The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-08


Successful Eyent-The Victorious Candidate.
For months large number of people
more directly interested and acquainted
with the nature of what was coming
looked forward with pleasant anticipa-
tions to the great DemOrest gold medal
contest which came at the First Presbyter-
ian church last night. As the time ap-
preached the interest became quite gener-
al and intense throughout the city. so that
it was not surprising to see the large and
fine audience that filled the great andito-
rum Of the church last exening.
When the silver medal rontests-of the
Demorest series-were introduced and in
augurated in this city, over year ago, by
Mrs. j. Z. Trotter, they were something
new, but under the successfulmanageme
and earnest work of Mrs Trotter-without
any compensation whatever, and with no
other object in view but the good of
the cause and the develoment of the
minds of the young people-they be
came very popular and met with success.
Nine Of them have been held in this city
within the year.
The first was held in the West Side
Presbyterian church, at which Rev. III. l..
Shane, the pastor, presided, and at which
Miss Ella Laughlin, daughter of Professor
Laughlin, of the Garfield university, won
the first silver medal that was awarded in
this city \ sad feature connected with
the contest last night was the fact Miss
Laughlin since died, and left a vacancy in
the class of contestants, which was com
posed of eight members, instead of nine
as the Demorest rules really require.
The several silver contests were held IN
der the auspices of different churches, in
different parts of the city, under the
uperintendency Of Mrs. Trotter, hence
the great and general interest created in
behalf of the gold medal contest last
night, which was the first OF the kind
held in the state
The first that engaged the attention of
the audience on entering the church last
evening were the elaborate and magnifi-
cent decorations over the rostrum, on
which those stood who participated in the
exercises. Above all was the word Dem
orest' in large, bold letters in gold bronze,
which stood out in full relief from the top
of black iron rod which supported it,
while below on similar rods extending the
whole length of the rostrum, hung rich
lace and damask curtains, being tastefully
draped, and connected in the center with a
large representation of the gold medal
Above this was blue satin iamberquin
trimmed in lace The whole was beauti-
fully draped with large and handsome
cords and tasses, giving it very pleasing
appearance. The back of the platform
was handsomely decorated with flowers
The credit for the design of this decora-
ton is due TO the superintendent, Mrs.
j. &. Trotter, who was greatly assisted by
her son, Mr.. Line Trotter, and Mr.. VIII e..
Dean.
1t was intended to have Reverend Mr..
Shane, who presided over the first silver
medal contest, preside over this one; but
he was called from the city, and Reverend
r. w. Woodside, pastor of the South Law
renee Christian church, was chosen by the
committee for this purpose. At SIS an in
vocation was offered by Elder J. NJ Mon
roe, of the Christian church. when the pro-
gram was carried out in regular order.
The following appeared on the program
Misses Nora and Annie Boyd, Edna Kirk
wood, Mary Mccullough, Ella Miller and
Mabel Moore, George Baldock and Fritz
Lewis. At the last moment it was an
nOunced that Mr.. Baldock had left the
city
The Rotations were interspersed with
music of a high order, and in keeping
with the occasion, as the mere mention Of
the following names will indicate: Miss
Nabie Ayers, Mr.. Sherman Skinner, Mr.
+. b. Walden, Miss Odessa Johnson and
little Horace Richard and Goldie Evans
The last two, quite little folks, won the
greatest applause in the vocal duet
The judges chosen for the occasion were
Hon. w. L. Stanley, DR.. Stevenson, super
ntendent Of the city schools, and Rev. j. |
w. Love. When the judges retired for
the audience was entertained
by a vocal solo by Mr.. T. B. Walden and |
an appropriate select reading by Prof G. |
w. Hoss. When the judges returned Mr. |
Stanley advanced to the platform and call |
ng Mr.. Z. w. Lewis, the victor, 10 the !
'front.', presented HIM the gold medal I'm a |
neat little speech. He then called the |
lass upon the platform, and after com
them very highly for the man
ler in which they acquittedthemselves. |
each one with a basket Of /
handsome flowers.
And Ashland Wilkes won the 2:2O trot |
1t Denver yesterday.