is mentioned in Nova Scotia's Part in the Great War as "Hell Fire" Verner for his exploit at Vimy Ridge - see p.105. He was wounded in France - M. S. Huntington, Diaries, 18 April 1917.
28. Nova Scotia's Part in the Great War. p.123.
29. Verner went back to Halifax and Lt. Fraser took over command of the Louisburg volunteers. Included in the contingent were 9 men from Gabarus who had arrived in Louisburg on 31 March, according to Melvin S. Huntington.
30. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 29 June 1916.
31. Ibid., 31 October 1916.
32. Ibid., 6 October 1916
33. Skinner later moved out west and his family lost track of him according to a nephew, Donald Skinner of Louisbourg in a conversation in the fall of 1990. The Sydney Daily Post for 11 October 1916 mentions that Lt. G. S. Skinner was on a leave of absenc e to recuperate from wounds received in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was returning to Winnipeg, accompanied by his wife, for an operation before returning to the front. If he did return to Europe, he survived the War since in the Sydney Post Record obituar y of 26 January 1956, for John Hugh Skinner it is mentioned that he had a brother, George, in Vancouver.
34. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 25 April 1916.
35. Ibid., 15 August 1916. 44
36. Ibid., 11 May 1917, 2 July 1917.
37. Ibid., 22 June 1917, 29 June 1917.
38. Ibid., 20 July 1917.
39. Ibid., 24 July 1917.
40. Ibid., 8 August 1917,10 August 1917. The stations at Port Morien and Louisburg were closed to public service on 17 August 1917 as a temporary war measure. See Mary K. MacLeod, " Whisper in the Air, Marconi: The Cape Breton Years 1901 - 1945," in Kenneth Donovan ed., Cape Breton at 200, University College of Cape Breton Press, Sydney, 1985, p.121.
41. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 13 April 1917, 8 June 1917, 18 October 1917.
42. Ibid., 14 January 1918.
43. Ibid., 12 February 1918.
44. Sydney Daily Post, 28 July 1904.
45. Ibid., 19 October 1905. Morrison arrived and stayed for a number of years. Huntington notes on 24 June 1906 that he, Angus McIntosh, Duncan Crowdis, John A. MacDonald and H. A. Douglas spent the afternoon with Morrison who played the piano while they sang.
46. Ibid., 27 May 1919.
47. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 10 April 1919.
48. Ibid., 17 May 1919.
49. Ibid., 19 May 1919.
49a.Conversation with Miss Eleanor Huntington, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 8 February 1991.
50. Sydney Post, 7 August 1919.
51. The Great War Veterans' Association ( GWVA ) came to Louisburg to organize a branch on 11 December 1919. 52. Sydney Post, 27 & 29, 1919.
53. Ibid., 4 & 17 September 1919.
53a. The tunics were discovered in the house on Upper Warren formerly owned by John A. MacDonald, but since 1945 owned by the Rudderham family. Todd Rudderham made the discovery after W. O'Shea suggested the possibility of Band memorabilia being stored in the attic. O'Shea had been following a lead given him by Erna Jean (MacDonald) Scott, daughter of Erna Jean and John A. MacDonald. Larry Rudderham, of Ingonish, has most kindly consented to donate the tunics to the Louisbourg Heritage Society.
54. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 27 June 1920.
55. Ibid., 19 July 1920.
56. Sydney Post, 2 August 1920.
57. Ibid., 2 August 1920. Huntington for some reason fails to mention the participation by the band in this event though he records the practice the night before. There is no complete record of the Band's repertoire. However, Charles Stacey of Louisbourg has some of the music used by his father, Wylie Stacey, who played in the first two Louisburg Bands. All this music is for the Solo Bb or 1 st Bb Cornet, the instrument Stacey played. - Whaley. Royce & Co. Toronto - Canadian Medley March
( including The Maple Leaf Our Emblem Dear), Red White and Blue, Bonnie Dundee.
- Geo. Southwell. Publisher. Kansas City Mo. These pieces were copyright between 1889 and 1901. 0ur Favourite Hymns (America, Nearer My God To Thee, Lead Kindly Light), Scottische "Viola", Overture "Musical Gem", Tourist Club March, Funeral March - Flee A s A Bird, Grand Waltz "Give Me A Kiss And Take One", Mexican Waltz "Over The Waves" O.P.E.R.A Waltz, Brass Quadrille "High Flyers", George Southwell's "Great 4" Sextettes, In The Shadow Of The Pines. Some or all of these pieces were purchased from Thos. C Laxton's Music Store, Yonge Street, Toronto.
- H. N. White. Cleveland. Ohio - Union Maid and Funeral March ( Rock Hill ). This was purchased from Thos. Saxton's Music Store, 197 Yonge Street, Toronto.
- Carl Fischer. New York - Nearer My God To Thee, Lead Kindly Light, Happy Day.

