While browsing on ebay a few weeks ago, I saw this photo pop up on my list:
I immediately recognized the photo as a member of the Golden Eagle Military Band. I bid on it and won. It is no bigger than the palm of my hand. The Golden Eagle Band was here briefly in the mid 1890’s. The Golden Eagles were a social club like the Masons or Lion’s Club and Monroe’s branch formed a band. They performed at parades, celebrations and at major functions that occurred in Monroe. In 1893, the Monroe Evening News, World’s Fair edition, had line drawings of the members of the band included in the paper.
You see that man in the bottom row, 4th from the left? Yep. That’s our guy!
Meet Mr. James Armstrong, Jr. the 1st Cornetist of the band. I couldn’t find anything about him, so I am guessing he was not here for very long. With such a common name, it is almost impossible to research him. Still, we now have a photograph of a member of a forgotten band of Ouachita Parish. A rare item indeed!
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 