Title:
Ketchikan Native Band, 1905
Photographer:
Harriet Elizabeth Hunt
Description:
Mining Journal, 6/24/1905
"Above is a picture of the Ketchikan band, which has become prominent in the past few months and now ranks next to the Metlakatla as the best band in the territory. It is composed entirely of native young men and boys from the Ketchikan tribe of Thlinkets.
The present band was organized a year ago Thursday. All of them speak English fluently and most of them read and write that language. Most of the money to purchase their instruments was raised by the boys among their own people and by working in the canneries.
The following are the members of the band: Johnny Johnson; William Brown, Peter Williams, Robert Brown, John Henry, Robert MeDonald, George Cale, Sam Henry, George Williams, Tommy Johnson, Peter John, Billy Peters; Charley Shayet, Frank Williams, Adam John, Johnny Harry alias Shorty, Billy Hooker, Thomas Naske, Joe Brown and John C. John.
The band is regularly organized with constitution and bylaws. One of their laws fines any member $1.00 for being absent from practice. Another forbids indecent language or back talk to the leader. A fine of $5.00 is imposed upon a member for drunkenness during a term of practice. Each member has promised to report to the officers of the law an offer of liqueur made to them. In case of sickness of a member he is cared for by his brother members. Wm. Dickinson, the U. S. Guard and Interpreter, is the manager of the association and Henry Nelson a Simpsean Indian from Port Simpson, B. C, and formerly a, member of the Metlakatla band, is the bandmaster, and much credit is due to him for the excellent progress made by the band boys. The boys serenaded the visiting congressmen on their recent visit to Alaska, and Seattle papers state that the congressmen all spoke with praise and admiration of our band."
"Above is a picture of the Ketchikan band, which has become prominent in the past few months and now ranks next to the Metlakatla as the best band in the territory. It is composed entirely of native young men and boys from the Ketchikan tribe of Thlinkets.
The present band was organized a year ago Thursday. All of them speak English fluently and most of them read and write that language. Most of the money to purchase their instruments was raised by the boys among their own people and by working in the canneries.
The following are the members of the band: Johnny Johnson; William Brown, Peter Williams, Robert Brown, John Henry, Robert MeDonald, George Cale, Sam Henry, George Williams, Tommy Johnson, Peter John, Billy Peters; Charley Shayet, Frank Williams, Adam John, Johnny Harry alias Shorty, Billy Hooker, Thomas Naske, Joe Brown and John C. John.
The band is regularly organized with constitution and bylaws. One of their laws fines any member $1.00 for being absent from practice. Another forbids indecent language or back talk to the leader. A fine of $5.00 is imposed upon a member for drunkenness during a term of practice. Each member has promised to report to the officers of the law an offer of liqueur made to them. In case of sickness of a member he is cared for by his brother members. Wm. Dickinson, the U. S. Guard and Interpreter, is the manager of the association and Henry Nelson a Simpsean Indian from Port Simpson, B. C, and formerly a, member of the Metlakatla band, is the bandmaster, and much credit is due to him for the excellent progress made by the band boys. The boys serenaded the visiting congressmen on their recent visit to Alaska, and Seattle papers state that the congressmen all spoke with praise and admiration of our band."
Collection:
Ketchikan Museums: Tongass Historical Society Collection, THS 62.4.2.210
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Ketchikan Native Band
Ketchikan Native Band
Ketchikan Native Band
Ketchikan Native Band