Iowa Old Press
Palo Alto Reporter
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
June 4, 1897
Commencement Exercises
The commencement exercises of the
high school took place in Music Hall Friday evening. The interest in seeing the
class of '97 start out on life's voyage was manifested by the large crowd
that gathered to the exercises. The hall was decorated in a very fastidious
manner, in the class colors of blue and cardinal red. Strips of blue and red
were festooned over the stage, while draperies of the same color set off the
back ground to great advantage.
The floor was carpeted in white with a strip of dainty blue
across the front of it. The whole was supplemented by a profusion of snow balls
and ferns, which blended with the bright lamp light, made a scene of snowy
whiteness and beauty. Suspended across the front of the stage was the class
motto, wrought in large white letters into the meshes of lace work. The motto
was: "A Work Unfinished, is a Life Uncrowned."
The program was opened by music by the St. Mary's orchestra,
and indeed throughout the entire program, between the different orations the
orchestra entertained the large audience by excellent music. Then came the
invocation by Rev. H.M. Case. The "Salutatory" by Miss Nellie Blair
was short, crisp, and to the point, and pleasing in both expression and
delivery. Then came the regular graduating orations.
Edwin Martin, the youngest member of the class of '97, had
selected for his subject, :Our Nation," and in a well modulated voice gave
a clear, succinct but condensed outline of the great events in its history.
Martin Joynt had selected "Socialism" for his
theme, and in elucidating his subject, he very nicely defined the three terms
anarchy, communism, and socialism. In closing he made quite and eloquent plea
for his cause, and the benefits that mankind would receive from its adoption.
Charles Young's oration was on the very practical subject of
"The Will and the Way," and he handled it in a very pleasing way. He
spoke of the many difficulties of life that at first looked insurmountable, but
if only the will was there the way would be found to overcome them.
Blanche Hood's theme was "The Stone that is Fit for the
Wall, will not lie Long in the Ditch." Her manner was pleasant and her
oration nicely delivered and written. In closing she made a very apt and
practical application of her subject to the lives of every individual.
Dwight McCarty had selected "The World on Wheels"
for his subject, and in a very pleasing way demonstrated that the progress of
the world had been in proportion as wheels came into practical use as a
mechanical power. In closing his oration he spoke in glowing terms of
future progress, that the world would make by the perfecting of the mechanical
power of wheels.
Helen Blair entered the domain of history for her subject and
selected "The Maid of Orleans" for her heroine. In a clear voice and
pleasing manner, she graphically described the tempestuous and short career of
that most unique and heroic character of modern history. In closing she severely
condemned the French people for the dastardly and cruel way they treated her
heroine.
Albert Brown seemed to be the politician of the class, for he
chose for his subject the thing so dear to every politician's heart, "The
Plum in Politics." However, he did not seem to be enchanted with "The
Plum" for his earnest pleas was for a higher and better state of affairs,
when men should be chosen for their ability and not for their political
pull."
Paul Brown entered the realm of the heroic for his theme and
chose: "Our Modern Hero," which to his mind was the present Greek
nation. His oration showed a close study of the history of the Greek people, and
the complex questions which were involved in the present struggle in the East.
Nina Burlingame's subject was, "Is Demosthenes the
Greatest Orator." In the beginning she gave a clear cut definition of
oratory, and then spoke of the change that had taken place in that art, since
the time of Demosthenes. She contrasted the oratory of the ancient Greek with
that of Webster, and contended that in power of oratory the latter was superior
to the former.
James Williams was up to date with his subject, for it was
"Cuba Libre." His entire oration was an impassioned plea for Cuban
liberty. He spoke of the heroic struggle they were making and condemned the
dilatory policy of this government in not recognizing their belligerency. It was
a strong plea and delivered in an earnest and energetic manner.
Grant Freeman was of a philosophic turn of mind, for he chose
as the subject of his oration, "Life's Evening Takes Its Character From the
Day." His oration abounded in good reasoning, and was delivered in an
earnest manner. In closing he made a pleas for stronger Christian characters,
grounded in our Saviour's love.
Frank Grout chose for his subject: "Invention and
Discovery," which he handled in a very pleasing manner. He entered the
realm of imagination and took the class of '97 on air ship excursions to the
city of Washington in the year 2025, where his imagination pictured the
wonderful transformation that had taken place from the present times.
Kenneth Larson believes in the advantage and purity of rural
life, for his theme was "Country Life." He spoke of the advantage the
country possesses in inculcating love of liberty and freedom in the human
breast. Of the Washington and Lincoln which it reared to bless mankind. His
entire oration was a strong plea for country life.
