On Tour

In the summer of 1917, Roy O'Brien, my great-grandfather's brother, joined Bohumir Kryl's band as a clarinetist. According to the news clip from the Decatur Review (Decatur, Illinois newspaper), he earned $35 per week for playing in the summer season. The clip below was dated 2 June 1917.

I previously posted Roy's World War I draft card. This was signed on 5 June 1917. The book Shelby County in the World War (1919) also contained a picture of Roy from his service in the 327 F. A. Regimental Band.

The clip below is from the Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), from the 1917 summer tour, advertising Bohumir Kryl's band as part of the Corning Chautauqua. Roy would have played all tour long around similar stops across the country.

Source: Newspapers.com, Adams County, Iowa, 11 Jul 1917