Wurlitzer Dance Band Book, published by The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati and Chicago, c 1904 ( MCMIV) by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. The music includes: Encouragement March, Alberta Waltz, Advancement March, Ivera Waltz, Eureka March, Vendome Schottisc he, Winona March, Adelaide Waltz, Algonquin March, Marion quadrille, In a Minute Galop, Tonawanda March, Coon Capers March, Red Clover March, Find and Dandy, Japonica Polka, Kyringia Mazurka, San Saba Spanish Waltz, Monticello March, Golden Rod March, Eldorado March, Granite State March, Arona Walk, Nevada Overture, Ambrosia Waltz, Crescent City March, and Our Heroes Dirge.
- Advertised in this book were the Wurlitzer Patriotic Band Book, Wurlitzer's Progressive Band Book and Wurlitzer Operatic Band Book. The price was 25 cents per book, with lots of 10 or more of the Patriotic Band book selling for 20 cents.
58. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 23 July 1920.
59. Ibid., 1 February, 7 February, 28 March, 2 September 1921.
60. Ibid., 23 November 1921.
61. Ibid., 7 November 1921, 14 November 1921. McLauchlin and Doyle were speakers.
62. H. C. V Levatte. Henry Charles Verner Levatte was born at Main a Dieu in 1858. He was educated there and at Port Morien. While a young man he moved to Louisburg and worked for W. McAlpine's business firm. He was elected to the Cape Breton County Counc il in 1878 and was re-elected every year until the fall of 1925. He was elected County Warden in 1899 and remained in that post until 1925. He was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia from 1912 to 1921 when he resigned to accept the position of Purchasing Agent for the Province. He remained in that position until the Liberal government was defeated in 1925. He died suddenly in his home in Halifax shortly after returning from service in All Saints Cathedral. His body was returned to Louisburg where he was waked at the home of Capt. Thomas Townsend on Lower Warren Street. The funeral service was from St. Bartholomew's Church with Archdeacon Draper presiding. See Halifax Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 26 April 1926, 1 May 1926; Sydney Record, 29 April 1926, Sydney Post, 28 April 1926 and Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 25 April 1926, 27 April 1926 and 28 April 1926.
63. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 21 April 1922 and 23 June 1922.
64. Ibid., 16 May 1922 and 25 May 1922.
65. Ibid., 23 October 1923.
66. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 15 June 1922.
67. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Miss Tina MacDonald at the Cove Guest Home in Sydney shortly before her death in 1989. She was the last remaining member of the 1913-1924 Brass Band. ( 2 March 1989 )
68. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 8 September 1922.
69. Ibid., 13 November 1923.
70. Ibid., September 1924.
71. Ibid., 9 November 1924.

