Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1884-02-29
ASINTEREsTIsG OCCASION.
Second Annual Contest for the
Regents Prize Medal for
0ratory.


Kirksville State Normal, on the ami
versary of Washington's birthday, wa:
witnessed by one CT the finest audi
ences ever assembled in KirksvilIe.
THE DECORATIONS
were in harmony with the occasion
being scenes taken from the historl
and life Of the Father of his country
As you entered the east door of tht
chapel, back of the stage and to the
right was a picture Of the Tomb a
Mt. Vernon; in the centere q large
and faithful sketch of Mt. Vernon
itself; while on the left was a battle
scene with Washington, on his gray
charger leading the continental troop.
into action. Above the centre was
smaller scene showing the youthful
hero with Ratchet in hand, cutting the
historic cherry tree. The whole was
gracefully framed in and fastooned By
the national colors.
At the proper moment the marshals
of the evening, accompanied by tle
contestants, entered to the sound oil
music, and marched with perfect time
down the north side OF the chapel
then passed across the front in view
OF the audience and took their places
on the rostrum. The proceedings
we're then opened by
DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES
conducted by Rev. w. E. Cham.
bliss, followed by fine rendition Of
Handel's chorus. "The Heavens
are Telling" The first contestant on
the list.
r. W. BARROW
was introduced by President Blan.
ton His subject was, "Light, Moye
Light" Mr.. Barrow in appearance
was one of the youngest Of the con-
testants. His address was finely
composed, though alittIe disconnected
in parts. 1t is noticed that he labored
somewhat from hoarseness. His
effor. was indeed very creditable, and
was well received. 1t would have
been more nearly perfect had it ended
at the real climax OF the subject, In
stead Of continuing several minutes
after that had oeen passed.
MISS ETA JOHNSON
the only lady contestant this year,
came next with the word "EmmanusP
as her topic. Tie speaker seemed
to be at perfect ease and command of
her resources. Her delivery was very
clear and distinct, and had the award
been gwen by a popular ballot, she
would have received a handsome vote.
S. A. cRoogsHANKs.
had chosen for his topic "Be Ea,nest'
out despite the suggestive title of his
Grafton, an easy and rather careless
manner, which may have been the per.
fection of acting, seemed to indicate
that the contestant neither expected
or cared to secure the prize. The
ideas and arrangements were logical
and the composition good.
W. D. GROVE
with "Hlpe" as his guiding star
made fine effort in well chosen Ian
kuage, closing with a slightly mlsquoted
selection from George d. Prentice,
which gave an excellent closing SEN
tence for his Grafton.
II. c. LONG
on the 4" POUsr That Rnies" made fine
impression on the audience. The
speaker possesses fine presence on
the platform and has an excellent
voice, both Of which very largely 60
toward covering up whatever minor
defects that would otherwise be ap-
parent. His style is easy and grace
ful, and his gestures as a rule appro-
pirate. He received repeated rounds
of applause from the audience.
H. B. SHAM
this Grafton has been the subject
of much favorable comment since the
contest The subject, "Ne hmtor.
tanee of Lsarnfng II ZadS was a
plain practical subject, and received a
plain practical treatment by the
speaker. He wisely left Greece, Rome,
Caesar, and Napoleon alone, and
dealt with to-day. Our vote would
have been for H. B. Sham. But all
were so well delivered and so nearly
equal. that either Of the others might
have received the award without any
great amount of adverse comment.
THE AWARD.
The Judges, Hon. H. L. Cotty, of
Edna; Prof. Dobson. of Carroltion;
and Prof. Redgeway, Of Linneus; were
absent but a few minutes. On their
return, Mr.. Cotty, on behalf of the
committee, after passing a deserved
compliment on all the speakers. pre-
senfed the medal 10 Mr. II q nnr