The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-12-20
AT MANKATO.
Four Counties Carry Off Honors in
The Contest.

The Contest.
The Second district oratorical con-
test, which occurred at Mankato last
Friday night, and in which Miss Ada
Westfall represented the girls, and
Master James .Beecher the boys, of
the Redwood Falls high school, was
the most sharply contested of any UP
to that time. There was % contest
ants, one dropping out just before the
proceedings commenced at Mankato.
It was after 1890 o'clock midnight
when the last speaker concluded, and
it was one o'clock before the Judges
announced their decision.
Aside from the two above mentioned
from this city there we're Willard Root,
second to Mr.. Beecher, and Daisy
Clayson, second to Miss Westfall,
Prof. j. L. Torrens and representa-
tive of this paper present. Mr.. Beech
er's selection was the "Arena Scene"
from Gen. Lew Wallace's Prince of
India, while Miss Westfall's selection
was "Little Charlie" a pathetic tale
of poverty. The auditorium of the
Mankato high school was packed to
overlooking, and a large number of
people we're turned away.
Miss J. May Cooley, of Madelia,
reading "Hagar," was given first place,
and Miss Grace Newhart of New Ulm,
reading Legend of the Organ Build
er," was given second place among the
girls, while Guy E. Mack, of Mankato,
reading Winning Cup" and Eugene
Kinmore, of Tracy, reading "Tous-
saint LOverture"were given first and
second places respectively among the
ooys. In a class of ten girls Miss
Westfall was given fifth place, and in
a class of eleven boys Mr.. Beecher was
given seventh place. Miss Westfall
was No. 9 on the list, and her selection
was rendered shortly after 10 o'clock.
Mr.. Beecher was Il on the list and
read his selection about 1920 mid
night, when the audience and judges
we're weary and wanted to go home.
Criticism after decisions are not
pleasant indulgences, and afford but
little balm to the vanquished. The
position given to the young ladies
we're worthily placed. The audience
was loud in its praise of Miss Cooley,
who last year was near the end of the
list. She undoubtedly went home de-
termined to win this year, and her de-
was we'll carried out. Her
was superb, almost tragic,
and her voice was stern, sweet, mild
and strong, together with her grace
full movements, carried the audience
and judges from the start. Miss New
hart was sweet and graceful, and her
reading was popular. Miss Westfall
was pathetic, and did all that pathos
could do with an audience. For the
boys it was surprise that Mr.. Beech
or was not numbered among the first
three, to not only thu Redwoodites
present, but to some of the representa-
tives of other towns, and the only
cause that can be assigned is that the
judges we're tired at 1890, and we're
cratic in their marking. The Arena
Scene is a difficult portrayal, and mag
was it presented to the audi
ence. His voice was charming, and
his gesticulations, which are carefully
considered, left no room for adverse
criticism. Eugene Kinmore, of Tracy,
who received second, was profound in
speaking. But enough of criticism.
Start now and win next year, high
school students.
The Redwood delegation returned
home on Saturday, and in the evening
of that day, Prof. Torrens gave lunch
con to the contestants at the local con-
test,the band boys and the judges and
referee and their ladies, at Hotel
Francois. The party was very pleas
ant one, and Mr.. Torrens placed him
self long in remembrance in the MEM
cries of the participants.
Wanted, girl to do general house
work. Inquire at the residence of R.
A. Turrell. lift
Frame your Xmas pictures at Ber-
gen Bros.