Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Banks of the Boneyard (Charles Kiler) [PAGE 93]

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On the Banks of the Boneyard

who was at one time a teacher of elocution. She married J, G. Wadsworth '82, who became prominent in Iowa banking circles. Glenn M. Hobbs '91 succeeded Sand ford as leader of the band. Glenn was an unusually good cornetist, and frequently played solos at chapel and at Literary Society meetings, accompanied on the piano by Miss Kimball. I may say also that Charlie Elder with his clarinet, Will Sandford with his euphonium, and once in a while some other band member also played solos, but the men whose names I have mentioned were our outstanding soloists in my day. Glenn Hobbs has given great service to the University in his work as secretary of the class of '91, and he wrote the words to the beautiful song the present band boys sing to the inspiring tune from "Finlandia" by the great Finnish composer Sibelius. Charlie Elder was a skillful performer with his E-flat clarinet, and he added much to the band during his term as leader. Then came R. V. Sharpe '93, a cornetist, who was the leader of the band when it played at the World's Columbian Exposition. He was followed by Will Steele '96, who also showed that he possessed the elements of leadership; the spirit of the band was excellent—as a matter of fact I don't remember a time when the band was not a loyal and pleasant organization. John T. Atkinson was an invalid when he became leader and while he worked when he should have been resting, the real work fell on the ever reliable Will Steele, who took over the leadership again in his senior year. Because Steele was one of the prominent men in band history, I asked him for a story of his time in the band; here are his recollections: My introduction to the "University of Illinois Military Band? was in the fall of 1892. I humbly approached H. R. Rowe at his daily post in the old hat room. In answer to his questions, I told him I was a member of the Illinois Watch Company Band of Springfield, Louis Lehman, conductor. Rowe asked, "What kind of stuff did you play ?" What a poor thing is fame I "Well," I replied, "William Tell Overture among other things." I could see this created a sensation, and I knew that I was launched. Charlie Elder '93 had led the band during the previous year, and had promoted the succession to R. W. Sharpe, also of '93, who led the band until the end of the school year in June. Sharpe directed the band at the concerts that we gave at the Illinois Building at the World's Columbian Exposition. Yours truly took over for the year '93-'94. My successor was the late John T. Atkinson, who may have become ill during his incumbency; at any rate, while he was ailing I had charge

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