The Louisburg Town Band 1935 - 1937

In an effort to cut down on endnotes in this section I have cited former bandmembers interviewed during research for the booklet only once. All other instances in which they are cited directly, refers to the initially cited interviews.
1. This was the common reason given by all the former band members for the start of the band.
2. The Syncopators included Wesley Townsend, saxophone; Mrs. Millie Tucker, piano; Jack Skinner, violin; Moses Ballah, xylophone; Danny Ferguson, drums; Harold Covey, trumpet.( Donald Skinner and Charlie Stacey, Louisbourg, February 24,1989 and John MacAskill, Sydney, January 2,1991). The list from all these sources was similar. MacAskill said that he remembered that one of Ballah's songs was called, "Get Out and Get Under the Moon." Another orchestra called the Super Five included at various times, Harold Covey, Murdock McLean, Danny Nicholson, Ernie Skinner, Howard MacPhail, John MacAskill, Laura Wilcox and Alex Leahy. According to John MacAskill this group formed shortly after the Louisburg Town Band came to an end (John MacAskill, January 2,1991). Harold Covey had another band, probably a permutation of the Syncopators and the Super Five in 1936. An advertisement in the Sydney Post-Record for February 11, 1936 it notes that Harold Covey and His Merrymakers will perform at the Firemens' 7th At Home in the Masonic Hall.
3. Howard MacPhail, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Notes from discussion, January 5, 1990.
4. Reverend Neil McLean, Notes from telephone conversation, January 3, 1991.
5. Melvin S. Huntington to Dr. J. C. Webster, 12 May 1936 concerning Webster's letter of May 1936 about the official opening of the new Museum at the Fortress site. Louisbourg Heritage Society files, and the Archives, Fortress of Louisbourg, National Historic Site.
6. John MacAskill, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Notes from discussion, January 2, 1991. MacAskill also provided me with a list of those he remembered in the band and the instruments they played. Band Masters: Wesley Townsend, Harold Covey, Murdock McLean. Bandsme n: Ernest Skinner, bass; John MacAskill, bass; Bill Dearing, bass drum, John Johnson, kettle drum; Howard MacPhail, baritone; Jim Peck, baritone; Oscar Harris, alto; Michael Kennedy, tenor; Lloyd Harris, tenor; Charles Stacey, alto; Freeman MacKenzie, alt o; Henry Roberts, slide trombone but he moved to alto, Alex Smith, tenor; George McLean, valve trombone; Murdock McLean, cornet; Neil Mclean, cornet; Harold Covey, trumpet; Dan Kelly, cornet, Layton Coveyduc, cornet.
7. Alex Smith, formerly from Louisbourg but now residing at Breton Bay Nursing Home, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Notes from conversation, February 13,1991.
8. Sydney Post-Record, Sydney, Nova Scotia, 14 May 1936.
9. Tom Bates, Sr., Louisbourg, Telephone conversation, January 4, 1991. Reverend Neil McLean, interview and Harold Wilson, Louisbourg, Notes from conversation, February 6, 1991.
10. C.E."Bud" Bagnell, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Notes from telephone conversation, January 7,1991.
11. Tom Bates, Sr., Telephone conversation, January 4,1991.
12. Evelyn MacKenzie and Freeman MacKenzie, Letter received March 18, 1989. Freeman notes that he played the tenor horn - see above # 6. Also Howard MacPhail and John MacAskill interviews.
13. James Peck, Louisbourg, Notes from conversation, January 2,1991.
14. Melvin S. Huntington to Dr. J. C. Webster, 12 May 1936. Louisbourg Heritage Society files, also the Archives of the Fortress of Lousbourg NHS.
15. Sydney Post-Record, , 27 June 1936, p.13.
16. Ibid., 27 June 1936.
17. See Melvin S. Huntington's Diaries for the months of June and July from 1932 through 1939 for details of preparations, participants, officials, the course and winners in each event. 18. Harold and Jessie Wilson, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Notes from conversation, February 6, 1991.
19. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 6 September 1936.
20. Ibid., 3 September 1933 and 16 August 1931. Freeman MacKenzie photographed the open air concert from the tower of First United Church, across the street. original snapshot, Freeman MacKenzie, Louisbourg, copy Louisbourg Heritage Society.
21. Melvin S. Huntington, Diaries, 12 December 1936.
22. Ibid., 21 November 1936.
23. Ibid., 24 December 1936. It was about this time that Huntington changed the spelling of Louisburg to Louisbourg in his diary entries.
24. Ibid., 14 April 1937. Also Sydney Post-Record, 17 April 1937.

A special thanks to former bandmembers who shared their memories

The Louisburg Brass Band
Tina Macdonald

The Louisburg Town Band
Layton Coveyduc
John MacAskill
Freeman MacKenzie Reverend
Neil McLean
Howard MacPhail
James Peck
Ernest Skinner
Alex Smith
Charles Stacey
Harold Wilson
Bud Bagnell
Tom Bates

Thanks as well to

Harvey MacLeod for telling me about the pipe band.
Marjorie MacDonald and the Louisbourg Regional Library.
Melvin S. Huntington for having the foresight to keep his diaries.
Larry Rudderham and Todd Rudderham for finding the tunics.
Helen, Patrick and Kevin O'Shea for listening to my talk about the Bands.
Helen O'Shea for asking sensible questions about the text.

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