Sunday Raleigh Register
January 18, 1953
A caravan composed of four school buses and possibly two pick-up trucks will form at 6:15 a.m. Monday at the Jesse bridge--making the first step in a special day for a group of Wyoming County musicians.
Three high school bands--some 175 strong--will provide the musical background as a Wyoming County resident takes his oath of office as Governor of West Virginia.
Originally planned as a county-wide musical organization, with the best musicians selected from each of the three county bands to participate, the directors ruled against this plan to avoid disappointing those students who would not be selected.
Instead Joe Burdette, president of the State Board of Control and chairman of the inaugural committee, was contacted and scheduled various entrances to the capitol where each of the bands will present its own concert from 11 a.m. until noon.
Louis Kaman director of the Mullens High School Band, has instructed each of his 68 musicians to appear in uniform at the school at 5:20 a.m. to begin their trip to Charleston. Two school buses are to be utilized the trip, and the director will be assisted by his wife in chaperoning the group.
Joe Bragg, director of the Pineville High School Band, has instructed his 54 musicians to report at 5:45 a.m. Monday at the school in uniform. Mrs. Joe Hansbarger and Miss Blanche Clay will assist in chaperoning the group, which will travel in one school bus.
Richard Beasley, serving his first year as director of Oceana High School Band, said his 53 musicians will travel in one school bus with a pick-up truck being used to transport the larger instruments. In view of the fact the Pineville band also will have large instruments to be transported, he said it was possible two such trucks would be used.
Patrons of the school will serve as chaperones, he added.
After meeting at the Jesse bridge about 6:15 a.m. the convoy then will travel as a unit to Charleston for the inaugural ceremony. Upon arrival there sandwiches and milk will be distributed to the musicians, bus drivers, and chaperones.
Scheduled to play from 11 a.m. until 12 noon prior to the ceremony the band then will play the selections, "Dixie" and "Hail to the Chief," following the ceremony. These selections will be played by the combined bands.
Bragg said boosters of his school had arranged for the Pineville band members to eat dinner at the Swan Cafe before returning to Wyoming County. Beasley and Mrs. Kaman said similar arrangements for the Oceana and Mullens bands had not been made but probably would be planned after the students arrived and facilities were located.
The buses are scheduled to leave Charleston at 5:15 p.m. for the return trip home.