The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-27
BROWN WINS EASILY.
Representative of Baker Uni
Versity Gets First Place.
Washburn College Gets Second
Place-K. u. Third.
Students Have the Usual Excitement
Last Night When the Lights Go Out.

At 1905 o'clock last night, or rather
this morning, while the Grand Opera
House was filled with a yelling, scream
ing, struggling mass of student human
ity awaiting the decision of the judges,
every light in the house went out like
a flash, and the auditorium was left
in total darkness. There was a wild
scramble for the exits and the greatest
confusion reigned for a short time. Just
previous to this at least 200 students
of all faiths had mounted the stage
and were struggling back and forth,
yelling for their own college. When
the lights went out the stage became
one of action. Some one yelled Rough
house." and the students did the rest.
Delegations of students in the boxes
fortified themselves for an attack from
other college men.
At this point as if fired by one hand,
hundreds of matches were lighted all
over the house. The effect was start
ling. The front of the stage was
crowded with college men, and every
one of them had lighted a match and
was holding it aloft.
The audience room of the opera
house was illuminated by these tiny
lights. 1t was a fortunate action.
Frightened people were Gained. A
panic was narrowly averted. The stage
carpenter soon got hold of an electric
light lever and he turned on an arc
light in the north fly gallery, back on
the stage, the only light which would
burn in the house. The light from this
1elI upon the front OF the stage, snow
ing mass of fighting young men, all
in good natured fun, but exciting.
The students gave their yells often
and loud.
Occasionally during the evening when
the colleges We're giving their yells
some K. U. student would raise his
hand in an effort to stop the yelling.
Then he would whisper to his class
mates: Don't make too much noise,
boys. You know we want that appro-
priation."
The noise continued from the time the
last speaker left the stage until PreSi-
dent Harvey G.. Mathis of EmpOria ad-
vanced to the front of the stage and
held one arm aloft in an attempt to
quiet the throng The students only
cheered the louder. 1t was yet dark
in the opera house save for the one
light in the fly gallery. The audience
quieted down. There was still a muir
muring among the students on the
stage.
these decisions" said President Mathis
rather uneaSily.
The noise ceased. There wasn't any
doubt in anybody's mind as to VINO
would be awarded first place 1t was
the other places which were uncertain.
The chairman announced that the Col
lege of Emporia had secured third
place There was an outburst from the
west This announcement was mis-
take, as the markings had not been av-
eraged correctly. Kansas university
was entitled to the place, as McMurray
received five points advantage over
FoulkeS.
Then Washburn college was an
nounced as second. Another howl went
up Finally it was announced that
T3akar was the winner and the crowd
struggled to get out of the opera house.
The Bakerites rushed to the stage and
carried their man around in giee. They
yelled themselves hoarse- 1t was their
time to be happy. While the other stu
dents didn't yell much, they all felt
that William Addison Brown had won
the contest clearly and fairly.
the judges:
DELIVERY.