The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-07
Demorest Silver Medal Contest.

large audience as usual greeted the
contestants at the Waight Sisters Dem
crest Silver Medal Contest at Van Wer.
denis opera hall last Friday evening.
Rev. Ilsley opened the program with
short prayer and then made few re.
marks on behalf of the Waight Sisters
and the contestants, nearly all of whom
had been suffering from la grippe and 1T
was under great difficulties that the con.
test was prepared.
The first on the program was charm
ing trio "Wait" by May, Louise and
Jessie Waight, which was rendered in
their usual charming manner.
Miss Mary Gillian was the first con-
testant, her subject being "The Lesson
OF Tragedy" We shall not attempt
to give separate description of each
contestant. Suffice to say that not one
OF them but what were entitled to q
medal, for they all acquitted thcmsel-
YES splendidly.
Miss Nina Cowden sang very pretty
solo, "Boboiink" being accompanied on
the piano by her mother.
Miss Bessie Cowden the second con.
testant recited in pleasing manner
poem, 'Rum's Tragedies" A piano
solo by Miss Grace M orrill followed and
GIG was dCdIluy dppIduu6u, UOiuS
very graceful performer.
musical character sketch followed,
the characters being we'll taken and
sung by Misses Jessie and Louise
Waight, Messrs. Lloyd Conrey and
Beryl Ellinwood,
''The Pledge in Blood" was the sub.
lect of the next contestant, Miss Mabel
Brown and her effort made good i'm
preston on the judges and audience.
~ song "When the Girls Can Vote"
was sung by six girls, Misses Eula
Waight. Nina Cowden, Edith Harris,
JENNIE Schenck and Marion Woonard.
The next contestant was Miss Kate
klrwin, her subject being "Taken by
Surprise" and the little lady took the
audience by surprise with the ease and
grace with which she delivered it..
She was followed by Miss Lucy Ilsley
with 'Ihe Indictment Against the
Liquor Traffic" and her ef ort was crown.
ed with success, she being awarded the
silver medal.
Little Edna Waight as usual was
heartily encored when she sang "Pickin'
on Chicken Bone" and had to come
to the footlights.
Miss Anna Tabler was the last contes-
tant, her subject being "Our Homes and
Country in Jeopardy" her grafton show
ing careful study and drilling.
s'The Musical Man" as sung by Edna
kohler, Edda Waight, Lulu Bowman,
Mida Bradley, Blanche Woodland and
Enid Alexander pleased all, large and
small, and they had to respond to the
encore.
Mr.. Beryl Ellinwood scored decided
hit when he sang, ''Sing Me Song of
the South accompanied on the piano
by Mrs. G. Il. Gardner. He has soft
mellow voice and knows how to handle
it to good advantage. The audience
were not satisfied with single song
song from him and he responded to an
encore with the popular "Hello NV
Baby" which was equally well received
At the close of the program Rev. K.
w. Caster presented, in few we'll chos-
en- remarks, the silver medal to Miss
Lucy Ilsley, which the judges, Miss
Mamie Allen, Prof. j. H. Drake and DR..
j. w. Rowell had unanimously awarded
to her.
The silver medal contest will be fol.
flowed at no distant day by Gold
Medal Contest and this later by Grand
Gold Medal Contest. These contests
never fail ta attract good audiences and
their programs are thoroughly enjoyes,
to say nothing Of the excellent drillipk
received by the contesta