The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-20
PRIZES AWARDED.
Tennesseetown improvement
Society Annual Meeting.
Rev. Charles vi. Sheldon Talks
of Work Accomplished.

The largest crowd that ever attended
any of the annual fall festivals of the
Tennesseetown Village Improvement So
ciety was present last night at the
TenneSseetown Congregational church.
The prizes for the year were awarded,
defamation. contest was held, and the
competitive exhibits were on display.
The rooms of the church were hand
somely decorated for the occasion. The
evening programme was given in the
main auditorium of the church, which
was too small to accommodate the
crowd. After the programme the doors
of the library room back of the church
We're opened and the people were allowed
to go in and inspect the exhibits.
The Tennesseetown Village Improve
ment society was organized by Charles
M Sheldon and the people of the Cen
trail Congregational church. 1t was one
of the first things Mr.. Sheldon did for
the redemption of Freetown." Since
the Orga niZation has grown older, Mr..
Sheldon has as far as possible turned
over the whole management of the
work to the cOlOred people themselves.
Jerry White is now the president of
the association, Speaking of the work
this morning, Mr.. Sheldon said:
Mr.. White and his helpers deserve
great credit for the work which they
did to make the programme last night
such a success They planned the whole
thing, secured the prizes, and arranged
the programme. 1 was out of town
most of the time last summer, and so
had nothing to do with it. 1t was very
hard this year for our people out here
to make any display of garden veg
etables, for which prizes were offered.
The hot summer and water facili-
ties, practically prevented any display
of this kind. But the people are great
~ interested, and they say they will
make gardens next year"
A great change has taken place in
Tennesseetown since the inception Of
the village improvement society. The
hO1ISQS W. no ards
are neat, and there is great effort be-
ing made for the improvement of yards
and tree planting. The people them
selves are doing the work
THE great problem which remains
unSolved," says Mr.. Sheldon, '-iS to find
work for the young men, 1t is some
thing which stands as almost the only
remaining obstacle to the successful
elimination of our work There is moth
ing much for young colored men to do.
Their opportunities are limited. They
go to school, possibly. till they COM
plete the high school, and then are
obliged to loaf around the street cor.
ners. For a person like myself, who
has Yankee blood, it is a distressing
thing to see a person with nothing to
do all day.
The committee in charge of the pro-
gramme last night was composed of
w. T. Mcknight, R. F. Knott, Mrs.
Lizzie Washington, Mrs. ]. NJ. Wright,
and Mrs. Lizzie Shuck.
The committee which made the
awards of prizes was composed of Cen
trail church people. They were: Mrs.
Chapman, the Misses Spaulding. Mr..
Ayres and Mr.. Holman.
The following were the awards which
the committee announced:
Best large garden First Mr.. Grant
second, Mrs. A Ransom, 1112 Twelfth
street, laundry soap; third, D. ]. Over
1862 West street, Ratchet.
Youths garden: First, Arthur North,
over, 1852 West street, garden rake;
third, Essie Lewis III Lincoln, garden
hose.
Boys garden: First, Ralph Oglesvfe,
1922 Lincoln, garden rake; second, Jas.
b. Gray, 1893 Lane, sickle; third Joel
Mcknight, 1918 Lincoln, garden hoe
Neatest premises: First, D. J. Over,
1852 West street, rocking chair; second,
Joseph Giles, 1853 Lincoln street, parlor
lamp; third. Robert Craig, 1156 Clay
street, lamp.
improvements and identifying: First,
D. J. Over, 1852 West street, 1 years
subscription to Daily State Journal;
second, Rufus Knott. 1903 Lane street,
granite tea kettle.
Painting on premises: Martin OgIes-
vie, ITS Buchanan street, umbrella.
Poultry: Louis Jackson, rocking
chair
Plain sewing, by girl between II and
1S: Viola Scott, umbrella.
Plain sewing, girl under IL: Eva Pat
terson, pair of scissors.
Loaf of cake, made by girl under IS:
First Virgie Williams, tablec1oth; sec
ond, Eva Patterson, second. pair of
gloves.
The first prize in the defamation con-
test, consisting of a study lamp, was
won by Joel S. Mcknight, who spoke
Grumpy Corner" Elisha Scott won
the, second prize, consisting of a small
stand; the third. two books, went to
Archie Grant.
The literary and musical programme
which was given was as follows:
Address of welcome-Rev. c. NJ. Shell
don.
Response-H. J. Monroe.
Instrumental solo-Miss H. Washing
ton.
Address-Mr James Page.
Vocal solo-Mrs. Lizzie Brown
Song-ShiIoh Baptist choir.
Instrumental solo-Mrs- Oscar Over
Address--Prof- c. F. Clinkscale.
Vocal solo-Mrs. Maud Harris.
instrumental solo-A1rS- Helm
Vocal soIo-Mrs Gertrude Owens.
Declamatory contest for prize-Mas-
ter Elisha Scott, Master Joe s. Nc
Knight and Master Archie Grant.
Benediction.
Thanksgiving Sale
One week, 20 per cent discount on all
hot Z