The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1898-05-27
CAME HOME WINNER
Ethan Cotton Given a Grand
Reception as Winner in
the Contest.
The Whole City Turned Out
to do Him Honor for
His Success.
IN CIRCLES OF SOCIETY
A Delightful Reception Given
at Mrs. Wind1e's Home
Last Saturday.
unME CnMTNc On .nIIE yTrmnD
HOME COMING OF THE VICTOR.

LdSl Saturday,.
HOME COMING OF THE VICTOR.
Dakota University's Orator Given q Grand
Reception on His Arrival.
Cotton! That was the name on every
lip Friday evening, when great con-
course of people aud students turned
out to welcome home tle young gentle
man, who 80 nobIy sustained the honor
of Dakota University in the inter-colle-
giate oratorical contest at Brookings
Wednesday evening. Preparations had
been made for more. elaborate demon
stration bull owing to the rain during
the day some OF it was necessarily dis
pensen with. MIR. Cotton and the ath-
letlc team arrived on the Omaha road
at 5:25 o'clock, and when the train pulled
in q mighty cheer went up from the
crowd which occupied the platform and
it was answered by the students from
the car. The students had previously
arranged conveyance in which to haul
the victor down town. 1t was two.
seated carriage and was completely
covered with blue and white, the col
lege colors A long rope was tied to
the pole and 25 students pulled the car
riage as an honorary escort. Mr.. Col
ton sat on the rear seat and in front, on
small pedestal, was placed the silver
cup, which he was given to hold one
year. The procession was headed by
the State Juvenile band and marched
down the sidewalk. Just after leaving
the depot probably 100 students of both
sexes formed in open ranks and thecar-
riage containing the orator passed be-
tween. While passing through the line
he was cheered vociferously, the college
yell was given time after time. The
enthusiasm knew no bounds.
Arriving at the corner Of The Mitch
ell, where an immene crowd had con-
gregated, the procession halted and
the welcoming exercises began. A
platform wagon was placed in the street
from which the speeches were made.
j. T. Morrow acted as chairman of the
occasion and called the people to order,
and in a few brief remarks stated the
nature of the occasion. He introduced
successively A. E. Hitchcock, Geo. A.
Silshy, E. S. Whitaker, Prof. E. j.
Quigley, 7. j. Spangler, and Prof. j.
e. Brum baugh, a member of the Uni
versity faculty, and who had the train
ing OF Mr.. Coltop in charge. The
speeches were necessarily brief, but
the gentlemen reflected the sentiment
of Mitchell people in extending such q
kearty welcome to Mr.. Cotton. Each
speaker paid glowing compliment to
the ability of the orator, his strong
character, his manhood, and his ear
nestness of work and purpose. Several
of the speakers referred to President
Graham and his connection with the
University, of the grand work he was
doing and of the mannar in which he
has built up the institution since he had
been at the helm. They expressed their
strong confidence in him and believed
that the University was fast becoming
the popular educational institution of
the state.
The crowd then called fer Mr.. Cotton
and he arose in the carriage, but his
voice was at first drowned in the cheers
which greeted him. He was evidently
effected by the impressivenss of the oc-
casion, by the desire of the people to ex-
tend him every possible honor,
and we believe the young gentleman to
be worthy in every way of the mark OF
distinguishment that was offered him.
Mr.. Cotton said he was glad to be re-
cognized as citizen of Mitchell and
hoped to see a complete union of city
and University. The silver cup with
which he was presented will remain in
his possession for year, when it will
be contested for again, and if the Uni
versity ia successful in 1899, the cup will
remain the property Of the University
Four times has Dakota University been
victorious in these oratorical contests
with the following representatives. F
Hudson Clark, A. @. Shepherd, Miss
Winifred McVay and Ethan T. Col
ton.
The conclusion of Mr.. Colton's re-
marks was the signal for an adjourn
ment, and the crowd dispersed.
II is with > great deal Of qualification