Two important Elkton organizations began in the 1880s. The Elkton Cornet Band began in the 1880s. It was formed by local blacksmiths John, Rube, and Jess Dunbar. Around the same time, the Singerly Fire Company was organized.
Each group had difficulty putting on a worthy show when marching alone. Their lack of men and equipment made them appear less than impressive. The organizers of the two groups decided to join together soon after their founding.
The members of the band were described in an article from the Baltimore Sun on September 27, 1959. The article states, “the members were real he-men – strong, two-fisted fellows who worked with their hands – and this strength characterized their music.” The band included blacksmiths, fishermen, a foundry worker, a stone cutter, and electrician, a boat builder, and paper mill workers.” When the band and the fire company marched at night, they presented quite a dramatic show. The marching firemen carried kerosene torches, which added an air of mystery to the show.
The band held their rehearsals at the Opera House Building. They would practice after supper until one of the members had to go home, usually around 10 pm. Their practice room was a big dusty room in the back of the ground floor. Businesses on the ground floor included Dr. Ashbrook’s dental office and the law offices of several lawyers. The band also used the fire hall and the basement of Frazier’s drug store on Main Street.
The biggest moment of the band’s career came when they played for President Ulysses S. Grant on May 18, 1872. President Grant was visiting John Creswell and was scheduled to arrive at the Elkton train depot that day. It was running late, and after waiting for hours, the band decided to go to the Felton House for some refreshments. They returned to the depot after a while and found that the president’s party had left minutes before. Undaunted, the band had “dressed up in their black braided blue serge to play for the president, and play for the president they would!”
They marched from the depot to the Creswell home and in the yard they gave their musical greeting full blast. Bystanders reported that President Grant could be seen grinning, even through his hairy beard.
