The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-09-25
HIGH SCHOOL OPENING.
One of the Most Elegant School Build
ings in Minnesota Was Formally
Opened in This City Friday Night
by Prayer, Speeches and
Music.
EXTRACTS FROM THE ADDRESSES.

High school building took place Friday
night in the presence of an audience
which completely filed the assembly
room. All who were there are inter
ested in the welfare and education OF
the youth of this city. Long before
the hour set for the exercises to De-
gin, polite ushers in full evening dress
were in the lobby, prepared to show
visitors over the entire building which
was lit up in brilliant manner by
gas. The workings of the ventilation
and steam apparatus were infinitely
explained and in fact the advantages
of the entire structure was repeated
again and again. The assembly and
class rooms came in for their share OF
praise, while the smaller rooms were
commended for their adaptibility.
At eight o'clock Clark Keysor, chair
man of the building committee, called
the vast assembly to order, and from
that hour until 1915 p. m. the follow
ing order of exercises was carried out:
Piano solo,. Miss Soule.
Invocation. .....Rev. 4. NJ. Rule.
Quartette, Messrs Brett, Jache
Schroeder.
Financial statement.....C. AeysOf.
Address. ......J. A. Williams.
Solo,. ...... Mrs. i. 3. Rhodes.
Address. :. Mayor j. A. Willard.
Address. George II. Fletcher.
Solo. Miss Geneyieve Westerman.
Speech, State Supt. d. l.. Keihl.
Address. Normal Pres. L. Soaring.
Quartette, Messrs. Thomas, Brett
Jache and Schroeder.
Address, Hon. Cyrus Northrup.
Singing, America by audience,
Benediction, Rev. John Barbour.
The program was most heartily ap-
plauded by an appreciatiye audience
from beginning to end.
When Mayor Willard was introduced
by the chairman, he informed his list
eners that it was wholly due to his
better half that he was present. He
had intended to leave town, and fol
the moment had forgotten the affair,
until his wife brought it TO mind, He
contrasted the difference between
the school house Of to-day and those
in existence when he went to school.
There has been great evolution,
said he, from that little one room
of benches to the high graded schools
of the State of Minnesota in this year
of our Lord 1891. We live in great
country, and the State of Minnesota is
one of the parts of which we are
proud" At the conclusion Of his re-
marks he was heartily applaudc-,.
Miss Soule rendered a solo in such a
manner as to win the approval of the
audience and in response to the encore
sang "Annie Laurie"
George H. Fletcher said, among
many other remarks. that in days OF
old, when boys were bold and the
teacher held the rule, that the little
yellow stove with small desk in
front was the height Of the school
boys idea of school-room. He adj
dressed his remarks to the scholars
present in the audience, who are en-
joying the benefits of the sacrifices OF
others,an told them they ought to
thank God that they lived in such a
country and such an age. THE light
of knowledge gained in the school.
room," said he in his closing remarks
twill be shed not only over the City OF
Mankato, but over the entire state
and country"
State Supt. D. L. Kiehl, struck a
responsive cord in the hearts of many
present, if applause is any criterion.
THE contrast between the tepees
which at one time occupied theground
near this immense structure and
erected by the Sioux Indians, and the
elegant building which we are prfyll-
edged to be in tonight is beyond the
description of the speech of man.
Education is the measure of ciyiliza-
tion and the progress of the people.
The higher degree of skill, so much
greater is the value of labor" Zap
plause.l
Miss Geneyieve Westerman enter
tanned the assembly with a piano solo
and was rapturously applauded.
President e. Soaring of the Normal
School was the next speaker of the
evening, and in clear and distinct
manner, and at times eloquent, told
his hearers why he was interested in
the matter of education. Asa citizen
of Mankato and as an educator he
hoped to see the day when there
would even be advance beyond that OF
to-day. IF there have been differ
said he, "let them be of the
past; let US enjoy the benefits of mu-
tual harmony and mutual respect. +"
[ Applause.l
After the quartette sang another of
their selections, Hon. Cyrus Northrup
President of the State University of
Minnesota was introduced and made
an address that was listened to with
rapt attention, The Superintendent
is a man of fine appearance and has a
manner of eloquence that is bound to
charm the listeners. In fifteen min