Page 14 - Green Tree Borough Fall Newsletter 2021

Green Tree Historical Society
The Green Tree Drum & Bugle Corps
The following was typed from a handwritten piece in the Historical Society les.
It is typed as written (as well as reader/typist could determine). We do not know the author. Copied from the original June 6, 2018 by Duane W. Ready for the Green Tree Historical Society.
Time: The Depression Years - 1930’s
At this period of time, Green Tree was mostly a farming community with the railroad in Rook as its center. There were three social groups at the time – the re department, the women’s club, and church (of which there were three). The men not working needed something to do.
A few surrounding communities had reman’s parades. The remen in Green Tree decided to start marching in parades. Their maroon banner said “Green Tree Borough Inc.,” and was carried on a vertical staff. The men had a 1927 Mack truck and wore blue and white uniforms. Elmer Remy, secretary of the re department had a relative who owned Enloes Shoe Store in Sharpsburg where the men bought their white shoes. The only remen with musical ability were Chuck Short and Bobby Motherwell.
In the spring of 1931 Volkwein’s sent out two men, Heinie Gerlock a premier drummer for the American Legion and Vet- erans of Foreign Wars, and Scotty Campbell a trumpeter. These men met with the re department in the borough building where the remen had a recreation room on the second oor.
Just prior to this time, there was a Whiskey Hollow Volunteer Fire Department who used to participate in parades. Some of the band members were Chuck Short, Bobby Motherwell, Andy Dix, and a couple of the Heselbarths. Eddy Cawthorne dressed as a reman with a beard. They had a horizontal banner across the street. Butch Haberman(?) had a broomstick and was drum major. They had a Model-T Ford with brack- ets hanging on the sides and a cut out of a cow. They went to Tarentum to compete and won a prize for most comical. Charlie Conley formed the band. He played on the radio with a German band. They lasted a year.
All their men over 16 went to the meeting – all 10 or 12 of them. Men came from East Carnegie and Johnny Carr came from the West End. Red Buchanon was with the Swift Mission Brigade and brought some members. Men came from Munhall, Brentwood and the North Side. In 1931 they were formed.
They had their rst parade in Green Tree for the Firemen Street Fair. Their drill sergeant was Harry Reibecker(?) who they nick- named Palooka: He was an old marine and very tough.
There was a small cottage located about where todays Nor- sis and Perity Lanes are located. It was an old summer home of Dr. Neely of the West End. He was the brother-in-law of Bill Moore, brother of Scott Moore, President of Green Tree Council. Dr. Neely loaned them the cottage for practice in the winter. During the summer they practiced outdoors.
“You’re in the Army Now” was the only song they knew. In 1932, the Allegheny County Fireman’s Convention was held in Stowe Township. It was a very hot day and the tar melted on the roads all over their white shoes when they paraded. Taren- tum, Breckenridge, and Greensburg were their main competi- tion in those days. Green Tree won their rst title that day – the rst of eight straight for Allegheny County.
They competed in parades ve or six nights a week. They went to Wellsville, Ohio, Mingo Junction, Philadelphia (where they won their only state championship), Scranton; Meyersdale, West Newton, and all over. Western Pennsylvania parades were held Thursday afternoons and county parades on Sat- urday afternoons – others were held at twilight hours locally.
In addition to all the Drum & Bugle Corps there were other bands competing: the Ringgold Band paraded for Ingram, Glendale. Mt. Oliver, Blaine Hill Fireman’s, and Springdale Firemen’s. Many were girls. Drum & Bugle Corps also, most famous were Hazelwood and Sharpsburg girls. Fifty to 75 bands in a parade even 100 – 150 units.
The 1930’s and the Drum & Bugle Corps put Green Tree on the map. Had about 1500 people living here. The large photo of the Drum & Bugle Corps was taken at Green Tree School in 1932. The photo was taken to be displayed at the Stanley Theater where the Corps was to appear on stage with movie “Flirtation Walk” with Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler.
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The Green Tree Drum & Bugle Corps. A larger photo is available in the rear entrance of the Green Tree Municipal Center today. This photo, taken in 1932, was to be displayed at the Stanley Theater where the Corps appeared on stage.
It was taken in front of Green Tree School where three separate photos were stitched together to create the wide angle.
Can you nd the same man who appears three times in the photo?
Borough of Green Tree Fall 2021 Page 14