De Etta Dickinson had taken for her subject the fanciful one,
"The Grand Trunk Railway to Success." Her manner on the stage was easy
and graceful and her oration was nicely written, and delivered in a pleasing
manner. She spoke of the success to which all looked forward in this life, but
said that if we wished to take the "Grand Trunk Railway to the desired
goal, we must be on time and get on board the car of opportunity that stopped
for all.
The valedictory was given by Martin Joynt in a neat and happy
manner. The recommendations of Prof. Hinckly, were practical and to the point,
as were also the remarks made by H.C. Shadbolt in presenting the diplomas to the
class. Each graduate was the recipient of a bountiful supply of flowers, at the
close of his or her oration, who came from admiring friends.
Mrs. J.H. Dawson, of Mason City, has been spending the past week in visiting friends in this city. She is on her way to Dakota to visit relatives.
E.B. and Harlan Soper left New York city for home Wednesday. They will come to Mount Vernon, where they will stop for the commencement exercises at Cornell college.
Mrs. T.A. O'Brien, accompanied by her daughter, Mary, left on last Friday for Ackley where they will make an extended visit among friends and relatives.
Miss Lizzie Biseker of Chicago arrived in Emmetsburg Friday evening. She is a trained nurse and came to take care of Mrs. R.A. Carr. Miss Biseker is a sister of Mrs. J.W. Shelby.
T.E. Burt left Monday evening for Oskalooska, where he goes to attend the grand lodge session of the Masonic order. He went as representative of the lodge of this city.
Mrs. V. Underwood, of West Bend, came up from that place Saturday morning and spent Sunday in the city with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Duncan.
M.A. Small has been quite sick during the past week. He has some intestinal trouble, and for a time it was thought that he would have an attack of peritonitis.
S.J. Quam, of Fairfield township, started June 1, for Turn Stavenger, Arnt, Norway. He expects to spend three months among old associations in his native land.
Mrs. Lettie Stiles, of West Union, arrived Tuesday evening to spend a few days in this city, wit hher sister, Mrs. D.W. Burlingame. She came to attend the graduating exercises.
Mrs. R.H. Carr is reported to be improving and it is expected that she will be out of danger in a few days. This is cheering news to her many friends.
Mrs. Lowe, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, is spending a few weeks in this city with her sister, Mrs. C.S. Duncan. Mr. Lowe is absent on the Pacific slope, looking after business matters.
Mrs. Fritcher, Supt of the Iowa Epworth League, passed through Emmetsburg, Thursday evening of last week on her way home to Mason City. She is absent from her home a great share of the time in league work.
W.H. McCune and daughter, Miss Edna McCune, J.R. Phoenix and wife and Mrs. Harvey of Ruthven, were in attendance on Memorial day exercises in Emmetsburg, Saturday.
As usual J.H. Huscamp, of Independence township, was with us on Memorial day. Henry was one of the boys in blue in the sixties, and he is always on hand to pay homage to his comrades who are bivouacing in the silent camping ground.
John Pringle, of Edinburgh, Scotland, was the guest of Mr. Alex Peddie the greater share of last week. He is on his way home from a tour of the world.
He has been gone nearly a year, and in that time has seen much of the nations of the world.
Tuesday of last week Violet, a little daughter of Rev. Bowen of Spencer, met with a very serious accident. She undertook to cross the street in front of a bicycle scorcher, and was run down and badly injured. She suffered a concussion of the brain, and at this writing (Friday evening), she was reported to be in quite a serious condition. Tryon, the bicyclist whose wheel struck her, was thrown nearly thirty feet and very badly injured. Scorching should be prohibited by the ordinances of every city.
Mrs. Robert Bagnell went to Algona, Monday for a few days visit.
Mrs. T. Lane went to Algona, Monday, to attend a missionary meeting held in that city.
A.S. Ormsby arrived home, Tuesday, from a three weeks business trip in Nebraska.
Mrs. Laura Stoneman, of St. Paul, sepnt Monday in this city, the guest of Miss Ola Bostwick.
E.A. Morling was attending to legal matters in court at Algona on Wednesday.
H.I. Snow of Ayrshire was looking after business matters in Emmetsburg on Wednesday.
Clifford Martin of West Bend attended the commencement exercises Wednesday evening.
Mrs. E.A. Dewey of Ruthven was visiting friends in this city on Wednesday.
S.C. Blair and wife visited among friends in Jack Creek township last Friday and Saturday.
Attorney Grier came up from Rolfe Saturday and spent Sunday with his mother and balance of family in this city.
N.D. Anthony of Ruthven was looking the prospects for excursionists in Emmetsburg Wednesday. Quite a few intend taking the trip.
Miss Thatcher of West Bend came up Wednesday afternoon and attended the commencement exercises in the evening.
Prof. Hood, father of Miss Blanche Hood, arrived Monday morning and spent a few days with his daughter in this city.
