Community bands provide music for visiting dignitaries
By DON SKINNER
Contributing writer
In the 1800s community bands provided music when dignitaries came to town. Such was the occasion 125 years ago in July, 1878. (Taken from the Peabody Gazette July 19, 1878.)
President Hayes in Peabody
Yes, President Hayes has visited Peabody: visited it twice, in fact, and this booming city feels as proud as a boy with a red wagon. President Hayes, accompanied by Mrs. Hayes, General Sherman, Governor St. John, and other distinguished individuals, went west on a special train about 9 o'clock last Thursday evening.
An immense crowd was at the depot when the train passed, but the President did not show himself.
Friday, however, the town was all "shook up," for it was known that the presidential party would stop on its way back.
The train did not arrive until 5 o'clock, but long before that time every available foot of space around the depot was packed with human beings, the ladies being out in full force.
It isn't often that people have an opportunity of gazing on a real live President, and when they do they make the most of it.
The crowd waited patiently, and a few moments after five were rewarded by hearing the shrill whistle of the pilot engine, which was immediately followed by that of the special train.
The train rolled up to the depot amid the cheers of the multitude and music from the Peabody Band.
As the train stopped, the President stepped on to the platform, and was introduced by Governor St. John. Mr. Hayes stepped down and immediately commenced shaking hands with the people who crowded up to that distinguished honor.
Shortly after, the President called out and introduced General Sherman, and the cheers that greeted that old chieftain were perfectly deafening.
The old soldiers crowded around to shake the hand of their old commander, and the General seemed to enjoy it about as well as the boys.
The writer of this, having been selected to introduce the distinguished visitors, had the extreme felicity of an introduction to Mrs. Hayes, which is where we rather got away with the rest of the crowd.
The train remained about ten minutes, and rolled out amid cheers, heaving of hats and handkerchiefs and strains of music, leaving a crowd of people who could hardly realize the honor which had been conferred upon them.
