friends to the hotel and private dwellings, where they were entertained. The "Nevada Citizens' Band" lead the procession.
The afternoon was pleasantly spent by the rival contestants in social converse, rides, walks and general sight seeing, but as evening approached the participants prepared for the "final trial of strength.",
At 8:30 P. M. the Opera Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity. The interest manifested in the beginning was well retained throughout the following long program:
NEVADA CONTESTANTS.
1. The Last Days of Herculaneum..........Belle Garrett.
3. The Red Jacket..........Frances Gallup.
6. Solo.—Cantilena..........Hellen Davis.
7. The Ballad of Lake Erie..........Mellie Harrison.
9. Icilius..........Will Smith.
12. Piano Solo.—Selection from Matha,..........Jessie Allen.
13. The Visions..........Minnie McCall.
15. The Pilot's Story..........Sophia Murphey.
18. Solo.—The Day is Done,..........Grace Dyer.
19. Sister and I..........Birdie Fetchley.
21. Toussant L'Ouveture..........Herbert King.
23. Tilghman's Ride..........Frank Burdick.
MARSHALLTOWN CONTESTANTS.
2. Bertha in the Lane..........Kate. Slye.
4. How He Saved St. Michael's..........Fannie Wright.
5. Violin Solo..........Jessie Woodruff.
8. The Uncle,..........Loiuse Rumsey.
10. Introduction of Slavery into the Territories..........F. Clark.
11. Piano Solo.—Selection, from Irish Diamonds..........S. McCombs,
14. The Execution of Montrose,..........Edith Da v.
16. Archie Dean..........Alice Henderson.
17. Solo.—Mermaid's Song,..........Roxy Beeson.
20. The New Church Organ..........Belle Woodruff.
22. Mad Mag,..........Frances Patterson.
24. Speech before the Virginia Convention,..........Otis Williams.
The Judges were J. W. Akers, Des Moines, W. W. Speer, Marshalltown, Ole O.. Roe, Nevada, in Declamation; Pro. Willard Kimball, Grinnell, Mrs. R. E. SEARS, Marshalltown, Mrs. Charles Balliett, Nevada, in Music. Referee—J. S. Frazier, Nevada.
The following were the rules of award:
Rule 1. An exercise perfect in every respect shall be marked as follows: Pronunciation, 10; Articulation, 15; Carriage and gesture, 25; Expression, 50.
Rule II. The award in each class shall be determined as follows: 1. The contestant who receives the highest aggregate marks shall be declared the successful one. 2. If the highest aggregate marks should result in a tie, the choice shall be determined by the