Melvin Fisk came up from Curlew, and took part int the meeting of the directors of the Agricultural Society on Thursday.
Rev. Robert Bagnell attended some kind of a missionary meeting at Algona several days during the fore part of the week.
D.W. Summerville and wife, of Ayrshire, were Emmetsburg visitors Monday. Mr. Summerville came up to attend to some business matters.
Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Davies returned from their eastern trip, Monday morning. They report as having had a very pleasant time while gone.
Miss Edna Knapp came up from West Bend, Memorial day, and stayed in this city for the Commencement exercises.
Lon Henry and wife drove up from West Bend, Friday evening and spent several days in visiting relatives in Emmetsburg and vicinity.
Dr. Baldwin, of Ruthven, is in attendance on the Masonic grand lodge of Iowa, which is in session at Oskaloosa this week.
Mrs. Eliza Bennett, of Des Moines, arrived last Saturday evening to spend a short time in visiting her daughter, Mrs. E.J. Hartshorn of this city.
A Sad Accident.
A sad accident occurred at the city well, Friday evening,
about five o'clock in which one man lost his life, and another was seriously
injured. The well had been completed, and the workmen were engaged in taking the
centrifugal pump from it when the accident happened. The pump had been hoisted
by the derrick to the top of the well, but when the attempt was made to swing it
from over the well, the stake to which one of the guy ropes was fastened, pulled
up, and the derrick fell to the ground. Quite a crowd had gathered to watch the
finishing of the well, among them being Mr. John Welsh. When the derrick started
to fall the alarm was given, but too late for all to get out of the way, and Mr.
Welch and a workman named James McBride, were caught by the falling derrick, and
crushed beneath it. The former was picked up in an unconscious condition, and
upon examination it was found that the back of his head was injured, several
ribs and a leg broken. The unfortunate man was taken home but lived only a few
hours. McBride's injuries were all on the head. His skull was slightly
fractured, his lower jaw bone was broken, also some of the nasal bones. His head
and face are badly swollen, but it is thought he will recover.
The accident is peculiarly sad, inasmuch as Mr Welsh was a
man 83 years of age, and had only gone to the well to look on. Then, too, in
five minutes more the pump would have been out, and the well completed.
Memorial Day.
Memorial day falling on Sunday, the G.A.R. post of this city
set apart Saturday, as the day in which to honor the nation's dead. Saturday
morning was clear and cool and many from the country and surrounding towns
gathered in to take part in the observation of the day. The procession formed at
ten o'clock on Union street and moved west on Main street to Broadway, and
thence south to the cemeteries. The procession was headed by the military band,
followed by nearly forty of the veterans of '61 to '65. Next in order came Co.
K, and then the Canton resplendent in their full dress uniforms. The Canton was
followed by the children of St. Mary's academy, who bore in their midst a
beautiful banner, bearing the inscription "Soldiers' Rest," then came
a long line of the pupils of the public schools and the children who had been
selected to decorate the graves of the dead heroes.
The W.R.C. came next in carriages and was followed by a long
line of citizens in carriages. The whole made a procession of nearly a mile in
length. The procession wended its way to the Catholic cemetery, and the graves
of the soldiers that lie so quietly beneath its grassy mounds were strewn with
flowers in memory of their heroic valor in defending the honor and unity of
their beloved country. A salute was fired, the reveille sounded, and the
procession wended its way to Evergreen cemetery, where the graves of the heroes,
who offered all that they possessed on the altar of their country, were strewn
with the flowery tributes of their former comrades and a grateful people. After
the graves had been decorated, all gathered around the monument, erected to the
Unknown Dead, where the closing exercises by the post took place. The monument
was showered with flowers in honor of those whose lives were blotted out in that
awful deluge of woe and carnage, and whose names lie smouldering in their graves
with their ashes, but whose deeds live in the memory of a grateful republic.
Here too, the dead were saluted, the reveille sounded, and the last tribute of
the veterans paid to their dead comrades.
In the afternoon at two o'clock the people gathered in Music
hall to listen to the closing exercises of the day. First on the program was a
flag drill by 24 little girls from the East side public school, under the
direction of Miss Patton. The drill was executed very nicely and much
appreciated. The regular G.A.R. service for such occasions then took place, and
was followed by the address by Robert M. Bush of Spencer. Mr. Bush is a fluent
and pleasing talker, and his address contained many patriotic and practical
thoughts. The G.A.R. men were highly pleased with it, and hereafter will have a
warm place in their hearts for him. The music for the occasion was furnished by
a quartette consisting of Messrs. Atkinson, senior and junior, Saunders, and O.W.
Hodgkinson. The crowd was the largest that has been in Emmetsburg on such
occasion for several years and everything passed off very nicely.
--
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Collections and Insurance
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Submitted by: #000525