The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-23
ORATORS OF SHORTRIDGE
FIVE OF THEM WILL COMPETE IN
PRIMARY on FRIDAY NIGHT.
Successful Man VIII Represent the
school i'm the state Contest ut
Columbus on May ..

The primary orat0rical contest to choose
a representative for the State High School
contest. TO be held at Columbus May 2,
now occupies the attention OF the Short
ridge High School pupils. The primary
viii be held next Friday night at Masonic
Hall. and tickets will no doubt be at a
premium by that time. as only sos seats
will be sold. Last year the primary was
won by James Gipe. who received six
nrsts. Others who have been successful
in these contests are Lawrence Davis.
Claude Bowers, Fletcher Wagner and CO.
burn Allen, who will be a contestant again
this year
When the manuscripts Of those that de-
sired 10 enter the contest were handed in
last week five appeared. Four Of these
were known 20 belong to Albert Buchanan,
George Posey. William Hill and James
Myers. The fifth was the property of a
decidedly dark horse" and no one knew
whose it was. All sorts Of rumors were
afoat. but nothing could be learned, and
the energetic reporters for the Echo had
to let the STORY" go.
However. it was at last learned to whom
announced in the Journal several days ago.
the author is COburn Allen This is the
second surprise that has recently been
sprung in Oratorical circles. The first was
when Albert Buchanan's name appeared on
the list Of contestants, and put a new
color on the outcome, because he won sec
ond year ago and is considered strong
opponent OF George Posey, who was
Barded rs a winner.
Now that COburn Allen. considered by
many the best orator in the school Will be
In the race, the result is still further in
doubt and the outcome is the most prom
ipent topic in the halls Of the school Ev-
eryone viii recall the excitement caused
last year by Aliens manuscript being
thrown out and the Indignation meeting
at which the faculty and students did not
agree. The subject Of his grafton last year
was Love" but when asked If he intended
using the same grafton, revised. this time
Allen refused to answer Many of those
going In the contest do not wish their sub
Jects published until the judges have read
the manuscripts.
Disinterested persons believe that the
most prominent factors In this years pri-
mary viii be Allen, Buchanan and Posey,
with Hill as unknown quantity. He
Is good speaker, and his friends declare
that he Will surprise the other contestants,
basinS their claims on his getting second
IN last year s contest. POsey's chances are
said by many 10 have been diminished
since Aliens name was announced, but he
himself declares that he feels certain Of
being victorious. Buchanan, who until
Gently was regarded a winner will
doubt make a strong fight, as his manu-
script Is an excellent one and he is said to
nave improved greatly in delivery since
year ago. Nevertheless, the close contest
which the primary promises assures a good
representative in the coming state orator.
cal contest, and whoever the successful
man Is next Friday night he will have the
hearty support of the school FOLLOWING
are sketches of each of the contestants in
the primary next Friday night
RECORDS OF THE ORATORS.
COburn Allen, probably the best known
orator in the school, is prominent in school
politics and is a popular member of the
senior class. He is president Of his class
and is also president of the Oratorical As
ISOLATION. member of the Senate and High
School Cinch Club. He won the primary
two years ago and received second place in
the state contest at Richmond. Mr.. Allen
Will receive strong support among the up
per classmen and will have a large follow
ong.
Albert Buchanan. who tied Hill for sec
ond place In last years contest, Will use
the same manuscript, the subject Of which
Is "Oliver Cromwell" He also belongs TO
the Senate and IS senior. He is member
OF the Delta Phi Boys Club, which is the
most prominent social and political club in
the school he will bo well supported in
the contest, being popular pupil in liter
airy and debating circles.
George NJ u. POsey has been tipped off,
70 be winner IN the primary for the past
two years, but received third place each
time account OF his manuscript. He is
the best speaker In the school, but hereto
fore has had a bad manuscript. However,
his friends claim that his grafton this year
will compare favorably with any manu-
script that ever was used in the school,
and expect him 10 win. Posey is one Of
the most prominent and well-known stu
dents I'm the school and is junior. He is
an assistant on the Friday Echo, a men,
Der OF the Senate and president of
the OratOrical Association last year He is
working his own way through school and
expects to attend Harvard. after which he
hopes To stu ~ law. lie will enter the con-
test with a strong following and he will
have the support of the lower classmen.
William r. Hill is a cOlored boy and a
member OF the 1903 class. lie surprised his
friends last year in the primary, getting
second He is a prominent member or the
Senate and one OF the best speakers in the
OratOrical Club. Last year was his first
experience in such contest.
James Myers is also cOlOred lad, and
Will enter the primary for the first time.
He il a sophomore and member of the Sem
ate. This will be his first experience in any
kind Of a contest. He submitted a manu-
script last year but 1t was not accepted.
1t IS said. however. that his grafton this
year ~ far better than the one year ago.