The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-07
COURSE ENDED.
Nineteen Graduates Step From
the High School.
Exercises at the Opera House
Closing With Presentation of Diplo-
mas by Supt. UIine.

opera house and were of an interest
ing nature. The audience was large
and was appreciative of the efforts of
the young people, eight of whom had
parts on the program. The exercises
lasted but an hour and half, and the
program had been so excellently ar
ranged as not be in the least tire
some.
The graduating class numbered
nineteen, as follows:
Latin course-Edith Bowen, Grace
F. Caldwell, Ethelyn Currier, RATHER
inc G. Davis, Jennette NJ Funk,
Chas E. Gilmore, Jessie M. Harter,
Marion Long, Evan j. Thomas,
Rachel Thomas, Richard Thompson.
Scientific course-Anna Bergstrom,
Liebert Brockway, Gilbert NJ.
Fletcher, Carl B. Roemer.
General course-Fred Brush. Mar
garet Dougherty, Nellie Huok, Hattie
Porter.
The curtain went pat 8 30 and dis
closed large chorus on raised seats
The sight was very pretty one, and
when the young people arose they de-
monstrated that they had received
careful training from Miss Myrick, the
musical director. The rendition of
Mountain Echoes" by French, and
"Gloria" (from twelfth mass by
Mozart merited the generous applause
that was bestowed. a
The exercises were opened by an in
vocation by Rev. T. M Edmands, pas
tor of the Cong regational church. The
chorus then sang, and the curtain was
rolled down. When it went p again,
the graduating class was seated in
front, the white dresses Of the young
ladies contrasting with the black suits
of the young gentIemen
Miss Katharine G.. Davis, daughter
of President Geo. 81. Davis of the
school board, gave the salutatory ad-
dress. She said thatfsfaa purpose of
education is to implant in our lives
those things which enoble and lift us
up. She welcomed the friends who
had assembled to witness the closing
exercises.
Gilbert M. Fletcher, son of Vice
President L. g. NJ. Fletcher, gave an
grafton on 'The Influence of Sea
Power Upon History" He referre d
to the great marine battles that have
occurred in differ mt ages down to the
breaking of the power of Spain by the
United States fleets at Manila and San
tiago. He said that in order to pros
per, nation must be power among
powers. He predicted that great ad-
vances will be made in war ships, and
that the war spirit in mankind will
continue.
Miss Jessie M. Harter held the close
attention of the audience with an
essay on "John Greenleaf Whittier,
the American Burns. She said that
Whittier is an advocate of the common
people, and portrays the most winning
side of country life. He lifts toll
above its drudgery. and sanctifes the
things the common people have to do.
Evan j. Thomas gave an grafton on
"The Importance of History in Ma
tional Development. He said that
the past achievements of people help
it along by their inspiration as we'll
as by the experience they give and the
moral lessons they teach. Nations
make the greatest progress in times of
peace. The United States has his
tory to be proud of, and if it is to ad-
vance as in the past it must search its
history for it's grandest names as it's
surest landmarks
The chorus rendered "The Lawn
Party" by Charles Lecocq. in an ad-
manner
The next number was an grafton on
"The Abused War Pensioner," by
Carl B. Roemer, son of Bruno Roemer
He has very pleasing voice and de-
livery. The old soldiers, he said, are
not legitimate subject for mirth-
and SCOTS A few who draw
pensions undeservingly are entitled to
censure, but the force of abusive re-
marks aimed at these is often felt by
all, and their brave old hearts rebel.
Men who have made the sacrifices that
the old soldiers did for their country
are deserving of honor
"The Passing of the Red Man. was
the subject of an essay by Miss
Jennette M. Funk, daughter of W. A.
Funk She possesses a pleasing de-
livery. She spoke of the happiness of
Indian life before the white men ar
rived, and of how the whites have
crowded Poor Lo off his birthright
She spoke of the heroic fights of some
of the Indian chiefs, and displayed a
great--deal of sympathy for the copper
colored race.
Chas. E. Gilmore gave an excellent
grafton on "The Cartoon. He said
that the cartoon moulds and shapes
the thoughts of people, and is superior
to newspaper articles in this respect.
People will not read an editorial
written by person who. does not
think as they do, but the cartoonist
forces his picture argument upon all.
Nobody refuses to look at it and every