The Three B’s of Keene
In the early 1900’s there were 3 prominent composers living in Keene. By coincidence, all their last names started with B and were collectively known as the Three B’s. The coordinates will take you to the Greenlawn Cemetery and E.E. Bagley's grave. The waypoint will take you to the Beedle Family grave area, about 60 feet to the south.
E. E. Bagley
The most prominent of these composers was Edwin Eugene Bagley. He is best known for composing the National Emblem March. This is the second most well-known march in the world, behind Stars and Stripes Forever.
Bagley was born in Craftsbury, Vermont in 1857, the youngest of 10 children in a musical family. He moved to Keene, NH at the age of 9 years old and was placed under the care of his aunt (or cousin, depending who you read), Emma Baily Beedle (mother of Karl R. Beedle, below). Here, he began his music career at age nine as a vocalist and comedian. He worked part time in the Beedle music store. He began playing the cornet and toured with several bands. He subsequently switched to playing Trombone, which as we all know, is the best instrument. He never took a lesson on any instrument, but was said to be able to play almost any kind.
In 1877, he married Jannette Scott Hoyt of Craftsbury, VT and had 2 daughters. His daughter Ethel died of scarlet fever in 1901. She is buried beside him with Jannette buried on the other side of Ethel. Bagley died in Keene in 1922 at 64 years old.
Karl R. Beedle
Karl R. Beedle’s father (C.C. Beedle) purchased a music business in Keene in 1890, renaming it the Beedle Piano Company (later Beedle’s Music Store). At the age of 12, Karl began playing the cello in public performances and joined the orchestra his father had organized. Karl eventually took over the store and his son, Karl J. Beedle subsequently took over the store from him. Karl R. was referred to as Karl the Elder, while his son, Karl J., was Karl the younger. Among his numerous original works are an operetta, “Pym,” staged in April 1898, the “Monadnock Suite,”, in which he worked with E.E. Bagley. Beedle organized the first high school band in Keene in 1925 and the Keene American Legion Band in 1946. Although he wrote multiple pieces of music, the only one I have been able to get ahold of is the Keene Bicentennial March. The song was premiered on the city’s 200th birthday in 1953. I transcribed his horrible handwriting into the computer for use by the Keene American Legion Band. Karl the Elder and E.E. Bagley were also known to have worked on a few pieces together. I am in the process of getting a copy of an unpublished book that he wrote.
E. A. Barrett
Edward Barrett was the third of the Three B’s in Keene. He was the oldest of 10 children (9 boys and 1 girl). He was a percussionist with the Keene City Band. His brother Harlan Barrett was a great tuba player and wrote a book (unpublished) called “63 Years with a Tuba”, which I just got a copy of. The whole family was musical. Despite knowing one of his relatives and another person who knew him personally, I have little additional information about him. I have the sheet music for 4 of his marches and they are well done. Edward's younger brother was born in 1886, but I am not sure how much before that Edward was born. I know that he wrote music in the 1950's and died sometime before 1965. As seems to be a pattern for the three B's, his musical handwriting is also horrible to try to read. Unfortunately, I have not figured out where he is buried. I will edit this if I get more information.
These composers all had connections with the Keene City Band as conductors and players. It is said that Bagley would conduct the band with his trumpet in his hand so he could jump in on the dog fight and other difficult passages. Beedle and Barrett also played with the Keene American Legion Band.
To log this cache:
What is the 1 word inscription on the front of the gravestone for Ethel, E.E. Bagleys daughter?
Who was the wife of Karl R. Beedle? On large stone, not wife of Karl J. on the flat stone.
What is the family name on the large stone between the Bagleys and the Beedles - You would never guess what letter it starts with...
Optional photo. However, do NOT include photos of Ethel headstone, the back of the Beedle family stone, or the large one in between
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