Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1901-07-05
CANT0N'S ASSEMBLY OPENS
Amid A Blaze Of Glory and Electric
Splendor.
Magnificent Auditorium Respendent With Flags Bunt
/ ing and Admirng Thousands.
The Fountains Sheen and Electric Clean Turns Night
Into Days Cerulean Tint.
la MAGNIFICENT AssuRED-cANroN IN
HOLIDAY GARB.

Cantons great Interstate Epworth
Assembly is now reality, and the
favorable conditions under which il
was opened gives promise of a brilliant
success Col. VIM. M. Cuppett as mar
shall, formed the procession on 5th
street. right resting on Broadway, and
at o'clock, headed by the Canton Con-
cert Band with Edwin Shufelt as drum
major, the order to march was given.
First came carriages with the officers
of the society and distinguished guests
from abroad, followed by the county
and city officials in carriages. The
various fire companies in uniform with
officers and members of the several
fraternal orders came next in order.
Then long line of men, women and
children brought up the rear. 1t was
a. happy, enthusiastic crowd, and all
joined in hearty cooperation to do
honor to Canton's greatest achievement.
The Assembly officers in carriages
were: Hon. Edgar Dean. president,
Canton; Miss Emma l.. DAHL secretary,
Canton; Ed. L. Wendt, treasurer, Can
ton; Rev. J. O. Dobson, superintendent,
Sioux Falls; Rev. A. G. Shepherd,
superintendent Of grounds, Canton;
Ernest Wendt and ". J. Byrnes of the
executive committee, with Hon. c. B.
Kennedy and Hon. Arthur r. Brown,
representatives Of the city, who were
selected to deliver the addresses of well
come. The guests were: Rev. Lachlan
MacLean, Rev. g. F. Hopkins, j..
Homer Grunn. Grace Gertrude Web
ster. N. L. Baker of Iowa. The pro-
cession marched through the grounds
and countermarched back to the Audi
torium entrance.
It was brilliant scene. Flags. ban
ners and bunting flying in the gentle
breeze that came over the river and
through the trees from Iowa. The
Auditorium looked resplendent in q
blaze of electricity. while the fountain
in front of the speakers platform threw
it's sparkling jets up into space. 1t was
warm, too warm for comfort, but the
heat had no effect on the vast crowd
assembled there to witness the formal
opening of the Assembly. About three
thousand people were present when
Presiding Elder Dobson announced
praise God From Whom all Blessings
Flow" The audience Joined in the
grand refrain and the last echoes Of the
glorious hymn announced the begin.
ming Of the first annual session Of the
Canton Epworth Assembly.
Rev. A. c. Shepherd was invited by
Elder Dobson to invoke divine blessing.
which the eloquent young preacher did
in an earnest appeal ior Gods aid and
blessing on all connected with the As.
sembly.
A piano solo by J. Homer Grunn,
reading by Grace Gertrude Webster
and song by Prof. Baker of Iowa
were admirable and so we'll appreciated
that each artist received an encore.
Hon. A. R. Brown and Hon. c.. B.
Kennedy in the order named were
called upon to extend welcome in
behalf of the City Of Canton. Both
gentlemen were eloquent in telling Of
Canton's welcome and her appreciation
of the honor conferred upon her by
by one of the greatest Christian organi-
cations of the world.
Rev. Lachlan MacLean and Rev. G..
F. Hopkins responded in behalf of the
eloquently and full of glad
ness which bespeaks Christians am
bition gratified. Rev. MacLean paid
Canton a beautiful compliment in honor
of her temperance record. and Rev.
Hopkins spoke in conclusion Of a great
er union, a greater state, and greater
city and predicted that Canton's assem-
bly, would become one of the greatest
in the west in a few years.
Prof. Baker sang song again with
Prof Grunn at the piano. Encore fol-
lowed.
The evening entertainment concluded
with an illustrated lecture by lady
who has been missionary in Africa.
JULY a.,
Atmospheric conditions were terrific.
100 in the shade at noon, but the spirit