The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1897-07-31
OPEEOUSAs PARISH JULY 81. 1897.
united Daughters of the COME deracv.

lhere was meeting held at Sanloz
opera House on Saturday last. the Gath
Instant to organize Chapter of the
m nhl'ed daughters of the Confederacy.
me meeting was called to order bv
chairman U. Il. Backsbear. Comrade
Il. -. Prescott explained the objects and
purposes of the meeting in well chosen
ana patriotic words.
captain Prescott then introduced Mr.
John N. Ogden, who delivered a most
interesting and eloquent address in his
usual happy style.
Then followed the beautiful delivery
OF touching poem. This delivery was
nade by Miss Mabel Ogden, who feel
ihgly ana with deep earnestness, recited
the beautiful words in such manner as
to excite the liveliest appreciation from
the audience. With becoming grace
and sweet syllables, she took US back
10 the days when on warm day in
July, General Shelby's flag was buried
oeneath the rushing waters of the Rio
Grande The picturesque mountains
OF Ell Paso, del Aquilar, were silent
witnesses of the burial of the Confede-
rate banner, which although tattered
and torn in many a battle, was by it's
commander consigned to the waters of
the beautiful river. rather than let it
become desecrated by falling into any
unholy hands.
Nextca an original composition by
Miss Pearl HarmansoD. The pathos
and depth of thought of the words con
tanned in this beautiful composition,
went straight home to the hearts Of
every listener, and the rich melifluous
tones that came from the Eeader's lips
gave al additional attraction to the
piece. Well might we exclaim:
"Those silvery sounds so soft, so dear,
The listener held his breath to hear
Miss PEARLS composition has certainly
done full justice to her intellectual
qualities as we'll as to her histrionic tai
ent. The composition touched upon
the Confederate soldier, and naturally
received the closest and most attentive
consideration from the audience.
Then came treat rarely enjoyed by
our people. 1t was Il beautiful opera
sang in the rich aud highly cultivated
voice of Miss Anita Doremns. To say
that she captured the audience is in
deed putting it mildly. We doubt
whether Jenny Lind in her palmiest
the nightingale of st. Landry.
One of the most attractive features
OF the occasion was an original essay
by Mrs. A1die Humble Read, one of ST.
Landry's fairest and most intellectual
daughters.
Between these different recitations,
the most enchanting music WAS dis
pensed by Miss Bella Jacobs and Miss
Derbes, of Washington. If you want to
find the first musical talent, you need
not go any further than our sister town
of Washington.
There were two orations delivered
that took the cake. One WAS by our COM
rade Richard Keough. 1t was beau
tiful tribute to the sword. He showed
THAT if the sword had sometimes been,
perhaps, the cause of suffering and op-
preston, that ut the same time the
brightest liberties ever achieved were
under it's flashing steel. The other ora
ton was by IL gentleman Of Washing
ington, who wears the Judicial ermine
and goes by the name Of Judge Derbes.
The Judge was eloquent in the ex-
treme.
Two little girls who are visiting Mr..
Plonsky's family in Washington, the
Misses BerkseDs, gave proof of their
fine histrionic talent.
Altogether the meeting was asuccess.
and we trust that it is the forerunner OF
grand and successful achievement of
the end in view, viz Z:-establishiDg and
perpetuating of Chapters Of the Daugh-
tors of the COnfederacy.
There were about forty ladies who
formed the Chapter, electing Miss
Anita Doremus as temporary Chair
man. The permanent organization
takes place this evening at o'clock.