The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-10-25
w AS A ROYAL
DEDICATION
CantOn's Auditorium is
Turned Over to City
With Ponnp and
Ceremony.

In the presence of fully 5000 people,
mainly residents of this city the mag
nificent new auditorium building and
market house was formally turned over
to the city by the trustees Thursday
night amid an interesting and elite
program, the numbers of which were
all rendered by local talent.
Everything necessary for a success
full dedication passed off in the smooth
est manner and without a single fail
ure. There was 10 hitch in any part
of the program, not an accident to
record and not the merest sign of
trouble when the great audience was
gaining entrance to the parquet and
amphitheatre No person without a
ticket was allowed in the building and
it was through the good work of the
policemen on the doors that such fact
existed. The stateliness of the dediCa-
tory exercises has written itself indel-
IDLY upon the memories of all those
present.
thrown open at promptly o'clock.
Two police officers were at each door
on Second and Third streets and four
were at the main entrance on Cleveland
avenue, BY 7;4O the seats were nearly
all taken and those who arrived later
were forced to stand either at the exit
openings or in the aisle back of the par
h.
vision of Joseph Balek and who gave
their services gratis, took care of the
audience after once in the building.
In the rear of the parquet, but on a
level and right in the center of the
plan of seats a raised platform had
been placed whereOn a comfortable
rocking chair for Mrs. Mckinley was
placed. The beloved lady, however.
found it impossible to be present and
her regrets were sent to the building
trustees with thanks for the courtesy
displayed.
To the numbers played by the Grand
Army band, to the excellent work of
the soloists and chorus and the elo-
Quence of the speakers, the plaudits
and congratulations of the apprecia-
tive listeners gave merited praise. Pro-
fessor Reinkcndorff, who is director of
both the band and chorus, was extend
ed many hearty bursts Of applause, his
two organizations greeting all ears
with sounds Of infinite harmony.
The soloists in the evening were:
Mrs. George Clark. Miss Sarah LAWN
and Miss Caroline Harter. Besides
these three Mrs. Ben Sugarman.
Miss Gertrude Hale and Mr.. Ralph
Brown assisted in the solo work in the
afternoon. Mrs. Clark, Miss LAWN and
Miss Harter gave the same selectioas
in the evening as in the afternoon.
The Grand Army band did the same
The chorus work in the matinee per-
fOrmance was not as heavy as in the
evening due to great extent to the
unavoidable absence Of many of the
singers. There was a full chorus of
400 voices present at the formal dedi-
cation. but in the afternoon only about
100 were in the chorus The lady mem
bers were all dressed in white: the
gentlemen in black. The band was at
tired in the regular band uniform.
Promptly at o'clock Professor
Reinkendorff waved his baton, the
mufIed conversation of the assem-
blage ceased and faces were turned
toward the director and his proteges
who were about to start the services
of the dedicatiOn-services that will
not be duplicated in Canton, and to
those who were present services that
will be looked back on as memorable
When all was ready the signal was
given, the chorus rose to its feet and
sang the "Ode of Praise" The Rev
eTend E. p. Herbruck a member of
the auditorium board, pronounced the
invocation. The subject of the build
ing was touched upon concluding with
the statement thatt the building will be
dedicated to the highest culture and
for the benefit of Christian manhood
and womanhood.
Then the first band selection of the
evening was given. This number and
all of the others were given in the in
imitable style for which, the band is
noted Hail, Bright Abode" from
Wagner was then given by the chorus.
The different vocal parts supported
each other well and strongly.
Next came the principal address of
the evening by Judge II. W. Harter, on
Municipal Government" The Judge
was not introduced and walked unac-
companied from the right end of the
stage to the center where after hu-
morously introducing his topic and his
own presence, delivered his address in
manner most forcible and pleasing.
From the brilliant wit and sound de-
liverance of Judge Harter's speech the
enchantment of Mrs. George Clark's
rich and mellow contralto voice was,