The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-12-20
DECLAMATORY CONTEST
RALPH LUNN WILL SPEAK AT
ST. PAUL.
He and Miss Mary L. Damon of
Worthington, Secure First Place at
the Second Congressional District
Contest--A Fine Array of Talent,
Representing Eight Cities of the
District--The Scene Following the
Announcement.

hall Friday to determine who
should represent the Second congress
sional district at the state contest to
be held at ST. Paul in about two
weeks, brought out an array of talent
from all portions of the district which
is highly creditable to it. Eight
cities were represented by their best
high school declaimers, and the con-
test was the closest and best ever
held in the district, and it will be a
surprise if the successful speakers do
not bring back with them the highest
honors from the state contest.
The judges were Supt. l.. Bliss, of
Waseca; Supt. G. D. Decker, of LIE
Sueur; and Prof. j. w. Ford, of Owa-
tonna. Supt. ]. L. Torrens, of Red
wood Falls, presided, and in opening
asked no applause be given any of the
speakers. in spirit of fairness to all.
The speakers took their seats on
the stage, and spoke without an
nouncement, as the judges were not
supposed to know who the speakers
were or where they lived.
The program was opened at $3.50
o'clock with an overture by the High
school orchestra, which is an excellent
musical organization, and deserved
the ample applause which it received.
The first speaker was Russell B
Moberly, of Worthington, whose Sc
lection was "The Unknown Speaker"
a patriotic selection. His delivery
was fair, with no lack of volume.
Among the lady contestants, the
next speaker, Miss Anne Quevli, of
Window, was decidedly the favorite
with the audience, and that she was
not awarded first place was a general
surprise and disappointment. She
appeared in costume and recited "The
Gypsy Flower Girl" with great dra-
matte effect. Her voice is remarkable
for it's power and scope, and was under
perfect control. The selection was
well interpreted, and the audience
could not refrain from giving some
applause, which called forth protest
from the presiding officer.
Miss Alma Wagon played piano
solo very creditably.
Miss Mary L. Damon, of Worthing-
ton, had the same selection as Miss
Quevli, and also appeared in appro-
q
good as Miss Quevli's, but in some re-
spects she was an improvement, al
though lacking in general effect. Her
conception of the situations was about
perfect, and her enunciation was very
clear, being considerably more so than
Miss Quevli's. Many thought her
clearly entitled to the first place, and
none placed her lower than second.
In the sub-district contest Miss Bogue,
of Luverne, was marked higher by
the Judges, and Miss Damon was al
lowed to appear last night with the
understanding that if she won, her
case would be passed upon afterwards.
Two of the three judges at Luverne
marked her higher than Miss Bogue,
and she showed last night that these
two were correct, and it is to be hoped
that she will be allowed to appear at
St. Paul. If she is ruled out, then
Miss Quevli will represent the lady
speakers of the district.
James Swain Beecher, of Redwood
Falls, gave "Catiline's Defiance, y
forcibly and in good voice. He would
easily rank third among the gentlemen
contestants.
Miss Helen Byers, of Montevideo,
recited 'sThe Farmer and the Wheel"
which recounts an elopement on a
bicycle. Her enunciation was very dis
tinct and her manner of delivery in
teresting.
A violin solo by John B. Schmitt
gave the audience an opportunity to
applaud.
Miss Marie Bertha Bogue, of Lu-
verne, recited "Patsy." The imper-
sonation was excellent, and the
speaker was self.possessed and her
manner pleasing.
Ralph Lunn, of this city, captivated
his hearers by the excellence of his
delivery of 'The Speech of Robert
Emmett" He has splendid voice,
his manner is dignified, and his ges-
lures are appropriate. Some of the
more enthusiastic could not refrain
from starting little applause, which
was soon hushed, however. There
was never any question as to which
position he was entitled to.
Clement Schroeder sang 'The
Wanderer" so excellently that he was
encored.
Miss Daisy Ashley, of Jackson, re-
cited 'The Last Hymn" very credit
ably, the deep tones and volume of
her voice being particularly common
datory.
Watson Gould, of Fairmont, was
the last speaker and recited "Our
Constitution" He showed that he is
y,oconccad IF q rema rl a hlv ctropU voica