The History of Thurber in 12 Objects: The Sound of Thurber
by Cameron Mitchell
February's object happens to be almost a century old.
This C.G. Conn trombone, manufactured in 1926, produced years of tunes that
echoed in music venues across the great state of Texas. The slim bell and
lightweight frame was perfect for marching along the unpaved streets of
Thurber. Although it has been heavily discolored over the years, this trombone
was crafted well enough to be played today! The man who performed on this
musical instrument was Thurber’s own George B. Studdard.
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| Trombone owned by George Studdard Studdard Collection, W. K. Gordon Center |
Studdard initially came to the Thurber area in order to work in the local oil fields but found a career with the company in the business office. When he settled in Thurber, he was approached by the company band conductor, Cicero Harris, who asked Studdard to play the trombone for the Thurber “Tee-Pee” Band. Although Studdard did not have a musical background, he quickly learned how to play with the support of Harris.
1927,
Thurber band celebrating the tenth anniversary of the oil discovery in Ranger,
Texas. George B. Studdard is standing on the back row, fifth from the left.
Studdard
Collection, W. K. Gordon Center
He recalled one of his local performances:
“I well remember a concert one Sunday evening at
Thurber when the Conductor...decided to play a different tune [instead of] the
next one on the program. Some of the guys were talking and did not hear the
change. The Conductor raised his baton and gave the downbeat - well, holy
bedlam broke loose, confusion reigned, and the band was mortified with
embarrassment and the conductor was totally flabbergasted. He immediately
stopped the band, made sure every member of the band understood what number we
were going to play, then started over.”
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1944, Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Company’s employee group of volunteer blood donors during World War II. George B. Studdard is located second from the left.
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Thurber had many different bands, from the official
company band to the Italian musical group. Performances were held on the town’s
multiple bandstands on Sundays. The town hosted parades with upbeat marches
every July 4th and Labor Day. Touring musical acts played to
audiences crowded into the Opera House. From music filled wedding receptions
extending into the early morning hours to mournful funeral processions up
cemetery hill, music filled the lives of all Thurberites, regardless of
background. Studdard’s trombone leaves an impression of how significant a role
music played for the souls of this boom town.
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Studdard continued working as a tax commissioner for
the company after it moved back to Fort Worth. He went on to publish Life of the Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Co.
in 1992. This publication has continued to give insight and unique perspective
on the life in Thurber.
