Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-05-26
The Inter-Urban Contest,


The old opera house was crowded to
its fullest seating capacity last Friday
night to witness the oratorical contest
between representatives from Great
Bend, Larned, Sterling, Lyons and Pratt
Center. Excellent music was furnished
by Cars orchestra, and the members
thereof received many deserved COM
pliments for their part in the evenings
entertainment. Mrs. g. H. Flanley,
Miss Etka Caro-, and Miss Florence
Townsley each rendered vocal solos.
Mrs. Flanley was loudly encored, and
sang the second time, while the Misses
Townsley and Caro- added fresh laurels
to their already bright crowns of merit.
Master Walter Hills, of Great Bend
rendered ga Railway Matinee" by Bob
Burdette, and was awarded Ist prize by
the judges. Miss May Dawson, also of
Great Bend, captured 2nd prize with
her excellent rendition of pathetic
piece entitled ssSister and II
Master Herman Haislet, of Lyons,
was probably the youngest contest
ant of the nine. He gave ingalls, famous
stake" from Massillon, entitled 'Life
and Death," very difficult piece, but
which he rendered in most perfect
manner, initiating to perfection the stiff
gestures, and egotistic bearing of the
great sensationalist.
Miss Lois McHugh, of Larned, had
as her selection "The College Oil Can. :"
and t51d the sorrowful tale in a most
pleasing manner that won loud plaudits
from the audience.
Miss Nellie Atkinson, of Sterling,
gave "Purhassius, or Unbridled am
bition." Her enunciation was perfect,
and her gestures elegant and dramatic,
showing excellent conception of her sub
ject and thorough training.
Miss Blanche L. Miller, of Pratt Cen
ter, who made such favorable impress
sion On Great Bend people last year in
the high schools contest, gave dialect
piece entitled 'sA Medley" by Emma
Dunning Banks; and won fresh encomi
ums by the clearness of her voice, her
perfect mimicry, and the ease with
which she switched from the astonished
yankee woman to the jovIal dutchman
or the heavy tragedian.
Miss Pearl Whitney, Of Larned,
spoke ssMona's Waters She exhibited
splendid voice, clear. articulation and
fine appreciation of the deeper senti-
ments of the selection.
Miss May H. Dunlap, of Sterling,
gave the last selection of the evening,
her subject being 1.-The Painter of
Seville She has sweet voice, pleas
ing facial expression. clear pronuncia-
ton and showed excellent training by
master tutors.
We would like to see other contests,
in other towns, soon.
Miss Etka Caro- has done better
than she did that nighta
Charlie Hobert, the cornetist of the
orchestra, got there with both lungs
and all his fingers.
viii Carr was feeling good and his
| violin talked back like an old master
was caressing it.
The old opera house was good
enough, and the net receipts are happily
much larger by reason of the change.
TO the indomitable energy and tact
of Charlie Murphey is largely due the
success of the evenings entertainment.
Miss Florence Townsley was never
in better voice, and ought to have
responded to the encore with another
solo.
of course the judges could not
please everybody; they had a right to
please themselves. and they doubtless
did it. 1t was hardly the thing-in our
judgement-to give Great Bend all the
| honors.
Rev. Hills did not quite give the
printer a square deal. The programs
were printed in strict accordance with
copy furnished Us. Bro. Hills was
probably little ratified with SO many
handsome young ladies present. and we
forgive him.,
| MAY the Lord have mercy on Okla