Oklahoma Musicians

Ensemble

First Regiment Band, Oklahoma National Guard

A 1897 anniversary history says the band began with seventeen members sworn in by Governor Renfrow on June 12, 1894, traces its early leadership, and reports thirty-four members. Other reports document major parades and a 1902 account explicitly describes its evolution into the Oklahoma Cavalry Band.

First Regiment Band Oklahoma National Guard special order
First Regiment Band Oklahoma National Guard special order · Original source
First Regiment Band Wichita banquet and contest preparation
First Regiment Band Wichita banquet and contest preparation · Original source
First Regiment Band returns from Wichita contest
First Regiment Band returns from Wichita contest · Original source
First Regiment Band Kansas City departure
First Regiment Band Kansas City departure · Original source
First Regiment Band Kansas City planned engagement
First Regiment Band Kansas City planned engagement · Original source
Unnamed military band Decoration Day context
Unnamed military band Decoration Day context · Original source
Special Orders No 1 First Regiment Band discharges January 7 1898
Special Orders No 1 First Regiment Band discharges January 7 1898 · Original source

County navigation follows places named in the source records. A city crossing county boundaries can link to more than one county; this does not establish an exact historical location, birthplace or current residence.

People and leadership

The reviewed evidence for First Regiment Band, Oklahoma National Guard does not identify a director, bandmaster, organizer, or complete leadership succession.

Community and organization

First Regiment Band, Oklahoma National Guard is treated as a military or veterans ensemble under the unit, post, ship, or veterans affiliation stated in its name and evidence. The packet does not infer a different command relationship or uninterrupted unit lineage.

Reading the evidence

Establish the exact end date and legal relationship to the Oklahoma Cavalry Band, the 1907 First Infantry Band, and later National Guard units. Until that issue is resolved, the packet uses the narrowest chronology and identity stated in the evidence.

Questions for further research

Establish the exact end date and legal relationship to the Oklahoma Cavalry Band, the 1907 First Infantry Band, and later National Guard units.

People named in related records

Names are retained as recorded in their source contexts.

  • Pedro Romero — Band master (1898)
  • Collar, Jacob — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Cook, Sell — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Cook, Thomas — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Furrow, John W. — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Hinch, William — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Price, Frank S. — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Smith, Albert C. — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • Warner, Claud J. — Enlisted band member (1898)
  • T. A. Neal — Sergeant; in charge of band on 1901 trip (1901)
  • Sarah Thompson — flute member (2015-2016)
Dated evidence in this record
  1. 1895-06-08

    A Decoration Day report placed a military band ahead of Oklahoma National Guard Company A and recorded music for the program; the article does not name the band, so assignment to the First Regiment Band remains qualified.

  2. 1897-05-12

    The First Regiment Band performed at a Woodmen of the World banquet, played for dancing, and prepared to travel to Wichita with new pieces in May 1897.

  3. 1897-05-12

    The First Regiment band delighted the audience with several selections. They are preparing to go to Wichita and have mastered several new pieces, which they rendered last night. ... The Oklahoma Military Band, 30 pieces, will attend the K. of P. meeting at Wichita, May 17th to 22d.

  4. 1897-05-20

    The First Regiment Band returned from Wichita after parade competition and was reported to have received first place.

  5. 1897-05-20

    The First Regiment band returned from Wichita today covered with glory. They were given first place in the parade and the hearts of the Kansans.

  6. 1897-08-06 – 1897-10-04

    The Edmond newspaper reported that Guthrie’s First Regiment Band was expected to lead the Priests of Pallas parade in Kansas City; a later October report confirms departure for the event.

  7. 1897-08-06

    Guthrie's First Regiment band will again lead the Priests of Pallas parade at Kansas City October 7 to 9.

  8. 1897-10-04

    More than thirty First Regiment Band members left for Kansas City to participate in the Karnival Krew and lead a parade; prizes were anticipated but are not treated as confirmed results.

  9. 1897-10-04

    The First Regiment band, over thirty strong, left on the 3:30 train for Kansas City to attend the Karnival Krew. They will lead the parade and they hope to win several prizes.

  10. 1898-01-07 – 1898-01-11

    A January 1898 territorial special order referred to the officer commanding the 1st Regiment band, Oklahoma National Guard, and processed member discharges.

  11. 1898-01-07

    The January 1898 Oklahoma National Guard order names Band Master Pedro Romero and enlisted band members Jacob Collar, Sell Cook as printed/OCR, Thomas Cook, John W. Furrow, William Hinch, Frank S. Price, Albert C. Smith, and Claud J. Warner in connection with First Regiment Band discharges.

  12. 1898-01-11

    SEVERAL GIVEN MEMBERS OF FIRST REGIMENT BAND. Territory of Oklahoma, Office of the Adjutant General, Guthrie, January 7th, 1898, Special Orders No. 1. ... the following named enlisted men thereof are hereby honorably discharged ... Band Master Pedro Romero ... Collar, Jacob ... Cook, Sell ... Cook, Thomas ... Furrow, John ... Hinch, William ... Price, Frank S. ... Smith, Albert C. ... Warner, Claud J.

  13. 1900-08-04

    An official territorial military order identifies the First Regiment Band as part of the 1st Regiment Oklahoma National Guard and records band-specific service administration.

  14. 1901-06-27

    A June 1901 report identifies Sergeant T. A. Neal as in charge of the First Regiment Band for a Cripple Creek trip and says he planned to take 35 band members.

  15. 2015 – 2016

    NSU alumni evidence identifies Sarah Thompson as a flute member of the 145th Army Band.

Sources

  1. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc122947/m1/1/
  2. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metapth352545/m1/2/
  3. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc122744/m1/1/
  4. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc122751/m1/4/
  5. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc122867/m1/4/
  6. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc142035/m1/1/
  7. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metapth352786/m1/8/
  8. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1076222/m1/3/
  9. www.nsualumni.com/s/1517/images/editor_documents/spring_2016_imprints.pdf